Author: EPLN Staff Reports

A final 2023 city budget and tax levy, the same as reviewed in September, are expected to be approved by the Eden Prairie City Council at its Tuesday, Dec. 6, meeting. The tax levy accompanying the $57,395,407 city budget would increase by 4.5% over this year. In September, the city estimated that this would increase the city portion of property taxes on a $513,200 home by $106. The city is only one portion of the property-tax bill received annually by homeowners; the schools and Hennepin County are also major parts. The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council…

Mikkal Henry Gust, age 84, of Eden Prairie, was born on April 3, 1938, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 30, 2022.  After graduating from St. Louis Park High School in 1956, he started working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he spent the next four decades until retirement.  At 21, he married Karen, the love of his life. They settled in Eden Prairie, where they raised daughter Kathi and sons Mikkal and Jason.  Mikkal saw his friends, neighbors and entire community as family. He was a fixture at Schooner Days, the Corn Feed and…

Eden Prairie is being recognized for its groundbreaking addition of battery-powered police cars to its fleet. Eden Prairie joins Dakota County and St. Cloud in receiving the Conservation Minnesota Blazing Star Award for implementing initiatives that advance conservation, climate, or the environment. The award will be presented by Conservation Minnesota at the Dec. 6 Eden Prairie City Council meeting. The award is named after the perennial flower native to U.S. prairies, known for its hardiness and adaptable characteristics. The city is being honored for improving fuel efficiency for city vehicles by adding a Tesla Model Y to its fleet in…

The City of Eden Prairie will mark ash trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) with orange rings this winter. According to a city news release sent to residents on Thursday, trees on public and private property will be marked.  Property owners will be notified by mail about the need to remove any marked trees on their property. The city may provide free hauling and disposal if tree removal is required. Criteria to qualify for this service is included in the written notice. Due to the prevalence of EAB in the metro area, the city recommends treating healthy ash trees…

The season’s first significant snowfall on Tuesday means the Staring Lake sledding hill is open for business. According to a posting on the city website, the sledding hill and warming house at Staring Lake Park will open beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. People can bring their own plastic sled or inner tubes, though there are a limited amount available to check out for free at the facility. No sleds with runners or toboggans are allowed on the hill. All other warming house locations remain closed but are anticipated to open Monday, Dec. 19, depending on weather conditions.

With a winter storm warning issued for the Twin Cities on Tuesday, the City of Eden Prairie declared a snow event effective Nov. 29-30. A city news alert sent to residents on Tuesday stated that a snow emergency would occur here as soon as snow accumulation reached 2 inches. According to Fox 9, 4-7 inches of snow is possible in the Twin Cities. The National Weather Service reported 2.5 inches of snow had fallen in Chanhassen at about noon Tuesday. Once the snow emergency begins, residents should not park on city streets until noon Wednesday, Nov. 30. Crews will work…

You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry, you’d better not drink ‘n drive, and I’m telling you why: The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) is participating in an impaired driving enforcement campaign now through the end of December as part of a statewide effort led by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. EPPD will increase its efforts to stop impaired drivers during the holiday season, and will be joined by officers from across the state. Every time an officer arrests a driver for driving while intoxicated (DWI), they may be saving a life – either that of the driver,…

Eden Prairie residents and businesses can drop off yard waste at the city’s Yard Waste Site, 9811 Flying Cloud Drive, until it closes for the season at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours of operation, guidelines for use and a list of materials accepted at the site are available on the city’s website.

Chase is accelerating its expansion into Minnesota, bringing the total number of bank branches in the Twin Cities to more than 40 locations by 2025 – 68% more than initially committed.  The expansion, announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 2 for the bank’s first branch in Eden Prairie, will bring Chase to new communities for the first time, including Savage, Edina, and Roseville, by the end of this year. On hand for the ceremony were the Eden Prairie High School cheerleaders and the eagle mascot. The bank opened its first branch in Minnesota just off the campus of the University…

The Eden Prairie Lions Club recognized several members at its Nov. 7 meeting for their achievements, volunteer efforts, leadership, and commitment to the Lions’ service pillars in the community and internationally. Barbara Hanson was named Lion of the Year, while Mike Moriarity was named Rookie Lion of the Year. Lions International awards were presented as well. The Melvin Jones Humanitarian Awards went to Chuck Rodman and John Butz; the Diabetes Award to Curt Goke; the Hearing Research Award to Mike Diede; and the Helen Keller Award to Gary Watkins. The Eden Prairie Lions Club raises money for local causes and…