City Council - 09/15/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 CITY CENTER
5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30— 6:55 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
SCHOOL BOARD: Ranee Jacobus, Dave Espe, Karla Bratrud, Elaine Larabee, John Estall, Holly
Link, Holly Parker
SCHOOL STAFF: Dr. Curt Tryggestad, Josh Swanson, Tricia Clair, Shawn Hoffman-Bram, Tom
May, Jason Mutzenberger
Workshop -Heritage Room H
Council Member Nelson was absent.
L JOINT MEETING WITH EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOL BOARD
Tryggestad gave an update on the School District's strategic planning process and results of
their recent community survey. Tryggestad said the strategic plan is driven by the District's
mission statement, which reads, "The mission of Eden Prairie Schools is to inspire each
student to learn continuously so they are empowered to reach personal fulfillment and
contribute purposefully to our ever-changing world." He said the emphasis is on "each"
because learning is a unique process for every student. He said the District's ability to put an
electronic learning device into the hands of every student has helped promote this goal.
Tryggestad said the strategic planning process began in 2012 with 25-30 core planning team
members. The process resulted in a five-year plan that guides all of the District's decisions.
The District conducted a review of the plan in April and determined three of the results were
"achieved and operational," 15 results were brought forward for review for next year, 22
results were retained and one result was removed.
Tryggestad said the School District's community survey was conducted this spring.
Households were contacted based on random sampling. Ninety-two percent of households
rated the quality of public schools in Eden Prairie as excellent or good, which was up slightly
from 2014. Seventy-five percent said the School District is headed in the right direction, up
from 64 percent in 2014. Seventy-eight percent rated financial management as excellent or
good, compared to 53 percent in 2014.
City Council Workshop Minutes
September 15, 2015
Page 2
Tryggestad noted that last fall's successful referendum promised to improve reading levels,
increase college/career readiness, and to maximize the benefits of 1:1 technology. The
School District has lowered K-1 class size to 20, hired 12 elementary reading and math
specialists and is promoting professional development targeted at blended learning.
The School District is also using funds left over from hail damage to make a number of
facility improvement. Upgrades include installation of secure entrances in all of the
elementary and middle schools, creation of an Administrative Services Center technology
office that houses all technology staff in the same location and moving the pre-school
program to the Administrative Services Center Lower Campus. Tryggestad said these
changes will result in $78,000 in saving per year. A number of other improvements are being
made at the Administrative Services Center, including relocation of the data center, creation
of a new welcome center and renovation of the board room so that it can be used for training.
Tryggestad said the School District completed Phase 1 of a two-part facilities usage study in
January. Phase 2, which will take place in January 2016, will include a study of academic
programming and facility usage. Input from parents will be included in the study.
Getschow gave a short presentation on the results of the City's 2014 community survey. Key
findings included:
• Residents enjoy a high quality of life
• Residents value the natural environment and outdoor amenities
• Residents feel safe
• Residents rate City services highly
• Residents are engaged but efforts could be make to improve opportunities to be involved
Ninety-five percent of residents rated quality of life as excellent or good, up from 89 percent
in 2012. Location, safety, parks and community center, and schools were mentioned most
frequently when residents were asked what they like most about Eden Prairie. Eight-seven
percent said the overall quality of City services were good or excellent. Fifty-eight percent
rated opportunities to be involved as good or excellent. Getschow said the City Council is
working on providing more ways for residents to be involved and promoting existing
opportunities.
Case asked about current enrollment numbers. Tryggestad said enrollment has declined
slightly, mainly due to a population that is aging in place. First day enrollment was down
about 100 students from last year.
Jacobus asked what is expected to happen to the land the Vikings own once they move their
headquarters. Getschow said it is a valuable parcel, and it will be a prime location for
redevelopment. He said it could be an ideal location for a full-service hotel.
Link asked if the City knows where the final LRT station will be located. Tyra-Lukens said
Southwest Station will be the terminus. Link said that will be convenient for high school
students who take college course at the University of Minnesota through the PSOE program.
City Council Workshop Minutes
September 15, 2015
Page 3
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. Scott Carlston—MartinBlu Trail
Carlston presented concerns regarding the trail he agreed to build as part of the
Developers Agreement for the MartinBlu apartment project. He noted that a
portion of the trail is in a wetland area, which flooded in this spring. He is
proposing an alternative trail that he says would work well for apartment building
residents and the adjacent daycare. He said staff has expressed concerns that the
trail would not connect to the City's existing trail system. He asked if other
property owners have been required to make similar connections. Getschow said
staff disagrees about the likelihood of the wetland flooding in the future. He said
staff believes the original trail plan is still the best option. Case said he does not
like to question staff s judgment, but he is wondering if the original plan really is
the best plan. Nelson asked for staff to provide information about how often that
area actually floods. She does not have a problem with Carlston's new option
going over what is now proof of parking for the daycare. Getschow said staff will
review the proof of parking and will work with Carlston to finalize a trail plan.
Case said decisions need to be made quickly since Carlston wants to construct the
trail before winter weather arrives.
B. Bob Kennedy—Former Employee
Kennedy said he received an e-mail that said a former City employee who was
recently convicted of fraud was paid $300,000 a year. He asked if that was true.
Tyra-Lukens said it is not true.
III. ADJOURNMENT