Loading...
11/13/2001 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL GOALS WORKSHOP OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2001 CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM 4:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Awada, Councilmembers, Carlson, Fields and Tilley, City Administrator Hedges, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Parks and Recreation Director Vraa, Research and Special Projects Parks Wielde, Public Works Director Colbert, and Intern to the City Administrator Lord. Councilmember Bakken was absent. I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ITEM Councilmember Fields moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adopt the agenda. Aye: 4 Nay: 0 II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. III. PUBLIC WORKS BULK MATERIALS STORAGE City Administrator Hedges briefed the City Council on the process that the City has undertaken in acquiring approximately 11 acres of land located at the end of Yankee Doodle Drive adjacent to the Eagan/Apple Valley pistol range. Hedges stated that the land was acquired as tax forfeit for public purpose including bulk materials storage site opportunities for Public Works, possible expansion of the police pistol/shooting range, and possible training for the Fire Department. Public Works Director Colbert presented the City Council with a cost breakdown for environmental costs -to -date and future cost obligations to complete the processing of the project. The City Council directed staff to continue forward in the process to acquire the property. IV. PRESENTATION OF GOLF COURSE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE Eleven members of the Golf Course Exploratory Executive Committee presented the City Council with six public policy items they wished to discuss in order to get further direction from the City Council to bring back to the Golf Course Exploratory Committee (GCEC). The City Council directed the GCEC to look at the feasibility of a championship type golf course only, meaning that the GCEC should look at the feasibility of course consisting of 6,800 or more yards. In discussing the possible acquisition of land, Mr. Patrick McCarthy was in the audience and stated his desire not to sell his property. Councilmembers Carlson, Tilley, and Fields stated they do not support the use of condemnation of Mr. McCarthy's property. The City Council stated their position the GCEC should be investigating the feasibility of a self - sustaining golf course, meaning that the projected operating revenue from the golf course must be sufficient to pay for all of the operating expenses and to make principal and interest payments on the financing used to acquire the land and construct the golf course. The executive committee and City Council discussed funding alternatives for the golf course, and the City Council directed the GCEC to look only at the feasibility of a golf course on the property currently under moratorium. The City Council directed the GCEC to look at various layouts for a golf course, and wants the GCEC to present the feasibility of a golf course using three options: utilizing all of Patrick Eagan Park, utilizing a portion of Patrick Eagan Park, and utilizing no part of Patrick Eagan Park. The executive committee recommended that the City Council retain the services of a professional consultant such as a qualified golf course designer to assist the GCEC in determining the feasibility. Additionally, the executive committee requested that a windshield appraisal be done of the properties being considered for a possible golf course. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa informed the City Council that he is aware of qualified golf course architects and appraisers that could be utilized. Mayor Awada moved, Councilmember Fields seconded, a motion to give the Golf Course Exploratory Executive Committee the discretion to approve the expenditure of an appraisal at an approximate cost of $6,000 and direction to review proposals for a golf course study. Aye: 4 Nay: 0 The executive committee and City Council discussed the timeline for the GCEC. It was the decision of the City Council, at the recommendation of the executive committee, for the GCEC to present their final report to the City Council on the feasibility of a golf course by mid - February 2002. Mayor Awada offered her thanks to all members of the GCEC for their dedication to this project. Additionally, Mayor Awada requested that that all questions pertaining to the proposed golf course be directed to the GCEC. V. CONSIDERATION OF CENTRAL PARK SLIDING HILL City Administrator Hedges briefed the City Council on the recommendations of the Central Park Site Subcommittee and Parks and Recreation staff pertaining to a sliding hill at Central Park. The City Council directed staff to prepare a consent agenda item for the November 20, 2002 City Council meeting authorizing staff to proceed with a design engineer as recommended by the Central Park Subcommittee with or without modification, and to authorize the creation of an Enterprise Fund to account for capital and operational expenses. VI. WINTER TRAIL MAINTENACE PROGRAM Public Works Director Colbert provided the City Council with information regarding the City's current winter trials program and potential additional segments for consideration. Additionally, Colbert addressed a petition and citizen's request that was voiced at the November 8 Listening Session to add a trail segment along Cliff Road from Ches Mar Drive to Lexington Avenue. City Administrator Hedges read a correspondence from the Superintendent of District 196 stating that transportation services will be restored on January 2, 2002. The Mayor moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to approve the following additions to the Winter Trail Maintenance Program: • Citizen Request 1. Plowing of the trailway located on Johnny Cake Ridge Road between Deerwood Drive and Diffley Road (Co. Road 30). • Citizen Request 4. Add south side trailway located on Cliff Road (Co. Road 32) between Nicols Road and Slater Rd. • School District Request 7. Add North Ridge Drive between Wescott Rd. and North View Park Rd. • School District Request 8. Add Lexington Point Parkway between Lexington Avenue (Co. Road 43) and Hamilton Rd. • Additional Consideration 1. Add South side trailway on Cliff Road (to be completed with Cliff Road upgrade) between Ches Mar Drive and Lexington Avenue (Co. Road 43) • Additional Consideration 6. Switch plowing trailway on west side to east side on Lexington Avenue between Cliff Road and Wilderness Run Road (changed from the original proposal between Diffley and Wilderness Run Road). Aye:4 Nay:0 VII. COUNTY SISTER CITY PROGRAM Mayor briefed the Council on the sister city relationship that currently exists between Dakota County and Chengde, China. The City Council discussed the program and directed staff to draft a resolution in support of the County's sister city program to be considered as a consent agenda item at an upcoming City Council meeting. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Tilley briefed the City Council on a meeting that took place regarding a celebration in honor of Dodd Road being named as a Community Millennium Trail. Councilmember Tilley asked that Alaine Roundtree be recognized for her work on obtaining the Community Millennium Trail designation. Additionally, Councilmember Tilley asked that Eagle Scout Matt Brown be recognized for his work in documenting the historical background of Eagan trails. Mayor Awada suggested that the Historical Society consider documenting the unique historical value of all roads in Eagan. Councilmember Carlson suggested that the Historical Society and Parks Commission work together to determine the best way to celebrate the historical value of Eagan roads. The City Council directed staff to prepare recognition for an upcoming City Council meeting to commend Alaine Roundtree and Matt Brown for their accomplishments. The meeting adjourned at 8 P.M. ADJOURN 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.