06/25/2002 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY JUNE 25, 2002
MUNICPAL CENTER COMMUNITY ROOM
5:30 P.M.
Present: Mayor Awada, Councilmembers Bakken and Carlson. Councilmemebers
Fields and Tilley were not present when the meeting was convened; however, both
members arrived during the meeting.
Staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Director of Administrative Services
VanOverbeke, Senior Planner Ridley, Police Chief Therkelsen, Parks and
Recreation Director Vraa, Public Works Director Colbert, Assistant City
Administrator Verbrugge, and Assistant to the City Administrator Lord.
I.ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION
Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to approve a
Special City Council meeting to take place on July 2 for the purpose of a Community
Center tour, and approve the agenda as presented, including items to: 1) Discuss the
amended ordinance regarding liquor license violations; 2) Discuss a map for elections
sign locations; and 3) Discuss the zoning ordinance as it relates to two residential
properties zoned industrial.
Aye: 3 Nay: 0 (Councilmembers Tilley and Fields absent)
II.JULY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to set the
July Special City Council meeting for Tuesday, July 9.
Aye: 3 Nay: 0 (Councilmembers Tilley and Fields absent)
III.VISITORS TO BE HEARD
Residents of the Fairway Hills neighborhood addressed the Council regarding standing
water in their yards following the recent rainstorms and after storm mitigation
improvements were made on their properties. The residents showed a video to the
Council of the water that pooled in their yards during a recent rainfall. The Council
discussed possible options with Public Works Director Colbert, and noted that the
purpose of the mitigation was to prevent flooding, but not backyard drainage.
Councilmember Tilley arrived at 6:10 P.M.
The Council noted that any improvements to be made to the property might need to be
paid for privately. The Council directed Public Works Director Colbert to do the
modeling of the property again to verify the properties? flood risk and verify the North
and South water flow. Colbert will bring the findings back to the Council for their
review.
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IV.DISCUSS PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE
City Administrator Hedges introduced the discussion on the proposed zoning ordinance,
and noted that at their regular meeting on May 21, 2002, the City Council continued this
item to a June 2002 Special meeting. The APC, at their April 23, 2002 meeting,
recommended the approval of the zoning ordinance amendment. The Council discussed
the intent of the proposed amendment, and the right of future City Councils to decide on
zoning regardless of the original intent of the amendment. Council directed Senior
Planner Ridley to speak to the City Attorney regarding the inclusion of intent into the
amendment; that being to accommodate difficult to develop property and existing
subdivisions, open space purposes, or to accommodate potential downzoning. Council
directed Senior Planner Ridley to brief the Council's subcommittee (Councilmembers
Bakken and Carlson) on the City Attorney's findings, and if necessary, provide a revised
ordinance that includes intent for the subcommittee's review. Once the subcommittee has
reviewed the document, it will be brought back to the Council as a whole for their
consideration.
V.REVIEW CEDAR GROVE AUAR
City Administrator Hedges introduced the executive summary of the Alternative Urban
Area-wide Review (AUAR) for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. Assistant City
Administrator Verbrugge presented a summary of the findings, and proposed timeline
and process for the AUAR. Verbrugge noted that following the 30-day public comment
period, the AUAR will come back to the City Council for their consideration in
September.
VI.REVIEW COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY
City Administrator Hedges introduced representatives of Decision Resources, Ltd.
(DRL), who was selected to administer the 2002 Eagan Community-wide survey. DRL
presented questions and topic areas to the City Council. The Council discussed topic
areas to be included in the survey. Communications Director Garrison was present to
answer any questions of the Council regarding the survey. Garrison stated that DRL will
submit the final survey to City staff for approval, and upon approval, the survey will be
administered in July so that results can be obtained by early August.
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VII.REVIEW PROPOSED POLICIES RE: COMMUNITY CENTER
OPERATIONS
City Administrator Hedges presented a summary of the June 3 Community Center
Operations Committee. The Council, with Parks and Recreation Director Vraa, discussed
the use of the Community Center by the Eagan Convention and Visitor?s Bureau (ECVB)
and the remaining space that is not to be used by the Chamber of Commerce. The
Council agreed that they are comfortable with the decisions of the subcommittee and
directed staff to explore options for the use of the available space, including the
possibility that a non-profit entity could become a tenant.
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa distributed sample plaque designs to be displayed in
the Community Center. The Council discussed the two designs and provided staff with
direction on their preferred design. Vraa noted that a ribbon cutting would most likely
take place in September 2002.
VIII.UPDATE & DISCUSSION RE: REVERSE 9-1-1
City Administrator Hedges introduced the discussion regarding Reverse 9-1-1, noting
that the item is a part of the City Council?s goals for 2001-2002. Police Chief Therkelsen
presented a summary of the recent study that was done on rapid outbound telephone
notification systems. At the recommendation of Councilmember Bakken, the City
Council directed staff to budget for a subscription service for nine months, or up to one
year. After that time, Council and staff could then review the service to determine
whether to continue, abolish, or change services. Council also directed that Reverse 9-1-1
will be included in the 2003 budget proposal and will compete with other budget items
during Council consideration.
IX.STATUS UPDATE ON WESCOTT SQUARE
Councilmember Fields arrived.
City Administrator Hedges introduced Doug Mayo of CommonBond Communities,
David MacGillvray and Bruce Kimmel of the City?s fiscal consultant Springsted, and
Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge to provide the Council with an update on the
redevelopment opportunities at Wescott Square. Verbrugge briefed the Council on the
changing market at Wescott Square, noting that units at Wescott Square had recently
been sold for over $100,000. Doug Mayo informed the Council that with the inflated
acquisition prices, it would not be financially feasible for CommonBond to redevelop
Wescott Square at this time, without financial assistance. Bruce Kimmel, of Springsted,
presented the option proposed by Jeff Johnson, a current owner of Wescott Square, which
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would have the City purchase Wescott Square by issuing $23.6 million in bonds. The
City Council discussed the redevelopment options for Wescott Square. The Council
agreed that the redevelopment project would be possible if the development were to go to
market rate; however, the Council expressed their desire to retain Wescott Square as
affordable housing. The Council expressed their disappointment that redevelopment by
CommonBond would not be feasible at this time; however, should the unit acquisition
prices become more favorable, the City and/o CommonBond may wish to explore the
redevelopment of Wescott Square in the future.
The Council also inquired with Police Chief Therkelsen about crime rates at Wescott
Square. Therkelsen noted that calls for service have increased at Wescott Square as of
late. Per the direction of the Council, Therkelsen will continue to monitor crime rates at
Wescott Square.
X.DISCUSS RE: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ZONED INDUSTRIAL
Councilmember Carlson discussed with the Council two residential properties in Eagan
that are currently zoned industrial, but are listed as residential in the City?s
comprehensive Guide Plan. The Council directed that staff notify the two property
owners that the City Council will be considering a change of use of the property in order
to ensure that the zoning and comprehensive guide plan are compatible. The APC will
consider the two properties? zoning and comprehensive guide plan designations at the
July 23 APC meeting, prior to Council consideration.
XI.DISCUSSION RE: LIQUOR LICENSE VIOLATIONS
Councilmember Carlson addressed the Council on two establishments in Eagan that
contacted her regarding the change in the City?s liquor license violation penalties, and
specifically, whether the City could directly fine the individual offender, such as the
bartender or server. The Council discussed the new penalties, and agreed to continue
fining the establishment, and allow the criminal system to handle the individual
offenders.
XII.DISCUSSION RE: MAP OF WHERE ELECTION SIGNS ARE
ALLOWED
Councilmember Carlson requested a map be available to display where signs are legal,
given the recent changes to the City?s sign ordinance. Staff informed the Council that
every Mayoral and City Council candidate will be given a packet of information, which
will include a map of where signs are and are not allowed. The Council agreed that the
City must take a zero tolerance policy in enforcing the sign ordinance. Communications
Coordinator Garrison noted that a map and information about the sign ordinance could be
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included as an upcoming newsletter item. The Council directed additional staff (police,
filed inspectors, and street maintenance employees) be trained on sign enforcement.
XIII.OTHER BUSINESS
City Administrator Hedges briefed the Council that Mark Ulfers, of Dakota County CDA,
informed the City that at this time he would like to look at the O?Leary site for additional
senior housing, as opposed to expanding the Cliff site. The Council directed staff to
contact Mr. Ulfers to further discuss his building plans.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Date ____________________ City Clerk ______________________
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