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04/27/1999 - City Council Regular 00118 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA APRIL 27,1999 A Special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, April 27, 1999 in the City Council Chambers of the Eagan Municipal Center Building at 4:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor A wada and City Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist, Carlson and Masin. Also present were Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa and City Administrator Hedges. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor A wada suggested that the agenda include a review of correspondence the City Administrator prepared at the direction of the City Council regarding the light rail transit (LRT) issue to be sent to Ramsey County. She also suggested that the order of business be changed suggesting that the update on Cascade Bay be at the end allowing the City Council to tour the project at the conclusion of all business items listed on the agenda. In a motion by Councilmember Blomquist, seconded by Councilmember Bakken, with all members voting in favor of the agenda as modified for the April 27, 1999 Special City Council meeting, to add the draft correspondence to Ramsey County and to change the order of business by identifying the letter as a second agenda item, a report from the Census 2000 Standing Committee as the third item and the final item as the update of the Cascade Bay project was adopted. MUNICIPAL CENTER CAMPUS GENERATOR City Administrator Hedges provided background information on this item stating that questions have been raised about the proposed site selected for the Municipal generator and whether the City should proceed ahead with the project. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa provided additional background stating that 75 percent of the engineering work has been completed on the generator on a contract that was approximately $80,000. He further stated that the generator is fully constructed and is ready to be shipped according to Dakota Energy Alternatives. Director Vraa further stated that Dakota Energy Alternatives is to check with Ziegler, the manufacturer to determine whether the generator could be sold if there is a determination by the City Council to not proceed a head with the project. . Mayor A wada asked if it is feasible to bury the generator to minimize the site impact south of the Police building. Director Vraa stated that due to the ventilation and exhaust requirements, it is necessary to keep the unit above ground for proper air movement. Councilmember Bakken stated that it is preferable that the building to enclose the generator be constructed to give the appearance as an extension of the Police facility building. Mayor Awada stated that after evaluating the cost, the construction options and payback for the generator, it appears the City should proceed ahead with the project. City Councilmember Carlson concurred that the project is valuable and we should proceed ahead, however, would like the least amount of visual impact on the Police facility and on the entrance to the Municipal Center Campus. Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 27, 1999 Page 2 00119 Councilmember Blomquist also concurred and asked about the dimension of the proposed building to house to generator. Director Vraa stated that the dimension is approximately 40 feet by 36 feet which accommodates the switching equipment and generator. Councilmember Masin asked if landscaping could be added in front of the wall to minimize the appearance and separation of the switching equipment from the generator as presented by Director Vraa. Director Vraa stated that certainly landscaping is a practical remedy for minimizing any visual impact, but did state that there cannot be any landscape materials in front of the air ducts. After further discussion and in a motion by Councilmember Bakken, seconded by Councilmember Blomquist, with all members voting in favor to proceed ahead with the Municipal Campus Generator to be located south and as close to the Police facility building as possible with every effort to retain windows in the dispatch center, provide landscape materials to screen the building, and use materials, including the bull-nose that matches the Police and Municipal Center Building. RAMSEY COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY City Administrator Hedges presented a draft letter to Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority for consideration by the City Council. He stated that direction was given at the April 20 City Council meeting to prepare a draft letter for review by the City Council prior to sending the correspondence to many jurisdictions including the entire legislature. Councilmember Bakken stated that the letter is exactly what the City Council directed and in a motion by Councilmember Bakken, seconded by Councilmember Masin, with all members voting in favor, the letter was approved as written by the City Administrator to be sent to all jurisdictions including the entire Minnesota legislature. CENSUS 2000 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Councilmember Blomquist provided a report on the first meeting on the Census 2000 Standing Committee stating that much of the technical work necessary to-date has been completed by staff. She further stated that along with Councilmember Masin, several efforts will be made to provide a strong communications plan to inform the community on the importance of everyone's participation in the Census 2000 Program. She specifically com.mented on the Committee's discussion about difficulties in obtaining information from residents who are considered transient due to changing jobs and other factors. Councilmember Blomquist also commented on the significance of utilizing cable as a good media for providing information to the community on Census 2000. She also stated that efforts will be made to work with the City of Bumsville to collaborate on cable programming. Mayor A wada thanked the Committee for their update and work on the Census 2000 Project. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor A wada asked if there was any further business before the City Council proceeds with an update on Cascade Bay and tour of the facility. City Administrator Hedges stated that Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 27, 1999 Page 3 00120 due to the proposed length of the May 6 regular City Council meeting, he suggested that the Special City Council meeting that was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on that same day, be moved to precede the joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting on Thursday, May 6. He stated that the purpose of the Special City Council workshop in addition to the Comprehensive Guide Plan is to review the status of development plans for the Kollofski Addition. In a motion by Councilmember Masin, seconded by Councilmember Bakken, the Special City Council meeting was cancelled for May 4 and the meeting for May 6 was rescheduled for 5:00 p.m. to address the status of the Kollofski Addition. CASCADE BAY UPDATE City Administrator Hedges presented proposed wording for the Cascade Bay plaque and asked for comment and direction from the City Council. After a review and various comments by the City Council, a motion was made by City Councilmember Masin, seconded by Councilmember Bakken, with Mayor Awada and City Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist and Masin voting in favor and Councilmember Carlson voting in opposition. Direction was given to the City Administrator regarding language to appear on the Cascade Bay plaque and, further, that the revisions be presented at the May 4 regular City Council meeting on the Administrative Agenda for final ratification. Director of Parks and Recreation V raa provided an update on the status of Cascade Bay stating that the grand opening date is proposed for Friday, June 11, however, was careful to suggest that due to the bad weather, it may be necessary to delay the grand opening if the project is not completed as scheduled. He stated that it could be possible to have a ribbon cutting with some soft openings and then a grand opening later in the month of June. Mayor A wada stated that it is her preference to have the ribbon cutting and grand opening on the same day and continue to schedule June II as the date for the event. She stated that if a week or two in advance it is clear that the pool cannot be completed, the City can adjust their schedule at that time. Councilmember Blomquist stated that continued updates on cable is helpful for the community and, further, suggested that the grand opening be on live cable. City Councilmember Carlson concurred that June II should be the date for the grand opening, however, it is wise that the City plan for a contingency in case bad weather continues or there are other unforeseen reasons Cascade Bay cannot open as planned. . After further discussion, Mayor A wada acknowledged that there is a consensus that Cascade Bay will celebrate its grand opening on June 11, with the understanding that a contingency will be in the making if there is reason to delay the pool opening and, further, that the grand opening will be on live cable. Director Vraa also reported on the proposed fund raising event that is scheduled for Thursday, June 10 at Cascade Bay that will raise scholarship funds to benefit youth who are unable to purchase a season pass to Cascade Bay, participate in programs at the Civic Arena or other recreational activities. He stated that the date was selected prior to the grand opening, which provides participants with a special preview of Cascade Bay before it is opened to the public. Mayor Awada commented on the fund raising event stating that an infonnal committee consisting of Pat Dill, Inez Bergquist of the Eagan Foundation, the City Administrator, Director of Parks and Recreation and herself have met to discuss the proposed event stating further that the Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 27, 1999 Page 4 001.21. hours would be 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The dress attire would be semi-formal and the cost would be approximately $25 per person with wine, cheese and soft drink beverages served. After further discussion, Councilmembers expressed their excitement and concurrence for the fund raising event, and in a motion by Councilmember Blomquist, second by Councilmember Bakken, with all members voting in favor, Thursday, June 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. was designated as a fund raising event at Cascade Bay for the purpose of raising scholarship dollars to benefit youth in the community to participate in various City sponsored recreational activities. Mayor Awada stated that this portion of the Special City Council workshop will adjourn and Councilmembers will take a tour of the Cascade Bay project to receive a briefing on the status of construction. She invited the press and anyone else in the audience to join the Councilmembers on their tour. The meeting was officially adjourned at approximately 6:20 p.m. upon completing the tour. April 27, 1999 Date