City Council - 02/21/2012 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 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
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
Workshop - Heritage Room H(5:30 p.m.)
I. GTA REDEVELOPMENT
A. Humphrey Institute Student Projects
Economic Development Manager David Lindahl introduced Matt Fyten, one of
three students who completed a capstone project for a master's degree program at
the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute. Fyten made a PowerPoint
presentation that summarizes the report.
The project involved creation of a plan for future development at the proposed
GTA LRT station site. The objective of the project was to provide a sustainable
land use plan for the site, much of which is owned by Liberty Property Trust. The
report broke the recommendations into three sustainability systems: 1)
Community, Equity and Prosperity, 2) Connectivity, and 3) Natural Resources.
The report includes suggestions on developing an environment that is visually
appealing, encourages community interaction and provides a mix of residential
and commercial spaces. The report also explores ways in which location of an
LRT station in the GTA can help transform an auto-reliant area into one that
includes pedestrians,bicycles and public transit. Suggested natural resource
enhancements include designing hydrology to reduce stormwater runoff,
expansion of green space and vegetation throughout the development and
reduction of energy impacts through a variety of design and construction methods.
B. Global Green Project
Planner Regina Rojas gave an update on the Global Green project. Rojas said the
City applied for a Global Green grant for Golden Triangle neighborhood design in
November 2011. In December, the City was notified we would be receiving the
grant. The program involves a three-day site visit by four sustainability experts
who will hold open houses, interview stake holders, and review the comp plan
CITY COUNCIL WORKHOP MINUTES
February 21, 2012
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and zoning codes. All of this information will be gathered in a technical
document that will provide recommendations on policy changes tied into LEED-
certified principals. Rojas said the site visit has not yet been scheduled,but will
probably take place in late September or early October.
II. SW LRT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND
BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah briefed the City Council on upcoming
appointments for the SW LRT advisory committees. The original Citizens Advisory
Committee was appointed in 2008 and included both citizens and businesses. The
committees are being split into separate business (BAC) and citizen groups (CAC). The
Met Council will appoint the BAC members,but are open to input from the City. The
CAC appointments will be made based on recommendations of the City Council.
Jeremiah said the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce will be a member of the BAC.
Jeremiah said staff recommends including the following on the CAC:
• A Planning Commission member
• A Conservation Commission member
• A Park, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission member
• An at-large representative who is a transit rider
• A resident of Southwest Condos
Jeremiah said the City Council will need to decide if they want to recommend any at-
large business members. The group is expected to meet once a month on Thursday
evening. Council Member Nelson said she would like to ensure that the citizen
representatives actually live in Eden Prairie, and that there is a good mix of young
families and retired people, etc. Mayor Tyra-Lukens suggested communicating the
openings on the City's website and Facebook pages.
III. BUDGET ADVISORY COMMISSION WORK PLAN
City Manager Rick Getschow and Finance Manager Sue Kotchevar have identified two
areas the Budget Advisory Commission could study:
• City Center Building Possibilities
• City Council Compensation
The City Council members agreed that these would be good topics for the Budget
Advisory Commission to study and report back on.
IV. PROPOSED FRANCHISE FEE ORDINANCE
Public Works Director Robert Ellis reviewed the proposed franchise fee structure. He
recommends going with $2.50 for gas and $2.50 for electric. Staff expects the income
from the proposed franchise fees to be adequate for now, and feel that the rates can be
revisited in a few years if necessary. Council Member Aho suggested holding public
forum to inform the residents about the proposed fees.
CITY COUNCIL WORKHOP MINUTES
February 21, 2012
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Mayor Tyra-Lukens reminded the Council Members that the Goal Setting Session is set
for April 10.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30 p.m.)
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. Jan Mosman—Cummins-Phipps-Grill House Thank You
Mosman read a letter that outlines all of the work the Historical Society and the
City have done on the Cummins-Phipps Grill House.
IV. ADJOURNMENT