The University Of Minnesota Humphrey School Of Public Affairs recently named the City of Eden Prairie Utilities Division among 19 winners of its annual Local Government Innovation Award. The awards recognize projects in four different categories, and name one overall award winner in each: cities, counties, schools, and townships.

The City of Eden Prairie Utilities Division was named an overall winner in the “cities” category for developing a system to efficiently remove sediment and other materials carried by the storm sewer system from streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The heart of the system—a Vacuum Dredge Box (VDB)—makes it possible to perform this work in areas that are inaccessible by large equipment due to adjacent buildings, steep terrain, or limited working space.

"The City of Eden Prairie values innovation as part of our culture,” said Public Works Director Robert Ellis. “We have a great group of professionals who know how to problem solve, and I’m proud of the work these employees have done to save time and taxpayer dollars.”

2016 Local Government Innovation Award - Eden Prairie from Kevin McKeever on Vimeo.

The Local Government Innovation Awards (LGIA) are organized in partnership with the Bush Foundation and co-sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, MN Association of Townships, and the Minnesota School Boards Association.