“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.”

Complimenting Rick Etcho for the Citizens Academy.

“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.”

Acknowledged for her significant contributions to the Citizens Academy.

“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.”

Expressing gratitude for the Citizens Academy and a memorable experience driving a snow plow.

“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.”

Praising the program and mentioning driving a snow plow.

“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.”

Expressing strong impression of the city's management and recommending the program.

“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.”

Thanking city staff and council for the well-run city and his enhanced appreciation.

“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.”

Expressing thanks for the program and her pride in being an Eden Prairie resident.

“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.”

Recommending the program and noting the wealth of interesting information presented.

“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.”

Expressing continued pride in Eden Prairie and being blown away by the city's people.

“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.”

Expressing gratitude and confidence in the city government.

“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.”

Thanking staff and council for the opportunity and expressing impression of the city's efficient operation.

“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 that. So, thank you for the privilege of being a part.”

Quoting a friend and personally stating belief in Eden Prairie's superior city government and impressed by the water treatment facility and staff culture.

“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.”

Expressing gratitude and recognizing the dedication of city staff.

“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.”

Expressing thanks for the fantastic experience and extra help.

“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.”

Highlighting the value of seeing city government from the inside and appreciating the organization and staff.

“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.”

Praising the program and emphasizing the infectious enthusiasm of city employees.

“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.”

Highlighting the staff's qualities as a reason for Eden Prairie's accolades.

“Thanks. Um so, 20 years ago when I met my wife, 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.”

Expressing how the program provided insight into the work that makes Eden Prairie a great place to live.

“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.”

Enjoying the program and humorously noting the snow plow experience as a highlight.

“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.”

Encouraging others to join the program and expressing increased knowledge of city services.

“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.”

Recommending the program for its fun and educational behind-the-scenes activities.

“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.”

Expressing gratitude, feeling blessed to live in Eden Prairie, and having had the best time in the program.

“Everyone else has said it so well. I'm just going to say ditto.”

Concise agreement with other graduates' positive remarks.

“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.”

Praising both the police and city academies, highlighting the quality of the people in city government.

“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.”

Expressing thanks and motivation to give back to the Eden Prairie community.

“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.”

Acknowledged as an absent graduate who is currently out of the country.

“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.”

Calling the class amazing and sharing highlights like driving a snow plow and wearing fire equipment.

“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.”

Mentioned in the context of city leadership and hiring.

“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.”

Introducing himself and Lennar Minnesota, and thanking city staff for their process.

“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.”

Describing the site plan for the Prairie Bluff Commons development, including existing structures, proposed buildings, and buffering.

“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 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.”

Detailing the types of homes (townhomes and villas), pricing, HOA maintenance, EV readiness, and reasons for not including solar panels on 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”

Describing the open space plan, including an overlook of the river valley and trail connections.