09/10/1985 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER-10, 1985
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, September
10, 1985, at 6:30 P.M., at the Eagan Municipal Center. Present were Mayor
Blomquist and City Councilmembers Egan, Smith, Thomas and Wachter, who appeared
during the discussion of the 1986 budget. Also present were Director of
Finance VanOverbeke, Chief of Police Berthe, Police Captain Geagan and City
Administrator Hedges.
MUNICIPAL RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM REPORT
The City Administrator reported that a Municipal radio communication study
was authorized as a part of the 1985 budget for the purpose of evaluating the
condition of radio communication equipment throughout all City departments. Dr.
John DuBois, a registered professor of communications engineer, who was hired
to complete the needs assessment for all communication equipment, was present
to present his report. Dr. DuBois described the current radio system and
provided the necessary evaluation for a new system. He also provided a number
of recommendations for all departments stating that a mobile relay base station
(repeater) could be provided at the Sperry water tower providing an excellent
site for communication- frequency. Dr. DuBois stated that the present low-band
system is in need of replacement. He suggested that a three-year phase-in of
new communication equipment be implemented with the understanding that the most
serious deficiencies are scheduled for replacement in the first year. Dr.
DuBois presented the total cost for new communication equipment stating that
the estimates for year one is $266,530, year two is $54,934 and year three is
$83,490. Dr. DuBois stated that a 10% savings could be realized if the
communication system is purchased in one year.
After the presentation, the City Council raised a number of questions with
Dr. DuBois and discussed the in detail. There were
proposal questions and
concerns raised by members of the Council as to the funding in 1986 stating
that it will be necessary to carefully review the capital outlay to determine
whether funding is available in budget 1986.
PROPOSED 1986 BUDGET
The City Administrator presented budget revisions that were discussed at
the August 27 special budget workshop session. City Councilmembers reviewed
all the budget changes, discussing in detail the proposed programming, manpower
and capital requests for each department. Questions were raised regarding
legal fees and whether an option should be considered for a full-time legal
department. After reviewing a study that was conducted by the Director of
Finance of other communities who have full-time legal departments, it was
determined that legal counsel for the City would be continued on a consulting
basis. A suggestion was made that the City Attorney's office concentrate in
preventative law by attending municipal review in workshop sessions to maintain
up-to-date information on municipal law.
Special Council Minutes
September 10, 1985 1 s
After further review of all City departmental budgets, it was determined
that the City Administrator modify the 1986 operating budget to reflect a total
expenditure of $6,200,000. The City Administrator was directed to revise all
capital and determine on a priority basis which equipment should be purchased
in 1986 as presented by department heads.
It was further determined that revitalization of fire trucks would be
reduced from $39,000 to approximately $12,000 to more accurately reflect the
restoration that was originally considered by the City Council.
The City Administrator was directed to present a $6,200,000 budget at the
budget hearing scheduled for September 17 and, further, that the mill rate is
to be established at approximately 21.8 mills for certification and collection
in 1986.
ACOUSTICAL PANEL QUOTATIONS
City Administrator Hedges stated that two (2) quotations were received for
the purchase of acoustical panels. He stated that the low quotation for
acoustical panels at the Municipal Center Building, to be used specifically in
the Planning, Administration and Finance Departments, is $8,152.80 as submitted
by Miller Davis. The City Administrator stated that the quotation is favorable
based on the architect's estimate of approximately $9,000.
In a motion by City Councilmember Egan, seconded by Councilmember Wachter,
with all members voting in favor, the low quotation submitted by Miller Davis
in the amount of $8,152.80 for acoustical panels to be used at the Municipal
Building was approved.
PROCESSING OF REZONING & PRELIMINARY PLATTING APPLICATIONS
Members of the City Council discussed the need for additional staff time
to review and process preliminary plat and zoning applications. It was
discussed by the City Council that a one-month processing time is not adequate
for proper review by all departments and advisory commissions before a review
and decision is expected by the City Council. After further discussion, a
motion was made by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by City Councilmember Wachter,
with all members voting in favor, that all applications for preliminary plats
and rezoning not appear before the Advisory Planning Commission until they have
received a six-week minimum review period by the City staff.
ADJOURNMENT
There is no additional business and the meeting was adjourned at approx-
imately 11:00 P.M.
TLH
September 10, 1985
Date City Clerk