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06/13/2006 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL RETREAT TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2006 5:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Councilmembers present: Mayor Geagan, Councilmembers Carlson, Maguire, and Tilley. Councilmember Fields was not present. City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Director of Community Development Hohenstein, City Planner Ridley, Director of Public Works Colbert and Communications Director Garrison. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA At the request of City Administrator Hedges, under Other Business the Council added; Discussions regarding the need for a new Alternate to the DCC, the Community Center Reader Board, and the new Captain?s Course Miniature Golf at Cascade Bay. II. SCHOOL DISTRICT 191 UPDATE / SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR MORRISON AND SUPERINTENDENT KANNINEN Mayor Geagan welcomed Chair Morrison and Superintendent Kanninen to the meeting. Dr. Kanninen noted the School Board?s desire to meet with the communities served by District 191. School Board Chair Morrison provided an update to the City Council regarding the highlights and goals of the School District. Morrison summarized the accomplishments and challenges before the School District. Councilmember Maguire arrived at 5:40 p.m. Chair Morrison, Dr. Kanninen and the City Council discussed the current happenings at the district and the impact of lost state aid on the school district. The City Council commended the two for the accomplishments of District 191, and Mayor Geagan thanked them both for attending the City Council meeting to provide an update. III. TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP CHECK-IN AND CONDUIT ROUTE ANALYSIS City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that per the direction of the City Council, the Technology Working Group?s priorities for 2006 included reporting back to the City Council on recommendations for the highest and best use for an 11.5-mile conduit route that Eagan owns, conducting a technology survey of citizens, determining recommendations regarding wireless needs, and deciding how to attract world class internet speeds to Eagan. Hedges added that in November 2005, the City Council approved hiring a consultant to provide the City and the Working Group with the specific market analysis regarding the best use options for the conduit. Communications Director Garrison addressed the City Council summarizing the work of the Technology Working Group to date. Garrison noted that the purpose of tonight is for the Technology Working Group to provide a brief overview of the technology survey findings. Garrison introduced Technology Working Group members Drew Gallagher, Director of Voice and Data Convergence for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, and Eagan resident Jim Moeller, a technology market research consultant. Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Moeller summarized the recent efforts of the Working Group and specifically its review of the consultant?s conduit recommendations. The City Council and members of the Technology Working Group who were present discussed the conduit analysis and the various options before the City. Mayor Geagan also recognized members of the Technology Working Group who were in the audience. Per the recommendation of the Technology Working Group, Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to refer the technology survey results and conduit route analysis to the City Council?s Communications Committee for further discussion regarding the public policy issues and a suggestion as to a process for bringing back the issue to the full City Council. Aye: 4; Nay: 0 The City Council recessed at 6:25 p.m. and reconvened at 6:40 p.m. IV. PIGEON HARBORING LICENSING ORDINANCE Per the consensus of the City Council, due to the large number of residents interested in the pigeon harboring licensing, the item was moved up on the City Council?s agenda for the evening. City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that on February 21, 2006 the City Council denied the license for the harboring of pigeons at 3880 Princeton Trail and directed the removal of the pigeons within 60 days. Hedges added that the Council further direct the preparation of an ordinance amendment that would restrict the harboring of pigeons to agricultural districts provided that the property is five or more acres in size. Hedges also noted that the proposed ordinance amendment was considered on March 6, 2006 and continued until such time as more information could be gathered and discussed by the City Council at a workshop. Based on the advice of the City Attorney?s office, staff recommended and the City Council approved a moratorium ordinance on May 26, 2006 prohibiting consideration of the issuance of pigeon harboring licenses until September 30, 2006 or such sooner time as the City Council may determine. Hedges also noted that there currently are two license requests for the harboring of pigeons. Lastly, Hedges noted to the City Council that a letter was provided to Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke at tonight?s meeting with pictures of the property located at 3880 Princeton Trail, which demonstrates concerns that the neighbors have regarding the property and the harboring of their pigeons. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke summarized the ordinances currently in place in other communities with regard to the harboring of pigeons. Mayor Geagan opened the floor to public testimony. Both property owners requesting licenses for the harboring of pigeons addressed the City Council, as did numerous residents as well as the President of the Minnesota State Pigeons Association. The City Council discussed how a pigeon harboring ordinance would best be enforced. The Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for the July 6, 2006 City Council meeting that would require pigeon harboring license owners to have a membership in a pigeon association, address the lot size requirement to harbor pigeons, and the requirement that the license be renewed annually by the City. V. DISCUSSION: ROSEMOUNT AIR CARGO FACILITY City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City of Rosemount is pursuing the development of an air cargo regional distribution center at one of three sites near the intersection of TH 52 and County Road 42. The facility would offer consolidated customs management, customs free trade zones status, certain tax benefits and other benefits to freight forwarders. Hedges noted that the county has requested the cities of Eagan and Mendota Heights to take positions on the proposed project as input to the county?s ultimate consideration of a resolution regarding the air cargo regional distribution center. Director of Community Development Hohenstein further summarized the issues associated with the air cargo facility. The City Council discussed the proposed facility, and it was noted that a primmer on the business of freight forwarding would be beneficial. The Council also requested that feedback from the freight forwarding businesses be gathered as input into the study of the facility. Director of Community Development Hohenstein noted that a survey could be compiled to gather input from the freight forwarding businesses. The Council requested that representatives of the freight forwarding businesses be invited to a future meeting to further discuss the proposed facility. Hedges noted that the purpose of tonight?s discussion is simply to provide an update and get feedback from the City Council with regard to the air cargo facility; however, no formal action is required. VI. INFORMATIVE UPDATE RE: CITY?S DEVELOPMENT DEPOSITS AND FINANCIAL GUARANTIES City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that at a recent City Council meeting, staff was directed to provide an informative update to the Council regarding the City?s use of the development deposits (escrows) and financial guaranties. Hedges added that the City has had a long and successful history of using both development deposits and financial guaranties with minimal problems. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke provided background on the way in which the City handles development deposits and financial guaranties. The City Council discussed the City?s practice and recommended no change to the current way in which the City operates development deposits and financial guaranties. VII. 2007 BUDGET UPDATE City Administrator Hedges provided an overview of the 2007 General Fund Budget process to-date, noting that staff began the process in early April, with proposals being due to the City Administrator by June 16, 2006. Hedges added that, in being consistent with past practice and as a starting point, Directors have been instructed to target an inflationary three percent increase in each division or department. Hedges also noted that this budget cycle is in the beginning steps of implementing a process of enhancing the budget to become a better and more comprehensive planning, policy, and communications tool through recommendations of the Government Finance Officers Association. The City Council had no further direction regarding the 2007 General Fund Budget process to-date. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS City Administrator Hedges noted that a new alternate is needed for the DCC Executive Committee from the City of Eagan. Per the recommendation of City Administrator Hedges, Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to appoint Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke as the alternate to the DCC Executive Committee. Aye: 4; Nay: 0 City Administrator Hedges provided an update on the construction of the Captain?s Course Miniature Golf at Cascade Bay. Hedges noted that the grand opening for the mini golf course will occur on July 6, 2006. City Administrator Hedges noted that the new reader board at the Community Center is now functioning. IX. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. X. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Aye: 4; Nay: 0