07/11/1995 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
July 11, 1995
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, July 11, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. at Black Hawk
Middle School. Present were Mayor Egan and Councilmembers Wachter, Awada, Masin and Hunter. Also present
were City Administrator Tom Hedges, Fire Chief Dale Nelson, Police Chief Pat Geagan and Finance Director Gene
VanOverbeke.
IMPROVEMENTS TO FIRE STATION #1
After an Introduction by Administrator Hedges, Fire Chief Nelson reviewed the reasons for this request. He
noted that In the Initial Capital Improvement Program, they requested approximately $250,000 to do these repairs;
however, after compiling information on the needed repairs, it Is determined that it will require an additional $185,702
to complete the project. Arthur Dickey, of Arthur Dickey Associates, reviewed the plans for these improvements.
Councilmember Awada asked how much it would cost to build a new building and Mr. Dickey responded
that It would be close to a million dollars without land costs. Discussion followed on the roof and insulation In the
building. Councilmember Wachter indicated he would favor more insulation and Interior improvements rather than
putting a new brick exterior on the building. Councilmember Masin noted that this station backs up to homes, so
the appearance of the building is Important. She Indicated that perhaps just the front could be done in brick.
Councilmember Awada expressed a concern that this is 35% over budget. Fire Chief Nelson noted that if
the brick exterior isn't done, there will be numerous problems with maintenance. The brick exterior would be
maintenance free. Awada suggested that stucco would be an alternative that would be less expensive and would
be maintenance free also. Fire Chief Nelson indicated they are trying to be sensitive to the appearance of the
building since this is located in a neighborhood. Councilmember Wachter Indicated the Fire Administration building
Is the most Important project to him and he would rather see money go Into that building.
Fire Chief Nelson noted that there has been money set aside In the capital improvement plan for land
acquisition and remodeling that hasn't been spent. There has been no money spent on this station since 1985. If
these improvements aren't approved, he feels It may affect morale. Councilmember Awada expressed a concern
about recent city projects being over budget. The overages end up coming out of the Community Investment Fund
and that fund then gets depleted before it should. Councilmember Wachter indicated he wouldn't favor putting the
brick exterior on unless insulation is put in. He suggested this vote be delayed until more Information can be
provided relative to the costs for putting insulation in, and other building exteriors.
Counciimember Hunter indicated If facility upgrades are needed, he feels they should be done. However,
he doesn't think it is owed to employees to upgrade facilities every 10 years. Facilities should be upgraded when
they are needed and not before.
Councilmember Masin Indicated she would like to know whether the Fire Department would be willing to
delay some of their other projects due to this overage. Councilmember Awada concurred, indicating she would like
to know whether they would cut back $200,000 from something else to make up for it.
Fire Chief Nelson then reviewed acquisition of property for a training facility, Indicating there is some land
going tax forfeit that they would be interested in. They recently lost some property they were using to do training
in live bums.
REVISION OF THE SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
Finance Director VanOverbeke reviewed the reasons for requesting these changes. He indicated that certain
elements of the existing ordinance are in conflict with current legal standards and court Interpretations. Also, there
Is no differentiation between peddlers, transient merchants and solicitors. He explained the difference between
EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; JULY 11, 1995
PAGE 2
licensing and registering and noted that the problems with the ordinance became more apparent after the elimination
of the special use permits.
Councilmember Awada asked why the city needs to license any of these. Police Chief Geagan noted that
the city can refuse to license applicants If there are a lot of complaints. They have also made arrests during the
application process for persons who are wanted on warrants. It gives the city a little more control over who Is
soliciting in the city. Finance Director VanOverbeke added that they can also limit the times applicants can solicit.
Police Chief Geagan indicated he gets complaints about solicitors nearly every day and this would provide a level
of control.
Awada indicated she Is comfortable with the model ordinance. Mayor Egan concurred. Councilmember
Masin asked whether solicitors need to be licensed by the county as well. Police Chief Geagan responded that he
looked into that and the county doesn't do anything with them. Councilmember Wachter indicated he would like
the City Attorney to review the ordinance.
OTHER BUSINESS
Administrator Hedges reviewed a number of letters received from Larry Poppler relative to his complaints
about the Community Development department. Community Development Director Reichert noted that this has been
going on for a long time and basically, It is a private dispute between him and his neighbor. She reviewed the
situation and noted that the ordinance is not clear on whether this accessory structure is allowed. There doesn't
seem to be anything in the ordinance to prohibit it. Councilmember Awada suggested a letter be written to him from
the Mayor and Council Indicating that this Is a private dispute that the city cannot get involved in. Discussion
followed.
At 6:30 p.m. the meeting adjourned to the regular Council meeting.
At 11:35 p.m., the Council reconvened to discuss a correspondence received from Mike McGraw, an Eagan
resident. After some discussion, Councilmember Hunter agreed to follow up on this matter.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
DLP
July 11, 1995 *A A LL
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