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04/29/2008 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008 5:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM ? EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Council members present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Carlson, and Tilley. (Councilmember Fields was not present.) City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Public Works Director Colbert, Community Development Director Hohenstein, Streets Superintendent Struve, City Engineer Matthys, GIS Specialist Slettedahl and Planner Dudziak. I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Maguire called the meeting to order. Councilmember Bakken moved; Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to adopt the agenda. Aye: 3, Nay: 0 II. WINTER TRAIL MAINTENANCE REVIEW City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that in 1998, the City Council adopted a Winter Trail Maintenance Plan that allowed the Council to annually review and reconsider the extent of the trail system that is maintained during the winter months. Public Works Director Colbert noted that this year the City received three citizen petitions and one business request. He also stated that three new trails were built in 2007 to be reviewed by the City Council. The City Council discussed the overall philosophy of winter trail maintenance and recommended that a discussion should take place as part of the 2009 budget process to discuss whether the City should continue the Winter Trail Maintenance Trail Program at its current level. Streets Superintendent Struve summarized Citizen Petition No. 1, which is a petition containing 51 signatures from the Keystone Senior Community submitted on December 14, 2007, requesting winter maintenance to the trail segment located on the east side of Cedar Grove Parkway from Silver Bell Road to Rahn Road. There was City Council consensus to approve City Petition No. 1. Special City Council Minutes April 29, 2008 Page 2 Street Superintendent Struve summarized Citizen Petition No. 2, which contained 77 signatures and were submitted on December 5, 2007, requesting winter maintenance for the trails around and accessing Blackhawk Lake Park. Councilmember Tilley arrived at 5:45 p.m. Mayor Maguire recommended consideration of winter trail maintenance for recreational purposes be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Department while winter trail maintenance for transportation purposes should be reviewed by the Public Works Department. Director Colbert noted that the Blackhawk Lake request was reviewed by Parks Maintenance staff and noted that it is not a viable candidate without a physical upgrade to accommodate plow equipment. The City Council discussed this request in relation to the only other recreational trail at Central Park which is provided as part of the Community Center?s fitness programs. There was City Council consensus not to approve City Petition No. 2. Streets Superintendent Struve summarized Citizen Petition No. 3, which contained 39 signatures and was submitted on April 1, 2007, requesting winter maintenance for the trail located on the south side of Red Pine Lane, between Biscayne Avenue and Trunk Highway 3. The City Council discussed the request and suggested that the school district move the bus stop to the north side of Red Pine Lane or move the stop to the area already plowed by the school district. There was City Council consensus not to approve City Petition No. 3. Street Superintendent Struve summarized Business Request No. 1, which came from representatives of Blue Cross Blue Shield, requesting that the City plow the pathways on the east and west sides of Silver Bell Road, south of State Highway 13 and also plow the trailway located on the south side of Silver Bell Road, west of State Highway 13. The City Council discussed the potential future benefits when the Cedar Grove Redevelopment was completed, but noted the few users at this time and the lack of a sidewalk in front of the requesting business. There was Council consensus to only plow the trailway on the east side of Silver Bell Road and not do any plowing on the west side. The Council also noted that this request should be revisited next year and perhaps a suggestion to Blue Cross Blue Shield that they consider installing and plowing a sidewalk from their parking lot to the pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of Highway 13 to accommodate their employees once they crossed TH 13. Superintendent of Streets Struve noted the three new trail segments that were added over the past year. Struve summarized New Trail No. l, which was installed on the east side of State Highway 149 from State Highway 55 to Wescott Road. Mayor Maguire and Councilmember Tilley voiced their support for plowing this segment, while Councilmembers Bakken and Carlson opposed the plowing until such time as residents came forward with a request. Special City Council Minutes April 29, 2008 Page 3 There was City Council consensus not to plow New Trail No. 1. Superintendent of Streets Struve summarized New Trail No. 2, which was installed in 2007 on the west side of Thomas Lake Road, between the Highline Trail and Thomas Center Drive. The Council noted that this segment would not provide any continuity since the Highline trail is currently not maintained. There was City Council consensus not to plow this new segment of trail. Superintendent of Streets Struve summarized New Trail No. 3, which were trails installed in 2007 as part of the entrance amenities to the new Trinity School located off O?Neil Drive in northeast Eagan. The Council noted that this segment would not provide any continuity with only this first phase of Ames Crossing being built. There was City Council consensus not to plow New Trail No. 3. The City Council recessed at 6:30 p.m. The City Council reconvened at 6:40 p.m. III. COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PLAN REVIEW ? LAND USE AND HOUSING CHAPTER Mayor Maguire welcomed the members of the Advisory Planning Commission in attendance for the joint meeting with the City Council. City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the City is required to update its Comprehensive Plan every ten years. Hedges added that the Advisory Planning Commission, consultant from Hoisington Koegler Group (HKG) and City staff have held numerous meetings and workshops on the parameters to update the Land Use and Housing sections of the plan. Community Development Director Hohenstein noted that HKG has also facilitated a Design Charrette with Senior Management and also facilitated an open house for Eagan residents in March of 2008 to gather public input regarding the Comprehensive Guide Plan Update. Director Hohenstein introduced Greg Ingraham and Bryan Harjes of HKG, who facilitated a discussion with the City Council and APC regarding the Comprehensive Guide Plan Update. Mr. Ingraham summarized the trends in the community, noting that the update is intended to forecast out to 2030. Mr. Ingraham summarized the process being taken to-date to update the Plan and noted that it is anticipated that a draft Comprehensive Guide Plan Update will be presented to the City Council in August of 2008. Special City Council Minutes April 29, 2008 Page 4 The City Council, members of the APC, HKG staff and City staff conversed about the Plan Update, and discussed: ?Building update on the current Comprehensive Guide Plan ?Defining new special areas and updating special area plans ?Creating greater community character and identity ?Enhancing community connectivity ?Defining priority green space needs ?Updating Housing Plan and Policies The City Council also discussed opportunities for density and walkability bonuses (incentives). Mayor Maguire thanked the HKG staff for leading the discussion and thanked members of the APC for their contributions to the update. The Council voiced their consensus that the representatives of HKG are proceeding along the right track in terms of the update. Mr. Ingraham summarized the anticipated schedule to update the Plan. IV. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. V. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. VI. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m.