08/15/2000 - City Council Special
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
August 15, 2000
Page PAGE 1
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MINUTES OF A
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 15,2000
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, August 15,
2000 at 5:00 p.m. at the Municipal Center Building. Present were Mayor Awada and
Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist, Carlson and Masin. Also present were Director of
Parks and Recreation Vraa and City Administrator Hedges.
AGENDA
Mayor Awada asked if there were any changes or additions to the Agenda. City
Administrator Hedges provided an addition to the Agenda. Hedges asked the
Councilmembers if the Lawn sign issue could be added to the end of the Agenda.
Councilmember Carlson moved Councilmember Bakken second the motion to approve
the agenda as presented. Aye: 5 Nay: 0
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
Mayor A wada asked if there were any visitors to be heard; there were none to be
heard.
PROPOSED CIVIC ARENA BUDGET 2000/2001
City Administrator Hedges provided an overview of this item.
City Administrator Hedges stated that the staff is looking for Council direction
concerning the Civic Arena budget. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa provided
information regarding each request for the Arena budget.
The Councilmembers agreed that the first request regarding the equation between
Eagan and Eastview hockey association has been handled fairly.
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa informed the Councilmembers regarding
the surrounding communities ice time rates. Vraa stated that in the proposed Civic Arena
budget the City of Eagan would be raising the hourly rate to $145.00. Mayor Awada
asked Mickey Sparks, who was in the audience, if this was a fair hourly rate. Mr. Sparks
stated that the hourly rate is high and if it continues to increase the hockey associations
and groups will be affected. Councilmember Masin asked Mr. Sparks if there is a model
that the City of Eagan should be following regarding hourly rates. Mr. Sparks stated that
he was not aware of a model that could be followed.
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Special City Council Meeting Minutes
August 15,2000
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Councilmembers Blomquist asked Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa if the
City could keep the rate at $140.00. Vraa stated that there are certain fixed costs, such as
paying down the debt, salaries, and services that affect the budget and hourly rate. Vraa
also stated that Eagan's Civic Arena is an enterprise and to keep the budget balanced the
City of Eagan needs to either increase the hourly rate or decrease the services and/or
salaries.
Councilmember Carlson agreed that the rate should remain at $140.00 and
questioned whether the Civic Arena needs more employees and money for concessions.
If these two items in the budget are either limited or eliminated the City of Eagan may be
able to hold the hourly rate at $140.00. Civic Arena Manager Vaughan stated that
eliminating a few items from the budget could be addressed to try to maintain the
$140.00 rate. Mayor Awada asked City of Eagan staffto revaluate the Civic Arena
budget so the hourly rate can be maintained at $140.00.
DISCUSSION RE: PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET 2001
City Administrator Hedges provided an overview ofthis item.
Hedges informed Councilmembers that all department heads have submitted their
budgets and the preliminary budget should be ready by Friday, August 25. This will
provide the Councilmembers time to review the budget and submit it to Dakota County
by September 5th for Truth and Taxation.
DISUCSSION RE: INTERVIEWING ARCHITECTS
City Administrator Hedges provided an overview of this item.
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa provided information regarding the final
selection of Architectural firms that will be interviewed by the Councilmembers. Vraa
stated that each firm would have an hour-and-halfto present their project and answer
questions by the Councilmembers. Vraa also encouraged the Councilmembers to review
each ofthe selected Architectural firms RFP's. The RFP's will offer needed information
regarding each firm.
CAMPAIGN SIGNS
Councilmember Blomquist stated that an article in This Week from August 12,
2000 addressed the City of Eagan's campaign sign issue. Blomquist stated that due to the
article and Eagan's liberal sign policy the City Council should consider addressing this
issue. Councilmember Carlson stated that the City Council should address this issue after
the November election.
Councilmember Masin stated that the City of Eagan should have a task force
address the campaign sign issue. Mayor A wada stated that in May the Council
considered addressing this issue, however, it was agreed that it was to late this year, given
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August 15,2000
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the time frame for the primary election, to address election signs this summer.
Councilmember Bakken reiterated the point that the Council should address this issue
after the November election.
Councilmember Blomquist restated her view and agreed that there should be no
change to the current sign ordinance until after the election, however, she stated that it is
important that the Council start to address this issue. Mayor A wada stated that this
discussion should be moved to the second City Council meeting in November.
Councilmember Carlson moved, Councilmember Bakken second the motion to
have a public hearing regarding the issue of a sign ordinance after the November election.
The public hearing would be at the November 21st meeting.
A vote was taken on the motion. Aye: 5 Nay: 0
Mayor A wada informed Councilmembers that City Administrator Hedges would
announce the decision reach regarding the sign ordinance issue at the regular City
Council meeting.
A vote was taken on the motion. Aye: 5 Nay: 0
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business; the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
August 15,2000
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