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05/27/1997 - City Council Special 00181. MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota May 27, 1997 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, May 27, 1997, at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Eagan Municipal Center building. Present were Mayor Egan, City Councilmembers Awada, Blomquist, Masin and Wachter. Also present was City Administrator Hedges. TIF PROJECT/PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CELESTE STRAW PROPERTY, 855 LONE OAK ROAD City Administrator Hedges stated that staff is finalizing details of the purchase agreement with Ms. Straw at an appraised price of $88,000. To assist with some of her personal circumstances, staff is requesting permission to issue an earnest money check to Ms. Straw as soon as a satisfactory agreement is arrived at. The agreement itself will be placed on the Council's Consent Agenda for June 3. The Council authorized staff to proceed in this manner. GENERAL DISCUSSION City Administrator Hedges reviewed the City's Vision Statement, a proposed Mission Statement that was extracted from the first paragraph of the Vision Statement and copies of articles providing examples of strategic planning and a visionary process that other communities have implemented. He stated that the reason for providing the Mission Statement as a separate document is to allow the City Council, staff and community to clearly understand the mission of their local government. Mayor Egan thanked the City Administrator for providing the information and comments. City Council member Blomquist shared some pictures, newspaper articles and a City Council packet, among other documents, that she has kept since the early 1980's. She suggested that City Councilmember Wachter, as Chairperson of the History Committee, retain the City Council packet and several of the other documents for the historical archives. City Councilmember Blomquist responded to the City Administrator's comments and material by stating that she is proud of the sense of community that Eagan continues to experience. She stated that the City is known for its excellence in police service, a great park system, a unique trail system and many other excellent public services. City Council member Blomquist also stated that she liked the Mission Statement and would propose the following slogan for the City of Eagan, "No task too large; no concern too small." She further stated that in Eagan, the City Council and civic organizations continue to build community which makes the City special. Mayor Egan stated that the community has experienced a transition from a blue collar presence to an escalation of professionalism; however, he is proud that the community has never lost its sensitivity to the resident. Mayor Egan stated that a good example is police service for the City has moved from a period 20 years ago where the police knew everyone in the community to a present day community-based policing. He stated that the commitment to a sense of community has never changed; only the methods of addressing the community have become more formalized. City Councilmember Masin stated that the City Council needs to consider more casual ways of talking to people, such as neighborhood meetings. City Councilmember Wachter stated that staff is holding numerous neighborhood and informational meetings to discuss various issues. He stated that staff, beginning with the City Administrator, department heads and other employees put their heart into their work and truly understand the City as stakeholders. He further stated that he is appreciative of the longevity staff has given and the fact that many of upper management live within the community. City Council member Masin stated that she too is proud of staff, their accomplishments and all they do for the community. She further asked if the Council is changing professionally. As a group, are we meeting the leadership needs and establishing a long-term vision? She stated that a specific vision statement and list of strategies are important for the future. City Council member Awada stated that she would like to continue the goal setting and stated that the City has realized and achieved many accomplishments over the past few years. City Councilmembers spoke to 00182 Page 2/Eagan Special City Council Meeting Minutes May 27,1997 the Promenade, community center building projects, excellent infrastructure and the numerous developments that have occurred in the last 15 years. City Council member Awada further stated that the City Council could possibly be more effective by interacting in smaller groups. She stated that the Council has three standing committees. Possibly, they need to become more active. City Councilmember Wachter stated that the Public Works Committee has met once and will be meeting a second time to discuss the Fire Administration building which has proved to be a good example of a small group forum. City Councilmember Masin again commented on her vision for more community reach-out. Mayor Egan stated that the Chamber and City have collaborated on an excellent business reach-out that is happening on an every other month basis. He stated that the comprehensive guide plan update will provide yet another forum to provide more interaction with residents and land owners within the community. City Council member Wachter suggested that the newsletter continue to be used as a community reach-out, periodically including a community- wide survey. City Councilmember Awada stated that Eagan does project a positive sense of community. She suggested that a formalized streetscape program for Yankee Doodle Road, and possibly other streets, will continue to make Eagan attractive and project a statement image about the community, similar to the Lone Oak Tree that was painted on the reservoir located on '-35E. City Administrator Hedges stated that the City has received numerous compliments about Deerwood Reservoir. Mayor Egan included the discussion by thanking the City Administrator for the informal facilitation and support information provided prior to the meeting. City Council members agreed that a similar meeting should be held in two to three months, again without any specific agenda. ADJOURNMENT May 27, 1997 Date There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m. ~ TLH