HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-02 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
5:00 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall.
Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Brindle, Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Member Housh
arrived at 5:17 p.m. Staff present included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Heather Worthington,
Assistant City Manager; Wayne Houle, City Engineer and Public Works Director; Cary Teague,
Planning Director; and Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director.
Mayor Hovland stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss a process to determine the future of
the existing Public Works Facility at 5146 Eden Ave. since the Public Works and Park Maintenance
departments will move to a new facility on Metro Boulevard in the summer of 2010. He noted the
Eden Avenue site was approximately 3.5 acres in size and was adjacent to the Grandview Heights
commercial area. The land value was appraised at $4.1 million about two years ago. The area has
been identified as a "potential area for change" in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update.
Mayor Hovland said members of the Planning Commission have recommended a process for
determining the future of the site. Planning Commission Chairman Michael Fischer and Members
Michael Schroeder and Kevin Staunton shared the recommended 12-step process. The short but
intensive process would include a Technical Advisory Group made up of City, School District and
watershed district staff and representatives of other agencies. It will also include a Community
Advisory Team comprised of Planning, Transportation and Energy & Environment Commission
members; residents; and area property and business owners. A Design Team of volunteer architects,
landscape architects, land use planners, real estate experts, transportation planners and other
specialists would develop the concepts identified in design charettes during the process.
The result of the four- to six-week process would be the articulation of principles to guide further
planning and development efforts. Such principles could be used to issue a specific Request for
Proposals for the site.
Council Members questioned the scope and size of the study and the selection of the various team
members. It was suggested that such a study of the Public Works site could begin in February 2010.
Planning Commission Chairman Michael Fischer agreed to present the process formally at the
Council's Nov. 17, 2009, regular meeting.
There being no further business, Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Bennerotte, Comm. & Mrkt. Director
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, November 17, 2009
James B. Hovland, Mayor