City Council - 01/08/2019 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JANUARY 8, 2019 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Kathy Nelson, and Mark
Freiberg
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Greg Weber, Interim Fire Chief Kevin
Schmieg, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose,
Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Katie O'Connor
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and H(5:30)
I. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH SENATOR CWODZINSKI, SENATOR FRANZEN,
REPRESENTATIVE KOTYZA-WITTHUHN,AND REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS
Mayor Case introduced the agenda for the evening. City Manager Getschow stated the
workshop is an annual dialogue between the City Council and Legislators. Getschow
introduced the Municipal Legislative Commission's (MLC)platform for 2019. Eden Prairie
is active in all three organizations (League of Minnesota Cities, Metro Cities, and Municipal
Legislative Commission),but MLC most closely fits the City as a larger suburb.
Getschow stated the MLC platform focuses on the state and local fiscal relationship,
transportation funding, and support of local control. In regards to the state and local fiscal
relationship, at most only a few of the MLC suburbs receive local government aid (LGA).
MLC supports direct individual property tax relief for all income-eligible taxpayers in all
cities through the circuit breaker program. MLC opposes automatic inflationary increases
ever year for the LGA pool. Additionally, MLC opposes carving out revenue from the fiscal
disparities pool to support specific projects. Eden Prairie is the number three contributor to
the fiscal disparities program. If the program didn't exist, the median value home in Eden
Prairie would see 7.5 percent less of taxes.
Getschow stated another MLC priority is transportation funding. MLC supports an increase
in long-term,regionally balanced transportation funding. The last MLC priority is support of
local control. In the past there have been discussions on water quality, watersheds, and lately
discussions on wireless infrastructure. Eden Prairie has been ahead of these issues with
approving updated right of way ordinances so there is some control over the placement of
small cell wireless facilities. MLC also opposes restrictions to city authority on utilizing
franchise fees. Eden Prairie utilizes franchise fee funds for transportation. MLC opposes
fiscal limitations such as levy limits or reverse referenda on the decisions of local
government officials. MLC is also supporting the repeal of the statutory salary limitation on
city employees for the first time as a group. Minnesota is the only state that ties salaries of
public officials to the Governor.
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January 8, 2019
Page 2
Senator Franzen serves on the Taxes Committee and Transportation Committee. She inquired
about the City's need for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) exceptions at the state level. Other
cities also have brought up issues with affordable housing and federal conformity. Getschow
added the federal conformity issue does not affect city government. The City has several TIF
districts, and pooled TIF funds are prioritized for eligible affordable housing projects.
Community Development Director Jeremiah stated we have a number of TIF districts that
will be expiring, so the City has been looking at extensions. The City will be experiencing
more of an affordable housing issue in the next ten years. The City has supported TIF for
transit-oriented development(TOD) districts.
Senator Franzen inquired about the TOD funding for the Southwest Light Rail Transit
(SWLRT) station. Jeremiah stated the TOD funding was used for the overall construction of
the mixed-use development, including the infill and infrastructure needs. It was a loan from
the Met Council to help with the starting costs. This was combined with funds from
Hennepin County and the City's TIF for the affordable housing component.
Senator Cwodzinski stated labor unions are pushing for a large gas tax increase. He supports
a gas tax,but this may not be sustainable with the future in electric cars. The Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) wants predictable funding. He was unaware of the
salary cap imposed upon city staff and empathizes with cities on unfunded mandates.
Council Member Aho noted the salary cap restricts Council from offering a competitive
salary, specifically for out of state candidates. Council Member Nelson added, the options are
to increase the Governor's salary or continue to increase his salary yearly by a percentage.
Senator Franzen stated she is trying to serve on the Health and Human Services Committee.
She expects federal tax conformity to happen this session. She echoes what Senator
Cwodzinski stated about supporting a gas tax increase,but it is not sustainable. There is a
focus on healthcare, the opioid addiction, and the adult use of cannabis. Cannabis has public
safety and human resources implications. If it is regulated and taxed, she stated some of those
funds should go to transportation,public safety, and healthcare.
Senator Cwodzinski is on the Environmental, Education, and Veterans Committees. The
primary focus will be Education this session and going forward.
Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn is on the Education Finance, Commerce, and Early
Childhood Finance and Policy Committees. She also serves on the Early Childhood Advisory
Council for the Little Eagles program. Working to find creative solutions for the achievement
gap, affordable child care, and gun violence prevention are her primary focus.
Representative Elkins is serving on Transportation, Local Government, Government
Operations, State Government Finance, and Commerce Committees. He expects to focus on
health insurance and finance. Some of the issues are pharmacy and hospital pricing
transparency, improving the affordability of access to healthcare, and replacing the provider
tax. He advocates strongly for improved transportation and long-term solutions. The days of
the gas tax are numbered. Education is also a large focus that is under-financed by the State,
specifically K-12. Additionally, there is a shortage of caregivers, caretakers, home health
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January 8, 2019
Page 3
care aids, and Metro Mobility drivers for people with disabilities, and a lack of funding. In
regards to cannabis,he would vote to dedicate those funds to healthcare.
Nelson stated fiscal disparities has good purpose, but the City is paying on properties that are
past their usefulness. Case added Eden Prairie is willing to pay its fair share,but the formula
should be revised
Aho stated transportation has always been a key issue. There are discussions of gaps in
funding from MnDOT for the I-494 and I-35W project. Elkins added additional funds will be
required to do the I-494 project right. Additionally, Metro Transit will be in a deficit after
this year. Nelson requested additional support from legislators for Light Rail Transit.
Aho stated he chairs the Southwest Transit Commission, and they would like to continue to
improve and expand services. The Commission has discussed starting a service called Prime
MD for people to get to their appointments, whether within Eden Prairie or beyond. Senator
Franzen requested Aho testify on these issues at the Transportation Committee.
Case stated franchise fees benefit the City's road projects and transportation. He also asked
the legislators to work on restricting tobacco sales to age 21 statewide.
Kotyza-Witthuhn stated she supports the City's efforts of planting native prairie grass. She
agreed this initiative saves the City money long term on mowing public lands.
Franzen stated she is also working on the large state issue of food waste. There are few
models available to review. Getschow noted Hennepin County is mandating cities to have
organics recycling in place by the end of 2020.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT