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08/06/1996 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE • EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota August 6,1996 A Special workshop meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday,August 6, 1996, at 5:00 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center building. Present were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, Masin and Wachter. Also present were Director of Parks& Recreation Vraa, Senior Planner Freese, Planner Tyree and City Administrator Hedges. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM City Administrator Hedges stated that since the Joint City Council/Economic Development Commission meeting held in April,the Commission has reviewed its priorities for the upcoming budget year and evaluated the City's cost and benefits as they pertain to each of the various programs. EDC Chairperson Cathy Clark-Matuszak appeared along with Commissionmember Eldon Johnson and presented the work plan. Chairperson Matuszak stated that a top consideration and emphasis by the Commission is for enhanced communications. She stated that an EDC newsletter was tried several years ago and there is a recommendation that a joint newsletter in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce be considered at$4,000, • the cost of four issues at$1,000 each. The Chair also presented a joint brochure/picture book that would be a collaborative effort with the Convention &Visitors Bureau during the next two years. Chairperson Matuszak stated that a second consideration is to maintain a healthy business 410 outreach. She commented on a recommendation for a bus tour for businesses,realtors and others, similar to the type of bus tours the City sponsored in previous years. She further indicated that the EDC is recommending the enactment of business contacts, which includes surveys. There is also a consideration to continue the business reachout meetings that were successful in 1995. The total cost for the business outreach program is $1,700. Chairperson Matuszak presented a third budget item which is the cooperative activities with the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership at$6,500 and the Metro East Development Partnership at$500. She stated that the Commission has emphasized the benefit in maintaining the Partnerships. City Councilmember Awada asked if the dues are separate between Metro East and the Dakota Economic Development Partnership. She further asked what type of benefits are provided to the City of Eagan by the Dakota Economic Development Partnership. Senior Planner Freese stated that the Partnership provides a means for trade shows,contact with new business and was the impetus for grants and development of the GIS system. Senior Planner Freese further stated that the City has benefitted from three layers of GIS information we would not have received had we not been a member. City Councilmember Awada asked questions about the funding of the GIS system. Senior Planner Freese explained how the GIS is funded. City Councilmember Awada asked if the City were to leave the Partnership,who would own the GIS software and hardware. City Administrator Hedges stated that the public policy question before the City Council is whether the City must participate in the Economic Development Partnership in order to continue a relationship with the GIS systems. City Councilmember Wachter stated that he has questioned for several months whether the City should be a member of the Partnership. He further stated that membership in the Economic Development Partnership suggests a faster growth at any expense and questioned whether the City should continue to develop at a fast pace. City Councilmember Wachter stated that he is not supportive of the membership, questioning whether it has validity for the City. City Councilmember Hunter stated that he agrees with much of the philosophy stated by Councilmember Wachter; however, he has supported the GIS system and would remain a member of the Economic Development Partnership for that purpose alone. He stated the benefits have been far reaching and 410 are definitely favorable to the City given a cost benefit analysis. ifl Page 2/EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING • August 6, 1996 City Councilmember Awada asked if the GIS system and Economic Development Partnership are separate and, if so, can the City justify the$6,500 for membership in the Partnership. She further stated that in her opinion,the Partnership membership is not necessary. She further commented that the money is better spent for economic development,such as business reachouts and bus tours that attract business leads. Mayor Egan stated that he supports the GIS system,however,is inclined to exclude the Economic Development Partnership as a viable budget consideration. He further stated that the Mayors and Councils of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville and Eagan are planning to discuss this issue at a Joint City Council meeting on April 21. Mayor Egan further stated that one outcome may be to allocate some of the resources currently paid to the Partnership to Metro East. Chairperson Matuszak stated that the EDC and City Council need the tools offered by Metro East and the Economic Development Partnership if the City is to continue its competitive edge for new development. After further consideration and discussion, Mayor Egan thanked Chairperson Cathy Clark- Matuszak for her comments and input. There was no action or further direction given; however, the City Administrator did indicate that these items will continue to be presented for consideration in the draft 1997 general fund operating budget. SECOND ICE SHEET/ACC ARCHITECTS City Administrator Hedges stated that City Council action at the June 4 meeting directed the hiring of ACC Architects, Paul Dahlberg, to prepare conceptual drawings to be included in an application for Mighty Ducks funding that could help finance a second ice sheet. Director of Parks& Recreation Vraa noted the design was being designed to be simple,but more importantly,to be financed by limited funding from Mighty Ducks and revenue funds. Mr. Dahlberg presented three drawings for a second sheet of ice. He stated that the facility is very basic,no formal seating or concession areas like the main civic arena. He further stated that the second arena is an 85 X 200 sheet of ice. A dashed line reflects an Olympic dimension of 100 X 200,which is the case with the existing civic arena. City Councilmember Wachter raised questions about the Moose and how far along the building addition is to provide an equipment room/changing area. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa stated that once the Minnesota Moose announced their departure to Winnipeg, there has been no additional work performed on the building addition. He stated that the walls and roof are up;however,there has been no progress on the interior. The City Attorney has put the Moose on notice. Mr. Dahlberg noted that design option one would require the City to give itself a variance to the setback, but would provide some limited parking in front. He also noted that six to eight feet of fill would be required on the southeast corner. Option two moves the second ice sheet forward and greatly reduces the fill problem and the need for a variance. Parking would be relocated to the rear. In response to a question, Mr. Dahlberg noted that he saw the parking as employee or hockey game parking for coaches, players and officials. He noted this parking may be an issue for residents on Rocky Lane. After review of option two, it was noted that relocating restrooms to the front with exterior access might now be considered, given the wading pool usage. Regarding option three,the arena would extend east,but would require 16 to 18 feet of fill and would be very expensive. Councilmember Wachter questioned if this could be used as a basement for much needed storage. Following further presentation and discussion regarding the three proposals, City Councilmember Awada questioned whether an outdoor pool could be located on this site. City Councilmember Wachter stated that he would like the staff and Council to take a serious look at the Municipal Center site for • an outdoor pool. City Councilmember Hunter stated that he was doubtful that a swimming pool facility would Page 3/EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING • August 6, 1996 01 a` fi work on the site;however,he agreed with Councilmember Wachter that the City should look at all alternatives. There was some discussion regarding consideration of the Dakota County Library site and whether a portion of that property could be used for additional recreational facilities at the Municipal site. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa stated that parking is obviously an issue. After further discussion, Mayor Egan stated that option two,or a combination of two and one, as presented by Paul Dahlberg,ACC Architects,for a second ice sheet appears to be the most desirable of the three ice sheets. OTHER BUSINESS There were no further business items. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. August 6, 1996 11. Date City Clerk TLH • 110