08/13/2019 - City Council SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 13, 2019
5:30 P.M.
EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER
City Councilmembers present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Hansen and Tilley.
Councilmember Fields arrived at 5:36 p.m.
City staff present: City Administrator Osberg, Assistant City Administrator Miller, Community
Development Director Hutmacher, City Planner Schultz, Finance Director Pepper, Assistant Finance
Director Feldman, Public Works Director Matthys, Parks and Recreation Director Pimental,
Communications and Engagement Director Ellickson, Fire Chief Scott, and Police Chief New.
ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as
presented. Aye:5 Nay:0
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
JOINT MEETING WITH ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION
Mayor Maguire introduced the item. Advisory Planning Commission (APC) members introduced
themselves to the City Council.
Community Development Director Hutmacher noted at their Advisory Planning Commission workshop,
Commissioners suggested discussion topics for the annual Advisory Planning Commission/City Council
joint meeting. Hutmacher walked through the suggested topics and discussion questions.
The Council, Advisory Planning Commission and staff discussed the questions and provided feedback.
Mayor Maguire thanked the Advisory Planning Commission for attending the meeting.
The Council took a 10 -minute break.
HOUSING IMPROVEMENT AREA DISCUSSION
Community Development Director Hutmacher walked through the revised, draft Housing Improvement
Area policy and related documents.
Doug Standness, representing Countryside Villas, spoke to the proposed petitions of support percentage
and administrative fees.
The Council discussed the revised draft Housing Improvement Area policy.
The Council agreed that a change from 75% to 65% for the petitions of support from property owners is
acceptable.
The Council directed staff to further research administrative fees and bring back to a future regular City
Council meeting for formal consideration.
Special City Council Minutes
August 13, 2019
Page 2
REFINED SCOPE ON LAND USE AND PROPERTY TAX STUDY
City Administrator Osberg noted throughout the last several months, staff conducted certain limited
analysis of 2017-2018 public safety calls by land use type and compared those to property tax capacity
for those land use designations. The Finance Committee met on April 9, 2019 and directed staff to
contact both Northland Securities and TischlerBise to learn what they would charge to conduct a more
in depth and specific to Eagan study on land use and property tax implications. At the June 11, 2019
Council meeting the Council discussed conducting a more in depth and specific to Eagan study on land
use and property tax implications and asked staff to get a more refined definition and cost estimate
from Northland. Osberg noted, staff seeks direction on the merits of including funds in the 2020 or
2021 Budget to allow for the preparation of a land use and property tax study.
The Council discussed whether to conduct a refined scope on land use and property tax study.
It was the consensus of the Council not to include preparation of a land use and property tax study in
the 2020-2021 budget.
PROPOSED 2020-2021 GENERAL FUND BUDGET PRESENTATION
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting preparation of the 2020 and 2021 preliminary
General Fund budget has been ongoing since April. Formal action on the levy and preliminary 2020
General Fund budget is scheduled for the regular meeting on September 3, 2019. The Truth -in -
Taxation hearing is tentatively scheduled for December 3, 2019. Osberg noted should the Council wish
to further discuss the budget, the final budget and levy approval could occur at the regular Council
meeting on December 17.
City Administrator Osberg gave a presentation and walked through the budget memo.
Finance Director Pepper provided an overview on the 2020 and 2021 General Fund Budget and Fund
Balance, Market Value and Tax Capacity and the levy.
The Council discussed the proposed 2020-2021 budgets and the proposed payable 2020-2021 Property
Tax Levy.
City Administrator Osberg walked through the Public Policy issues.
The Council provided the following feedback:
• Does the City Council support the plan to move up by one year Step 3 of fire staffing study
recommendation (from 2022 to 2021)? Yes
• Does the City Council support to transfer $2.25 million of excess fund balance to the
Equipment Fund so that the capital levy over the next 5 years can be reduced? Yes
• Does the City Council support to transfer an additional $1.75 million in excess fund balance for
City Hall/Police project costs, remodeling of Fire Station 4, and a one-time replenishment of
Cedar Grove Parking Ramp Fund? Yes
• Are budget and levy increases acceptable as proposed? Yes
o Councilmember Bakken noted he will not be attending any conferences/meetings in the
next two years and would like his portion of the budgeted amount under Mayor & City
Council for Conferences/Meetings/Training and Local Meeting Expenses be removed.
Special City Council Minutes
August 13, 2019
Page 3
• Does the City Council support the approach of using Tree Mitigation fees to fund the EAB tree
removal and treatment acceptable? Yes
• Are there concerns or objections to the proposed staff additions? No
There was Council consensus that the overall general fund budget increase of 10.0 percent for 2020 and
7.6 percent for 2021 was appropriate, and that the proposed department budget items were also
appropriate.
There was Council consensus that the proposed total tax levy of 7.9 percent in 2020 and 8.1 percent in
2021 were appropriate.
There was Council consensus to proceed with the adoption of a preliminary levy and budgets at the
September 3, 2019 Council meeting.
There was no other business to be heard.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Bakken moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.
Aye: 5 Nay:0
9 3 -d
Date
Mayor