02/24/2004 - City Council Special
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP / RETREAT
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004
5:30 P.M.
MOONSHINE PARK
City Councilmembers present: Acting Mayor Fields, Councilmembers Carlson, Tilley and
Maguire.
Staff members present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator
Lord, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke and
Director of Community Development Hohenstein. City Attorney Mike Dougherty was also present.
I. ROLL CALL & AGENDA ADOPTION
Acting Mayor Fields opened the meeting. City Administrator Hedges noted that under
Other Business the Council may wish to discuss a resolution in regards to a $4 million appropriation
to the Metro Greenways that is included in the proposed Natural Heritage Bill. Hedges also added
that the Council may wish to discuss their priorities regarding support of specific projects found in
the State Bonding Bill. Lastly, City Administrator Hedges informed the Council that he would be
happy to provide an update on various communications with Eagan residents that occurred this past
week.
Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to adopt the
agenda as amended. Aye: 4 Nay: 0
City Administrator Hedges, at the request of the City Council, provided an update on the
previous week's events and communications with Eagan residents.
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III. TRANSFER OF ANDERSON PARCEL & FUTURE GREENSP ACE ACQUISITION
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting the seven public policy discussion
topics that were prepared by staff in advance of the retreat. Those discussion items included:
. Public policy discussion regarding subdivisions/platting for property acquisition
o Application fees
Special City Council Minutes
February 24, 2004
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o Development related fees, i.e. connection charges, real estate taxes and special
assessments
. Discuss policy re: roadway easement (setback for future Lexington Ave. expansion)
consideration for Anderson parcel
. Policy discussion re: emergency/septic easement for Anderson parcel
. Discuss development restrictions on residual two acre Anderson parcel
. Consider time line for Anderson acquisition
o Future use of property/layering of land use restrictions by all funding agencies
. Discuss natural elements definitions
. Status of new grant applications
The City Council discussed the need for a conservation easement and the platting of the
Anderson parcel upon the sale of the property. The City Council provided direction that a
conservation easement should be included in the purchase agreement, to include the two acre
residual parcel.
Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke summarized the assessment and
development related fees for the Anderson, Caponi, and McCarthy properties. The City Council
discussed the purchase agreement between Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Andersons. The
Council provided direction that they expect a conservation easement on the residual two acre parcel
and also stipulated that the City Council shall have the opportunity to view the purchase agreement
between TPL and the Andersons. The Council also directed that the conservation easement include
language regarding restricted development in that no development shall take place on the property
(Le. land should be left in natural state). The Council also added that the Anderson's shall be
required to pay all assessments and development related fees.
City Administrator Hedges and City Attorney Dougherty summarized the meeting that City
staff had with TPL on February 23.
The City Council discussed the emergency/septic easement for the Anderson parcel. There was
City Council consensus that an emergency/septic easement is necessary for emergency purposes,
and that ifthe easement is needed to be accessed, it should be restored at the Anderson's cost. The
Council added that the easement would be an obligation of this purchase and it is an issue that
should be addressed up front in future acquisitions.
The City Council discussed the potential roadway easement for future Lexington Avenue
expansion. Director of Community Development Hohenstein summarized the issue of the easement
and noted that if future acquisition is needed and the City waives the easement requirement, the City
would be required to pay 45 percent in order to acquire the easement. It was also added that if the
easement is needed in the future, the County would likely have to condemn the entire property
given that the easement ends approximately two feet in front of the Anderson home. The City
Council directed that the roadway easement for future Lexington Avenue expansion be waived.
Per the request of the City Attorney, the City Council confirmed that in regard to real estate
taxes, the direction is to proceed as usual and pro-rate the taxes to the date of closing.
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February 24, 2004
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The City Council discussed the timeline for the Anderson acquisition. Parks and Recreation
Director Vraa noted that the land will first be subdivided into two parcels (nine acres and two
acres). Next, TPL will purchase the nine acre parcel from the Andersons. The Andersons will
retain the two acres parcel on which their house sits and an emergency access easement on an
existing path on the nine acre parcel. The easement will allow them to service their septic system if
necessary and demolish an old barn on the two acre parcel. Following TPL's purchase, Vraa added,
TPL will convey a conservation easement to the DNR Metro Greenways, and TPL will convey the
restricted nine acres to the City of Eagan. Vraa added that the City will receive funding from the
DNR Natural and Scenic Area Grant as well as Dakota County's Farmland and Natural Area
program, to be combined with the City's contribution, which together will be paid in full to TPL.
Lastly, Vraa added that in addition to the conservation easement required by Metro Greenways (and
Dakota County), there will also be a deed restriction on the property required by the Natural and
Scenic Area Grant. Vraa noted that the conservation easement and the deed restriction both limit
the development and activities that can occur on the property.
Councilmember Carlson noted her desire to sit down with TPL to discuss their strategy and
efforts in partnering with the City. The Council provided direction that correspondence be sent to
TPL to state that the City appreciates the efforts they have gone to in preserving green space within
our community, and also to emphasize the need for a spirit of partnership between the two entities.
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa provided an overview of definitions associated with natural
elements, including definitions for green space, Eagan Greenway Corridor, Eagan Core Greenway,
open space, conservation easement, and reserve/preserve.
The City Council directed that the definitions memo be forwarded to the APrC for their review
and then be brought back to the City Council for formal approval. The Council added that once the
Council has formally approved the document, the definitions be included in an upcoming
Experience Eagan Newsletter.
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa provided an update on potential grant opportunities within
the City. Vraa highlighted three properties including property owned by Carl Olson, property
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Forsman, and a piece of the McCarthy property. Upon reviewing the three
options, the City Council directed that Thresher Fields be the only application made this year;
however, the three properties highlighted by Director Vraa could be explored for future years. The
Council added that Trust for Public Land also has submitted a Natural and Scenic Area Grant
application for the Caponi property.
I.V. OTHER BUSINESS
City Administrator Hedges noted that the City had been contacted to offer support for the $4
million Metro Greenways appropriation that is included in the proposed Natural Heritage Bill.
Councilmember Tilley made a motion to approve a resolution in support of the $4 million
Metro Greenways appropriation included in the Natural Heritage Bill. The motion died for lack of a
second.
Special City Council Minutes
February 24, 2004
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The City Council discussed whether or not they should offer support for specific agencies'
requests for funding. The Council noted that while the Metro Greenways program is extremely
valuable, the Council does not want to appear to be discriminating against other agencies seeking
the same funding. The City Council also discussed initiatives they wish to support within the
bonding bill, again noting that there is significant competition for the same funds.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 9:00 p.m. Aye: 4 Nay: 0