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03/27/1984 - City Council Special MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA MARCH 27, 1984 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on March 27, 1984, at 7:15 p.m. in the lunchroom of the Eagan Municipal building. Those present were Mayor Blomquist, City Councilmembers Egan, Smith, Thomas and Wachter. Also present were City Administrator Hedges and Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa. EAGAN HRA TAX INCREMENT FINANCIAL PLAN City Councilmember Egan moved, City Councilmember Smith seconded the motion to suspend special City Council meeting proceedings and convene the Eagan HRA as officially noticed. All voted in favor. The HRA Executive Director, Tom Hedges, presented resolutions that were prepared by Faegre & Benson Law Firm for the consideration of sale and disposition of land owned by the HRA in Redevelopment District No. 1. After a review of the resolutions, it was determined that the City of Eagan would own the land and sell the same to the Minnesota Jockey Club limited partnership to provide for the Class A horse racing facility as proposed. After further review on the matter and in a motion by HRA Commission member Egan, seconded by HRA Commission member Smith with all members voting in favor, the resolution entitled "Consideration of Sale and Disposition of Land Owned By the HRA in Redevelopment District No. 1 - City of Eagan" was approved. HRA Commission member Wachter moved, Commission member Thomas seconded the motion to adjourn the HRA and reconvene the special Eagan City Council meeting. All voted in favor. DISCUSSION OF PARK BOND REFERENDUM FOR MAY 22, 1984 Members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission present were as follows: Carolyn Thurston, Sandy Burtz, Doug McNeely, Dick Carrol, Joanne Alt, George Kubik, Bill Jackson, Sandy Mason and Tom Ketcham. Members of the Parks & Recreation Commission appeared to discuss and establish the dollar amount for the May 22 park referendum, discuss park referendum strategies and other related business pertaining tothe upcoming park referendum. City Administrator Hedges provided an overview on strategies that are desired for park referendum. He stated that the development of newsletters is important as a communication tool to all residents of the community defining the need and purpose for the park referendum, articles in newspapers, coffee parties, involvement of athletic associations, last weekend drops by citizen groups or athletic groups who are in support of the referendum are several of the methods that would be desirable for communicating the need to the public. He further stated that work has begun on a newletter which will provide questions and answers, an overview, tax information and some brief pictures, both sketches and graphic, that will help the reader understand the need for park land development. Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission is recommending a two-part bond issue that would be voted on as separate questions. He stated that Part 1 is proposed at $3,316,000, while Part 2 is $1,096,000. The Director of Parks & Recereation further stated that Special City Council Minutes March 27, 1984 e°} F B Part 1 is designed to provide necessary development and some acquisition so that park lands are developed to date according to the Park Master Plan. He further stated that in order to approve Part 2 of the proposed bond referendum, approval must be given to Part 1. Parks Director Vraa stated that Part 2 is designed to carry park development beyond the present providing for some of the short range future needs both in consideration of development and acquisition. There was considerable discussion on the part of the City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission as to whether the amounts were too much or possibly not enough in comparison to the $6,000,000 objectives outlined as a result of the Parks Systems Plan. Carolyn Thurston, acting Parks & Recereation Commission Chairperson, stated that after the referendum dollars are expended, cash donations from developers will help to fund the park needs and, therefore, the dollar amounts recommended to the City Council are regarded as adequate at this time. After further review of the proposed Parks & Recreation bond referendum amount, a motion was made by City Councilmember Egan, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, with all members voting in favor, that the bond referendum be established as a two-part issue with the Part 1 amount at $3,316,000 and Part 2 at $1,096,000. MEADOWLAND PARK CONCEPT PLAN Parks & Recreation Director Vraa presented four (4) concept designs for Meadowland Park that were prepared by Erkilla & Associates. Members of the Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council discussed the various park schemes providing the guidance necessary for development of the final plan for Meadowland Park. There was no official action taken on this item. NAMING OF PARK LANDS City Administrator Hedges stated that a number of park lands were presented to the City Council for official naming, however, questions were raised regarding six (6) names that were chosen for specific park lands. The proposed names, as offered by the Parks & Recreation Commission, were as follows: 1) Downing, 2) Stonecutters' Park, 3) Robbers' Ravine Park, 4) Barley Corn Park, 5) Loggers' Trail and 6) Trapp Farm. After further review and a discussion of each park land, it was advised that Downing remain Northview, that Stonecutters' Park be named Quarry Park, Robbers' Ravine Park be Ravine Park, Barley Corn Park, Moonshine Park and Loggers' Trail, Highlander Park. It was further decided that the naming of the Trapp Farm Park as proposed by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission be considered at a later date. In a motion by City Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Egan, with all members voting in favor, the following park land names were adopted: Northview, Quarry, Ravine, Moonshine and Highlander as official names for City park lands. LCMR/LAWCON GRANT PROGRAMS Director of Parks & Recreation Vraa discussed briefly the proposed criteria changes that are under consideration for ranking park grant applications. He stated that Mayor Blomquist is serving on a study committee and upon his review, Mayor Blomquist added several comments regarding the criteria changes as proposed for the LCMR/LAWCON applications. Parks & Recreation Director Vraa stated that the park land grant applications are in order for Special Council Minutes 17 March 27, 1984 consideration by the City Council further outlining the three applications which consist of Coachman, Schwanz and Capricorn parks. Upon a review of the cost breakdown proposed for all three (3) parks and questions asked about the development of each park, a motion was introduced by City Councilmember Wachter, seconded by Councilmember Egan, with all members voting in favor, that three (3) applications be presented to the State planning agency for LCMR/LAWCON park land grant applications for Coachman, Schwanz and Capricorn parks. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned. TLH Dated: March 27, 1984 City Clerk