01/11/2011 - City Council Special
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011
5:30 P.M.
EAGAN ROOM – EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER
City Council members present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Fields, Hansen and
Tilley. Councilmember Bakken was not present.
City Staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator
Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Parks and Recreation Director Seydell
Johnson, Police Chief McDonald, Fire Chief Scott, Public Works Director Colbert, Community
Development Hohenstein and City Planner Ridley.
I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
City Administrator Hedges requested that under Other Business, the City Council discuss
a process for considering a retreat facilitator. Mayor Maguire noted that Councilmember Bakken
would not be present due to illness.
Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to adopt the
agenda as amended.
Aye: 4; Nay: 0
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III. JOINT MEETING WITH EAGAN’S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
Mayor Maguire welcomed State Senator Ted Daley (District 38), State Representative
Doug Wardlow (District 38B), and State Representative Diane Anderson (District 38A).
Members of the legislative delegation introduced themselves to the City Council.
City Administrator Hedges and staff summarized the City’s 2011 Legislative priorities
and positions. Mayor Maguire welcomed Tom Pohl of Messerli and Kramer, who serves on the
Municipal Legislative Commission.
The City Council and legislative delegation discussed the City’s legislative priorities.
Mayor Maguire and the City Council thanked the delegation for their presence at the meeting
and encouraged them to approach the City early in the process on any issues pertaining to local
government. Mayor Maguire also expressed the City’s desire to be a partner to the delegation
and serve as a resource to each of them.
Special City Council Minutes
January 11, 2011
Page 2
IV. OPPORTUNITY CITY UPDATE
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City of Eagan approved an
agreement to move forward with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Regional Council of
Mayors (RCM) in being a part of the Opportunity Cities Program.
Community Development Director Hohenstein noted that the Council received an update
regarding community change data at its workshop on September 14, 2010. Hohenstein noted
that the project team has since developed the Housing Audit information, facilitated the ULI Site
Evaluation Panel that took a closer look at the Central Commons, Cliff Road Commons and
Cedar Grove Commons Special Areas, and developed the Site Evaluation Report.
Cathy Bennett of Bennett Community Consulting provided a presentation to the Council
summarizing the draft Opportunity Cities Report.
The City Council and staff discussed the draft report. A question was raised as to
whether the ring-road could be branded to encourage a neighborhood feel. Ms. Bennett and staff
summarized the 4-key observations/considerations from the Opportunity Cities housing
recommendations, which included: 1.) neighborhood preservation strategies, 2.) aging in place,
3.) attract and retain young households, and 4.) connectivity.
Mayor Maguire asked for a brief pause on this agenda item and noted that State
Representatives Rick Hansen (District 39A) just joined the Council meeting. At the Mayor’s
invitation, Representative Hansen noted that a bill has been introduced to provide $14 million to
the Metropolitan Council to assist with Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Programs. The Council
thanked Representative Hansen for attending the meeting and for work on the I&I Bill.
Mayor Maguire resumed the discussion with regard to the Opportunity Cities Program.
Community Development Director Hohenstein noted that a future workshop item will be
scheduled with a summary report, which will include specific next steps for the Council’s
consideration.
It was noted that Elizabeth Ryan with the Family Housing Fund was in attendance. City
Administrator Hedges noted that Ms. Ryan is a former Intern with the City of Eagan. Ms. Ryan
expressed her pleasure to have the opportunity to work with the Regional Council of Mayors and
the City of Eagan.
V. TRAIL CONNECTION POLICY UPDATE – CITY OF EAGAN
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City’s Engineering and
Planning staff have worked together on a grant proposal to create a program intended to support
enhanced bike and pedestrian connections to existing retail service areas within the City of
Eagan. Hedges added that in March 2010, the City Council approved a contract with Dakota
County awarding the City of Eagan $16,000 for the purposes of creating a bike/pedestrian
connection program within retail service areas.
Special City Council Minutes
January 11, 2011
Page 3
City Planner Ridley provided a presentation to the City Council regarding the potential
use of a framework that reviews and ranks privately proposed bike/pedestrian access in and
around retail service areas.
The Mayor and Council thanked staff for the presentation and noted that such a
framework prepares the City in the event that funding becomes available. The City Council gave
direction to staff to proceed with the proposed framework.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
City Administrator Hedges noted that per the direction of the Council, City staff has
researched two possible retreat facilitators. The Council directed staff and the Mayor to meet
with the two potential facilitators and negotiate with the preferred facilitator in an effort to lower
the cost for the facilitation services.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Aye: 4, Nay: 0