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08/14/2001 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2001 COMMUNITY ROOM 4:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Awada, Councilmembers Carlson, Fields and Tilley, City Administrator Hedges, Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Senior Planner Ridley, Parks and Recreation Director Vraa, Police Chief Therkelsen, and Intern to the Administrator Lord. Councilmember Bakken was absent due to a required out of state military training. ROLL CALL & AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented, with the addition to discuss Betty Allen's easement. Aye: 3 (Councilmember Tilley was not yet present) Nay: 0 VISITORS TO BE HEARD Mayor Awada welcomed Bette Fette, treasurer of the Eagan Charter Commission to address the Council. Ms. Fette explained that she is in the process of obtaining a federal identification number for the Charter Commission and would like the City to provide the Charter Commission with a mailbox at City Hall. Mayor Awada noted that the City has not provided mailboxes to any private organization. Ms. Fette stated her belief that the Charter Commission is an entity of the City. Mayor Awada, with the agreement of the Council, stated that the Charter Commission is not an entity of the City, and therefore the Commission would be treated like all other private organizations and would not be given a mailbox at City Hall. Additionally, Ms. Fette requested that the City release the $1,500 dollars that the City was instructed to give to the Commission. City Administrator Hedges stated that since the Charter Commission has appointed officers, the issuance of the $1,500 should be granted. The City Council agreed. Ms. Fette concluded by stating that the Charter Commission would like to have members of the City Council speak at an upcoming Charter Commission meeting in order to provide background on the City of Eagan. DAHLINE PROPERTY/WETLAND CEDAR GROVE TIF DISTRICT Doris Dahline, who resides at 3830 Alder Lane, addressed the Council to discuss the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Plans. Ms. Dahline stated her concern that the TIF district being proposed by the City includes her property and she does not want a road to be constructed through the wetlands on her property. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge responded to Ms. Dahline's concerns by stating that the TIF boundaries follow parcel lines, and not roads. Mr. Verbrugge, at the request of Mayor Awada, also stated that at this time there are no plans for a road to be constructed through Ms. Dahline's property. Councilmember Carlson added that there are numerous Federal laws that protect wetlands, and she does not want to see any wetlands destroyed. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated any proposed development must go through the development review process. Ms. Dahline concluded with a presentation to the Council emphasizing the importance of the wetlands, and requested that the Council take into consideration the environmental effects of the redevelopment proposals. JIM OBERG /SOUTHEAST INDUSTRIAL City Administrator Hedges stated that Councilmembers Carlson and Fields requested that Jim Oberg be placed on the agenda in order to discuss the property at Red Pine (Biscayne Ave.) and Highway 3. Mr. Oberg was accompanied by Mike Nikas, who owns an Eagan trucking business and is interested in purchasing Mr. Oberg's property. Mr. Nikas submitted architectural drawings of the facility he would like to build on Mr. Oberg's property. The Council informally spoke of the options for Mr. Nikas. Senior Planner Ridley informed the Council that the planning Commission recently deliberated about Mr. Oberg's property, and will soon be bringing a recommendation to the City Council. REVIEW CEDAR GROVE REDEVELOPMENT A. Redevelopment Policy Review City Administrator Hedges stated that as the Cedar Grove Redevelopment continues, land use issues are likely to arise. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated the concern that some residents and business owners within the Cedar Grove redevelopment area are interested in reinvesting in their property even though their property is planned to be redeveloped. Mr. Verbrugge asked the Council for direction as to how they want to approach protecting the integrity of the current property within the redevelopment area. He provided three options: (1)enact a moratorium for an initial 18 months (with an additional 12 month extension allowable by statute, if deemed necessary); (2) amend the Comprehensive Guide; and (3) condemnation of property . Mr. Verbrugge stated that the Cedar Grove redevelopment area is currently listed as "special area" according the Comprehensive Guide, which means that the City can put a plan together detailing the future use of the special area. The Council all voiced their support to create a plan for the special area. Councilmember Carlson stated that it may not be wise for businesses to reinvest in their property, and business owners in Cedar Grove now expect the area to be revitalized. Mayor Awada agreed. Mayor Awada opened the floor for public discussion. Mr. Steve Wallick, who resides at 2089 Carnelian Lane, inquired as to why the proposed TIF district boundaries are different from the originally proposed redevelopment plan. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge explained that the boundary differences are result of the evolution of the redevelopment process, and noted that the proposed TIF district boundaries encompass a smaller area than the original redevelopment project boundaries. Mr. Wallick inquired about the financial feasibility of some of the property included in the proposed TIF district. Mayor Awada stated that some financially infeasible property is included in the proposed TIF district due to requirements that property within a TIF district must be contiguous. Councilmember Carlson added that once a TIF District has been established, the boundaries can no longer be changed. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated that the final TIF plans would be prepared for the August 21 City Council meeting. In response to Mr. Wallick, Mayor Awada stated that the property the City purchases will be sold to developers, and therefore, the City will only own the property during the transition of ownership. Mr. Wallick also inquired about the Village Plan that was originally proposed for Cedar Grove. Mayor Awada stated that the Village Plan is very much in tact, with the exception of the greenway proposal. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated that Ehlers and Associates will be present at the Tuesday, August 21 Council meeting, at which time further questions regarding the specificity of the plan could be discussed. Ms. Marilyn Michael addressed the Council on behalf of Patricia Vogelpohl, an Eagan resident who lives North of Highway 13 within the proposed Cedar Grove TIF district. Ms. Michael told the Council that Ms. Vogelpohl plans to develop her property approximately a year from now. Ms. Michael requested that Ms. Vogelpohl's property be taken out of the TIF district. Mayor Awada told Ms. Michael that Ms. Vogelpohl is better off being included in the TIF district, and that she should submit a development proposal. Mayor Awada stated that development needs to occur since it is a TIF district. Mayor Awada and Council agreed not to take Ms. Vogelpohl's property out of the TIF district. Ms. Doris Dahline addressed the Council to inquire about why Cedarvale Lanes and Jenson's Super Club are being "left alone." Mayor Awada stated that both Jenson's and Cedarvale Lanes are included in the TIF district. Ms. Dahline also voiced her concern over the inclusion of a fountain in the Cedar Grove streetscape plan. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated that a design for such a fountain has not yet been drafted. Ms. Dahline also stated her disapproval of the City's talks of changing the name of Beau D'Rue Drive. An unidentified audience member stated to the Council that the City should look at pollution on the Goodyear site due to an old sewer plant that used to occupy the property. Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge stated that a pollution study has not been conducted on the property. Mayor Awada moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to direct staff to prepare a Comprehensive Guide amendment to include the Redevelopment Land Use Goals for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. Aye: 4 Nay: 0 B. MVTA -TEA 21 Grant Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge distributed a letter to the Council from the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA). Mr. Verbrugge said that the City's MVTA grant process is moving along, and that a request for Council support for the MVTA -TEA 21 Grant will be on the consent agenda at the August 21 meeting. COMMUNITY CENTER TIMELINE City Administrator Hedges told the Council that City staff met with architects last week. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa informed the Council that due to grading, the City is six to eight weeks behind the schedule they initially proposed. The Council and Mr. Vraa discussed the timeline for completing the various stages of the Community Center construction. Mayor Awada inquired about starting construction in the winter months, and suggested that waiting until Spring 2002 would avoid winter costs and allow for better planning opportunities. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa stated that if construction begins in Spring 2002, the Community Center could be complete by December 2002. It was the consensus of the Council to wait to begin construction until Spring 2002. City Administrator Hedges concluded the discussion by telling the Council that the Community Center Partnership Committee decided how to split their responsibilities with the Operation Committee, and added that all Committee members will be contacted by staff regarding the dates and times of their upcoming meetings. IMAGE AND CONCEPT FOR BAND SHELL City Administrator Hedges introduced Quinn Hutson, an architect from CNH and an Eagan Rotary Club member. Mr. Hudson presented a power point presentation on the band shell design that will be located in Central Park. Councilmember Carlson asked that an announcement board of some kind be added to the design. The Council directed Mr. Hudson to take the next step, which is to turn the design over to the construction manager. CLARIFICATION OF MASSAGE THERAPY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT City Administrator Hedges introduced the agenda item by stating that at the July 17 City Council meeting the City Council approved a massage therapy ordinance amendment to allow off -site permits. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke requested clarification from the Council on the ordinance amendment. Mr. VanOverbeke briefed the Council on the suggestions from the staff as to minor changes in the ordinance. The Council agreed with the staffs' suggestions. Mr. VanOverbeke stated that the changes to the amended ordinance will be included on the consent agenda at the August 21 meeting. REVIEW OF SIGN ORDINANCE City Administrator Hedges stated that the sign sub - committee of the City Council, which includes Councilmembers Carlson and Fields, met on July 27 to discuss changes to the sign ordinance. The Council discussed the changed ordinance, specifically regarding how the ordinance would affect signs on private and public property, specified setbacks, enforcement of both City and County roads, and the training that will be necessary for political candidates should the changed sign ordinance be put into effect. The Council agreed that the ordinance should specify that the prohibited public right -of -ways mentioned in the ordinance should read "city public right -of ways." Councilmember Tilley suggested that an educational session on the changed sign ordinance be offered to educate people wanting to place signs in the City. The Council agreed. Councilmember Carlson suggested that a map be created that explains where signs can and cannot be placed. Senior Planner Ridley said that a map will be created. The City Council instructed staff not to enforce the County roads, since the County has their own policy on the placement of signs. The City Council directed Chief Therkelsen to remove any sign that poses a public safety concern. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke stated that the changes made to the sign ordinance will be placed on the August 21 City Council agenda, under Public Hearings. 2002 GENERAL FUND BUDGET UPDATE City Administrator Hedges informed the Council that all of the City departments have presented their departmental budgets. A draft budget will be distributed to the City Council for their consideration at the August 28 work session. Mr. Hedges summarized the timetable for the budget process over the next few months. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke distributed two handouts to the Council regarding how the State Legislative changes will impact property tax rates, as well as the 2002 net property tax changes. City Administrator Hedges stated that budgetary comparisons between 2000 and 2001 will be very difficult given all of the changes that came out of the Legislature. Additionally, he stated that the impact on Eagan residents is hard to forecast at this point. Mayor Awada asked whether the City will have to raise additional tax money in order to offset the state aid that is being taken away. Councilmember Carlson voiced her concern that it will look like the City is increasing taxes when the reality is that the money is simply coming from local taxes versus state taxes. City Administrator Hedges suggested meeting with Eagan' s Legislators to discuss the outcome of the special session and resulting budget implications. Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke stated that he believes Eagan taxpayers will be better off in 2001 than 2000. Mr. VanOverbeke will obtain further information regarding the effects of the legislative changes and the maximum levy amount that the City can set. He will present his findings at the August 28 work session. OTHER BUSINESS At the request of Councilmembers Fields and Carlson, a discussion amongst the Council took place regarding the property of Betty Allen. Councilmember Fields stated that many large oak trees were destroyed on Ms. Allen's property, and construction trucks are not using the accesses that they agreed upon at the beginning of the development process. The Council discussed the vacating of the easement, barricades on the property, restitution, and whether or not to grant utilities. City Administrator Hedges told the Council that he would contact City Attorney Dougherty to discuss the options the City has. Hedges also stated that Public Works Director Colbert contacted Royal Oaks Developers as well as the City of Inver Grove Heights regarding Ms. Allen's property to voice his disapproval of how the construction traffic is being routed. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Date City Clerk If you need these minutes in an alternative form such as large print, Braille, audio tapes, etc., please contact the City of Eagan, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, 651- 681 -4600, (TDD phone: 651- 454- 8535). The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance.