05/27/1987 - City Council Regular
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
May 27, 1987
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held
on Wednesday, May 27, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal
Center. Present were Mayor Blomquist and City Councilmembers
Egan, Ellison, Smith, and Wachter. The purpose of the meeting
was to discuss Police Department operations, review the 1988-1992
capital improvements budget and 1988 operational budget, and to
hear the City Administrator's update on several issues. Also
present were Chief of Police Berthe, Police Captain Geagan, and
City Administrator Hedges. The City Attorney arrived at 8:45
p.m. to participate in the discussion of certain issues including
an executive session to discuss lawsuits at the end of the
meeting.
REVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
The City Administrator reported that his staff is
currently evaluating the quality of service being provided by all
City departments. He stated that the rapid growth which has
occurred during the past three (3) years and the anticipated
rapid development in future years has caused his office to
examine the quality of service for all City operations. The City
Administrator stated that the Police Department has undergone an
analysis and strategic planning that specifically reviews the
quality of service level for all services rendered by the Police
Department. Chief Berthe and Captain Geagan presented a report
outlining police operations and services that are delivered by
the Police Department. Captain Geagan presented in detail a one-
day activity analysis to illustrate the variety and number of
calls processed by the Police Department. He stated that during
1986 the department handled in excess of 23,000 calls and that
computerization of the department has been extremely helpful for
data collection and operations. Captain Geagan also reviewed the
training standards for police officers, drug testing of new
employees, updated the physical fitness program, and reviewed a
policy manual for police procedures in field training that is
presently under review with the City Administrator. He also
reviewed the present organizational makeup of the Police
Department and illustrated operations by presenting a map
illustrating the four (4) police beats and the incident rate for
each specific beat.
Captain Geagan expressed a concern about the growth of
the City which directly impacts the number of miles of public
street to patrol and the necessity to clear certain crimes that
are committed within the City. Chief Berthe and Captain Geagan
stated that the City of Eagan has maintained a reputation for
providing clearance of crimes committed and patrolling the
community as a deterrent to crime and wish to maintain that
public image and service to the community. Chief Berthe reviewed
the manpower needs, stating that seven new police officers are
required for each of the next two (2) years to maintain a 1 per
1,000 ratio for sworn police officers.
Special Council Minutes
May 27, 1987
Chief Berthe also stated that he is planning to shift
the responsibilities of Sergeant to Chief Investigator to
coordinate investigations which will provide greater efficiency
in the Police Department for the remainder of 1987.
Members of the City Council thanked Police Chief Berthe
and Captain Geagan for the presentation and the ability to
participate in a prioritization of services that are rendered by
the Police Department through the completion of a survey. The
Mayor and members of the City Council stated that additional
manpower needs will be considered during the development of the
operating budget later this summer for calendar year 1988.
FBI ACADEMY UPDATE/CAPTAIN PAT GEAGAN
Captain Pat Geagan of the Police Department appeared
and presented his experience while in attendance at the FBI
Academy for a special thirteen (13) week training program early
in 1987. He related class work and case studies that were taken
during his training, stating that many of the situations and
information shared at the academy will be of present value to his
administrative practices with the Eagan Police Department.
Captain Geagan thanked the City Council for his opportunity and
he expressed a strong appreciation for his experience and the
value gained by the City of Eagan for his having attended the
academy.
PARKS - IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT #87-1
Mr. Hedges submitted the bids that were received on May 21, 1987
for Contract #87-1 consisting of construction in miscellaneous
parks, including Thomas Lake, O'Leary, Vienna Woods, Northview,
Carnelian, Lakeside, and Trapp Farm Parks. The low bidder was.
Central Landscaping in the sum of $546,256.73. The staff
recommended approval. Upon motion by Wachter, seconded Eggn, it was
resolved that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, Central
Landscaping Co. as recommended. All voted in;favor.
CIP & 1988 OPERATING BUDGET
Tom Hedges described the current status of the 1988 operating
budget, indicating that the department heads have begun preparation
of their budget information and expect that budget worksheets will
be completed in early August. The Capital Improvements Plan for
1988 through 1992 is in process and there were concerns from
Councilmembers about the capital improvements requests from the
pooled fund.
Special Council Minutes
May 27, 1987
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
1. Joint Cable Commission Meeting. A Joint meeting with the
Burnsville City Council has been scheduled for June 18, 1987 at 7:00
p.m. with the meeting of both Councils with the Joint Cable
Commission at 8:15 p.m.
2. Freeway Zoning Progress. The City Administrator stated that
he expected that a draft ordinance will be prepared by late June
regarding Freeway Zoning for review by the Planning Commission and
the City Council.
3. Special Assessment Committee Meeting. A Special Assessment
Committee meeting will be scheduled within the next few weeks, being
the first meeting in somewhat over a year.
MANAGEMENT TEAM DISCUSSION UPDATE
There was discussion concerning the proposed reanalysis of the
development practices currently taking place at the staff level.
The Administrative Agenda requests developers to be placed on the
agenda after the publication and distribution of the agenda is of
strong concern to the staff. Blomquist moved, Wachter seconded the
motion to require that applications for final plat approval be
placed on the Consent Agenda and that such applications be submitted
with all required information by Wednesday, prior to the Tuesday
regular City Council meetings, with the understanding that such
applications will not be placed on the Administrative Agenda. All
members voted yes.
BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
The administrator explained that there are certain construction
defects, including curb and gutter, catch basins and storm sewer
installation, particularly in the parking lot of the church property
on Pilot Knob Road. The Church was given temporary occupancy and
the Council directed the staff to notify Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Church that it will be given sixty (60) days to correct the defects
and if they are not corrected, then the City will withdraw the
temporary occupancy permit, pending completion of the improvements,
according to the City requirements.
PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE
It was noted that the City has now occupied the Public Works
garage facility on Coachman Road and that the building has been
essentially completed, according to the most recent completion
schedule.
Special Council Minutes -
May 27, 1987
TRANSIT OPT OUT LEGISLATION
Mr. Hedges described the Sunset Clause that was adopted in the
1988 Legislature to allow municipalities to elect to withdraw from
the Metro Transit Program. The sunset period ends in July of 1988
and the Council directed the staff to review briefly the options
that the City has and the implications to the City of Eagan.
BRAD HOXSEY/CONTRACT 85-26
Brad Hoxsey, who resides at 1537 West Woodview,
appeared and expressed his concern regarding the noise he has
encountered during the City's construction of wells 8 and 9 that
are under contract referred to as 85-26. He stated that the
drilling is occurring within eighty feet (80') of his unit and
that he would like some relief to his problem in the form of a
cash payment to offset his mortgage payment while he is selling
his townhouse unit. The City Council deliberated the request of
Mr. Hoxsey and concluded that during the rapid growth and
development of the City, a payment is not allowed which could
create a difficult precedent for the City. City Councilmembers
also expressed that many hardships have been incurred by
residents while their property is impacted by road construction,
residential housing units, commercial construction, and many
other inconveniences that do occur while a community is growing.
ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
The Council then went into Executive Session with City Attorney
Paul Hauge to discuss the current status of the Bieter Company vs.
City of Eagan action.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the special meeting
adjourned at 10:45 p.m. All voted yes.
PHH/TLH
c\~ J
City lerk