2016-03 Experience EaganExperience Eagan • March/April 2016 • 1
March/April 2016
Experience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience Eagan
The best don’t rest. That is the principle that guided
the City of Eagan on a months-long community
feedback initiative called Eagan Forward. The pro-
cess deliberately compared Eagan with other highly
esteemed cities nationwide. The initiative also gath-
ered widespread community input to determine
the needs and wishes about what Eagan aspires to
be over the next 20-years. The process examined
the demographic, economic, and technology trends
that will drive Eagan’s future.
The overarching goal? To make Eagan the best place
to live over the next two decades. “It’s about mov-
ing from good to great in a comprehensive way,”
says Mayor Mike Maguire.
Launching the Plan
Some 230 residents attended the Eagan Forward
Launch Party in late January and nearly 100 of them
signed up to take the next step, to help move the
eight identified strategies forward.
The Launch Party was an opportunity for the com-
munity to hear the results of the study and com-
munity input process led by Rebecca Ryan, of Next
Generation Consulting. The study translated those
wishes into actionable strategies to be developed
over the next 20 years.
“This is about Eagan 3.0” says Ryan, the economist
and resident futurist at the Alliance for Innovation.
The Eagan Forward project has been at the
forefront this year. Through this community
visioning process, the City has gathered input
from the community and developed strate-
gies to help to shape the the future.
The initiative will also play a key role in the
Mayor’s annual State of the City Address on
Thursday, March 17. Mayor Mike Maguire will
focus on immediate and long-term factors
critical to Eagan’s future success, as viewed
through the lens of residents, from a variety
of perspectives. He will ask for the commu-
nity’s help in building a common vision that
embraces the notion of maintaining what is
great about Eagan while constantly improv-
ing.
Gathering and refreshments will get under-
way at 7:30 a.m. with the address beginning
at 8:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at
City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. The address
will be streamed live at www.cityofeagan.
com and carried live on Eagan Television
channels 16 and 20.
Community Takes Hold of Eagan Forward Strategies
State of the City Focuses
on “Forward” Momentum
In late-February, Eagan residents, school and busi-
ness representatives came together again to create
study action teams, focused on identified strategies
which include:
1. Keep seniors engaged
2. Amenities for Millennials & Baby Boomers
3. Become a welcoming community
4. Amenities for families and school-aged children
5. Eagan makerspace
6. Economic strategy for Eagan’s arts and cultural
sector
7. Community art center
8. Attract new restaurants and retail
“We all know that Eagan is already a very good
place to live,” concluded Ryan, “and putting the
creativity of residents behind Eagan Forward helps
ensure that it is still a great place for our next gen-
eration.”
Anyone wishing to be involved in the study action
teams can sign up and find more information at
www.cityofeagan.com/forward. The full report and
Rebecca Ryan’s January 28 presentation can also be
found here.
She says feedback shows that Eagan residents
want more non-chain restaurants, more night life,
and a more walkable and people-centered commu-
nity.
Eagan’s empty nest seniors want more indepen-
dent, no-maintenance housing options. Ironically,
Millennials – especially those with no kids – want
the same thing. Eagan, Ryan believes, needs a
public space agenda to develop “eat streets” or
urban districts to keep “wallet share” from going
elsewhere. Cities that have successfully developed
these create a vibrancy that makes people want to
come there.
Moving Eagan Forward
Volunteers – We Couldn’t Do it Without You
Bonnie Smith, a recently retired Eagan resident,
began volunteering in the fall of 2014 as a “room
host,” greeting seniors as they come for activities in
the Lone Oak Room at the Community Center. She
is one of more than 1,300 volunteers that help out
with City of Eagan programs on a volunteer basis.
Bonnie loves her role and has now taken on the
scheduling the other room hosts too.
“We couldn’t do all that we do without volun-
teers like Bonnie,” says Kerry Phillips, Recreation
Supervisor and the City’s lead volunteer coordinator.
“Our City programs rely greatly on the volunteers
who help out either one-time or on an ongoing
basis,” she says. “We really could not provide all
of the programs and services we do, without our
strong group of volunteers.”
Eagan’s volunteers range in age from age 8 to 94
and there are a wide variety of opportunities for all
interests—everything from a one-time park clean-
up, to assisting ongoing lake water monitoring to
helping at events, and more.
As a way to keep volunteers connected and make
them aware of new opportunities, Phillips manages
a database of volunteers where people can sign up,
indicate time availability and areas of interest. Each
season, a newsletter is sent to those who are regis-
tered. It highlights seasonal volunteer opportunities,
photos of Eagan volunteers in action and highlights
some current volunteers.
An application for new volunteers or for those who
simply wish to receive the newsletter is available
at www.cityofeagan.com/volunteer. A coordinator
will call to learn more about the applicant’s inter-
ests and match them with a volunteer need.
As for Bonnie, she’s now become even more
involved as a member of the Eagan Senior Board
where she helps plan programming and more. She
encourages others to consider volunteering in any
capacity the City offers. “It is great way to meet
people and its many wonderful opportunities are
fun. Volunteers are needed and valued,” Smith
shared.
Bonnie Smith enjoys her time volunteering in the Lone Oak Room
Experience Eagan • March/April 2016 • 2
411 on Flashing Yellow
You pull up to the intersection and hope
to get the green left-turn arrow. Instead,
there’s a flashing yellow arrow. Quick,
what does that mean again?
Many intersections in Eagan now
have flashing yellow arrows to
better control left turns. These
flashing arrows have become more
common, providing more flexibility,
fewer delays and safer turning. The flash-
ing yellow arrows increase traffic flow
while maintaining safety by helping move
cars through the intersection without wait-
ing for the green arrow.
So here’s a guide to what each arrow means:
Solid Red Arrow: Drivers intending to turn left must
STOP and wait. Do not enter an intersection to turn
when a solid red arrow is being displayed
Solid Yellow Arrow: The left-turn signal is about to
change to red and drivers should prepare to stop
or prepare to complete a left turn if they are legally
within the intersection and there is no conflicting
traffic present.
Flashing Yellow Arrow: Drivers are allowed to turn
left after yielding to all oncoming traffic. Don’t
forget to look for and yield to pedestrians too.
Oncoming traffic has a green light, so drivers MUST
wait for a safe gap in traffic before turning.
Solid Green Arrow: Left turns have the right of way.
Oncoming traffic has a red light.
If you see a traffic signal that is malfunctioning, call
the Eagan Maintenance Facility at (651) 675-5300. If
it is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Sperry Tower Replacement Plan
This spring, an Eagan landmark will be removed
from the skyline near Central Parkway and Pilot
Knob Road. The Sperry water tower, erected in
1967 on the then Sperry Univac property, has not
been used for water storage since 2009 and is
scheduled to be removed. The tower does, how-
ever, serve as a cellular and emergency system
antennae base. Beginning in March, the antennae
will be relocated to a temporary holding pole while
the original water tower is dismantled.
In its place, a new tower will be erected to become
the home for current and future antennae. But,
rather than a typical utility pole, this structure’s
“stealth” design is intended to be attractive and a
bit unique.
“The new tower will continue to meet the com-
munication needs with a signature design allowing
the tower to be custom lit,” says Russ Matthys,
Director of Public Works. “The stealth bands will
keep the antennae from being an eyesore, but will
also provide a distinctive platform for a one-of-a-
kind light show over Eagan. The idea of this long-
time landmark will live on, but in a more creative
manner.”
Construction Coming to Pilot Knob Road
Project Will Impact Traffic from May Through November 2016
The intersection at Pilot Knob Road and Yankee
Doodle Road is the second busiest in Dakota
County. During the evening rush hour, particularly,
the intersection operates near peak capacity and
can take upwards of three minutes for motorists to
travel through.
To help improve traffic flow and in preparation
of the opening of new retail and other offerings
at Central Park Commons (the former Lockheed
Martin property), Dakota County, in cooperation
with the City of Eagan, is planning a reconstruction
project this summer on Pilot Knob (CSAH 31) from
I-35E to Northwood/Central Parkway. The project
is expected to take nearly six months, beginning in
May 2016. Construction will close a section of Pilot
Knob from Central/Northwood Pkwy. on the north,
to Yankee Doodle on the south. Yankee Doodle
and one northbound lane on Pilot Knob will remain
open throughout the project.
This project is taking place to address safety and
delays on Pilot Knob resulting from the close spac-
ing of intersections. These concerns were outlined
in a Pilot Knob Road Corridor Study, completed in
2013 which recommended these improvements:
◗ Reconstruction of Pilot Knob from Yankee
Doodle to Central Pkwy.
◗ Addition of a southbound lane
◗ Addition of turn lanes
◗ Revised center median design
◗ Replacement of two signals on Pilot Knob at the
intersections with Yankee Doodle and Central
Pkwy.
◗ Reconstruction of the trails along the corridor
Project Benefits:
◗ Increased capacity and reduced delay
◗ Improve safety with fewer conflict points
◗ Enhanced pedestrian and cyclist experience
Subscribe to receive e-mails about the project or
find information by visiting www.cityofeagan.com/
roadconstruction. Updates will also be posted on the
City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The image to the right, depicts plans for the area
of Pilot Knob, between Yankee Doodle and Central
Pkwy/Northwood Pkwy.
CSAH 31 Improvements ProjectPilot Knob Road from I-35E Ramp to Central Parkway in Eagan
Dakota County and the City of Eagan are working
together to plan for and construct improvements to
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 31/Pilot Knob
Road from the I-35E ramp to Central Parkway.
Th e roadway layout (left ) illustrates the proposed
concept that resulted from the preliminary design
eff orts including stakeholder & agency feedback and
coordination with property & business owners. Th e
project team is now working towards completing
construction plans for the entire corridor.
Th e project is committed to maintaining access to all
businesses throughout construction. Th e project will
provide detour route signing for individual business as
appropriate during construction.
Page 2 of 2
PROJECT DETAILS & SCOPE
• Reconstruction of Pilot Knob Road from Central
Parkway to south of Yankee Doodle Road
• Addition of a southbound lane
• Addition of turn lanes
• Revised median design
• Replacement of two signals
• Reconstruction of trails and sidewalk
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
• March 5, 2015 – Open House 1, Kick Off
• March to May 2015 – Conceptual Layout Design
• May to November 2015 – Concept Plan
Development
• October 7, 2015 – Open House 2
• Winter 2015/6 – Construction Plans Complete
• Spring 2016 – Letting and Contractor Selection
• May 2016 to November 2016 – Construction
What to Expect During Construction:
◗ This project will take nearly six months, begin-
ning in May and lasting into the fall.
◗ Southbound Pilot Knob will be closed at the
intersection of Central Pkwy./Northwood
Pkwy. throughout much of the project.
◗ Drivers will be rerouted to Yankee Doodle via
Central Pkwy. or Northwood Pkwy.
◗ One lane northbound on Pilot Knob will
remain open throughout the project for
access to businesses that can only be entered
and exited from Pilot Knob.
◗ Travelers to and from the Eagan Community
Center and Festival Grounds, for regular
activities and special events such as Market
Fest, Eagan Art Festival, July 4th Funfest
will need to follow posted signs and detour
routes.
Pilot Knob Road will undergo reconstruction begin-
ning this spring to realign medians for both vehicle
and pedestrian safety, and to add lane capacity.
Experience Eagan • March/April 2016 • 3
New Registration Systems Coming Online
New System for Park & Rec Registration
Park & Recreation registration will look a bit differ-
ent the next time you go online. A new registration
system is being used that we hope will provide more
options and improve the customer experience.
The new registration system requires all customers
to create a new account, even if you’ve been regis-
tering online for years. There are two ways create a
new account:
◗ Call Parks & Recreation at (651) 675-5500 and
staff will help you create an account.
◗ Create your account online at
www.cityofeagan.com/register
once you’ve got an account, you can browse and
sign up for recreation programs, see availability
of Park shelters and pavilions, find information on
Cascade Bay, look at locations for your next birth-
day party, check out summer camps for the kids
and more.
Your feedback is key to the success of this new sys-
tem so make sure we hear it. To share suggestions
or tell staff about your experience on the new sys-
tem, in one of the programs or at a facility, contact
Jared Flewellen, Acting Parks & Recreation Director
at jflewellen@cityofeagan.com. Find out more at
www.cityofeagan.com/register or by calling (651)
675-5500.
Improved Online Utility Billing System
The online utility bill pay system will also be getting
an upgrade soon. The new software will offer a sim-
pler, more efficient, secure e-billing and payment
solution and should be ready to roll out to custom-
ers this summer.
Crime Prevention Corner
Connect & Protect with a
Neighborhood Watch
One of the best deterrents of
crime is a watchful and connect-
ed neighborhood. That’s why
the Eagan Police Department is
actively recruiting Neighborhood
Watch Groups. By working
together and knowing one another, neighbors can
help reduce the probability of crime by recognizing
suspicious activity and reporting it. Neighborhood
Watch encourages connectivity and builds a
partnership with the community and the Police
Department.
Getting started is easy. There are only three
requirements for a “City-chartered” Neighborhood
Watch Group.
1. Groups must have at least 50% participation
from the homes on their block.
2. Each group must hold at least two meetings
per year. Plan a barbecue, holiday party, ice
cream social, bonfire or National Night Out
gathering. A City staff member such as a crime
prevention officer should be included at one of
the annual meetings.
3. Two Block Co-Captains are needed. The
Co-Captains must be from different house-
holds and will act as the neighborhood con-
tacts with police. If the Police needs to get
information out to the neighborhood, they
will work through the Co-Captains. In turn,
the neighborhood has a direct contact at the
Police Department to address concerns and
questions.
If you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch
group, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist
Jill Ondrey at jondrey@cityofeagan.com or (651)
675-5727.
Taking a Spring Break?
Let Social Media Wait
Can’t wait to escape to your favor-
ite vacation place? That’s great.
But the Eagan Police remind you
not to broadcast the fact that
your home is unoccupied by posting your plans on
social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Snapchat and other platforms.
We all like to share our experiences and great pic-
tures of the family swimming in the clear ocean
water, a gorgeous sunset, or the amazing snow
conditions on our ski vacation. But keep yourself
and your loved ones safer and save the pics and
comments for posting when you’re home. Plan a
vacation recap, not a vacation play-by-play while
you’re away.
Also remember these “old-school” tips while you’re
away, and ask a trusted neighbor to watch your
home, shovel, park in your driveway, collect the
mail, put trash cans out on garbage day.
Don’t forget to check your privacy setting in all of
your social media accounts as well, to ensure that
only the people that see your adorable kids and
your family connections are the people you intend
to have view them. Keep in mind a “friend” of
yours can share your images with their “friends,”
who you may not know, unless you secure your
sharing settings.
Water is a big deal in Eagan. Whether it’s protecting
our nearly 1,500 lakes and ponds, providing top qual-
ity drinking water, or conserving the water supply,
Eagan is typically on the forefront. That’s why last
year, when staff and the Energy and Environment
Commission members heard about the Metropolitan
Council’s Water Efficiency Grant Program that could
help homeowners save thousands of gallons in
water each year, they jumped into action.
The program will provide $100 rebates to residents
who buy new front-loading washing machines. The
rebates are funded by a $50,000 grant, awarded
by the Metropolitan Council through the Legacy
Amendment’s Clean Water Fund. The program is
designed to encourage water reduction measures in
cities within the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan
area. Eagan will add another $12,500. 625 rebates will
be made available.
“We’re excited to bring this opportunity to resi-
dents,” says Russ Matthys, Public Works Director.
“By encouraging people to trade out their older less-
efficient clothes washer for a new water-conserving
front load washer, we’ll help save millions of gallons
of water because these washers use half the water
of a top loading machine and can save homeowners
over $100 per year in energy costs.”
Grant Helps Homeowners Upgrade, Use Less Water
Matthys says the City wants to give residents an
incentive to use less water. While low flow toilets
and showers both help save water, one of the larg-
est water users in a home is typically the clothes
washer. In fact, studies indicate that the use of
an Energy Star front loading washing machine
provides the biggest water savings of any home
improvement.
New construction and new developments are not
eligible for the rebates, as rebates would need to
be used for the replacement of an existing washing
machine. More information will be available soon
on the City’s Web site at www.cityofeagan.com/
washerrebate on how to take advantage of this
money-saving program, and help the City of Eagan
conserve water.
Residents interested in City government and assisting in the Council’s decision making process are encour-
aged to apply to serve on one of the City’s four Advisory Commissions and watershed management organi-
zation. Applications are currently being accepted through March 18.
Approximately 15 appointments will be made. Candidate interviews will be scheduled in mid-April.
Commissions meet every one to two months, depending on the commission. Descriptions, general meeting
schedules and applications are available at www.cityofeagan.com/Commissions.
Save the Date for Abor Day 2016 on Saturday, May 14 at the
Moonshine Retreat Center. Get to know this expanded park loca-
tion on the shores of LeMay Lake, hike the new trails, see what
you can spot from the observation deck, help plant additional
trees and shrubs to enhance the park landscape and see the lat-
est Arbor Day Poster winners revealed. Activities will take place
from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Watch for more information in the
next Experience Eagan and at www.cityofeagan.com/forestry.
Get Involved on a Commission
Save the Date for Arbor Day
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO. 4902* * * * * ECRWSS * *Residential Postal Customer3830 Pilot Knob RoadEagan, Minnesota 55122Page 1
Volunteers – We Couldn’t Do it Without You
Moving Eagan Forward
Community Takes Hold of Eagan Forward Strategies
State of the City to Focus on “Forward” Momentum
Page 2
Pilot Knob Road Reconstruction
What Does a Flashing Yellow Arrow Mean?
Sperry Tower Replacement Plan
Page 3
Crime Prevention Corner
Taking a Spring Break? Let Social Media Wait
Grant Helps Homeowners Upgrade, Use Less Water
New System for Park & Rec Registration
Improved Online Utility Billing System
Arbor Day - Save the Date
Serve Your Community on Advisory Commission
Page 4
Protect Your Pooch
Get Ready to Say “I Do”
Will the City Plow This Trail?
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest Celebrates 50th
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
Are you planning a wedding and looking to get
ideas? The Wedding Expo at the Eagan Community
Center (ECC) on Sunday, March 13, will feature a
variety of local vendors specializing in decor, DJ ser-
vices, photographers, bakeries and more.
The event is from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and provides
great opportunities to see beautifully decorated
spaces throughout the ECC, but also provides plenty
of resources and ideas for anywhere you plan to tie
the knot.
The caterers affiliated with the ECC will provide
samples. So stop and enjoy some hors d’oeuvres
and start planning your to-do list, to make it a spe-
cial day when you say, “I DO!” Admission is $5 per
person.
Get Ready to Say “I Do”
facebook.com/CityofEagan
@CityofEagan
Will the City Plow This Trail?
When going for a bike ride, a walk or catching a
bus, the winter cold and snow doesn’t keep resi-
dents from using the City’s sidewalks and trails. The
City is occasionally asked, “Will you plow this trail?”
Nearly 75 of the City’s 123 miles of boulevard trails
and sidewalks are approved for plowing this winter.
Often only one side of a roadway is designated for
clearing. Deciding what to plow is a balance. Staff
and the City Council try to determine the highest
priority areas (near schools, retail districts, etc.) and
weigh the benefits of plowing these trails against
the costs of doing so. All winter trail maintenance
is performed by City personnel after street snow
removal operations are complete.
Each spring, the City Council considers requests to
include additional trails. A resident can request to
have a section of trail added for clearing by sub-
mitting a petition containing at least 50 signatures
from properties within the ¼-mile segment adjacent
to the trail section.
Requests should be submitted by April 1, for con-
sideration by the City Council in May. Requests and
petitions can be e-mailed to streets@cityofeagan.
com, mailed or brought to the Eagan Maintenance
Facility, 3501 Coachman Point, 55122. For more infor-
mation, download the petition and to view the map
of currently plowed sidewalks and trails, visit
www.cityofeagan.com/plow.
Learn more about the City’s trail
plowing operations, check out photos,
videos and an interactive map through our
new “story map” feature at
www.cityofeagan.com/plow
Protect Your Pooch
It’s time again to license your dog. Licenses are $20, and valid through
December 31, 2017. Licenses are required by City ordinance and can be
purchased online at cityofeagan.com/doglicenses or at the Eagan Police
Department, Eagan Community Center, most Eagan area vet clinics, and dog
care centers. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required. Call the Police
Department at (651) 675-5700 with questions.
The largest annual community event in Eagan start-
ed with humble beginnings 50 years ago as a chil-
dren’s bike parade to Harold’s grocery store, where
the eager participants were awarded on arrival with
free ice cream.
The Cedar Grove neighborhood later competed,
street by street, with homemade papier-mâché
floats, wagons or boats filled with waving children.
The Eagan Volunteer Fire Department began orga-
nizing the event and moved the festivities to Cedar
Pond Park. Later the event was moved to Rahn and
Skyhill Parks as the Eagan Lion’s took responsibility
for managing the event.
This year’s 50th Anniversary event includes ties to
its origins, with a children’s bike parade kicking off
the festivities on July 2. A parade, ice cream eating
contest and the best fireworks in the region hap-
pen on July 4. Funfest 50 is the anniversary theme,
proudly displayed on the annual commemorative
button. The festival also offers a car show, Texas
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest Celebrates 50th
Hold’em Tournament, Bingo, Carnival and lots of
booths with products, services, and great food to
enjoy. Especially exciting is the upgraded music
planned this year, which includes better staging
and appearances by well-known local artists Arch
Allies, Maiden Dixie and the Brian Kinney Band.
Ten years ago, the Eagan’s July 4th Committee, an
all-volunteer nonprofit organization, was created to
plan, organize and execute the festivities. The team
was honored by the Eagan Convention and Visitors
Bureau as the “2015 Event of the Year.” Everyone
is welcome to join the committee and/or volunteer
during the event, which requires more than 150
volunteers to make the festival a success. The com-
mittee is forever grateful to their amazing sponsors
and community partners, without which this event
could not be sustained. For more information,
please visit the web site at www.eaganfunfest.
org and follow Funfest on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram (#Eagan4thFunfest).
Photo by @ReadySetBrad