City Council - 06/12/2018 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 12, 2018 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 James DeMann, 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 Katie O'Connor
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and H(5:30)
I. 2019-2028 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Finance Manager Kotchevar presented on the ten year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The
plan is systematic planning, scheduling, and financing of capital projects. The City maintains
its infrastructure, continues a strong pay-as-you-go program, uses one-time revenues for one-
time expenses, maintains stable debt levels, and has maintained the bond rating.
Kotchevar stated the overall CIP has $282,002,981 in proposed projects, 2.1 percent higher
than the previous CIP. The revenue is fairly stable over the ten year CIP. There will be one-
time revenue available in 2022 due to some special assessment debts that will be paid off. In
2019-2020 there are some higher expenses due to the Light Rail Transit(LRT) and Fire
Department self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). Additionally, there will be higher
expenses in 2024 for larger pavement projects. Last year the City updated the ten year utility
rate study, which is consistent in the CIP.
Kotchevar stated revenue sources include liquor operations, city center rental income,
antenna revenue, storm fund loan repayment, tax levy, Moore House rental income, and other
one-time revenue. The department CIP requested projects total is $27,362,000, a 24 percent
increase. Some of the Parks and Recreation projects include new trails and sidewalks, trail
maintenance, play equipment replacement, parks parking lot maintenance, Flying Cloud
fields regrading, hard court maintenance, and Miller Park light conversion.
Council Member Aho inquired if the Miller Park light conversion savings would justify
completing it sooner than 2021. Parks and Recreation Director Lotthammer responded the
operating cost comparison has yet to be made, and due to the lack of analysis of these new
products, there is a level of comfort in waiting.
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June 12, 2018
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Council Member Case inquired when the Council should expect to learn more of the
specifics of CIP projects. Lotthammer responded the Council could begin hearing about
projects during the planning and approval process. Case responded that it would be beneficial
to have high-level detail of these projects to answer residents' questions. Kotchevar added
prior to the December Council meeting, Council Members will receive a draft CIP book
including a detailed description of each project. City Manager Getschow added Council will
learn of projects from the CIP as well as Council meetings when projects seek approval.
Kotchevar noted some of the projects are included in the previous CIP update book.
Aho inquired if the new trails and sidewalks are to complete the build out. Lotthammer
responded the City will be close to completing the build out,but some of the sidewalks and
trails are to connect with LRT stations.
Kotchevar presented some of the Fire Department larger projects, which include radio
replacement; SCBA Equipment; a software system to control cameras, doors, and security;
camera upgrades; and ballistic vests. Case inquired if ballistic vests will be part of the Fire
Department uniforms. Esbensen replied every apparatus will have four on board for
situational uses.
Kotchevar presented some of the Engineering projects, which include LRT project
improvements, Birch Island Road, West 70t" Street, and a yard waste drop off site. Public
Works Director Ellis added the Yard Waste program is a new drop off site for branches, logs,
sticks, and leaves taking place at the Maintenance Outdoor Storage Site (MOSS).
Kotchevar presented the Police Department CIP projects, which include squad car video
system, Tasers, body cameras, and rifles.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens inquired about projects working towards reducing carbon emissions or
utilizing alternative energy sources. Getschow noted the City will present solar projects to the
Council in upcoming months and will be signing up for offsite programs to utilize renewable
electricity. These projects are not included in the CIP, because building maintenance utilizes
the facilities annual fund. The City strives to do sustainable building projects.
Council Member Nelson inquired about the bulb replacement of Xcel Energy street lights
and decorative street lights. Ellis stated the City owns the decorative street lights and they are
almost 100 percent converted to light emitting diode (LED)bulbs. Xcel will start converting
the remaining street lights to LED in the upcoming days.
Kotchevar stated engineering funding sources come from other forms of government, grants,
assessments, and City sources. A few of the projects' funding has yet to be identified. Ellis
added the vast majority of the pavement management project funds comes from franchise
fees. For the first time, there are some complete reconstruction of roads in the CIP.
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June 12, 2018
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Aho inquired if the City is researching new technologies or cutting-edge materials for
infrastructure. Ellis replied the state does a remarkable job testing new materials. The City is
looking into trying soy-based rejuvenators for pavement and the City has been utilizing
Texas Under Seal (TSU). The City's pavement management goal is an average pavement
condition index rating of very good or excellent. The City invests in the pavement by
maintaining it with sealcoat and overlay and prolonging the life of the streets.
Butcher Wickstrom inquired what impact the coating that is preemptively applied for snow
storms has on the streets. Ellis replied chloride deteriorates the roads, but the City is reducing
the impact by pretreating before a storm so ice cannot bond to the road.
Kotchevar stated the facilities internal service fund is funded by all departments. The larger
projects in the CIP are replacing the roof on the maintenance facility and the Police
Department facilities remodel. The park improvement fund significant projects are Staring
Lake Park shelter reconstruction, Riley Lake improvements phase II, and Cedar Hills Park
development phase IL The economic development fund significant projects are entry
monument signs, LRT station area improvements, LRT project improvements, and City west
entry monument art.
Butcher Wickstrom inquired how many signs the $650,000 entry monument fund includes.
Community Development Director Jeremiah replied it includes five,but two of those are
underfunded. The City is currently out to bid for the 494 westbound sign.
Aho inquired about the fund balance increasing for the park improvement fund. Lotthammer
replied there has been a recent influx of developments that contribute to park dedication fees.
Kotchevar stated the City has $3 million housing tax increment financing (TIF) dollars
available and $1.5 million more in the future. Jeremiah added these are pooled housing TIF
dollars. Tyra-Lukens inquired if TIF funds have to be used on housing. Jeremiah responded
housing TIF dollars have to be used on affordable housing but can be used anywhere in the
City. TIF dollars have to be tied to the specific project.
Kotchevar stated information technology projects total $2,968,000. Tyra-Lukens inquired if
the Garden Room audio/video (AV) upgrades are becoming necessary for rentals. Getschow
responded a permanent AV system will make the rental more desirable.
Aho inquired whether the fiber implementation is to own the fiber. Getschow replied most of
the facilities are linked with fiber. This is for some redundancy and to fill in gaps.
Kotchevar stated the City has over $35 million dollars in debt outstanding. If the City didn't
issue anymore debt, the City would be done paying debt by 2034. The annual debt levy of the
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June 12, 2018
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City is five percent of the general fund budget. Tyra-Lukens stated she hopes the City would
not be reluctant to use debt to increase value in the City by investing in buildings and
infrastructure. Kotchevar added future debt considerations are to replace fire engines, fire
tower 41 project, police facilities remodel, and the ground storage reservoir project.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. JOHN MALLO— GUNS
John Mallow, 14000 Forest Hill Road, thanks Council for bringing forth the gun
resolution. There have been more students killed at school than those deployed in
the military this year. How do we enforce guns security in homes with children?
B. MICHAEL TATE— GUNS
Michael Tate, 8352 Town Center Drive, said last year he was in Las Vegas when
an active shooter incident was taking place. There has to be something that can be
done to start preventing these incidents. We have a responsibility at a local level.
C. TIM JAMISON—FIREARMS ZONING
Tim Jamison, 18727 Magenta Bay,believes that the moratorium would send the
wrong message of the goal, and the three uses should not be combined. This is not
a problem in Eden Prairie.
D. JOAN HOWE-PULLIS —COMMONBOND
Joan Howe-Pulls, 8101 Curtis Lane, speaks with others in support of the Trail
Point Ridge housing development. They support the much needed housing for
people to live in Eden Prairie. Common Bond has a proven track record.
E. ROB ROZANSKI—FIREARMS ZONING
Rob Rozanski, 19186 Poplar Circle, believes this ordinance should not be passed
with firearms in the moratorium. He doesn't believe gun sales have been a threat
to health, welfare, or the safety of Eden Prairie residents.
F. WILLIAM BALLANTYNE
William Ballantyne, 11908 Hamilton Court, believes firearms dealers in Eden
Prairie are very responsible, as well as their employees. Gander uses a lot of
discretion when selling guns and waits eight days for a thorough criminal
background check. He doesn't believe the ordinance is needed.
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June 12, 2018
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G. JAMES ALLISON
James Allison, 8639 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, stated according to former
President Obama's study, 30,000 people per year die by guns,but two thirds are
suicide. There are many incidents that good people with guns prevent. More gun
control will mean less people will have access to guns to defend themselves.
H. DAINE STRAUSE
Diane Strause, Saint Paul resident, stated some of the cities with the most
stringent gun laws have the most gun violence. Restricting gun laws will restrict
people from defending their family. When sales are restricted, revenue is cut.
I. LISA SINNID
Lisa Sinnid, Stacy resident, stated gun shops within the City does not make Eden
Prairie less safe. St. Paul and Minnesota do not have gun shops, yet they have the
highest crime rates. This Council has not provided cause, and she finds it curious
alcohol is not included in the moratorium.
III. ADJOURNMENT