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1978-12 City of Eagan NewsletterCITY OF EAGAN NEWSLETTER FOR AN INFORMED COMMUNITY CITY OF GACA4 3795 PILOT KNOB ROAD EAGAN, MINNESOTA 5,5182 PHONVE 45"100 THE LONE OAK TREE BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. PAUL MN PERMIT NO.4902 POSTAL CUSTOMER EAGAN, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 1973 VOLUME 1 NO. 3 NEW FIRE STATION PROPOSED FOR CITY At its regular meeting on November 21, 1978, the Eagan City Council heard a propos- al by the Volunteer Fire Department for the construction of Fire Station #3 to be locat- ed in the vicinity of Pilot Knob Road and Cliff Road. The Fire Department's presen- tation addressed the plans and justification for building an additional fire station at this time. The need for Station #3 is the result of increased residential growth in recent years in such areas as Wilderness Run, Oak Chase, Ches Mar, and Eagan Hills, along with addi- tional residential development anticipated in the southern part of the City. The Fire Department has prepared a City- wide plan for the location of fire stations. This plan includes three main stations and up to six neighborhood stations; one in the Cedar Grove area and the other in the indus- trial park in the northern part of the City. The construction of Station #3 would sig- nificantfly decrease the time necessary to respond to calls into that area. Present response time in the immediate vicinity of the station's proposed location is 7 to 11 minutes. This could be reduced to 3 to 5 minutes with a fire station here. It would also improve response time to the entire southeast quadrant of the City. Along with the benefit to the nearby residential areas, Fire Station #3 would pro- vide improved fire protection for both the present Northview Elementary School and the TELEPHONE NUMBERS Police, Fire, Rescue Emergency 454-3700 For questions regarding... Meeting Agendas Council Decisions Ordinances Sewer & Water Bills Building Inspections General Information 454-8100 For questions regarding Snowplowing Street maintenance 454-5220 For questions regarding Park programs Ice skating schedules 454-7802 Mayor Leo Murphy 454-4055 Council Member Mark Parranto 452-2996 Council Member Tom Egan 452-3957 Council Member Jim Smith 454-1734 Council Member Ted Wachter 454-2130 City Administrator Tom Hedges 454-8100 City Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thomas Lake Elementary School currently under construction. The station would provide backup protection to Eagan's industrial area, and the increased pumping capacity will help maintain a favorable insurance rating for the entire City. Station #3 is proposed as a neighborhood station. The 150' x 1501 structure would con- tain 3 or 4 vehicles, and would also include a dispatch area, an office and meeting room, and storage space. (Continued, page 4) UPDATE ON ROADS For the past several years, the condition of the roads in Eagan and the rest of north- ern Dakota County has been a matter of great concern to area residents. Presented below is a brief status report regarding various roads within the City. Cedar Ave. — Construction of a new Cedar Avenue bridge began in January 1977. The structure will carry six lanes of traffic and also include a pedestrian crossing over the Minnesota River. The bridge together with a new Cedar Avenue freeway is expected to be completed to the intersection. with Hwy. 13 by 1980. The following year, the freeway is anticipated to be completed to its intersection with 35E (near Eagan's southern border). It will eventually extend south into Apple Valley, providing access to the Minnesota Zoological Gardens. I-494 - The portion of Interstate 494 yet to be constructed is an 11.5 mile segment from 24th Avenue in Bloomington to the Mississippi River in South St. Paul. Its proposed alignment extends across Eagan's northern border. The final Environmental Impact Statement on this freeway is presently in the review process with tentative plans calling for implementing construction from the City of Bloomington to T.H. 55 as soon as possible with this portion opened by 1982 and the balance by 1983. I -35E - The portion of the proposed I -35E most directly affecting Eagan residents is the approximately 13 mile segment from I - 35E in Burnsville to Hwy. 110 in Mendota Heights. The alignment of this freeway was approved by the Federal Highway Administra- tion in 1960. An environmental impact state- ment was required during the early 1970s, with the final EIS approved in May 1977. Construction of the freeway from I-35 to Cedar Ave. began in 1978, with this segment expected to be completed in 1981. The portion of I -35E north to Hwy. 110 is scheduled to be completed by 1983. However, it was necessary for MnDOT to acquire a per- mit from the Department of Natural Resources for a bridge crossing Blackhawk Lake. Testi- mony was presented before a state hearing examiner between June 22 and July 14, 1978. In the examiner's report issued on November 9, 1978, it was recommended that the permit be denied. The alternative would be to construct the freeway to the east of Blackhawk Lake, referred to as Alternate 2A. The Com- missioner of DNR also ruled on December 18, 1978 that the bridge permit be denied. County Roads - The future of Pilot Knob Road has yet to be decided. The. City Council re- cently passed a resolution requesting Dakota County to include funds for upgrading the road in its 1979 budget. Final decisions as to the extent of this improvement have yet to be made. The extension of Lexington Avenue from County Road 30 to Cliff Road has been approved. Construction is anticipated during 1979-1980. The improvement to widen County Road 30 was approved as a part of the Dakota County Road budget from the new Cedar Ave. freeway to approximately Blackhawk Road. NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A new elementary school for District 196 (Rosemount) is presently under construction in Eagan. Located near Thomas Lake (Cliff & Pilot Knob Roads), the new school is part of a construction program funded by an $18.685 million bond issue approved by district voters in March 1978. Other projects will include an elementary school in Burnsville, a new middle school, and expansion of the Apple Valley Senior High School. The school in Eagan is expected to be open for the 1979-80 school year. SNOWBIRDS DON'T FLY SOUTH FOR WINTER As many of you may be aware after the recent snowstorms that befell our community, the snowbird has remained to haunt us through the winter months. Technically, a snowbird is a vehicle who has not removed itself from the City streets after one inch or more of snow has fallen prior to City crews removing the snow. The snowbird, because of the problems he creates for proper traffic flow, snow removal, and emergency vehicle access is not a dear friend of you or me. The City would like to make this animal an extinct species within the corporate limits of Eagan. Only your cooperation can help us to eliminate this "dirty bird". City offi- cials, in trying to help eradicate this nuisance, have been issuing parking citations for vehicles remaining on the street after a snowfall has oc- curred and are hampering the snowplowing oper- ations of the City maintenance crews. Vehicles not removed after being tagged will be towed , carrying further additional expense. If you have a car that has had frequent problems with starting or being driven during extended cold or snowy periods, it is advisable not to park it on City streets during the winter months. Only with your cooperation can the City continue to give you the services that you expect in our snowplowing maintenance program_ EAGAN PARK DEPARTMENT ICE SKATING LOCATIONS The Eagan Park Department will be main- taining hockey and skating rinks throughout the winter months as weather permits. Warm- ing houses at the designated locations will be open after about December 23. The depart- ment's policy is to close the warming houses when the wind chill factor is -30 degrees or colder. When the blue light on the warming house roof is on, warming houses are open. WARMING HOUSE HOURS: Weekdays, during school -3:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Vacation days & Sat. 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sundays noon - 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Christmas Day & New Year's Day noon - 5:00 p.m. FREE SKATING AND HOCKEY WITH WARMING HOUSES Carnelian Park Blackhawk Rd. & Carnelian Ln. Highview Park Pilot Knob & Skyline (rink not scheduled for hockey practice) Lexington Park Lexington Ave. north (McKee Addn.) of Lone Oak Road Pilot Knob School Lone Oak & Pilot Knob Rahn Park Next to Rahn School 2 hockey rinks and free skating (east hockey rink available for free hockey at all times) Woodhaven Park Gold Trail, east of Beau d' Rue Drive Well Site Pilot Knob Rd., north of Cliff Road FREE SKATING ONLY WITH WARMING HOUSE Cedar Pond Co. Rd. 30 near Cedar School FREE SKATING WITHOUT WARMING HOUSES Country Home Hts. Beam Lane, east of Pilot Knob Rd., north of Lone Oak Rd. Evergreen Park Pilot Knob Rd. & Walfrid south of Co. Rd. 30 Bur Oak Pond Hwy. 49 & Chapel Lane CITY BOULEVARDS Most of Eagan's residential streets have a 60 foot right-of-way. The pavement and curbing is about 33 feet wide, leaving 27 feet of green area. This is generally evenly divided, with 13'6" of green area on either side of the pavement. This space is used to bury utilities, such as electric, telephone, and natural gas mains. The area holds snow that is plowed from the street, and this also is the space on which sidewalks may be built. City ordinance prohibits structures or other objects (fences, trees, shrubs) on this green area as they would obstruct fire fighting, snow storage, and utility repair. MUNICIPAL UTILITY NOTICE If your home is connected to the City's municipal sewer or water system and you move either out of the City or to another residence within Eagan, please notify the Utility Billing Department at 454-8100. DOG LICENSE RENEWALS Pet owners are reminded that dog licenses must be renewed prior to February 20, 1979. A late fee of 50� per month for each dog will be charged after this date. The rate schedule for dog licenses is as follows: Male or female $5 Neutered or spayed $3 Licenses can be purchased at City Hall during regular office hours. Proof of a current rabies shot is required before the license can be issued. All dogs over the age of 6 months must be licensed. Also, City ordinance forbids dogs from running at large within Eagan. RABIES CLINIC A rabies clinic will be held at City Hall on January 13, 1979, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two local veterinarians will be present at this time. Cost is $4 per pet. It will be possible to purchase dog licenses the day of the clinic. CITY OF EAGAN 1979 BUDGET General Fund REVENUE EXPENDITURES General Government General Property Tax $ 980,383 Mayor & Council $ 16,814 Licenses & Permits 126,050 Elections 3,250 State Grants 449,992 Financial Administration 219,121 State Shared Taxes 31,046 Auditing 10,000 Government Services 30,500 Engineering 23,608 Fines & Forfeits 18,600 Planning & Zoning 32,826 Other 124,767 General Gov't Buildings 36,8.72 Total $1,761,338 $ 342,491 Public Safety FIRE STATION (CONTINUED) Police $ 732,221 Fire 111,801 At the November 21 meeting, the City Protective Inspection 53,532 Council authorized its Public Works Committee Animal Control 11,145 to cooperate with the Volunteer Fire Depart- Civil Defense 27,766 ment as they proceed with the plans for the Ambulance 11,000 new station. The next step involves select- $ 947,465 ing an architect and making a decision as to exactly where Station #3 will be located. Public Works It is proposed that the cost of the building Highways & Streets $ 251,142 and the purchase of additional firefighting $ 251,142 equipment would be financed through a bond issue, which would require the approval of Recreation Eagan voters at a special election. The Parks & Playgrounds $ 204,240 City Council will decide in the near future Tree Conservation 16,000 whether to proceed with the bond issue for $ 220,240 this purpose. TOTAL $1,761,338 There are currently about 70 volunteer members of the Eagan Fire Department. The 1979 BUDGET force would be expanded slightly with the construction of an additional station. A detailed copy of the 1979 Budget is available for review in the office of the City NEW POLICE FACILITY Clerk or City Administrator. Over 200 residents toured the new Police facility on December 2, 1978. The facility was occupied by the Police Department on October 30, 1978. POLICE DEPARTMENT The Police Department is planning to sponsor a firearm safety class in the spring, 1979. Anyone 12 or older is eligible to register. There is a $2 registration fee. For additional information please call the Eagan Police Department at 454-3900. HISTORY OF EAGAN The History Committee is seeking information, specifically pictures, from residents to be used in the completion of the History of Eagan. If you have information, history, or wish to help with the committee, please contact its Chairman, Herb Polzin at 454-1235, or Frank Dembroski at 454-4180, for further details. This is the third issue of the City of Eagan Newsletter. It is being prepared through the guidance of the Public Relations Committee of the City Council in the City Administrator's Office. It is distributed as a public service to all Eagan residents. The purpose of the newsletter is to offer information to all Eagan residents providing a communications link between the citizens of Eagan and their local government.