City Council - 04/02/2019 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,APRIL 2, 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, Mark
Freiberg, and PG Narayanan
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Greg Weber, Fire Chief Scott Gerber,
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. SUSTAINABLE EDEN PRAIRIE
City Manager Getschow stated this is the third update on Sustainable Eden Prairie. At the
goal setting session, the Council identified desired goals and focus areas for the initiative.
Sustainability Specialist Lundgren provided on overview of the sustainable practices: energy,
landscape, waste, and water. In regards to education and outreach, the City website
encompasses the upcoming events and informational guides for residents.
Council Member Nelson inquired what kinds of questions the City gets on the Sustainable
Eden Prairie topics. Lundgren responded some of the common questions are asking when
events are happening and where residents can drop off large items for garbage or recycling.
Lundgren stated the quarterly "Life in the Prairie" newsletter update highlights sustainability
articles in every issue with links to the website for more information. The City also uses
email and text messaging, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Twitter for education and outreach.
Annually Sustainable Eden Prairie awards are presented at a City Council meeting. The City
conducts youth education and engagement through the environmental learning center and
water treatment plant tour, the Outdoor Center, and work with the iMatter student group.
Volunteer programs are also available such as storm drain marking, adopt-a-street, and
Wetland Health Evaluation Program(WHEP).
Lundgren provided an overview of the landscape focus area. Rebates are offered for
landscaping to improve water quality, with 9 single family homes and 1 home owners
association participating in 2018. To date, 15.5 acres of City land has been converted into
native landscaping. Hennepin County awarded the City a Healthy Canopy Tree Grant to
replace Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) infected trees, treat ash trees, and assist in the removal of
public ash trees by funding stump removal equipment. The Minnesota Urban Forest Credit
Program would aim to preserve the tree canopy through monetizing carbon sequestration.
City Council Workshop Minutes
April 2, 2019
Page 2
Aho inquired if EAB was eliminated after the cold winter. Parks and Recreation Director
Lotthammer stated it may be less,but the entire population is unlikely to be eliminated.
Lundgren stated in regards to water usage, the City has already met the Metropolitan Council
goal of 75 gallons per capita per day (gpcpd). Mayor Case inquired what the plan is to
continue to meet those goals. Lundgren stated the following slides will address that. Council
Member Aho inquired about the data related to the increase in population and water usage.
Public Works Director Ellis stated the highest water usage documented was in 2006. Water
usage in the winter is down 10 percent from 2006. This can be attributed to both high
efficiency technology and habits. Aho inquired if the City is equipped to handle increases in
population and water use. Ellis stated the water treatment plant is equipped, and the
construction of the ground storage reservoir will equip the City for water storage. The need
would be for three to four additional wells.
Lundgren stated there is additional data on aquaphor standings increasing. Case inquired how
long those numbers have increased. Ellis replied there has been a three year upward trend.
Lundgren stated the updated water conservation rebates, effective March 31, 2019, encourage
efficient wifi enabled smart controlled irrigation systems. The changes in rebates are due to
greater availability in energy efficient appliances. In regards to waste initiatives, the City
hosts the annual Community Clean Up Day. Case inquired if this will no longer be offered
without hauler interest. Lundgren stated due to hauler concerns of increased workers
compensation claims from these events, it will likely not continue.
Lundgren stated the City yard waste site is on track to open spring of 2020. Getschow added
there will be a public neighborhood meeting to discuss details, and the mailer will be sent out
this week. Ellis added the meeting will take place April 15.
Lundgren stated the City completed the Solid Waste Management Plan January of 2019 and
it is now being implemented. In regards to energy initiatives, the Energy Action Team met in
November to set goals for 2019. The focus areas of the Energy Action Plan are residential
energy, large commercial and industrial energy users, and public, nonprofit, and service
organizations. The City recently graduated from Partners in Energy. Upcoming efforts for the
Energy Action Plan include Home Energy Squad visit discounts, a renewable energy
challenge, iMatter workshop, business engagement and outreach. The City is also looking
into purchasing electric fleet vehicles. The City is also part of SolSmart and will be earning
the gold designation by the end of 2019.
Council Member Narayanan inquired if Staff can encourage the mall to also have a charging
station. Getschow noted the mall is privately owned,but it can be encouraged.
Narayanan stated a focus on energy and water would be beneficial. The City should
recognize residents who are doing well in these areas. Additionally, Narayanan inquired if
the Council can encourage more efficiencies in new construction projects. Getschow noted
there currently are no City codes that require specific sustainability components. Nelson
stated instead of mandating sustainability components the City should consider
acknowledging developments in a sustainability award that they can use in advertisements
for their development.
City Council Workshop Minutes
April 2, 2019
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Case added if Council Members have additional thoughts, send those to the city manager.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. BARBARA BUCKNER & OLINDA FLORO— CONCERNS WITH
PRIVATE 5G WIRELESS NETWORK DEPLOYMENT
Barbara Buckner, 8453 Courtland Road, stated she has concerns about the private
5G wireless roll out. She cited professional studies noting health concerns. Health
practitioners have not been a part of the roll out task force. With the 5G
technologies, no one will be able to escape the transmissions. Buckner requests
the private companies conduct a health and risk assessment, support the right to
self-determination, and conduct further research of the implications.
Aho stated as someone who is in engineering and information technology
industries he understands the benefits 5G could provide in terms of technology.
He would like to be more informed on the health implications.
Case stated he also encourage residents to reach out to local representatives.
Narayanan added as someone who is also in the information technology field he
acknowledges more research is needed.
Olinda Floro, 9198 Staring Lane East, a health practitioner, stated there are many
symptoms that could go unnoticed and many are exhibiting these symptoms due
to emissions. In her field she has suggested turning off wifi in the home and
people have reported getting better sleep.
III. ADJOURNMENT