All right. Oh. Joyce is our director of communications and I don't know what marketing and everything. She's everything. Thank you, Joyce. I know. That's right. You met her. You know everything about her. You know everything about everyone. All right. The Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 meeting of the Eden Prairie City Council is now called to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> It's customary during this time of the meeting for me to read an open podium invitation. Open podium is an opportunity for Eden Prairie residents to address the City Council on issues related to Eden Prairie City government prior to each council meeting. These council meetings typically occur the first and third Tuesday of each month, except in the summer. Um the open podiums occur from 6:30 to 6:55 right here in the council chamber. If you wish to speak at open podium, please do contact the city manager's office at 952-949-8412 by noon of the meeting date with your name, your address, phone number, and subject matter so we can be better prepared for you. Open podium is not recorded or televised. If you have questions about open podium, please do contact the city manager's office. Mr. Mayor, it's always um fun, I guess, is a good word, but certainly enjoyable to have these proclamations and presentations and graduations. So, this is a nice evening and it is really I guess I want to throw out a a compliment to Rick Etcho cuz he brought the Citizens Academy here to Eden Prairie. I think you had it in that other town nearby, maybe Hopkins. But anyway, I give him a lot of credit and I know you all and you can nod right now or smile but really thought it was a pretty cool program. See all the nods and smiles and to just to have in the end hundreds of people out there that really understand our city and government and actually can be ambassadors and advocates for us. So, thank all of you and I'll do that later, too, but thank you, Rick, for all the work you've done with the academy and I'll turn it over to you. >> Oh, yes. >> [applause] >> Well, what's Well, I Mayor, I think it This is thanks to our graduates. It's graduation season. It's graduation night. Um actually, you know what? No, though that applause that applause is also for Sarah. Sarah was Everyone knows Sarah. Sarah was uh >> [applause] >> Sarah Potter, the uh administration support specialist, helped put a lot of this together and was uh did a lot of the work and a lot of the planning and communicated with everybody and kind of helped keep things going and did a ton of the work, most of the work. Um almost all the work. And And as you said, Mayor, I think this might be the seventh or eighth time that we've done this in Eden Prairie. We had to take a break a few years over COVID. And as you said, you talked about ambassadors I think a lot of times we talk about building community and community engagement. I think a lot of times it's really important to talk about um the the community that you live in. The community that you work in is one in which if you know more about it and if you learn more about it you may be trusted more and you you know if you volunteer in that community more which many people do and and get engaged more that works well but again a community where a community that you might be closer to which we are obviously biased and think the city local government is a community that's closest to all of us is one that you can really easily get engaged in and get involved in. And all of the people here putting in 20 plus hours in this day and age that we live in over the course of 6 weeks is about as impressive as it can be with the time that we have that you all did. is something that is hard to do and the fact that we have classes that we hold to about 25 people each year so as you said mayor it's about 200 people now over the course of the last 8 years that are willing to do this and we get a wait we have a wait list and so some of the people that are here tonight have waited a couple years to do this. because we I think it was we haven't asked to do this for about 2 years. And as I as as we mentioned it's over a 6 week period. So we cover we kind of cover each department each evening. So you have an evening of public works you have an evening of fire you have an evening of police you have an evening of parks you have an evening of community development you have an evening the first evening is covers administration city council so you have an evening where uh the the folks get to take on the role of a council meeting. There was someone that was sitting in the uh the mayor's chair and and ran the meeting and you had council members who kind of had a feel for what it's like to do what you do. We have a public hearing for a land use issue later on tonight up near the CH Robin prop- CH Robinson property. You guys uh had What was it? A 3-2 vote? 3-2 vote for a project on Dell and Pioneer Trail for a coffee shop. That's not what's there now, but that's what we >> [clears throat] >> That's what we talked about um that evening. But again, it's kind of a flavor of what uh what the city has to deal with over those six evenings. And also, I want to say it's something our employees love to do. Our our employees love to share um what we do. And And I hopefully you saw that that our employees love to talk about the work that we do. So, over the six evenings uh six evenings, you were able to meet a lot of the people in a lot of departments that do the work and and we love to talk about what we do. I know they do and they're proud to share what they do as well. So, with that, we are Our council members are going to come down. We are It is June. It's graduation season, right? So, we're going to come down and we're going to present the diplomas. I'm going to do this in alphabetical order. So, as we do this, each individual person is going to come up and they're going to accept their diploma and if you wish, maybe say a few words into the microphone. And And I think part of that, too, is um we're we're going to start recruiting new people next year. So, it's it's about maybe thinking about the person that's watching uh who might want to do this next year, thinking about if if it's worth someone signing up for next year. And also, and I think we said this on the last uh session that we had in parks, bring um family to graduation. I love seeing the family members. It's also kind of proof that they know that where you really were for those six Wednesdays as well. Who [clears throat] you were with and what you were doing, but I love I love seeing family. And so after graduation, there'll be cake and pictures. The several of us have to stay in here and keep with the meeting. But following, just so you know, following the diplomas, you get to leave. So, council members myself are going to come on down and we're going to start the ceremony. All right. So, we are going to start with our first graduate. Come on up, Nancy Cass. Where are you, Nancy? She's in the back. Come on up, Nancy. Clap. Let's clap for Nancy. >> [applause] >> I'll do this way. Yep. You can hand it to her. >> [clears throat] >> I didn't expect to be first up. I would just like to say how fortunate I feel to have been part of this program. It was wonderful. I'm sure everyone's going to echo that. But I do have to say getting the opportunity to drive a snow plow is a memory that will stay with me really for the rest of my life. And I I appreciate that opportunity as well. So, thank you very much. >> [snorts] >> No, she's good. Uh next we have Robert Cassell. >> [applause] >> Well, I'll echo the comments of others and just say that I thought it was a superb program. I thought the content was excellent. The The delivery of the content was excellent. Sarah and Rick did a great job in terms of effectuating a wonderful program. I too drove a snow plow. If the city's insurer knew that I drove a snow plow, you'd never get it insured again. Thank you very much. Great program. >> [applause] >> David Clark. >> [applause] >> Well, I had a long speech prepared and don't remember a word of it. I just want to say I I was very impressed by this series of seminars. Very well presented and I'm very impressed with the way the city is run. Thank you very much and I urge anyone who hasn't done this to do it. >> [applause] >> All right, next we have Evan Dean. >> [applause] >> Uh I just like to say thank you so much. Uh every week was very different but exciting and I have so much more uh of an appreciation for how well run Eden Prairie is. Uh and that's all thanks to you city council members and everyone working for the city of Eden Prairie. Um yeah, truly outstanding. Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right, next graduate Jane Eastlund. >> [applause] [cough] >> I too just want to thank Rick and Sarah for such a terrific program and I am a happy to say that I'm a very proud resident of Eden Prairie after this series. So, thank you. >> [applause] >> Next we have Catherine Fischer. >> [applause] >> Thanks to everybody who taught us so many interesting things about this wonderful city in which we live. I would recommend this program to anybody. I just wish that I had all the statistics and the facts that were presented because there were so many really interesting things. And thank you very much. >> [applause] >> All right, next graduate Casey Getsloff. Yeah, you get >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> Hello. I wasn't really planning on talking, but um I do want to say we've lived here for about five or six years now. Uh I've been a fan of Eden Prairie since I started working here about 10 years ago. Um I've been a member of the community center, the library, been an election judge, we've walked many of the trails. Was already a fan of the city. Uh but each meeting we had I was kind of blown away by the people not only teaching us about it, but also seeing it uh each week I was more and more blown away and thankful. So, still a proud member of Eden Prairie and hope to be for a long time. Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Uh Evgeny Gordeev. So, last year I believe your wife >> 2 years ago. >> 2 years ago is uh grad is is that Yeah, you were in the audience was a previous alumni. So, you are following in her footsteps. >> [applause] >> Yes, thank you. >> Uh thanks Sarah and Rick to some extent. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Uh I still remember the first day when we were working out here if we're going to have um the coffee shop or not. So, Prairie in the Bear was a big hit. We still remember it. >> [sighs] >> Overall, grateful that living in the city um and feeling that we're in good hands so that we can live longer, work harder, dream bigger. Go Eden Prairie. >> [applause] >> Yes, that was definitely a selling point for the coffee shop. Uh Joe Gutman, next graduate. >> [applause] >> Um, thank you Sarah, uh Rick and Council uh for giving the city residents an opportunity like this. It was um eye-opening and thank you for all the department heads that shared their time and their resources so we could learn. And like some of the other people said is that we're in very good hands and uh very impressed with um this city and how it makes it look effortlessly well, we know that every day there are like a duck is calm on top but churning underneath. So, thanks again. >> [applause] >> David Holm, next graduate. >> [applause] >> We'll talk later. So, I have a friend who I see every morning. We work out together 5:00 in the morning. He sold his business and he's driven a school bus in Eden Prairie for 21 years. He said, "I've seen every division every part of Eden Prairie." And he said, "This is the finest city government in America." And I go on record as saying that, too. I'm a guy who would go to the tap, turn on the water, and never think about where does it come from. Went to the water treatment facility. I was blown away by it. So, and also just to say the the whole culture of all of the people who work in this community, lead it, serve it, uh it's amazing. It's all joyous. People love to come to work. I could sense that and feel it. So, thank you for the privilege of being a part. >> [applause] >> Next graduate, Deborah Hudek Rule. >> [applause] >> I'd like to say thank you, and it was truly gratifying to see the care, the quality, and the pride everyone puts into our city. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Steven Jensen. >> [applause] >> This was a fantastic uh time, and thank you very much for all the extra help that you guys gave me. So, thank you very much. >> [applause] >> All right. Next graduate, Chris Johnson. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> You know, it's it's so easy to take for granted the city government, but really it's Well, of course like this you really get to an opportunity to see it in from the inside and learn a lot about it and we understand we have such a real well-organized, you know, uh well-equipped, well-staffed organization to serve the community and it's quite fantastic. Further, we got to meet everybody, you know, that is part of your group and those key resources really contribute a lot to it really sets it apart as well, too. So, that was quite something that I like to grateful of the opportunity and thank you very much. Appreciate it very much. I happen to be the mayor for the council meeting. >> [laughter] >> I just want to let you know I'm not going to be running for election, so. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Greg Lehman. >> [applause] >> So, um Sarah Potter told me something. She said working with the mayor and uh Rick is kind of like uh filibuster mixed with a dental procedure without anesthesia. >> [laughter] >> Kidding. Just kidding. Kidding. Kidding. Kidding. Just kidding. Um it was wonderful program. Uh I was really struck with um the enthusiasm with which um all the uh employees go about their work. Who knew there was so much to be excited about over water treatment, but everyone everyone was absolutely enthused about where they work, what they're doing, and for whom they do it for, and uh it was really refreshing. It was really enjoyable, and uh really had a good time, and uh proud to be an Eden Prairie resident. Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Pat Nash, come on up. >> [applause] >> It was fun to see how committed, how enthused, and how knowledgeable the staff was. It made it easy to understand why Eden Prairie is not only the best place to live, also why it consistently gets awards for being a best place to work. So, thank you for this opportunity. >> [applause] >> Uh next graduate, Troy Parrish. >> [applause] >> Thanks. Um so, 20 years ago when I met my wife, we lived [snorts] out in Washington, D.C., and she was from this place called Eden Prairie, and it was winning awards for best place to live. And we were kind of just would laugh like, "Yeah, that sounds nice, but it's really it's a great place to live and we've lived here for about 14 years and going through this program really taught us really taught me um you know every all the good work that goes into making it the best the best place to live. Um so thanks everyone for all the work they do and I'm happy to be an Eden Prairie resident. Thank you. [applause] >> Come on up Chuck Salway. >> [applause] >> Um this is a very well run program. It was very enjoyable and I thought the highlight was going to be meeting the city manager but the snow plow I'm sorry Rick the snow plow beat you out. >> [laughter] [applause] >> One of my highlights was meeting the uncle of a very very famous basketball player. >> Uh our next graduate is Lindsey Schlangen. >> [applause] >> I just want to say thank you for the opportunity. Thank you to Rick and Sarah. Um Sarah thank you for making me wait a year so that I didn't miss any of the sessions. They were amazing each and every one of them. I wouldn't have wanted to miss one. Um thank you to all the department heads for taking the time out of their day to plan something really engaging um and interesting for us. There were so many facts that I brought home um to my husband and to my neighbors and I feel like I'm just so much more knowledgeable now and it's amazing how much every day we interact with what the city provides for us and and to understand that better, I would encourage anybody to do this program. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Christy Schmidt >> [applause] >> I thought this was a wonderful opportunity. I thought the behind the scenes um activities were both fun and educational. I'd encourage any anyone to do this. Um it was well planned, well organized, and a lot of fun. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Lisa Lisa Smith-Baker >> [applause] [laughter] [laughter] >> I'm sorry. I'm a hugger. Um I don't know what more I can say that everyone else has said, but I know uh I feel grateful and blessed that I live here, that I was able to do this program. Uh I came the first night and said, "Wow, this is great." And then I came the next night and I said, "No, this is great." And then I came I just had the best time. I took a lot of notes. I'm an accountant, so I took notes. I feel like I am a better going to be on a better election judge for doing this and I definitely am going to continue to do more with the city that I enjoy living here so much. I've been here for almost 40 years. Can't believe I didn't do this before. So, thank you very much. And um I'm glad I got to meet all of you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Next graduate, Lowell Subi. >> [applause] >> Everyone else has said it so well. I'm just going to say ditto. >> [applause] >> Mike Thomas. >> [applause] >> So, I was fortunate enough to get the academy twofer this year. I got the police academy last fall and the city academy this uh spring. And I'll tell you, both of them are fantastic. One of the things though I want to criticize this um session for is I don't see any homework, any tests, any skill development. So, I'm not sure this is really a graduation, Rick. But, that aside, I really do appreciate everything you guys did. The thing I was most impressed by was the people. And I know that starts at the top with Ron and the and the city council hiring Rick, who hires all the other people, and everybody was professional and highly skilled and highly experienced and really nice people. So, I really appreciate that and uh was a fantastic experience. Thanks very much. >> [applause] >> Mari Verdugo. >> [applause] >> Yeah, I just want to say a big thank you to Sarah and Rick for and all of those who made this program possible. I was really impressed by the hard work that goes into making Eden Prairie feel like home for me and for many and this program has really motivated me to try to become more engaged and give back to the community of Eden Prairie. So, thank you so much. >> [applause] >> All right, our last graduate and you know, one thing too and I thought about this, I everybody is here tonight except for one person, Melissa Chapman. So, shout out to her. And I think she said at Parks night, she's out of the country and if you're doing Facebook live, I'm watching the council meeting. So, we have your diploma, Melissa. And also, you guys had such awesome attendance. You got We had 25 people and a few of you missed one session here or there, but you were so committed. So, thank you. Uh final graduate, come on up Betty Woods. >> [applause] >> I don't generally like the use of this word, but I think that what I can say is this class was amazing. Um Sarah and Rick, we can tell the amount of hard work that you put into it, and I agree with Nancy, driving the snow plow was the best, but a close runner-up was wearing all of the fire equipment head to toe. I put my head down, and I didn't think I was going to be able to get it back up, so. [laughter] I have a lot of respect for them, but thank you so much. This was a great opportunity. >> [applause] >> So, a final round of applause for all of our graduating class. >> [applause] >> And Mike, I am sorry we did not quiz you, test you, drill you, but even though none of that happened, you still get a graduation picture, and you still get a graduation cake. So, you all unless you want to, um, watch the meeting, which you still can go home and watch, um, taped, uh, following the meeting, you can all proceed out toward, um, graduation cake and pictures, and thank you all for coming. >> [applause] >> Thank you, um, everyone, um, that's that's really nice, um, of you to have gone through this. And you have to say statute says we can't give you any swag gifts, so all your shirts, just leave at the door back there by >> [laughter] >> All right. Now, I appreciate all of you, really, truly, and I hope to run across We all hope to run across many of you, um, volunteering across the city, so have a a nice party downstairs. Council, I think we can move ahead while they're, um, exiting. Uh, we have a few, um, uh, housekeeping items here, um, any items to add to the agenda tonight? Anyone? Council member reports? Rick, anything? Nothing? Okay, is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> I'll move to approve the agenda. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any uh further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Okay, the uh following city council minutes, um both both of them on Tuesday, May 19th, the workshop and the council meeting. Uh any concerns about either one of them? Any edits, any comments you want to make about it? >> Oops. >> If not, is there a motion to approve both, the workshop and the council meeting minutes from May 19th? Somebody. >> I'll move to approve the following city council minutes, city council workshop held Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, and the city council meeting held Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. >> Sorry about that. Is there a second? >> Second. >> I butted in on you. Is there a second? Okay, there is. Uh any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right, moving on to the consent calendar. Again, very important item, simply more housekeeping in the sense that they generally don't need further discussion. However, you as council members can request one of them be pulled off for discussion and or even voted on separately. Uh any concerns about A through X on the consent calendar? If not, is there a motion to approve items A through X on the consent calendar? >> Move to approve. Move to approve item A through X on consent calendar. >> Second. >> Uh any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Mr. Etcho, we do have two um public hearings, I believe, this evening. Um the first one uh is on Prairie Bluff Commons. I'll turn it over to you. >> Uh thank you, Mayor and council members. We do Yes, we do have um a development project here. We have Prairie Bluff Commons. Uh we have the applicant is requesting approval to redevelop property at uh 14800 Charleston Road and the vacant parcel to its northwest. Together the two parcels total 20.41 acres and on one of those parcels there is an office building on the that's been an office building CH Robinson office building for nearly 20 years that is vacant. And the applicant is proposing to redevelop the site into 90 owner-occupied townhomes and 16 single-family lots. The applicant is proposing to develop 67 townhomes and there would be 182 units. As you can see in the packet involved in the approval you have a comprehensive plan amendment and then you have a planned unit development concept review and then a couple readings related to rezonings and waivers related to lot sizes and setbacks. The planning commission reviewed the project and recommended approval eight to zero at their May 11th meeting. The applicant is here to walk you through their project. Staff is able to answer any questions that you have and then there's obviously a public hearing related to the project. You have also at your desk a resident providing some written material before the meeting as well. So if the applicant wants to come forward yes I can no that's for me to prompt to so you can come on up. Give your name and company you work for address. >> Good evening Mayor Case and members of council. My name is Josh Metzer with Lennar Minnesota. We're at 16355 327 North in Plymouth. Do do have a clicker for the All right, [clears throat] this was not working at planning commission, so let's give it a go. Um, I also want to thank uh city staff for uh I'll say putting us through the ringer. Um, we first applied back in I think it was October. Um, so we've been at this one for a while, but uh we believe that we definitely have ended up with a a better project than we started with. So, thank you city staff for that. Um, so we're uh excited to be here with a unique opportunity here in Eden Prairie. Um, not only uh a rare uh new residential um relative to what we're used to, new residential in Eden Prairie, but also uh the uh the state of the site, what we're converting from. So, here's a look at the site plan. Uh existing on the site is the C.H. Robinson uh one of the C.H. Robinson office buildings right at the northwest corner of Flying Cloud Drive and Charleston Road. Uh the the building that we're uh proposing to build on is uh currently vacant. So, there is a proposal to demo that building. And then the northwest part of the the site here is a a vacant site also owned by C.H. Robinson. Was previously proposed for office building use. Uh that did not move forward. The uh C.H. Robinson building to the north uh northeast of us there will be remaining. Uh also the C.H. Robinson across Charleston is to remain. We have uh the airport to the north of us. We have Hennepin Village to the west and Flying Cloud Drive uh the Prairie Bluff uh conservation area and the river valley to the south. What you're seeing in yellow, that's our proposed townhome uh product. And in the burgundy, maroonish, that's our villa product. You can kind of see here, it might be a little tough, but uh you you got the uh landscaping and we got [clears throat] quite a bit of buffering uh along Charleston, both sections of Charleston, along Leatrice. Uh we do have quite a bit of buffering between the existing to remain CH Robinson building uh and our townhomes. And then kind of on the uh just along Charleston um on the southeast corner, you can see some existing trees that will be remaining. Um it's we're we're happy we're going to be able to preserve those, give a nice buffer from the the intersection there. And then also on the west there's quite a bit of uh existing ponding and a lot of trees uh in kind of a ravine area that we're going to be able to maintain as a a nice existing buffer. Um so that is a look at our plan. Um given our proximity to the airport, we will have uh the window window glazing to provide noise attenuation um to uh I forget what the exact decibel level is required by code, but our windows will be designed for that. All right. Here's a look at uh some of the proposed homes. The the top three uh pictures are renderings of our Liberty townhome product. That is uh each of these will have a three-bedroom uh layout, two-story. Uh they'll be starting in about the 430s and going up from there depending on if there's a it's an end unit versus interior and there's different options for different finishes that they can um choose that'll determine where that price might go. Uh the bottom four photos are the Villa product. Uh these are just examples of what uh we we have various various uh different elevations and and color packages. Uh these are depending on the layout uh two or three-bedroom and we're going to start those at about uh the upper fives and they'll they'll go up from there again. These These will have basements. Um but they they have the option to finish or not and finish the basement or not. So, the price could go up from 575 um depending on the finishes. The The villas are intended to be age targeted. So, um that's part of our plan here. The entire community will be HOA maintained. It's all owner occupied, but it's HOA maintained. So, snow removal um landscaping all covered by the HOA. >> Including the villas? Including the villas? >> Correct. Yep. Uh each All the villas and townhomes will be have EV ready garage for electric vehicles. Um the villas will be solar ready. So, they'll be set up if people want to add solar panels to the rooftop, they can. Uh we're not going to be able to do that for the townhomes for a few reasons. One of them is we don't have enough space on each rooftop um which are only 25 Each unit is only 25 ft wide. Um and then you have various vents coming through the rooftop. So, there's not the required I think it's 150 sq ft. Um don't quote me on that number, but I know that we're we don't have that square footage available. Also, because these are um owner occupied, but also maintained by the HOA um the exterior of the buildings are maintained by the HOA. So, if there were come a time to have to re-roof or do any improvements on the rooftops, you're going to run into a situation where some units might have solar panels and some won't. That'll be an issue for um the HOA. And also, we believe that the putting any you know, penetrating that roof with any sort of improvements for solar paneling would void the warranty on the roof for those owners. So, those are just some reasons why we're not able to do solar on the townhomes. Here's a look at the open space plan. Uh the darker green are kind of common active uh open space areas. Uh starting on the south, uh you've got kind of a smaller uh open space area that's going to be a serve as an overlook of the river valley for our residents. Uh it's going to have a gazebo and some benches planned there. Uh also a trail connection to the uh trail that runs through the conservation area there. Working north, if you follow the trails in orange, we'll get up to the center area and kind of that rectangular area you see, there'll be a uh a tot lot playground. Next to that, a uh paved area with picnic tables and a grill. Uh so, kind of a gathering area for that. Working a little bit west, that open space area that that's intended to be kind of a a flat uh open space area. We're not going to put many trees there. We'll We will have trees around the perimeter of it, but we'll leave it open in the middle, meant to be kind of an open play field or gathering area. And then, further west, we're uh proposing a dog park on the backside there. So, uh these are all some of the things that we weren't originally showing and and working with city staff, we um were adding elements over time and we think it's it's worked out to a very nice plan here. The mint green that you're seeing is uh common open space. So, that's again, it's owned by the HOA, um meant to be more of passive um you know, lawn area. So, so, you know, of course, residents will use it as any resident would uh a small yard around them themselves. Um and then we're also going to have uh park benches here uh where the trail comes down from Hennepin Village there to the west. We'll have some uh tr- couple uh benches at the convergence of the trails. And what you're looking at here are some some images of that area. The uh, the middle the middle picture on the left there, that's uh, a shot from that uh, amenity area looking west. Uh, the bottom left is a shot of the amenity area looking up towards Hennepin Village. So, you can see there's already a lot of existing buffering. Uh, you can barely make out one of the Hennepin Village uh, townhome rooftops there in that bottom left picture. And then the bottom right picture, that is looking south uh, towards the ponding area and then the river valley beyond. Here are some cross sections. Uh, so if you can see on the the site plan on the top right, you've got an A cross section, a B, and then a C. Um, so as we work from top to bottom, that is A. Um, looking at the Hennepin Village townhomes on the left side and where our proposed townhomes on the right. Same thing with uh, the second one down, that's cross section B. Uh, quite an elevation change there. I think our I can't quite see it, but I think that the top one we're at about 275 ft of separation. Um, the middle uh, the the B cross section where I think we're at about 350 ft of separation. Uh, and then the bottom one is uh, a cross section of Charleston to show uh, our proposed community with the uh, ex- the existing C. H. Robinson building across Charleston. Here's our uh, look at our phasing plan. Um, you've got phase [snorts] one in blue, phase two in pink, and phase three in yellow. Um, the hope is that if uh, things go as planned here uh, with council and with the second reading, that will be getting grading here um, um second half of the summer. Uh probably with the the demo of the building um which we already have a contractor signed up for. Uh hopefully we can get that process started and get that down in enough time to get some grading done, but probably not all. Um so the the west half of the site will probably finish up grading next year. And then uh utility and street construction, we're hoping to at least get some started uh here this fall so that we can at least get one model townhome building started uh and complete that through the winter. Uh maybe even a couple other buildings. And then uh next spring uh hopefully have the model open for uh for sales and continue on with phase one. And then we'll continue to phase two next next year in 2027. Uh full buildout of the site um depending on market conditions, of course, uh we're thinking 5 to 6 years uh for full buildout and sales of of the entire community. >> While you've got that slide up, um if I could just ask one clarifying question. When um cuz I didn't I missed the phase one, two, and three in my packet. Um the road that's in phase three that um goes towards Plum Stone, I think I'm saying that correctly. Um if that's phase three, is that is all are all the roads put in right away even though you won't build there or will phase one and two only be able to exit east to get out to Charleston to get out? >> Right. The plan for now is for um phases one and two to exit um to the east on existing >> be no road to the west until phase three is built. >> That's the plan. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mhm. Um and so that that's about it. Um if I missed anything, we can it might come up in questions, but uh again, we're excited to be here and uh happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> Um counselor, this will be a public hearing, so you have the option to um you know, ask any question you want later on or you if there's something right now um that's pressing because we have our proponent right here. Is there something you'd like to know right now before we go into public hearing? >> I can wait. >> You can wait. Okay. Um stay nearby. >> Thank you. >> Um Mr. Racho, then it's fine uh for us right now to move into public hearing. All right. Um to um a resident sitting in the audience today. So, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience this evening wishing to address the council on this um proposal? Um Let me get the exact name. Sorry. >> Okay. >> Oh, yep. Just hang on just a second. Sorry, I'm uh on the Prairie Bluff Commons. I just was blanking on the name. Um is there anyone in the audience wishing to address the council? >> Yes. >> Please come forward. Give your name and your address. >> Um my name is Vicki Peller Price. >> Pull the mic down, Vicki, just so we can get a good >> Oh, you can't hear me. Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um my name is Vicki Peller Price. I've lived in Hennepin Village for 21 years. I pretty much know the lay of the land there and what happens, you know, as far as how one gets around, which is very important. So, I did send everyone um a document. Did you get it? >> Mhm. They have it. >> Yeah. So, it should be pretty clear. Would you like me to read it? >> Um I think we can read it. Um if you if you just want to highlight the key points. >> Okay. Well, I think basically one of my most concerns about um using Liatris Lane as a you know, way of them to get around. And I think that basically something that not a lot of people know, but because I've been there for a really long time, is that um Leatrice Lane um ends right with with at Gate J of Charleston Road on Charleston Road. So, if you've ever been to any of the um Flying Cloud Airport events, that area can get absolutely crazy um with traffic. And it gets traffic anyway, but basically what I've suggested is that you know, there's a lot of ways that the new development can basically access Charleston at two different points, closer to, you know, um C.H. Robinson and then farther away without using Leatrice. Um Leatrice is pretty much, you know, you could go to another street, I think it's Plumstone or something like that. Um but m- most of the residents that live on the other side that are going to be closer to this new community, um and also back up to those that new community, um they use Leatrice. I mean, you can't believe the the amount of traffic. So, that's very concerning, I think, for for everyone. And I've talked to a lot of neighbors, and they agree on that. It's not that we disagree with, you know, with what's happening with the with building a new community. It's not about that. It's about, as I said in here, the safety and the traffic concerns. I mean, there's going to be a lot of traffic on a really narrow, you know, Charleston Road, and it's not long, and it, you know, it's I see it as kind of one of the most important issues. And I've written that in there. I don't want to reiterate what you can already see. That's why I wrote it up for you so that I didn't have to, you know, go on and on about it. But it it is about safety, about kids that are they're biking and they're walking and there's dogs and they're all walking down Leatrice. And I just think it's a really bad idea and I I know that Associa is against it and most neighbors are against it. For safety. >> Thank you. >> For yeah, so the new you know, community sounds wonderful, beautiful. And a lot of his ideas, I love them. But I'm talking about smart safety here. >> Great. >> And and the consideration that I know because I've lived there for 21 years. >> Thank you, Vicki, for you coming forward. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else in the audience wishing to address the council this evening? Feel like I should ask that three times like at a convention or something, but Well, um, council, uh, why don't we make a motion to close the public hearing only and then we'll discuss and then we can talk about the other bullet points in the motions. Is there someone that would make a motion to close the public hearing? >> Move to close the public >> close the public hearing. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Public hearing portion of this is closed. All right, council, um, >> [sighs] >> let's chat about any Well, first let me ask you, did you have any questions of the proponent that you'd like to um that you'd like to ask? >> I have one. >> Lisa, go ahead. Do you want Tim to come forward? >> Sure. >> Please come forward. >> Um, I think since we're we're looking at a a residential development near an active airport, um, we have an obligation to think about sound standards. And you said that the windows were going to be glazed. Is that double pane, triple pane? What does that mean? I'm not familiar. >> Um, I don't know. It's I don't It's your standard window, I believe, but it's has a glazing on it that keeps sound out. I If If you want, [clears throat] we could send the specs on that to city staff and they could share them. Um, but I know it's been done. We had a couple communities by the Blaine Municipal Airport, um, where we had to do the same thing. So, this isn't our first time that we've built near an airport and had to um, glaze the windows for for sound attenuation on the inside of the home. Um, and the residents are uh required to sign a disclosure, um, >> Yep. >> stating that they're near an airport and they understand this, so that we can show demonstrate to them that >> Lisa, do you want Robert maybe to just, um, express sta- well, >> Julie, I >> Oh, do you want Julie to express, um, that we know we're familiar with this? Or >> Uh, Mayor, members of the council, the development agreement will include language that requires windows of a certain standard to be installed on the units in order to mitigate the noise from the airport. And, um, as he mentioned, there is also a disclosure that the residents are required to sign. >> Yeah. >> Uh, yeah, okay. >> Thank you, Julie. >> Um, thank you so much. But, also, I just have one more about about the design. Will they be able to upgrade, um, um, let's see. Are there upgrades available for noise reduction if they want to pay, you know, for additional cost? Or is it? >> I don't Not Not that our builder offered. Um, of course, on their own, they'd be able to, on the interior of the home, not on the exterior, but on the interior. >> I'm just concerned. I know people are signing and they know they're moving near an airport, but still it's, you know, the reality of living close by one maybe different from what they think. So. >> It's fair. Um Council member Narayan. Thank you. >> Us wondering us wondering uh did you have a neighborhood meeting and what was the feedback? >> We did have a neighborhood meeting. Um we actually sent out, I think it was 424 uh notices. Uh surprisingly, we had five households uh come to the meeting. It was here at City Hall. Um feedback was uh you know, some concerns with traffic, um curious about trail usage, trail connections, um whether or not we were going to be offering any open space areas or amenities. Um those are the big highlights. There was actually uh three of the five that came uh were also seeking information on the community uh of possible interest to to purchase. So. >> And and I guess we have done a traffic study, right, Robert? And and staff is okay with that as well. >> Robert. >> Yeah. >> I'd like to have Julie to take this one, too. >> Or Julie, I don't know. >> Yeah, I'd like to maybe provide some highlights from that traffic report for the city council. So, um you know, looking at this development that's proposed, generates about n- 89 vehicles in the AM peak, and that'd be 89 vehicles coming in and out. Uh and then that during the PM peak, it's about uh 100 vehicles in and out. Um and I guess maybe provide some context because the previous proposal that was approved, the office building for this site, generated about three times that amount of traffic. So, this is a substantial decrease in the total volume. Now, going back to those AM and PM peaks, so it's 89 for the AM peak, 100 for the PM peak. That's split about 70% going out towards the east because that's more access to the north, to the south, and to the east. The other 30% would be exiting and entering off Leatrice. So, when you break that down, that adds about 27 vehicles on Leatrice for the AM peak, and that's in and out. And it's 23 vehicles uh excuse me, 30 vehicles in the PM peak. So, that's the added traffic on Leatrice, which seems to be the primary concern for the existing neighborhood. Now, to explain the volume of traffic that we currently have without this development on Leatrice, we're sitting at about 109 vehicles in the AM peak currently. So, again, we'd be adding 27 vehicles to that 109. So, it's a relatively small increase for an intersection that has plenty of capacity. And then again, in the PM peak, you have 123 vehicles in and out, you're adding 30. So, again, relatively small increase. What that means when you run the level of service analysis, all of these intersections operate at a level of A or better under current conditions, and they continue to operate under A for the proposed development. So, we don't see any concerns with traffic. Uh maybe just to hit on an alternate access location that doesn't use Leatrice, that maybe goes back out to Charleston. Uh that was something that was looked at, but maybe some of the issues that that creates is if you try to use that existing driveway that C.H. Robinson has about center of the property between Leatrice and the existing east exit. If you were to run neighborhood traffic through their entire parking lot, that's kind kind bad situation you're creating. You don't want to introduce more traffic where you have people backing and entering. And you would really need to do that if you had to use that access because you wouldn't want to push all that traffic right up to the neck of the intersection, force them to do a 90° and 90° out with all those movements. So, it didn't seem like it was a feasible option. But then if we looked at, well, could you find a different location for a new access point just for the neighborhood? You start crowding Liatris and the queue and storage length that they have for that. And then also creating conflicts with the existing CH Robinson. There would be too many access points in too short of a distance. We felt that would just create issues. And because the level of service and the low delay and queuing with the proposal of the access on Liatris wasn't creating an issue, we felt that was the best option of all those reviewed. So, just maybe wanted to highlight some of those uh recommendations from the traffic report. >> I'm so glad I asked you that question. >> Hey, Robert, if um if the CH Robinson building in the north that's staying um in the northeast corner there, if someday that P parcel develops, which is possible, I mean, with what's happening to office buildings today, that development would likely force some kind of a new exit onto Charleston, which all these two I mean, we can't wait for that. I'm not suggesting I'm just saying that you're not going to add another, you know, 80 homes in there and they're not going to be feeding into they're going to create their own access point and others will feed into that. >> Yeah, I suspect if that redevelops as residential, that access would stay and there would be a street that would probably run all the way down to the street that's being built with this development. So, I think it'd be beneficial for all parties involved when that day comes. >> I was down there driving around the whole area today and it it is and I've been down um you know over the years quite a bit to Liatris and it is a public road. Uh same with the um Plum Soar Drive for a small portion of it is is meaning that the city of Eden Prairie owns and maintains this road and not that um private developments can keep other cars off their roads. I mean I suppose I don't even know the technicality legally to become a bear path, but anyway uh private roads can be driven on too by others, but particularly city public roads. The other thing is when Liatris is coming down morning or evening and taking a left, you're looking well, there might be cars coming from the left, right? Coming home in the evening, but if you're looking to the right, um obviously CH Robinson people going home, though many of them probably jump onto Flying Cloud Drive, but the level of constant traffic is less than at a normal intersection. I mean you've got your numbers were you know, you have them there, whatever you just said, I forget uh 109 and then 123. I mean it's not a lot to be dealing with at that uh intersection. Um I I think it can handle it. Um I I do I do feel um positive, I guess. I didn't realize with the phasing. Phase one and phase two people will not be able to get in the habit of going west. That their in their in and out will be going east onto Charleston. That's the way they'll live for two to three to four years. Yeah, when a new entrance gets put in, they may try it, but if there's traffic down there or there's queuing, they're going to go right back to their normal path that that they've developed. So, I I really in fact the um the development that's there now, Hennepin Village, as you've stated, will hardly rec- realize they're there if they're all not even connected for the first two to three years. Is that fair to Yeah, so there won't be any impact at all for two to three years. Um and by the time there is impact, if phase three gets built five years down the road, um again, habits will have been formed and um and and who knows by that point the other building won't be coming for development at that point. And suddenly we have this other entrance. Uh Council Member Narayan. >> Yep, I have two more points. Thank you. So, the next one is um a few years ago, when the developers come here and we ask for solar ready they they have not even thought of it. So, my question, this one is one of these things, for your um townhomes have you considered putting solar roofing and give them pre-built solar roofed townhomes and some of them not and so that way not like two residents in same building, right? Both of them are fully solar roofed. I'm just wondering, have you thought of that idea? >> Not here in the Minnesota market. Uh perhaps it's something that is uh considered in our Southwest or uh southern markets, but but not here in in Minnesota. That's not something that's been considered to this point. >> And you you have not heard that idea before from anywhere else? Any Anybody else building that solar ready up front? >> Not for Lennar, no. No. And and not here locally in in the Twin Cities that I'm aware of. >> Okay. And the last one is uh actually a compliment. Thank you for uh putting the EV ready. Um so that the residents don't have to spend five, six thousand dollars to have a EV car. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Cathy. >> Um you talked a lot about um a homeowner association being responsible how this neighborhood looks and has a certain amount of responsibilities. And what will the residents have what kind can they come back to you or whatever if the homeowner association doesn't really do its work or greatly increases the price? >> Well, we have on our internal staff. We have two HOA managers that work with the the HOA members until it's taken over fully by the the HOA you know it's taken over by the residents. We also have management companies that manage each HOA. So our HOA managers stay in contact with the the property management company for budgeting and for annual votes things like that. So we do have two staff members full-time that that's their full focus. >> Okay, so you don't get the situation that in fact they just say nobody really wants to do this and so they just stop doing it like I've seen over many years and associations and sometimes in Berry sometimes other suburbs. So you make sure that doesn't happen. >> Yeah, I mean you know we have covenants we have bylaws and articles of incorporation that you know include and call out each of these amenities that are or the community. In my experience with Lenore I we haven't had any issues where the HOA you know turns up their their hands and say we're done with you know taking care of these amenities. It's it's really not an option for them. It's kind of written into the the rules of the community. >> All right, thank you. >> Mark, anything? >> The only thing I wanted to add, um, um, unless, I guess you I don't want to keep Well, you can stay standing. >> Sure. >> But, you can go sit down as well, but, um, we got a letter from John Miller. Uh, this was back, um, I think before planning, and I just wanted to This is the, uh, HOA Association President for the entire I all the different, I think HOAs put together, I believe, and he's over all of it. Um, and just a couple concerns he had raised and and got raised in our packet. Traffic concerns, of course. Uh, the conservation area that, uh, by the way, is beautiful. I mean, I stopped up there again today. There's five parking spots. Um, Association's a little bit And that's Eden Prairie owned. I mean, it's a park of ours. And it's, um, public area up there, so anyone can go. Um, but, uh, Association's a little bit, um, concerned about different cars parked. And we'll just have to address that as we have the last 20 years if we've needed to. And by the way, all the, um, intrusion down onto the bluff, which was occurring with wedding pictures, I I and I'm sure there are people up there don't If if, um, anyone's listening from, uh, Hennepin Village, don't say, "You're wrong about that." I'm just saying the the negative damage impact is not there like it was four, five, six years ago. Um, I didn't see any footsteps. I didn't see any grass knocked over. Um, our fence is working, I think, really well. It's really good signage. So, I was really pleased to see that. Um, anyway, there was some concern from John Miller on that. Um, um, playground pool area, just concern that people would maybe infringe and go over and use it somehow. I think that's an internal problem they would have to deal with. So, in general, um, his letter was quite positive as Vicki's was that in general we knew something was going to go in there. We're just most people living there just a little bit concerned about Leatrice, and I understand that. Um, I feel comfortable tonight, um, Um, based on what, uh, Robert's talked about and Julie. Julie, and um, and the fact that it's going to be phased. Um, so, uh, with that council, any other comments or questions or are you ready to vote? >> I just have one more. I I I appreciate [clears throat] that, um, a lot of the trees are remaining. >> Yes. And if you've driven down there, there aren't a lot of trees there because the whole center of the cleared off area, there's not a tree there. Um, but yeah, I think the buffers between the new development and the former development, particularly to the south, are amazing. So, yeah, this is, um, I think a really a really nice project. >> Robert, can I ask you a question? >> Uh, Vicki, nope, out of order. Sorry, we've closed the public hearing. You can ask him when we're done with the meeting. I'm sorry, but we're Thank you so much. I appreciate your cooperation there. Um, so, uh, council, um, anything else? If not, is there someone that would make a motion? Uh, we've already closed the public hearing to go to second bullet. >> I'll move to adopt the resolution for a comprehensive plan amendment from office to medium density residential on 23.59 acres and from office to low density residential on 4.82 acres and adopt the resolution for a planned unit development concept plan review on 28.41 acres and approve the first reading of an ordinance for a planned unit development district review with waivers on 28.41 acres and a zoning district change from office to RM-6.5 on 23.59 acres and from office to R1-9.5 on 4.82 acres and adopt a resolution for a preliminary preliminary plat of 28.41 acres into 166 lots for the townhome units, 16 lots for the single family units and nine lots for common open space and eight lot out lots and adopt a resolution for findings of fact in support of park dedication fees and direct staff to prepare a development agreement for Prairie Bluff Commons incorporating staff and council conditions. >> That was a long one. Um any further discussion? Ready to vote? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Vote is passed as unanimous. All right, welcome. >> Congratulations. >> Whoop, there. Yeah, take care. All right, um let's move on then to our second public hearing of the evening, Mr. Getcho. >> Mayor and council, thank you. Uh uh data centers, first reading of an ordinance uh adding new language in our zoning code regulating data centers. You may recall I think probably scattered throughout some recent workshops where we've been discussing probably a lot of different development projects and development sites and and uh issues related to development. We've kind of talked and um probably indirectly and probably in small conversations about data centers uh bits and pieces at um workshops. And so now we are bringing forward at a council meeting uh via the planning commission a language to further define data centers in our code, which it is currently not. Probably goes without saying this is a very hot topic in the state of Minnesota and the country. Uh our Julie has a presentation. So she actually has um a presentation to walk through prior to questions and a public hearing. >> Great. Julie? >> Mayor and members of the council, as uh Mr. Getcho mentioned, we are back before you this evening with a draft code amendment based on direction from the council uh to come back with some language to address uh uh data centers. As as also mentioned, this is a very much an emerging land use that uh a lot of cities are addressing right now. Our zoning ordinance currently does not address it, and I would like to share that this amendment is really the city being proactive to have some language in our ordinance that would provide direction, communicate to anybody interested in a potential data center in Eden Prairie what the city's expectations would be, and I'll spend some time going through that this evening. To date, the city has not received any inquiries about potential data centers, nor have we received any applications, obviously. So, the first thing that we want to talk about is kind of why why amend the city code. As mentioned, this is a little bit of a hot topic. Our uh zoning ordinance does not address data centers. It's not a defined term. There are no performance standards or regulations in place for them. It is a as Mr. Getchell mentioned, a hot topic that a lot of cities are dealing with, and along with the that hot topic comes concerns about impacts to noise, uh impacts to the water table, electrical impacts, and the city's not in a position where we can prohibit this use. So, we're being proactive in saying, "Where do we want the this use to locate if we do receive any inquiries?" Now, Eden Prairie is not in the same situation that a lot of other communities are. We just don't have the raw land available for for a company to come in and build one of the, you know, mega-sized data centers, but we do have uh a handful of properties in our industrial and office areas that maybe are aging out a little bit, aren't meeting that industry standard for what that building was originally intended to be used for. And so, could we get a a request that would talk about repurposing some of those buildings into a smaller scale data center? That's entirely possible. So, we want to be proactive and communicate what what we're looking for in terms of being able to mitigate those impacts. So, in the draft ordinance, we want to address what are the appropriate locations for a data center? How could we merge this potential use with our climate action plan and our sustainability priorities that the that the city worked so hard to integrate into our development projects? How do we mitigate impacts to any neighboring properties, use of water and other renewable energy sources? So, the ordinance defines data centers and it calls out in that definition that it is the storage, management, use of digital data as a primary function of that facility. So, for instance, here at City Hall, we have a server room downstairs. That server room would not meet that definition cuz because it's not the primary use of that building. It So, it would address all of those businesses in town that are similarly situated to city offices. It also in the draft ordinance identifies that the appropriate location would be the I General zoning district. And we'll get into a little bit more detail about the I General in future slides, but uh of the industrial zoning districts that the city has, the I General is the one that has been in place intended to serve those uses that are more intensive. So, think outdoor storage, larger sites, um more impactful uses uh based on, you know, the concerns that come along with data centers that seem to be an appropriate fit for a location. Um and it also establishes standards and information that would have to be provided along with any data center application. So, this graphic depicts the entire city from a zoning standpoint. As you can see, there are three main areas in the city that have I general zone property. So, the I general here along the city's north boundary just south of 62, there are some parcels along highway five as well, and then also down along Flying Cloud Drive. So, again, those are areas that in support more intensive industrial types of uses, and they're located throughout the city. Some of the performance standards that are included in the code amendment include a 700-ft buffer from any residential use. That would be measured from property line to property line. That 700-ft buffer also would apply to any mechanical equipment. So, think about any coolers or generators that might be outside of the primary building that is the data center. Those would also have to be 700 ft from any right-of-way or any residential use. Uh the data center would be required to connect to and use city water in order to address water usage. And because the data center world, if you will, is a bit of an emerging land use, and technology is always changing, we didn't want to be in our draft ordinance too prescriptive as to what those requirements would be. We wanted to be nimble and be able to react to the specificity of whatever comes in with that development application. So, we would be receiving reports or information about how the data center would impact noise, how it would impact land use and and adjacent properties, any environmental impacts and community impacts. So, thinking about things like emergency services, solid waste, things of that sort. And then also impacts to the city's climate action plan because we want to make sure that we continue to move those goals forward as well in terms of meeting the meeting the recommendations and actions that come out of that. Sustainability measures would also be required as a part of of the overall data center plan including compliance with at least one sustainable design or green building standard design. Energy demand and utility capacity, 70% of the usable roof space would have to be provided for on-site solar within 6 months of occupancy of that data center. The water usage would have to be a closed-loop system so that they were essentially recycling that water rather than continuing to draw down from the city's water as well as any generators would have to be tier four, which would limit the air pollution that would be generated or um impacted as a part of that. So, the ordinance would require all of this information to come in, these performance standards to be met, and city staff and or the council would have the opportunity to impose conditions or requirements that would mitigate any any concerns that come out of the specific use that is in front of the in front of the city at that time. So, with that I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> Julio, a question since we have airport should we put some restriction regard to the airport of close to the airport or not or do we Do you any concern related to that? >> Mayor, uh members of the council, in the research that we did, we didn't see any impact in terms of the airport. We of course do have a joint airport zoning ordinance that already addresses the primary concerns of the ordinance, which is obviously height, protection of airspace, those types of things. Um but we hadn't uh proposed anything beyond that. >> Okay. Thank you. Mayor, I I'd like to just toss a question out. Uh this is not directed right at you. It's anyone that knows the answer to this. How did these data centers all of a sudden become such a hot topic after being dormant? I mean, no one even heard of them. Okay. Um yeah. And I guess I'm not wise enough to know the answer to that. >> AI. >> Uh Okay, that's a broad answer. I mean, that's what That's what I suspect, but but didn't It's like Well, AI just kind of was building upon, but it just seemed like these data centers just all of a sudden, boom, and now they're the hottest topic in so many communities. Okay, you're kind of I can tell by you're you're kind of agreeing with me. Yeah, they kind of got hot. >> I'm grinning because council member Narayan seems anxious to answer the question. >> [laughter] >> Well, I I think Mark is one of one of the reason is the old days data centers kind of dispersed around different places. The capacity, they didn't need that much. And today, like Amazon and other people putting very large-scale data center. So, that's the scary part. Because that consumes so much energy, so much potentially pollution, and water, like Judy said, it's very important recycling that water rather than >> for cooling. >> Those concern bring it up. Like in our ordinance, if you have a smaller data center, that's probably okay. Now, there's nothing changed. But if you have somebody like Facebook or Amazon, Google come and put you know, 200,000 square feet of data center, plus the heat produced old days on a small chip, which is today, it's a lot higher. So, the cooling requirement is a lot more. So, the whole technology everything changed. >> So, everything basically got super-sized real fast. >> Yeah. >> Uh that's what I suspected, and you know, you're talking 200,000 square feet. That's a big big area. So, I can see where that can kind of heat up things real quick. >> I think I think it's just just I think somewhere in local, one of the cities, they're putting Facebook, or Amazon, putting huge >> Rosemount. >> Rosemount, yes, huge data center. >> I don't know. >> Yeah. >> I just have one quick question. Um they will not be able to drill their own wells, correct? >> Mayor and members of the council, the way the ordinance is written, they would be required to connect to city sewer and water, or city water, excuse me. >> Okay. >> Um a week ago, um Monday at the Regional Council of Mayors, they had um is it Mortenson? Is that the big construction firm? Um he [clears throat] he they had one of their executives that specializes in building data centers. And he came, and he said, "Look, I'm a agnostic. I'm just talking about the facts of building data centers." But, he made a couple interesting comments, and he said that water usage and electricity, which were always concerned about with these big data centers, is an are inverse to each other. So, if you want to decrease your water usage, it's going to take more electricity to circulate water to cool it. If you want to decrease your electricity, it's going to take more water, probably pumping up. So, they're inverse. So, when people try to get both, they don't. [clears throat] They end up, you know, splitting the difference. Um And he also talked about many of these large data centers are looking at serial uh data centers. So, they're going into like Minneapolis and they're finding five, six older buildings and converting the five or six older buildings and then connecting them. So, that there's a grid system problem there, but and then Mark, to your point, I read that within 10 years 50% of all electric usage in the United States of America will be data centers. That's how fast AI is just absolutely exploding. Um and because the power that will be needed um and again, other countries um are scrambling fast, China, whatever, to do this. And so, um it's not a question of America do you know, deciding to do it or not. That we're going to. The question is where. And you can't always just put them somewhere out in the desert. It doesn't work um because of grid systems. You want them close to to where they'll be needed. So, um I think this is smart to proactively get ahead of it. I think I guess we're lucky that we don't have the massive amount of land that, you know, some of our cities south of us, Prior Lake and Lakeville and Rosemount and Rosemount's taking the um UMore site um that the university owned out on 42, which is What is it? 5 square mile? I don't know. It's huge. Um and um they're use utilizing that. And they're um They have a moratorium going forward, but they're they've approved their large 200,000 or whatever square foot data center down there. Um I guess it does produce some tax benefits. It does and it doesn't produce as many employees as what we would probably like for that square footage, but there are jobs there. Um anyway, um we're smart and we're lucky. So, thank you for going ahead and doing this. This is a public state maybe there in case we get questions here, but this is a public hearing on this ordinance code amendment. So, is there anyone in the audience wishing to address the council this evening on this first reading of an ordinance code amendment related to data centers? Um if if if you're speaking, you've got to come up to the mic and give your name and your address and identify yourself. Just can't yell out from the audience. We don't pick you up. Pull the mic down in front of you either. Okay. Um name address >> god, that's so loud. Um my name is Vicki Peller Price and I live at 15487 June Grass Lane um for 21 years. And by the way, it's near the airport. The airport never bought bothers. Who the bothering is >> Data Data centers. >> is the is the vehicles. >> Vicki, data centers. >> I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> Um >> [laughter] >> I've been reading a lot about that and um it it seems to be Americans are not happy about data centers being in near their communities. And you know, it's basically um just everything, you know, social media and all the different businesses and all the stuff um that, you know, I certainly never grew up with being that I am uh I shouldn't tell you how old I am, but >> You're on TV, go ahead. No, I'm sorry. >> [laughter] >> Um Vicki, do you have anything relating to our ordinance that you'd like us to know? >> The one prohibiting? >> The ordinance that we're about to vote on right now. Do you have a thought that you'd like to address the council on this new ordinance proposal? >> Um well, you know, I was caught up pretty much with having in other words, there's no it's about data centers and there's no room for data center data centers in our area. Is that what we're talking about? >> Not exactly, but um if if if you don't have anything that directly related to the ordinance, um you can contact us later and share any of your feelings. >> Yeah, um I don't think I want to make a statement about it now, but I certainly think that you're probably going to whatever you're going to do, I'm probably going to agree with that. >> Okay, thank you. >> This if it involves data centers. >> We're what? Yes, and I what I didn't hear that, but they said it, so yes, so thank you. >> Well, okay. >> Um >> I do have a question. >> Yes, um well, let me just Should I finish the public hearing though? Or did you have a question related Usually we wait till I finish >> All right, right, that's fine. >> Um is there anyone else in the audience wishing to address the council this evening on this ordinance proposal? If not, why don't we close the public hearing then? Um make a motion to close it. >> Close the public hearing. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay, Council member Nelson. >> Yes, um you know, Eden Prairie has wonderful water and you know, we take our drinking water from it and everything else. In here you had talked some about, you know, they had to recycle water and such, but can we limit how much total they can take out of it in any given year? >> Mayor, and of the council, I I think Robert would be able to answer that question. >> So, no, there would be no prohibitions on maximum amount of water used. We are doing, you know, it's effectively creating a ban for drilling a new well. And maybe just to take a minute to explain a little bit about that because in doing some research, I found that there are a number of communities in the metro who currently have those prohibitions in place for all development, not just data centers, but single family even, if city services are available to the lot. And so, just to point that out, Apple Valley, Blaine, Burnsville, Crystal, Shakopee, Woodbury, Maple Grove are a handful of cities that have a ban for new well drilling in place today. So, we're effectively doing that here. We're requiring that they hook up to city water. Now, what that's going to do, again, the mayor brought up there's this continuum. You either use electricity to cool or you use water to cool. And it's an economics decision. If the water is more expensive than the electricity, then they'll use electricity. If electricity is more expensive than water, they'll go with that option. By making them connect to city water, if they're a large water user, they're automatically going to go into our highest tier of water. So, that takes the economics of using city water out of the equation. Unless they want to use a geothermal system, which is effectively taking the water out and putting it back in the aquifer, or they recycle it somehow. So, that would limit the amount of water they use. They just have to be more creative on how they do that. And it'd be a little bit more cost or cost uh it'd be more cost for putting in a system like that, but they could still do it. And it would keep their water use down. And the other thing is if you're pushing them to the electrical grid where here Xcel Energy has a very clean grid system right now because they have a lot of renewable energy that they're using. So, again, if they do go with that option, that helps our climate action plan because they're not using any other type of an energy to do cooling. Um so, but to answer your question, no, there would be no limits on the amount of water that they could use, but because the pricing would be cost-prohibitive, they wouldn't want to use an exorbitant amount of water. They'd want to try to combine different methods for cooling. >> Councilmember Nurayan. >> I just want to clarify when I was state I was responsible for 24 data centers, I think. Um so, all of them doesn't have to use water, either. Just like air conditioning. It just cooling lot of other ways they do cooling. Um water may be one of the way. Uh that's the second point I was going to make is the data center is nothing negative, but we will get they need to have uh very high-speed broadband fiber connectivity to those site because end of the day they have to pump the data out and data coming in. Uh that's probably a a positive side of it. Um so, electricity more important, I think, than the water. My concern will be um the use of electricity and they typically ask for dual feed. Two different you know, all that and I don't know how uh that should not be environmentally factors, either, I don't think. Thank you. >> Council, are you ready to vote on this proposed city amendment? >> I can continue. Approve the first reading of ordinance for a code amendment related to data centers. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Thank you, Julie, for bringing this to working getting your team to work on it and bringing it back to us. All right, payment of claims. Any items on the payment of claims expenses to ask more questions about? If not, is there a motion to approve the payment of claims as submitted? >> I move to approve the payment of claims as submitted. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any any discussion? I'll go to roll call. I know I know I'm getting there. >> [laughter] >> Okay, roll call. >> Council member Freiberg. >> Aye. >> Council member Nerayan. >> Aye. >> Council member Nelson. >> Aye. >> Council member Tumi. >> Aye. >> Mayor Case. >> Aye. >> All right, Mr. Getchow, students on commission appointments. >> Students on commissions, uh very it it's astounding every single year we get more applications than we have room for. And I say I say that because um a lot of cities can't say that. And you know that mayor cuz we've talked to other mayors and cities and many of them ask us um how do you how how do you get this program going? How do you get so many high school students um any high school um any any student in Eden Prairie cuz it can be you can go you don't necessarily have to go to Eden Prairie high school. You can go to other high schools that are not in Prairie but you have to be a student in Eden Prairie to sign up to be a student commissioner on as you will hear from the council members on all commissions but planning. And um we're lucky. We have we had 47 applications um that we received this year and what we have what we have done is provide um press it or provide more um ability for the seniors to be on a commission because in future years we could ask the juniors to come back as seniors to be on our commissions. So, we have screened those applications and we have brought them forward for the various commissions for the council members to appoint. And And again, you I think it was recently as the banquet, you saw our students in action, some of the work that they do. It's not just a matter of show up at a commission and sit in the background. Our Our other commission members get them involved. They uh as as I mentioned at the banquet, they produced a video and and we played that video at our banquet and as it relates to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Um so, the ask here is to appoint the terms for the student commissioners from September of 2026 through May of 2027. >> Thank you. Now, I'm so proud of our student uh volunteers and you are right, other communities um struggle sometimes even getting any students on commissions and they look at me and I'm like, we we have to sadly turn some away. A lot of it's our partnership with the school district and Dr. Josh Swanson, who I is always so supportive and I just appreciate um his involvement in this, too. Council, let's start with Leesen. Can we just There's five uh and and all the names are >> Easy. >> All of the sections have some difficult names. Uh we will do our best. I so apologize to anybody if we do >> [clears throat] >> uh massacre a name. I really appreciate looks like Sarah or somebody did phonetic spelling for us. So, as long as we can read phonetic spelling, well, so Lisa, would you start with that and then we'll do a a all the five motions and then we'll vote at the end on all of them. Okay, Lisa, uh Flying Cloud Airport. >> Thank you, Sarah, for doing that. So, appoint to the I move to appoint the Flying Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission, Britain Bonner, Shikha Mandraker, Liam Kramer, Natasha Umin, G- Gia Nair, and Majada Ahmed. >> Okay. Um, PT. >> Uh, Heritage HPC. >> Appoint to Heritage Heritage Preservation Commission, Kansley McQuillen, Ivan Ebert, Martha K- Kanjam, Ventry Batcha, Aisha Alam. >> Okay. Um, I'll go to the next one. Appoint to the Human Rights and Diversity Commission, Katrika Rawella, Safia Mohammed, uh, Roshi Annie, uh, Siri Butchigari, Angela, uh, Luwaya Ralemi. There's a lot of syllables in there. Raya Atanwill, and Ikra Ibrahim. >> Point to the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission, Lyle Astriger, Bryce Dennison, Alex Hoyt, John Melcher, Ruqwana Warsame, uh, Kai Schmidt, and Seth Gilliam. >> All right. Appoint to the Sustainability Commission, Yash Gupta, uh, Hamaji Gunturi, Avini Muheshwari, Rose Wix, Apana Risha Lobo, J- John C. Sentha Kumar, Arav Gupta, and Epshita Towary. >> Is there a second to all those motions? >> Second. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All right. Did Lisa, did you want to say something? >> No. No, I'm good. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. No reports of council members or city manager. Moving on down to reports of park and recreation director Dr. Marco. July 3rd and 4th coming up fast. Isn't that amazing? >> Yeah. >> time. >> All right. Well, thank you, Mayor and Council. I wanted to just take a few minutes and share with you all the fun festivities that we have planned for the July 3rd and 4th hometown celebration. Which will be the 250th birthday of our country. And starting on July 3rd, which is our Sparkle Fest festivities, we'll be out at Round Lake Park from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30. We'll be starting the evening with a patriotic concert with the Eden Prairie Community Band. We'll also have a color guard and a wreath laying ceremony. Different this year, we'll have our large entertainment stage both nights. And we'll have family-friendly entertainment on the 3rd with a band called Riff and Griffin. We'll have a kids DJ and a dance party. We'll have over 20 food trucks and to highlight some of the new foods coming, Mi Pueblo will have their new truck, Gray Duck Concessions, and the soda fountain. We'll have a World Cup viewing screen for people to watch kind of some of the final games of the World Cup. We'll have inflatables, bingo, arts and crafts, lawn games. We'll have tabling with several of our sponsors and community partners. We'll have a sensory friendly area and activities throughout the night. And then we'll have a festive drone show with 200 drones um, once it gets dark. >> Lisa, 200 drones? >> 200 drones. >> 200 drones. Yeah. And then on July 4th itself, back out at Round Lake Park from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. uh, at the large entertainment stage, we'll have Triple Fiddle, Frankie Torres and the Free and Easy Band. Again, we'll have over 20 food trucks, a few different ones out there that night. New ones include Ben and Jerry's, Brown Chicken, Brown Cow, and one of our favorites, which is Bad Rooster. >> Fun. >> Uh, the World Cup viewing screen will also have a beer garden, um, really both nights. And then some special, we'll have the T-6 Thunder, uh, group, which is an aircraft formation team doing aerial flyover with T-36 and T-6 aircraft, uh, which are vintage planes, so that will be fun. And then our fireworks show will start approximately 10:00 p.m. And then kind of some new transportation options, so, uh, we can make it a little easier to get people to and from the site and accommodate more people. We'll have a bike corral this year. So, if people want to bike to the site, we'll have a space for you to, uh, safely store your bike. We do encourage people to wear their bike helmets, um, and also think about having lights on your bike if you're leaving, you know, after dark, primarily after fireworks. And then just on the July 4th, we'll have a bus shuttle from Southwest Transit, um, from their station on Technology Drive. And so, starting at 3:45, um, it will be running every 30 minutes. We'll have a shuttle to the site. We'll pause the shuttle during fireworks, and then after we'll have six buses, um, they're ready to take people back. And so, it may take a little while uh, for the return shuttle after that first load, but we will still have music after fireworks for an additional hour. So, if people have to wait for the second round of bus shuttles, I will have entertainment and food there as well. And so, all the event details and the precise timing of everything can be found on the city website at edenprairiemn.gov/fourthofjuly. I really want to give a special thanks and shout-out to our sponsors. We have really generous community members step up the Veridian Credit Union, which is being constructed and opening soon. They are title sponsor. T Mobile Fiber is back again this year. They're a presenting sponsor. And then we also have J.A. Price Agency, Southwest Transit with their in-kind donation of staff and bus time on a holiday, which is tremendous. Shields, Walltrends, and Lion's Tap. So, just again, a huge thank you to everyone that's supporting this this event. Should be wonderful. We're excited. >> Thank you to you and also your wonderful staff. It is an amazing evening and it it's it's really great for Eden Prairie residents to experience what a great city we have. It's also great however many a fourth of people that come in from other cities to to experience the Eden Prairie mystique. Maybe they'll want to move here and live here, so. All right. Is there anything else to come before the council this evening? Mr. Getchow, is that >> Mayor, the our business we have nothing else >> All right. >> to bring to you. >> a motion to adjourn this meeting? >> I move to adjourn the city council meeting. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? This meeting is adjourned. >> Yeah.