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02/03/1998 - City Council Special 00035 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota February 3, 1998 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, February 3, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. in the Eagan Municipal Center Community Room. Present were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Blomquist, Masin and Wachter. Also present were Superintendent of Parks Olson, Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa, Director of Public Works Colbert, Communications Coordinator Foote, Director of Finance VanOverbeke and City Administrator Hedges. NORTH PARK City Administrator Hedges stated that the City retained Northern Environmental to perform an environmental risk analysis of the tax exempt property, referred to as the Borchert-Ingersoll site, prior to the City accepting title to the property. He further stated that since 1995, City staff and consultant, Northern Environmental, have spent a considerable amount of time and dollars in testing and investigative work to determine if the site is environmentally acceptable for use by the City as parkland. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa provided additional comments on why the City is gMng consideration to obtaining the Borchert-Ingersoll parcel, which included an explanation of the legislative action regarding the trade with Gopher Resource and the fact that the City owns a portion of North Park on the west side of the water body. He further reviewed a layout that the City Council has considered over the past three years that illustrates how the site could be developed. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa further stated that the City is experiencing frustration caused by the Dakota County Physical Development Department, stating that staff is questioning why the County feels the need to manage the environmental risk at a higher level than the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He stated that the City has received a verbal approval from the MPCA; however, the County is insistent that more environmental testing should be performed by the City and its consultants. Director of Parks & Recreation stated that a draft letter was prepared to the Dakota County Environmental Management Department questioning why the County feels the need to manage the environmental risk at a higher level than the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He stated that staff needs direction regarding the City's position on the status of more environmental study requested by Dakota County given the position of the MPCA that there is no additional testing necessary for North Park. City Council member Blomquist stated that in the early 80's until it closed, she conducted environmental assessments for Borchert-Ingersoll as a private consultant and has no knowledge of this property being used as a dump site. She further reviewed the drawings and stated that she could tell what was approximately in the tests that were performed when Borchert-Ingersoll was operating as a business at that location. City Council member Awada stated that she continues to believe that the property proposed as North Park has such poor access as a City athletic field. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa addressed the location, stating that access to the park could be designed to intersect with Yankee Doodle Road and Elrene Road. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa provided drawings to show how the property is intended to be developed. Mayor Egan questioned the closure plan, suggesting that the MPCA appears to be responsible for ground water and Dakota County for solid waste. He further suggested that the draft letter to Dakota County be modified and if there is any additional environmental testing to be performed, it should be at the cost of Dakota County. City Councilmember Blomquist stated that she would be happy to meet with representatives of the County to further discuss the environmental inspections she performed. She further stated that previous to this City Council meeting, she had some conversation with County staff regarding the environ"mental issues. Mayor Egan thanked staff for their presentation and coordination and on behalf of the City Council, directed that a letter be sent to Dakota County staff urging that the environmental review process be finalized so decisions could be made about the ownership and use of the property. 00036 Page 2/Eagan Special City Council Meeting Minutes February 3, 1998 LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION Mayor Egan welcomed State Representative Pawlenty to the workshop meeting. He further stated that Senator Wiener indicated that she would be present; however, due to a Senate Committee meeting on the proposed Caponi legislation, she may be running late for the work session. Representative Pawlenty discussed a number of issues, including Orfield legislation that addresses metro governance, levy limit extensions, the bonding bill and other legislation being given consideration during the session. After a 20 minute dialogue on these legislative topics, Senator Wiener arrived and shared a brief summary of what occurred at her subcommittee meeting where the Caponi legislation was being given consideration. After a brief discussion with Senator Wiener, City Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for both Representative Pawlenty and Senator Wiener appearing before the City Council to discuss legislative issues common to both the City and the State. Mayor Egan invited both Senator Wiener and Representative Pawlenty to address the City Council at the beginning of the regular City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:4:U February 3, 1998 ~ Date City Clerk TLH