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12/27/2007 - Open Space Committee
m AGENDA OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE THURSDAY DECEMBER 27, 2007 9:30 A.M. I. ROLL CALL / AGENDA ADOPTION II. DISCUSSION RE: OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES III. REVIEW OPEN SPACE PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES I►�����IT�1��: i��i�ix.X� V. ADJOURNMENT City of Eap ma To: Tom Hedges, City Administrator From: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation Date: December 14, 2007 Subject: Public Policy Issues — Open Space Referendum/Acquisition The following list of items and attachments are provided in order to guide committee discussion regarding pursuing a referendum for funding the acquisition of open space. 1. Is there a model overall framework/strategy for an Open Space Bond Referendum? a. Trust for Public Land "Calendar for Open Space Funding Ballot Measure" b. Staff developed — Referendum grid c. Timeline used for Community Center referendum 2. What is the best way to approach a citizen's survey? a. Are 2005 results "good enough" to move forward? b. Should a separate open space survey be completed or should the open space questions be included in the broader resident's survey budgeted for in 2008? c. How quickly could a stand-alone survey be conducted? 3. At what point should land for acquisition be identified and valued? a. It may be beneficial to have a preliminary land list and at least an approximate land value before conducting a survey so that the public opinion can be tested on the amount of funding need to purchase this land. i. How does the Council wish to determine which land parcels may be purchased with referendum funds? 1. Eagan Core Greenway as defined by Friends of Eagan Core Greenway? 2. Eagan Core Greenway as defined by 2003 Dakota County Corridor Resource Analysis? 3. APrC Site Acquisition Analysis? 4. Further use of Park and Open Space Acquisition Criteria developed in 2007? ii. At what point should this information be communicated to the public? b. Will a list of parcels be necessary in order for public support of the referendum? c. Are the current land owners willing to discuss preservation options at this time? 4. At what point in this process should a citizen's committee be formed? a. It may be beneficial to form committee before survey is taken in order to develop greater buy -in to the project. b. It may be beneficial to wait until the survey results are known since a committee would not be needed if the survey results show little support for an open space referendum. c. What level of input should this committee have in choosing land to be acquired? d. What role should the APrC play in this process? 5. What future issues need to be considered along with the acquisition of open space? a. What uses will be allowed or prohibited on "open space" land? b. How will on-going maintenance of these lands be funded? Attachments: 1. Draft Council/Staff/Committee/APrC Responsibility Grid — page 2. TPL Calendar for Open Space Funding Ballot Measure — page 3. Draft Timeline Memo —July 26, 2007 —pages 5 and L. 4. 2005 Eagan Residential Survey Results — Open Space related questions — pages and e _- 5. Sample Residential Park Bond Study by Decision Resources — pages through 6. Greenway Definition Map - Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway — 2007 — pages and J_+_. 7. Dakota County Corridor Resource Analysis Map — June 2003 — page Lal. 8. Park Site Acquisition Analysis Update Map — 2007 — page 64.0 I-Lunp a 9a a o a p m mep a Wim) &&u d■ a s u%Il|m moP4` %s aon s 11 - E cc 2 � 2 ... ■ � / a) R S > £ § § . a c 0 a c _ �: �■— 2 © E E _ \ J c§ b 2 k 2 ' 2£ > 0 (Dk §k CL a e�m E 3 2: a4 » o 0 cr CL U)<§ ty m k=k J g m k to ui §k / t§ 2 ƒ E . . 0/ a) k r= m © k t � ° 5 a E k/ U 2 ■■ 2 k � 2 2 0 6 k §� a 2 E > 4 E 2 m k 2 E ■ § > c @ E e 2_ a& o q >- w E� § Q= 2� m k c E 2 �0 lAo Ajnsjo:g■a a o a p wjoje a mmwo Ue EX$ 027: �0C) �oES 4wnpaaaaoea ®� .■ .< @ W. 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C H v � ca c d µ V 0 H N a d E - 7 µ V 0 H N � �m c a a ' City of Eap bo To: Tom Hedges, City Adminstrator From: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation Date: July 26, 2007 Subject: Draft Timeline for Public Open Space Acquisition The Finance Committee, at their July 17, 2007 meeting, directed staff to prepare a timeline and public information steps similar to what was used for the successful Community Center referendum. This memo includes a draft timeline for this process. Step 1 Council kicks off process for researching potential open space acquisitions and funding of this process by appointing Citizen Task Force/Steering Committee. Committee would likely include representatives from APrC, APC, Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway, City Staff, and other citizens. Step 2 — Steering Committee works with survey firm, City staff, and potentially the Trust for Public Land to develop citizen survey in order to gage resident support for the project. Steering Committee will also identify the costs of potential land acquisitions during this time. Once written, the survey process would take approximately 2-3 weeks and cost $6,000- $7,000. Step 3 Steering Committee analyzes survey finding and presents recommended action plan to City Council. Step 4 Council directs further action based on Steering Committee recommendations and survey results. If the decision is to pursue a bond referendum, then: (Timeline based on Community Center experience.) This road map to an election is very broad at this point. The process and public opinion will need to be monitored throughout to gage how information is being received and if additional communications may be necessary. Week 1: • Steering Committee report accepted. City Council authorized referendum vote for specified date (must give at least 49 days notice to County auditor). The approximate cost of special election is $30,000. Week 2: • Design and prepare signage for potential sites. • Prepare notice/letter to all residents • Begin preparation of Eagan Business News & Chamber News related information • Begin preparation of special "Experience Eagan" Newsletter. Preliminary budget for this is $10,000. * Set up informational website and phone line • Set up cable informational pages • Steering Committee organizes press release and "Letters to the Editors" from citizens in support of project. Week 3: • Finalize special "Experience Eagan" Newsletter including City Council review of content. Prepare information for back cover of "Discover" Park Programs Brochure. • Set up speakers bureau for referendum presentations to community groups. Week 5 through election: • "Discover" Brochure and "Experience Eagan" Newsletters are distributed. • Two or more public informational meetings are hosted by Steering Committee. Speakers give presentations to community groups. Referendum Vote IN open Spaces in the City Respondents were first asked: How important do you think it is to purchase additional. undeveloped open space areas for preservation in the City of Eagan — very important, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important? Eighty-six percent think the purchase of additional undeveloped open space areas for preservation as either "very important" or "somewhat important:" 2002 2005 VERY IMPORTANT ...................... 39% .... 42% SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT ................ 43% .... 44% NOT TOO IMPORTANT ................... 10% ..... 9% NOT AT ALL RvIPORTANT ................. 4% ... 4% DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ................... 4% ..... 2% Greater importance is cited more often by: • eighteen to forty-four year olds • renters Lower importance is indicated at a higher rate by: • over forty-four year olds • owners of homes valued under $300,000 • those rating the quality of life as excellent Property Tax Increase for Land'Acquisition by the City of Eagan Respondents were asked: The City of Eagan has a goal of acquiring additional open space -as part of the Eagan Core Greenway. If the City were to acquire property for the Eagan Core Green- way, public funds would be required to cover land ac- quisition costs. How much would you be willing to pay in additional property taxes to support the acquisition ofproperty to 39 become part of the Eagan Core Greenway? Let's say, would you be willing to pay an additional $ per month? How about $ per month? e.;)Tical resident would support a property tax increase of $3.58 per month, or $42.96 per year PP ort the acquisition of land for the Eagan Core Greenway: SU 5' F : NOTHING ........................................ 23% $2.00 .................................... 15% 13% $4.00 .......................................... $6.00 ........................................... 11% . $8.00 ............................................6% - $10.00 ............................................ 9% $12.00 .......... .................................. 5% DON'T KNOW ............................ ...... 18% REFUSED ...... .................... 1% Bni;3%would support no property tax increase for this purpose, while 20% would support n xeases of double the almost $4.00 per month norm. nothing" is stated most often by: • those not feeling empowered 52.00" is cited more often by: • residents in the southern part of Eagan 4.00" is reported more often by: • residents for eleven to twenty years • residents in the central part of Eagan • those feeling empowered 00" is cited more often by: • residents for more than twenty years Water Qual were asked: I would like to ask you a few questions about water quality issues. How important to you is good water quality in Eagan's DECISION RESOURCES, LTD. 3128 Dean Court Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 RESIDENTIAL PARK BOND STUDY Hello, I'm of Decision Resources, Ltd., a polling firm located in Minneapolis. We've been retained by the City of to speak with a random sample of residents about issues facing the city. The survey is being taken because your city representatives and staff are interested in -your opinions and suggestions. I want to assure you that.all individual responses will be held strictly confidential; only summaries of the entire sample will be reported. (DO NOT PAUSE) 1. Approximately how many years have you lived in the City of Turning to parks and recreation.... The City of is considering a park bond referendum proposal. For each of the two parts of the proposal, tell me if you would strongly support a property tax increase for that purpose, support, oppose, or strongly oppose a property tax increase. If you have no opinion, just say so.... 2. Acquisition of open spaces in the rural and urban areas of the community for preservation? 3. Suppose the City of had a fixed amount of money to allocate to OR to acquire existing open spaces across the community for preservation. Let's say that all the funds had to be allocated to either.of these purposes. 4. What percent of the amount would you allocate to , keeping in mind that the remainder would be used for the acquisition and preservation of open spaces in the community? 5. How much would you be willing to see your property taxes increase for _, in addition to acquiring land in the city for preservation purposes? Would you be willing to see your property taxes increase.$ per month? (CHOOSE RANDOM STARTING POINT; MOVE UP OR DOWN DEPENDING ON ANSWER) How about $ per month? (REPEAT PROCESS) [PRICE POINTS: NOTHING, $1,$2,$3,$4,$5,$6,$7, OR $8] 11 Now; suppose the City of both the acquisition of the city AND proposed a bond referendum for open spaces in urban and rural areas of If the referendum were successful, the owner of a $_00,000 home would see a yearly property tax increase of $_.00 per month. The owner of a $_00,000 home would see a monthly property tax increase of $-.00 per month, or $_.00 per year. And, the owner of a $_00,000 home would have a monthly property tax increase of $_.00 per month or $_.00 per year. 6. If the election were held today, would you support or oppose this referendum proposal? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way? IF A RESPONSE IS GIVEN, ASK: 7. Why do you feel that way? I would like to read you a list of statements that could characterize the bond referendum proposal. For each one, please tell me if it makes you much more likely to support it, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely to support the proposal. If it makes no difference to you, just say so.... (ROTATE) 8. If we don't purchase remaining public open spaces now, they will be lost forever. 9. Neighborhood parks, trails, athletic fields and open space is an important legacy for our children. 10. Passing of this referendum would be a big step towards preserving 's ambience. 11. If land is not set-aside now, further residential and commercial development will consume most of it. 12. The athletic fields in the -city are at full -capacity; we need more space to insure every child can play on high quality athletic fields. 13. In comparison with neighboring areas, do you consider total property taxes in your community to be very high, somewhat high, about average, somewhat low, or very low? Moving on.... J0 14. On which of the following sources of information would you most rely for information about the park bond referendum proposal from the City of -- The City Newsletter, articles in the local newspaper, local cable television, neighborhood meetings, City staff and elected officials, mailings from the City and voter groups, the City website or Listserve, friends and neighbors, or something else? IF ("SOMETHING ELSE, ASK:) What would that be? Now, just a few more questions for demographic purposes.... 15. How often would you say you vote - always, nearly always, part of the time, or seldom? From time to time, cities and school districts ask voters to approve referendum proposals... 16. Thinking about past city and school district referendum elections, would you say you always vote, often vote, sometimes vote, rarely vote, or never vote? Could you please tell me how many people in each of the following age groups live in your household. Let's start with the oldest. Be sure to include yourself. 17. First, persons 65 or over? 18. Adults under 65? 19. School -aged or pre-school children? 20. Is any member of your household involved in an adult sports league? 21. Is any member of your household involved in a youth sports league, outside of school? 22. Do you own or rent your present residence? (IF "OWN," ASK:) Which of the following categories contains the approximate value of your residential property -- under $200,000, $200,00-$300,000, $300,001-$400,000, $400,001-$500,000 or over $500,000? 23. What is your age, please? 24. Gender 25. REGION OF CITY is Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway Definition/Map The Eagan Core Greenway, with Lebanon Hills (south side) and the McCarthy Farm (north side) serving as its "Bookends." M = Patrick McCarthy Farm A = Anderson Parcel C = Capon! Art Park P = Private Properties (along with all areas shown in light blue) Striped blue areas (north of Eagan High School) = Athletic Fields Striped blue areas (south & west of Eagan High School) = Wooded Hillsides 13 CD. RD. 28 /Zau'a —Fl -- ------------ I— - —" The Eagan Core Greenway 2-- MIA Ff.LCOUARY PAW CARRM;L HUX i U 3- NORWAY K* GOLF COURSE CT. OAKS 9 2L 13 cr Ips BIgYK.Q 5 w D s U- EAT 0 S 41 t TR. LN. o13 ix, ST, cm T PK" JR. ROS Aq Eft I c 0 d --- P, 0 LN. CT. "eel As 0 KE PDAU 9 .R� N\ - 9low plot— A' CAMW HI A a P NORTiPMEW DR. PAW 21 MR= NORMY" &nN 45 V.11 ouF LAK 142 L".a I - I MnP0 rc CARLS F - z LAKE RK 'p LNWAMT !MLu rus --.] c PA IMWKC ESS Loi JJ Ox MEE), WK" " T e,;Zo "') A 0 IN OF PARKVIEW GOLF COURSE PARiCAMOM DR. 6 t� S,K 48PARK 521 F, LAKE Site Acquisition Analysis Update - 2007 Highview Pilot Knob Moonshine #1 v o s n C) � C Lexington Bur Oaks Lexington River Diffley Hills Athletic Meadowlands Evergreen Goat Hill Walnut Cinnamon dawning Oak Hill Ridge Rahn Chase Thomas Lake Clearwater l#18i Slater George Acres Kettle. Ridgecliff Ohmann #14 R,#z Gaptian Dodd Tr -PP Farm Lakeside South Oaks Holz Fai X31 KEY: COMPLETE PRIORITIES: E) PENDING/NO CHANGE Tier 1 NO LONGER FEASIB_LEINON-PRIORITY 1. jLEMAY LAKE -ark expansion -currently on the market, potential for land dedication 2.HMANN PARK - access to county park 3. ITHOMAS LAKE PARK - protection of shoreland 4. 1 HOLZ FARM expansion for programs & parking potential for land dedication 5. 1McCARTHY SITE - connection to Patrick Eagan potential for land dedication 6. 1 BARBARA CUR R - connection to Patrick Eagan 7. J RRY PARKj- park expansion 8. JANPERSON SITE - site of interpretive center 9. LAKESIDE PAR - park expansion, open space, wetland potential for land dedication Tier 11 10. ITHRESHER FIELDS- visible amenity, environmental concerns 11. FEDEP,AL DRIVE- access to existing park, expansion 12.SECTION 151- visual corridor along Wescott 13. WEST PUBLISHING easement around pond 14. DIAMOND T connection to county park 15. BLUE CROSSI- preservation, right -of -refusal (all or partial) 16. CARRIAGE HILLS G.C. - preservation, right -of -refusal (all or partial) - pending litigation Hidden 17.1 SKY HILL PARKI- park expansion Corner 18.1 PARKVIEW G.C. - preservation, rig ht -of -refusal (all or partial) L: users/pubworks/michelle/ parklacquisition update 4/10/07 y Thresher �'$ Quarry Fields r#1 #13i O'Leary Sky#11 Hill #17 Fish Lake Mueller Wescott #72 Farm Station Woodhaven Blackhawk�::E ly Bridle PeridotRidge Path #5 Northview Cedar Patrick �Lnj Pond Carnelian Eagan Lexington River Diffley Hills Athletic Meadowlands Evergreen Goat Hill Walnut Cinnamon dawning Oak Hill Ridge Rahn Chase Thomas Lake Clearwater l#18i Slater George Acres Kettle. Ridgecliff Ohmann #14 R,#z Gaptian Dodd Tr -PP Farm Lakeside South Oaks Holz Fai X31 KEY: COMPLETE PRIORITIES: E) PENDING/NO CHANGE Tier 1 NO LONGER FEASIB_LEINON-PRIORITY 1. jLEMAY LAKE -ark expansion -currently on the market, potential for land dedication 2.HMANN PARK - access to county park 3. ITHOMAS LAKE PARK - protection of shoreland 4. 1 HOLZ FARM expansion for programs & parking potential for land dedication 5. 1McCARTHY SITE - connection to Patrick Eagan potential for land dedication 6. 1 BARBARA CUR R - connection to Patrick Eagan 7. J RRY PARKj- park expansion 8. JANPERSON SITE - site of interpretive center 9. LAKESIDE PAR - park expansion, open space, wetland potential for land dedication Tier 11 10. ITHRESHER FIELDS- visible amenity, environmental concerns 11. FEDEP,AL DRIVE- access to existing park, expansion 12.SECTION 151- visual corridor along Wescott 13. WEST PUBLISHING easement around pond 14. DIAMOND T connection to county park 15. BLUE CROSSI- preservation, right -of -refusal (all or partial) 16. CARRIAGE HILLS G.C. - preservation, right -of -refusal (all or partial) - pending litigation Hidden 17.1 SKY HILL PARKI- park expansion Corner 18.1 PARKVIEW G.C. - preservation, rig ht -of -refusal (all or partial) L: users/pubworks/michelle/ parklacquisition update 4/10/07 Meeting Notes Open Space Committee Date: December 27, 2007 Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Location: City Hall Present: Mayor Maguire, Council Member Bakken, City Administrator Hedges, Parks & Recreation Director Johnson • The committee agreed that the first step in determining whether or not the City should hold a bond referendum to fund open space acquisition is to hire a survey firm to conduct a phone survey of Eagan residents. The purpose of the survey will be: o To gauge the overall likelihood of an open space referendum being approved by Eagan residents. o To determine if voters would be willing to approve a referendum based on a program similar to the Dakota County's Natural Areas Project or if it is necessary to list specific acquisitions. o If in favor of a referendum, how much are Eagan residents willing to raise their property taxes for this program? o If in favor of a referendum, what uses do Eagan residents find appropriate for open space lands? • The committee discussed whether or not it would be possible to hold a referendum in conjunction with the 2008 General Election. It was decided that it would be possible, but to only move forward once survey results are obtained. • The committee discussed the need for a citizen based task force. It was decided to wait until after the survey results are obtained to further discuss the tasks and make-up of a citizen's committee. • The committee considered combining the open space questions with the larger, community-wide survey schedule for 2008. The committee decided that a separate survey would allow for more timely and focused results concerning the open space issue. The committee also reviewed the 2005 Community Survey results relating to open space. It was decided that updated results are needed. • The committee discussed possible avenues for having a survey completed including contacting the Trust for Public Land and private survey firms. The committee decided to use a private first rather than TPL to avoid any perception of bias in the survey methodology. Staff was directed to contact the survey firm of Decision Resources to discuss a survey process and timeline with a goal of presenting a contract for services at the January 8 Special City Council meeting. • The committee briefly discussed the definition of "open space" and "Eagan Core Greenway". Maps from the Dakota County Corridor Resource Analysis and the Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway were reviewed. The APrC's Acquisition Criteria was also discussed as a tool for recommending possible acquisition sites. The committee will discuss further at a future meeting.