06/11/2024 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
June 11, 2024
A Special City Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 5:30pm in the Eagan Room at the
Eagan Municipal Center. City Councilmembers present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Fields,
Hansen, and Supina. City staff present: City Administrator Miller, Parks & Recreation Director Pimental,
Sustainability Coordinator Catano, Community Development Director Hutmacher, and City Planner Schultz.
I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Hansen moved, Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adopt the agenda. Aye: 5,
Nay: 0. Motion carried.
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III. SUSTAINABLE EAGAN ADVISORY COMMISISON (SEAC) JOINT MEETING
Mayor Maguire invited the SEAC members to introduce themselves and welcomed them to the meeting.
Members present included: Ian Ziese, chair, Dan Robicheaux, vice chair, Sara Patrick, Don Vasatka, Anna
Anderson, Emma Russ, Kathleen Hook, and Jessica McMahon. Parks & Recreation Director Pimental
introduced Sustainability Coordinator Catano to highlight the work of the SEAC over the past year.
Sustainability Coordinator Catano and SEAC members presented on 2024-2025 goals for the
commission. The Council thanked staff and the commission for their ongoing work.
IV. STATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AID (LAHA) PARTNERSHIP MODEL
Mayor Maguire introduced the item and invited Community Development Director Hutmacher to share
additional information. In May 2023, Governor Walz signed the housing omnibus bill which created a
new 0.25 percent metro area sales tax to fund rental assistance, as well as Local Affordable Housing Aid
(LAHA) which provides annual allocations to metro cities and counties. Dakota County cities including
Eagan have been working with the Dakota County CDA to identify methods to pool LAHA funds
countywide to maximize affordable housing production and preservation and to minimize
administrative costs. The CDA has identified three programs which expand on existing programs and
that the CDA could administer on cities behalf. The three programs include an enhanced single-family
home improvement loan program, a radon mitigation grant program, and gap financing for both rental
and homeownership preservation and new construction. Tony Schertler, Executive Director of the
Dakota County CDA was in attendance and provided additional information on the different programs.
Council voiced its support for collaboration with the Dakota County CDA on LAHA implementation.
Council also supported LAHA funds being designated for the three programs discussed.
Next steps include obtaining formal approval from interested cities in the form of a Council Resolution.
A Joint Powers Agreement would also need to be executed with Eagan, as well as reaching agreement
on a start date for the programs.
Special City Council Meeting
June 11, 2024
V.CANNABIS ORDINANCE: PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
Mayor Maguire introduced the item and invited Community Development Director Hutmacher to share
additional information. The City’s moratorium on cannabis business expires January 1, 2025. Staff are
anticipating the State’s Office of Cannabis Management to release a model ordinance but given the
lengthy timeline for developing an ordinance and allowing sufficient time for public input, staff believe
it prudent to begin discussing policy approaches now.
City Planner Schultz provided an overview of the options available to the City for regulation of cannabis,
including zoning, buffers limiting the number of licenses, etc. Staff asked for Council feedback to policy
questions. Council recommended a cap between 8 to 10 licenses. The Council agreed that the cannabis
policy should mirror the City’s approach to liquor licensing, which does not include buffers or special
use setbacks. The Council agreed the proposed zoning districts were generally appropriate for the
various cannabis business license types and asked that the Advisory Planning Commission review
proposed zoning districts in more detail and provide a recommendation to Council. The Council agreed
that cannabis businesses should be allowed in Planned Developments as a use by right, where general
retail uses are allowed under the PD.
VI.OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
VII.ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Hansen moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Date
Mayor
Deputy City Clerk
July 16, 2024