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11/29/1988 - City Council Special • MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota November 29, 1988 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, November 29, 1988, at 7:00 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center Building. Present were Mayor Ellison and City Councilmembers Egan, Gustafson and Wachter. City Councilmember McCrea was absent. Also present were Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Director of Community Development Runkle, Director of Public Works Colbert, City Attorney Sheldon and City Administrator Hedges. Also present were the City's consultants, Glen VanWormer of SEH and Dave MacGillivray of Springsted, Inc. NORTHEAST EAGAN TAX INCREMENT PROJECT City Administrator Hedges briefly reviewed the research and work the City staff and City's consultants have performed since the October 27 special workshop session concerning the Northeast Eagan Tax Increment project. He stated that in addition to numerous meetings the City has met with representatives of Northwest Airlines, Cray Research, Short Elliott Hendrickson and the professional staff of the cities of Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights. • The City Administrator and the City's fiscal consultant, Dave MacGillivray of Springsted, Inc. , briefly reviewed the topics which have covered the principal discussion points to date including the predevelopment agreement requiring Northwest Airlines to reimburse the City for all costs up to $50,000 in forming a TIF district, a review of the project area, and an update on Cray Research's development. Other issues reviewed by staff included, the status of Engineering estimates for proposed highway and intersection improvements, the reaction regarding meetings with the cities of Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights in the review of certain documents including a predevelopment agreement, development district plan and TIF plan. Director of Finance VanOverbeke presented a calendar which lists the various events that are required in order to accommodate the TIF statutes procedure requirements by mid-January. City Councilmembers discussed the proposed development district asking several questions of the consulting engineer whether the corporate expansion proposed by Northwest Airlines will generate transportation improvements throughout the entire project area. There were also questions raised about the proposed tax increment financing districts in direct relationship to the ;"mount of bonds that could be financed for the proposed road improvements. After further discussion, Mayor Ellison directed that this item be placed on the December 6 regular City Council agenda to consider setting a public hearing date to consider a development area and tax increment financing district for the purpose of financing off-site improvements to allow for industrial and corporate expansion in northeast Eagan. • COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT Mayor Ellison convened a special City Council meeting by welcoming the Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission members including its chairperson, Dick ` N:. . • Special Minutes November 29, 1988 Carroll, Michele Swanson, Sandra Masin, Wayne Sames, JoAnn Alt, George Kubik, Bob Porter and their alternate Ted Billy for the purpose of discussing the community center project. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa introduced the City's architect, Bryce y e Hastings of Hastings and Chivetta, who presented the final drawings for the proposed community center. Mr. Hastings reviewed the drawings in detail stating that all changes as suggested by the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission, Reaction Committee, staff and City Council have been incorporated into the final drawings. Following a brief discussion, it was generally agreed by all members present that Mr. Hastings can proceed with final architectural renderings and detailed drawings for the purpose of preparing for a bond referendum. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the cost breakdown of the proposed community center project by categories that included off-site development, building construction costs, equipment furnishings, architectural fees, miscellaneous costs and the related. He stated that the total cost is estimated at $9,954,791. The City Administrator Hedges reported on a revenue option that is proposed to reduce the referendum amount by $2,000,000. He stated that the City's consolidated debt fund has approximately $6.5 million of unallocated funds to be used for a community purpose. He stated that a portion of those dollars should be retained and used for any bond funds that may generate a positive balance in the future for future City Hall expansion. It was the opinion of the City Administrator and Director of Finance that $2,000,000 would be available for the Community Center project. City • Councilmembers discussed the costs as presented and generally concurred with the financing plan as proposed. City Councilmembers and Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission members discussed the necessity for a good marketing plan that presents a factual representation of the community center project to the community through presentations to service organizations, homeowners associations and City-wide newsletters to all households. The Director of Parks and Recreation also explained the various recreational activities that can be offered with the community center project. City Councilmember Egan raised a valid question concerning insurance liability asking if the architect had fully analyzed the proposed building uses from an insurance perspective. Mr. Hastings stated that a natatorium is the most concerning as an insurance liability; however, the diving boards were eliminated, the depth and layout of the pool have been analyzed by the State of Minnesota and swimming consultant to mitigate potential liability. City Councilmember Wachter raised questions about energy efficiency for the proposed building which were adequately addressed by the architect, Mr. Hastings. There were also questions raised about the proposed operating expenses for the proposed community center and the Director of Parks and Recreation responded by stating that user charges will be designed to fund the operating expenses of the facility. Park Commission member Carroll suggested the philosophy statement that emphasizes family use of the facility. After a lengthy discussion finalizing the project, Mayor Ellison asked for a date on which the referendum could be set for consideration of the community • center project. City Administrator Hedges stated that February 14 is an achievable date for a referendum and also allows the architect to proceed in a timely fashion for the preparation of specifications and bidding with a targeted opening of the center in the fall of 1990 if the referendum is successful. After a IllSpecial Minutes November 29, 1988 brief discussion, there was a general concurrence by both the City Council and Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission members that February 14 be finalized as the date for the community center referendum at the December 6 Council meeting. OTHER BUSINESS City Administrator Hedges received direction on Police Dispatcher negotiations. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. AL TLH November 29, 1988 Date City rk • •