These are the “new guys” and the “new gals” that work for the City. They’ve all joined us within the last year. Each year we get as many of our new employees together as possible and give them a bus tour of Eden Prairie. Less than half of our city employees live within the City, so I think this tour is an important opportunity for employees to learn more about the citizens we all serve.
Our tour guide each year is our lovable Economic Development Manager David Lindahl. Dave grew up in Eden Prairie. He remembers what it used to be and, as a long time City employee in our Planning Division, has helped it become what it is today. Dave gives an entertaining and informative tour. He’s a good egg for helping out with this task every year too.
Among the many stops on the tour is one at the City’s vehicle maintenance shop where the new employees are asked to work together to lift a fire truck to a height of five ft. or higher. This group achieved that goal with no problem.
To enable employees to connect quickly and accurately with citizens who call us with questions or concerns, it’s important for everyone who works for the City to have a basic working knowledge of the city. I want employees to know where our borders are. They should know basic the basics about major roads in town, such as that Pioneer Trail is in southern Eden Prairie and the Crosstown is in the north. I want them to understand what a Water Treatment Plant is, and where it is. It’s important for employees – any employee – to be able to answer questions and concerns from citizens, even if that means they must find another city employee for help.
[And, yes, the fire truck is on a hydraulic vehicle lift. No city employees were harmed in the creation of this photo.]
