06/02/1998 - City Council Special
00188
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
JUNE 2, 1998
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, June 2, 1998
at 5:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center. Present were Mayor Egan and
Councilmembers Awada, Blomquist, Masin and Wachter. Also present were Director of
Public Works Colbert, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa and City Administrator
Hedges.
WORLDCOM EASEMENT
Director of Public Works Colbert stated that Worldcom is proposing to install
fiber optic cable inside the casing of an abandoned Williams Brothers Pipeline that
crosses through the community. He further stated that portions of the pipeline are located
in City park land which raises a question about the value the City should charge
W orldcom for granting easement rights. City Councilmembers asked how much
Worldcom is paying for easements on private property. Director of Public Works Colbert
stated that he is aware that W orldcom is compensating private property owners for
easement rights, but was not aware of the amount. Communications Coordinator Foote
suggested that the City include a condition that would require Worldcom to provide fiber
optic access to the City.
After further discussion and in a motion by City Councilmember A wada,
seconded by City Councilmember Wachter with all members voting aye, staffwas
directed to negotiate an easement with Worldcom for the installation of fiber optic cable
in existing William Brothers Pipeline across City park land at a rate of $2.00 a linear foot
and further that Worldcom be required to include fiber optic cable access for the City of
Eagan.
AQUATIC POOL FACILITY UPDATE
City Administrator Hedges stated that representatives of Water Technologies, Inc.
were present to answer questions and review plans relative to the proposed Family
Aquatic Pool Facility project. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa introduced Claude
Rogers and Ken Ward, representing Water Technologies, Inc., who were available to
present the plans and respond to questions.
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa also stated that he attended the Dakota
County Physical Development meeting on June 2, and the City's request for a permanent
easement and right-of-entry for grading on to property owned by the Dakota County
Wescott Library was unanimously denied. He further stated that the Dakota County
Board of Commissioners will consider the recommendation of the Physical Development
Committee at their regular board meeting scheduled for June 16. Director of Parks and
Page 2/Special City Council Minutes
June 2, 1998
00189
Recreation Vraa stated that he met with Water Technologies, Inc. after attending the
county board meeting and there are some alternatives for continuing with the Aquatic
Pool project without the need for an easement. Mr. Rogers, representing Water
Technologies, Inc., stated that the City could construct a sleeve wall and landscape a
retaining wall on the south side of the sleeve wall which allows the Aquatic Pool Facility
to be constructed entirely on City property without altering the elevation and location of
the pool.
Mayor Egan asked if the prospect of a retaining wall is adding expense to the
project? Mr. Rogers stated that in order to eliminate encroachment on to the library
property, the excavation and sleeve wall would be approximately 500 feet in length by
ten feet in height and there would be an additional cost for this improvement. Mayor
Egan asked about the cost that is proposed for landscaping. Director of Parks and
Recreation Vraa stated that the Aquatic Pool Facility project budget contains $120,000
for landscaping. Mayor Egan stated that he is not agreeable to any increase in the project
budget and as a result, the amount of landscaping originally proposed for the library
should be reduced.
City Councilmember Awada asked if the County's action will affect the parking
lot? Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that it was the City's intent to use a
small portion of the library site in order to construct the northeast comer of the new
parking lot. After further review, City Councilmember Awada suggested that the City
Administrator write a letter to Dakota County stating that if an easement is not granted, it
will be necessary to construct a retaining wall and due to the cost increase in the Aquatic
Pool Facility project, the budget amount for landscaping screening will be reduced.
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the action by the County is delaying the
bid package approximately one week. Mayor Egan suggested that the Director of Parks
and Recreation appear before the County Board at their meeting on June 16 to discuss the
option of a retaining wall and consequence of less landscaping due to their action to deny
any grading and easement by the City to construct the Aquatic Pool Facility.
Mr. Ken Ward, representing Water Technologies, Inc., reviewed the plans for the
pool vessel area with the City Council. City Councilmember Awada asked if the plans
provide for future flexibility to add additional water features in the main water body area.
Mr. Ward and Mr. Rogers both stated that pipes can be capped flush to the floor surface
giving the City flexibility for adding additional features in the future. Mr. Ward stated
that the current plans included a six (6) lane, 25 meter lap pool, however, that can be
shortened to 25 yards if desired by the City Council. Mayor Egan stated that he has a
strong preference to the 25 meters and airing no comment by the City Council, the lap
pool remains at a dimension of six (6) lanes, 25 meters.
Mr. Ward reviewed the plans for the Lazy River stating that the river is 33 inches
in depth and includes three areas that contain propulsion points. Mr. Ward stated that the
Page 3/Special City Council Minutes
June 2, 1998
Lazy River will be bid as an alternative providing a choice to the City as to whether that
feature should be included as a part of the Aquatic Pool project at this time.
00190
City Councilmember Wachter asked if the setback for the bath-house is according
to City code. City Administrator Hedges stated that the bath-house will be moved further
to the south to meet the 30 foot setback requirement. City Councilmember Blomquist
stated that it is her understanding that a 30 foot setback is required around the site. City
Administrator Hedges stated that the 30 foot setback requirement is required whenever a
structure is proposed.
City Councilmember Blomquist asked if there is a setback for the sandlot and, if
so, what is being considered by the City. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa
indicated that the sandlot is also being moved along with the building, but that it does not
meet the 30 foot setback requirement. City Councilmember Awada stated that a waterfall
would have been an interesting feature to include in the main pool area'Mr' Ward
indicated a pipe could be capped and that feature considered at a later date. Mayor Egan
thanked the staff and representatives of Water Technologies, Inc. for their input and
review of the plans and specifications and acknowledged that there are items on the
regular City Council agenda that the City Council will consider for the Family Aquatic
Pool Facility project.
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
June 2, 1998
Date
TLH