Loading...
10/12/1993 - City Council Special 00332 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota October 12, 1993 A special City Council meeting was held on Thursday, October 12, 1993 at 4:00 p.m., in the Eagan Municipal Center building. The purpose of the meeting was to hold a general discussion regarding various building construction alternatives and associated expenses. Those in attendance were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, and Masin. Also present were Chief of Police Geagan, Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Chief Building Official Reid, Director of Parks Vraa, Fire Battalion Chief Craig Jensen, Chief of Fire Nelson, Assistant to the Administrator Hohenstein, Administrative Secretary Karen Finnegan, representing the Open Space Committee, Director of Community Development Reichert, Attorney Jim Sheldon, Administrative Intern Pruitt, and City Administrator Hedges. MUNICIPAL CENTER/PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING PROGRAM City Administrator Hedges introduced Dewey Thorbeck and Mike Stowe's presentation of the five municipal center alternatives and associated expenses. He reiterated staff's desire to decrease expenses throughout the entire steering committee process. Mike Stowe identified to Councilmembers that the municipal Center/Public Safety Building organization stage required the Council to make a number of policy decisions. Five alternatives for the Municipal Center/Police Building were presented to councilmembers. Architect Thorbeck presented Alternate I. This plan included one public safety building for the police and fire departments. Remodeling for the existing Municipal Center would be built to satisfy space needs to the year 2010. A new entrance from the south would be constructed. Alternative I also included police parking to the west side of the building. Councilmember Hunter questioned whether the expenditure included road construction costs. Architect Thorbeck explained the cost was inclusive of landscaping, road preparation, as well as construction costs. In Alternate II, Architect Thorbeck discussed how the design was comparable to the first alternative. However, the Fire Department was eliminated from the plan for present renovation and building construction. According to Architect, Dewey Thorbeck, the Fire Department would reside in existing facilities until a building could be constructed at a later date. Plans for the Fire Department's future building construction are incorporated into the Alternate II conception. The Municipal Center would be remodeled to serve space needs to the year 2010. 00- 7113 EAGAN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE TWO Alternate III, Architect Thorbeck reported to Councilmembers, was the most costly of the five alternatives, due to the construction of new public areas. An expense of $212,000 was tabulated for construction of a new common lobby. Architect Thorbeck presented Alternative IV. This design encompassed an expansion of two levels on the existing Municipal Center building, and the location of the Police Department in the lower level of the building. Architect Thorbeck articulated several complications associated with the design. He explained the basement would not be utilized by the police for storage. Administration would occupy the top level, police on the next level, following with administrative departments located in the basement as well. According to Dewey Thorbeck, this layout poses a security issue with the Police Department. Relating to the Police Department, Architect Thorbeck cited two other fundamental concerns with the plan's design. Should the City of Eagan continue to exist as a Class III Holding, 16 hour, Facility, the area is not required to contain windows. Technically, the current holding area would be feasible to build off of. However, the area will need to be brought up to ADA Standards, and will need an additional juvenile holding cell constructed. This alternative, according to Architect Thorbeck, requires the Police Department to relocate to another building while renovation is completed. He further notified Councilmembers that prisoners during this construction phase will require transfer to Apple Valley, which is extremely inefficient. Expenses provided are not inclusive of costs associated with moving the Police Department to another location during remodeling. Architect Thorbeck informed Councilmembers expansion on the two levels with Police on the second level will force the layout of administration, due to the reliance on the police design. The final design plan presented by Architect Thorbeck, was Alternate V; a conglomeration of concepts in Alternate I and Alternate IV. The plan entailed construction of a new facility, built to meet space needs until 2010, for law enforcement. Architect Thorbeck explained the two-story Police Department Building would not necessitate constructing both levels at the same size. He maintained this split-level layout could create the possibility for a number of attractive designs for the design of the building. He further described the layout to include uniformed police and dispatchers on the first floor, and administration, investigation, and the Drug Task Force to occupy the first floor. Alternate V also includes remodeling of City Hall and the Fire Department. Architect Dewey Thorbeck posed the question to Councilmembers, whether the fire building should be included within the campus. He noted that the Fire Department does not necessarily require location next to the Police Department. In the second phase of Alternate V, Architect Thorbeck explained the lower level OO34f4 EAGAN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE THREE would be completely renovated. The possibility of a connection between administration, police, and fire was presented to Councilmembers by Architect Thorbeck. He added that the Municipal Center would remain in the confines of the existing building, and the space needs for 2010 would not be accomplished through this design. Architect Thorbeck addressed the issue of quality levels for Alternative V. Previously, Councilmembers had the opportunity to visit police buildings, located in Burnsville and Minnetonka. Of those, Architect Thorbeck described Eagan's Alternate V proposed police building as at a higher level of quality than Burnsville, yet less than Plymouth and Minnetonka's police buildings. He further related how the cost estimates include higher quality materials than would be used in speculative office building space, which would last for the long term duration. One such quality material expense that can inflate expenses is the utilization of modular work stations. These are expressly designed for smaller work areas, and are much more efficient than use of current space. Architect Thorbeck added that the City will be able to continue using some of the existing furniture. Unless, he is further instructed by the Council, Architect Thorbeck asserted that a City does not want to skimp on quality, for the property is designed for long term use. Architect Thorbeck then presented cost estimates for each of the five (5) alternatives. Alternative I, meets space needs for the municipal center and the Police Department up to the year 2010, would cost $6,064,901. In Alternative II, the Fire Department is not included in the campus plan for immediate renovation or construction, and the Municipal Center is remodeled for build-out accommodation to the year 2010. Alternative II was estimated at $5,294,896. Alternative III, with expansion onto the existing two floors of the Municipal Center and a $212,000 expense for a new common lobby, was estimated at $6,277,051. Councilmember Hunter noted that there was not a separate fitness center for police in the plan. Architect Thorbeck pointed out the fitness center proposal is for 2,000 square feet. Councilmember Hunter questioned whether the fitness center space could be decreased. Chief of Police Geagan replied that the proposal recommendation is very similar to existing space in the Municipal Center. He maintained the square footage could not be reduced, for the equipment used is rather bulky and takes up a lot of space. Architect Thorbeck provided the Council with a cost estimate of $5,109,820 for the Alternative IV design. Councilmember Awada inquired whether the figure included expenses incurred in moving the Police Department to a separate location during renovation. EAGAN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE FOUR Architect Thorbeck responded the estimate did not include moving expenses for the police. Chief of Police Geagan disclosed his cost estimations on moving the police department. Moving the communications center alone, he estimated, would be at least $100,000. Councilmember Awada explained she was not convinced the Police Department would have to move to another location during construction. Architect Thorbeck responded he would not recommend renovating an area the Police are using at the same time. He felt, the more the Police Department is left in the building during construction, the greater the compromise in service delivery will be. Councilmember Masin advised Councilmembers that they should make a decision as to whether or not the Fire Department would be located on or off the campus site. Chief of Fire Nelson revealed how the Fire Marshall, Inspector, and Clerical staff are concerned about relocation to an area possessing no window space. Councilmember Awada questioned the position of the Fire Department in moving to the Municipal Building. Fire Chief Nelson expressed the fire fighters concluded that all departments located in a centralized municipal building made sense, and they supported the move. The central location appealed to the fire fighters, due to the high visibility and ease of access for the public, Fire Chief Nelson related. However, should the area they were to proved not to be work inducive with limited public accessibility, the Fire Department would be willing to remain at a location across the street. City Administrator Hedges discussed the opportunity of using an auxiliary community room to respond to the tremendous demand for community room space in the building as well. DODD ROAD ASSESSMENTS Tom Colbert provided an update on an informational meeting that was held on Monday, October 11, concerning the Dodd Road Assessments. The five options available and the residents request were reviewed in detail, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Councilmember Awada suggested the issue be reviewed again briefly at the Special City Council Meeting scheduled for October 19, 1993. COMMERCIAL LAND USE STUDY City Administrator Hedges introduced the need for a commercial land use study to address the impact of what certain commercial applications may have on the community. The necessity for this study, he explained, arose out of discussion generated during staff retreats addressing development, redevelopment, and in-fill development policies. City Administrator Hedges stated that once the management team has met and addressed the short and long term EAGAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE FIVE issues relating to service delivery, as well as frame the long-term vision for the community, it is intended that a joint meeting be held with the City Council to address issues outlined by staff. Director Reichert explained the need for analysis of the commercial proposals pending before the City, was to provide staff with a formal direction for processing each of the applications. She raised four broad concerns for the City Council to examine. Among these questions were, how do all the commercial developments fit together and express Eagan's vision for commercial land use in the City, is the aggregate amount of retail development proposed here supportable in Eagan at this time, is the distribution and location of various commercial developments compatible with Eagan's transportation capacity, and finally, is the location and distribution of commercial activity conducive to a strong commercial development sector, and the continuation of strong, healthy neighborhoods? She further discussed three (3) developments in detail, that together, raise questions concerning the City's commercial land use policy and its vision for commercial development. One of the three significant commercial projects discussed was the development adjacent to the Thomas Lake Shopping Center, referred to as Safari at Eagan. The development includes a proposal for a major restaurant, second-run movie theater, and a 24-hour health club. In brief, the issue of concern with the development is that the time period for the P.U.D. has expired, and there is a question as to whether this area is appropriately designated for development as a Community Shopping Center. The second property discussed was the O'Neil Property. According to Director Community Development Reichert, the Dial Corporation has been discussing with City staff a proposal to develop a major retail center north of Town Center. Considering the fact that the development proposal includes an excess of 467,000 sq. ft. for retail space, which is a significant increase in retail area over set forth in the approved P.U.D., an issue of traffic capacity arises. The final property addressed by Director of Community Development Reichert was the area located at the southeast corner of 135-E and Diffley Road. The HealthSpan/Health One Corporation's proposed development may be a suitable use for the property, but is not consistent with the City's adopted land use plan as it currently stands. An investigation of the overall City land use development, and specifically, the commercial land use plan must be completed to assess rezoning impacts. In addition, to the Commercial Study, discussion was also generated regarding the need for a transportation study, which Community Development and Public Works Engineering will complete on the O'Neil parcel. EAGAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~~~~~RRP OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE SIX Community Development Director Reichert recalled that in 1988 the City of Eagan contracted with Laventhol and Horwath to construct a citywide commercial market study. The Laventhol and Horwath Study projected out to the year 2010 for build out population, and assumed it would be 90,000 persons. Community Development Director Reichert addressed how it would be useful to update this study now, for commercial development and trends have changed and, more importantly, the build-out population for the City has been reduced dramatically as well. Following discussion by the City Council, a directive was granted to the Director of Community Development to update the commercial plan, and to collaborate with consultants and internal staff for a commercial study. In a motion by City Councilmember Hunter, seconded by Masin, and with all members voting in favor, the Director of Community Development was assigned direction to update the commercial planned use portion of the Comprehensive Guide Plan. STATUS OF POLICE OFFICER PETE POPPLER Chief of Police Geagan presented an update on the medical status of Police Officer Pete Popper. He explained the City's approved doctor's direction that Officer Poppler should be placed on medical leave. POLICE LIAISON City Administrator Hedges proposed $600-$700 of the $4,740 the City receives from District 197, for the DARE Program, to be allocated to fund a school liaison effort. He reported that the City of West St. Paul is proposing an application for federal assistance regarding the school liaison officer which would allow the City of Eagan to participate with the school districts. City Councilmembers were in support of the police liaison position. However, any formal approval should occur with further consideration and adoption of the 1994 budget. LAND BANK/FIRE STATION Fire Chief Nelson appeared and requested consideration by the City Council to proceed with land banking for a future fire station at the northeast intersection of Lexington and Wescott Roads. He reported there are no immediate plans to construct the fire station. However, the site is desirable for a fire station „ and as land continues to develop in the future, it would seem appropriate for the City to proceed with a negotiated acquisition of the property at this time. Chief Nelson stated that the property is legally deeded to Dakota County and the city of Eagan. Therefore, any negotiations would be with County for disposition of the property. MEYER PROPERTY City Administrator Hedges presented to City Councilmembers the ®O EAGAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 12, 1993 PAGE SEVEN request for a third extension by Scott and Marie Meyer to complete landscaping of their property located at 4044 Pennsylvania Avenue. City Councilmembers directed the City Administrator to proceed with enforcement of the City Code, stating that the Meyer's have received three notices over the past two years. OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45 October 12. 1993 Date Cit ark If you need this information in an alternate form such as Large print, braille, audio tapes, etc., please contact: the City of Eagan, 3830 pilot Knob Road, Eagan, NN, 55122, 681-4600, (TOD phone: 454-8535).