04/18/1995 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE.
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
April 18, 1995
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, April 18, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. at the Eagan
Municipal Center. Present were Mayor Egan and Councilmembers Wachter, Awada, Masin and Hunter. Also present
were City Administrator Tom Hedges, Director of Public Works Tom Colbert, Director of Parks and Recreation Ken
Vraa, Community Development Director Peggy Reichert, and Park Operations Supervisor Rich Pelletier.
Councilmembers toured the new police facility at 5:00 p.m.
Administrator Hedges noted that the legislative delegation will likely not be able to attend the Council meeting
tonight and suggested Councilmembers may want to discuss several legislative Issues during the time allotted for
this at the regular Council meeting. Some discussion followed concerning local government aid, HACA, and the
property tax freeze.
RECISION OF ISTEA GRANT - NICOLS ROAD TRAILS
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa explained the ISTEA grant that was awarded for the Nicols Road Trail
and noted that federal standards for trails are very stringent. He explained what would have to be done to comply
with this grant. He indicated that due to the costs associated with administering the grant, staff felt it would be more
cost effective to do the improvements using City funds. He pointed out that the trail will be different using city funds
than it would be using the grant money due to federal grant standards.
Steve Gatlin, of MSA Consulting Engineers, explained the federal design standards and ISTEA grant
administration. He noted that their experience in the past has been that the costs for administering federal grants
Is nearly double the administrative costs of the city doing the project themselves.
Councilmember Awada noted this Is just another example of federal bureaucracy driving costs up.
Councilmember Hunter noted this Is a testimony to Ken Vraa and his staff for raising this issue to save money. It
shows taxpayers that the City of Eagan Is conservative in its spending, and thanked staff for bringing this to the
Council's attention.
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa indicated that declining these funds will need to be dealt with delicately
so it won't jeopardize future requests for ISTEA grants. Councilmember Masin suggested writing them a letter
outlining the reasons for declining the grant. Some discussion followed.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Community Development Director Reichert reviewed a meeting she had with the various owners and
managers of the Wescott Apartments. She noted that they are looking to the city for some type of financial
assistance. She stated she doesn't feel the city should be putting money into private projects. Councilmembers
concurred.
She also reviewed a meeting she had with the business owners in Cedarvale. She noted that they weren't
Interested in a big sign as proposed. They would, however, like some ground signs. Discussion followed on signage
and whether there is a consensus of the business owners on what Is needed to attract people to the area.
Community Development Director Reichert noted that Mr. Remick has withdrawn his application for a
Conditional Use Permit. She noted they will be reviewing the ordinance relating to exterior building materials. She
also reviewed some changes staff is considering the clarify the definition of setbacks for commercial buildings. She
reviewed several proposals she is aware of for the Unisys building, noting that companies are looking for incentives
EAGAN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES; APRIL 18, 1995
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from the city to locate here. She indicated she feels that by offering incentives, they are duplicating what is already
being provided in the private sector.
She noted that she has become aware that the Carriage Hills Golf Course will be up for sale in the near
future. She requested clarification as to whether the Council feels this property should be preserved for golf course,
as she feels it will be sold for residential development. She noted that the city approached West Publishing to see
whether they were interested in purchasing this course. After some discussion, the Council gave direction to contact
West Publishing again to see if they are interested in this, and to explore other options, such as a municipal course.
After some discussion regarding the southeast industrial area, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
April 18, 1995 ft .2.&
Date City Clerk