09/08/1986 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
September 8, 1986
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Monday, September 8,
1986 at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center Building. Present were Mayor
Blomquist and City Council members Egan, Smith, Ellison and Wachter. Also
present were Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Administrative Assistant
Hohenstein, Administrative Intern Johannes and City Administrator Hedges.
Mayor Blomquist acknowledged the presence of Airport Noise Adhoc Committee
members Dustin Mirick, Otto Leitner, Joe Harrison, John Gustin, Caroline Braus
and the Committee's Chairperson Tom Baker. City Administrator Hedges briefly
provided a background on the airport noise issue stating that the objective of
the Committee and City Council discussion is to arrive at some consensus
regarding acceptable operational procedures for aircraft takeoffs over north
Eagan. Administrative Assistant Hohenstein presented background information
relative to the early understanding between the FAA and City of Eagan concer-
ning operational procedures for all aircraft departures. He indicated that
the early agreements were accomodating to the neighborhoods due to the
increased traffic in the area resulting from the preferential runway system.
He further reviewed the airport noise footprints that were established by the
Metropolitan Council and used by the City of Eagan in determining the first
Comprehensive Guide Plan that was prepared in the late 1970's and adopted in
early 1980's. These footprints were based on a left turn on takeoff from 11L
and 11R. City Council and Airport Noise Committee members stated that the
City has attempted to zone and regulate land use in conformance with the
airport noise footprints that-were adopted as part of the Comprehensive Guide
Plan.
Administrative Assistant Hohenstein stated that recent departures have
diverged from the left turn, and have diverged even beyond the runway center-
line infringing on residential neighborhoods. This extends the noise impact
beyond the airport noise footprint and the assumptions of the comprehensive
guide planning performed by the City of Eagan. He further presented a runway
heading study that was performed by the Metropolitan Airport Commission this
past summer stating that many departures during the month of July and early
August were south of the approved heading and the FAA has assured MAC that
they would correct this procedural error with their controllers.
The discussion was beneficial and members of the Commission and City Council
asked that the City Attorney's office be directed to review the regulatory
authority of the Metropolitan Council regarding their enforcement and
requirement to conform to the City of Eagan's Comprehensive Guide Plan of
record. City Council and Airport Noise Committee members also asked that
the matter be pursued in cooperation with Mendota Heights as the corridor
affects both communities. The Council further directed that all alternatives,
including legislation, be considered, if necessary to correct any deficiencies
that might exist concerning airport procedures that are not presently adhered
to by the FAA.
There was no official motion, however the staff was given the aforementioned
direction. Airport Noise Committee members and Administrative Assistant
Hohenstein were given a special acknowledgement and thanks for their continued
effort in monitoring airport operational procedures within the City of Eagan.
PROPOSED 1987 BUDGET
City Administrator presented budget revisions that were directed at the August
25, 1986 special budget workshop session. He stated that both revenues and
expenditures were revised to reflect no increases to the City millrate for
1987. He further stated that revenues were adjusted by reducing property
taxes and homestead tax credit by approximately $390,000 and adding the sale
of equipment source by $98,000 to reflect the road grader that was recently
declared surplus property. The net adjustment and expenditures is a reduction
of $292,586 spread throughout most all departments. He stated that only a few
of the operating budget items were adjusted due to the fact that inflation and
volume of activity due to growth is accurately reflected in either the depar-
tmental request or City Administrator's adjustment for those budgetary items.
He stated that most of the reductions were for manpower and capital reflecting
policy direction by the City Council at the last budget workshop and a reprio-
ritization through meetings with department heads. City Council member
Ellison suggested that consideration be given to increasing manpower in the
Police Department from three to four by starting a fourth officer in October
of 1987 which is consistent with the City Administrator's budget. After
discussion and consideration to modify the budget it was decided that the
number of police officers for 1987 would remain at three and the number of
police officers would be carefully examined each calendar year in an effort to
maintain a relationship of the one officer per thousand manpower objective of
the Police Department.
The Director of Public Works, Tom Colbert, appeared and discussed reasons for
the City Council to consider the development of a master transportation plan
for the City of Eagan. There were a number of questions raised by the City
Council as to why the transportation plan is required given the fact that many
roadway alignments have been established and streets constructed within the
City. Public Works Director Colbert responded to the various questions
stating that many roadway alignments need to be upgraded and with the City
only half developed this plan could be used as an effective decision making
tool during the remaining years of community development. Members of the City
Council expressed a desire to contact Dakota County and determine whether the
County would participate in the cost of a master transportation plan for all
county roads that are examined as a part of the study. There is also a desire
expressed by the City Council that a draft request for proposal be prepared
and the City Council be given an opportunity to address and select objectives
set for in the plan.
There was no action taken on the budget, however, the City Administrator was
directed to prepare budgetary handouts for a public hearing that is scheduled
on September 16, 1986 based on $7,389,630 proposed budget as given
consideration to date.
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately
11:15 P.M.
TLH
September 8, 1986
Dated ~~VJJ City Clerk