06/12/2008 - City Council Special
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008
5:30 P.M.
EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER
City Council members present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Carlson,
Fields and Tilley.
City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller,
Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Communications Director Garrison and City
Attorney Dougherty.
I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that a request has been made to
receive the 2009 General Fund Budget Update as the first item of business, followed by a Closed
Session to discuss pending litigation with regard to the appeal of the Eagan Charter Commission.
Hedges then suggested that the Council address Other Business and Visitors to be Heard, and
conclude the meeting with the Process to Fill the Possible Vacancy on the City Council.
Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adopt the
agenda as amended.
Aye: 4, Nay: 0 (Councilmember Carlson not yet present.)
Mayor Maguire took the opportunity to recognize his son, Ian, who was in attendance at
the meeting and graduated from kindergarten today.
II. UPDATE ON 2009 GENERAL FUND AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISE BUDGETS
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that in early May, staff began the
2009 budget process and Department Directors are now preparing the 2009 budget proposals for
the various divisions and departments. Hedges noted that as a starting point, directors were
instructed to prepare two budget scenarios, including a status quo budget that maintains current
service levels as well as a second budget that is limited to a two percent increase by departments.
Hedges added that an abbreviated draft of the budget could be presented to the City Council in
July as a check-in point before the preliminary budget is presented to the Council in August.
Hedges summarized the 2.9 percent property tax cap which was approved by the 2008 State
Legislature.
Councilmember Carlson arrived at 5:42 p.m.
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June 12, 2008
Page 2
City Administrator Hedges noted that the Enterprise Fund operating budgets including
water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, water quality, street lighting, Community Center, and
Cascade Bay will be presented to the City Council in September.
The City Council discussed the 2009 General Fund budget and requested that, in addition
to the two percent budgets, staff also include information as to what a zero percent growth
budget would look like for 2009.
III. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:45 p.m. to discuss pending litigation of
the appeal of the Eagan Charter Commission.
The City Council reconvened at 6:15 p.m.
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
V. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
VI. PROCESS FOR FILLING POSSIBLE VACANCY ON THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Maguire acknowledged the receipt of an official letter of resignation from
Councilmember Carlson, noting her resignation will be effective June 30, 2008.
The Mayor and City Council thanked Councilmember Carlson for her service on both the
Planning Commission and City Council.
Councilmember Carlson noted her decision to resign effective June 30, 2008 to allow for
the remainder of her term to be filled at the election in November. The City Council voiced their
consensus with Councilmember Carlson?s decision to allow the community to vote on her
replacement in November.
Councilmember Carlson departed the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
City Administrator Hedges overviewed the option for the City Council?s consideration to
fill the temporary vacancy until the November election.
City Attorney Dougherty summarized the options the Council given state statutes.
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June 12, 2008
Page 3
The City Council voiced their opinions as to how the process should take place to fill the
temporary vacancy. Councilmembers Fields and Bakken both noted their desire to appoint
someone to the temporary position who is not seeking the office in November.
At the recommendation of City Administrator Hedges, the Council agreed to the
following schedule to fill the vacancy:
6-19-08 ad in newspaper regarding vacancy
6-30-08 applications due to the City of Eagan
7-8-08 interviews of applicants by the City Council
7-15-08 appoint person to the vacancy
The City Council discussed the number of applicants they wished to interview. There
was Council consensus to review all the applications at the July 1, 2008 Council meeting to
determine how many of those applicants should receive an interview on July 8. The Council
noted they would like to have 15 minute interviews with each of the applicants.
The City Council discussed the voting procedure to fill the vacancy on July 15. City
Attorney Dougherty summarized options the Council could consider as to how to make the
appointment. The City Council requested that staff prepare a possible voting process for the City
Council to consider at the July 8 meeting. The Council voiced their request that the process be
similar to the Advisory Commissions in that if a candidate is voted on 3 times and there remains
a tie, then the Mayor would have the tie-breaker vote.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Aye: 4, Nay: 0