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07/12/1994 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE Y.- OC.113 EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota July 12, 1994 A Special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, July 12, 1994 at 5:00 p.m. In the lunchroom of the Eagan Municipal Center. Those In attendance were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter and Wachter. (Masin arrived at 5:30 p.m.) Also present were Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Community Development Reichert, Senior Planner Kristi Mamin, Fire Chief Dale Nelson, Fire Training Officer Lowell Bahrke and City Administrator Hedges. MUNICIPAL CENTER REMODELING Because all the cost estimates have not been fully evaluated and certain Information Is pending and requires additional review, this item was not considered. PROJECT 673, TRUNK HIGHWAY 3 - SCHOOL ROAD PROJECT After a brief introduction by Administrator Hedges, Public Works Director Colbert informed the Council that there are three significant issues associated with this project. The first issue has to do with the state's requirement to close Farm Road, which will Impact the residents of Dodd Road by limiting their access. He doesn't know whether this will raise an Issue with those residents. He feels it is a reasonable request by MnDOT. The second Issue relates to right-of-way acquisition of the Finch property. He noted that they are upset about the Weston Hills development, and feels the City should have protected the phasing schedule. The School Road access will be going through their property and it will be necessary to acquire approximately 1.5 acres. Their estimated assessment is $225,000. Some of that will be picked up by the school district. The Finchs have retained a developer and an attorney, and are very critical of the project. They will have significant opposition to this project. He indicated he tried to meet with the Finchs, but was unsuccessful. He did meet with their developers, however. He will have a neighborhood meeting on this project on July 14th. The third issue relates to the area-wide assessments. The developers of Pines Edge Addition, Shamrock Development, strongly object to this assessment. They have Indicated they will not file their final plat because by doing that, they will be required to sign a waiver stating they do not object to the assessments. If that happens, there will be no park dedication, which means there won't be enough land for the ball field development for the school district property and they won't be able to meet their schedule to open In the Fall of 1995 as planned. If the City approves their final plat without this assessment, it will be very difficult for the City to prove benefit. He added that there may be some objections from Halley's Addition also. Councilmember Hunter indicated he would like more information from the City Attorney on the legalities of the area-wide assessment. He would like him to be prepared to answer those questions at the meeting. Mayor Egan asked whether there is a financial plan in place in case the assessment Isn't approved. Community Development Director Reichert suggested the City could pick up part of the assessment, or possibly defer them. Councilmember Wachter asked whether the school district needs this property In order to proceed. Public Works Director Colbert Indicated that they do, and they are planning to break ground on July 15th. Councilmember Awada asked what would happen if they wait a year to He their final plat. Community Development Director Reichert noted that he would lose money If he waits. Also, the school would condemn the property and they would then have to provide additional land for ponding. They wouldn't want to do that. Councilmember Wachter pointed out that the school and the road are needed, and water and sewer has to go with It. Public Works Director Colbert questioned what alternatives the school would have If the Council doesn't approve this. Administrator Hedges noted that this Is a tough public policy call. The developers are pitting two public entities against each other. Colbert added that It has been the city's policy to pick up that part of assessments that are not sustained by the appraisal. Councilmember Wachter questioned MnDOT's participation In this project, and Colbert responded that MnDOT won't commit to any funding until March of 1995. Mayor Egan asked how expensive It would be to determine the relative benefit to these properties. Public Works Director Colbert responded that he doesn't think he will be able to get this information prior to the Council meeting. (Councilmember Masin arrived at this time.) Councilmember Hunter asked what would happen if the city doesn't insist on a waiver. Public Works Director Colbert responded that the assessment Is $111,000. The City would stand to lose that entire amount. The developers could appeal the assessment and say they receive no benefit. Councilmember Awada asked whether it is common to do an area-wide assessment. Public Works Director Colbert indicated this is unique in that it is the first time the assessment is transportation-related. They have done it in the past on a utility-related basis. He added that the developer thought they could access their property by connecting to the tail end of Weston Hills. The Council decided that no connections would be allowed any further than Weston Hills. Community Development Director Reichert added that the preliminary plat was approved with the condition of putting In the access road. Councilmember Awada suggested that a compromise be found. Perhaps the city could agree to pick up that portion that MnDOT would have paid if they decide not to participate in this. Mayor Egan stated he feels that is the best compromise. Some discussion followed concerning a compromise. FIRE DEPARTMENT ITEMS After a brief introduction by Administrator Hedges, Fire Chief Dale Nelson explained that there is a possibility that adding Station 6 may not be necessary. He stated that Station 2 had some difficulty recruiting staff in the past; however, it is now one of the strongest stations in the city. They are looking at property owned jointly by Dakota County and the City of Eagan located at Wescott Road and Lexington Avenue. They also looked at property across the street owned by Pat McCarthy, but have since abandoned that Idea. The Executive Board suggested that Instead of building Station 6, that expansion of some of the existing stations be considered instead. He doesn't feel it would be in the city's best interest to build another station at this time. They do a lot of recruiting, but the number dwindles and to build another station would take firefighters from other stations. Councilmember Wachter asked about the northwest area, noting that there was talk at one time about another station on Pilot Knob Road. Dale Nelson responded that this location is no longer being considered. Administrator Hedges added that infrastructure improvements have helped reduce the need for more stations. Fire Chief Nelson noted that OSHA is playing a much larger role In fire service enforcement, noting that a good share of their revenue is generated by fines to cities. They adopted NFPA 1500 regulations, which set standards region-wide for training, equipment, etc. He added that Eagan Is very current with NFPA 1500 regulations. However, there are many things that require training, such as hazardous materials handling, etc. They are Investigating the possibility of building a training facility, and land banking for that facility. Lowell Bahrke, Training Officer, explained the extent of training required for firefighters, and their current training facility that is shared with several other communities and the problems associated with it. He noted that in addition to firefighter training, a good fire prevention program Is essential and training Is needed for that also. He then showed some pictures of the training facility used by St. Paul and pointed out some of the aspects they are looking for in a training facility, such as different roof types, a basement, a hazardous materials area, and different pipes and plumbing. Fire Chief Nelson added that some of these 2 structures could be built by the volunteers. This type of training facility would require about five acres of property. This would also provide the ability to have drivers training on the premises. He noted that the Police Department could possibly use this type of facility for their SWAT team training, and possibly some drivers training. He stated he would prefer to not be in a partnership with other communities. It would be better I Eagan were the sole owner, and possibly could rent the facility to other communities when it Is not being used by their department He would like the Council to consider using the money from the Station 6 acquisition and use it for the training she instead. Councilmember Hunter asked whether the current arrangements for training aren't working. Fire Chief Nelson stated It is adequate; however, with this type of training, they are taking 6 or 7 pumpers out of the city. Administrator Hedges stated that the joint powers agreement is working very well. Councilmember Hunter stated he feels they should seek land for a training facility, but should still consider the idea of a joint powers agreement. Councilmember Awada asked about consolidating fire headquarters with the training facility. Fire Chief Nelson stated he feels the training facility needs to be isolated due to the nature of the exercises they do there. He doesn't think headquarters should be that far from city hall. Councilmember Awada asked how much this facility will cost to build and run. Fire Chief Nelson responded that after they acquire the land they can put some figures together, but feels the cost would be minimal. Mayor Egan asked about the vehicle they would like to purchase. Fire Chief Nelson explained that the Executive Board decided that this vehicle should have equipment for rescues. This vehicle was designed with that in mind. Along with rescue equipment, it is equipped to handle small amounts of hazardous materials, and has the capability to fill air tanks. The cost for this vehicle will be $195,000-$197,000 and will replace Unit 3 which will be sold. OTHER BUSINESS Administrator Hedges Informed the Council that he needs to meet with them on several issues, including the budget, the downtown vision, the remodeling of the Municipal Center, and the civic arena. He suggested that a special Council meeting be held next Tuesday rather than on July 21, and make July 21 a subcommittee meeting. He noted that the meeting the Council scheduled with the Planning Committee could be delayed until after Labor Day. He suggested that August 23 and 30 be set aside as special Council meetings. After some discussion, it was decided to also have a special Council meeting on July 21 to discuss the downtown vision. Wachter moved, Awada seconded a motion to approve the Council workshops on July 19 and 21. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 HRA HOUSING UPDATE After a brief introduction by Administrator Hedges, Community Development Director Reichert noted that the Dakota County HRA asked for their opinion on a tax credit housing development for 30 townhouse units at Lone Oak Road and Pilot Knob Road. She reviewed the city's established guidelines for reviewing tax credit housing projects and how this project meets the criteria. She thinks the city's criteria may need to be revisited. The concern arose that certain areas have all of the apartments; therefore they have all of the low income housing units. It was felt that perhaps affordable housing units should be dispersed throughout the community. She passed out some data on the types of housing units In the city by area, the percentages of minority students and those receiving free or reduced lunches, as well as the distribution of housing types, all separated by area and elementary school. She also explained how the Section 8 housing vouchers work and noted that the city has plenty of eligible units. Senior Planner Kristi Marnin 3 12~. further explained the statistics, and the need for affordable housing units; and explained that although the city has a lot of eligible units for Section 8 housing, the problem Is with funding. Community Development Director Reichert pointed out that the older parts of town are developing as apartments and they are concentrating in those areas. She reviewed the remaining available vacant residential property that could be developed with more units that would provide more dispersement of these units throughout the community. She asked the Council whether they would like to see these areas develop as single family housing or reserved for affordable housing units. Councilmember Awada stated she feels the southeast comer of the city Is the most logical place for these types of units. Councilmember Hunter concurred. Mayor Egan stated he feels the city should not put any more units in the Pilot Knob Road, and Deerwood areas and look at other areas instead. Councilmember Hunter suggested that the criteria for low Income housing tax credit requests should be revisited, particularly the requirement that no more than 45% of units occupied can be occupied by low and moderate income persons, and the rehabilitation requirement. Community Development Director Reichert noted that the remaining available areas are zoned R-3 and R-4; however, the Council has indicated they would like to see everything developed as R-1. She asked whether she should encourage affordable housing units In these areas. Councilmember Awada stated she feels the city has enough of these units. Mayor Egan concurred, stating that unless there is some data stating the city isn't meeting the standards, he doesn't feel it is necessary. Councilmember Hunter suggested the city utilize the intern at the League of Minnesota Cities to gather these statistics for Dakota County. Mayor Egan stated this may be something the League of Minnesota Cities and the Citizens League could look into also. Discussion followed concerning housing statistics, and the Orfield data related to affordable housing. Mark Ulfers, of the Dakota County HRA, explained their public-private partnerships for affordable townhouses. He has developed several of these, and would like to work with the city to develop these projects In Eagan. He Invited the Council and staff to visit one of their projects. Community Development Director Reichert noted that the city has a number of units that meet the fair market rents, and asked why the city needs to add more units. Mark Ulfers explained that the supply of affordable units right now is about 50%. Although the city has a number of units that qualify, that doesn't mean they are affordable. The biggest need is for three bedroom units, and that is the type of project he is proposing. He explained that the tax credit program Is a production vehicle to stimulate construction or rehabilitation of these units. Corporations participate In the program and get a lower federal income tax liability. Mayor Egan stated he favors moderate sized housing projects of this type, but would like to have the data to show that Eagan is meeting the affordable housing requirements. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. DLP July 12, 1994 Date City Clerk If you need these minutes in an alternative form such as large print, braille, audio tape, etc., please contact the City of Eagan, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, (612) 681-4600, (TDD phone: (612) 454-8535). The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. 4