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07/29/1991 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota July 29, 1991 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Monday, July 29, 1991 at 4:00 p.m. in the Shelter Building at Trapp Farm Park. Those present were Mayor Egan, Councilmembers Gustafson, McCrea, Pawlenty and Wachter. Also present were Assistant to the City Administrator Hohenstein, Deputy City Clerk Witt, Fire Chief Southom, Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa, Director of Community Development Runkle, City Attorney Sheldon and City Administrator Hedges. MUNICIPAL ELECTION LAW CHANGES City Administrator Hedges reported on two proposed municipal election law changes that include: 1) a change in the term of office for the position of mayor from two years to four years and 2) consideration to change the municipal election from odd years to even years. City Councilmembers discussed the merits of changing the term of office for mayor from two to four years stating reasons that include continuity for the development and implementation of public policy, continuity in leadership and other reasons that enhance legislative stability for the City Council, staff and community. After further discussion and recognition that the change from two to four years has been discussed in previous City Council workshops, there was a strong consensus that a change in the mayor's term of office from two years to four years be placed on the agenda for the August 6, 1991 regular City Council meeting. Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk Witt reviewed statistical data she collected at the request of City Councilmember Pawlenty regarding voter turnout and the number of votes cast in even year elections. She stated that findings indicate a higher percentage of registered voters voting for municipal offices in an even year election; however, there is a reduction in the total number of votes cast in a given election for municipal offices compared to State and national offices that are placed on the same ballot. City Councilmember Pawlenty stated that he felt the data researched and presented by Administrative Assistant Witt is important in making a decision considering that more registered voters exercise their right to vote in an even year election. City Councilmember McCrea stressed the importance of out-of-pocket cost savings if the odd year election is eliminated and combined with other State and national legislative offices that elected in even year elections. Administrative Assistant Witt explained that choices are available to the City Council that would either extend a year to each term of office or require the terms of office to be reduced by one year or all offices be elected in both 1991 and 1992. Each City Councilmember, including Mayor Egan, recommended that the terms of office be shortened by one (1) year. Administrative Assistant Witt stated that legislation was passed in the 1991 session that prohibits the City Council from changing when municipal elections are scheduled without a 240 day notification process. City Attorney Sheldon provided a legal interpretation of the recent statute and after further discussion, a change in the municipal election law from an odd year to an even year was continued for further research and the City staff was directed to place the item on the August 20 agenda for further consideration. PROPOSED.FIVE (5) YEAR CIP City Administrator Hedges reviewed the five (5) year capital improvements program stating that the revised CIP includes changes as recommended by the City Council and a change in the five (5) years by eliminating 1991 and extending the CIP through 1996. After review by the City Council, direction was given to the City Administrator to revise the equipment list for 1992, in addition to an update on other capital items for presentation later in the fall/1991. EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 'yd Page 2,/July 29, 1991 SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BOND RESTRUCTURING City Administrator Hedges explained that underwriters are recommending the restructuring of the 1980 single family mortgage revenue bond due to favorable market conditions. He stated that to refund and retire the original issue, the City could receive unrestricted funds totaling approximately $780,000. The City Administrator further discussed that options available to the City Council include: 1) leaving the original bond proceeds until the original bonds are retired, 2) refund the existing bonds or 3) work with the HRA to create a new single family housing program with a portion of the proceeds if a restructuring were to occur. City Councilmembers directed the City Administrator and Director of Finance to continue discussions with the City's fiscal consultant and bond underwriters to pursue alternative #2 which considers the refunding of the existing $20,000,000 single family bond Issue and could provide approximately $780,000 of unrestricted funding to the City. PROPOSED ICE ARENA AND OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL FACILITY Approximately 40 to 50 residents appeared to participate in a discussion regarding location of a future ice arena/outdoor swimming pool facility. Mayor Egan welcomed the residents and stated that the first priority is to discuss the most suitable site for the proposed YMCA facility and how that use relates to the proposed ice arena/outdoor swimming pool. City Administrator Hedges stated that West Publishing is proposing the donation of approximately ten (10) acres for a YMCA, ice arena and outdoor swimming pool at the northwest corner of their facility. City Councilmembers reviewed the location and the relationship to the Lexington/Diffley and Municipal Center sites and raised a number of questions and concerns, including: 1) the site is located within the industrial park and not as accessible to the residential community, 2) there is no assurance that the YMCA will be constructed in the next several years, 3) an outdoor pool would be difficult to market as a municipal swimming pool at the proposed location and 4) the ice arena and outdoor swimming pool, funded by the community, could have the perception of being a public facility for one major industrial user. City Councilmember Gustafson asked if the YMCA would consider one of the two (2) City sites over the West Publishing site. There was further discussion by the City Council regarding the necessity to further study the option if a partnership between the City, YMCA and West Publishing is extremely financially attractive, however, it was generally agreed that the Municipal site is the preferred location for the ice arena and outdoor swimming pool facility. Mayor Egan introduced Jim Meland and Bob Russick of the firm Bonestroo, Rosene & Anderlik, who presented a detailed analysis grading both the Diffley/Lexington and Municipal sites for consideration to locate an ice arena facility and outdoor swimming pool. It was the recommendation of Bonestroo, Rosene & Anderlik that the Municipal Center site is a more favorable site given the criteria presented. City Councilmembers generally agreed that the Municipal site is a better location for the proposed ice arena/outdoor swimming pool facility. Mayor Egan stated that the site is referred to as the A-1 site. A final determination will be made for a location of the ice arena/outdoor swimming pool facility when a funding proposal is presented to the community. Mayor Egan informed those present that a discussion would follow regarding funding alternatives. The Councilmembers suggested that the entire capital improvements program needs to be re- examined as it relates to Parks & Recreation, stating that the $100,000 Lions gift was undesignated and could be used for ballfields or another recreational purpose instead of Blackhawk Park. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa was asked to comment on the cost to fully develop a third athletic field, which he estimated to be approximately $1,000,000. EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3/July 29, 1991 City Councilmembers Gustafson and McCrea both recommended that the ice arena and outdoor swimming pool facilities be separated as two issues for consideration by the community. City Councilmember Gustafson stated that $3.7 million could be designated from the community investment fund for the ice/soccer facility. He further stated that cost could be reduced by accepting contributions through non-profit fundraising and the private sector. He further suggested that a public bond referendum be scheduled to consider the outdoor swimming pool and athletic field complex. City Counclirnember McCrea stated her support for the concept presented by Councilrnember Gustafson and suggested that the outdoor swimming pool referendum be scheduled for April of 1992. Mayor Egan addressed the funding issue for the ice arena facility and outdoor swimming pool and suggested a lack of confidence in the public process if a referendum is not considered for the ice arena facility. He further stated that the public hearing process is most appropriate for this type of capital expenditure. City Councilmember Pawlenty stated that he would support a referendum that would authorize the use of community investment funds for an ice arena/outdoor swimming pool facility. City Counciknember McCrea asked City staff to prepare a list of special funds and capital items that are under consideration for use of community investment funding. City Councilmember Gustafson further stated that it the consensus of a majority of the City Council is to proceed with a referendum, then a choice should be given to the voters to select one or more of the three (3) proposed capital projects. City Councilmember Pawlenty suggested that the City seek out advise from an expert on how to package a referendum. City Councilmember McCrea commented on her desire to see the project scaled back from the type of facility that was presented for the community center referendum in 1989. Mayor Egan thanked the audience for their attendance and directed the City Administrator to place this item on the August 6, 1991 City Council meeting for further consideration. OTHER BUSINESS There were no additional items of business presented. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. V TLH July 29, 1991 i Date City Clerk