Loading...
09/05/1995 - City Council Special 0 2 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota September 5, 1995 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, September 5, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. at Black Hawk Middle School. Present were Mayor Egan and Counciimembers Wachter, Awada, Masin and Hunter. Also present were City Administrator Tom Hedges, Director of Public Works Tom Colbert, Community Development Director Peggy Relchert,Parks and Recreation Director Ken Vraa, and Police Chief Pat Geagan. ON-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS Director of Public Works Colbert noted that there are several locations throughout the community where continuous on-street parking occurs. He felt it would be appropriate for the Council to discuss to see whether they would like to establish on-street parking regulations in problem areas. He explained that the main areas of concern are commercial/industrial areas, high density residential, and schools and parks. He noted that they get a variety of complaints In a number of areas. One area of concern Is Town Centre Drive, which has four lanes of traffic, but tenants In the adjacent apartment complex have been parking In two of the traffic lanes. Police Chief Geagan Indicated he isn't aware of any specific accidents in that area, but there have been some close calls, and he has seen glass in that area. Director of Public Works Colbert noted that another problem with on-street parking Is snow removal. He asked whether the Council wants to establish a policy for off-street parking, or whether the Council wants to deal with these complaints on a case by case basis. Councilmember Wachter stated he feels there should be a policy, at least from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Hunter concurred, however, he feels the problem Is different depending on the area. It would be good to have a policy, but he feels these situations will have to be dealt with on a case by case basis. There should be a process that needs to be followed. Mayor Egan stated he would like to have a uniform policy, but feels he needs more information on specific areas. Councilmember Awada stated that the problem on Town Centre Drive needs to be taken care of through additional parking. Director of Public Works Colbert noted that In a lot of cases, it Is more a matter of convenience than lack of parking space. Mayor Egan suggested that people could petition to the city, and If it doesn't meet warrants, it could be appealed to the Council. Discussion followed on storage of equipment on the public right-of way. Councilmember Masin stated she feels there have been enough complaints about Town Centre Drive that the City should take some action. Director of Public Works Colbert asked how the Council feels about the on-street parking at LffeTime Fitness. Councilmember Wachter stated he feels there have been enough complaints there also that warrants action. Mayor Egan concurred, stated he feels there Is a blatant disregard for the parking regulations in that area. Councilmember Awada suggested that situations that are consistent problems should be brought up at Council workshops. She feels Town Centre should be dealt with quickly because that area Is going to develop. If additional land needs to be acquired for parking, it will need to be done soon. She suggested Town Centre be placed on the next Council agenda. Director of Public Works Colbert asked whether adjacent property owners should be notified and Councilmember Awada stated she feels they should. Community Development Director Reichert noted that the people in the neighborhood of LffeTlme Fitness may be at the next Council meeting also, and wondered whether it would be appropriate to address that parking situation as well. There was Council concurrence to address this issue as well. Discussion followed on writing a letter to those who are using the public right-of-way for storage. Director of Public Works Colbert summarized the criteria outlined by the Council for consideration of parking restrictions as: 1) written agreements for on-street parking/storage of vehicles and equipment on dead-end streets in industrial areas; 2) hourly restrictions for other Industrial areas; 3) total restrictions In commercial/retail areas; 4) evaluate adequacy and potential of off-street parking before restrictions are imposed in high density residential areas; and 5) address safety concerns and complaints on a case by case basis. OC 29S EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE 2 In response to staffs Inquiry, the Council directed all requests to restrict on-street parking be placed on a regular Council meeting for formal action until a uniform policy can be created for staff to administer. REVIEW PRELIMINARY APPRAISALS FOR PROJECT 687, BISCAYNE AVENUE STREETS & UTILITIES Director of Public Works Colbert gave a staff report and reviewed the results of the preliminary appraisals. It was found that the benefit is substantially smaller than the proposed assessments. He reviewed the options the Council has for completing this project. He noted that the Council can reduce the scope of the project, or the City can finance the unassessable costs for the Improvements. Discussion followed concerning the unsustainable amount of assessments and how they should be handled. Councilmember Awada suggested the project could end at Biscayne Avenue. Discussion followed on the development of the Marotzke property. Councilmember Awada stated she would like to dead-end the Industrial area, and discussion followed concerning that. Considerable discussion followed concerning whether the assessments are sustainable. Mayor Egan asked whether the utility assessments are more likely to be sustainable. Director of Public Works Colbert noted that there are shortfalls in all of the assessments. Councilmember Awada stated she feels the numbers would be different If the project were dead-ended at Biscayne Avenue. She feels this area needs to be brought up to city standards, but not Gun Club Road. Mayor Egan stated that the Council needs to determine whether the City should subsidize these improvements, or leave the area as it is. Councilmember Hunter stated he feels the area needs to be upgraded to standards. Awada concurred. Community Development Director Reichert noted that the property owners don't want to pave their parking lots until the streets are Installed. They need to know how much it is going to cost them. Councilmember Hunter summarized that the area will be brought up to city standards, and it still needs to be determined where the project will end. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that staff would revise the feasibility report to try to reduce the scope and cost of improvements to more closely match the preliminary appraised benefit and will meet with the property owners before bringing it back to the Council at a regular meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the regular Council meeting. DLP September 5, 1995 UVIME -A- Date it y r5telor-k