05/30/1989 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
May 30, 1989
A special City Council meeting was held on May 30, 1989 in the Eagan
Municipal Center Building. Those present were Mayor Ellison and City Council-
members Egan, Gustafson, McCrea and Wachter. Also present were Director of Parks
and Recreation Vraa, Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Community
Development Runkle, City Attorney Sheldon and City Administrator Hedges.
DANIEL DRIVE TRAIL PROPOSAL
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa presented revised drawings for
the proposed trail improvements on Daniel Drive. He stated that a neighborhood
meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on June 8 and requested direction on the
matter. Steve Sullivan, Parks and Recreation Department Planner, presented a
drawing that illustrates the setback requirements for both east and west trail
:location options. He stated that the boulevard narrows from Braddock Trail west
to a two foot to two and one-half foot setback if the trail is designed as an
eight foot bituminous width. After further review, it was determined by the City
Council that a bituminous trail is more advantageous to both pedestrian and
bicycle movement than a five foot sidewalk. Mayor Ellison stated that no formal
action is required to Daniel Drive Trail. The item will reappear on the June
20, 1989 City Council agenda.
SIBLEY HILLS DRIVE, PROJECT 543R
City Administrator Hedges stated that the Sibley Hills Drive public
improvement project referenced as 543R has been placed on hold due to a legal
question regarding the inability to assess certain properties and insure benefit
for the public improvements if ever challenged by a group of property owners.
City Attorney Sheldon stated that there is a legal question regarding the City's
ability to levy assessments against properties that did not have direct access
or abut the Skyline Road improvements. Director of Public Works Colbert reviewed
the proposed project and identified several parcels along Lone Oak Road that were
proposed to be assessed for "indirect" benefit associated with the street and
storm sewer improvements. He further stated that all properties will be reviewed
by an appraiser to verify the proposed assessments to sustain any challenge that
could be raised against the City for the improvements.
City Council members questioned whether a new public hearing would
be required if the assessments changed for the proposed improvements. City
Attorney Sheldon stated that the scope of a project could not be increased
without a new public hearing, however, the elimination of certain parcels or a
decrease in the project's size does not require a new public hearing. It was
suggested that five (5) parcels in Zender Acres be deleted from the project and
that this action be placed on the June 6, 1989 City Council meeting as a consent
item for official Council action.
Eagan City Council Special Meeting
May 30, 1989.
Page 2 w
STORM WATER UTILITY FEE
City Administrator Hedges stated that the concept of a storm water
utility user fee was introduced by staff during preparation of the 1989 budget
document. He further commented that staff was directed to prepare additional
information regarding a storm water user fee and present a report during 1989.
Director of Public Works Colbert provided background on the storm water drainage
utility stating that a user fee would provide dedicated funds necessary to
operate, maintain and manage a municipal storm water drainage system. City
Attorney Sheldon stated that all Minnesota cities, under MSS 444.075 can
establish storm water drainage utilities in a manner similar to water and
sanitary sewer utilities. Public Works Director Colbert stated that a number
of cities have established similar utilities which are used for wetlands
preservation and water quality control, erosion and sedimentation control and
storm water conveyance. He reviewed a proposed utility budget for 1990
explaining various costs proposed for each of the three (3) services addressed
in the study. The Director of Public Works stated that as an example the pond
dredging and monitoring would be expenses covered under wetlands, preservation
and quality control while pond inlet and outlet cleaning and street sweeping is
considered erosion and sedimentation control and renewal and replacement are
;system improvements to be included under storm water conveyance. He further
explained the equation and method in which the calculation was established for
the storm drainage utility. City Councilmember McCrea suggested that a new land
use category should be considered for quadraminium units stating that the single
family residential rate for all non-apartment dwelling units could create an
inequity. After further discussion it was determined that a new category be
established for dwelling units in greater number than the traditional duplex but
less than an apartment complex.
City Councilmembers made suggestions regarding the necessity to
provide good publicity about the proposed storm drainage utility fee and
suggested that the sample brochure be rewritten. The staff was directed to
proceed ahead with preparation of an ordinance, a revised list of rates and
timetable for the public hearing and eventual implementation of the storm water
user fees. There was no formal action taken on this item.
1990 BUDGET PROPOSAL
City Administrator Hedges presented financial information on the
forecast of revenues the City will receive for its 1990 operating budget. Re
stated that the actual property tax revenue increase from 1989 to 1990 is
estimated at $318,000. He stated that with a small increase in property tax
and a minimum increase in local government aide estimated at $20,000 it will be
difficult for the City to meet cost of living and inflationary adjustments
without the addition of new revenue sources in 1990. The City Administrator did
explain that certain expenditures such as computer equipment acquisition in 1989
will not be forecast as high in 1990 which will provide additional revenue
sources available for the general fund. However, it is the suggestion of both
the Director of Finance and the City Administrator that if other revenue sources
are to be increased, that increases not be made to those categories that are
development related such as building permits. He stated that it will more than
likely be the recommendation of staff that building permits be reduced by a small
amount each year so the general fund budget is not reliant on a source of funding
that will be much less as development decreases during the 1990's.
Eagan City Council Special Meeting
May 30, 1989
page 3
City Councilmembers expressed a concern about their restrictions and
the ability to raise additional property tax caused by the Omnibus Tax Bill.
City Administrator Hedges further stated that the need for increased expenditures
in a growth related organization is extremely difficult given the type of
restriction that have been placed on the City by a 3% levy limit and essentially
no increase in local government aid. The City Administrator was commended for
the approach used in preparing this year's operating budget by forecasting the
revenues and restricting each department to a reasonable level of expenditures.
The City Administrator stated that each department is preparing a draft budget
and as soon as they are received by the City Administrator and compiled into a
city-wide operating budget the same will be forwarded for City Council review.
There is no action required on this item.
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:45
p.m.
TLH
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May 30. 1989
Date City Clerk