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03/08/2005 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2005 5:30 P.M. EAGAN CITY HALL ? EAGAN ROOM City Councilmembers present: Mayor Geagan, Councilmembers Carlson, Fields, Maguire and Tilley. City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Director of Communications Garrison, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Police Lieutenant Johnson, Police Officer Ruby, Dispatch Supervisor Ruby, City Planner Ridley, Police Lieutenant Pike, Police Chief Therkelsen, Public Works Director Colbert, and Community Development Director Hohenstein. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA Councilmember Fields requested that the City Council discuss, under Other Business, some recent issues that have occurred at the Community Center. Councilmember Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. III. CONSIDER MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING AGREEMENTS / CAPONI PROPERTY City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City approved six of the eight necessary agreements providing for acquisition of the Caponi property and creation/operation of the Caponi Art Park at the Mach 1, 2005 City Council meeting. Hedges noted that per the direction of the City Council, the City Attorney has been working with the attorneys for the Caponi Art Park and the Caponis to finalize the language in the Maintenance and Operating Agreements in order that both agreements are consistent with the requests of the Caponi Subcommittee. It was noted that the Caponi Subcommittee met prior to this workshop and modifications to the agreements were satisfied according to the Subcommittee. Mayor Geagan thanked Councilmembers Maguire and Carlson for their hard work as Subcommittee members. Councilmember Fields moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to approve the Maintenance and Operating Agreements providing for acquisition of the Caponi property and creation/operation of the Caponi Art Park subject to City Attorney and City Administrator satisfaction that all City Council conditions are satisfied. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 IV. REVIEW SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR 20-YEAR TRANSPORATION PLAN City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that on February 1, 2005, the City Council ratified the 2005-2006 City Council Goals, which included the goal of securing funding sources to expand the City?s transportation infrastructure to meet the transportation needs of the community. Hedges added that in response to the City Council?s goal, the Public Works Department has requested a proposal from SRF Consulting Group for the preparation of a 20- year transportation infrastructure needs analysis. Public Works Director Colbert summarized the scope of the request for proposal from SRF. The City Council discussed the scope of the analysis and noted that additional discussion would be had at the May 10 City Council workshop. Public Works Director Colbert also noted that the document would be shared with Dakota County. Councilmember Fields moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to approve the scope of services by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. and authorized the preparation of a 20-year transportation infrastructure needs analysis. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 V. REVIEW OFF-SALE LIQUOR LICENSE OPTIONS City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that since October of 2004, staff has been working to review the City?s regulations with respect to the issuance of off-sale liquor licenses. Information was prepared for the Council?s consideration at the January 11, 2005 Special City Council meeting. At the January 11 meeting, staff was further directed to develop a list of options for restricting the issuance of licenses and to discuss these options with the 14 existing license holders to obtain their feedback. Hedges noted that such a meeting took place, at which 8 of the 14 establishments were represented. Hedges also added that a letter was sent to all license holders regarding the Council?s discussion tonight with regard to the off-sale liquor license options. Mayor Geagan recognized the audience members in attendance to discuss the options. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke reviewed the recommendations that were shared with the license holders as well as provided a summary of the practices of other municipalities. VanOverbeke added that City staff has heard from 10 of the 14 license holders with regard to the options. The City Council discussed the various options, the history behind the issue, and heard from license holders in attendance at the workshop. Upon hearing the input of the license holders in attendance, there was City Council consensus to direct staff to do further research on zoning/land use methods that could be used to regulate the number of liquor licenses. The Council also requested that staff provide their input as to the pros/cons of the options available. The Council also asked that staff go back to the license holders to get their input on the suggested recommendations. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke noted that the moratorium on the issuance of liquor licenses concludes on October 15, 2005. City Administrator Hedges noted that this item would be scheduled for an upcoming workshop. VI. URBAN WILDLIFE ISSUES City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that urban coyote sightings have increased within the City of Eagan over the past two years. It was noted that a small number of attacks on domestic pets have been attributed to coyotes. Hedges added that according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, there has never been a recorded instance of a human being attacked by a coyote in Minnesota. Police Chief Therkelsen and Police Lieutenant Johnson provided an overview on the issue, including the history of the problem, efforts to reduce conflicts through education and awareness, considerations for active control measures, control alternatives and related legal issues. Lieutenant Johnson also summarized some of the recommendations and concerns that have been voiced by Eagan residents. The City Council discussed the various control measures available. There was City Council consensus that the Council should be kept aware of how other communities are addressing issues of coyotes; however, the City Council chose to be kept appraised of any issues with regards to coyotes, but elected to take no action. The City Council also directed staff to do the necessary work to prepare changes to the ordinance in the event that the ordinance would need to be amended to address coyote control measures. VII. 800 MHz / JOINT DISPATCH DISCUSSION City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the Metropolitan 800 MHz Radio System is being expanded to accommodate Dakota County public safety and public works agencies. Hedges also added that through the Dakota County High Performance Partnership (HiPP) process, elected and appointed officials have begun discussions focused on service levels, governance, cost sharing and fiscal matters. Police Chief Therkelsen briefed the City Council on the current status of the 800 MHz project and PSAP discussions. The Chief noted that City Council action may be necessary some time between the months of April and June of 2005. The City Council discussed the Dakota County 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Project status, including the issue of dispatch consolidation. It was noted that no specific action or direction is needed at the workshop tonight; rather, the issue will be brought back for further discussion at a coming workshop. VIII. AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISCUSSION City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that at a workshop in late 2004, the City Council directed staff to review options associated with preserving agricultural zoned land. Community Development Director Hohenstein provided an overview of the research that has been done with regard to preserving agricultural zoned land. He added that it may be appropriate to research or develop additional information regarding other options for green space preservation, tax base impacts of the options or other factors that would clarify the best strategies to accomplish the Council?s purpose relative to green space preservation. The City Council discussed their desires with regard to agricultural preserves and green space preservation. The City Council discussed how the preservation of green space fits into the Comp Guide Plan. The Council also discussed sub-classifications of parks, e.g. Eagan Core Greenway. Staff noted that they would continue their research based on the additional direction and discussion of tonight?s workshop. IX. CEDAR GROVE REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE There was City Council consensus that since the City Council was updated last week regarding developments in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment areas, no further updates were needed at tonight?s workshop. X. REVIEW 2005-2006 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PROGRAM City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that per the request of the Council at their January 20-21, 2005 goals retreat, an update on the Council?s goals and work directives would be provided at the first workshop of each month. Hedges added that in addition to keeping the Council up to date on the progress being made on each of the goals and directives, the purpose of the monthly goals/work directives is also to provide an opportunity for the Council to discuss or inquire about any of the specific items. City Administrator Hedges summarized the goals and work directive updates and provide an update on future work session items. XI. OTHER BUSINESS The City Council discussed the need for a Community Center Operations Committee meeting to review revisions to the Community Center Policies. Parks and Recreation Administrative Coordinator Mesko noted that an Operations Committee meeting would be scheduled in the early part of April. XII. ADJOURNMENT The City Council workshop adjourned at 8:38 p.m.