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02/13/2006 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2006 5:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Councilmembers present: Acting Mayor Carlson, and City Councilmembers Fields, Maguire, and Tilley. Mayor Geagan was not present. City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Public Works Director Colbert, Director of Community Development Hohenstein, City Engineer Matthys, Transportation Engineer Plath, City Planner Ridley, Assistant City Engineer Gorder, and Administrative Intern Walz. I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION A request was made to add a discussion under Other Business regarding the Fire Chief Interview process, proposed eminent domain legislation, Highway 3 improvements, NE Eagan land use, and transit funding. It was also noted that per Council direction, Visitors to be Heard will now take place after Other Business. Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Maguire seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Aye: 4, Nay: 0 II. DAKOTA COUNTY CDA HOUSING STUDY City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City has historically used the CDA, and its predecessor, the Dakota County HRA, as an agency partner to address a variety of housing needs, especially in the affordable housing and senior housing areas. Hedges also noted that as part of the City Council?s goal setting for 2005-2006, the Council asked for the development if information concerning the City of Eagan?s anticipated housing needs for use in the next Comprehensive Guide Plan Update. Community Development Director Hohenstein introduced Mark Ulfers, CDA Executive Director, who thanked the Council for the opportunity to present the results of the housing study. Mr. Ulfers introduced Jay Thompson of Maxfield Research and Dan Rogness of the CDA. Mr. Thompson provided the City Council with a presentation summarizing the housing study. February 13, 2006 Special City Council Minutes Page 2 The City Council discussed the results of the study with Mr. Ulfers and City staff. The City Council suggested that the housing study presentation also be provided to the Advisory Planning Commission. The Council briefly discussed the proposed legislation regarding eminent domain. Mr. Ulfers commented that eminent domain is a critical redevelopment tool. The Council thanked the CDA for their work on the study, and noted that its findings will be used in preparing the upcoming Comprehensive Guide Plan Update. III.PROPOSED DIFFLEY/RAHN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that several design options for the intersection of Rahn and Diffley would be presented. He noted that the purpose of the presentation is to keep the City Council informed of design options before the public hearing process begins. City Engineer Matthys introduced Tom Sohrweide of SEH and noted that Kristy Sebastian, Traffic Engineer for Dakota County, was in the audience and available for questions. Mr. Sohrweide of SEH reviewed the project need, stakeholder meeting concerns and intersection improvement alternatives, including advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. He also outlined the preferred selection criteria for the selected alternative. Mr. Sohrweide stated that the preferred option is a multi-lane roundabout. Mr. Sohrweide reviewed the roundabout operation and projected project schedule. The Council discussed frontage road access, project cost, and future opportunities for Council input. No official action was required. IV.REVIEW GENERAL FUND BALANCE OPTIONS City Administrator Hedges noted that at the December 12, 2005 City Council meeting, the Council requested that staff review debt service and capital needs for possible uses of the fund balance. The Council discussed the use of the General Fund fund balance to fund future post-retirement health insurance. Administrative Services Director VanOverbeke reviewed the policy parameters. He also provided an overview of the future post-retirement health insurance liability and new reporting requirements. He noted that using the General Fund fund balance in this capacity is an opportunity to eliminate a liability that would otherwise need to be levied in taxes. He added that in addition to prepayment, the cost will likely need to be funded annually. He noted that in the future an actuary will need to be hired to better define annual post-retirement health insurance costs. February 13, 2006 Special City Council Minutes Page 3 The Council discussed the liquidity and interest-earning potential of this reserve fund. The Council directed that the General Fund fund balance policy and authorization to transfer $1,575,000 to the Benefit Accrual Fund to provide funding toward the City?s Post Retirement Health Insurance liability be put on the Consent Agenda for the February 21, 2006 Regular City Council meeting. V.FORMATION OF COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PLAN UPDATE COMMITTEE City Administrator Hedges introduced the Comprehensive Guide Plan update process explaining that this update may differ from previous updates due to a slow in growth. He noted that the Council had voiced concern regarding their participation in the early stages of the update may interfere with the Commissions and staff completing their reviews and recommendations for the various sections of the plan. He recommended that Council direct staff to review the policies and issues and decide which need to be addressed. Council discussed this option and agreed that it isolates the pressing issues, better defines the role and subject matter for the committee and expedites the process. Council also addressed the need for housing and transportation policy to be addressed. It was noted that City Planner Ridley will be leading this effort. VI.OTHER BUSINESS Eminent Domain Legislation City Administrator Hedges provided a brief overview of the eminent domain legislation surfacing in the State legislature. Council discussed the need to express their support of local governments being able to judiciously use eminent domain. City Administrator Hedges noted that the Municipal Legislative Commission is one avenue for the City to voice that support. He also noted that Council testimony may be needed in future hearings. Councilmember Maguire noted that the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities is also addressing the issue. Council requested that a written eminent domain update be provided in the Legislative/Intergovernmental section of the Regular City Council Meeting Agenda. Robert Street Transit Study Councilmember Maguire requested the clarification provided to the City Council on the Robert Street Transit Study also be communicated to the community. City Administrator Hedges said he would see to it that the clarification was communicated to the community. February 13, 2006 Special City Council Minutes Page 4 Trunk Highway 3 Councilmember Fields requested that an overview of the approval process and potential impacts on Eagan of the Trunk Highway 3 issue be put on a future Council Workshop Agenda City Administrator Hedges noted that the item would be added to a workshop agenda in March or April. Fire Chief Interviews City Administrator Hedges stated that interviews of the four top candidates for the Fire Chief position will be conducted Wednesday, February 15. These will be screened down to the top three candidates, who will be presented to Council on Tuesday, February 21, at the Council?s request. Council requested the Listening Session for February 21 be cancelled to allow time for the interviews and that this change be posted on the City of Eagan web site with the agenda. City Administrator Hedges noted that the Council can deliberate in a special session after the Regular Council meeting on February 21 if needed. This special session would be public. Acting Mayor Carlson moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to schedule a special workshop for the purpose of discussing the Fire Chief interviews following the Regular City Council meeting on February 21. Yay: 4 Nay: 0 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Councilmember Tilley provided an update on the motor vehicle sales tax amendment. She distributed a list of those pledging support of the amendment. City Administrator Hedges noted that a resolution in support of the amendment will be placed on the Consent Agenda at the February 21 Regular City Council meeting. VII.VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Maguire moved, Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Yay: 4 Nay: 0 The Special Council Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.