03/30/1982 - City Council Special#�
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MARCH 30, 1982
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on March 30,
1982 at 6:45 p.m. at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Mayor Blomquist,
City Councilmembers Egan, Thomas, Smith and Wachter. Members of the Advisory
Parks & Recreation Committee were present, including Dick Carroll, Steve Johnson,
Don Schumaker, Sandra Masin and Mike Fedde. Also present were City Administrator
Hedges and Director of Parks & Recreation Vr.aa. The purpose of the meeting
was to interview two (2) consulting firms who were proposing to prepare a city
wide park master plan. PARK MASTER PLAN
City Administrator Hedges provided information relating to the
screening process that was used to narrow down the selection of park consulting
firms to the two (2) firms that were recommended for an interview before the
City Council and Advisory Parks & Recreation Committee. He further stated that
the firms are Brauer & Associates, represented by Mr. Fred Hosington and Mr.
Paul Fjare, and Erkkila & Associates, represented by Mr. Tim Erkkila and Mr.
Dave Licht and Mr. Denny Palmer. Both consulting firms were given approximately
one and one -half hours, consisting of a half hour presentation with approximately
forty -five minutes to an hour for a question and answer exchange between City
Councilmembers and Advisory Park & Recreation Committee members with the respec-
tive consulting firms. Following the interviews, each firm was analyzed by
Advisory Parks & Recreation Committee Members and the City Council. After
further discussion and review of the two consulting firms, Mayor Blomquist asked
for a consensus of opinion as to which firm the Advisory Parks & Recreation
Committee members would recommend for the preparation of a park master plan.
It was a majority consensus of the five members present from the Advisory Parks
& Recreation Committee that the firm of Erkkila & Associates be hired to develop
a park master plan. Following the consensus of the Advisory Parks & Recreation
Committee Members, it was also the consensus of the City Council that the firm
of Erkkila and Associates be considered for development of the park master plan.
The City Administrator and Director of Parks & Recreation were then directed
to analyze the cost proposals submitted by each of the aforementioned firms
and present this analysis for final consideration and action by the City Council
at the next regular City Council meeting scheduled for April 6, 1982.
SCHOOL FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Mayor. Blomquist expressed her concern about the effect on the com-
munity with the closing of Cedar Elementary School which was recently decided
by Independent School District #191. Mr.. Tom Tomanek and Mr. Ed Nepple appeared,
who are residents of the City of Eagan and reside within Independent School
District #191. Mr. Nepple stated that he was on the school facilities study
committee which analyzed all ten (10) elementary schools in Independent School
District #191 with the purpose in mind that one (1) elementary school would
be closed at the end of the 1981 -1982 school year. He stated that seven (7)
of the elementary schools are located in the City of Burnsville, while two (2)
elementary schools are located in the City of Eagan and one (1) elementary school
is located in the City of Savage. Mr. Nepple further stated that the criteria
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City Council Minutes
March 30, 1982
Page Two
that was selected for designating an elementary school closing did not equally
represent all communities located within Independent School District #191.
Mayor Blomquist expressed concern that the City of Eagan is not always receiving
the representation it deserves in the public education decision making due to
its representation in three (3) school districts. There was a brief discussion
regarding redistricting; however, there was no further direction or action taken.
Mayor. Blomquist also stated that a letter was sent to the Superintendent of
Schools of District #191, stating that the City of Eagan desires to retain the
Cedar Elementary property as public facilities zoning which is consistent with
the zoning history and comprehensive guide plan for that property. Mr. Nepple
stated that a study committee is to be appointed by the school board of Indepen-
dent School District #191 to examine and recommend a use for the Cedar Elementary
School building to the school board. After further discussion regarding public
school facilities and specifically the use of the Cedar Elementary School buil-
ding, it was the consensus of the City Council not to proceed with any additional
study until the school facilities committee recommendations are presented to
Independent School District #191 regarding the use of the Cedar Elementary School
building.
VOLUNTEER FIREMENS' RELIEF PENSION COMMITTEE
Mayor Blomquist asked the finance committee to meet with Mr. Roger
Katzenmaier of the City's auditor to further examine the findings he prepared
and presented to the City regarding a change in the Volunteer Firefighters'
Pension Plan. She further stated that, once the finance committee has had an
opportunity to meet with Mr. Katzenmaier and examine his report, it would be
desirable for the committee to provide their fact finding report at a regular
or special City Council meeting. Mayor Blomquist further stated that once the
report and findings of the finance committee are evaluated a meeting will be
scheduled with the Volunteer Fire Department's Relief Association Pension Com-
mittee,involving the full City Council.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Dated: March 30, 1982 TLH
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City Clerk