11/07/2005 - City Council Special
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2005
5:30 P.M.
EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER
City Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Carlson, Fields, Maguire and Tilley.
Mayor Geagan was not present.
City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller,
Administrative Intern Walz, Director of Parks and Recreation Johnson, Superintendent of
Enterprise Operations Mesko, Superintendent of Recreation Asfahl and Superintendent of Parks
Olson.
I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION
Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Maguire seconded a motion to approve
the agenda with the modification to continue the Commercial/Industrial Architectural Standards
Policy to the City Council?s December workshop. Aye: 4; Nay: 0
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
The City Council moved into Closed Session at 5:35 p.m. to discuss the Wensmann vs.
City of Eagan litigation.
The City Council reconvened the Special City Council meeting at 6:20 p.m.
III. OTHER BUSINESS
City Administrator Hedges noted that Councilmember Carlson has requested that a
discussion take place regarding the building size, scale, etc. within retail and commercially zoned
areas of the City. The Council discussed Councilmember Carlson?s request and directed staff to
conduct a survey of other communities as to how their city code addresses the issue of size and
scale of businesses within the various land use designations. In addition to code requirements,
the City Council requested additional research of communities that have size/scale standards for
businesses in retail/commercial areas, as well as office service and special areas. Councilmember
Carlson noted, that should the City Council consider any changes to the City Code, those
changes could not affect any development proposals already processed by the City. The City
Council directed that any ordinances or community standards that other cities have in place be
reviewed by the City Attorney before being brought back to the City Council for further
discussion at the December 12, 2005 Special City Council workshop.
Councilmember Carlson departed at 6:35 p.m.
IV. JOINT MEETING WITH THE APrC
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item, noting that the APrC has been working
with CEHP since November of 2004 to create a guide and vision for the City?s park, recreation,
and open space needs over the next fifteen years. Hedges added that several meetings have been
held to solicit input from the community during the information gathering phase of the project. It
was also noted that residents were offered several other options, including e-mail, dedicated
phone calls, and personal contacts to share their feedback and ideas with regard to the 20/20
Vision.
Acting Mayor Fields welcomed and thanked the APrC for their work on the 20/20
Vision. Terry Davis, Chair of the APrC, was introduced and proceeded to provide an overview
of the 20/20 Vision. Chair Davis summarized the 20/20 Vision key findings, which included
preserving open space and green space, enhancing the City?s trail system, creating a healthy
community, serving a demographically changing community, and dealing with finite resources.
Upon summarizing the key findings of the 20/20 Vision process, Chair Davis provided a
summary of the emphasis of the vision, programming recommendations, open space findings,
and recommendations for unique facilities and special areas.
The City Council discussed the 20/20 Vision as presented to the City Council. In
particular, the City Council discussed the changing demographics within the community.
The City Council and members of the APrC who were present had a dialogue about the
various components of the 20/20 Vision. Councilmember Maguire noted that the 20/20 Vision is
intended as a discussion tool; however, no commitments are being made to specific standards or
projects that are included in the 20/20 Vision.
Chair Davis noted that should the Council accept their report, it is their understanding
that the next phase will be for the APrC to recommend prioritization of the tasks and goals
included in the 20/20 Vision over the next one to two years. Chair Davis invited any feedback
from the City Council on the 20/20 Vision, and encouraged feedback to be shared with the APrC
or Parks and Recreation Director Johnson.
Acting Mayor Fields again thanked the APrC for all of their work on the 20/20 Vision.
Councilmember Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to place the
acceptance of the 20/20 Vision on the November 15, 2005 City Council Consent Agenda. Aye:
3, Nay: 0
The City Council and APrC moved on to discuss the 2006 Park Dedication Fees.
City Administrator Hedges provided an overview of the item noting that the APrC
annually reviews park and trail dedication fees and makes recommendations to the City Council
for consideration. Hedges added that during the past several years, the review has incorporated
fees from other metro communities to provide a basis of comparison. The comparison has
shown Eagan in the lower quadrant as dedication fees have been increasing in many other
communities.
Parks and Recreation Director Johnson noted that a more extensive review and
comparison has been completed this year and demonstrates that if the City of Eagan attempts to
become more in line with other metro communities, the net result is significant increases in
several areas. Superintendent of Parks Olson summarized the City?s method for determining
park dedication fees. Mr. Olson also summarized the philosophy the APrC has used in past years
with regard to establishing park dedication fees to be recommended for the City Council?s
approval. It was noted that the City of Eagan is one of a few communities that separates park
and trail dedication fees. Parks and Recreation Director Johnson summarized recent discussions
of the APrC by noting that it is the APrC?s recommendation that the City of Eagan use the
average of the 2005 metro community fees plus a 10 percent increase as an adjustment for 2006.
The City Council discussed the recommendation of the APrC, noting that revenues are
decreasing as the City reaches full build out. Parks and Recreation Director Johnson noted that
other communities are typically increasing their park dedication fees by more than 10 percent
each year. Councilmember Maguire raised the question as to whether the City could apply park
dedication fees to redevelopments and not just to new development. Superintendent of Parks
Olson noted that the purpose of tonight was for the City Council to review the information
pertaining to the 2006 park and trail dedication fee proposal, however, no action is required at
this time as the dedication fees will be presented in their entirety when other parks fees are
brought to the City Council for consideration.
V. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adjourn
the workshop at 7:35 p.m. Aye: 3; Nay: 0