2016-09 Experience EaganExperience Eagan • September/October 2016 • 1
September/October 2016
Experience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience Eagan
New Director Steps Right In
Arriving at the start of a summer filled with the
promise of numerous large developments, Eagan’s
new Director of Community Development, Jill
Hutmacher, seems to be taking it all in stride.
Referencing the recently approved Vikings develop-
ment, she says, “It’s exciting. There are so many
moving pieces and a lot of coordination, but it
doesn’t feel intimidating because that’s what I like
to do.”
In fact, big projects like the Minnesota Vikings
development and Central Park Commons do seem
to be Hutmacher’s forte. In her previous position
as Community Development Director at the City
of Arden Hills, she led the redevelopment of the
427-acre Twin Cities Ammunition Plant site. Prior
to that, while at the City of Bloomington, she was
involved in the development of the Mall of America.
Hutmacher, 45, has a master’s degree in urban
planning from Minnesota State University in
Mankato, certification from Harvard Law School in
negotiation, and she is a certified economic devel-
opment finance professional from the National
Development Council. She grew up in Omaha,
Nebraska and now lives in Minneapolis with her
husband who is from Germany, where they visit
most summers, and her eight year-old daughter,
adopted from China. She notes, “We’re a modern
American family.”
Hutmacher now oversees a staff of 19 people in the
Community Development department, focusing on
not only development, but also code enforcement,
building inspection and planning. The department
is just beginning
the process of
updating Eagan’s
Comprehensive
Guide Plan as well.
When asked about
her first two
months in Eagan,
she remarks, “I’m
having so much
fun. There’s this
attitude of ‘We can
do it. We can do it together.’ It’s just such a great
professional but friendly atmosphere.”
“Jill has been a great addition to our Eagan team,”
says City Administrator Dave Osberg. “She has
stepped right in, offered great suggestions on proj-
ects, met with developers and the City Council. She
really has a good grasp of the many facets of her
new position and the community already.”
Hutmacher says if she’s being credited for being
able to hit the ground running, then she has to
“give a shout out” to the previous Community
Development Director Jon Hohenstein. “He spent
a lot of time with me. We met several times to go
over projects and he gave me details. On day one
it didn’t feel like everything was brand new. It felt
familiar. He really helped the transition.”
As the map below shows, a good deal of additional
“big-ticket” development activity is currently taking
place in Eagan just now as well. Hutmacher will be
keeping a guiding hand over it all.
Jill Hutmacher
Vikings Break Ground
The Eagan City Council took part in groundbreak-
ing festivities on August 2, for the first phase of the
nearly 200-acre development the Minnesota Vikings
and MVZ Ventures plan to open in Eagan over the
next several years. The first phase, the Minnesota
Vikings headquarters, indoor practice facility and an
expandable 6,000-person stadium are planned for a
March of 2018 opening.
“Today marks just the first of many more ground-
breakings we hope will occur on this exciting
200-acre development,” said Eagan Mayor Mike
Maguire. “The Vikings team headquarters and prac-
tice facility in Eagan opens up a whole new gateway
to the northeast part of the city, and we are proud
that this flagship franchise will now call Eagan
home.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Mayor Maguire, team owner
Lenny Wilf, and Vikings Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren to
celebrate the groundbreaking.
It’s Not Only Neighborly,
It’s the Law…
Reminders from Code Enforcement Eagan development projects
Keep Garbage Cans in Their Place
In residential areas, garbage and recycling contain-
ers are permitted at the curb or collection point
from 6 p.m. of the night before until 6 a.m. on the
day after the designated collection day. At all other
times, the containers must be stored in the garage
or behind the front edge of your home or garage.
Vehicle Storage
Any vehicle parked or stored at your home must be
in the garage or on the driveway surface. They can-
not be stored on the grass or yard, even in winter.
Garage Sale Signs
Sale signs may be placed on private properties other
than the one where the sale is held, provided you
get permission from the property owner. Signs must
be removed at the end of the sale.
Leaves & Grass Clippings
Grass clippings and leaves must be bagged or con-
tained for collection, or remain on your property.
They cannot be raked or swept onto any street,
sidewalk or trail. They must be kept out of catch
basins and storm sewer drains too.
Have a question or wish to make a report? Visit
www.cityofeagan.com/CitizenSupport. Reports can
remain anonymous, if you choose.
1. Northeast Eagan: 200-acre mixed-use including
Vikings HQ, training facility & 6,000-seat stadium.
2. Amazon Delivery Station: $1.8 million in tenant
improvements to 142,000 sq. ft. warehouse.
3. Summit Orthopedics: 70,000 sq. ft. orthopedic
health care facility to open in early 2017.
4. Sun Country Airlines: $3.5 mil-
lion renovation and relocation.
5. Lunds & Byerlys: $1.1 million
upgrade.
6. CityVue Commons: New
apartments and medical office
coming in 2017.
7. Holiday Inn Express and
Suites: New 93-unit hotel cel-
ebrated grand opening on
August 11, 2016.
8. Central Park Commons:
47-acre redevelopment includ-
ing Hy-Vee, Fairview Clinic,
retail, restaurants.
9. Diffley Marketplace: Teresa’s
Restaurant opened in April
2016.Lebanon Hills
Regional Park
Fort Snelling
State Park
!H
Lone Oak Rd
Yankee Doodle Rd
Wescott Rd
Diffley Rd
Cliff Rd Lexington AvePilot Knob RdCity Hall
Central Park
Patrick
Eagan
Park
Northview
Park
Blackhawk
Park
Thomas
Lake
ParkRahn Park
Duckwood Dr
Denmark AveDeerwood Dr
Silver Bell Rd
Blackhawk RdRahn RdNicols RdJohnny Cake Rdg RdGalaxie AveDodd RdDiffley Rd
Cedar Ave´0 10.5
Miles
1
2
43
6
58
7
910
12
1113
10. Fire Station #1: New facility to open in spring
2017.
11. Cedar Grove Townhomes: 51-unit development
currently under construction.
12. Affinity at Eagan: Senior living anticipated to
begin construction in early 2017.
13. Cedar Grove Transit Station: Center station with
pedestrian walkway opening in 2017.
Experience Eagan • September/October 2016 • 2
Many of us love to sit around a fire in the back-
yard with family and neighbors, enjoying good
conversation, s’mores and other campfire treats.
Recreational fires are allowed in Eagan without
a permit, and you don’t need to contact the Fire
Department if you plan to have one. But, there are
a number of things you must keep in mind before
you strike the match or click the lighter stick:
◗ Fire pits or fire containers must be placed at
least 25 feet from your home or any other
flammable structure like a deck, fence or shed.
And, they need to be at least 10 feet away
from your property lines.
◗ Someone over age 18 must be attending the
fire at all times.
◗ All fires have to be contained within a fire pit
or container specifically made for the purpose
of recreational fires. No fire pit types can be
used on a wood, composite or flammable deck
or patio.
◗ Your fire can’t be more than 3 feet wide, 3 feet
long or three feet tall.
◗ The kindling and wood you burn should be
similar to what you would use in an indoor fire-
place. Cut and split wood is best. Only clean,
unpainted and untreated wood or cooking
charcoal is allowed.
◗ You must NOT burn chemically treated prod-
ucts, yard waste, garbage or furniture, includ-
ing but not limited to: chemically treated fire-
place logs; treated, painted, stained or glued
woods, such as plywood or particle board; or
leaves (neither green nor dry), grass clippings
or garden vegetation.
◗ Don’t light or continue your fire if winds are
greater than 15 miles per hour.
◗ Keep a working garden hose and/or an
approved fire extinguisher within arm’s reach
Did you know aluminum foil and trays are 100
percent recyclable? Recycling providers in Dakota
County are now accepting foil and trays in curbside
recycling bins. Foil and trays are just as recyclable
as aluminum cans, but the problem with recycling
these materials is the cleanliness. If the foil or trays
are too dirty, they can contaminate the aluminum
recycling stream and lessen recyclability overall.
To recycle your aluminum foil and trays, simply give
them a quick rinse after use and place them directly
in your curbside recycling container. The alumi-
num recycling stream is one of the most efficient
while you are at your fire.
◗ The fire must be extinguished if it becomes
offensive to others or if it is not supervised
by an adult. All fires are subject to extinguish-
ment at the direction of the Fire or Police
Department.
◗ Outdoor fireplaces have a different set of regu-
lations and require a building permit prior to
construction.
◗ When you are ready to end your fire, make
sure it is completely extinguished before leav-
ing the fire location. The Fire Department has
responded to a number of fires caused by
coals and embers that have smoldered and
reignited, sometimes many hours after home-
owners believed they were extinguished. Coals
and embers should not be placed in a plastic
or combustible container. They should not be
brought into the garage or near your home or
siding.
Remember to be a good neighbor when having a
backyard fire. Keep in mind that not everyone loves
the smell or smoke from a fire. Visit www.cityofea-
gan.com/RecFire for more information and a video
about this topic, or call the Fire Marshal at (651) 675-
5905.
Be Safe, Have Fun at Backyard Fire Pits
Recycle Foil & Compost Pumpkins
Is Your Mailbox
Ready for Winter?
Winter can be hard on mailboxes with snow and ice
piling up against posts and flying off of plows. Will
your mailbox be ready to withstand whatever winter
brings? Take time now to make sure your mailbox
and post are up to City standards.
◗ Does it have a 48-inch CLEAR ZONE between
the bottom front corner of the mailbox (includ-
ing paper boxes) and the valley of the curb?
◗ Are the support posts 10 inches BEHIND the
back of the concrete curb?
◗ Replace or fortify any worn, cracked or unsta-
ble or aging posts.
A detailed diagram of mailbox requirements can be
found at www.cityofeagan.com/mailboxcheck.
You may also contact (651) 675-5300 with questions.
Local home improvement/hardware stores also have
mailbox kits and information.
Airport Noise Facts
◗ The warm weather and winds from the south
have resulted in more aircraft taking off over
Eagan in the past few months.
◗ No changes have been made to departure flight
tracks over Eagan.
◗ Noise complaints should be reported to the
Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) at
www.macnoise.com or by calling (612) 726-9411.
◗ The Eagan Airport Relations Commission and City
staff review monthly reports from the MAC iden-
tifying the areas of Eagan where complaints are
frequently being made.
◗ Sign up to receive the MSP Noise E-Newsletter
at www.macnoise.com.
streams. Recycled aluminum can potentially be back
on the shelf as a new tray or can in less than one
month!
If you have questions about recycling aluminum foil,
visit www.DakotaValleyRecycling.org or call Dakota
Valley Recycling at (952) 895-4559.
Pumpkin Recycling
Saturday, November 5 at the Eagan Community
Center upper parking lot.
Tell Us How We’re Doing
Every two years, the City of Eagan conducts a
survey of its residents on a variety of topics. The
survey centers on community livability and includes
questions about the quality of life in the commu-
nity, local policies, demographics, rating of local
government services and resident use of City ser-
vices. The questions
are designed to pro-
vide the City Council
and staff a baseline
on how the City is
serving residents, to
gauge perceptions of
the City and to make
comparisons with
peer cities.
This year, the survey
method is changing.
Instead of a phone survey, the City survey will now
be mailed to residents. An online option will also be
provided. 1,500 randomly selected households in
Eagan will receive invitations to participate in about
mid-September. If your family receives the survey
packet, we ask that you take the time to fill it out
and either mail back the paper survey or fill out the
online version. Please answer as honestly as possi-
ble, as the results will assist the City in determining
priorities and allocating resources to better serve
the community. Your responses will remain anony-
mous and will only be reported in group form.
All residents will also have the opportunity to par-
ticipate in an online survey version. Watch for more
information on cityofeagan.com and on Facebook &
Twitter in October.
Your opinion matters- help Eagan remain one of the
best places to live in the country by sharing your
insights during this process. Survey results will be
shared in early 2017.
Experience Eagan • September/October 2016 • 3
The Dakota County Community Development
Agency (CDA) is seeking applications for their
Weatherization Plus loan program. The program
offers eligible homeowners in Eagan an opportunity
to receive weatherization services with a zero per-
cent, forgivable loan. Weatherization services will
permanently reduce energy bills by helping to make
your home more energy efficient. Each home will
have an energy audit conducted to determine the
weatherization works items needed to improve the
home. Work items may include: minor and major
air sealing, attic insulation, sidewall insulation, high-
efficiency heating systems, and general repair and
health and safety improvements needed to allow
the safe completion of weatherization services.
Loan features include:
◗ Zero percent interest
◗ No monthly payments
◗ Forgivable 15-year loan, with graduated for-
giveness that includes 1/5 (20%) of the principal
loan amount forgiven every three years
◗ Repayable when ownership changes or you
move from the property prior to the end of
the forgivable loan period $4,000 loan mini-
mum; $8,500 loan limit
In 2014, the State of Minnesota instituted no excuse
absentee voting. This meant that any voter could
request an absentee ballot with no explanation
needed. This election season, some counties have
instituted even more voting options for residents. In
addition to the traditional absentee process, Dakota
County is offering in-person early voting the week
before the November 8 election.
Starting Tuesday, November 1, any eligible voter
from Eagan can come to City Hall and vote early. The
actual voting process will be very similar to what
happens at your polling place on Election Day.
If you are already registered to vote, you will need
your driver’s license number or the last four digits of
your Social Security Number to receive your ballot.
If you are not registered to vote yet, either register
online at mnvotes.org before October 18 or bring
proof of residence to get registered when you come
to City Hall to vote early.
City Hall is located at 3830 Pilot Knob Road and
will be open for early voting from 8:00 a.m. until
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 1 through Friday,
November 4, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on
Saturday, November 5 and from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00
p.m. on Monday, November 7. Please be aware that
Early Voting Available This Election Season
Eagan has 20 precincts and all the early voting will
occur at City Hall, so if you chose to cast your ballot
early, you should allow more time than you would
at your polling place.
Early voting doesn’t take the place of Election Day
voting or the standard absentee process – it is just
another option to make it easier for residents to
vote.
For this year’s general election, Eagan residents
have four options for casting their vote:
◗ In-person at your polling place on Election Day
(November 8 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
◗ In-person at City Hall the week before the elec-
tion (November 1 – November 7)
◗ In-person absentee at City Hall (September 23
– October 31)
◗ Mail-in absentee ballot (September 23 -
November 7)
Please visit mnvotes.org to register to vote, request
an absentee ballot, find your polling place, view
your sample ballot or check your registration sta-
tus. For more information or to discuss additional
voting options due to mobility issues, sickness or
disability, please call (651) 675-5000 or email elec-
tions@cityofeagan.com.
Loans Help Homeowners Save Energy & Stay Warm
Eligible applicants must live in Eagan, own their
home, demonstrate ability to make mortgage pay-
ments, have a gross annual income within the pro-
gram income limits, and cannot have assets greater
than $60,000.
For more information, call Lisa Henning at the
Dakota County CDA (651) 675-4467.
Expo Helps Seniors
Stay Connected
The 12th annual 55+/Senior Expo at the Eagan
Community Center on Tuesday, October 11 from
1-4 p.m. will be filled with businesses and organiza-
tions sharing their goods and services focusing on
healthy, active aging. With over 400 participants,
this free event is open to everyone and encourages
adults 55+/ seniors and their families to get, and
stay connected with, ways to make life easier and
more fulfilling.
A free, healthy snack bar and prize drawings will
also be available throughout the event. For more
information, or if you’re interested in being a ven-
dor, call (651) 675-5500. The Eagan Community
Center is located at 1501 Central Parkway.
photo by Ken Cheung
Early Voting Process
Senior Safety Academy
Scams, driving safety, home safety, and injury pre-
vention are just few topics that will be covered
during the Eagan Police Department’s Senior Safety
Academy in October.
This program is designed to provide education and
crime prevention tips to the 55+/senior popula-
tion of Eagan. Topics covered during the six week
program include basic crime prevention measures,
growing older safely and securely, personal safety,
911 communications and emergency medical servic-
es, fraud investigations, driving safety, elder abuse,
fire prevention and injury prevention. Participants
will also learn about the history of the Eagan PD
and get a tour of the Police Facility.
The Academy begins October 3 and ends November
7. The sessions are held on Mondays from 9:30 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m. Applications will be available starting
August 15 at the Eagan Community Center, City Hall,
the Eagan Police Department, and online at www.
cityofeagan.com/police, then click on crime preven-
tion. Space is limited to 25 participants.
To apply for the Senior Safety Academy, you must:
◗ Be an Eagan resident or work in Eagan
◗ Be over 55 years of age
◗ Complete the application
◗ Allow a criminal background check (A criminal
record does not automatically disqualify an
applicant)
For additional information or questions, please con-
tact Crime Prevention Specialist Jill Ondrey at
(651) 675-5727 or Officer Aaron Machtemes at
(651) 675-5728.
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO. 4902* * * * * ECRWSS * *Residential Postal Customer3830 Pilot Knob RoadEagan, Minnesota 55122Page 1
Vikings Break Ground
New Director Steps Right In
Reminders from Code Enforcement
Page 2
Tell Us How We’re Doing
Be Safe, Have Fun at Backyard Firepits
Is Your Mailbox Ready for Winter?
Recycle Foil & Compost Pumpkins
Airport Noise Facts
Page 3
Early Voting Available this Election Season
Expo Helps Seniors Stay Connected
Loans Help Homeowners Save Energy & Stay Warm
Senior Safety Academy
Page 4
Play is Learning at Eagan Preschool
Food Truck Event Rolls Back Into Eagan
Get Hands-on at Harvest of Art
Discover Farm Life at Lone Oak Days
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
Five preschoolers gather near a tree in Rahn Park.
The trunk is wrapped in art paper. One child,
swathed in bubble-wrap stands as classmates paint
her wrap. When the paint is “just right,” the bubble-
wrapped girl begins to roll herself on the papered
tree. Giggles ensue. So ends the Eagan preschool
lesson in cause and effect, delayed gratification,
transference and teamwork. But don’t tell the kids
they’re learning.
Food Truck Event
Rolls Back Into Eagan
Play is Learning at Eagan Preschool
New nine-month school year and flexible days of the week options
The Eagan Preschool has built a solid reputation for
its play-based learning and its high-quality instruc-
tors in its nearly four decades. “We’re focused on
play,” says Holly Champlin, Supervisor of Eagan’s
Preschool. “A child’s job is to play and grow. Taking
turns, working together, collaboration and problem
solving is our focus.”
Eagan Preschool is for kids ages 3, 4 and 5 and
while most are from Eagan, there is no residency
Saturday, Sept. 10
Food trucks: 3-7:30 p.m.
Music: 3-8:00 p.m.
Great music plus 23 food trucks
equals the return of the Food
on 4 Wheels food truck festi-
val on Saturday, Sept. 10. Two
years ago, the event drew over
8,000 to Central Park’s Eagan
Festival Grounds, and the public is demanding its
return.
A mix of new and returning food trucks has been
booked to provide a variety of food styles in great-
er quantities. Food choices range from gourmet
mac & cheese to Asian, Mexican, Afro-Caribbean,
Mediterranean and more.
Several bands will play during the event including
the rockin’ blues band Armadillo Jump (3:30-5 p.m.)
followed by the premier disco tribune band, Boogie
Wonderland (5:30-8 p.m.).
For more information, including a list of food
trucks, visit www.cityofeagan.com/foodtruck.
Get Hands-on at
Harvest of Art
Sunday, Sept. 11, noon-4 p.m.
Spend a relaxing autumn day cel-
ebrating art in Eagan at the 11th
annual Harvest of Art. Visit pop-up booths from
Eagan Artist Connect artists, watch artists create
unique pieces, enjoy live entertainment and the
opening of the Harvest of Art exhibit.
Want a hands-on experience? Purchase a pre-made
raku pot, add your choice of glaze and watch as it
is fired on-site.
Event attendees can also save 15% on future Art
House classes by registering at the event. Find all
the details at eaganarthouse.org.
Discover Farm Life at
Lone Oak Days
September 24-25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Get a taste of farm life, right here
in Eagan at Lone Oak Days at
Historic Holz Farm.
Help dig potatoes and onions in
the fields, churn butter in the farmhouse kitchen,
learn how rope is made, or milk a cow in the barn-
yard.
Entertainment:
Saturday: Bill & Kate Isles (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Eagan Men’s Chorus (1 p.m.)
Sunday: Czech Area Concertina (11 a.m.– 1 p.m.)
Eagan Women of Note (2 p.m.)
Marv Gohmen (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Some activities and the hayride require $.50 tickets
(purchased onsite). Admission is free.
Holz Farm park is located near Cliff and Dodd
Roads at 4665 Manor Drive. Learn more at
www.cityofeagan.com/holzfarm.
requirement. The program provides many flexible
options to fit each family’s needs. You can choose
how many days your child attends throughout the
year. “It’s all about being flexible for our families,
both timing and price,” says Champlin. “Maybe
they only want to spend a certain amount per
month, or they have specific days that work. We
want to provide a great option that is right for
their child.”
New This Year
◗ By popular demand, registration is now for a
9-month school year
◗ Choose the days per week (1-5) your child
attends
◗ Monthly installment payments each month
◗ Income-based fee assistance for residents and
non-residents
For more information visit www.cityofeagan.com/
preschool or call (651) 675-5500.
photo by Bev Kiecker