07/06/1993 - City Council Special
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MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
. July 6, 1993
A special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, July 6,1993, at 5:00 p.m., in the Lunch
Room of the Eagan Municipal Center Building. The purpose of the meeting was to make a selection
decision regarding construction manager for the proposed Municipal Center, to review the tree preservation
guidelines, and to discuss Wescott Square Park planning and development. Present were Mayor Egan and
City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, Masin, and Wachter. Also present were Robert Struve of E & V
Construction Management, Superintendent of Parks VonDeLinde, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa,
Finance Director/City Clerk VanOverbeke, Chief Building Official Reid, City Attorney Sheldon, Police Chief
Geagan, Acting Community Development Director Hohenstein, Administrative Intern Hanson, and City
Administrator Hedges.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SELECTION
City Administrator Hedges recapped the series of events that had led to staff apprehension
about E & V Construction Management. Mr. Struve gave an explanation in support of E & V, which included
the fact that key players in the Burnsville project are no longer with the firm. Mayor Egan talked about the
close relationship the City of Eagan has with the City of Burnsville and why finding out E & V provided
services for the City of Burnsville after the fact, and with a less than glowing reference, has left the council
apprehensive. Councilmember Hunter expressed that the relationship with a construction management firm
requires a high level of trust while Mayor Egan went on to explain the possible negative community
repercussions that could result should the City precede with E & V, unless the issue of trust is resolved.
At the request of Council member Masin, Acting Community Director Hohenstein expounded
on the content of complaints made against E & V by City of Burnsville officials, which included problems
surrounding change orders, personality conflicts, and E & V not being responsive to the City's needs in the
construction of the project. Councilmember Awada voiced that she does not view it as deceptive not to
highlight a job that did not represent E & V's best references. City Administrator Hedges responded to
Mayor Egan's inquiry regarding the delays involved in a reinterview process, which he described as possibly
being weeks. Councilmember Wachter stated in response to Councilmember Awada's statement that in
every construction job there Is someone who leaves behind a less than good impression--constituting a
personality conflict. He went on to say he thinks, based on the current situation, this firm will perform at
its maximum under the close scrutiny of the City of Eagan officials.
Mayor Egan stated that in the Interview process the committee did judge the firm as it exists
today and not as it existed at the time it worked on the Burnsville project. He agreed, however, that the
situation warrants the exposure of E & V, for what that is worth. Councilmember Hunter agreed that airing
the problem could help to eliminate problems up front and build a good relationship with the company. The
City Council, in general, agreed to reaffirm their decision to contract with E & V Construction Management
with written provisions in the contract that allow for replacement persons on the project if situations require
it.
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City Administrator Hedges indicated to the City Council that support may be lacking by
some in the community who are not familiar with the concept of Construction Management. Chief Building
Official Reid expressed certain advantages and efficiencies that were realized by neighboring Lakeville in its
use of a construction management firm in Its process.
TREE PRESERVATION GUIDELINES
City Administrator Hedges explained the efforts of several staff under the direction of
Superintendent of Parks VonDeUnde and Acting Community Development Director Hohenstein to develop
the Tree Preservation Guidelines. Questions posed by the City Council clarified the Intentions of the
guidelines. City Attorney Sheldon explained that the guidelines are not in ordinance form and suggested
their formalization only after the City of Eagan has experience with the guidelines. Acting Community
Development Director Hohenstein stated that even though the guidelines are not official, most large
developers are willing to adhere to them. Counciimember Hunter requested the wording 'according to the
City Forester be added under 'Warranty Requirement' to give expertise to the warranty decision. Action
was delayed until the Regular City Council Meeting.
WESCOTT SQUARE COMMONS
Acting Community Development Director Hohenstein stated the dosing on the Wescott
Square Commons property will take place on August 1, 1993. The planning process is In it initial stages.
Further plans will attempt to engage children and adults from the neighborhood in order to promote the
'commons' concept. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa outlined the timeline for the park development
process, with bid contracting to take place in late August. He expressed that the configuration of the piece
of property makes it a development challenge.
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no Other Business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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July 6, 1993 mbtoa~.
Date City Clerk
If you need this information 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, 681-4600, (fDD phone: 454-8535)
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