01/12/1993 - City Council Special
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MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
January 12, 1993
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was convened at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
January 12, 1993, in Conference Rooms A and B of the Eagan Municipal Center Building. Those in
attendance were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, Masin and Wachter. Also in
attendance was City Administrator Hedges.
BEA BLOMQUIST/DEVELOPER FEES
Bea Blomquist appeared and stated that she is aware of a meeting that took place during
the fall of 1992, where a developer-type person invited another developer-type person to have lunch with
them and a City staff member. She further stated that the topic that was discussed was a lawsuit against
the City regarding development fees. She expressed her concern that this type of meeting was held and,
further, that her reason for bringing the matter to the attention of the City Council was to 1) alert the City
of this communication and 2) to allow the City an opportunity to look at development fees and escrow
policies to determine if they are comparable with other growing communities. She specifically suggested
a survey on escrow account fees, development fees and requirements the City of Eagan has for new
developments, i.e. number of street lights. City Councilmember Hunter stated that fees are being reviewed
in light of the ice arena proposal and certainly that information could be further analyzed once compiled.
Mrs. Blomquist further voiced concerns that were shared with her about the type of infrastructure and as
to whether they were adequate or overdesigned and that any review or additional survey should involve
developers in the process. She stated that her presence and reason for sharing this Information is to protect
the City against any litigation it may encounter regarding the cost and procedures for land use development
within the community. Mayor Egan assured Mrs. Blomquist that the City has conducted a number of
surveys, held meetings with its City staff and he personally has met with numerous developers to discuss
the costs and requirements for development within the community.
The City Council expressed their appreciation to Mrs. Blomquist for sharing this information
and directed the City Administrator to provide copies of recent surveys and other studies the City has
conducted regarding development fees and requirements and, further, to invite a review and involvement
by Mrs. Blomquist Involving this matter.
ADVISORY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE INTERVIEWS
City Administrator Hedges stated that twenty-six (26) of the thirty-two (32) applicants seeking
an advisory commission/committee appointment by the City Council are scheduled for ten minute interviews
each throughout the meeting. Mayor Egan facilitated each Interview by providing an introduction, asking
the applicant to share a few comments about why they are seeking an appointment to a commission and
finally questions were asked of each applicant by members of the City Council. The interviews lasted
approximately five hours beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at approximately 10:30 p.m. Mayor Egan
Informed each applicant that their name would be placed on a ballot for consideration at the organizational
meeting to be held Tuesday, January 19, 1993, and thanked each person for their interest in volunteering
time for their local government.
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION/RESTRUCTURE
THE ADVISORY PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
The City Council reflected on the number of applicants who were strongly qualified In the
area of natural resources and the environment. A general discussion followed with City Councilmembers
giving consideration to a restructuring of the Advisory Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
that would allow the City to take advantage of the volunteer talent regarding environmental matters. After
a discussion, the City Administrator was directed to share the City Council's policy considerations regarding
a restructuring of the Advisory Parks Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as either two separate
bodies or restructuring that would allow the City to concentrate more resources and continue its proactive
emphasis on natural resources environment Issues. Mayor Egan respected the work load of the
management team and suggested this policy consideration be addressed by staff as soon as possible and
that a meeting in February would be acceptable.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:20 p.m.
TLH
January 12, 1993
Date City Clerk