Loading...
11/12/2003 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2003 5:00 P.M. COMMUNITY ROOM EAGAN CITY HALL Councilmembers present: Mayor Geagan, Councilmembers Carlson, Fields, Maguire, and Tilley. Staff members: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Lord, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Communications Director Garrison, Police Chief Therkelsen, Police Officer Ruby, Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa, Superintendent of Recreation Asfahl, Director of Community Development Hohenstein and ECVB Executive Director Carlon. I. ROLL CALL & AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Fields moved, Councilmember Maguire seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Aye: 4; Nay: 0 (Councilmember Tilley not yet present) II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. III. 4th OF JULY ASSOCIATION City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that 4th of July Funfest Committee members Raleigh Seelig, Margo Danner, and Pat Thompson were present to address the City Council with their plans to seek donations and volunteers to help with the 2004 4th of July event. The Committee members thanked the Council for the opportunity to be at the workshop and presented a letter with their suggestions for the upcoming 4th of July event. The City Council discussed the various ideas and volunteer opportunities. Councilmember Fields noted she liked the concept of selling buttons and having an Eagan royalty. The Council discussed hosting a "marathon". The Council noted that given the late notice, it may be difficult to attract volunteers and runners, who often know of races a year before the event takes place. Mayor Geagan inquired about the NDC Chamber of Commerce involvement in the 4th of July Funfest. The Committee emphasized that they would like to see the Chamber involved. Mayor Geagan noted that he would contact the Chamber to request a meeting with them. The City Council and Committee discussed the letter that is proposed to be sent to businesses regarding their participation in the 4th of July event. Councilmember Carlson noted that the letter should include a reference that the donation is to a non-profit organization (Lions), and therefore would be tax deductible. The Council also requested that an option be available to a smaller business to donate funding in less expensive denominations. Special City Council Workshop Minutes November 12,2003 Page 2 Parks & Recreation Director V raa addressed the Council regarding permanent electric facilities at Central Park. Mr. Vraa noted that he is working with SEH to get a fee proposal for the permanent electric capabilities at Central Park. The City Council thanked the Committee for their thoughts and work on the 4th of July event. IV. HEALTHEAST DISCUSSION RE: USE & PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS City Administrator Hedges introduced Police Chief Therkelsen, along with John Dillon, HealthEast Medical Education Program Director and HealthEast paramedic. Hedges noted that HealthEast Transportation received a grant from the Medtronic Foundation to promote the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) in public locations. Furthermore, Hedges added that HealthEast has chosen the City of Eagan to launch their public access defibrillator (PAD) program within Dakota County. Mr. Dillon provided a demonstration and overview ofthe PAD program. Mr. Dillon noted that it is their goal to get the defibrillators in public facilities and throughout the City. The City Council discussed the success the defibrillators have had, as well as the security issues associated with the devices. Chief Therkelsen noted that an assessment of defibrillators in Eagan is currently under way. Therkelsen also added that currently the City of Eagan's Police Department has seven defibrillators, one per patrol area. Mr. Dillon noted that the cost of a defibrillator ranges from between $1,500 per unit to $2,500 per unit. The City Council offered support of the program, the City's participation on a task force, and promotion via cable and the City's website. The City Council also offered support in having HealthEast provide a presentation at a future regular City Council meeting in order to provide public awareness about the program. V. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that per the direction of the City Council at the October 28, 2003 Council workshop, additional time has been scheduled for the City Council to discuss whether to participate in the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities Act (LCA). Hedges noted that at the workshop, the City Council agreed to send any questions they had regarding the LCA Program to the City Administrator. As of Friday, November 7, the City Administrator had not received any questions from the City Council. Hedges noted that if it is the desire of the City Council to participate in the 2004 LCA Program, action at tonight's meeting would be necessary due to the November 15 deadline in place by the Metropolitan Council, per State Statute. The City Council discussed participation in the program. Special City Council Workshop Minutes November 12,2003 Page 3 Councilmember Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to approve a resolution in support of participation in the LCA Program in 2004. Upon discussing the motion, LCA Program Director Elizabeth Ryan provided a summary of the funding that is available through the program. Mayor Geagan noted the wide gamut of uses in which the funding could be used; for example, he referenced that the funding could be used in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. The Mayor also reaffirmed that the City could opt out of the LCA Program at any time. LCA Program Director Ryan noted that a City can opt out at any time; however, in order to opt out for the upcoming year, the decision must be made prior to November 15 of each year. Councilmember Fields noticed her concern with the speed in which the process had taken place, as well as the concern that could result from a change in census data next year. Councilmember Fields noted that participating in the program is fine; however, she does not like the concept of "joining" the program. Ms. Ryan noted that it is not the intention of the Metropolitan Council to change the goals that have been set for 2010. Councilmember Maguire noted his support of the program. Councilmember Carlson noted similar concerns to Councilmember Fields in that she was concerned with the time factor to research additional information about the program. Carlson also added her concern with the issue of "joining" the program. In response to this issue, Councilmember Carlson noted that research is currently being conducted to explore the issue of "joining" the LCA in the upcoming Legislative Session. Mayor Geagan called the vote. Aye: 3 Nay: 1 (Councilmember Fields opposing) Abstentions: 1 (Councilmember Carlson) VI. GUIDELINES FOR ADVISORY COMMISSION APPOINTMENTSIPROCEDURES City Administrator Hedges introduced the item, noting that at the October 14, 2003 City Council workshop, the Council discussed the current appointment process for City advisory commissions. Furthermore, after discussing numerous public policy issues associated with the appointment process and procedures, the City Council directed staff to prepare a policy incorporating the feedback provided by the Council at the workshop. Assistant to the City Administrator Lord provided an overview of the changes incorporated into the policy. Lord also distributed a revised "Data Practices Advisory for Protected Information" form, per the recommendation of the City Attorney. The City Council discussed the policy. It was noted that the policy should include a statement stating that while no advisory commissioner should be involved in the enforcement or regulation of City policy, it should be recognized that commissioners have the ability to attend project sites associated with Commission agendas. There was Council consensus to amend the attendance portion of the policy to state that a commissioner may be removed in the event of three unnotified absences. The Council also requested that alternates attend every meeting. It was requested that the voting process when filling vacancies be further defined in the policy. Also, the Council requested that a statement be included regarding filling the alternate position if a vacancy occurs prior to January 1. There was Council consensus that in the event that there are less than two applicants in the applicant bank who sought appointment to a specific commission in which there is a vacancy, the vacancy will be advertised Special City Council Workshop Minutes November 12,2003 Page 4 and reappointed. The Council directed that a question be added to the application requesting whether an applicant would be willing to serve on a commission other than the specific commission requested. The Council discussed the interview process and agreed that the interviews should be held on two nights during separate weeks. The Council agreed that appointments shall take place at the second regular Council meeting in April, with new commissioners taking their seat in May of each year. During the interviews, the City Council agreed that three or four standard questions should be asked of all applicants, with three or four commission-specific questions. The City Council discussed whether to conduct background checks on applicants. The Council offered questions regarding the use of background checks, which are to be directed to the City Attorney. Those questions included whether the results of a background check are public once they have been provided to the City Council. The Mayor also inquired about the process if background checks are used. The City Council directed a consent item on the November 18 agenda to extend the terms of those commissioners whose term expires on December 31, 2003. VII. JOINT AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION DISCUSSION City Administrator Hedges introduced the item, noting that in keeping with the City Council's expressed wish to meet with each of the advisory commissions, the Council asked that a joint meeting with the Airport Relations Commission (ARC) be scheduled for the November 12, 2003 workshop to learn about the current issues being addressed by the ARC. Assistant to the City Administrator Lord gave an overview of the discussion guide prepared for tonight's workshop. Ms. Lord also introduced Lance Staricha, Chair of the Airport Relations Commission. Chair Staricha introduced the other members of the ARC and gave some introductory comment about the items to be discussed. The City Council discussed compliance within the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor. There was Council consensus for the City to continue to be tough in enforcement, and to encourage citizens to explain when compliance is not taking place. The Council requested that the MAC's Noise Hotline be publicized, as well as the rules regarding night flights. There was Council consensus to explain to citizens how they can use the tools on MAC's website, including the ability to track specific flights over their homes. Councilmembers Carlson and Fields noted software that they learned of at the NOISE Conference, which provides a tool to track flights with a ten minute delay, as opposed to the ten hour delay currently available on the MAC's website. The City Council also requested that a link to the MAC's website, including the ability to offer electronic feedback, be included on the City's website. It was suggested that information be provided to new residents regarding airport noise. Councilmember Fields requested that ARC meetings be played more frequently on the City's cable channel. It was also suggested that the date of the Airport Relations Commission meeting be included on the bottom of the screen when ARC meetings are replayed. Special City Council Workshop Minutes November 12, 2003 Page 5 The City Council discussed the City's relationship with Northwest Airlines and Mesaba Airlines, both of which are headquartered in Eagan. There was Council consensus that a balance is needed regarding the appreciation of the airlines' presence in Eagan, while recognizing the impact that airport noise has on residents. It was suggested that Northwest and Mesaba's government relations staff be invited to a future ARC meeting to dialogue regarding potential future legislation, as well as overall airport issues. The City Council discussed noise mitigation within the 60 to 64 DNL. There was Council consensus to pursue mitigation within the 60 to 64 DNL. The City Council discussed the maintenance of compatible land use within the corridor. There was Council consensus to maintain the City's position in promoting compatible land uses within the Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor. It was suggested that joint meetings be held with the Eagan Airport Relations Commission and other neighboring cities that have airport commissions. The City Council discussed the role of the ARC. The Commission thanked the City Council for their input. It was noted that a goals meeting of the ARC will be scheduled for next year. The City Council noted their desire to see an ARC communications plan to address the upcoming two years, in particular communicating the impact of the new north/south runway scheduled to open in fall of2005. The Council requested that this communications plan be complete prior to May of 2004. The City Council discussed the structure of the MAC per the request of the Commission. Mayor Geagan noted that he will bring up the proposed legislation from the last session regarding the MAC structure when he meets with Representative Wilkin at an upcoming meeting. Mayor Geagan and the City Council thanked the Commission for all of their work on behalf of the community. Commissioner Schlax also noted his appreciation for Chair Staricha, who has served on the ARC for the past ten years. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS City Administrator Hedges provided a notice to the City Council of a neighborhood meeting that is being offered by a private developer to homeowners that surround the Carriage Hills Golf Course. Councilmember Tilley inquired about a call she received in regards to a check cashing business. City Administrator Hedges noted that staff could provide the caller and the City Council with the City's ordinance in regards to check cashing businesses. IX. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Aye: 5 Nay: 0 Special City Council Workshop Minutes November 12,2003 Page 6 Date City Clerk If you need these minutes in an alternative form such as large print, Braille, audio tapes, etc., please contact the City of Eagan, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, 651-675-5001, (TDD phone: 651-675-8535). The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance.