03/19/1981 - City Council Special
000 67
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MARCH 19, 1981
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on March 19,
1981 at 7:00 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1. Those present were Mayor Blomquist,
Councilmembers Egan, Smith and Parranto. Also present were City Administrator
Hedges, City Planner Runkle, Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa and Interns
Kurt Ulrich and Michelle Cords. Members of the Advisory Parks and Recreation
Committee were also present, including Chairman Martin, members Fedde, McNeely,
Thomas, Pettit, Carroll, Johnson, Thurston and Loken.
CIVIL DEFENSE WARNING SIREN
City Councilmembers met with members of the Eagan Volunteer Fire
Department to discuss the location of the Civil Defense Warning Siren at Fire
Station No. 1. A site was agreed to by all parties including Mr. and Mrs. Darryl
Haines. The site is adjacent to the building at the south corner facing Rahn
Road. There was no action required on this issue.
JOINT PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE/CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mr. Roger Martin, Chairman of the Advisory Parks & Recreation Com-
mittee reviewed an agenda that was prepared by the Advisory Parks & Recreation
Committee and the Director of Parks & Recreation. He stated that several items
are to be discussed and he would like for City Council input on all the issues
as outlined.
A bicycle trails plan was presented by Intern Ulrich. The trail
plan was explained in detail; the need for the policy was expressed, as well
as financial priorities to all the programs as outlined. After discussion on
the bicycle trails plan, Chairman Martin also indicated that the plan of the
committee is to provide a study for each type of trail, such as cross country
skiing, pedestrian, horse back riding, snowmobiling and jogging. He stated
that preparation of these trails is minimal compared to the bicycle trails plan
that was written by Intern Ulrich. Members of the City Council stated that
funding could be a problem in the future for trailways since there is a need
to construct many roadways in the City that will require a significant amount
of funding. Questions were asked regarding the function of a trail on one side
of a roadway, and further it was stated that the Advisory Parks & Recreation
Committee should examine whether trails are necessary on both sides of major
collectors due to the anticipated limitations on funding. It was also stated
that the County or City should, at least, shape a bench for a potential trailway
along all these roadways when constructed. Pettit discussed trails on minor
collectors, stating that concrete is more aesthetically desirable in residential
areas.
Martin stated that a high priority of the Advisory Parks & Recreation
Committee is the development of a master plan. He stated that a master plan
would define needs and priorities and goals and objectives for future development
and construction of parks and recreation programs in the community. It was
discussed by the Committee members and Councilmembers jointly that a bond issue
will be required in the near future to consider facilities and/or park develop-
ment of the various priorities, goals and objectives determined by a maser
k5 4L." 0 G) 8
City Council Minutes
March 19, 1981
Page Two
plan. The need for a master plan was considered a high priority by members
of the City Council and Advisory Park & Recreation Committee members.
Martin discussed the need to analyze annually cash donation con-
siderations for park donation with those plats that are presented to the City.
He stated that the Advisory Parks & Recreation Committee would like to keep
the per unit park dedication costs in line with the raw land values. Members
of the City Council stated that they were in agreement that the park dedication
fees should be established each year and also that the possibility of equalizing
the per unit fee for apartment and single family townhouses should be considered
by the Committee.
Advisory Committee member Loken presented goals and objectives which
were determined by the Advisory Parks & Recreation Committee along with input
by the Vraa and other staff members. She stated that the four major goals were
as follows:
1. Combine an organized approach to the development of the parks system;
2. Seek optimum funding for park acquisition and development;
3. Provide for the current parks and recreation needs of the community;
4. To coordinate park and trail development and recreation programs with
other jurisdictions.
Loken stated that, under each goal, there are several objectives which were
briefly addressed. She also indicated that the committee members have reviewed
the objectives and provided a priority listing which was then reviewed. City
Councilmembers expressed their support for the goals and objectives that were
developed by the Advisory Parks & Recreation Committee.
There was discussion by the Mayor and members of the City Council
and Advisory Parks and Recreation Committee about a tour of many of the parks
within the community. City Administrator Hedges indicated that a day is under
consideration for a City tour this spring and that a review of certain parks
was planned as a part of that tour. Mayor Blomquist asked that the tour be
scheduled for early May with the date of Saturday, May 2, 1981, being considered.
Several items were then discussed by members of the City Council.
The issue of matching grants in neighborhoods was explored, stating that to
date the program has worked well with River Hills 9th Addition being referred
to as an example. There was also a discussion about the location of the Fourth
of July celebration and its impact on the ball diamonds at Rahn Community Park.
Councilmember Smith asked that Councilmember Wachter's consideration of a ski
tow at Blackhawk Park be considered. He also asked that an investigation be
O00€;9
City Council Minutes
March 19, 1981
Page Three
made of the feasibility of constructing a driveway access adjacent to T. H.
13 by the Department of Natural Resources for those persons who use a fishing
area in the state park east of the Minnesota River. Councilmember Parranto
asked that consideration be given to the crude development of sandlot playgrounds
to allow temporary use of parkland until long range development occurs. He
also asked that consideration be given to the construction of a facility for
the summer concert concept which was initiated and implemented successfully
at Cedar Pond during 1980. Mayor Blomquist stated that water fountains and
satelites for the major east west trail system as well as other park lands be
considered.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10
p.m.
Date: March 19, 1981 TLH
City Clerk