06/19/1999 - City Council Special
001.93
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
June 29, 1999
A Special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, June 29, 1999 in the City Council
Chambers of the Eagan Municipal Center Building at 5:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor
A wada and City Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist, Carlson and Masin. Also present were
Superintendent of Utilities Schwanz, Superintendent of Streets Erhart, Public Works Coordinator
/ Administrative Assistant Struve, City Engineer Matthys, Director of Public Works Colbert,
Director of Finance VanOverbeke and City Administrator Hedges.
AGENDA ADOPTION
City Councilmember Masin moved that both Livable Communities and the status of
Discovery Park be added to the agenda for discussion. The motion died for lack of a second.
City Councilmember Masin moved and Mayor A wada seconded, with all members voting in
favor that a discussion regarding the status of Discovery Park be added to the agenda under other
business.
After further discussion and in a motion by Councilmember Bakken, seconded by
Councilmember Carlson with all members voting in favor, the balance of the June 29 Special City
Council meeting agenda was ado~ted.
FIVE (5) YEAR C.I.P. PART III
Mayor Awada commented that the main purpose for the Special City Council
meeting workshop is to review the Five Year Capital Improvement Program Part III for public
infrastructure projects. City Administrator Hedges provided background information on the item
stating that the Capital Improvement Program (C.I.P.) is divided into three (3) parts consisting of
Part I general government facilities, Part II vehicles and equipment both new and replacement
and Part III which is public infrastructure and parks acquisition and development. He stated that
in order to plan and proceed with public infrastructure improvements during calendar year 2000,
it is necessary to address the proposed projects at this time and would further suggest that this
part of the CJ.P. be placed on the July 20 regular City Council agenda for adoption. He stated
that this will allow staff the necessary lead time required to perform field analysis, feasibility
reports, public hearings and other steps that are necessary in carrying out public improvement
projects in the year 2000. City Administrator Hedges further stated that the main concentration is
for projects proposed in the year 2000, however, it is important to review projects that are
proposed and planned for the years 2001-2004 and if for any reason these projects should not be
considered in a certain calendar year, it is important to identify those changes at this time. He
stated that there is a tremendous amount of coordination with county, state and federal entities
regarding highway construction, which is why it is critical that all entities agree on a proposed
calendar year for construction of any project.
Director of Public Works Colbert provided an overview of the proposed five (5) year
public infrastructure improvements stating that the first category is Streets and Highways, which
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June 29, 1999
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include collector and arterial, local street improvements, street seal coating, signals and
streetlights. He further commented that Utilities are the second part, which includes water trunk
distribution, water operations and facilities, sanitary sewer trunk conveyance and storm sewer
trunk conveyance.
City Councilmember Masin asked about the status of a signal at Northwood Parkway and
Neil Armstrong Boulevard with Lexington Avenue. Director of Public Works Colbert discussed
the need as expressed by local companies that utilize the intersection and further commented that
the signal would not be constructed until Lexington Avenue is widened from Lone Oak Road to
Town Centre Drive. He stated that this project was originally programmed for the year 2000,
however, due to the county's workload, they would not be able to accommodate it until 2002.
Director of Public Works Colbert further stated that if the City becomes the lead agency, the
project could be accelerated to the 2001 construction season. After a review and discussion by
the City Council, there was consensus to move the project to 2001 and have the City become the
lead agency. However, the City Council was concerned about the lack of traffic control at the
intersection of North wood ParkwayINeil Armstrong Boulevard with Lexington Avenue. There
have been requests for a signal from some of the new businesses and several crashes already have
occurred. Councilmembers Masin and Carlson requested that some type of control be installed
until the proposed improvement in 2001. When informed of the lack of City jurisdiction on this
county road, there was a motion by Councilmember Carlson, seconded by Councilmember
Bakken with all members voting in favor, directing City Administrator to place a Resolution on
the July 6 City Council Consent Agenda requesting Dakota County to provide temporary traffic
control on Lexington at Northwood ParkwaylNeil Armstrong Blvd.
Mayor A wada suggested that Beau D' Rue Drive be further delayed from year 2000 to
2001 allowing the City an opportunity to complete its planning efforts for the TH 13 and Cedar
Avenue study area. City Councilmembers agreed that due to the moratorium that has been placed
on the general Cedarvale area, this project should be delayed until at least the year 2001 to allow
time to receive the results to be submitted by the Cedarvale Task Force for the general Cedarvale
area. In a motion by Mayor Awada, seconded by Councilmember Bakken with all members
voting in favor, the Bea D' Rue Drive project was delayed until 2001.
Councilmember Carlson stated that she would like south Dodd Road to be delayed until
there is more development plans or when residents are willing to petition for the road
improvements. City Councilmember Masin agreed and suggested that the project be postponed
until 2002. In a motion by Councilmember Masin, seconded by Councilmember Blomquist with
all members voting in favor, the south Dodd Road upgrade was delayed until 2002.
Councilmember Carlson asked if it would be possible to resurrect further consideration of
Dodd Road from Diffley Road to Wescott Road as a project in the next year or two. Director of
Public Works Colbert stated that to date, Dodd Road has only been programmed for an overlay in
2004. However, there have been requests for a separated trailway, which would require a
substantial reconstruction of Dodd Road from its rural to an urban section. City Councilmember
Carlson stated that she would like to proceed as soon as possible with consideration to review
alternatives and review the possible upgrade of Dodd Road. Mayor Awada suggested that the
staff review phasing opportunities and present alternatives for the upgrade of Dodd Road north of
Diffley at a future workshop. City Councilmember Blomquist stated that there are large lots
along Dodd Road that could incur significant assessments. After further discussion and in a
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motion by Mayor Awada, seconded by Councilmember Bakken with all members voting in favor,
staff was directed to bring back phasing opportunities for the upgrade of Dodd Road between
Diffley Road and Wescott Road at the first available work session.
City Councilmember Masin stated that the C.I.P. process is important and allows the City
Council to prioritize all street projects so staff is not overburdened. City Councilmembers
concurred and after a brief discussion and in a motion by Councilmember Carlson, seconded by
Councilmember Bakken with all members voting in favor, there was concurrence that the Yankee
Doodle Road extension from Highway 149 to County Road 63 in Inver Grove Heights should not
be postponed until 2002 as proposed by the county, but kept as 2001 as presented.
There was consensus by the City Council that all other collector and arterial street
projects identified in the C.I.P. would remain as presented.
Mayor Awada asked that staff present information regarding local street improvements.
Director of Public Works Colbert provided a brief overview on the local street improvements that
are identified in the five (5) year C.I.P. After further discussion and review and in a motion by
City Councilmember Bakken, seconded by Mayor Awada with all members voting in favor,
Cantebury and Wedgwood were delayed until 2001 to allow staff to concentrate on the Cliff Road
improvements that are planned for the year 2000.
Councilmember Carlson also suggested that Terminal Drive be delayed unless the road
upgrade is necessary as a result of potential expansion by Blue Cross. Director of Public Works
Colbert stated that building phasing for expansion at the River Park facility is being considered
and discussions are occurring with City staff. In a motion by Councilmember Bakken, seconded
by Mayor Awada with all members voting in favor, Terminal Drive was delayed until 2001
pending final development plans for Blue Cross.
Director of Public Works Colbert was asked about the work schedule for the year 2000.
He stated that shortening the number of projects will help staff that is currently short on personnel
due to two (2) engineering technician vacancies. Councilmember Carlson stated that, if
necessary, other projects could be cancelled or postponed in order to satisfy staff workload.
Director of Public Works Colbert presented the street seal coating; there were no
comments or discussion regarding the five year CJ.P. for street seal coating.
Director of Public Works Colbert presented the proposal for signals. Councilmember
Carlson raised a question regarding a proposed signal at Yankee Doodle Road and Promenade
Avenue. After further discussion, a motion was presented by Councilmember Carlson, seconded
by Councilmember Bakken that a signal for the Yankee Doodle Road and Promenade A venue
intersection be placed in a future category. The motion failed on a 4-1 vote with Councilmember
Carlson voting aye and Mayor Awada and Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist and Masin voting
nay.
Director of Public Works Colbert reviewed streetlights, water trunk distribution, water
operations and facilities, sanitary sewer trunk conveyance and storm sewer trunk conveyance
sections of the five (5) year CJ.P. There were no specific comments or direction provided by the
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June 29, 1999
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City Council requesting any change in the five (5) year C.I.P. as presented for each of these
categories.
Mayor Awada complimented the staff for all the work and background on the five (5)
year c.I.P. and noted that this portion of the overall City five (5) year C.I.P. will be presented for
City Council consideration as amended at the July 20 regular City Council meeting.
SHOWS LICENSE/ECVB
City Administrator Hedges provided background on a request for show license for the
Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau for July 2-4 for the 4th of July FunFest event. In a motion
by Councilmember Bakken, seconded by Councilmember Masin with all members voting in
favor, a show license for the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau for July 2-4, 1999 for the 4th
of July FunFest event was approved.
PARADE LICENSE/4TI1 OF JULY CELEBRATION
City Administrator Hedges provided background on this item. In a motion by
Councilmember Masin, seconded by Council Bakken with all members voting in favor, the Eagan
Convention and Visitors Bureau and Eagan Lions Club were given authorization to hold the
annual 4th of July parade on Blackhawk Road between Diffley Road and Blue Cross Road to
begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 1999.
TEMPORARY BEER LICENSEIEAGAN LIONS CLUB/JUL Y 4TI1 FUNFEST
City Administrator Hedges provided background on this item. In a motion by
Councilmember Masin, seconded by Councilmember Carlson with all members voting in favor,
the temporary beer license for the Eagan Lions Club for July 2-4, 1999 to accommodate the 4th of
July FunFest event was approved.
SCHEDULE SPECIAL WORK RETREAT FOR JULY 6
City Administrator Hedges provided background on this item. In a motion by
Councilmember Carlson, seconded by Councilmember Bakken with all members voting in favor,
the special work retreat was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6, in the lunchroom of the
Municipal Building to prepare information for the goals and eventual action plan that has been
developed at previous retreats.
DISCUSSION REGARDING DISCOVERY PARK
Task member Masin stated that it was disappointing to learn that Skyline Displays no
longer has an interest in developing and donating Discovery Park to the community and instead
made a cash donation to the City to satisfy their parkland dedication requirements. She further
asked if there was any way for the City to further consider the development of Discovery Park.
City Administrator Hedges provided background on Discovery Park and reasons that Skyline
Displays' ownership chose to pay the parkland dedication. Mayor Awada stated that given this
action it might be appropriate for the City to look at the Joe Miller property as a site for the
amphitheater and other development opportunities that were under consideration for Discovery
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Park. Councilmember Carlson stated that the vision for Discovery Park is there, but the
visionaries are gone along with the commitment by Skyline Displays' ownership to develop the
property for park purposes. Councilmember Blomquist asked what the status was on the setback
requirements that pertained both to Skyline Displays and the ten acre Discovery Park. City
Administrator Hedges stated that to his knowledge this had not been settled and was under
consideration with the Discovery Park agreement negotiations. Councilmember Masin stated that
the location for Discovery Park was unique due to its proximity to the Promenade and Faithful
Shepherd School and would like for the City Council to have the Advisory Parks and Recreation
Commission take a look at the possibility of the City acquiring and developing the ten acre parcel
for Discovery Park. After further discussion and in a motion by Councilmember Masin, seconded
by Mayor A wada with all members voting in favor, staff was directed to contact Skyline Displays
to determine if they would sell the ten (10) acres to the City and to determine a proposed cost for
the property.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Awada shared information she received from the City of Roseville that developed
a handout providing homeowners with plans and concepts as to how they can update their homes
such as adding a second story addition, master bedroom, etc. She suggested that this document
be shared with the Planning Department and possibly the City could provide similar information
as a handout to the public.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
TLH
JUNE 29, 1999
Date
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