06/20/1995 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE xe,
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
June 20, 1995
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, June 20, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. at Black Hawk
Middle School. Present were Mayor Egan and Councilmembers Wachter, Awada, Masin and Hunter. Also present
were City Administrator Tom Hedges, Director of Parks and Recreation Ken Vraa, Civic Arena Manager Todd Burkart,
Community Development Director Peggy Reichert, Public Works Director Tom Colbert and City Attorney Jim
Sheldon.
DRAFT FEASIBILITY REPORT/BISCAYNE AVENUE
Director of Public Works Colbert reviewed the draft feasibility report. He noted that the storm sewer will
eventually drain into Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Dakota County hasn't had a chance to review this; however, have
indicated they have some concerns about additional runoff draining into the park which presently has no outlet. The
City's system downstream from the county park can provide a drainage outlet but the county isn't interested in
paying the City's trunk area assessments.
He reviewed several concerns with the method of assessments and described several alternative scenarios
for assessing for these improvements. He also sought Council direction on how far to extend these improvements.
Discussion followed on the cul-de-sac on Gun Club Road. Director of Public Works Colbert noted that with the
improvements to T.H. 3, the city had to agree to close off Gun Club Road at T.H. 3. He is proposing to leave Gun
Club Road as a gravel, private drive. Discussion followed concerning right-of-way.
Councilmember Awada indicated the Council needs to determine how much of this project can be assessed
and how much the city wants to pay for in order to determine how far to extend these improvements. Mayor Egan
suggested there be a sampling of parcels and find out what amount of benefit can be established for this area.
Awada concurred. Councilmember Masin questioned whether it would be appropriate to waft until some of the other
lots in this area develop. Councilmember Hunter indicated that the Council needs to decide whether this area should
be brought up to city standards. Counciimember Masin indicated she doesn't feel it Is necessary at this time, and
Councilmember Awada stated she doesn't feel it is worth the city contributing $15,000 per lot to bring it up to
standards. The City needs to find out how much of the possible assessments can be sustained. After more
discussion on this, the method of assessment was discussed. Councilmember Hunter questioned the condition to
waive any objection of assessments with an application process, and City Attorney Sheldon responded that that
authority comes from the subdivision agreement.
Discussion followed on several properties in that area and how they are intending to develop and improve
their property. Councilmember Hunter suggested that appraisals be done on three properties. Awada and Wachter
concurred; however, Wachter suggested it be three industrial parcels and the Marotzke property. Awada suggested
that on of the three industrial lots be John Young's.
PRIVATE WELL STUDY
Director of Public Works Colbert reviewed the private well study, noting there are approximately 60 private
wells In the southeast area. He reviewed the geology and depth of several private wells in that area. He had a
concern about the cost and wanted to confirm with the Council that they want all of the wells tested. Councilmember
Wachter stated he feels very strongly that testing should be done. It Is for their benefit to have their water tested.
Councilmember Hunter suggested asking the property owners before doing the testing, and Councilmember
Awada suggested sending them a letter indicating the city is doing free well testing in that area and have them call
if they want theirs tested. Councilmember Masin suggested Dakota County be contacted first to see if this has
EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; JUNE 20, 1995
PAGE 2
already been done, and also suggested that the property owners or Dakota County could contribute towards part
of the cost. Director of Public Works Colbert Indicated he will draft a letter, and If the Council has any questions on
It, they should contact him.
At 5:52 p.m., the Council adjourned to an executive session. At 6:19 p.m., the Council adjourned the
executive session and continued with the work session.
CIVIC ARENA/MINNESOTA MOOSE PRACTICE FACILITY
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa Indicated he was contacted by Frank Serratore about using the Civic
Arena as a practice facility for the Minnesota Moose hockey team. He noted that they would be using primarily
weekday morning ice time which is the most difficult ice time to sell. In order to accommodate them, a locker room,
storage space for their equipment, and a training room need to be provided. He reviewed three alternatives for
accommodating their needs, which consisted of converting current space at a cost of $25-30,000; adding on to the
building at a cost of $55-65,000; and putting everything upstairs, which is the least desirable option. He noted they
aren't willing to front these costs, but are willing to commit to a three year contract and an annual fund raising event
to generate finances to pay for these expenses and annual upgrades. The immediate concern is getting and sewer
to the addition if that is the option the Council wants to pursue. Councilmember Wachter stated he feels the only
option is to add on to the building. He will not support taking any space away from the Hockey Association. Hunter
suggested using the rental of ice to help finance construction costs. Vraa mentioned this would hurt arena
operational revenues and set a precedent which may be detrimental with the Hockey Association. It was the
consensus of the Council to proceed with developing an agreement with the Minnesota Moose hockey team, and
for staff to work with the Eagan Hockey Association as an affected user group.
At 6:30 p.m., the meeting adjourned to the regular Council meeting. The work session reconvened after the
Council meeting adjourned at 11:18 p.m.
GOAL SETTING/WORK PROGRAM
After discussion on some of the specific goals set out by departments and Councilmembers, Awada
suggested that each Councilmember write down the goals they feel are the most Important, and have staff evaluate
whether these goals are feasible or not. The Council can then review the list and set goals and the time frame from
there. Considerable discussion followed.
CENTRAL AREA PLAN/OPUS CORPORATION
Community Development Director Reichert reviewed the current status of the Central Area Plan, noting that
Opus Center has from the very beginning proposed a large power center. She noted that the Central Area Task
Force doesn't feel it meets with the goal it set forth to establish a "sense of place" for Eagan residents. Due to the
size of the proposed power center, it overpowers the park area planned adjacent to the center. She noted that the
retail center as proposed is likely to be successful; however, the Task Force believes that the current proposal would
require significant modifications to meet the vision set for the Central Area. The retail center would completely
overpower the central park and promenade concept, and in reviewing the park area, it was determined that is not
of sufficient size to accommodate community gatherings of any significant size. It Is also not large enough to create
a community focal area. She noted that Opus Is willing to sell the residential portion of the property to the city at
a cost of $900,000. She noted that the park dedication is $500,000 and suggested that perhaps that cash park
dedication would be better used for locating the central park elsewhere. One option to pursue could be the Unisys
site.
Councilmember Hunter indicated he likes the Opus plan. The Council needs to consider this In the broader
context of the community. Councilmember Awada indicated that Opus wants something different than the city wants.
f-N t A.
EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; JUNE 20, 1995
PAGE 3
They want to build a strip mall and they will give us the fringe areas that they don't care about. She questioned
where else the city would put this if it isn't here. She feels the city should stay with its vision.
Discussion followed on other options. It was the consensus of the Council that the staff should explore
discussions with Joe Miller for the Unisys property.
Councilmember Awada noted that the idea for the central plan is for an active park, not a passive park as
suggested by the Parks Commission. Some discussion followed concerning the cost of the ring road.
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 1995.
DI_P
June 20, 1995
Date City Clerk