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04/26/2005 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 5:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Councilmembers present: Mayor Geagan, Councilmembers Carlson, Fields, Maguire and Tilley. Staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Director of Public Works Colbert, Police Chief Therkelsen, Fire Chief Kriha, Parks and Recreation Administrative Coordinator Mesko, and Parks Superintendent Olson. I. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adopt the agenda with the inclusion of a discussion regarding correspondence about a petition for a sidewalk on Denmark Avenue. Aye: 5, Nay: 0 The City Council discussed correspondence received about a petition for a sidewalk on Denmark Avenue. City Administrator Hedges provided some background on the petition and distributed an email from a resident regarding the issue. City Administrator Hedges noted that he responded to the email, and that a letter is being sent to the 220 residents that live in the area to further explain the process surrounding the petition request. II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. III. IMPACT OF THE NEW RUNWAY / PRESENTATION BY THE MAC STAFF City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that per the direction of the Council, Chad Leqve, Manager of the Aviation Noise and Satellite Programs for the MAC, has been invited to give a brief presentation on the impact of the new Runway 17-35, scheduled to open in October of this year. Mayor Geagan recognized Representatives Wardlow and Wilkin in the audience as well as members of the Airport Relations Commission. Mr. Leqve provided a presentation to the Council on the impact of the new runway. Mr. Leqve also recognized Scott Scramstad and Melissa Skovronski of the MAC staff, both of whom were in attendance. The City Council discussed the new runway with MAC staff, legislative representatives and the Airport Relations Commission members. Mr. Leqve commended the City for its work on the community open houses, and noted that Eagan has been on the forefront of communication efforts with regard to the runway. There was City Council consensus that the City must establish a strategy as to how to address residents concerns after the opening of the runway. Councilmember Carlson requested a map showing the contour lines beyond the 60 DNL contours. Mr. Leqve noted that such a map could be created; however, he reiterated that contour lines are not measured beyond the 60 DNL and, therefore, the contour lines would not be exact. Mayor Geagan left the meeting at 6:00 p.m. The City Council thanked the MAC staff for there assistance on the community open houses and for making their presentation to the City Council. IV. OFF-SALE LIQUOR LICENSES City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that at the March 8 City Council meeting, staff was directed to develop a list of criteria that other cities use as a basis in reviewing and approving off-sale licenses. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke provided the history regarding off-sale liquor licenses in Eagan. He noted that notification was sent to the 14 existing license holders as well as others who have expressed a recent interest in obtaining an off-sale license, inviting them to attend the April 26 Council meeting. The City Council discussed the current moratorium on off-sale liquor licenses and whether they should restrict the number of licenses. The Council further discussed the various options available for liquor license restrictions. The City Council took testimony from current liquor license holders regarding their input on regulations on the number of liquor licenses available. There was City Council consensus to keep the ordinance in its current state and to lift the current moratorium on off-sale liquor licenses. Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to direct that an agenda item be placed on the May 3 City Council meeting for the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance with regard to off-sale liquor license to keep the current off-sale liquor license process in place and to remove the current moratorium on off-sale liquor licenses. Aye: 4, Nay: 0 V. TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE UPDATE / RECOMMENDATIONS City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that on March 16, 2004 the Eagan City Council approved the creation of a Technology Task Force to determine the current level of Internet connectivity in Eagan and make recommendations to the City Council. Hedges added that the City Council asked Communications Director Garrison to come back at a subsequent work session with the recommendation for the structure of an ongoing technology advisory body. Communications Director Garrison presented a recommended structure for the Eagan Technology Working Group to the City Council. The City Council discussed the recommendation and noted that they would like the frequency of meetings to be dependent on the groups work plan. The Council also asked that the openings on the working group be published in local newspapers, Chamber newsletters, etc. Ruthie Batulis, NDC Chambers Executive Director, gave her perspective on the Eagan Technology Working Group and thanked the City Council and all the participants for their work on the Technology Task Force. Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to direct staff to proceed with advertising and gathering of interested applicants for the Technology Working Group. Communications Director Garrison noted to the City Council that an RFI for wireless providers has been issued and a recommendation will be brought back to the City Council in the near future. VI. PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES REGARDING 800 MHZ City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that on March 8, 2005 the City Council heard a presentation on the expansion of the Metropolitan 800 MHz system to include Dakota County Public Safety and Public Works agencies. Police Chief Therkelsen noted that since March, the planning process has continued with technical and policy groups working on design and policy for the county-wide network and also for a consolidated dispatch facility. The Chief noted that staff will be back to the City Council in May with a recommendation on a PSAP concept. Therkelsen also noted that the HiPP group will have a single proposal/recommendation by this May. It was requested by the City Council that staff come back with pros and cons for the City of Eagan with regard to the 800 MHz decision. This item was for discussion purposes only. No action was taken. VII. REPLACEMENT OF COMMAND VEHICLE City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the Police and Fire Departments have identified the need to replace the City?s existing command vehicle, a 1974 school bus that was converted to public safety use in 1979 and can no longer function in this capacity. Hedges commended the Police and Fire Departments for working together in preparing a proposal for a jointly used mobile command vehicle. Police Chief Therkelsen and Fire Chief Kriha provided a joint presentation on how the current command vehicle is used as well as how a new vehicle could be used. Kriha provided an overview of the needs assessment in Eagan and the surrounding area. The City Council discussed financing options for such a vehicle. City Administrator Hedges noted that it is suggested that funding come from the equipment revolving fund balance. Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to direct consideration of the replacement of the existing command vehicle to the May 3 City Council meeting. Aye: 4, Nay: 0 The City Council requested that additional detail on the specifications of the vehicle being considered be brought to the May 3 meeting. VIII. PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARKS SYSTEM PLAN FINDINGS City Administrator Hedges introduced the item, noting that the APrC and staff have been working with CEHP, Inc. to guide the City through the next consideration of the parks master planning process. Members of the APrC present at the workshop introduced themselves. APrC Chair Terry Davis provided an update on the parks systems plan findings thus far. The City Council and the APrC jointly discussed the findings. It was noted that the 20/20 Vision Plan is expected to be presented for APrC recommendation on June 20 and Council action on June 21. Chair Davis noted that this update is informational and no formal direction is needed. IX. 2005 PARKS CIP City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that typically the CIP submitted to the City Council consists of the current year and projections for the next 5 years. However, future years beyond 2005 were not included in this review pending the completion of the 20/20 Vision master plan currently underway. APrC Chair Davis provided an overview of the proposed CIP. Parks Superintendent Olson responded to questions that the City Council had with regard to the CIP. The City Council discussed the CIP, including the proposed picnic/program shelter at Wescott Square. Parks Superintendent Olson noted that Wescott Square owners have made a contribution of $1,200 towards the shelter. The City Council discussed what the appropriate level of contribution from the owners should be. It was suggested that perhaps a larger contribution should be made over an extended period of time, and/or funding could be received for the project via service organizations. The City Council noted that in future years, the CIP should come to the City Council earlier in the year, perhaps in February. Councilmember Fields moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to approve the 2005 Parks CIP with the exception of the shelter at Wescott Square. Also included in the motion was direction to staff to complete a report on solicitations with regard to the shelter at Wescott Square, including feedback from property owners and availability of CDBG funds to be used towards the project. The Council directed that the consideration of the Wescott Square shelter, along with the requested report, be brought back to the City Council at their June 13 Special City Council meeting. Aye: 4, Nay: 0 The City Council requested that in future years, specific site maps be included in the Parks CIP process (playground equipment, etc.). It was also suggested that Central Park Playground discussion be included on an upcoming workshop agenda. X. WETLAND REPLACEMENT PLAN (DISCUSS CITY ORDINANCE IN LIEU OF STATE WATER RESOURCES PLAN) City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that in January 2005 the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission directed the Natural Resources Subcommittee to meet with them to discuss the possible development of a Wetland Protection and Management Plan for the City of Eagan, which could result in a local ordinance in lieu of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Rules. APrC Chair Davis and Vice Chair Peterson added that at their February 2005 meeting, the APrC considered the feedback from the Natural Resources Subcommittee and also heard comments from the cities of Rosemount and Burnsville, both of which have had Wetland Protection and Management Plans for a number of years. The City Council discussed the possibility of a local ordinance with regard to the Wetland Replacement Plan. The Council requested, in the absence of Water Resource Coordinator Macbeth, that he prepare an outline/process as to the comparative advantages and disadvantages of a local ordinance in lieu of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Rules. Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to proceed with an RFP process on the possible creation of a local ordinance in lieu of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Rules. Aye: 4, Nay: 0 XI. REVIEW 2005-2006 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PROGRAM The City Council had no questions of City Administrator Hedges with regard to the update provided on the goals and work plan. XII. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Carlson inquired about the City?s final General Fund balance for 2004. City Administrator Hedges noted that he would forward information regarding the 2004 General Fund Budget to the City Council. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 8:30 p.m.