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04/29/1993 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota April 29, 1993 A special City Council meeting was held at the fire administration building on Thursday, April 29, 1993 at 5:00 p.m. for the main purpose of having a tour of the fire administration building. Those persons in attendance were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, Masin and Wachter. Also In attendance were Chief of Police Geagan, Fire Chief Nelson, Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Director of Public Works Colbert, Acting Director of Community Development Hohenstein and City Administrator Hedges. MAY 18 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Administrator Hedges stated that the School Board elections will be held on May 18, the date the second regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled for the month of May. He stated that it Is the legal opinion of the City Attorney that no business can be conducted until 8:00 p.m. on May 18 if the City Council chooses to hold the regular City Council meeting on that date. An option discussed by the City Council was to schedule the meeting on a different day. After reviewing calendars and further discussion, there was a consensus that the meeting be held on Tuesday, May 18, beginning at 8:00 p.m. OAK CUFF POND 2ND ADDITION Acting Director of Community Development Hohenstein stated that the tree preservation agreement for Oak Cliff Pond 2nd Addition is in order for consideration. He introduced Jim Dimond, who was present to answer any questions. Mr. Dimond stated that the special agreement regarding tree preservation for his proposed development is acceptable and that he would work with City staff to fulfil the public policy objectives of both tree preservation and reforestation as set forth in the agreement. After further review and in a motion by City Councilmember Hunter, seconded by Councilmember Wachter, with all members voting in favor, the special tree preservation agreement to be appended to the development agreement was adopted as presented. Mayor Egan praised Mr. Dimond for his cooperation and sensitivity In complying with the City's tree preservation objectives. LEXINGTON POINTE 8TH CORRESPONDENCE Acting Director of Community Development Hohenstein presented an issue raised by the Dakota County Plat Commission requiring an additional ten foot right-of-way dedication for the widening of Diffley Road as a condition to the Lexington Pointe 8th Addition approval. He stated that a letter would be sent to Dakota County if the ten foot easement is an acceptable alternative to the dedication for the City Council. After further discussion, there was a unanimous consensus that the City forward a letter to Dakota County indicating the need for the additional ten foot easement for Diffley Road right-of-way as an alternative to additional right-of-way dedication adjacent to the Lexington Pointe 8th Addition. OUTSIDE STORAGE/PROPANE Acting Director of Community Development Hohenstein stated that staff Is recommending an exception to recent language adopted by the City Council that would restrict outside storage of propane canister enclosures. He stated that the sale of propane is a service and convenience to the community. According to conversations with convenience stores that are currently selling propane, it appears unlikely that those establishments will pursue a conditional use permit If the ordinance Is enforced in its current language. He stated that options are to not allow the sale of propane or to provide a business licensing provision. After discussion by the City Council, there was a consensus that the site specific licensing J f"t 1 yy & Page 2/EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 29, 1993 provision be drafted for the sale of propane as an exception to the outside storage provision of the City code. Mayor Egan asked that staff prepare language and bring back the same to the City Council for its consideration. LEXINGTON/LONE OAK INTERSECTION City Councilmember Wachter expressed concerns about the design of the Lexington/Lone Oak intersection stating that he is not in agreement with the length of medians as proposed. He further stated that the proposed cost of the Interchange is exorbitant and further expressed a concern about the cost benefit of the public improvements as proposed. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the cost of this interchange is similar to the improvement proposed at Diffley and Lexington, a project that was recently approved by the City Council. Mayor Egan suggested a presentation of the County's traffic management plan at a future City Council meeting to help the City Council and community better understand the purpose for the improvement and the cost benefit to the citizen. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that he would relay a request to Dakota County for a traffic management plan and report back to the Council in the future. TOUR/FIRE ADMINISTRATOR BUILDING Fire Chief Nelson conducted a tour of the fire administration building, including the community room space and that portion of the facility that Is currently occupied by Divine Redeemer Hospital for the ambulance. Chief Nelson emphasized the shortage of space and explained the overall need for conference rooms, a training facility and needed office and storage area. After completing the tour, City Councilmembers discussed the feasibility of combining police and fire space needs into one public safety building as an alternative to the City's municipal center/law enforcement expansion plans. City Councilmembers also expressed a desire to centralize and consolidate for the purpose of sharing space as opposed to building two separate administration buildings. After further discussion, Mayor Egan suggested that the concept of a public safety building be further discussed at the special City Council workshop session on May 4. DISCUSSION OF GOALS/CITY COUNCIL/DEPARTMENT HEAD RETREAT City Administrator Hedges presented a summary of the key activities and conclusions that came from the City Council/staff goals setting conference held on March 11-12. He stated that the results of the retreat are scheduled for discussion to enhance further brainstorming and determine a format If the goals are presented to the community. City Councilmember Hunter expressed a desire to prepare community distribution, similar to the Moundsview example, that identifies the City Council's goals for the next five (5) years and provides a summary of each goal. Mayor Egan discussed the goals and stated that a priority system should be developed to manage expectations and outcomes for each goal. City Councilmember Masin expressed a desire to share the goals with each advisory commission in a form of update. City Councilmember Wachter expressed his appreciation for the work Carl Neu provided the City as its facilitator. He further expressed the need to associate the amount of public expenditure relative to each goal. City Councilmember Awada stated that a strategic plan on how goals should be implemented Is a key success to fulfilling a community vision. City Administrator Hedges stated that an intern from Mankato State University will begin a work assignment June 1. It is his intention to have this individual coordinate the vision of the future and prepare the goals for presentation to the community. City Councilmembers concurred with the timing and asked that this information be brought back for consideration In late June/July. Page 3/EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 29, 1993 DEVELOPMENT/REDEVELOPMENT Councilmember Awada shared a memo that she sent to the City Council suggesting certain density shifts to preserve more undeveloped land area as single family or the equivalent for low density housing. City Councilmembers discussed various philosophies relative to future development. The Council reviewed concepts outlined in the memorandum prepared by Councilmember Awada. In particular, discussion revolved around the identification of means encouraging single family development or higher quality development within residential areas. The Council Indicated an interest in performing an R-2/D-il study similar to the multi-family housing study which was completed several years ago. It was suggested that higher performance standards could be applied if a developer wished to up zone from a low zoning classification as a means of ensuring higher quality even if higher densities occur. It was also suggested as a part of the R-2/D-ll study that the City consider modifying its comprehensive guide plan density ranges such that each range permitted fewer maximum units than is currently the case. In addition, with respect to commercial development, it was suggested that hospitality In the Cedarvale area be encouraged if there was interest In the development community and that the City be careful to limit unnecessary strip centers in the future. In this regard, it was suggested that it would be helpful for the City to identify reasonable service areas and service needs and ensure that adequate zoning was in place to meet, but not exceed, those service needs. OTHER BUSINESS City Councilmember Masin stated that she would like community input on how the City Council is performing and suggested that a survey be sent out to developers, business and residents alike who have had action before the City Council and request some input. She also suggested that the City Council may want to review a segment of a City Council meeting tape and critique presentation skills and overall service to the applicant/constituent who is appearing before the City Council. There was a general discussion though no formal direction was given. Councilmember Masin was praised for her customer sensitivity. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. TLH C3 ki Ak~ 1k April 29, 199 3 W Lm4IL - Date City uerk