01/14/2014 - City Council SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2014
5:30 P.M.
EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER
City Councilmembers present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Fields, and Hansen.
Councilmember Tilley arrived at 6:00 p.m.
City staff present: City Administrator Osberg, Assistant City Administrator Miller, Finance Director
Pepper, Communications Director Garrison, Parks and Recreation Director Johnson, Public Works
Director Matthys, Fire Chief Scott, Deputy Fire Chief Diloia, Director of Community Development
Hohenstein, City Planner Ridley, Planner Dudziak, and City Attorney Dougherty.
I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Hansen moved, Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as
presented. Aye:4 Nay:0
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH INVER GROVE HEIGHTS FOR
EAGAN -INVER GROVE HEIGHTS WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting staff had requested the City Council delay the
action tentatively scheduled for January 7 due to questions about the coordination of board member
appointments. After discussing the matter with the City Attorney, staff finds the agreement to be in
order for favorable Council action. Osberg noted the City of Inver Grove Heights approved the
Agreement at their December 9, 2013 Council meeting.
Councilmember Fields moved, Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to approve the Eagan -Inver
Grove Heights Watershed Management Organization Joint Powers Agreement to be in effect as of
January 15, 2014, authorize publication of notice of vacancies for three board member positions and
one alternate position, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute all related documents. Aye: 4
Nay: 0
IV. JOINT MEETING WITH EAGAN'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
Mayor Maguire welcomed State Senators Carlson and Metzen along with State Representatives Masin
and Halverson. It was noted that State Representative Atkins was unable to attend this evening.
City Administrator Osberg stated that it is an annual tradition of the City Council to invite Eagan's
legislative delegation to the first meeting of the year to dialogue with the Council regarding legislative
issues anticipated during the upcoming session. Osberg summarized the 2014 legislative priorities of
the City.
The City Council and delegation discussed the legislative priorities and positions for 2014.
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January 14, 2014
Page 2
Mayor Maguire thanked the legislative delegation for attending the meeting and thanked them for their
service to the community.
V. CENTRAL PARK COMMONS APPLICATION
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting the applications were scheduled to be heard by
the City Council at its meeting of November 19, 2013. At that time, the developer's representative
submitted a letter requesting a continuance of the item to a Council workshop meeting to permit
discussion of the proposed development outside the context of formal actions on the applications. The
Council accepted the request and the matter is being discussed at the January 14, 2014 workshop.
Osberg noted no action is expected at this time; rather, the matter is being presented for discussion and
direction. City Attorney Dougherty overviewed the parameters for the discussion in consideration of the
fact that a development application is in process.
CSM representatives Peter Coyle and John Johannson provided a presentation on the base plan that had
been reviewed by the Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and two plans that represented possible
responses to the comments by the APC for the Council to review and provide feedback. Bob Lucius with
RSP provide a presentation on some of the details of the third plan that further addresses the needs of
creating a gathering space, pedestrian linkage and enhancing the shopping experience in a "village"
form. Mr. Lucius noted the plan includes an outdoor events area within the village with additional
outdoor patio seating for the restaurant areas in the northeast corner of the development.
The Council discussed the plans and provided feedback. The Council was in agreement that Plans 2 and
3 have potential and are closer to the Council's vision. Councilmembers expressed interest in the
revised internal road and pedestrian layout as means of providing better connections within the
elements o f the site. Councilmember Hansen encouraged the developer to explore transit options for
the site with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. Councilmember Tilley and Hansen agreed it was
important to see more green space. The Council was in agreement they would be open to having a
conversation on public financing and public assistance to this project. The Council agreed the potential
interaction with the northeast corner and the city park across the street was important. The Council
discussed the possibility of residential uses on this site and it was noted that there is already a
substantial amount of residential development in the surrounding area. Mayor Maguire also noted the
possibility to see options of what the site could look like over the next 20, 25 or 40 years.
Councilmember Bakken noted that a project will need to address a range of issues to justify a
Comprehensive Guide Amendment. Mayor Maguire added that the key themes from the February 2013
workshop were the importance of a project being distinctive as compared to other retail developments,
particularly as it pertains to pedestrian improvements and walkability.
Mayor Maguire summarized the discussion by noting that the second plan, which would not require
public financing assistance, could be an option for the site. He reiterated that the City could also be
open to exploring the possibility of public financing through the financing assistance application process
as it could pertain to the third, more intense, development plan.
The Council took a 10 minute break.
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January 14, 2014
Page 3
VI. SAFER GRANT
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting at the August 20, 2013 City Council meeting,
Council authorized staff to apply for a SAFER grant for weekday firefighter coverage. If approved four
full -time firefighters and one fire captain would be hired. Osberg noted staff was notified on November
29th that the City was being offered a SAFER grant in the amount of $871,111 over a two year period.
The City must decide by January 28th if the grant will be accepted. On January 6, 2014, the City Council's
Finance Committee reviewed the proposed staffing additions and is recommending acceptance of the
grant.
Fire Chief Scott gave a summary of the grant.
The Council discussed the SAFER Grant. It was acknowledged, per the recommendation of the Finance
Committee, that the new positions would be reviewed during the first two years to determine their
effectiveness towards improved efficiencies within the department. The Council concurred with the
Finance Committee's recommendation that if the new staffing model is successful, then the positions
would continue beyond the two -year grant period. If, however, the positions do not provide
improvements towards meeting NFPA standards (e.g. response time), then the new positions may not
be retained beyond the grant period. It was noted that the financing source for funding beyond the two
years has not been determined, but it was acknowledged by the Council that future funding would need
to be discussed and determined as part of future budget processes.
The City Council gave direction to add the acceptance of the SAFER Grant to a future consent agenda for
formal consideration.
VII. DYNAMIC SIGN MESSAGING REGULATIONS
City Administrator Osberg introduced the item noting at the City Council's Listening Session on August 5,
2013, the Council gave staff direction to review the current dynamic sign messaging frequency. In
October 2007, the City Council adopted an ordinance amendment that provided the parameters for
dynamic signage. Part of the ordinance language spoke to the minimum amount of time required for
each displayed message. Osberg noted a minimum duration of eight seconds for a billboard, or off -
premise sign, and twenty minute duration for on- premise signage. Director of Community Development
Hohenstein and City Planner Ridley provided additional information and were available for questions.
The Council discussed the messaging duration.
Lindsey Meyer of Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce addressed the Council noting their
support for reduction in the frequency messaging.
It was the consensus of the Council that additional information addressing public safety /transportation
standards was needed before considering a change in the dynamic sign messaging duration and should
be brought back to a future Council Workshop.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business to be heard.
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January 14, 2014
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Tilley moved, Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
Aye:S Nay:O
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