It’s inefficient and generally a poor use of resources, especially in a metropolitan area, for every community to staff its emergency services for every eventuality. We found that out again just yesterday when our Fire Department worked with our neighbors in Edina and Hennepin County to rescue an employee working at a construction site here [...]
Monthly Archives: August 2004
Ice Arena Ready for Construction
August 30, 2004 – 3:07 pm
The frozen subsoil under the now-removed floor of ice rink #1 at the Community Center has now been thawed. The subsoil was frozen to a depth of 10 feet in several places. It took more time than we hoped, but now that the thawing is complete, the construction of the rink floor freezing [...]
We’re Still Growing
August 26, 2004 – 10:06 am
Yes, Eden Prairie is still growing. Here are the facts to back it up straight from the Metropolitan Council ranked by growth from 2000-2003; with their respective population growth from 2000-2003; then shown by their rank in metro population growth from 1990-2000:
1. Blaine 4,948 [25]
2. Maple Grove 4,913 [8]
3. Eden Prairie 4,424 [4]
4. Shakopee 4,399 [...]
Pictures of a new park
August 24, 2004 – 12:39 pm
I snapped a few pictures of our newest park today: The Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Park. It’s at the intersection of Prairie Center Drive and Technology Drive. The City and the Purgatory Creek Watershed District will host an Open House and Dedication event at the park on Saturday, September 18th. More on [...]
Riding The Rails
August 23, 2004 – 12:06 pm
I took my first ride on the Hiawatha LRT this weekend. I got on at the Ft. Snelling park & ride, which is currently the end of the line. I rode with three kids to the Metrodome to see the Twins whip the Indians 5-1. The trip to the Dome was about 1/2 full, but [...]
People I Don’t Know
August 21, 2004 – 10:00 am
The subject of weblogs is picking up more attention in the mainstream media. I thought the bloggers got a considerable amount of attention at the Democratic National Convention in Boston earlier this month. Maybe they’ll get the same treatment by the Republicans next month.
I wanted to share some of the outside attention that my weblog [...]
Cirsium Arvense
August 20, 2004 – 7:41 am
This is Cirsium arvense, more commonly known as Canada Thistle. The Canada thistle is a 2 to 5 foot (0.6 to 1.5 meters) tall forb with deep, wide spreading, horizontal roots. It is distinguished from other thistles (Cirsium spp.) by its deep-running perennial rootstocks, more slender stems, and small compact heads. Plants are tall [...]
Calling All Candidates
August 19, 2004 – 11:01 am
The Eden Prairie News ran a story today about our upcoming filing period for the two open spots on our City Council. One of the Council spots is held by Councilmembers Sherry Butcher. Councilmember Butcher plans to run for her seat again. The other seat is currently held by Councilmember Jan Mosman. [...]
The J.R. Cummins Homestead
August 18, 2004 – 3:33 pm
Every Wednesday morning following a City Council meeting on Tuesday evenings, I have a staff meeting with my senior management team, which consists of the five department directors (Police Chief, Fire Chief, Director of Community Development, Director of Parks & Recreation, and the Director of Public Works), the City Attorney, and my Executive Assistant. We [...]
The Council Packet
August 17, 2004 – 11:26 am
In advance of each City Council meeting, the City staff prepares a preparatory packet of information for the issues that will be on the Council’s meeting agenda. We call it the “Council Packet” for short. It includes information on the background of every item on the Council’s meeting agenda, including the staff’s recommendation on each [...]
Discerning Public Opinion
August 16, 2004 – 12:30 pm
In the city government business, it can be difficult to interpret exactly what citizens are trying to tell me. They know. Each one of them knows exactly what he or she means when they tell me No, Yes, or Maybe. But from my side of the conversation, it’s seldom that simple. [...]
Going, Going….. Gone
August 15, 2004 – 7:58 pm
Once again it was time to send son #1 off to college. Toby is going back to Central College in Pella, Iowa. This will be his second year there. He’s looking forward to it. We’ll miss Toby at our house, but this is the way it was meant to be.
Here are our three steps for [...]
Opening Our New Library
August 13, 2004 – 1:59 pm
U.S. Congressman Jim Ramstad, Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, and County Commission Linda Koblick get ready to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Eden Prairie Resource Library. The new library will host its official public grand opening on Saturday. We’ve waited a long time for this library, and I can tell you [...]
Budget Time
August 12, 2004 – 7:43 am
It’s not always all about the money, but it’s budget time again here at the City, so, for a couple of months here, it’s mostly about the money.
City staff will present a preliminary budget for 2005 to the Council at the Council’s August 17th workshop. We hold a 60 minute workshop with the Council [...]
Meet & Greet at Foster Klima
August 11, 2004 – 1:14 pm
I did a Meet & Greet yesterday with David Lindahl, the City’s Economic Development Manager, and two members of our City Council, Sherry Butcher and Phil Young. We met with officials from Foster Klima & Company. This is the 94th local business that we’ve visited on our Business Meet & Greet tour. [...]
