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06/25/2013 - City Council SpecialAGENDA CITY COUNCIL RETREAT JUNE 25, 2013 5:30 P.M. EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER - EAGAN ROOM I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD III. REVIEW FEEDBACK ON PUBLIC ART RECOMMENDATIONS IV. DISCUSS NEXT STEPS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF 2013 -2014 CITY GOALS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. EAGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - CEDAR GROVE UPDATE VII. ADJOURN Agenda Memo June 25, 2013 Special City Council Meeting III. REVIEW FEEDBACK ON PUBLIC ART RECOMMENDATIONS ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: • To approve the purchase and installation of "Metamorphosis" sculpture by Marvin Smith on the Eagan Art House Grounds in Patrick Eagan Park with grant funding from Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. • To approve the purchase and installation of "Sentience" sculpture by Marcia McEachron on the Eagan Art House Grounds in Patrick Eagan Park with funding from the Park Site Fund. FACTS: • The City received a Creative Intersections grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council in 2010 that included $5,000 to fund the fabrication and installation of a `Big Impact" piece of artwork in the community. This grant is separate from the $10,000 grant received to consider a larger city -wide public art program. • The location for this project will be on the grounds of the Eagan Art House in Patrick Eagan Park. The grant requires that the selected sculpture be completed and installed in August or shortly thereafter. • A Request for Qualifications was distributed in February 2013 and twelve Minnesota Artists responded. A committee made up of representatives from Eagan Parks & Recreation, the Eagan Art House and the Eagan Art Festival Board narrowed the proposals to four finalists. • The projects from the four finalists were presented to the Advisory Parks Commission at their May 20th meeting for the commission to review and determine if the proposals met the requirements of the City's policy for "Art and Memorial Installations in City of Eagan Parks ". After review and discussion the APrC made a recommendation to the City Council that all four proposals meet these requirements and would be appropriate for installation. Although there is funding for only one of the sculptures, the APrC did not choose or rank the sculptures in any order of preference. Per the "Art and Memorial Installations in City of Eagan Parks" policy, the four sculptures were on display in Eagan City Hall during a 30 day public comment period that began May 21. W • At the direction of Council, a committee made up of representatives from Eagan Parks & Recreation, the Eagan Art House and the Eagan Art Festival Board reviewed the public comments and make the following recommendations for purchase to the City Council: 1. The committee recommends that the sculpture "Metamorphosis" by Melvin Smith be purchased and installed with the grant funding and placed on the grounds of the Eagan Art House in Patrick Eagan Park. Sculpture Description: This is a twenty -one foot orange - painted metal sculpture of circles and geometric shapes which portray celebration and change through vibrant color, shape and a "framing of nature and community ". This recommendation is made based upon the following points: • Story and artist intent of the sculpture most closely meets the grant criteria in terms of reflecting the public input received during the "Art, Be a Part" program also funded through this grant. • This piece was judged to best provide a "high impact" of visual interest on the Art House grounds that will be visible from Lexington Avenue. • This artist is an Eagan resident who has used his experiences in Eagan to help form the vision for this project. • The sculpture will be fabricated and painted at an Eagan business. This will be helpful if future repairs or maintenance (painting) is needed. • The sculpture was judged to be durable, long lasting and able to withstand environmental conditions in the park. • This sculpture drew the most public comment — both positive and negative. 2. The committee further recommends that the sculpture "Sentience" by Marcia McEachron be purchased with funds available in the 2013 Park Site Fund that were allocated for "small projects ". Sculpture Description: 6 Foot Metal sculpture of two intersecting oak leaves with various cut -outs to produce changing shadow forms surrounding the piece. 3 This recommendation is made based upon the following points: ® This sculpture, while not judged as "high impact" as required by the grant, would add a compatible public interaction and play feature to the park area in the meadow surrounding the Art House. ® The sculpture is designed to provide interesting and changing shadows on the surrounding ground. This was judged to be a desirable addition to the park and Art House programs with the multiple facets being an encourager of exploration into the park and Art House grounds. ® The sculpture was judged to be durable, long lasting and able to withstand environmental conditions in the park. ® This proposal received the least amount of public comment of the four proposals. The committee felt that description given during the earlier artist interviews allowed for a better understanding of the proposal than the material that was provided for public review. 3. The committee made the following comments regarding the other two sculpture proposals: The 5 foot tall metal bird sculpture, "Slow Dancing ", submitted by Judd Nelson received many favorable public comments. The committee felt that it represented the wildlife found in Eagan and liked that it was made with recycled materials. This sculpture was not chosen largely because it was judged to be too small and lacking in visual impact for the Art House site. The committee recommends continuing to look for funding through community groups or other sources to purchase this sculpture. Furthermore, the committee felt that a better placement location might be on the municipal campus near City Hall. The sculpture "Prairie Bird & Flock" by Margorie Pitz, a 15 foot metal and fabric sculpture was judged by many public comments to be "whimsical ", "impactful" and "child- like ". Although the committee agreed with these comments, there were concerns about being able to easily explain the story and vision of the sculpture. Providing on -going maintenance such as mowing in the area of the sculpture as well as long -term replacement of the sculpture components was also a concern. The committee recommends that this sculpture possibly be considered for a future placement in a different Eagan location in concert with other public art installations. 11 Background on each artist: Melvin Smith, Eagan. Melvin has been creating artwork for over 30 years. He has a wide and varied artistic background including sculpture and collage. His work has been displayed across the country including Chicago, Oklahoma, New York and many locations in Minnesota. His current Kirkos series sculptures are large scale metal sculptures representing hope and renewal. • Marcia McEachron, Minneapolis. Marcia has been working in metal for over 30 years. She works with a fabricator that plasma cuts her designs out of heavy metal. Her commissions include work in Centennial Lake Park, Edina, Children's Museum, St. Paul, Art Walk in Alexandria, University and Fairview, St. Paul. Judd Nelson, Minnetonka. Judd is a metal sculptor and has worked in forged and welded art for over 40 years. He has work on display at Lake Nokomis, Sioux Falls, SD, Mankato, MN, British Columbia as well as other regional communities. Marjorie Pitz, St. Paul. Marjorie is a landscape architect who works in a wide variety of venues. With over 30 years of experience, she is skilled at site selection and community involvement. Her work can be seen at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, St. Louis Park, St. Paul and Penn & Broadway in Minneapolis. ATTACHMENTS: • Photos of the proposed sculptures included on page (0 . • Public input received is included on page T. 5 "Sentience" (6 feet metal) by McEachron "Metamorphosis" (21 feet metal) by Smith "Slow Dancing" (5 feet metal) by Nelson "Prairie Bird & Flock" (14 feet metal and fabric) by Pitz I Public Art Comments "Metamorphosis" by Melvin Smith +positives • Open & Airy • Large size and color add interest to the grounds and stand out ** • Concept generates interest • Looks artistic & imaginative • Eagan artist ** appropriate that his be selected, in terms of community • Would be good first piece of public art for Eagan • Bright and modern Great presence - negatives • Would be better suited at Central Park because of size and shape — would be shown off best there and would become a symbol of the Art Festival • Would be better suited at traffic circle by Byerly's, by Civic Center, not at Art House • Risk of kids climbing on it Judd Nelson's Sculptures +positives • Wildlife in Eagan ** • Human connection to nature • Courtship, life -like • Beautiful pieces • Good garden centerpiece • Whimsical • Elegant & graceful • Attractive • Good fit for Art House grounds /Patrick Eagan Park • Materials are reused from salvaged metal - negatives • Too small ** 9 "Sentience" by Marcia McEachron +positives Appealing look - negatives • Could be bigger • Could be more dynamic • Hard to understand • Not a good fit for Art House grounds "Prairie Bird & Flock" by Marjorie Pitz +positives • Whimsical nature • Attractive to children • Great piece for Art House location • Large size • Interactive concept of the smaller flock with community workshop • Flock and whimsy suggest multigenerational connection, like the Art House • Color and shape are intriguing, from a distance and up close • Bird speaks to nature at Patrick Eagan Park • Thoughtful proposal - negatives • Not well suited for Art House site, better near a playground • Too childish /doesn't appeal to all ages • Too much maintenance? (referring to mesh and ribbons) * *starred items indicate comments that were expressed by at least three different people Agenda Information Memo June 25, 2013 City Council Retreat IV. DISCUSS NEXT STEPS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF 2013 -2014 CITY GOALS ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: There is no formal action to consider. The Council is asked to provide direction to staff on next steps in terms of goals preparation, visioning, etc. FACTS: • The Council held a goals retreat on April 29 -30, 2013. As an outcome of the retreat, ten major themes were identified for additional conversation to assist in the preparation of 2013 -2014 goals. • Per the direction of the City Council, the ten themes were shared with three separate staff focus groups, which consisted of the Senior Management Team, supervisory employees, and non - supervisory employees. • City Administrator Osberg is prepared to provide a brief Power Point presentation on June 25 to summarize the feedback and reactions gained from the focus group exercises. A hard copy of the Power Point presentation will be provided at the meeting. • Members of the Senior Management Team will be present on June 25 to respond to any questions the City Council may have and /or offer any feedback the Council may desire as the goals are considered for the next two years. • The City Council is asked to dialogue about next steps in the goals preparation process. Options could include, but are not limited to: 1. Begin preparation of formal goals for 2013 -2014. 2. Consider a community visioning or community focus group process for additional input from Eagan constituents in advance of the preparation of goals (if there is consensus for such a process, direction and dialogue on expectations would be helpful as the 2014 budget is prepared). 3. Delegate further review of the major themes, goals preparation, or community visioning process to a Council committee for recommendations on next steps. ATTACHMENTS: • Enclosed on page 9 are the 2011 -2012 City of Eagan goals. • Enclosed on pages tQ through is a memo from facilitator Holly Johnson of Lanterna Consulting summarizing the discussion and themes identified at the April 29 -30, 2013 Council goals retreat. • Enclosed on page t�( are the ten major themes identified by the Council (shown in "bubbles "), which were used as a discussion tool with the staff focus groups. Enclosed on pages �9 through Qfb� is a memo summarizing feedback from City staff on the ten Council - identified themes, as requested by the Council. 2011 -2012 CITY COUNCIL GOALS • Preserve Eagan's tax base by properly maintaining public infrastructure and encouraging maintenance and reinvestment in residential and commercial properties. • Maintain the City's long- standing, fiscally- prudent and responsive budgeting approach while pursuing fiscal independence and self reliance in long -term budgeting. • Encourage growth in Eagan's employment and tax base by implementing leading technologies to support the evolving "infostructure" needs of residents and businesses, by attracting additional technology /R &D sector business to Eagan, and by enhancing cominunication with the community. • Retain Eagan's healthy, demographic balance for community vitality and economic well- being. • Maintain a broad -based and comprehensive commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability by adopting conservation and alternative energy strategies pursuing the use of local, non - polluting, renewable, and recycled resources, while encouraging residents and businesses to do likewise. • Continue to encourage civic engagement, volunteerism and community pride. • Ensure continuity of organizational culture by anticipating and managing leadership and staff changes. City of Baran 9 EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL, 29 & TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 MOONSMNE PARK RETREAT CENTER draft NOTES DAY ONE: MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2013 Part I: 2013 -2014 Vision and Goal Development Visioning exercise (responses are clustered into themes; no prioritization was conducted nor is intended on the notes list below) 1. In 2014, what's bringing people to Eagan? why are people moving here? a. Shopping: New premier outlet mall; The Paragon Shopping Mall • Lockheed • Wide variety of grocery options o Specialty e.g. Trader Joes, Whole Foods b. Schools • Continued excellence c. Broadband • Fiber connections • Improved access d. Business: • Opportunities for creative business enterprise /entrepreneurial environment • Growing job opportunities; Opportunities for young talent • STEM projects with business mentors and a facility • Business co -ops for start -ups proposed and funded e. Outdoors and Open Spaces • A `Green' Community with open spaces, composting, and protected, abundant natural resources • Excellent parks and lakes • City and County parks that people know about! f. Housing: • Strong neighborhoods • Multiple housing opportunities • Creative approaches to housing in context of neighborhood redevelopments e.g, co- housing • Redeveloping neighborhoods Lanterna Consulting, Inc. 10 1 JPage EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL 29 & TUESDAY, APRIL, 30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER g. Community • A sense of community welcoming • Community events and initiatives o Streets Alive, Marketfest, Funfest • Partnerships to support healthy, sustainable ecosystems e.g. bees and monarchs (the butterfly kind!) • Renewed /improved investment in arts and culture • A well marketed `theme' for Eagan h. Quality of Life • Same as in 2013 plus! • Sustaining a low tax rate /high tax value • Follow example of Edina's civic pride • Enhanced vibrancy 2. What awards and recognitions is the City of Eagan receiving? a. Quality of Life: • Eagan is ranked #1 Place to Live & Work by Money Magazine • Top 10 Places to Live • Best educated community • Art friendly community • Forward thinking b. Business: • Incubator of new creations and ideas • Recognized for creating products and businesses for now and the future • `Think Tank of the Midwest' • `The Harvard of Entrepreneurship' c. Redevelopment: • Commercial redevelopment for Paragon/ Cedar Grove d. Financial Management. • Eagan has the top ratings from all bond rating agencies e. Technology: • Top Telecommunications City • Eagan has a significant portion —moving towards 100% -of the community served by competitive fiber broadband Lanterna Consulting, Inc. _ _ _ 2 LP�..a g e. EEAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL 29 & TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER f. City Identity. • Eagan is recognized as the "insert theme" City • Eagan is recognized for being a `Cool City' for the way it reaches out and engages the community in the mission • The community sees a role for itself in contributing to the `cool city' image by framing businesses around the theme of creating a new `buzz in the burbs'! g. City Leadership: • Winner of the new LMC Award recognizing Council Civility h. Transportation: • Greater options for people to walk and bike to community shopping • Electric bike promotion • Safe options for navigating county roads; ability to cross `big streets' for pedestrians, bikes and vehicles • First bus rapid transit in the Twin Cities region • Bus routes serve local routes as well as connections with neighboring communities i. Cultural /Community Engagement: • Exceptional diversity outreach • Awards for neighborhood engagement with all cultures • Community visioning leading to community engagement efforts • Community programs that encourage a healthy community o Exercise, walking, etc. j. Environmental: • Top Green Steps City • Highest participation in the county for recycling • Residential organics collection success • Weekly recycling within same or similar cost structure • Awards for energy initiatives 3. What does our resident's survey say in 2014? a. Ratings include... • 98% excellent or good quality of life • 95% feel safe walking in their neighborhood at night Lanterna Consulting, Inc. _ 3 1 P a g e `a EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL 29 & TUESDAY, APRIL, 30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER • 100% participation in city recycling program • 90% trust local government b. Survey indicates that... • City services are top notch • City staff provide exemplary customer service • High council approval rating • Improved satisfaction with shopping opportunities • Parks and recreation opportunities are highly rated • Businesses are thriving • Airplane noise is acceptable trade off to convenience of living near the airport • People are pretty content — especially with staff contacts • City has the right priorities • City is business friendly • Employment opportunities are improved • High standards of property maintenance • Increased retail and restaurants satisfaction • Overall high rating with low taxes and high service delivery c. Comments include... • `I like the way things have changed in our community' • `City services continue to be high - quality and reasonable' • `There's something good afoot and I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds —1'll stick around and I'm telling my friends to come be a part of it!' • `You are doing even better!' • `Appreciate how well the council works together' • `We like your creative thinking' • `Thanks for conducting the community vision sessions' • `My children have cohorts who think and understand their ideas and ways of thinking' • `The creative opportunities in our schools and community are bringing up district scores dramatically' • `We moved to Eagan because of its forward thinking and supportive schools, government and businesses' Lanterna Consulting, Inc. 41 P a 0 EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL.29 & TUESDAY, APRIL.30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER NOTES DAY TWO: TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 Part II: 2013 -2014 Vision and Goal Development a) Identification of major City Needs, Opportunities and Challenges b) Development of Major Themes (see both 'Complete' and 'Summary' versions) NEEDS: a. ability to think more creatively b. pockets of city need to be redeveloped; identify neighborhoods at risk and how do we prioritize c. retail areas - older and needing revitalization d. sustainability - financial; able to sustain financial position e. completion of Cedar Grove to full build out f. viewing redevelopments and infill needs as opportunities to not do the instinctive / need for creativity g. transportation to jobs and shopping h. broadband access i. establish Eagan identity, branding and a consistent theme j, willingness to change - neighborhoods, k. community buy -in for the "need" for change or evolution; ownership and unity for what that vision looks like; ability to narrate to community I. elevate the opportunities for civic engagement - interactions with government m. preserve a focused menu of high quality, high value services at a reasonable cost n. enhanced housing opportunities to meet wide range of demands within the city Lanterna Consulting, Inc. '4 51Page EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL 29 &TUESDAY, APRtL30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER CHALLENGES: a. property maintenance; aging housing stock b. support and funding for entrepreneurial ventures /partnerships c. community engagement to assist in visioning what Eagan should be; methods for implementing community vision d. healthy ecosystem e. completing the fiber infrastructure f. fear of failure or making mistakes, fear of risk taking g. apathy; things are fine h. complacency i. degree of uncertainty for where the City is going j. humble community; we have a great story that we're not telling as much as we should - getting the word out without arrogance; k. limitations for what government can do I. housing opportunities for the new'young family' m. transportation and mobility OPPORTUNITIES: a. seeking out new and exciting restaurants, shopping, and nightlife b. marketing Eagan - what are our differentiators and how do we communicate them more strategically; what's most important c. ECVB; better partnership in branding together d. city as convener and partner for investment e. business friendly, culture of risk taking and entrepreneurialism f. community index (Rebecca Ryan) g. robust arts and culture scene; events aimed at diverse audiences e.g. music festivals, parlay September fest into series of events h. creative opportunities for land use planning EAGAN CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PL,ANNINC RETReA7 MONDAY, APML 29 &TUESDAY, APRIL, 30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER Major Themes... Needs /Challenges /Opportunities (Complete) 1. Broadband Access... attracting residents and businesses 2. Branding... must be done well; need to figure out what our theme should be; can be leveraged for all our initiatives 3. Contingency Open Space Planning... Lost Spur, McCarthy's properties (60+ acres) 4. Enhanced Mobility... connecting community assets and strategic adaption of land use for greater mobility; co- housing 5. Finish what we started... Cedar Grove, CSM, The Greenway, Access Eagan, Property Maintenance, closing off the TIF, and Hwy 55 development 6. Where do we go next... pushing community for greater creativity and risk taking, moving beyond complacency and /or apathy 7. Keeping the things that are good and using that as a launching pad for what we do next... high quality services, healthy tax base, and bond ratings 8. Vibrancy / Greater diversity of choices... restaurants, shopping, nightlife; 9. Attracting workforce and talent... 10. Connecting and engaging our community... creating intentional civic engagement in the development of a community vision a. civic engagement: community engaging in government, helping educate citizens understand how they influence change in local government b. community engagement: how does local government engage the community in identifying the needs and collaboration /solution building for the overall community Lanterna Consulting, Inc. 71 P a g e E EAGAN CIITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT MONDAY, APRIL.29 & TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 MOONSHINE PARK RETREAT CENTER Major Themes... Needs /Challenges /Opportunities (Summary) 1. Broadband Access... 2. Branding... 3. Contingency Open Space Planning... 4. Enhanced Mobility... 5. Finish what we started... 6. Where do we go next... 7. Keeping the things that are good and using for a launching pad for what we do next... 8. Vibrancy / Greater diversity of choices... 9. Attracting workforce and talent... 10. Connecting and engaging our community... a. civic engagement b. community engagement End of notes Lanterna Consulting, Inc. 81 P age City of EaRan i TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: DAVE OSBERG, CITY ADMINISTRATOR DATE: JUNE 21, 2013 SUBJECT: FEEDBACK FROM CITY STAFF ON COUNCIL'S TEN MAJOR THEMES Per the direction of the Council, the ten major themes identified by the City Council at the April 29 -30, 2013 Goals Retreat were shared with City staff for feedback, reactions, etc. First, the senior management team met to review the themes and share their reactions. A week later, Dianne and I met with two, randomly selected staff focus groups. Each group consisted of approximately 20 employees, with one group made up of supervisors and one consisting of non - supervisors. All employees received a copy of the ten themes and whether selected or not to participate in the focus groups, everyone was encouraged to share their own feedback and reactions. The three groups started off the dialogue by discussing the following three questions: 1.) What's bringing people to Eagan? Why are people moving here? 2.) Why don't people visit or move to Eagan? 3.) What are the City's needs, challenges, and opportunities? Following the large group brainstorming exercise, the groups were then split into small groups and asked to react to the ten themes. Questions asked included: 1.) What are your immediate reactions to the ten themes? 2.) Comment on any of the themes that you may disagree with or need further clarity. 3.) Based on your experience with the City, not only as an employee, but perhaps as a resident as well, what are barriers /challenges to achieving success in each of the themes identified during the next 1 -2 years? The following is a summary of the collective feedback provided by the three groups. Brainstorming Questions: Why do people move to Eagan? What brings people to Eagan? • Schools (perception is 196 is best district in Eagan) • Trails and open space • Location - convenient • Jensen's • Variety of jobs /employment /major employers — people know Eagan for large companies • Our brand ... the green City... environment and parks • Low crime rate ... safe City 6 Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 2 • Funny Street names (Yankee Doodle, Johnny Cake Ridge Road, etc.) • Will stay in Eagan when shopping is here • Homes for sale (albeit limited, safe starter homes) • Aging in place and college kids moving back in with parents • Marketfest • It is comfortable to live here • Good infrastructure— brings industry • Low /reasonable taxes Why don't people visit or move to Eagan? • "We're not interesting" and not well known (no identity) ... have to put us on the map • No mid 20 /early 30 critical mass • Limited night life • Need big event... Hastings car show, flying milk cartons, etc. • Mostly chain restaurants • Expensive housing is a deterrent • Challenge to keep schools healthy • Not enough large rural lots • Airport noise • Lack of cultural opportunities • No neighborhood identities • People leave on weekends What are the City's needs, challenges, and opportunities? • Filling empty buildings • Keep buildings maintained • We are a drive - through City • Trained (staff) eyes see lots of infrastructure /site improvements needs • Keep us safe • Keep "Garden of Eagan" mentality • Attracting and marketing destination places... Trader Joes, Whole Foods, sporting goods store, and hunting store • Tell our secrets— Lebanon Hills, Caponi Art Park, etc. • Make sure people continue to have the sentiment that you know you're in Eagan because of how well maintained it is • Our reputation and image; we are a safe, family- friendly community Reactions /Thouizhts on the Ten Council - identified Themes: 1.) Branding • Decide what Eagan is known for and tell our story • Get over Minnesota's militant modesty —brag humbly! • Should we go after more awards? —not part of Eagan's current culture and not a current priority. • Businesses could better brand that they are in Eagan —use City logo /clings like we did during the 150"' celebration WME Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 3 • Add vibrancy /freshen up the municipal campus —way finding signage, colored walls, get citizens to see City Hall as "their" building, relook at campus plan • Emphasis on branding would be a new culture for employees —not used to "bragging" and doesn't come as naturally • Quiet, safe and responsible is our current brand • Need for City monuments • Social Media —more informal /fun posts, posts from Police Chief (see Kenyon Police Chief), use Twitter • Strengthen City website —hard to find content, not as intuitive as it could be, difficult to use • Review Top 10 Money Magazine cities to see how they brand themselves • Showcase /Highlight our youth/school sports —often sports teams are identity of a community • Link "old and new" generations • Right now, you don't know when you're in Eagan (we're simply the place between the MOA and Zoo) —City monument signs, painted bridges (Des Moines' bridges are all blue), branded City street signs like Maplewood or North St. Paul • Market the fact that Eagan is a quiet place to live, but you're close to urban areas if you want that experience • Pro to Eagan: we're close to everything • Difficult to put Eagan experience into words • We are a responsible City —you are good parents if you move your family here • We need a catch phrase • Is our story boring? Is that OK? A lot of people want to live where it "boring" and visit where it is "exciting ". • Safe environment, cleanliness, and great service are huge selling points of Eagan • Once you live here, you love it. • People know Eagan for our water towers (drive by them, fly over, etc.) • Promote the great schools; yet also a challenge with school districts to have one community identity • Build on what we have —we have 98% who rank Eagan's quality of life as excellent or good — why are we looking to change? • Use E -TV to connect our messages • Be creative in our storytelling —tell about Eagan's history • Make the Sperry Tower a City icon • Promote how Green Eagan is —both parks and enviromnentally • Make sure Eagan is on maps (including the weather maps) • Need to brand Eagan both internally to our citizens and to those living outside the City • Brand ourselves by having one big community event that's noteworthy (e.g. Octoberfest) • Tell our story about trails and great water quality • Work in partnership with the schools to brand our community • Capitalize on a "Go Green" trend /passion in the community • To live up to our brand, we need to maintain what we have —curb appeal, maintain boulevards, landscaping, parks, etc. • Emphasize that Eagan is a good value for the taxes one pays • Capitalize on Paragon /CSM and market the improvements made to the community D} Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 4 2.) Connecting and Engaging Community.... Civic Engagement and Community Engagement • Engage seniors in neighborhoods —hold camps for seniors (pickleball, shuffleboard, etc.) • Better connect neighborhoods (including engaging residents of other cultures) —right now, a lot of garage doors go up and down and neighbors don't engage with one another • It seems to take a disaster to bring neighborhoods together or to get people to know each other —in addition to National Night Out, find ways to get the neighbors interacting • Citizen/Community awards (e.g. Spirit of Eagan award in community) • Be intentional in how we engage ethnic communities in the City —be available to meet their needs • Have more community celebrations and /or a community identity event that is newsworthy • Better explain the permitting process, Code expectations, and ABCs of planning (need to plow, mow, get permits, etc.) to diverse audiences (e.g. in many countries, you don't need a permit for projects, so people need to be educated) • Bring City neighborhood meetings to the neighborhoods —more convenient for residents and encourages neighbors to get to know one another • We have a very engaged community, and if you need volunteers, you simply need to ask. • More /Better use of social media • Respect that some people move to the suburbs for anonymity (respect their wishes) • Marketfest is a very diverse audience each week • Identify neighborhood ambassadors • ISD 191 and 197 —don't get as much coverage on E -TV, not as much ice time for those districts at Civic Arena, City programming doesn't match with those districts' days off —feel disconnected as a result 3.) Broadband Access • Broadband technology will attract young people, businesses, and grow the talent economy • Great service to businesses • It's time to fish or cut bait on broadband • Why is it the role of local government (versus the private sector /market driven) to be involved in broadband? If there is a role (e.g. providing infrastructure), then we need to tell the story better. • Get open WiFi to residents and in neighborhoods • Promote City WiFi at facilities • Current internet providers not reliable (Comcast and Frontier)—especially after school when kids are doing homework or on snowy days when a lot of people are trying to work from home • Finish AccessEagan and consider expanding into southern Eagan • Be sure websites offer multi languages 4.) Enhanced Mobility • Create a more non- motorized transportation environment • Connect Eagan via light rail to the MOA (light rail needs to come further south) • Eagan has lots of trails, but they are not usable half the year if we don't plow them. • Continue to expand sidewalks /trails —find way to navigate large County roads (e.g. "refuge" islands, tunnels under roads —like tunnel under Pilot Knob in Apple Valley near Farquar Park) • Seniors leave Eagan because of lack of transportation options if they don't drive • Keep up with trail overlays • Market and brand the Highline Trail— remains a mystery to many residents C) C) Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 5 • Many trails, but still takes a long time to get anywhere on foot /bike • Invest in Complete Streets —takes time, money, and vision to execute • Many of our streets are narrow, and not bike- friendly • Ask businesses to add bike racks • Identify clusters of where people want to go • MVTA Partnership to connect to region (e.g. take Eagan buses and stay in Eagan hotels to get to the MOA) 5.) Attracting Workforce and Talent • Keep taxes low to attract new businesses • New businesses =new families and new families = thriving schools • Need "average" housing for young professionals; people can't afford Eagan homes • Provide incentives to new businesses and to keep businesses here —is now the time given the economy and loss of businesses in Eagan? • Fill vacant storefronts /businesses (e.g. Delta campus) • There is a perception that Eagan is developed, when in fact space remains for businesses • Encourage entrepreneurs /home -based businesses to stay in Eagan (move into Eagan offices) • Use members of the Eagan business community to recruit new businesses to Eagan • Better communicate how the City seeks business prospects • Involve local academic institutions (Argosy, Brown, DCTC, Rasmussen, etc.) • Attract new talent to the City organization • Attract a Mayo Clinic campus /presence to Eagan 6.) Contingency Open Space Planning • Market what we have, especially Lebanon Hills and our parks system • Explore better use for the river valley — market /build trails to get there • We have the largest per capita open space /parkland in the metro and a great local park system — we have enough open space • Secure McCarthy land (many in community think the City already owns the land to the south of Wescott) —need vision for land 7.) Finish What We Started • Clean up /Maintain main street corridors in Eagan (regardless if they are City or County roads — most residents don't differentiate) • See Paragon through —for a long time, the dilapidated area was the first thing people saw when they came into Eagan • Continue to have other cities view Eagan as progressive (keep our reputation) • Discuss the needs for the McKee Neighborhoods and Cinnamon Ridge • Continue to grow and improve Marketfest (one of Eagan's most popular events) 8.) Vibrancy /Greater Diversity of Choices • We need to improve curb appeal in some areas of Eagan (e.g. Cliff Lake shopping area). Curb appeal sets tone of community. • What do young and diverse citizens want to do after work? What don't we have? d3 Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 6 • Embrace empty nesters —they have time and money —good example is the booming of the art house activities being led by empty nester demographic • Paragon and CSM will hopefully bring more vibrancy and new restaurants • Get a Trader Joe's and /or Whole Foods that is convenient to neighborhoods • Do we want more nightlife in Eagan? Prefer the family- oriented image /development trends • We need "cool" restaurants that are not chains (Parsole group, Toby Keith -like destination restaurant) • Get a novelty draw • We're very spread out in Eagan and shopping areas are "chopped up" • We need a sporting good /hunting store • We need a critical mass of retail (like West End in Saint Louis Park) —be a destination south of the river • Consider alternative to all green grass in commercial boulevard areas— concrete and art could be a new model • Consider using Rebecca Ryan to help with vibrancy efforts in the City • Partner with schools on efforts • Encourage Eco /Green trends • Grow arts and culture in the community; provide public art 9.) Keeping the Things that are Good and Using them as a Launching Pad for Where We Go Next • Tell our story and what we are doing • Give current residents and businesses a reason to stay in Eagan • Offer more adult swimming at Cascade Bay • Consider expanding, improving, or moving the art house —could Fire Admin be a better site for the art house and /or a business incubator? Is the Eagan Art House an eyesore? Could a grassroots effort help pay for a new art house? • Take calculated risks as an organization —we tend to do pilot studies versus "jumping in "; hesitant to add staff • Accessory units (Mother -in -law additions)— Challenge is they often don't meet code, can't regulate who lives there, and issue with multiple cars. Other cultures want many generations living under the same roof. How can we navigate the roadblocks? • Don't let legal advice /pushback stop us in our tracks and limit creativity —allow covenants to limit certain issues and City could push a little harder, • Identify and attract clusters of business activities 10.) Where Do We Go Next? • Build more affordable housing for young families and one - level, affordable senior housing • Improve retail in Eagan (great progress being made!) • Encourage more business recycling and organics collection (especially restaurants in Eagan) • Determine if environmental sustainability and "Green" efforts are a priority for the City, and if so, allocate staff and resources to the efforts. • Give current residents /businesses a reason to stay and grow in Eagan • Could Eagan become THE winter destination? Offer more winter events J4 Feedback from City Staff on Council's Ten Major Themes June 21, 2013 Page 7 • Decide if we are trying to be a destination to attract visitors or are we trying to focus on getting people to move to Eagan and stay (is it our goal to have long -term residents ?) —need to decide what philosophy to use. • Determine if Cascade Bay should be marketed and improved upon as a destination for those outside of Eagan versus a service for members of the Eagan community • Consider a citizen's academy that addresses all local govermnent services (similar to Realtor's Forum model) • How do we shift our City service model to meet the needs of current, diverse demographics? • Learn from the schools • Make an effort to diversify City staff • Many great examples of engaged, diverse communities in the City (e.g. Saturday cricket at Northview Park, Bangladeshi community at Trinity Lone Oak Church, etc.) • Embrace our diversity and facilitate conversations • Don't try to be the next downtown —know what works for us Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification on the feedback offered by City staff. Those who participated in the focus groups and conversations expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to share their thought and insights, so thank you for inviting staff's participation. /s /Dave Osberg City Administrator a�� Agenda Information Memo June 25, 2013 Eagan City Council Workshop Meeting VI. EAGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY — CEDAR GROVE UPDATE (CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER PROPERTY SALE) ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: To convene a closed session of the Eagan Economic Development Authority Board to discuss matters related to the sale of property in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District. FACTS: The EDA has authorized the negotiation of a purchase agreement relative to the sale of property located at the intersection of Cedar Grove Boulevard and Cedar Grove Parkway to Stonebridge Development in anticipation of the development of an apartment - retail project on the site. The purchase agreement has been completed and the City Attorney and staff are prepared to brief the EDA on matters in its regard. The EDA may meet in closed session to consider negotiations for the purchase or sale of real estate. Formal action by the EDA with respect to the purchase agreement will be considered at the EDA Board meeting on July 2, 2013. So the Council may adjourn the workshop meeting and then move to the closed session. ATTACHMENTS: None K50,