05/13/2008 - City Council Special
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 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, Community Development Director
Hohenstein, City Planner Ridley, Public Works Director Colbert, Communications Director
Garrison, Superintendent of Utilities Schwanz, City Engineer Matthys and Superintendent of
Streets Struve.
I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Maguire called the meeting to order. Councilmember Tilley moved;
Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.
Aye: 4; Nay: 0
II. PUBLIC WORKS 5-YEAR CIP (2009-2013)
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that each year the City Council
adopts a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the community that becomes the planning
guide for programming and scheduling various capital improvements. Hedges added that the
CIP is comprised of three parts: Part I ? Major community facilities and buildings, Part II ?
Major equipment and vehicles, and Part III ? Infrastructure (Parks and Public Works).
Prior to the presentation of the CIP, Public Works Director Colbert introduced Sam
O?Connell, staff person from Dakota County, who provided an update on the status of the Robert
Street Transit Corridor Study and its relationship to Eagan?s future transportation needs.
The City Council discussed the Robert Street Transit Corridor Study.
Public Works Director Colbert, along with Superintendent of Utilities Schwanz, City
Engineer Matthys, and Superintendent of Streets Struve provided an overview of the proposed
five-year CIP.
Councilmember Bakken left the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Councilmember Carlson left the
meeting at 5:42 p.m.
Special City Council Minutes
May 13, 2008
Page 2
The City Council recessed at 5:55 p.m. Councilmembers Bakken and Carlson returned
and the City Council reconvened at 6:02 p.m.
The City Council discussed the proposed five-year CIP. A question was raised regarding
the Diffley roundabout, and Public Works Director Colbert noted that the roundabout is
anticipated to be constructed in 2008.
The City Council had no recommended changes to the CIP and directed the item to the
June 3, 2008 regular City Council agenda for formal consideration.
III. REVIEW OF LANDOWNER RESPONSES RE: PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that as one of the Council?s 2007-
2008 goals, the City Council directed the preparation of an analysis of the City?s planned
developments (PD?s) to form the basis for a review by the Advisory Planning Commission and
City Council, to determine whether any of the PD?s that had exceeded the terms should be
extended, modified, or terminated. Hedges added that at the February 12, 2008 Special City
Council meeting, the Council received their preliminary analysis of the status of the existing
incomplete PD?s with an expired term, and at that meeting the Council directed staff to contact
twenty-one PD holders in an attempt to ascertain the current wishes of the owners.
Community Development Director Hohenstein summarized the feedback that was
received from twenty letters regarding the twenty-one properties that were sent in March.
Hohenstein noted that the City has received responses pertaining to sixteen PD?s. Hohenstein
also noted that the overwhelming desire of the PD holders is to extend the term of the existing
PD.
The City Council discussed the status of the twenty-one properties with PD?s. The
Council suggested a formal survey of other communities to determine how best to review and
extend or modify the current PD?s that have exceeded their terms. The Council directed the
following:
?
For PDs that are under 50% complete, they should be forwarded to the APC for
consideration with a staff report and input from the owners in the near future.
?
For PDs that are between 50% and 75% complete, they should be analyzed by staff and
the outcome of the analysis to be forwarded to the City Council for direction before
being forwarded to the APC for action.
?
For PDs that are more than 75% complete, they should be provided extensions through
Council Action.
?
Staff shall also prepare a process and timeline to conduct an annual review to see
whether any other PDs exceed their terms and, depending upon the percentage of
completion they are at, process them as outlined above.
Special City Council Minutes
May 13, 2008
Page 3
The City Council recessed at 6:55 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:08 p.m.
IV. BURNSVILLE-EAGAN COMMUNITY TELEVISION LONG RANGE PLANNING
City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the current lease at the
Burnsville-Eagan Community Television (BECT) facility expires December 31, 2008. Hedges
noted that in July of 2007 at a joint meeting of two of Burnsville?s City Councilmembers and
two of Eagan?s Councilmembers (known as the ?Two Plus Two?), the idea of exploring
additional partnerships including a partnership with school districts was encouraged. Hedges
added that at the meetings of the Two Plus Two committee in 2008, Burnsville City
Councilmembers indicated a strong preference for moving BECT to a location at Burnsville
High School, and expressed little interest in other alternative locations.
Communications Director Garrison noted to the City Council that Eagan?s
Councilmembers on the Two Plus Two committee have expressed concerns about the BHS
location, including not being able to house all the staff together, and about potential damage or
reduced equipment life with shared usage. Garrison noted that the direction of Eagan?s Council
representatives, staff held a focus group with Eagan Community Television volunteers to assess
reaction to the various location options for the facility. Director Garrison noted that one of the
facility location options being explored is at an Eagan corporate location, which would offer a
professional atmosphere, flexible terms, and the creation of a high end studio with 24-7 access
and security. It was noted that the corporate location offers the same waived rent, utilities and
maintenance costs as the BHS location, but in exchange for a negotiated number of hours of
studio time, video shooting and editing, helping to lower costs for the corporation in not having
to subcontract these services. The corporate location would also involve an educational
partnership with Eagan High School students for selective mentorships, create a potential savings
of equal to or exceeding a BHS location with Community Television retaining ownership of all
of its production equipment.
The City Council discussed their feedback on a preferred location for the BECT facility
and the restructure partnership with the City of Burnsville. Mayor Maguire noted the productive
relationship the City of Eagan has had with Burnsville, and is interested in expanding
partnerships to better serve both Eagan and Burnsville residents.
Upon further Council discussion, the City Council directed staff to pursue a partnership
with the identified Eagan corporation for the housing of BECT. The Council also directed staff
to develop a Joint Powers Agreement with the corporation to be brought back for formal Council
consideration.
Special City Council Minutes
May 13, 2008
Page 4
V. FOLLOW-UP TO PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE
PETITION TO COMPEL THE EAGAN CHARTER COMMISSION TO CONVENE A
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Maguire noted that this item was placed on the agenda at the request of
Councilmembers Bakken and Carlson.
The City Council discussed whether the Council should compel an additional Charter
Commission meeting.
Three members of the Eagan public addressed the City Council with regard to the
question of whether an additional Charter Commission meeting should be compelled.
After City Council discussion, it was the consensus of the Council not to take any
additional action to compel a future Eagan Charter Commission meeting.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Tilley moved; Councilmember Bakken seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Aye: 4, Nay: 0