City Council - 09/04/2012 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
JOINT CITY COUNCIL & EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP
& OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case
SCHOOL BOARD: Karla Bratrud, Dave Espe, John Estall, Holly Parker, Ranee Jacobus,
Suzanne Kutina, Chuck Mueller
SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF: Curt Tryggestad, Superintendent; Patricia Magnuson, Chief
Operating Officer; Stephen West, Executive Director of Educational Services; Tom May,
Executive Director of Human Resources; Bob Noyed, Executive Director of Communications &
Community Relations
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
I. JOINT MEETING WITH THE EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
A. School District Updates
Superintendent Tryggestad said his first two months on the job have been very
positive. He provided updates in four areas:
1. The district is working with a consultant on transitioning to a different
governance model. Tryggestad said they are contemplating adopting a
policy governance model, and are currently discussing roles and
responsibilities related to that model.
2. The district is also in the early stages of developing a new strategic plan,
with the assistance of a consultant. Tryggestad said the district's last full
strategic plan was created in 2006, and its focus was on facilities. The
district will be gathering as much input from the community as possible.
They expect to formally begin the process in October and have a final plan
by April 1.
3. Tryggestad said that early indications are that enrollment is up slightly
overall. Approximately 80 additional elementary students were enrolled
on the first day of school. Middle school enrollment was down by a few
students. Figures are not yet available for the high school.
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September 4, 2012
Page 2
4. Tryggestad said achievement data is very encouraging. Seventy-seven
percent of eligible district high school students took the ACT test, and the
average score was two points higher than the state average. Tryggestad
said the achievement gap for students of color is closing quickly, and they
expect that trend to continue.
B. City Updates
City Manager Getschow noted that recent city surveys indicate that Eden Prairie
residents want the City to provide services that support a high quality of life while
remaining fiscally conservative. Getschow said only budget increases this year
were for public safety - implementation of the fire duty crew and addition of a
police officer. The City also implemented a utility franchise fee to fund the
pavement management program, rather than imposing special assessments. The
proposed 2013 levy increase is less than one percent, which translates into a
decrease of about $18 for the median value home.
Getschow said the City Council's has increased citizen engagement efforts this
year. The City Council has held several town hall meetings and staff is actively
promoting the City through our Facebook page and other electronic media.
Getschow said commercial and residential development activity is up.
Construction of more than 100 new single family homes is expected this year and
a new market-rate apartment building was recently approved by the City Council.
UHG's new Eden Prairie campus will have 1.5 million square feet of office space.
Promoting Eden Prairie as a premier place to live is also a current focus of the
City Council. Staff is also working on LRT-related development, creating a
master bike and pedestrian plan, monitoring airport development and exploring
tech/green initiatives.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said another City emphasis is creating a healthy city. The
City Council adopted an "Active Living" resolution at its last meeting and the
Parks and Recreation Department used funds from an anonymous donor to create
an "Edible Playground" at Prairie View Park. There are plans to expand the
program. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said the City would particularly like to work with
the School District on green and healthy initiatives.
C. Discussion
Council Member Case said he would like to see a joint initiative of the City, the
School District and the Chamber of Commerce to promote Eden Prairie. He said
there is a mistaken impression out there that our schools are in decline, and that
perception needs to be reversed. Nelson suggested looking into how Eden Prairie
High School can get back on the U.S. News and World Reports list of the best
schools. Mueller said we should be comparing our schools to the best in the
nation, not just Minnesota. Bratrud said it will be important to look at facts and
data going forward, while not dismissing the poor experiences of some individual
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September 4, 2012
Page 3
families over the past few years. Jacobus said negativity takes a long time to
dissipate, and that a long term perspective is necessary. She said the School
District's mission is to prepare graduates for the next step in life, and that it is
important to market their successes. Council Member Nelson said she has heard
concerns from some Chamber members that students are not learning how to
work in groups, which is especially important in the area of technology. Mueller
said that one of his concerns is addressing how to get to 100 percent readiness for
first graders. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked if the district has considered year-round
school. West said educators know that year-round school is beneficial to students,
but that many community members are not ready for that. Jacobus said she would
like to see joint initiatives in the area of performing arts. West said the School
District is interested in discussing the ongoing sister city relationship with the
City of Loudi, China. Getschow said City and School District staff will meet to
follow up on the ideas presented tonight and will report back to leadership.
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. Jeff Strate—Public Access TV
Strate asked the City Council to help find a way for the five Southwest Cable
Commission (SWCC) communities to continue to offer public access studio
facilities. He said he is asking SWCC to include at least two access producers and
one studio manager as part of discussions going forward. He also suggested
including a producer from commercial or public television. Council Member
Case said the next SWCC meeting will likely involve discussions on this topic.
III. ADJOURNMENT