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09/20/1995 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING.OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota September 20, 1995 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, September 20, 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 Reichert, and Parks and Recreation Director Ken Vraa. COMMUNITY PARKLAND/UNISYS Parks and Recreation Director Vraa reviewed the layout of the Unisys property as it currently exists and a number of options for the property as proposed by Brower and Associates. Councilmember Awada stated she feels there could be more park land. She feels the assisted living concept Is a good Idea. She questioned whether condominiums are the best idea for this location. She doesn't feel there should be more density along Yankee Doodle Road. Perhaps townhouses or commercial would be better than condominiums. Councilmember Hunter agreed with acquiring more park land. Other Councilmembers concurred. Discussion followed concerning the community center. Community Development Director Reichert asked whether the Council wants a gathering place to be part of the city's long-range vision, and councilmembers responded that a community center should continue to be pursued on this site. Councilmember Masin asked where the community center will be. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa responded that he feels the gathering place will be on this property. Mayor Egan added that he feels this is the primary site for a meeting place. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa Indicated they will go back to Brower and Associates for further direction. Community Development Director Reichert reviewed the possibility of establishing an economic development authority. Councilmembers generally agreed with the concept of an economic development authority and gave the direction to begin work on establishing one. Administrator Hedges suggested they could also work with Joe Miller on a land swap. Community Development Director Reichert noted they will suggest that the Peron property develop at the same time. She also noted that they will continue to work with Joe Miller and keep the Council Informed. STREETSCAPE OPTIONS Community Development Director Reichert asked the Council whether they are still Interested In doing something special with Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot Knob Road. Councilmembers Indicated they would. Community Development Director Reichert noted that It will be difficult to do much there because these roads are so wide and suggested the Central Area Subcommittee meet on this. She reviewed some options, noting that she feels that the best options might Include a raised, landscaped median In parts of Yankee Doodle Road, increased tree plantings along the roadways on private property; large flower massings at key locations, and possibly some architectural features within the Park and Ride lot on Yankee Doodle Road. She feels landscaping needs to be beefed up on Yankee Doodle Road, but will need to be done on private property because of limited right-of-way. She suggested some type of public private partnership where the City would agree to share In the cost of private landscaping. Councilmember Wachter stated he feels it would be appropriate for the Convention and Visitors Bureau to be located In this central area. Community Development Director Reichert noted they are talking to Opus about getting some space. Mayor Egan suggested there should be some minimum architectural standards for this area. It would lend some balance to this area. Councilmember Awada stated she feels Opus' sign Is too big. She thinks flowers, trees and brick structures would be appropriate for the area. Councilmember Masin added that there should be benches also. Community Development Director Reichert Indicated that staff will work up some streetscape plans and come back to the Council at a future meeting. EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; SEPTEMBER 20, 1995 PAGE 2 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT Administrator Hedges gave an explanation of the Livable Communities Act, reviewing the concept of clustering for affordable housing. Counclimember Awada stated she feels this should be discussed at a regular Council meeting to get some Input. She feels the City should look at the cost of renting in the City of Eagan and asked how much it will cost to participate. Community Development Director Reichert further reviewed the Livable Communities Act, and noted that the City doesn't have to do much to participate. Councilmember Hunter asked whether there is an option to get out once it is decided to participation. Mayor Egan noted that it is renewed each year. It was decided to study this further and schedule it at a regular Council meeting. REPLACEMENT TRANSIT SYSTEMS MEMO Councilmember Masin reviewed some of the transit issues that will be coming to the legislature next year. She indicated that there was a suggestion at the meeting that communities that have replacement transit systems to form a coalition that will focus on their concerns. Mayor Egan noted that at the A.M.M. Urban Summit, transit issues were discussed. Councilmember Masin emphasized that it Is important to have good representation in the legislature. She feels that it was due to good representation that they were able to accomplish a lot this year. After some discussion, It was decided that there Is interest in participating in a coalition with other communities and organizations that have replacement transit systems, but that a cap needs to be placed on the amount for participation. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. to the regular Council meeting. DLP September 20, 1995 L Date City Clerk