05/29/2001 - City Council Special
Minutes of a Special Workshop of the Eagan City Council
May 29,2001
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MINUTES OF A
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2001
FIRE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
5:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor A wada, Councilmembers Bakken, Carlson, Fields and Tilley, City
Administrator Hedges, Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge, Director of Public
Works Colbert, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa, Senior Planner Ridley,
Communications Coordinator Foote, Recycling Coordinator Bast, Administrative
Specialist Hertel, ARC members Drenckhahn, Gladhill, Kinard, Schlax, Soderling,
Thorkildson, Weller, WRAC members Armborst, Hanson, Hurd, Merkel, Patrow, and
Tapper.
ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION
Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adopt the
agenda as presented with the addition of Road Project, Inver Grove Heights Joint Powers
Agreement and Bear Path Storm Sewer Improvements. Aye: 5 Nay: 0
JOINT AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor A wada welcomed the Commission and invited them to open the discussion. ARC
Chair Gladhill provided an overview of the ARC's recent goalsetting session to the City
Council, highlighting communications and the importance of imparting understanding
and knowledge to the citizens of Eagan about airport matters. Assistant City
Administrator Verbrugge noted that the commission would create extended vignette
commercials to run in between other features on the cable channel, providing expanded
information on the north-south runway and mitigation options.
A discussion ensued emphasizing the importance of effective use oflocal media, direct
communication, citizen group organizing and local public events to communicate about
airport matters. Several members commented on the adverse impact to schoolchildren of
airport noise.
The members and Council discussed the purpose and objectives of hiring a noise
attorney. The Council stated that they would likely support the efforts if the commission
and staff would clearly delineate the expected outcomes of that action prior to formal
approval at a regular Council meeting.
JOINT WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING ABATEMENT
COMMISSION/ CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor A wada welcomed the Commission and invited them to begin the discussion.
Commission Member Patraw commented that the commission had been working with
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa in an advisory capacity regarding smart building
Minutes of a Special Workshop of the Eagan City Council
May 29,2001
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for the community center. He further noted that it is important for the City to remember
that recycling is only effective if organizations also purchase recycled products. Mayor
Awada stated that the Council looks to the Commission for leadership and suggestions
regarding recycling.
Communications Coordinator Foote briefly described the ARROW program for
businesses engaged in recycling efforts, noting that there were approximately sixty
participants in 2000. The Council expressed support for the program and encouraged
expansIOn.
Councilmember Bakken inquired about the effectiveness ofthe waste hauler licensing
cap and asked the commission ifthey had considered any creative alternatives.
Commission Member Patraw responded that the commission had considered encouraging
voluntary organized collection, but had encountered obstacles that pose limitations.
COMMUNITY CENTER/CENTRAL PARK UPDATE
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa gave an update to the Council, stating that the
product of the design and development stage of the process would be before the Council
for formal approval on June 5. He asked for any final contributions or modifications to
share with the consultants. The Council did not make any additional suggestions or
changes.
GOLF COURSE
City Administrator Hedges gave an overview regarding Parkview and Carriage Hills golf
courses. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the preliminary course designs
he had seen did not have returning nines and included a remote driving range, neither of
which are ideal for revenue optimization. Director Vraa commented that the next step
would be to hire a consultant to do a feasibility study. The Council directed that the
committee comprised of Mayor A wada and Councilmember Carlson should meet with
Mr. Lundeen to discuss the golf course options further before bringing the matter before
the full Council for authorization of a feasibility study.
APPRAISALS - CEDAR GROVE
Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge briefed the Council on a land purchase
opportunity within the Cedar Grove redevelopment area and received direction to
proceed with acquisition subject to formal Council approval at a regular City Council
meeting.
MVTA GARAGE
City Administrator Hedges gave an overview and Senior Planner Ridley reviewed the
drawing and building plans for the proposed MVT A garage and maintenance site, noting
that the building as proposed with possible expansion would meet the needs of the
Minutes ofa Special Workshop of the Eagan City Council
May 29, 2001
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MVT A in Eagan into the future. The Council concurred that the preliminary proposal
looked reasonable. Senior Planner Ridley agreed to work with the MVT A to "dress up"
the sides of the building a bit more to more closely conform to the architectural standards
of the surrounding corporate and office buildings.
BEAR PATH STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
The City Council asked that storm mitigation alternatives for the Beaver DamlBear Path
intersection be presented for consideration at the June 19,2001 regular City Council
meeting.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
The City Council discussed a request by Ms. Bea Blomquist to meet with the Public
Works Committee. The Council agreed that the committee would accommodate her
request and that due to a pending appeal, the City Attorney should also be present.
GRANDFATHER TREE PROJECT
Ms. Kay Gustafson described the project of moving the tree onto the Central Park site
and the fundraising efforts that would be conducted through the Eagan Foundation as the
fiscal agent. She noted that the tree parade would occur on June 6, 2001.
OTHER BUSINESS
Councilmember Bakken stated that the WRAC should be charged with studying the
effects of and alternatives to the licensing cap on waste haulers in Eagan. Mayor Awada
and Councilmember Carlson stated that the decision made previously should stand.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Date
City Clerk
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