[laughter] Well, Yeah. Really? >> [snorts] [snorts] >> Good evening um everyone. This room has been used for voting u early voting over the last week and it appears my gavvel has walked away. [laughter] So including the base I can't even fake it with something. So we're going to uh not metaphorically we're going to with great imagination gavvel the meeting. So, welcome to the Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 meeting of the Eden Prairie City Council. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America [sighs] and to the republic for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> I tend to feel like all of our city council meetings are significant and in some way fun. I think tonight is particularly enjoyable. We have um a lot of special guests here this evening u presentation proclamation. We haven't had a whole lot of public hearings for new development projects over the last year uh especially residential and we do tonight um have what I think is the largest plot of land left in Eden Prairie um residential that will be at least in my tenure. So I think that qualifies for an exciting evening. Uh typical during this time of the meeting for me to read an open podium invitation to our residents. Open podium is an opportunity for Eden Prairie residents to address the city council on issues related to Eden Prairie city government. These occur prior to each council meeting. The council meetings typically occur the first and the third Tuesday of the month, not during the summer. We just have one meeting. The open podiums occur from 6:30 to 6:55 p.m. right here in the council chamber. If you wish to speak at open podium, please do contact the city manager's office at 952-9498412 by noon of the meeting date with your name, your 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. Gel, I'll turn it right over to to you so you can introduce um our first um presentation this evening. >> Thank you, Mayor, council members. Uh we on an annual basis, we are pleased to have our two county commissioners that are able to join us to give us an update on what's happening at the county level of government. It takes a little bit of work to get them here at the same time, which is nice uh to be able to have that. We have um Eden Prairie having two commissioners, not many cities have two commissioners representing them, and we do. We have commissioner uh Debbie Gatel and Heather Eden, and they are here to give us an update on what is happening in Henipin County. Please come forward and please do not share anybody in the room this with anyone outside this room, but we do have the two best county commissioners [laughter] uh of the seven member uh county commission. So um again, keep that keep that here in this room, but we are really pleased to have both of you. Thank you for coming. >> Thank you for having us. >> Um so I'm Heather Eden. I I represent District 6, which includes a part of uh Eden Prairie. Um and I'm Debbie Goel. I represent district five which includes my hometown of Richfield, Bloomington, the southern portion of Eden Prairie and a small portion of actually southwest Minneapolis. So [clears throat] Henipin County usually flies under the radar. Maybe not so much this year because of the hospital, but usually we do. Um but uh we're far reaching despite uh our we have a lot of investments. We have a lot of impact on our communities. And in Minnesota, we're the second largest government of the state. um the largest local government unit statewide and we steward just over three.1 billion dollars in an annual budget. So, if somebody could pull up our slides. >> Oh, yeah. Here we got this here. Um >> and commissioners, if you could just u move the mic towards you as you speak. I just want to make sure it gets picked up. Um we'll move back home and also Yeah, you could you could move get a little You like each other a lot. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, so I'll go ahead and start, but just so you know, um first slide. Here we go. So each of us uh district five different district six uh Eden Prairie is very lucky they have two I think good commissioners uh commissioner Gell has definitely she knows a lot more and she's she's very much mentoring me in a way which I I very much appreciate um and so we each represent about 190ish thousand people um and there's seven commissioners for Henipin County 1.3 million residents um and as Commissioner Gatell said very much a hidden part of government um and I just a fun fact really quick just because I done I have 16 cities. 16 is a lot. Um >> we are your favorite too, but we won't share that outside of this room. >> By far. I saw your quality of life survey and bravo by the way. Um that actually was a very impressive quality of life survey. You guys are clearly doing your job as a council and mayor. Congrats on that. Um and you have a great city manager, which I'm sure you all have. >> Yes, we do. >> And and a good police and fire chief, which I see are here. So, that's great. All right. So, uh here's these are the current budget drivers. we'll be talking about as we discuss. Um, but health care, as Commissioner Gatell mentioned, HCMC, we were lucky to get uh funding at the legislature. We really banded together. We we want to thank the cities that were supporting us and talking to people they knew. Um, and as well as the other counties which actually supported us across the state. It was from greater Minnesota to urban. Uh, everybody said they wanted to save HCMC and we received 205 million as well as 500 million um that will be in an account for the years to come. Um, we do have budget drivers, state and federal shifts which Commissioner Gatell will talk about some of the federal things that are are coming up. We um have some unexpected things uh unexpected cuts uh that we are are really forecasting um into the future. We also know Medicaid is coming up a lot of different challenges. We know SNAP error rates, which we can talk about later as well, are going to be challenging and county service delivery is a struggle when we have budgets that we um that are changing. And so here we have uh a $3.15 billion budget as Commissioner Gatel mentioned. Um what you'll see here is it broken up for the revenue and a lot of you'll see right there is 35.4% of the county's budget. And hopefully you guys, this is loud enough. 35.4% of the budget is property taxes. Now, you'll also see at the bottom of that chart in the gray and the yellow pie that federal and state as well as the red federal and state and uh are are making up a large portion of our funding as well. And so when we have fluctuations in our budget, when we've already set it and we get cuts mid year, it makes it very challenging for us. I mean, you imagine your own budget. Um, and so we are receiving many different um, challenges and we've already had them. So, uh, we'll go ahead and go to the next one. I just want to spend a moment on expenditures. Oops. Where did expenditures go? Oh, there it goes. Okay. So, expenditures. Um, I'm now I'm wondering if we were on the right slide. Okay. Yeah, we were. >> They reversed. >> Were they Were they switched? Okay. Well, there goes revenue. You can see what I was talking about. And then here's expenditures. Okay. So, expenditures. Um, so health and human services are about 50% of the county's budget. It's it's why I ran. I was a former therapist before I was elected. Um, the county does really important work around mental health and so that's a huge part of the work that we do, but we also do a lot of preventative health. Um, so capital improvements will if they're at 12% right now, it's a part of our budget, but we're going to be slowing that down. So you're not going to see a lot of capital investments this next year as we come into next budget cycle. we just simply don't have the funding to do it. Um, resident services is a small part of our budget, but it's a lot of what people think about the libraries and law, safety, and justice, that is a growing need. Um, the jail has and overtime and staffing has always been a challenge. It's continuing to be a challenge and so into the future. And let's go here now. That's Commissioner Gel. So I'm going to give you just a little bit more in-depth information on what Commissioner Edelen has already talked about and it's regards to some of the program areas that you probably heard about from the state and on the news and one of them is a SNAP and specifically that SNAP error rate. So first of all the first cut came in administration which was $8 million hit and that's going to be an $8 million hit every year for the county and that'll also be at the state level and that's just for administrating the SNAP. So we actually lose people to be able to administer this. So that's that's a big hit. Then the error rate is how quickly do you get some of these out? How many errors are done on the way? How fast can you get it out? And of course, you must know through all the things that we've gone through after COVID and with Metro Surge that we have had an increase in in the needs and the applications and now with the budget cuts from the administration piece of that. We have less and fewer ways to fill those gaps with real people and dollars to hire people to make that happen. We're working on it as hard as we can to make sure people have food security. We've actually allotted more dollars about two two million just more recently this last year to our our uh food network. So that would be your your different food shelves and places like that that give out food to the folks in need. Um there's a lot of terminated grants and some of them through FEMA mostly but not all of them. Um $2.8 8 million. And then there are simply some grants that you may also be in the same place that we are that you just decide because it's the actual guidance is so ownorous that you just can't go for the grants and that we we would not apply to them because there's no way for us to comply. And so those that's what is happening. And right now that's at 10.8 million. We are tracking that on a regular basis because we want to make sure that we know what's going going on as far as for what we've lost from previous years and how we're going to how we're going to decide whether we try to make something up or not. So when we look at the actual numbers on the anticipated cuts um for just 2027 it's 20 million. You can see that and it goes all the way down. Then the HUD cuts that's the supportive services that we have for a lot of people to help them stay in their affordable homes. our disability community, our seniors, those folks. That's 12 million. And then the Medicaid, which we all know that they're going to be cutting down to that. And at a specifically, and we'll get to it later, it's a slide on the hospital. But this is just us. We use Medicaid a lot for a lot of our folks who are homeless and coming into our system in different avenues. And so that's a huge cut. That's $59 million we're going to have to figure out how to program for. So lot of lot of things. there's declining payments coming and there's a lot of Medicaid disenrollment happening because of the new criteria and just people not understanding and getting their paperwork in on time. So, >> and and your HCMC, our HCMC hospital has to serve ultimately anyone that shows up at the door whether they have funding or not. And so that's why every county in the state of Minnesota supported you because >> if HCMC goes away, they're showing up at their hospital doors and they have to serve them. So I mean, and and this cumulative financial impact is five, if I did my math, 5% of your budget, that's huge. I mean, if we had suddenly had a hit on our budget, >> 5%, that's a big deal. >> Yeah. Well, we're going to talk about that in the next slide. So this is about the medical center for again, Heather already said thank you. I'm saying we're trying to say thank you to everybody who came out and supported and said anything or talked to your representative, your legislators, your health care systems here because everybody got on board. We were overwhelmed with the great support that we had. Yes, we have a lot of uncompensated care. That's true. And it's a level one trauma center. There are other level one trauma centers, but not to the breath and depth that we have. I mean to the point where we have people coming from, you know, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Iowa coming coming here. Um but we were really happy that we got 755 million um to help stabilize the hospital. We lost 300 frontline folks in that whole issue because people were worried about the stability of their job and so they went someplace else. So we have to replace those people and it was because of the legislature that we now can do that. It's a lot of work to be done because this is just a funding source for a period of time. does not stabilize a long-term debt cycle that the hospital will always have, especially with the Medicaid cuts coming. But what we also know is we have a lot of other counties out there who came to our rescue, a lot of other systems that came to our rescue. And at the next legislature, we'll be looking to try to stabilize ours, but we will be a big cheering team for all the other rural hospitals and health care systems who also need that same stabilization as we got from the legislature. So, please thank your representatives when you see them. I guess I have the next one, too. No, you have the next one. Yes. >> All right. Um, okay. So, here is what in Eden Prairie what the average resident um saw with their property taxes. Um, so estimated market value. If you in 2025, if you had 543,000, you saw a shift up to uh 558, you had a 2.8% change. And it you goes down from tax value to tax capacity. and tax capacity as we know is how much of the pie that I mean property tax law is one of the most confusing things um at the legislature but tax capacity um is an interesting one and so overall what Eden Prairie residents saw as a shift is about a 9 uh% shift and so that's about $195 on average um so it's important um to note that of course with the tax uh when you look at your market value and um that if your value goes up obviously viously your taxes are going up a little bit too and so that's a challenge um especially in this market we understand um that people's their wages aren't going up uh property taxes cannot continue if you look at the trajectory and I had another slide on this but we um we I somehow it didn't make it in this deck I apologize I didn't review it like early enough but if you look at our property taxes and what has happened over the last three years in 2025 2026 and 20 you know as we look to 2027 we have this trend where it's constantly going up and and the challenge with that is is we're talking about the federal budget and where we're impacted when there's cuts at the federal level, when we don't get funding at the state level, it comes down to what can we do and what do we have to do as a county. And what people don't understand oftent times um is we have mandated core services that we have to do by state and federal law. And so those aren't a choice. So they might take away the funding, but they're not taking away the requirement that it's it's something we have to do. And so um with that, >> can I add one more thing because I think one of the things too is Heather pointed out something about the escalation over the last like three years and such, but what's really been happening is the last 10 years we have seen the escalation of taxes and then the the tax capacity of the businesses industry is going down >> and you can see that through the values because buildings downtown are literally selling for pennies on the dollar. We've seen a lot of foreclosures in some of the office buildings and such around here. And so we know that this is this needs to be fixed. The property tax issue needs a fully review and it needs a full reset so that people can actually afford their property taxes. >> I agree with what Commissioner Gel just said. Um and uh feel free to interrupt us if you have questions, council members. Um, and I'll just uh we opened it's actually in December of 2025 um with we opened up the youth crisis stabilization center a really exciting uh facility. I think it was was it 15 million for that? Yep. 15 million $15 million to we create we brought this online line relatively fast and you know 13 beds other councils have said 13 beds 15 million but what people don't understand also with that is just the complexities of when you're in the care of a young child sometimes we were spending over a million per child and sometimes the child was going to have to go out of state because they couldn't get the services here in our state away from their family and so the great news is this is we're getting really good feedback it has great results. Um, and we're able to help the family. The kids are able to stay home and it's it's really working well. I don't know what to have to add. I think that Okay. All right. And the last one, um, we got some bridges that are coming up in Eden Prairie. This is very exciting. These are big projects. So, you have one right now, the Pioneer Trail Bridge. Um, I'm sure, uh, residents aren't loving, uh, that replacement, but it's really exciting when you get a bridge replaced. Those are expensive. Um, and is it a good investment in the community? It sounds [snorts] like it should be done this fall. Um or exc Yes. Is it fall of this year? Yeah, fall of 2026. And then I also see that we have an Eden Prairie uh bridge uh replacement that is going to be coming up in 2027. Rick, are you guys already having conversations with county staff about that? >> Yes. >> Okay, perfect. That's great. And so >> we learned of it tonight also or talked about it at our workshop. >> Oh, good. >> Road. Is that the one we're talking? Yeah. Over it's I think is it uh the railroad track is right. Yeah. Perfect. It's good. All right. So, that one's coming up and so I will pass it back over to Commissioner Kell. >> So, I a lot of cities came to me and wanted to chat about cost participation and we know that cost participation was changed with Mindot already with cities and counties and that was a really great conversation for all of us I think and cities have come back to us and said, you know, you have all these county roads and everything and things have just gotten too expensive and you know, everything costs more. the forplexes cost more and you know you look at all the new technology that's in the roads and those costs have come up and a lot of it's been is brought in from overseas believe it or not and so there's a there's a lot to this so a lot of cities came to me and said we need a better cost sharing participation it doesn't matter we still can't do it and believe it or not it's just not small cities it's large cities Minneapolis Bloomington which is one of my large cities so it's the small cities it's it's you folks it's everybody are talking about how do we make this works for the long term. And so, um, city work staff put together some of this and you guys have gotten a survey and and been I'm hopefully responsive to that. But I also wanted to say that, um, we're looking to see what the impacts are and planning and everything and I know that we got more transportation dollars, but in even in that light of that, it would probably mean that we will slow some projects down if we take on more costs. And we're very willing to do that. My colleagues are all on board with this. Um, but if you'd like to connect with me personally about the process or provide feedback through this, you can certainly do that to me and I'm it's anonymous through me. Um, and other cities do I sit on the regional council mayors of mayors from other cities come to me too. So it would be really good for whatever feedback you had about what you think is going to be the most applicable to your city because sometimes too we don't do it just we do it differently by city sometimes like we have small cities and we treat them differently than we do larger cities. those such a project. So, I'm looking forward to the feedback and and what or else you can bring my way if you need some help on that. Thanks. The next slide. So, this is a fun topic. I always love talking about um um affordable housing because we do so much work in this area and it's so exciting to see this. Um affordable housing creation and housing supports are some of the most important investments we make to increase the quality of life for everyone in Henipin County. In 2025, we were the primary funer of affordable housing development within the county. We awarded $19.4 million in capital funding to create and preserve affordable housing. We funded 21 projects with 1,339 affordable rental units. 10 projects to create 69 affordable home ownership opportunities. That's a newer program. We spurred six home ownership projects to create 39 affordable home ownership opportunities. and we provided down payment assistance to help with affordability for 28 firsttime and first generation home buyers. So it's quite an accomplishment. So see there is good news here too. >> There's so much work to do in this space but making a large strides and bringing down the cost of housing and make it more accessible to residents. This is one of the goals we had placed um several years ago about how to get um how to do more in our community around the affordable housing area. So, and it's been successful. And now I get to talk about another fun thing. Elevate Henipin is a resource hub um connecting local entrepreneurs to expert advisers at no cost on a wide range of topics. It's just one of the piece of our broader strategy. It's it's growing in support with entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage. We get more and more every year. Thousands of businesses use Elevate Henipin, including more than 4,648 entrepreneurs who have accessed over 61,000 hours of no cost one-on-one advising cohort learning opportunities. 345 of businesses have launched as a result of these efforts with around 53 million in facilitated financing. So, this isn't just for those startup entrepreneurs. These are for some of your companies too who are at a point where they really want to grow and they don't know how to get to that next step and they want to grow. We also provide those kinds of service several stepping services to how do you write a business plan all the way up how do you expand a business that is just busting at the seams. We want to make sure that our small businesses are family-owned and partnerships here really thrive and grow in our communities. And we think this is the best bet and the best way to spend our dollars right now. I mean, we offer services from how do you design your website and we'll help them with that to lawyers on how do you set up per permits, we'll help them talk to the cities to make sure they have everything correct. We do all the different kinds of things lawyers to to go through all the kinds of paperwork and set up the corporations. So, it's a worthwhile um program and I'm I'm hoping that a lot of your folks I know some of them are taking advantage because I've seen some Eden Prairie businesses there. So, congratulations on those. Oh, this is about the police embedded social workers. You know, we want to try to improve um the continuing uh service and residents. We tal Heather already talked about the great um new clinic that we opened up for youth and everything, but we need to do more for our residents in the mental health space. And so, it's crucial that the police interactions have something more than just a police interaction. And we noted many years ago about 10 years ago that we were h the police officers were coming and saying I'm not a social worker. I this is not work that I could be doing. So starting in 2019 the police embedded social worker program has become an essential new response method um serving all municipalities in Henipin County with nearly 50 social workers. Now that's a that's a large increase from before. In 2025 alone, Eden Prairie lease made 485 referrals to the embedded social workers with 488 total linkages to a range of social services. Through May 31st of this year, Eden Prairie has made 205 referrals to the program and 185 linkages to mental health, drug treatment, housing, and employment services. So, Henipin County just kicked off to the one two tree campaign this year to help spread awareness about the importance of planting trees to support prettier neighborhoods, cooler yards, and overall healthier communities. At Henipin, our goal is 1 million trees by 2030 in collaboration with our local partners. And so, I I'm have an update this year. We talked about it last year. We estimate that 636,033 trees will have been planted in 2022 by the from 2022 to 2026. Some of the really great things I want to highlight in the programs are the $400,000 available to the healthy tree canopy grant program annually to cities, school districts, affordable housing providers, and nonprofits with up to 50,000 available to cities. If you're interested in that, please contact um our offices and and we'll help you with that. We started offering this opportunity for cities to purchase trees from the Henipin County to take advantage of our wholesale prices. You know, we have a nursery bed where we grow them. And so, um for our cities so that they can pick them up in the spring, you call in the winter. Uh cities purchased 343 trees and 1,400 seedlings from us in 2026 alone. So, come back for more. We'll have more. So, and now it's time for questions, the discussion, what you folks want to hear about. >> Council, anything. I just want to say one of my key words I think ever since I've been mayor is partnership and you all are exemplary with partnering with us. And um I love having your phone numbers. I'm sure all of these people do too. And you respond, you pick up the phone. So, thank you for um that partnership and it's been a great u benefit to Eden Prairie. So, we appreciate very much both of you, council. Anything? >> No, thank you. >> You make you make our jobs easier, too. You guys are great to work with. >> Likewise. So, >> it's good to see all of you. You know what? >> Thanks for coming. >> I'm going to give you just a heads up because on in in the committee in a couple of weeks, I just learned Heather and I did we voted on this today about the equipment grants for Eden Prairie School District. We're giving you 96 just over $9,600 a purchase of two ter uh all-terrain wheelchairs to help youth navigate a variety of outdoor surfaces including trails, grass, sand, snow, and uneven terrain. It's going to it's going to serve 709 of your residents. >> Thank you. Thank you. Be great. Excellent. Have a nice evening. Thank you so much. >> All right. Um second report. Um Mr. Get the um green line extension. And I just have to say that Chamber of Commerce uh gave me a question, Jay, that they really want to know a date. So I you may not be able to give us one tonight, but I'm giving you a heads up. So Mr. Gro, go ahead. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Councel. Uh yes, I look out in the audience and there's quite a few. There's I think the entire staff is here. I look out, I see the uh transit general manager. I see our Met Council representative. I see the project director. I see the Met Council police the transit police chief. I'm not sure who's coming up first. Um so but either way, mayor, council, we have uh a update on the uh green line extension. As you said, we have uh quite a few people here. We are excited to hear where things are at. Dr. Carter, welcome. >> Well, I'll take that. You know, uh when I was in the Navy, when they asked for volunteers, everybody stepped back. I usually step forward. So glad to be here. >> Um I spent a lot of time in Eid Prairie even though I live in uh Minnetonka. >> And I'm honored to uh follow two amazing Henny Henipin County Commissioners, Heather Eden from District 6 and Debbie Gotel from District 5. And I want to say thanks to them for their amazing partnership. >> Dr. Carter, um you're probably going to do this, but introduce your position enrolled. Well, that's my that's my that's my next step. >> Excellent. >> Okay. And just to restate, my name is Tyrone Ellis Carter and I represent District 3 on the Metro Council [laughter] which includes the city of Eden Prairie. And I would all and uh I'm honored, as I said before, I'm honored to be here today. Um each time I talk about this project, it feels like a major milestone and today is no different. We are moving as an organization from construction mode to opening of this line in 2027. Tonight, you'll hear from Lesie, Chief Doss, Brian, and Jim about everything Eden Prairie has to look forward to as we get ready to launch this line. These are leaders I trust [clears throat] for their incredible depth of expertise across so many topics and are here tonight to address any questions you may have. As we look forward to this project, I'm struck by just how much Eden Prairie has worked to prepare for this momentous launch. At a recent event celebrating the restored access to the rails, featuring Mayor Casease as well as other corridor leaders, our chair Robin Hutchinson noted the excitement about all the transit options residents will soon have for getting around the area. I have already started to imagine the day when you will be able to hop on a quick train, ride to have lunch with a friend and go to a Vikings game or head to work in St. Paul St. Louis Park or right here in Eden Prairie. It's encouraging to see the positive reactions that we are hearing from the community to the opening of this amazing project. And with that, I'm going to hand it back to Leslie and her team to do their presentation. and thanks again for see for welcoming us to this event today. >> Thank you Dr. Carter for representing us on the Metropolitan Council. We appreciate this. >> It's always an honor. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, mayor, council members, good evening. My name is Leslie Kanderas. I serve as the general manager for Metro Transit. Uh thank you, Council Member Carter, for kicking us off this evening. Uh we are very thankful that you are making time for us on your agenda this evening to provide an update on green line extension. Uh as uh Dr. Carter mentioned several of us are here to speak. We have other employees here who are available to answer questions and listen and learn from the discussion as well. Uh but I will get us started. Uh we'll provide a brief update on who we are as Metrotransit, what we're focused on, and then really dive into a status update on the project, including all the work happening across Metro Transit uh to prepare for a successful launch. Uh and of course, we'll be happy to take questions at the end as well. Uh as we start this discussion, I wanted to ground us in Metrotransit forward. At Metrotransit, this is our shared strategic framework that guides our work. We developed this document uh through engaging our employees, our riders, community uh and it really distills uh what we are focused on. It includes our mission statement. We connect people, strengthen communities and improve lives by delivering high quality public transportation. It includes our three strategic priorities, employees, experience, and service that really anchors and guides our work. Uh and for 2026, we're focused on three main areas or goals. building writership, increasing satisfaction, and particularly pertinent to tonight's tonight's discussion, preparing for a flawless Greenline extension launch in 2027. And I'll just note we did choose that word flawless intentionally because we know this project is a long time coming. There are many leaders across our region, including um Ineden Prairie, past and present, who have been partners in making this project uh happen. And uh we are uh really looking forward to being able to launch it next year. Uh not to keep you in suspense, but we do not have a date to share tonight. We can talk a little bit more about the process or setting a date. Uh but we know the expectations are uh rightfully very high and we are preparing ourselves to deliver it flawlessly and that's uh the information we'll share with you this evening. Just a little bit of background about Metro Transit. Uh first though, uh Metro Transit is the largest public transit provider in the Twin Cities region. We uh serve over 60 communities across about six counties. Uh we have over 3,500 employees at our organization. In 2025, we deliver just over 50 million rides. Uh and uh as the pie chart on this slide shows, uh people take transit for a variety of travel needs. Uh certainly work, school, errands are all part of that. Entertainment, leisure, getting to medical appointments. Uh so we are focused at Metro Transit in developing and supporting a transit system that can serve a variety of trip purposes. Uh knowing that transit is a lifeline to many in our community. Uh a little bit more about us. Uh we operate two light rail lines, uh eight bus rapid transit lines, uh over 60 local bus routes, 27 express bus routes, uh and five metro micro zones, uh which is a contracted service that provides ondemand uh transit within uh dedicated zones. Uh and at this stage uh I would like to hand it over to project director Jim Alexander uh to provide the project update. Nice to see you again, Mr. Alexander. I I will say that when you started this project many years ago, you had a complete full head of hair. So, I think you've lost just a lot of stress, but you have handled it so well. And we do we really do appreciate the the constant um stability, whatever you've you've given to this project through the years because you've taken a lot of heat. So, we appreciate you. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I really appreciate that. and council members. Uh I'm I'm happy to be here tonight to talk about the finish line on this project as uh I've been before you many times talking about the uh just the challenges we've had and uh you know it's all passed and we're going to get to the finish line. So just a little bit about um about the the date. We will be identifying a date later this fall and uh we're getting things prepped as Leslie indicated. We're looking [clears throat] to have a flawless opening. We want to make sure things are right and we're undergoing a lot of testing. I know it looks kind of quiet here in Eden Prairie right now. Um, a lot of activity on the east end and particularly Minneapolis. I'll talk about that in a moment. So, 14 and a half miles all told on the project and uh and 16 stations. You can see the numbers here. One thing I want to point out, $3.3 billion of development. That's 2011 through 2024 permitted. Uh, we are seeing a lot of things in Eden Prairie, Minnitonka, St. Louis Park, and Minneapolis and Hopkins. Uh, a lot of development going around the station is very encouraging. So testing, we have thousands of devices out on the line and we need to make sure all those devices are working with each other and communicating back to our rail control center in Minneapolis and our Franklin facility and it takes time to do that. Over 7,500 tests are are being checked out with all those devices. Part of that is a phase one I'll talk about in Eden Prairie going to St. Louis Park. We're also doing uh over 1500 different scenarios of running the vehicles to make sure every scenario back and forth is working properly. And after we're done with our efforts with our contractor doing system integration testing, we'll be handing over to operations and they will be doing their own testing and get familiarization with the with the line. So it does take time. It isn't uh necessarily like a bus where you can just uh start the engine and head out on the road. we have to make sure that this is uh this is working very well in concert with each other. So in terms of the system integration testing uh the the the the red dashed area that's what we were testing. We started that back in July of last year. We finished up the testing in June. That's why you see it's uh not so busy down here in Eden Prairie. [snorts] And uh we are now testing up that green area in Minneapolis from Target Field, our our main line out to uh uh Binmar Station. And we're looking to wrap that up later this summer and then head to the the full band from A to B out to southwest to target. And uh that'll be uh uh concluding later later this uh later this fall here. And so as I indicated, a lot of testing to be done. We we need to make sure this is a this system is safe and reliable. And as I indicated, we'll be handing it over to our operations folks. Brian Funk will be up here, chief operating officer, to talk a little bit about uh about the hiring and uh and I just want to just maybe take a moment to extend my appreciation for working with the city of Van Prairie, particularly with the public works director, Robert Ellison. We've had a very good relationship and uh I think uh really really proud of that relationship that I think we've done a good thing down here. So I'll hand it off to uh Brian here. >> Thank you. >> Uh thank you, Jim. And uh Mr. Mayor, council members, uh staff, it's really good to be here. So again, my name is Brian Funk. Uh I serve as deputy general manager and chief operating officer for Metro Transit. I've been with the organization for about 24 years. And so I'm really excited about uh our next milestone in this upcoming flawless opening. So uh as Jim talked about, uh our teams are working uh handin glove and really working uh on completing the testing that's uh essential to make sure that we're ready for our operations. uh what that means is going to um then be a handoff to us uh as he described. And so I've had the the fortune of being in some different roles as we've done this for back to the original Hayawa or blue line uh our central corridor green line and really looking forward in in this role to make sure that our team is set up for success. And so in order to do that uh we need to bring uh on board uh a strong group of professionals to be able to deliver that service. uh as much as our general manager, uh Jim, myself, and the chief are going to be able to give you some of the highlights, the the executing day in and day out is really on our frontline staff. And so, we want to make sure that uh we're hiring the right people, we're giving them the training and setting them up for success. And so, we're confident that we're doing that. Uh what you'll see here is that uh in addition to train operators and maintenance staff, uh we're also onboarding a number of uh trip agents. trip stands for the transit rider investment program that came out of 2023 legislation. Uh the chief will talk a little bit more about that, but uh they're really they're an onboard element to ensure that uh our riders and uh the public have a really good experience. Uh we're in the process of filling about 260 total positions. Uh all told, we're making really good progress right now. Uh I'm very happy about uh kind of our status. We have another major capital project this summer over in S uh Minneapolis uh for our blue line. Uh but uh we're able to get out on this line, do a lot of the training uh and continue to bring people on board. So, uh, one of the key areas that most people wonder about and have been asking us about, uh, has been the the train operators and, uh, really happy to say that including people who are currently in the instruction phase, uh, we're within about five people of where we want to be, uh, to get ready for revenue service. And so, highly confident across all of these areas that, uh, as Jim hands it over to us, we'll be in really good shape. So, uh, these numbers are, uh, a little bit out of date, but, uh, what you can see here is that, you know, I mentioned that the train operators are, uh, just second up from the bottom. Uh, but in all areas, we're we're looking really strong. Uh, the indicators are a measure of how close we are to budget. Uh, not certainly what keeps me up at night or or a projection on our ability to succeed. Uh in each of these areas, as I think I've emphasized a few times, uh we have the management position who management positions are filled. Uh people are ready to go. We have trainers who are uh waiting our new employees to come on. And so now for the rest of this year, we're going to be kind of in that just in time hiring uh to get everyone prepared uh to hit the uh flawless opening. So I'll certainly be able to stay around for questions. Uh the last thing I did want to make sure to mention is that uh we'll be you know co-located with Southwest Transit uh at the Southwest station. Uh our team along with the Southwest Transit team are coordinating to make sure that we're on the same page. Uh my counterpart Erica with uh Southwest Transit uh is somebody that we're making sure that we have uh meetings set up to make sure that uh there's everybody on the same page. So, just wanted to provide this group assurance that uh we're working uh handinand glove. So, uh with that, I'll hand it over to Chiefs. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Brian. Uh good evening, uh mayor, council members. My name is Joe Datsth and I have the honor and privilege to serve as the chief of police at the Metro Transit Police Department. Our safety security action plan really is our overall plan on how we address safety on the transit system. Um this is my 25th year in law enforcement. 22 of those years have been at Metro Transit and really before how we were policing the transit system before the safety security action plan. It was just the police department primarily that was responsible for public safety. And really what the safety security action plan did we uh this the program is four years old. We launched this program under the direction of uh the general manager and we came up with a plan and it came up with a plan of really what I call a whole community approach to public safety. So, how we started policing the transit system, uh, all these action items um that are in the safety security action plan, it's all of us, right? It's the police department, it's public works, it's operations, and all these action items, everybody has a piece of the puzzle. And that's really how we changed the game and how safety has improved on the transit system. Safety is greatly improved over the last couple years on the transit system. And one of those main reasons is this layered approach on the system. So when you think about everybody that's out on the transit system right now and when Green Line Extension opens up, these are all of the things that you will be seeing on the system. You'll be seeing our police officers out there, our police officer hiring rates were the highest since 2021. Our trip agents, uh, which are very important. They're out there checking fairs, right? They're also helping people way fine. They're in those blue uniforms. our community service officers. They're in gray uniforms. Um that's really our cadet program at the police department and that's our pathway to policing. So, uh we just uh last month celebrated. We have 49 49 community service officers and that's our officers again. They're in school right now and they're training to be police officers and that's really what's building back the police department to get our staffing up to the highest level it is. Our csos are actually out on the system as well, right? So along with the police officers, the trip agents, our csos are out on the system engaging with customers. I love that photo up there. That is what we do. We interact. We say hi to people. This I like. I love that photo up there. Our supplemental security is very important as well. They provide that visible presence at station locations. We currently have uh supplemental security at 16 locations. As Green Line Extension opens up, we're we're evaluating the program. We're thinking about where, you know, potentially more supplemental security would be along the Green Line extension. Our community outreach services, community outreach services, that's really our program of uh providing services to people on the system, right? And so that could be social workers. We're partnering with an agency uh that is going to be out on the system connecting people to services. It's very, very important. in our real-time information center. It's at our police department uh headquarters in Minneapolis. And we have full-time operators that are watching all the cameras in the entire system right from 6:00 a.m. to to 2 a.m. right now. So, it's a big deal. That layer presence is such a big deal on the system. And that is what we're hearing in a consistent basis, right? People that left the system a couple years ago that are returning to the system, we hear this all the time about the system so much better. Crime numbers are way down, right? Our officer proactivity number is at the highest record levels it's ever been. And all of this is what you all can expect when Green Line Extension opens up. Uh public safety update specifically to Green Line Extension. You know, I heard, you know, the mayor talk about it uh uh when the commissioners were up here. Partnerships do matter. It matters to all of us and relationships matter, right? They matter. They matter. They matter. and our relationship with Eden Prairie Police Department, with Chief Sackett and many of the officers that are out here. We have a relationship. I've known Chief Sacket for over 10 years. We've been working on really what this plan looks like since the summer 2024. This isn't something that we're just throwing together. These partnerships and the collaboration between us and the city are very, very important. And I just met the fire chief as well. And I know we're working with our emergency management and metro transit and the police department too of really being good partners. And I say this all the time when we are going out to areas that we haven't really really been at, right? And we're introducing ourselves. You're gaining all of the Metransit Police Department resources. We're one of the largest resource we're one of the largest agencies in the entire region and you are getting access to all of that. our homeless action team, our crash recon teams, our you know service approach, all that is very very important and you're gaining all that. So when we start thinking about the line opening up and as we develop plans, we work together, we are going to be alongside the city and the police department and the residents to ensure this is successful. We're also looking for a police substation along the line. We haven't identified exactly what that looks like, but I know in my experience in my time at Metro Transit that we need to have a physical presence along the line. So, I'm hoping by the end of the year, we can actually identify a location and really have officers stationed out of there. We went back to what we call beat model policing, right? We have officers on beats throughout the entire system. Actually, this last week, we just or two weeks ago, we launched uh first ever beat in Brooklyn Center. So, we're going to be launching that. You'll see some more media updates about that later in the week, but we know we need to have officers stationed out here to learn the community to learn what you all expect and that is certainly uh what we're planning. I know uh we're also working on joint powers agreements and refreshing what all those agreements look like and then I talked about the supplemental security plan too. You know, our approach to policing at Metrotransit Police really comes down to three tenants, right? It's our whole community approach to public safety, which I talked about. It's our policing as a service. Transit police do way more than issue citations and make arrests. We provide a service, right? We understand that. So, when we're out connecting with community and we're interacting, we want to provide that service. We're a very serviceoriented uh police department. And then really building back this police department. One of the initiatives that I've had is really empowering the workforce. Right? We have a 90% retention rate. Our first year retention rate is at 95%. We are not seeing officers leave our organization. In fact, we took down our community service officer posting is we have a wait list to get in. Like we are on the right track of being a strong successful police department. [snorts] And then along with just us providing service, we wanted to ensure that we had the right person connecting with you all. So we just didn't pick anybody at the police department. And lots of times, I'm sure everybody in this room knows, you know, when you're planning initiatives, uh lots of times you'll have your primary duties and then you'll assign another duty. Well, we can't do that with Green Line Extension. So, this is so important to us that we assigned a full-time captain to Green Line Extension. And Captain Deetsz is here today. There she's waving in the back. Captain Deetsz is really an expert at building relationships. She understands, she has relationships with all the public safety agencies along the extension here. And Captain Deetsz will be visible, will be the point of contact really for all things Green Line extension. So, I'm super excited to to note to talk about that. And we're doing community outreach events, too. Cap and Deets. I think we're going to Raspberry Festival in Hopkins next weekend for the first time ever. So, we're excited. If there's events that we need to come out to the city here, please let us know and we'll be there. But that's important to us. Uh reporting problems. There's going to be several ways to report issues when the line opens up. You'll see uh our general customer service number there of 373 uh 3333. That's people call that all the time. Our text for safety is really important. So, that is out on the vehicles right now. Uh, when you text that number, you actually get somebody in our dispatch center in Minneapolis. They usually respond under a minute, right? You get a real person. It's no bot. They're actually texting back to you. So, that's really important. And then we have these QR codes out there, too, for facilities if you need to report issues on facilities. Uh, before I turn it over back to the general manager, again, I just really appreciate the opportunity to come out here and give a brief update. And as things progress and you want more updates from the police department or you want myself or Captain DeS to come back out, we'll work with Chief Sacket and do that. But really, we really really mean that we are true partners here and we care about the success of the wine. We want to be successful just like you all wanted to be successful and uh we certainly be good partners with you. So with that, I'll turn over to the general manager. >> Chief, thank you. I just want to say something too that um I've heard nothing but um positive good things about you from our police department and our chief. So, um kudos to you. Uh and I would say um of of any very few residents really come to us much um because it's just not been running yet uh to talk about um the green line extension. The few that do, I would say the fear piece of safety uh comes to the forefront often. And when I chatted with you at the ribbon cutting of the um the trail that ex extended along the line um what now I don't know a month or two something time flies um and and I was just so impressed you assured me that you will be right on top of that and we just want to make sure the first you know month two months three months six months a year of this operation of the green line really does go flawless and smooth and if there are issues we'll face them and I and I've been assured by our police department that we will face them along in partnership with you and you will as well. And so I I feel very confident that um we'll have a successful implementation and that the safety piece um is will be much much bigger in fear than any any type of reality. So thank you um for all that you've uh put forthought into that and I look forward to working with you. >> Very good. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Right. Mayor, council members, I'll close out our remaining slides. Uh and really building on uh the information Chief Dos has shared, uh we cannot overstate how central safety is to everything we do. And we know that people are not going to ride our system. They're not going to come work on our system if they don't feel safe. And so I do appreciate the opportunity to share uh work underway with you this evening. And also wanted to mention that in addition to our police department, our safety department is working closely with Eden Prairie Police and Fire and other jurisdictions throughout the corridor and really throughout the system to ensure that we are uh well coordinated, prepared to respond to any emergency. Uh the few examples on the slides here about that safety coordination. Uh we are really focused as we're uh preparing for launch on making people aware of safety around tracks. a lot of information that when people see tracks, they need to think trains. Uh, and we do have test trains out on the system. So, that's been a focus of a lot of our communication and uh engagement. Uh, our safety department and particularly our emergency management uh lead is convening uh police and fire departments throughout the corridor to make sure there's opportunities for familiarization exercises. Uh and of course for many years there's been quarterly meetings of the light rail fire and safety or fire and life safety committee. Uh and just a few final comments. You know I think one theme I hope you're hearing throughout our presentations is the important of importance of collaboration partnerships to us. Uh and that's part of why we wanted to be here tonight to be able to share an update, but really to continue to foster a strong uh relationship and approach of partnership uh as we get ready to launch. Uh we have our staff out at events uh throughout the summer. Uh there's just a few examples on this slide, both recent and upcoming events here in Eden Prairie. Uh, and I think my final slide will include information on how to contact our outreach staff if there are additional events or additional opportunities you want to make sure we're plugging into. Uh, I also wanted to mention that we know with uh, the Green Line extension opening, uh, we may have an opportunity to attract new riders, but riding transit can be intimidating if it's not something you already do. So, we do offer support to familiarize new riders with our system. There's a lot of information online uh and our outreach staff as well can provide how to ride tutorials and uh this is an area we're looking to make sure uh we're really um getting the word out and being accessible for people who are interested in perhaps uh trying transit for the first time. Uh a few more resources and contacts. Uh this is more of the detail of how you can plan a trip, how you can contact staff for assistance, uh especially if you're new to transit and not quite sure where to start. Uh, and then, uh, this is that slide I mentioned a moment ago with our outreach lead, David Davies. He's an excellent first point of contact. Of course, any of us who presented tonight would always be more than happy to talk further with you, provide additional information, or answer questions. Uh, but with that, Mr. Mayor, uh, happy uh, to stand for questions. Any of us who spoke this evening uh, would be more than willing to address anything that's on your mind. So, >> maybe because of time, we all know how to get a hold of you. And in terms of council members, we can uh reach out to you. I just um want to say that this was a little bit longer presentation than maybe what we commonly hear, but so critically important and and it's you know, you haven't been here for a while and knowing that it's coming next year and knowing that we got a whole lot of answers for our residents tonight. So I I really appreciate every single one of you that presented this evening and it was critical to hear from. So thank you so much and we look forward to whenever the date is. In fact, we look forward to the date when you tell us when the date is going to be. Um, which, um, somewhere up in that springtime of 27 would be a great time to have it open up. So, >> noted. Yes. >> I'm just saying. >> No, thank you very much. We appreciate the time tonight. >> Mr. Gro, can I move right into it? Do you want to say anything about People Fest or should I just uh go right in? >> Feel free, mayor. >> Okay. Just that um People Fest is a a great uh event. We have many events in Eden Prairie from Fourth of July schooner days. Some of them are city sponsored, some are not. But People Fest is uh we actually have the person that named People Fest sitting up here on the council. I won't uh say PG his name, but um no, thank you. That's a great name. Um People Fest is coming up. It's the time that we really celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community. And I'd like to read a proclamation uh declaring it People Fest week. Whereas Eden Prairie is a community composed of people from many backgrounds, races, ethnicities, abilities, and identities. And whereas we are a city that is committed to the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. And whereas our community is more vibrant because of our diversity. And whereas cultural sharing leads to greater understanding and appreciation. And whereas People Fest, a community celebration of culture, is an annual week-long celebration that honors and celebrates the range of traditions that tell the rich story of our community. And whereas PeopleFest offers many free opportunities to experience culture through stories and food and music and dance and visual art and more. And whereas the celebration's main event is the People Fest Party from 3 to 7 PM on Sunday, July 26th at Central Middle School. And whereas the People Fest party includes live music, dance performances, demonstrations, art experiences, as well as booths with a variety of cultural and educational organizations sharing their stories, activities, and outreach. Now therefore be it resolved that the Eden Prairie City Council encourages everyone to take part in this community celebration of culture and further the Eden Prairie City Council does hereby proclaim July 26 through July 31 2026 as People Fest week in Eden Prairie Ronald Ease Mayor on behalf of Kathy Nelson Mark Fryberg Peen Ryan and Lisa Tumi. All right um Mr. O um and just turn it maybe right over to Dr. Merkel. >> Yes. >> Mark. Yep. Yes. Take it away. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mayor Case and Council. Uh tonight we want to recognize uh the quarterly donations that we've received in the parks and recreation department. And all the donations that we receive uh we utilize to enhance the events that we put on and special programs a lot of times at free uh or no cost. So the following organizations and amounts we want to [clears throat] honor tonight. The first one is Aspen Estates Luxury Memory Care. They donated $150 for our senior center programs. Shields generously donated $1,000 for our hometown celebration over July 3rd and 4th. JA Price donated $1,000 for our hometown celebration. Fidian Credit Union was our presenting sponsor that donated $10,000 to our hometown celebration. and T Fiber was back again this year um and generously gave $7,500. So, our total donation amount this quarter was $19,650. And just a huge shout out to everyone that is supportive of the work we do to really bring community together for special events and programs. So, thank you. >> Before I ask for a motion, just to say again, I I say this every time when we are talking about donations, uh we do a lot with city tax dollars. um we just can't do it all. So, these donations really help stretch our city tax dollar sellers. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, council, is there a motion to adopt the resolution? >> I'll move to adopt a resolution accepting multiple spring 2026 donations to parks and recreation. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. All right. Moving to the agenda. Um is there any any items to um add from council member reports? If not, is there a motion to accept the agenda as presented? >> Move to approve the agenda. >> Is there a second? All those in favor say I. >> I. Oppose. All right. We have two minutes from June 16th, the workshop and the meeting. Any edits, any concerns, comments when you read them that you wanted to change anything? If not, is there a motion to approve both minutes? >> Move to approve the following city council minutes. City Council workshop held Tuesday, June 16, 2026 [laughter] and city council meeting held Tuesday, June 16, 2026. >> Second second. >> Any [clears throat] further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. All right. The um consent calendar A through N the list of very important but nonetheless uh not needing further usually not needing further discussion. Any items any of you wish to pull from the consent calendar to discuss separately, even vote on separately? If not, is there a motion to approve the consent calendar A to N? >> I move to approve items A to N on the consent calendar. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I opposed. All right, we are down to our three public hearing meetings this evening. >> Three, right? You look funny. Absolutely. [snorts] Um, Mr. Mr. GTO. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, Mayor Councel. First public hearing, Marshall Farms. Uh you have before you uh several approvals related to this. Um first comprehensive plan amendment from medium density residential to low density residential. Uh actually, and probably that's related to um you had Marshall Farms before you previously you had a previous approval of a project that had um a 100 units of housing. So this um this may be covered in the presentation but um this is a different project that's before you um that obviously changes the density uh planned unit development concept review for 32 acres uh with waiverss and a resoning from rural the parks and open space on a portion of the property as well. Um, the applicant is proposing to develop the 32 acre Marshall Farm property at 9905 D and 250 single family residential lots um, including an extension of Crestwood Terrace uh, with utilities and five outlots. One of the outlots is about 13 acres on the south half of the property and that outlot will be deed to the city for natural resource preservation. The planning commission recommended voted 80 to uh recommend approval to the city council at their June 8th meeting. The applicant is here to uh provide an overview of their project to walk you through their project. The staff and the applicant can answer any questions that the council has um as well. And obviously you have a public hearing for this project um similar to what the planning commission had. >> Mr. Tweeters, I think you're up. Name and um maybe address company you represent and social security number. >> Mayor, council members, staff. >> I'm Steve from Wooddale Builders, owner been around for a long time. Done a lot of great things in Eaten Prairie. So I'm proud to be hopefully developing the last piece here. So um I also brought Dan from Seder Burquist who is our engineer who will be talking about the development. I also brought two of the builders that are going to also participate in this development. Um so they're also known here in Eaten Prairie. Um McDonald Construction and Johnson Ryland. So they bring a lot to the table so architecturally and things. So it's going to be an interesting development higherend [clears throat] villas uh empty neester type product and single family along the bluff. So with that I will let them take it from there. Thank you. >> You also brought your daughter who I happen to have as a sixth grade student um some years ago. We'll just leave it at that. >> Yes. >> I You haven't changed. Well, you have since you were 12, but I mean, but I can still recognize you and I will >> I haven't changed at all, I'm sure, in 19 years or something. >> I I will brag a little bit. We're proud to have her on board at Wooddale for the last year. She's been amazing. >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> You bet. Next up, [clears throat] I am uh Dave Remick with McDonald Construction Partners. Um we build single family homes all over the metro. We have two current neighborhoods uh active at Eden and Prairie, one's at Johnson Ridge, which is six homes. Uh the second one is at Purgatory Creek, which is seven lots, and we're under construction on four homes there. Uh so, uh we know and like the city very much. Hi, I'm Paul Ryland with Johnson Ryland Builders and uh we have been a family builder. Uh my my dad started building in the early 1970s and started in uh did a lot of work in West Bloomington and some in Eden Prairie. Um and we're based actually south of the river. Um but we're excited to be doing uh to be working here in Eden Prairie. Great. >> Um is the is our presentation going to be put up there? Okay. Thank you. So um so this is um in this project we have um one developer which is Mr. Schweers and um and his company called Marshall Farms LLC and then there's two builders. Um so um is it nor should I co cover all these things or just kind of go through it quickly or you've seen the presentation from the planning commission so um if it's okay I'll hit the highlights that be okay if we have more questions we can ask you but yeah maybe highlights >> all right so these things here are the difference between the 2024 proposal which was actually called Marshall Gardens and was a very different proposal and then today's presentation um in 2026 basics. And so we've already talked a little bit about the decrease in density. Um the different in the the difference in the product types um and um so that's this is the first slide. Uh the second slide shows you the plat um and so in the yellow color are 28 villa homes. Um and really a villa is a single family home. The difference being that they're narrower um in some cases actually deeper the lots are and the homes. Um, this area is actually very flat. So, we're proposing to build slab on grade homes. Um, and then they will also have a limited HOA for lawn and snow care. So, they're ideal for retired people who might have a second home. Um, but they are in fact uh wheelchair friendly as well. Um, so and they are not age restricted. Uh, we also are offering second uh optional second story space. Um, so the homes can then exceed 3,000 square ft and have additional storage space for stuff. Everybody has stuff. Um, and um, so that's the villa style. And then, uh, McDonald and Johnson Island are sharing the 22 single family homes. And that's the other color coding uh, shows our projection for which which will be each builder on those. Um, the single family homes will be larger and more custom. Um um so and then they'll all have basements. So that's the principal difference between the two products. Uh as a side note, we are finding it interesting that a lot of the people that are coming out, including current Eden Prey residents, are are trying to figure out which product that they fit best in. Um a lot of them can actually afford both products are just trying to figure out where they're a better fit. Um so requested waiverss and deviations uh fall in several categories. One is uh lot width um and in areas um front setback um and uh the garage flexibility. Um so but it's really very similar um in many ways to what is the current code. Um so there's we don't feel that there's a lot and the planning commission supported our waiverss and v deviations. Um and then uh landscape and natural preservation. Um so you can see a beautiful monument that we're planning on the top. Um the slide that is in the bottom left is one of the things that I'm really excited about which is your project. Um which is the extension of Dell Road and an 8 foot wide asphalt trail being able to bring residents safely down to Flying Cloud Drive. Um, and I' I've seen I've seen children traversing this in bicycles and I at the same moment in time seen garbage trucks flying up the hills. Pardon the pardon the expression. U, so I'm excited about the the safety and that. Um, I know at the previous meeting there was talk about the preservation area, the 13 acres that's being folded in and and so opportunities for the city to be able to have residents of our neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods utilize that space, uh, those nature areas. Um, it's it's pretty exciting to see that happen. Um, so I'm sorry, my eyes are not so good, but I'm just trying to read the slides. So, uh, 13 acres, we talked about that just now. Um, existing tree in inventory. So, there's a lot of trees that are being saved, especially in the bluff area of the neighborhood. Um, I'm sure it's been brought up, but there are a lot of ash trees that um that need to be um disposed of. Um, the developers been working with the six neighbors to the north and then several others and then also the city outlot, which is all along the north area there. um and um they've met with them, identified ash trees and other trees that can be removed. Um so that's all going to happen. That' be one of the first things that happens um as the development goes forward. Um and then this plan shows the trees that we're planting back and I can assure you this is the minimum. These are the trees that the developer is putting back and then front boulevard trees which is not part of your code. Um that's something that we've agreed to do. Um and then this is the minimum too. So as builders uh McDonald and Johnson Island will be uh doing uh part of our uh design for each home will include landscape design, site planning um and more trees, more landscaping. I'm probably talking too much, so I'll move on. Um neighborhood meeting recap. We had a very uh well attended neighborhood meeting um prior to going to planning commission. Um and uh there's a lot of interest from the neighborhood, mostly positive. Um and u so any questions about that you can ask in the end. Um I'll talk just a real quick minute about our construction company. Um as I mentioned, we have over 50 years experience and um it's kind of fun the good parts about a family business. [snorts] So you see in the photograph my dad in the middle who's retired actually and then my two identical twin brothers and they they share one brain. So that's that's a whole another story. Um and uh we do we do you know custom home building. It's very unique construction. We try to every time we build a model home we try to do it a little bit different. Um and David I'd like you to talk about your company. >> Sure. Uh McDonald Construction's been around for almost 50 years. Um we build all over the metro from you know Stillwater to Victoria uh you know down our offices are in Burnsville and then we have you know neighborhoods to the north as well. Um and yeah we have um you know a dedicated team and I think the product we put out there fits well with what people uh in Eden Prairie are looking for. You >> want to talk about this? >> Sure. Uh the other thing that's um becoming more and more standard first of all Minnesota code is generally very energy efficient just to start with. Um there's also something that there's a green path builder uh program that's uh part of housing's first program which is a step up from that. That includes uh garages that are EV ready for a charging uh uh capability to be added um depending upon the vehicle or whatever they're looking to charge. Uh we also make uh if the if the site allows it for the home placement for it to be solar ready. So, if somebody wants to add that later, um it's a very cost-e effective way to prep the home for that if the future homeowner desires to do that. And then the materials that we use, whether it's windows, doors, insulation, the homes are uh very energy efficient and we do get each of our homes rated uh so we can give a official HERS score, which is the energy efficiency of the house. And um we all of our homes are generally quite above average on that. Um, but there's we have I have options if that's something that's very important to the homeowner. That's where the custom part comes in. If they want to do triple pane windows or, you know, do the whole house and close cell phone insulation, we uh we can do that and meet people where they want to be there. >> Um, yeah. And actually, just a side note, David uh company McDonald won a Reggie Award for Green Path. Um, so we actually are doing it. So >> question answers >> council anything at this point we can always um after the public hearing ask additional questions up to you okay going forward >> okay I think we're good for now and we'll call you back up if we have something >> um is that the end of the formal presentation or is there more >> you sure because we have we have time please feel comments >> I'm seeing both >> I can [laughter] >> I'm saying no and yeah please name and um company and where you live and >> my name is Dan Schmidt I'm with Serther Burquist I'm a civil engineer on a survey on the project I live in Maple Grove um been working with Jeremy Barnhard and uh Carter Schultz and uh they've been more than helpful and uh pretty straightforward for utilities and uh biggest challenge on the site was the bluff and we've worked with um [clears throat] city and the wershed to protect the bluff and um we have a conditional approval from the wershed already. So um so we're ready to go and I'll be here to answer any questions if you have any. >> Great. Thank you. >> So with that, we we might call any of you back up, but I think we'll go ahead and um have the public hearing council. That's fine, I'm assuming. So, um, everyone, anyone, not everyone, you don't all have to come up, anyone in the audience who wishes to speak and address the council on this Marshall Farms project, um, please come forward and give your name, uh, and your address. >> Hi, uh, Daniel Mcnet, 9719 guys road. I'm one of the residents from the northern side. Is there a way that we could bring that slide back up where they we project >> with um if >> we want to go >> flat map or the >> Yeah. >> So, um right >> do it or you want >> Oh, that's perfect right there. Uh so, first off, thank you uh for having me up here. Thank for uh Mr. Mayor, council staff. It's uh I'm here on behalf of some of the residents that are not able to make it. Uh we are the sect that uh had some issues with the project. Uh the project looks great overall. The biggest concern that we have is on that northern bluff uh which is um related to the the density and the layout itself. This concerns the waiver for the narrower lots. So if we were going to pan out, what we would see is the houses that are on the on the northern side. Each of these lots, there's three lots per one house on the northern side. So when we look at that, this by in and of itself looks very appealing. But when you start panning out to the greater community, that's where the concern comes from. It's the inconsistency with the uh character of the neighborhood. So when you pan out, you will see that there's the 11 houses on top and then there's 28 houses down below. So that creates a barrier of houses and that's that wall of houses is what our biggest concern is. There's talk about trees, there's talk about traffic, but the biggest concern uh from the residents that I was able to work with and and chat with is that is that waiver. So, the call to action here is if you could reconsider or re-evaluate the approval of that of the narrow lot waiver because that would bring it down from the 27 houses down to about 13 and that would be more in line with the rest of the character. Uh if we want statistics, uh the way that it's already proposed right now, uh there's been four houses that sold in the last four months. There is seven houses that sold in the in the last 9 months. And each of those property values have dropped 10,000, 30,000, 40,000. The house that just sold in in April was down 65,000. So, and the biggest concern, hey, what is what is the issue? why why did you uh first off why did you accept but why did you offer so little and the response was well because of the projects that are going on the the the all all of the all the density that's coming on right so if you talk to the three neighbors on our lot on Gesler [clears throat] that would be their answer so my request call to action is to reconsider the approval of that waiver for the narrower lot >> great thank you thanks for coming Anyone else? Please come forward. Name and address. [clears throat] Good evening. Um, I'm Richard Copy. I live at uh 9872 Crestwood Terrace, just about a block to the west of the project area. I've been following the project now for about 18 months. It started with the previous developer that somehow it didn't didn't make it or didn't happen. From what I see of the meetings I've been at with the current project and from what I've heard from my fellow neighbors, uh, this project is looking really good. I like it. I think most of us like it better than what we saw in the first one that was approved. So, uh that's the project in in terms of what you're hearing tonight. That's the project in general. My personal concern and some of my neighbors concerns relate to Dell Road. So, I'd just like to just bring up a couple of items. I know the public hearing is about the neighborhood uh change with the housing coming in, but I think Del Road's going to be impacted very uh to a very extreme condition because right now, I think all of you are aware, you have a gravel roadway out there. In fact, with the bridge closure on Pioneer Road, it's a very traveled gravel roadway. So that's going to change. I haven't I've been at all the meetings in the last 18 months that you've held and I've heard very little discussion about when the road's going to be done, how it's going to be done in terms of all of the design features. Uh I' I'd like to understand what kind of traffic control you might be looking at. I've brought up in the past maybe the possibility of a traffic island at the intersection of this new development to kind of control some of the new traffic that's going to be coming down Dell Road from Pioneer Road going down to Flying Cloud Drive and vice versa. Um I'd like to know what you are expecting with the landscaping on Del Road right now. Del Road be as you come from 212 and move to the south and go all the way down the Flying Cloud Drive. It's a really nice residential roadway. When we moved here about six or seven years ago, uh we were very impressed by Del Road in terms of how it looks as you drive down the roadway. Well, you're going to take down a lot of those trees. you're going to take down a lot of what's there right now when this new project comes about and the developer can't be expected to do it all. So, I'd like to know what the city is going to do with Delro Road. Uh trail design. I saw a picture on your screen tonight. First time we've seen it, of a eight foot wide batuminous trail, I assume along the east or west side of Dell Road. It'd be nice to know what your plan is for Dell Road for trails. I I haven't seen I've been at all the meetings. I haven't seen that laid out real um thoroughly so we'd understand what's going to be happening. along Dell Road. People use that roadway and that trail system that's out there very heavily and I sure hope we are going to continue it all the way down the Flying Cloud Drive. Um the trail itself along Riley Creek in our backyard, we live on Riley Creek. In our backyard, the city has put signs up showing where they have rightway. It's understandable. But what's going to happen with all that right away you're accumulating? I know you plan on putting a trail back there. When is that going to happen? Be nice to know when the plan is for that. I suspect you'll have another hearing down the road on that kind of a project. But when you come and hear about all that's going on here, it would be nice to have a feeling from the city as to what's going to happen with with uh the trail systems in that area. One concern I have about the trail that I haven't heard addressed is as you come down Dell Road in the gravel area right now, you're dropping down probably about 30 feet of elevation, maybe even 40t of elevation. And if you do plan a trail crossing for Riley Creek, it's going to be a trail crossing that's going to be dangerous. So, I think that should be looked at real carefully. Maybe that as you put the bridge over Riley Creek, maybe you should think about having the trail run through that underpass. I haven't heard any discussion on that. And lastly, the landscaping of Dell Road. I I I mentioned it earlier in my my comments. I I really hope you look at that because uh Dell Road is a major roadway in this area and it looks so nice right now as you come from 212 moving south. So, I hope the city, not just this development, but in Dell Road in in particular, all the way from Pioneer Road down the Flying Cloud Drive, [snorts] I hope you look at that landscaping design because I think that really makes an impact. Thank you. >> Thank you. um in the sense that this project was a major funding contributor to the Delro project, it's connected, but in the sense that the actual Del Road project is not connected to this project. That being said, uh Robert, do you want to just briefly respond to landscape and trail loss? Um and maybe do make it short because it's really not part of this uh development approval tonight. >> Yeah, no certainly. Mayor. So, and first thing I would say is that we'd be more than happy to have our engineering staff working on the project to meet with Richard. I know we've had a couple of neighborhood meetings over the years, our previous city engineer, Rod Rue, um, and our current city engineer, uh, Carter Schelsey, but we'd be happy to sit down with you and go over those design details. I will say that the Delro project is, uh, going to happen simultaneously with this development. If this development doesn't happen, the Delro project doesn't happen. But assuming everything goes forward um as expected, we would start that project sometime over the winter, maybe even early as the as early as this fall. Project will be a two-lane roadway. So, we're not expanding the road to be three, four, five lanes. It'll stay a two-lane roadway just like it is to the north of uh this development. Um we're going to soften some of the vertical and horizontal curves so that it'll be a little bit easier to traverse. I still have steep grade coming down to Riley Creek. There's nothing we can really do about that, but we will have a larger, wider box covert bridge going um overneath uh over the creek. It'll have plenty of room for a 8ft wide path. It'll have a large boulevard between the road and the path. So, there's that separation for the pedestrian and bicyclists. Um it will be on the east side or excuse me, the west side of Dell Road and then um travel connect with the existing trail that you have down at Flying Cloud Drive. Uh design speed is 30 mph as we're looking at a 30 m per hour roadway through there. Um as far as the landscaping, it'll be your standard landscaping that we see. So it'll have green space. We're doing a lot of native plantings along the hillside. There's a lot of dirt that'll have to be moved. So we'll reveate with native drought tolerant type species. There'll be a number of trees are being planted. As far as the level of landscaping that you see, I want to say in front of Bare Path Community, I will note that that was done with the Bear Path development and the Bear Path HOA does all the maintenance. They irrigate that. They have a maintenance crew that does all the maintenance of the the green spaces. They did all the tree planting that was out there. So, that was done at the request of the Bare Path neighborhood. Otherwise, it probably wouldn't have been done. That's a higher level of landscaping than we generally see within the rideaway area. That's more of a park-like setting, but that was done at their request. And because they do pay for that and have taken on that maintenance responsibility, it is a little bit higher than what you typically see along a four or five lane roadway. Um, but there will be green space. This is not going to be only asphalt and concrete when it's all said and done. Those lot of native plantings that are going to go in, so you're going to see more of a prairie type restoration. um along the hillsides as we reveate some of the slope grading that's done with the Del Road project. But I'd be happy to sit down uh with you, Richard, if you'd like to maybe reach out after this meeting. We can schedule time to do that. >> Anyone else uh in the audience this evening wishing to address the council on um this um Marshall Farms project? >> All right, council. Um why don't we go ahead and close the public hearing, make some comments, ask any more additional questions. So, is there a motion to close the public hearing? >> I'll move to close the public hearing and adopt a resolution approving a comprehensive >> just close the public hearing. >> Oh, just close the Oh, yeah. I'll move to close public hearing. >> All right. Is there a second? >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. All right. >> Um I'm going to speak first, but I want any of you to uh speak at some point as well. Um it is interesting. We've um studied this land for and walked it especially because of the last approved project a lot and of course I knew George Amal and I was out there um many times on the farm. Um and it it is beautiful land and it is to my knowledge I think the last this large u parcel residential parcel that at least probably in our time on the council that we'll get the opportunity to um to weigh and and then um potentially approve. Um, at one time I thought, you know, I don't want to take this incredible parcel and just lay out all these halfacre lots and be done. I often said 50 homes. I I think I'll I'll retract that because I think this is a really nice project and they did I think a great job laying it out. I will say regarding the numbers of homes that get lined up. Um, so I've been at this for 30 years and as we've changed in our city from 5acre lots in the 60s to halfacre lots everywhere throughout the 80s to quarter acre lots in the '90s because of the changing uh dynamics of needing to build more houses, right? And to um to um actualize the value of land uh which is a um constitutional right across this nation. Um we have ended up therefore when you've got these infill lots and and you've done several of these um eight 5 acre 10acre infill lots you end up putting smaller lots next to these halfacre lots or these larger lots. It just I know I don't know if you're halfacre up there but it it just it just happens. It does. And we've done that everywhere across the city. I will say there's only four lots of the 18 new ones. Sorry, let me say this right. Of the 18 new lots that are across the northern border, only four of the existing lots are going to actually border new lots. In others, rust have wetlands or ner ponds or something in between them. So, four out of the 13 lots that are there are going to border lots among the 18. That that's still significant, I get for those four. Uh maybe you're one of them. I'm not sure. Um but nonetheless, um these I mean across the city of 65,000 that that's that that's pretty good as we transition these new developments. Um I I I also think that if you put larger width lots in, builders will build houses up to the setbacks. So if the setbacks are 15 feet or whatever they are, they're going to fill all that space. you will actually have more house to look at if you put 10 lots in there with really big houses and wide houses than than you do this that you still have more neighbors on the south side. I I get that. Um so I I'm I I I appreciate that. I want one more comment I want to respond to. Um, in all the years I've been doing this, um, we always hear from the existing homeowners, my lot values are going to drop, especially if a road construction project gets, you know, happening right on their border, but especially this new land development like this. There's research out there, and I've heard this over 30 years, a whole bunch, in the first to second year of a project, sometimes, not all the time, house prices drop. It's just all the construction going on, all the change. People don't know what is going to happen. But after the third or fourth or fifth year, they rebound pretty quickly and then they're on their way. I mean, so I don't think there's any if houses have dropped, and by the way, houses have dropped across the entire city from my realtor friends. Um, I don't know what it's down, 5% or something, but sale prices are down. That could be a lot of what you're experiencing, not not the fear, even though they might say I get that. So, I'm sensitive to that, but we can't not approve projects um knowing that in 5 10 15 years um it this is this is probably a boon to the houses that are on on the north side. It won't it might not be for the next year. It might be even hard to set sell when there's all this construction going on and noise, construction traffic, whatever that happens. All right. Um council comments, thoughts, questions? Council member Tumi. >> Um I do have a question about the pricing of the villas. Like how much [clears throat] are these do you imagine them going for? Um council member Tumi. Um the these are custom homes and so we can uh size them down to hit someone's budget. Um, but our model home is showing about 2100 square feet on the main floor. Um, and within with about 250 square feet of garage storage space through an a stairway going up over the garage. So, that would be right now our our base product. Um, the lot values start in the low 3s. So, the total purchase price including landscaping, turnkey would be somewhere in the 900 range. Um, and then adding second story space, it they might add only several hundred square feet or they might add a thousand square feet. Um, so that could push the price points up [snorts] another uh 2, three, 400,000. Um, it's market driven. These are not prescribed homes. They are one at a time designed and custom unique homes. So the the goal is that in the end that people will not say I live in a villa but that I just simply live in Marshall Farms. >> Uh that there's not a strict or uh there's not a real dis um difference between the way that the homes are the villa homes and the single families look andor are appealing. Um yes they will be narrower generally but hopefully the architecture will be of a similar standard in appeal. >> Thank you. >> Others council member Nelson >> um yeah there was some talk about um solar um or at least being ready for solar and such which I approve of. Um, but are you going to be also encouraging people to start with solar? You know, as you build the home, you'll add that into it as you build. Um, is that envisioned being done or just the homeowner might have to do this later? Um, interesting question. So, first of all, the city has the city staff has uh told us that we have to put EV, you know, in the garage. It can't just be something that's like a remodeling, but it's actually like roughed in, ready to go. Just want to point on that. The interesting thing about solar in our climate, we don't have some of the products available such as like Tesla panels um that you might see in warmer climates u because of snow and ice. The type of panels that we have available in this in this in this state are panels that are installed after the roof is installed. And so there's very little benefit um to putting the panels up right now. Um we as as David explained uh we will have them ready to go. We'll have circuitry and connections ready to go for them. Um but they can actually be added at any time uh without difficulty. The one thing that wasn't mentioned that I will say that I think is a new thing um most neighborhoods uh over time had restricted the use of solar panels on the fronts of homes uh to even the sides of the homes but only the back of the homes. Um and I think that's something that uh we wrestled with our attorney over actually cuz he was thinking that that's what we wanted and I had to tell him several times no we will allow solar panels to be on the front of homes as well. um that might be the sunnier side of the home. Um so we're going we're doing everything we can to encourage that. We're not going to dictate that someone would have to have that. But I will say furthermore, um I was a real estate agent for many years and I have realtor friends as a result. And it is interesting the people are starting to recognize the value of building solar panels into the project up front and and putting that for an example in a mortgage and that the cost savings of having it in a mortgage versus paying utility bill are probably pretty similar. Even if that client customer is not as concerned about the environment, uh it actually could affect their pocketbook. So we will be talking about that. I appreciate the challenge and we'll get better at it as we go. >> Okay. >> So, you are going to allow it from anybody who wants to put them on in the beginning. It wasn't clear was the whether you had to do it later or you would be putting could put it on, you know, from the as the building is built. >> It will be an option that they can select right away. >> Okay. Well, that's that's great. I know. Um, >> just to clarify, the houses will all be built. So, it's ready. >> Yeah. >> If they want to do it at the time of initial construction or later on. And that's the important part is why later on their choice. >> It's their choice. But the house is ready. >> That's that's fine because sometimes there are not those things built or the house was built before solar got big. And um, having solar myself, I know what that can do for a home. Um, but sometimes you can't get it if unless it's build ready for it. So, yours will build be built ready. >> Yes. Okay. >> That's what I wanted. >> We appreciate that. That exceeds our city um mandated, as you know, um expectations and also our council's expectations. It exceeds because we all want it. Everyone up here really would love to see solar plaster across [clears throat] the city. We're not to the point um as a council directing staff to direct developers to mandate. We haven't put it into our code. So, you all are coming in really above and beyond. So, thank you. Appreciate that. Um I'm so sorry we did close the public hearing, but afterwards do come up. Um chat with us, please. Um council, any other um further um questions, comments? >> Just a comment. I think um really glad your solar already approach and thanks to the staff and thank you. >> Yeah, >> we appreciate that. That question would have would have brought up here if you have not decided to do that that so thank you. >> All right. Um you may sit down. Thank you so much. Um so council um unless you have um well we could still have conversation still ask questions even after someone makes the motion. So since you already started Lisa would you like to continue with the next what seven bullet points there and read the motion. >> Sure. [clears throat] Adopt um Okay. So the public hearing is closed. Also adopt a resolution approving a comprehensive plan amendment from medium density residential to lowdensity residential on 8.69 69 acres and adopt resolution approving a planned unit development concept plan review on 32.13 acres and approve the first reading of an ordinance for a planned unit development district review with waiverss on 3 32.13 acres and zoning district change from rural R1-9.5 on 17.84 acres and from rural to parks and open space on 14.29 29 acres and adopt a resolution approving a preliminary plat of 32.13 acres on 50 lots and five outlots and adopt a resolution for findings of fact in support of park dedication fees and authorize the issuance of an early land alteration permit for Marshall Farms at the request of the developer subject to the conditions outlined in the permit and direct staff to prepare a development agreement incorporating staff and commission recommendations and council conditions. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Before we vote, I just want to say a compliment and underscore two parts I read in the packet. Um, many of you know I'm and many of us up here on this council, if not all of us, are very much in um support of uh historical preservation, heritages preservation. Um, and this is our there's a pico farm and a and a um a couple other farms I realize out there, but um this is our last in large intact farm function working farm. So important to document. So, I I I noted in there that you have that the developers agreed to photo documentation of the buildings and the surrounding farm area uh by our uh historic uh heritage preservation staff person along with the HPC. Thank you. Um I saw that you named the street after Mabel. I think that's really cool if that if that's going to stay. Uh I wish George I was looking in there. I see the other two streets are connected to already intact streets. So there is no other street. If you can get George somewhere, I don't know, put put a kiosk or name a little ner pond after George, but I just think it would be pretty cool to to [laughter] honor George and Mabel Marshall. They'd been there for decades and they have all their children around and a couple of them still run the Marshall um farm market. So just a thought. Thank you. Thank you though for um your attention to um already uh to heritage preservation. So with that, anything else? Are we ready to vote? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Oppose. It passes unanimous. 5. Um, Mr. Sweeters, welcome again to Eden Prairie and all the rest of you. Thank you for a good presentation and um we'll um wish you the best. >> Nice to see you, Brooke. >> Nice to see you. >> My favorite teacher. Oh, boy. You're so kind. You were my favorite student. Wait, can I set No, >> except for Yeah. Some of the others I also said that to, but anyway. Okay. Um, we are ready to move on, Mr. Get to our second public hearing. >> Yeah. Thank you, uh, mayor. 11609 Leona Road. Uh, first reading of a planned unit development as well. Uh another actual this is a retail development part of this has been before you as well. Um the this is a uh phase two of a redevelopment project. Uh the previous phase is uh was a demolition and remodel of the office depot into a Planet Fitness on Leona Road and a underground storm water management in the parking lot. That was phase one. Also, at that time, you approved a Starbucks. Uh, that project is not moving forward. So, what's before you tonight instead of the Starbucks is a new drive-thru Shake Shack uh in the northwest corner of that site. And additionally, a new Valvvelene um instant oil change in the northeast corner of the site. Um so the developer would be platting the property for those two um retail uses in that parking lot. The planning commission voted 70 to recommend the project at their June uh 22nd meeting and the applicant is here to present those plans and then you would have a public hearing for um that PUD and the preliminary plat for um that development on the 3.44 44 acres. >> If the proponent is here, please come forward. Name and address, company you work for. >> Good evening, mayor, members of the council. My name is Matthew Lingham. I am with Kimley Horn. Uh we're at 11669 Single Tree Lane in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Um and on behalf I'm here on behalf of the the applicant. Um so we have a presentation. Um, so thank you Rick for explaining the project. Our uh project is located at 11609 Leona Road. Um, we have been here before for the phase one of the project for the Planet Fitness and the Starbucks. Unfortunately, Starbucks fell through. Um, so we're moving forward with a now Shake Shack and a Valvalene. So this is where we're located at the corner of Flying Cloud and Leonia Road. So this was the original um building, the office depot. Since then uh since last year, it has been converted to a new Planet Fitness building that is complete and constructed and is currently in operations. Uh so that was the phase one. So this is current aerial. Um this was the phase one existing parking and then the realignment of the parking. So currently shown is the uh proposed site plan. So, the Shake Shack building is going to be in the north west corner of the site. It's going to operate similarly to what the Starbucks is going to have. It's going to have a drive-thru on that north side that wraps around on the east side. Uh there's going to be a small patio, um a kind of a park, a pull ahead area for vehicles to pull ahead if they use the drive-thru and there's a little bit of a delay and then associated parking with uh with the building. on the east side of the parcel is going to be a valvalene um oil change. So that's just going to be one of those quick change oil uses um with associated parking. I think there's 11 parking stalls on the west side of the building. And then in between the two um there's going to be just parking that will be used for the Planet Fitness. So additional parking for the Planet Fitness. Moving forward. So this is the Shake Shack elevations. Um the Shake Shack architect has been working really closely with the city to make sure that the elevations, the materials um meet the standards. So I think these are the most updated uh elevations for the building. So that's the Shake Shack. This is a rendering of the building, what the building would look like in that location. This is the Valvalene uh elevations. and then the Valvvelene renderings. So, we are still looking to meet the sustainability that the city has. Um, so we we have we currently have an above ground storm water management system to the west of our property as well as the below ground storm water system that was placed during phase one of the project. Um the two storm water components in junction both uh provide irrigation reuse, storm water rate control, water quality control, and uh quantity controls. We've improved pedestrian and uh bicycle connectivity through the site through sidewalks and pathways. enhance the landscaping in the area um to compare with the the removed trees during phase one and phase two to either provide enough trees on the site or uh pay in lie of for the city um reimbursement plan for the trees that aren't planted. There will be EV charging stations at the Shake Shack building uh building material reuse and then reduction overall to impervious surface. So, yes, that's the project presentation. So, I'm here to answer questions. >> I've got one, but I'll let you go first. Nope, you go first. I >> just about the parking lot. >> That's what I was going to ask about the parking. >> I don't like that parking lot. I'm so sorry. It's got the all the the islands in it. You know what I'm saying? And when you first come in off of um >> Leona >> Leona, you almost every I think everybody hits that curb. I've done it a million times when if you go to take a right towards Caribou. >> Yep. So we are meeting the minimum requirements for the city. So that is just the city standard that we are meeting for the design. So um just due to the sizing and the location of everything, parking islands are required by the city. So throughout the parking area, there's just parking islands. And then that throat to the to the main site, >> that's just to provide conflict with the exist the Shake Shack drive-thru. So if we did open that up, the Shake Shack drive-thru would be affected and they need that for the operational purposes. >> Make that any wider. >> Um >> it almost looks like it's being improved though from what it is because it's forcing the traffic to come deep into it. Now you go up here and you hit the curb. I think >> it is a different It is a slightly different pattern. Well, you just hit curbs all over the place in that parking lot. >> Yeah. >> And the radius, I think, was >> um Let's go ahead and let um Yeah, our staff go at it here. >> Yeah, Mayor and Council Member Tumi. So, the existing island that that is there today that you drive into as soon as you come into the site, that is being removed. >> So, that hazard will no [snorts] longer exist when the improvements are made. >> That'll make everything better. >> Chris will be much happier after her. The car is not all battered every time you hit curbs. >> [laughter] >> Um I had a question about parking itself and I you know I was reading based on 2.5 or whatever per um what table or person in the restaurant whatever but so you 24 parking spots for Shake Shack and I I guess I'll ask staff um does I'm just thinking like other fast food restaurants in the city. Is this is 24 enough? Is it comparable for what we're used to and elsewhere? Mayor, members of the council. So, the 24 parking stalls provided on Shake Shack site uh do meet the requirements and based on other sites, especially with other uh food delivery, Uber and things like that, drive-thru, uh we have seen that be sufficient uh in those locations. In addition, there is overflow parking in terms of there would be cross parking and access uh with the Planet Fitness site and the Velvetine site. So, if you were going out there and you maybe weren't lucky enough to get in one of those first 24 stalls uh on Shake Shack site, you'd be able to park anywhere on the Planet Fitness uh site as well because they do have that cross parking. >> So, it looks like the 30 that were mentioned uh you mentioned when you presented as being part of the Planet Fitness, but they're new to the Planet. Well, I guess they are there now kind of, but but that is part of this new development. Why would it be given over to Planet Fitness? And do we have history that says Planet Fitness needs more? And if not, why wouldn't we dedicate at least the first row there? Well, you I understand you're saying if they're open, they're going to park there. So, that I guess that works, but it just seems like the 30 in the middle. Um unless we know that Planet Fitness needs it almost. I'm surprised it wasn't like, hey, this is Shake Shack can definitely use those. I know you're saying that, but I mean dedicated to them. Mayor, members of the council, 140 stalls are proposed on the entire site. City code only requires 127 over all three uses. So, uh when you look at it in total, it is overparked and it does have that cross uh parking. I understand that on the other side of that driveway, um, you know, it's not necessarily immediately available or accessible to the Shake Shack, but there would be connection via the sidewalk in order to get pedestrians from that location to the Shake Shack. >> You've answered the question with the 140 verse 127. So, thank you. >> Uh, are let's see, I don't want to cut you off. is your basic presentation, the beginning part done and we can then open it up as a public hearing and we can continue to ask additional questions. Uh council, are you okay with um moving right to the public hearing? We can >> we have two other opportunities to raise questions. Uh Mark, you're okay with this? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um this is a public hearing. Anyone in the audience wishing to address the council on this? Um what are we titling it? the Todd development or the project with Shake Shack uh and Valvoline. Okay, seeing none, uh why, if it's okay with you, I think it's fairly straightforward, why don't we go ahead and make the entire motion. Is that fine? Uh close the public hearing and also the other four bullet points and then we'll have any further discussion. >> Is that fine? Go. >> So, close all the way through. >> Do it all. Yep. Close the public hearing. I move to close the public hearing and adopt a resolution for plan unit development concept plan review on 3.44 acres and approve the first reading of a ordinance for a third district review with wound 3.44 44 acres and adopt a resolution for a preliminary plat of three lots and one outlot on 3.44 acres and direct staff to prepare an addendum to develop agreement incorporating staff and commission recommendations and council conditions. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. council. Um any further discussion, questions you have and comments? I think it's fairly straightforward and we've reviewed this site a lot. So, >> and this and the sign might go the old sign that still stands there by by the liquor store that the framework of that. >> Oh. Oh, >> yes. That's going to go, >> right? >> It must because I think it's on this Valvia site. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes, that's correct. >> I like that. >> We'll make sure it does for you, Mark. So, >> I like that. >> We'll get Rick and me out there and we'll start with our pickaxes or whatever. Um, >> all right. With that, then we've made the motion. Seconded. Discussion is over. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. [clears throat] >> It passes unanimous. Welcome. Look forward to um well, Valvalene also, but Shake Shack. So, You don't eat it. I like eating. You don't eat it, Valve. Okay. >> All right. Um, Mr. Gret, we have, um, our third public hearing, which, um, it seems, well, incredibly important, but seems a little housekeeping preuncter. So, um, go ahead. >> Thank you, mayor. Yeah. Yes. Um, this is a zoning district change, um, from public R1 U public to R122. So, in that sense, it's a public hearing because it's a zoning district change. Uh, but if you if you read through the packet and you read through the information, um, that's due to a a discovery that the city staff found when someone was looking to do an improvement on a property, a residential property that had been um, probably mistakenly zoned public when it should have been zoned residential. So, that's really the main reason that is before you tonight. So you have a single family home located on uh 6345 Eden Prairie Road and so you have a resoning but there are no um as you see in the packet and I think this came up at planning commission um because you notice on the site that there might be a development sign there but there is no real proposed development there and there are no proposed changes um currently to the use of the property. Um it's just a like you said, mayor, um kind of a fix to the zoning to go from um public to R122 because there is a residential home on the property. A >> and if you know fear is is a is a powerful motion, but if someday some owner of this property wished to subdivide it and tear the house down and put two home centers on, it would have to come back before the council. It would be a public hearing and it would have to meet our the zone that we're going to put on it which likely will limit it to two homes on that site and that would be decades from or even that whatever. So tonight it's simply really cleaning up an administrative error which we can chat later about how the heck did that happen decades ago but whatever. Interesting. Um, so yes, uh, council, are you okay if I have a quick public, not it doesn't have to be quick, but a public hearing on this? This is a public hearing. Anyone in the audience wishing to address us on this ordinance zoning district change? >> Okay, come forward. name and address and Magno Ortiz 6345 Eden Prairie [snorts] Road. Hi Lisa or Yeah, Julie, I'm sorry. Um I am the uh uh developer and uh I'm I make construction which is the construction company that is doing the upgrades to the property and I'm also the owner of the property. Um, just want to introduce myself and just say that uh that I'm doing the upgrade soon. Um, like you said, I don't know why it was zone public when it should have been residential. I didn't when I purchased the property, I didn't know it was zone public. So, but um if you guys have any questions or >> I I don't think so. I really do think it's pretty straightforward. So, >> yeah, I didn't tell. >> But now that you came forward, I do have [laughter] >> just fill in. >> It was pretty easy, >> but yeah. No, it sounds good. >> But I think it just came up because I want to do a a deck on the back. Any >> some reason. >> That's what I understand. Yeah, >> sounds good. >> We'll fix this for you. >> All right, perfect. >> Um, so council, if you want to go ahead and close the public hearing and and just go ahead and approve the first read or make the motion. >> Close the public hearing and approve the first reading of an ordinance for a zoning district change from public R1-22 on 1.2. 22 acres. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> I oppose. All right. 5-0. You got your zoning ordinance change. You're you're no longer public. We don't own your land anymore. No, I'm just kidding. All right. You're You bet. Okay. Um moving on to payment of claims. The list of all the um individual expenses that we've incurred since our last meeting. Council, any um items on that list um pages long that you wish to learn more about or question? >> Not. Is there a motion to approve payment of claims? >> I move to approve the payment of claims as submitted. >> Would you like to second? >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Second, please. >> Roll call. >> Council member Fryberg. >> Hi, >> Council Member Nion. >> Yeah. I >> council member Nelson. >> I. >> Council member Tumi. >> Hi. >> Your case. >> I like the yep, but I'll go I. Um, Mr. Gato, is there anything else to come before the council this evening? >> Uh, mayor, I'll just mention because you talk about summer schedule, the next meeting will be August 18th. So, that would be the third Tuesday in August. >> Okay. >> And then you get into September and then we'll have the first and third uh Tuesday in September in October. So, we'll be back on the regular schedule. So, so I didn't put this um as a council agenda item. if you're okay with I don't know what they call it, mayor's prerogative or something. I just want to say um Fourth of July our staff were amazing. Um for for multiple reasons, but the 3rd and the fourth, we had two straight nights and with of course getting hit with the storm from 7:30 to 8:30. But our public safety police and fire and um all of our parks and recreation staff um and all of our volunteers were absolutely phenomenal and I received um tons of compliments on behalf of our police, fire, park and wreck volunteers and the fact that the police had to I'm going to make some numbers up. Anyone can I don't I don't have exactly any idea if I'm right but I think I'm close. try to question me, but I think that we had maybe four to five, six thousand people there in the area of the band, concert, whatever. Around the, you know, 7:30 time when the storm hit, I think we emptied out down to a couple thousand. I think we grew back to seven or 8,000. All that occurred. you, our police had thousands of cars leaving and coming almost simultaneously, and you all did unbelievably spectacularly. And I got to visit briefly. I know Mark, you were in there for a while in the command center, our brand new $1.2 million grant from the federal government. Thank you, Senator Amy Clolobashar. I was got the chance to go in there and to watch um from our drones in the sky and watch the action going on on three or four or five television screens and see the way that our police officers in charge were operating was just wow. I mean just a wow. So thank you to our staff. Um yes, Council Member Fber just piggyback that you're right. I had the time an opportunity to see the command center in action. Oh my goodness. You know, and in the professionalism of the, you know, the police and the fire. I mean, they were all serious. There were there was there were all zoned in. They were all serious. And that is an amazing amazing tool for them. >> In a lot of ways, that's the first time it's it it was really, you know, fired up basically seeing what it could do. >> You could argue emergency because what we were going through was um was could have been really catastrophic. And so, um, I just, um, thank you, Amy, for I mean, oh my gosh, the work that you and your your team did. Um, and and then, uh, Chief, uh, both chiefs, thank you. You were so busy, both of you, of the whole evening. And, and, um, our our police department, thank you over here, our officer. Thank you. I mean, they're just incredible. I was so proud. I mean, it it's just really amazing. So, Mr. Gro, I know that you're at the top of the uh, or chart and and you're responsible for um, this so much. So all right [clears throat] with that is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Move to adjourn the city council meeting tonight. >> Is there a second? >> Second. All those in favor say I. I post. I have no gavl. I have no thing to bang. But this meeting is adjourned.