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2016-07 Experience EaganExperience Eagan • July/August 2016 • 1 July/August 2016 Experience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience Eagan New Parks & Recreation Director Passionate About Building Relationships In his first week here, Andrew Pimental, Eagan’s new Director of Parks and Recreation, removed his office door from its hinges. “I wanted to make it clear from the start that I’m a very approachable guy … I’m all about building relationships,” says Pimental. What attracted this 41-year old Colorado native, husband, and dad of three daughters to Eagan was two-fold: one was Eagan’s reputation. “Within the Parks and Recreation community, it is known which cities are really dedicated to preserving park spaces and making recreation a priority,” he says. “Eagan has long been one of those communities.” Another attraction was passion. “I could tell from the first interview that my passions matched the passions expressed by the Mayor, City Council and the staff,” says Pimental. “I got the sense right away that this was a community I could really fit into.” “In my first interview,” Pimental recalls, “I said to [City Administrator] Dave Osberg, ‘You know this is really where I need to be. I don’t know what you guys are thinking, but…I think I need to hire myself for this position!’” Another thing that caught Pimental’s eye was the Eagan Forward initiative. “I really like the fact that the Mayor and Council brought that forward, no pun intended,” he says, “and involved the citizens at that level. You see that energy to sustain a level of excellence here, to ask what people want, and that’s very exciting.” Pimental says he most looks forward to meeting with the community and making existing relation- ships even stronger, whether with school districts, athletic, art or community groups, Eagan Forward participants, other cities, or his own staff. “I want to see where we are working together well and where we can help strengthen one other,” he says. In Colorado, Pimental was general manager for the Green Valley Ranch Metropolitan District southeast of the Denver Airport. He has bachelor’s and mas- ter’s degrees from Colorado State University and national certification as a Parks and Recreation pro- fessional. More recently, Pimental oversaw recre- ation programs, facilities and services in Northeast Minneapolis for three years. His wife Kristin, a Minnesota native, also works in parks and recre- ation in Minnetonka. There will be challenges to be sure, notes Pimental. Every City and parks system must deal with budget constraints, aging facilities, and staffing issues. “I’ve already been working with the Parks Commission on a funding analysis they had underway,” he says, “here we are talking at Cascade Bay, a 17-year-old facility that is starting to age and will need atten- tion – and that’s just one example. But I’m up for the challenges.” Pimental may question his decision to start this position in May at the height of park and recre- ation’s busiest season. Citing a metaphor used by Osberg, “It’s like drinking from a fire hose,” he chuckles. But, much like taking his door away, he says his approach may not be typical and may have taken some by surprise. “It’s a first step,” he says, “toward opening up relationships, inviting people in, and a clear signal, maybe to say…I’m ready. Bring it on!” Andrew Pimental Action Teams Present Visions to Council Since Eagan Forward kicked off earlier this year, study action teams have been hard at work respond- ing to the strategies set out in the plan. Each team has been asked to identify Wildly Important Goals, or WIGs. These WIGs have since been categorized into short term actions and longer term aspirations. On June 14, the eight team leaders presented their reports to the City Council. In the short-term, some ideas included establishing a dedicated food truck area, partnering with the Minnesota Center for the Arts to conduct an arts economic impact study, and developing videos to create community awareness of Eagan’s diversity. Longer-term ideas include encouraging more organ- ic and chef-driven restaurant options, building an art center and dedicating a location for makerspace activities. Desires for an outdoor splash-pad, indoor community recreation and senior center were also shared. The most common recommendation from the team leaders was the creation of an online portal and calendar for Eagan-specific activities and events by date. Nearly every team shared the need for a centralized, easy-to-use information hub from local organizations, the City, County schools and others. Eagan Forward is a twenty-year vision for the com- munity, but things are already taking shape thanks to the work of the eight study action teams. For example, Team 4 has been working closely with ISD 196 Community Education to increase the amount of open-swim time and enhance the amen- ities at Black Hawk Middle School. The proposal incorporates new activities and opportunities for families, young children, teens and seniors. The team has already met with the school district about its proposal. The City Council praised the groups for their months of work and the visions created. Each Council mem- ber provided feedback about the initiatives that especially struck a chord. Council member Paul Bakken noted one of the goals that really resonated with him was the central clearinghouse of opportu- nities, saying, “Boy, I tell you what, my family could sure use something like that.” Groups were asked by Mayor Maguire to help identify realities, chal- lenges and successes of similar ideas in other com- munities, when the groups come back to check in again in December. Interested in learning more about Eagan Forward, or watching the June 14 discussion? View the reports and sign up to volunteer for a study action team at www.cityofeagan.com/forward. Primary Election Voting Information The 2016 Primary will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for voting. Absentee voting began June 24. To apply for an absentee ballot, view sample ballots, and find your polling place, visit www.mnvotes.org. Primaries impacting Eagan include the U.S. Representative District 2 (Republican ticket only), County Commissioner Districts 3 and 4, State Senator District 52, and Associate Justice. Not all of these offices will appear on every voter’s ballot as representation is based on your specific address. You can view your sample ballot at www.mnvotes.org. In June, Andrew Pimental gathered his fulltime staff for the first of many “connection” times. He says, “it’s a privilege already to work with such a dedicated group of staff, both in the department and City wide.” Meeting face to face helps us all realize that the team is much more powerful than the individual.” Experience Eagan • July/August 2016 • 2 Do You Have the Fire? The hours are unpredictable, the training is hard, but most of Eagan’s 80-plus volunteer firefighters would tell you they have a passion for assisting their neigh- bors in a time of need and that is what stokes the fire inside each one of them. The Eagan Fire Department is one of the largest volunteer departments in the state. But even here, as with most other communities, the department is currently experiencing diminishing personnel num- bers, now averaging 15 resignations per year. Often volunteers must relocate for new jobs or family rea- sons; still others simply can’t keep up with the Fire Department’s demanding time commitment and bal- ance their regular jobs and family life too. Others are now retiring after many years of dedicated service. Volunteers are paid a stipend per call and can earn a quality pension, but many members of the depart- The most frequently asked questions lately – at Market Fest, at City offices, at the Community Center, Eagan Forward meetings and elsewhere – is “What stores are coming to the new development at Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Roads?” The project developer, CSM, is busy complet- ing Central Park Commons, the approximately 400,000-square-foot retail/office development on the site of the former Lockheed Martin site. Project details will be added as available at www.cityofea- gan.com/CPC. Tenants will begin opening this fall. And at long last, curious onlookers are learning their names. The cur- rent tenant list includes:########SHERMAN CT¯T28¯T28 FEDERAL DRNORTHWOODPKWY WASHINGTONDRNORWEST CT YANKEE DOODLE RDCENTRALPKWY MARICE DR PILOT KNOB RDC ENTRAL PKWY II31 §¨¦35E Pilot Knob Rd / County Road 31 Detour Detour Route Local Business Access Road Closed (southbound lane only) Road Open (northbound lane only) ¯########SHERMAN CT¯T28¯T28 FEDERAL DRNORTHWOODPKWY WASHINGTONDRNORWEST CT YANKEE DOODLE RDCENTRALPKWY MARICE DR PILOT KNOB RDC ENTRAL PKWY II31 §¨¦35E Pilot Knob Rd / County Road 31 Detour Detour Route Local Business Access Road Closed (southbound lane only) Road Open (northbound lane only) ¯ Central Park Commons Taking ShapePilot Knob Road Upgrade Update The Pilot Knob Road construction project slated for this summer has gotten a bit of a late jump because of a slower than expected bidding process. The Dakota County project has now been set to begin July 5. You may recall from the March/April Experience Eagan, that the project will impact the stretch of Pilot Knob Road between the Yankee Doodle Road intersection and the Northwood Parkway/Central Parkway intersections near the new Central Park Commons development and the Eagan Community Center. One lane of Pilot Knob Road northbound will remain open throughout the project, however southbound traffic will be detoured throughout much of the project duration. Construction is expected to be complete late in 2016. Sign up to receive project information at www.cityofeagan.com/subscribe and select Pilot Knob Updates. ment would say one of the greatest benefits they gain is the bond they build with other firefighters— most describe the department as a second family. Join the Team The Eagan Fire Department is currently recruiting firefighters to begin training this summer and is hoping to attract 20 committed volunteers. But making the decision to become a volunteer fire- fighter should not be taken lightly, says Fire Chief AT&T Bank of America Cafe Zupas DSW Fairview Clinic Five Below Hobby Lobby HomeGoods Hy-Vee Marshalls Massage Envy Men’s Wearhouse Naf Naf Grill Orangetheory Fitness Piada Italian Street Food Punch Pizza Sierra Trading Post Tavern of Eagan Tile Shop Total Wine Ulta XfinityMen’s Wearhouse Mike Scott. “It requires intense training and a strong commitment to service. We provide a high level of training to be sure our firefighters are safe and can handle most any situation,” he says. “In turn, we need volunteers who are serious about joining this great team.” Recruitment requirements and additional informa- tion are available at www.cityofeagan.com/Fire, and select Join the Department. Experience Eagan • July/August 2016 • 3 Take the Plunge Cascade Bay, Eagan’s award winning water park, has set sail on another season of fun for all ages. ◗ Toddlers love the shallows, splashing in water barely covering their toes at the gradual entry. ◗ When a little bigger, they’ll take on the bub- bling fountains, water gears and splashing buckets. ◗ There’s a slide experience for every age and courage level too. ◗ Sunbathers delight in plentiful lounge chairs and on the grassy hillside of Lookout Point. ◗ The lazy river offers a cool relaxing ride through swirling spouting waters. Enjoy lan- guid loops or plunge in from the multi-story tube slide. Cascade Bay is open from 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sun.- Thurs. and 11:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat. through August 28. August 29 through Labor Day hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10 or less per day and drops $2 after 4 p.m. Find out more about pricing, season passes and additional attractions at www.cascadebay.com. Make the most of this summer. Whether you want to learn something new, be more active, or just spend time with friends and family, Eagan Parks & Recreation has something for you. There are so many classes, camps and programs available for all ages and interests, there is no reason not to try something new. Take a peek at just a sampling of the wide variety of opportunities waiting for you this summer and see all of the offerings at www. cityofeagan.com/discover. Tennis Lessons Tennis is a lifelong sport for all ages. Eagan offers beginner tennis lessons for ages 4 to adult. Learn to play through drills, direct instruction and match play. Little Mates Children 6 and younger can splash in the waters at Cascade Bay before it opens to the general public. No registration required – just drop in when you want to play. Little Mates programs are open every day but Wednesday, from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Fifty years ago residents congre- gated on July 4th for a parade on Rahn Road where kids decorated their bikes, wagons were pulled by mule and floats decorated with papier-mâché objects and crepe paper flowers represented each street – or com- munity group. Ending at Cedar Pond Park, parade marchers and watchers alike would then spend the day on carnival rides and battling the Fire Department in water wars. At dusk, all eyes looked skyward for the first fireworks shows as Eagan’s July 4th celebration was born. Help celebrate this anniversary over three days of events. See details at www.eaganfunfest.org. Saturday July 2nd 1-7 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive 4 p.m.-midnight Festival Grounds Open Vendors, Carnival, DJ 4 p.m. Children’s Bike Parade 6 p.m. Texas Hold’em (Free Entry) 8-9:30 p.m. Roger Allen Band 10 p.m.-midnight Maiden Dixie Band Sunday July 3rd 1 -7 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive 4 p.m.-midnight Festival Grounds Open Vendors, Carnival, DJ 6 p.m. Texas Hold’em (Free Entry) 8:30 p.m.-midnight Arch Allies Band Monday July 4th 10 a.m. Parade – on Yankee Doodle Road, east from Blue Cross Rd. to Federal Dr./Central Pkwy. Funfest Turns 50! Celebrate July 2 - 4 noon-midnight Festival Grounds Open Vendors, Carnival, DJ 1-7 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive 1 p.m. Ambassador Brain Freeze 1 -4 p.m. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Car Show 1 -4 p.m. Eagan Lioness hosted Bingo 2 -4 p.m. Jason Huneke Juggler 6 p.m. Texas Hold’em (Free Entry) 8 p.m.-midnight Brian Kinney Band 10 p.m. Fireworks Monday July 11th 7 p.m. Coronation 2016 Eagan Funfest Ambassadors (ECC Oaks Room) $7 at the door ($5 wearing a Funfest Button) Summer Camps and Classes for Everyone Dodgeball Camp Back by popular demand! Spend the morning play- ing all kinds of dodgeball, learn new moves and work on teamwork techniques. Grab a friend and join the fun! For ages 8-12. Grandparents & Grandkids Day at Holz Farm This 2.5-hour activity offers a chance for seniors & their grandchildren to experience farm life in the 1940’s. Sponsored by South of the River Recreators, Senior Section. Ages 55+. Figure Skating Camp Camps are offered to skaters at a variety of skill lev- els. They include on-ice, off-ice, classroom training, arts & crafts, water aerobics and river walking at Cascade Bay. Ceramics Use wheel thrown and hand-built techniques to make sculptural and functional pieces. Both begin- ner and experience potters are welcome. Both day & evening classes offered. Ages 14+. Plan Ahead Be sure to have a parking plan for the fireworks display on July 4th at 10 p.m. The former Lockheed Martin lot is now gone and the new Central Park Commons is not yet open. So make an alternate park- ing plan before heading to the festivities. The Parade will end on Yankee Doodle Road this year, so viewing will not be avail- able along Central Parkway. As Fresh as it Gets Eagan Market Fest is one part farmers market, one part music venue, one part food festival, and all parts fresh. Grab family, friends or coworkers and head to Eagan Central Park festival grounds every summer Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. You’re sure to find plenty of tasty treats, music and so much more. See details and full schedule at www.cityofeagan. com/marketfest. July 6 4 p.m. – Alive & Kickin 7 p.m. – Brio Brass July 13 Classic Car Show, Oldies Music Night 4 p.m. – Remembering Elvis 8 p.m. – The Rockin’ Hollywoods July 20 4 p.m. - Stoned Acoustic July 27 Latin Night Celebration 4 p.m. K-Libre -24, Mariachi, and Traditional Folklorico Dancers August 3 4 p.m. – The Bad Companions 6 p.m. – Riverside Swing Band August 10 Health & Wellness Night 4 p.m. – Andrew Walesch Big Band 3 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive August 17 4 p.m. - A Hard Day’s Night 3 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drive August 24 4 p.m. – LaValle Jazz Cats August 31 Bollywood Night PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO. 4902* * * * * ECRWSS * *Residential Postal Customer3830 Pilot Knob RoadEagan, Minnesota 55122Page 1 New Parks & Recreation Director Teams Present Visions to Council Primary/Voting Info Page 2 Pilot Knob Road Upgrade Update Central Park Commons Do You Have the Fire? Page 3 Funfest Turns 50! Celebrate July 2 - 4 Cascade Bay Offers a Summer Filled with Fun Summer of Fun for Everyone Page 4 Build a Bike & Eagan Police Help Give Kids Bikes Puppet Wagon Teaches Fun Food Truck Festival Harvest of Art Celebration National Night Out Mayor Mike Maguire Councilmembers Paul Bakken Cyndee Fields Gary Hansen Meg Tilley City Administrator Dave Osberg (651) 675-5000 • (651) 454-8535 TTY www.cityofeagan.com Experience Eagan facebook.com/CityofEagan @CityofEagan This summer, Eagan Police, are giving some kids a little bit more freedom. Last month, officers met with hundreds of Thomson Reuters employees at their “Build a Bike” event. Together they assem- bled 100 children’s bikes for kids that couldn’t oth- erwise afford them. The first child to receive a bike was 6-year-old Juan, who had his bike stolen a week before. Officers Brian Boekhoff and Kraig Vesel took the report of Juan’s stolen bike. They were pleased to be able to meet with him again, but this time with good news. The Officers presented a brand-new bike to Juan at his Eagan home. The beaming boy gave a quiet “Thank you,” Puppet Wagon Teaches Fun Build a Bike & Eagan Police Help Give Kids Bikes and immediately began pedaling through the neigh- borhood. Juan and his older brother can again ride side-by-side, and enjoy that childhood sense of independence. Eagan officers will spend this summer meeting other Eagan kids in need of bikes to present them with their own new wheels. Kids can learn a lot from puppets; how to be a good friend and share, and how to use their power of imagination to time-travel. Learning is easy when they are laughing at the antics of puppets like Annie, Grandpa and the pirates, among others, during an Eagan Puppet Wagon show. Performances are held daily Monday through Friday, and Monday evenings through August 19, in some of your favorite Eagan Parks and at Wescott Library. So, pack a blanket, bring the whole gang and stay after the show to enjoy free art projects, play on the playground and meet other families. There is always a scripted show with a new theme each week. This summer, some themes include animals, magic, time travel, America (during Independence Day week), detectives and pirates. Events also include dancing, singing, and interac- tive group activities. Stories, jokes of the week, “ask a puppet” time and other opportunities help engage young audiences and encourage kids to participate. Past visitors may notice “Annie’s” new hair-do and ribbons this year and a new location option near the recently constructed playground at Moonshine Park. An afternoon session at Goat Hill Park has also been added – great for those who no longer need an afternoon nap. Puppet shows are free and last about 15-25 min- utes. Kids can bring “puppet mail” for the puppet’s mail box! Shows start promptly at the scheduled time, but may be canceled in bad weather, call the Recreation Hotline at (651) 675-5511 for up-to-date information. Visit www.cityofeagan.com/puppets for dates, locations and show times. Invite the Puppets to your Special Event The Puppet Wagon is available to rent on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (outside of the scheduled show times). Call Holly at (651) 675-5520 for more information. Harvest of Art Celebration Sunday, September 11, Noon – 4:00 p.m. Meet the Police and Get to Know the Neighbors National Night Out Tuesday, August 2, 2016 5 – 9 p.m. Food On Four Wheels Food Truck Festival Boogie Wonderland to Perform Saturday, September 10, 3 – 7:30 p.m. SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE