Mielke Not Leaving Lakeville for Eden Prairie

After a brief courtship, Lakeville City Administrator Steve Mielke will not be heading to Eden Prairie.

Mielke told Eden Prairie city officials on Feb. 1 that he was no longer interested in that community’s city manager position. Eden Prairie ended up selecting Rick Getschow, the city manager for Hopkins, for its manager.

Mielke was originally selected as one of three candidates to go through a panel of interviews with department heads, and participate in an open house for residents to meet the candidates. Mielke dropped out before the Eden Prairie City Council interviews.

On Jan. 10, Mielke told Lakeville Patch that he was recruited by Eden Prairie, and that he wasn’t looking for a new job.

"I have great affection for this community and I like living and working here," Mielke said. He also said he doesn’t have other "oars in the water" and isn't searching for a new job.

He said Eden Prairie hired M&A Executive Search and it was that group who asked him if he’s be interested in the job.

Mielke, who has been Lakeville’s city administrator since 2004, previously worked in Eden Prairie.

"I used to live in Eden Prairie—my daughter was baptized in a church there," he said. "My wife and I found it an enjoyable place to live."

Before Lakeville, Mielke served the city of Hopkins for 18 years, first as community development director and then as city manager. While in Hopkins, Mielke was instrumental in redeveloping its iconic downtown.

Eden Prairie has a population of nearly 64,000 people and was named as Money Magazine’s Best Place to Live in 2010.