Loading...
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. June 25, 2002 Special City Council Minutes Page 2 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. June 25, 2002 Special City Council Minutes Page 3 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 June 25, 2002 Special City Council Minutes Page 4 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 June 25, 2002 Special City Council Minutes Page 5 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 ______________________ 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.