12/29/1998 - City Council Special
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting December 29, 1998 page I
00437
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 29, 1998
Present: Mayor Tom Egan, Councilmember Pat Awada, Councilmember Ted Wachter, City
Administrator Hedges, Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Communications Coordinator Foote, Intern to
the City Administrator Hertel.
OPENING AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Egan called the meeting to order at 5:03. City Administrator Hedges asked the Council to
consider adding a resolution amending and restating resolution awarding sale of Aquatic Facility revenue
bonds series 1998 to the agenda.
CONSIDER CANCELLATION OF 2-9-99 SPECIAL ELECTION REGARDING ODD/EVEN
YEAR ELECTIONS AND REPEALING ORDINANCES NOS. 255 & 256
City Administrator Hedges gave a brief overview of the item and asked that the statements
submitted by Councilmembers Blomquist and Masin be read into the minutes. Intern to the City
Administrator Hertel read the statements, included in their entirety as Exhibits A and B.
Councilmember A wada stated that she had called this meeting in conjunction with Mayor Egan
last week for the purpose of cancelling the 2-9-99 special election. She stated that she is still in favor of
odd year elections, but respects the decision that would be made by the majority of the 1999 City Council.
She stated that her main reason for supporting the change is to save money and staff time in preparing for
an election that will be cancelled in the near future. She further stated that this is not a contentious public
issue, but an issue that developed in the 1998 City Council and should be concluded appropriately by
those members. Mayor Egan invited public comment.
Karen Flood of 1518 Lone Oak Road expressed concern about the likelihood of increased
partisan endorsements if elections are held during odd years. She stated that city elections should remain
a grassroots process and was disdainful of the influence of money in the fall 1998 election.
Thomas Pahl of 3706 South Hills Drive volunteered to participate on a task force to consider
election issues. He cited his experience as a professor of political science as the reason for his interest.
Councilmember Wachter gave a brief history ofthe odd/even year election issue in Eagan and
stated his support for creating a task force to consider election issues. Mayor Egan stated that he would
continue to be interested in election issues after the completion of his term.
Councilmember Awada moved, Councilmember Wachter seconded a motion to cancel the
February 9, 1999 special election. Aye: 3 Nay: 0
Councilmember Awada moved, Councilmember Wachter seconded a motion to repeal Ordinance
#255. Aye: 3 Nay: 0
Councilmember Awada moved, Councilmember Wachter seconded a motion to repeal Ordinance
#256. Aye: 3 Nay: 0
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting December 29,1998 page 2
00438
Councilmember Awada moved, Councilmember Wachter seconded a motion to direct staff to set
up a task force that will deal with election issues, sign issues, and also the partisan issues and to seek
direction from the incoming Council on how to set this up. Aye: 3 Nay: 0
RESOLUTION AMENDING AND RESTATING RESOLUTION A WARDING SALE OF
AQUATIC FACILITY REVENUE BONDS SERIES 1998
98-108
City Administrator Hedges gave a brief overview of the item. Director of Finance VanOverbeke
explained that International Trading Group, Inc. is no longer interested in purchasing the Aquatic Facility
bonds and asked the Council to approve the new resolution to name Municipal Mortgage and Equity,
L.L.c. as the bond purchaser and make other minor modifications.
Councilmember Wachter moved, Councilmember Awada seconded a rnotion to approve the
resolution. Aye: 3 Nay: 0
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
Date
City Clerk
December 29, 1998
....
EXHIBIT A
00439
To Tom Hedges, City Administrator
Please read this into the record tonight.
I am unable to attend this quickly called Special City Council meeting. I have already
voted and expressed my feeling on the even or odd year election issue. I am happy to see
those Councilmembers who voted six weeks ago to entertain this expensive and
unnecessary election for February 9, 1999 have had a change of heart and would now like
to rescind their action. While I applaud this latest measure, please remember, I, Bea
Blomquist, have always been in favor of saving taxpayers money, as well as open and
fair government. I voted against the original motion on November 17, 1998.
Sincerely,
Bea Blomquist
City Councilmember
12/29/1998 16:34
)IN: IYIASIN
PAGE 82
EXHIBIT B
For Immedi.t. R.I....
004~10
Conteet: a.nely ..... · 412-3411
I will not be attending the special Eagan City Council Meeting called for Tuesday,
December 29, 1998. I feel the citizens of Eagan should know my reasons.
FIrst, .. anyone would expect, the holiday season Is filled with famUy functions, many of
which were. planned weeks ago, and it I. extremely dlfRcult to change or cancel on short
notice. Exceptions are emergencies.
Second, I believe an "uue which has the Interest of more than 3,000 citizens, deserves
proper notice and participation of the citizens.
Third~ the mayor-elect IndlC8ted that the new year and new council should begin their
work without controv~rsy. This meeting will guarantee that at least one new member.
who has a stated Interest, but Is unavailable, will be disenfranchised before she .s even
sworn In.
Fourth, advisory committees of the city are appointed through an application procedure
which asks for credential., experience and knowledge of the Issues. The committee
workfng on this issue, which h.. spart<ed such inter..t and controversy should be no
exception. Additionally. the Attorney General and the Secr.tary of State, just this week,
iirected state agenci.. to Ignore ..ven appolntment& made by out..going Govemor
CarIeon. They stated these appointments are not lawful becau.. the work of these
appointees will not begin until .IflI[ this Governor leaves office. The appointments
belong toth, new, INCOMING governor. If this criteria applies to state appointments it.
surely should apply In eagan. New council memb.... should be included In appointing
thfs committee.
Fifth, this Is an added expense to tupayers. There is no urgency, no emergency and no
stated valid reason to rush this through when it is noticed and scheduled for the regular
January 5th meeting.
I have considered this action c....fully. thoughtfully and OYer several days_ I have
pledged to you that I will be repreeentative ancIlncluslve. To achieve my goal. I need to
act in . way that Include. you, the tbpay.r. Taking action, at the January 6tft meeting,
Including aU who wish to be heard. I bel'ev. ia the f.ir end proper action you expect from
me.
My very best to each of you and your famill.. lri :the New Year.
R-97%
6124523411
12-29-98 04:45PM P002 ~25