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06/17/1997 - City Council Special 0('197 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota June 17, 1997 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, June 17, 1997 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Eagan Municipal Center Building. Present were Mayor Egan and City Councilmembers Awada, Blomquist, Masin and Wachter. Also present were Fire Chief Jensen, along with other members of the Fire Department including Dave Diloia, Mark Sportelli and Lowell Bahrke; also present were Assistant to the City Administrator Hohenstein, Park Planner C.J. Lilly, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa, Director of Public Works Colbert and City Administrator Hedges. PROPOSED FIRE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING PROJECT City Administrator Hedges stated that the Public Works Committee, at the direction of the City Council, met on two occasions, May 19 and June 3, to discuss the proposed Fire Administration Building Project. He stated that at the first meeting the committee did a fact finding with the Fire Department Building Committee to evaluate why the training facility was necessary and if it was possible for the City to construct a Fire Administration Building with the basement and first floor components and eliminate the second floor training facility. He stated that after a review by the committee, it was determined that the fire training room facility would be an important function for the Fire Administration Building and that direction was given to look at possible revenue sources such as cable franchise fees. . The City Administrator further stated that at the June 3 Public Works Committee meeting, it was reconfirmed by the committee that the second story addition would be desirable for a variety of training needs and that cable franchise fees should be given consideration by the City Council as a revenue source for funding the second story addition. City Councilmember Blomquist stated that as a member of the Public Works Committee, she is convinced that the space is necessary for training needs and further if the City is planning to retain its Fire Department as volunteer, a training facility is necessary. City Council member Wachter, the other member of the Public Works Committee stated that the committee is recommending the use of cable franchise fees as a revenue source to increase the budget from $1.5 million to $1,935,502. Mayor Egan asked if the committee had developed any criteria as to which is most desirable as a revenue source for increase in the budget, cable fees or the Community Investment Fund. City Councilmember Wachter stated that it is the committee's recommendation that the cable fees be utilized as the revenue source. City Council member Blomquist stated that all departments, specifically Police and Fire could utilize the second story addition as a production studio for presenting a variety of topics that would be of interest to the viewer on Channel 16. City Councilmember Masin stated that she is supportive of the second story addition and asked the architects if in fact the concept as presented is not the original design? David Kroos, representing the architectural firm of Boarman, Kroos, Pfister, Vogel and Associates stated that the plan is very similar to the original design with some reduction in square footage. City Councilmember Masin stated that she is in support of the committee's recommendation, including use of cable funding. City Councilmember Awada stated that saving money by coordinating construction time is essential and should be a determining factor with regards to winter versus spring construction. Mayor Egan stated that he supports the project and findings of the committee further stating that having ample training space for the volunteer Fire Department is essential. After further discussion, the City Administrator was directed to include as a consent item for the July 1 City Council meeting, authorization of the firm Boarman, Kroos, Pfister, Vogel and Associates to prepare final plans and specifications and, further, that action be given consideration on a construction financing plan for the proposed Fire Administration Building project. Special City Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 1997/Page 2 OG1.98 PROPOSED SLATER ROAD SIDEWALK PROJECT Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the City Council approved the construction of a sidewalk on the west side of Slater Road from the Burnsville corporate boundary to Wall Street during August, 1996. He further stated that final direction from the City Council was to install the sidewalk from the Burnsville boundary to Wall Street on the west side because the sidewalk which is in Burnsville was also on the west side and, further, to meet with the affected residents to determine on which side the trail should be located. Mr. Vraa stated that there were a number of questions raised by neighbors regarding the location of the sidewalk and trail during the fall of 1996 and, as a result, the City Council directed an informational meeting with the affected residents. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that a meeting was held in May 28, 1997 with the neighborhood. He stated that suggestions presented by the neighbors range from no trail to a trail on the west side, trail on the east side to a trail painted on the street. He stated that due to the increased traffic and the concern about pedestrian movement to the Super America and other commercial Shops located at the intersection of Slater Road and Cliff Road an off-street trail is strongly preferred as a matter of publiC safety. He further stated that ample right-of-way, 80 - 100 feet does exist allowing proper setback from the curb for a trail. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that staff is asking the City Council what additional information they needed in order to make a decision at the July 1 meeting? City Councilmember Blomquist asked which side of Slater Road would have the most affected lots. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the number of lots with driveway access are about equal on both sides of Slater Road where the trailway is proposed. City Councilmember Wachter stated that he favors the west side because there are more homes in that subdivision to the west of Slater Road allowing for less people to cross Slater Road to access the off-street trailway. Mayor Egan stated that most of the calls that he has received are from residents objecting to the trailway being placed on the east side of Slater Road. He further stated that this is very discretionary and the City Council will have to make the best determination based on existing information. City Councilmember Awada questioned standards for sidewalks and trails, especially the width stating that sidewalks in many suburban and core cities are four feet in width. Director of Public Works Colbert explained the rationale for a setback of eight feet from the curb and the six foot trail width. Mayor Egan stated that he would like a trail width and setback that includes safety measures. He stated that the City has been consistent during the past 18 years in its enforcement and maintenance of favorable standards. City Councilmember Awada stated that she likes sidewalks and trails, however, would prefer the City Council consider a reduction in the width of the trail and/or setback. City Councilmember Blomquist stated that trails and sidewalks should be installed along with the streets minimizing this type of controversy. She stated that retrofitting an existing subdivision should be given special consideration and, therefore, a reduction in the trail width and setback from the curb may have to be given some special consideration. City Councilmember Masin stated that she would suggest a six foot setback from the curb with a six foot trail. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the City has a six foot standard for sidewalks to accommodate the variety of users and eight feet for bituminous trails. He provided some history regarding the rationale for those dimensions. Mayor Egan stated that he could not support a change in either the width of the trail or setbacks for the reasons discussed which is primarily safety of mixed users including joggers, bicycles, roller blades and other use trails are receiving in the 1990's. City Councilmember Awada suggested closing Slater Road on the Burnsville border, therefore, eliminating many of the traffic problems. City Councilmember Masin stated that the road is an important link to both the cities of Burnsville and Eagan, bringing neighborhoods together that are located within Independent School District #191. Mayor Egan stated that Slater Road is necessary as a secondary outlet and is the reason the roadway was approved as a connection between the two communities. City Councilmember Wachter stated that the street connection and need for trails are an important and consistent part of the City's vision and safety is the main consideration. Special City Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 1997/Page 3 00199 CAPTAIN DODD PARK/LEAD CONTENT AWARENESS Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that he received notification from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that lead contaminated soil was found on the very eastern edge of Captain Dodd Park. He stated that the soil came from the adjoining property to the east which is formerly used as a site where car batteries were broken up; hence the lead fragments and soil contamination. He stated that the State Health Department believes the contaminated soils are in a relatively small area where the terrain restricts access and use. Along with City Administrator Hedges, the Director of Parks and Recreation suggested that a letter be sent to residents adjacent to Captain Dodd Park and that a meeting be scheduled for Thursday, June 26, allowing residents an opportunity to understand the issues and ask any pertinent questions. Director Vraa stated that the issue may be emotional to some people, despite the limited health risk in the park, if the City doesn't say something and the residents find out later, they may think we are hiding something. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa also stated that this issue has been submitted to the VIC program. City Councilmember Blomquist asked about methods to prevent runoff once the clean-up begins. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that Gopher Resources has purchased the property and intends to do a clean-up and then cap the site. This will eliminate any runoff toward Captain Dodd Park. Mayor Egan thanked the City Administrator and Director of Parks and Recreation for their update and notification to the City Council. The City Council agreed with the process in notifying adjacent residents including State Representative Pawlenty whose residence is near Captain Dodd Park. OTHER BUSINESS There being no Other Business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. June 17, 1997 Date