06/14/2022 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
June 14, 2022
A Special City Council Meeting was held at 5:30pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. City Councilmembers
present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Fields, Bakken, and Hansen. Councilmember Supina joined
via teleconference. City staff present: City Administrator Miller, Director Hutmacher, Assistant City
Administrator Alig, and City Attorney Bauer.
I.ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Hansen moved, Councilmember Fields seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as
presented. Aye: 5 Nay: 0
II.VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III.DAKOTA COUNTY UPDATE
Dakota County Commissioners Joe Atkins and Laurie Halverson were present to provide updates.
Commissioner Atkins thanked the City for its partnership on Dakota911. Commissioner Halverson shared
that the County is currently leading a countywide study on pedestrian crossings to identify locations in
need of safer crossings. Commissioner Atkins mentioned the Amateur Sports Center Feasibility Study did
not receive funding before the Legislative session ended, but he remains hopeful. Commissioner
Halverson spoke about the issues of mental health and some of the efforts at the county level. Mayor
Maguire and the Council thanked the Commissioners for attending.
IV.BILLBOARD/OFF PREMISE SIGNAGE REVIEW
Administrator Miller introduced the item and invited Community Development Director Hutmacher to
present. Director Hutmacher stated the current City ordinance prohibits new off-premise signs
(billboards) and she reviewed the history of the City’s billboard policy and the current sign code.
Director Hutmacher presented information on an existing sign installed by Blue Ox Media in Champlin
and the entity’s proposed digital billboard in Eagan on Northbound I-35E south of Northwood Parkway.
The Advisory Planning Commission discussed off-premise dynamic signs at a March 22, 2022, workshop
and Director Hutmacher shared Commissioner feedback. Director Hutmacher shared the results of a
staff survey of peer communities’ off-premise signage policies. In summary, Eagan’s current policy of no
new billboards has met the stated City goal of reducing off-premise signage. If the City Council chose to
proceed with the Blue Ox Media proposal, ordinance amendments may need to allow flexibility for
number, height, and size of billboards, and should consider distance from residential districts. Director
Hutmacher added that the ordinance cannot be amended to allow a single billboard per advice from the
City Attorney.
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City Attorney Bauer added that the City would need to establish standards and this would determine
which sites fit the criteria in the policy. Attorney Bauer added that the City cannot choose a single
vendor, and would need to complete an RFP process to solicit other proposals. Attorney Bauer stated
the policy and fee schedule meet the City’s public purpose guidelines if the City collects revenue on the
operations of the sign.
Steve Boynton and Tom McCarver were present from Blue Ox Media. Mayor Maguire inquired of the
community benefit from the installation of digital signs in Eagan. Mr. Boynton stated the signs would
drive traffic to local businesses and could provide an opportunity for public messaging, should the City
request this.
Council discussed whether the signs would provide value to the public. Councilmember Bakken noted
other digital billboards in the City that currently provide public messaging.
City Attorney Bauer responded to a question of whether an entity like Blue Ox could remove a sign in
one area of the City and replace it with a new sign in a different location and stated as long as the total
number of signs or sign square footage remained the same, this would be allowed under current City
code.
The Council was in agreement on the preference for maintaining the current limitation on new off-
premise signage. Mayor Maguire thanked the representatives from Blue Ox Media for their attendance.
V.CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION UPDATE ON
RACE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EFFORT
City Administrator Miller introduced the topic and staff from the Center for Economic Inclusion (CEI)
who were in attendance. Tawana Black, Founder and CEO of the Center and Sarouen Earm, Inclusive
Growth Consultant, were both present. Ms. Black thanked the Council for the opportunity and gave a
presentation on the mission and strategies of the organization and the ways that CEI will address the key
objectives identified by the City of Eagan on race, equity, and inclusion.
Mayor Maguire welcomed Sarah Alig, Assistant City Administrator, and acknowledged that Ms. Alig
would be providing leadership and support to the City’s racial equity efforts. Ms. Alig expressed her
excitement for the partnership and thanked the Council for the opportunity.
The Council shared their desires for the partnership including making all residents feel welcome at City
Hall and in engaging with City services and events. Councilmember Bakken shared that he hopes the
work will help the Council to become better public servants.
Administrator Miller stated that staff have already begun working with CEI to identify internal
stakeholders, including the City’s internal Race, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Staff are planning a
formal kickoff for the partnership later this month.
VI.RENTAL LICENSING UPDATE
City Administrator Miller introduced the topic and invited Director Hutmacher to present more
information.
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Director Hutmacher reviewed the communications and engagement work that has been underway,
including outreach through social media, website, a stakeholder survey, and a facilitated conversation.
The survey results returned a larger than expected response rate, however staff are hoping to do more
outreach specifically targeted to renters. Director Hutmacher summarized the discussion that was held
at the facilitated conversation including landlord concerns regarding rental licensing. A third phase in
the communications and engagement plan is anticipated to begin late summer/fall 2022, and the
implementation of the program would begin no earlier than third quarter 2023.
Director Hutmacher provided an overview of expenses for a rental licensing program and discussed two
revenue models that could be used to fund the program. The Cash Flow model would require fees at the
high range of Twin Cities communities, have a startup shortfall in the first two years, and be fully
supported by fees in Year 3. The Community Benefit model would involve mid-range fees, a larger
startup shortfall, and a funding gap in Year 3 that would likely require an ongoing levy contribution.
Next steps for staff include additional renter engagement in Summer and Fall 2022, research on
software that could support a licensing program, and ordinance review. Staff anticipate returning to the
Council at Special Meeting in Fall 2022 to review feedback from community engagement, ordinance
language, and an implementation plan.
The Mayor and Councilmembers weighed in on their funding model preference. Council agreed that a
community benefit exists in maintaining safe, quality housing, and asked staff to prepare a range of
revenue scenarios for the next rental licensing discussion.
VII.OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Hansen moved, Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at
8:30 p.m. Aye: 5, Nay: 0.
Date
Mayor
City Clerk
July 5, 2022