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01/13/2009 - City Council Special MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2009 5:30 P.M. EAGAN ROOM – EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER City Council members present: Mayor Maguire, Councilmembers Bakken, Fields, Hansen and Tilley. City staff present: City Administrator Hedges, Assistant to the City Administrator Miller, Director of Administrative Services VanOverbeke, Community Development Director Hohenstein, Fire Chief Scott, Police Chief McDonald, City Engineer Matthys, Parks and Recreation Director Johnson and Communications Director Garrison. I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Maguire called the meeting to order. City Administrator Hedges requested the Council consider an addition to the agenda to consider a fire safety trailer purchase that is being proposed by the Rotary Club. Additionally, Hedges noted that the Council may wish to consider adding an item to make an appointment to the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) Board of Directors in advance of the January 20 City Council Organizational Business meeting. Mayor Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adopt the agenda with the two additions. Aye: 5, Nay: 0 IA. PROPOSED EAGAN ROTARY PROJECT City Administrator Hedges introduced the item noting that the Rotary Club has been looking at community projects in which they could assist with funding. The Rotary Club has communicated to the City that they would be interested in funding the replacement of a fire safety trailer for the City. Fire Chief Scott highlighted the proposed project. Chief Scott noted the damage on the current trailer and the need for a new trailer for training purposes. Hedges added that the project is estimated to cost approximately $50,000. He noted that the Rotary Club has offered to pay $35,000 in up-front costs for the replacement trailer, and would then reimburse the City $15,000 after one year, resulting in a short term loan by the City to the Rotary Club. Chief Scott noted that the trailer would be received by the summer of 2009. Hedges added that the Rotary has requested that their logo appear on the trailer. The City Council discussed the proposed replacement of the trailer and provided direction to staff to proceed with the project pending formal Rotary approval. The Council also provided direction that they are comfortable with the cooperative funding proposal. Special City Council Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 2 IB. APPOINTMENT OF CITY MEMBER AND ALTERNATE TO THE DAKOTA COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTION (DCC) City Administrator Hedges noted that the next DCC Board Meeting is on January 15, 2009, and, thus, if the City wishes to change its representation, appointments could be made at tonight’s workshop rather than waiting until the January 20 Organizational Business meeting. Mayor Maguire moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to nominate and appoint Councilmember Hansen as the City’s primary member on the DCC Board and Councilmember Fields as the alternate member to the Board. Aye: 5, Nay: 0 II. MEETING WITH EAGAN’S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION Mayor Maguire welcomed Representatives Obermueller, Representative Masin and State Senator Carlson to the meeting. The City Council and legislators discussed key issues facing both the City and the legislature this year, with the consensus being that the state’s budget deficit will be the primary issue for the session ahead. Each legislator noted the committees in which they have been appointed for 2009. State Senator Carlson noted he will be serving on the Energy Utility, Technology, and Communications Committee, Transportation Committee (Vice Chair), Business Industry and Jobs Committee, and the State and Local Government Oversight Committee. Representative Masin noted she will be serving on the Transportation Finance Committee, Transportation Policy Committee, State Finance Committee, Public Safety Committee, and Telecommunications Committee (Vice Chair). Representative Obermueller noted he will be serving on the Energy Finance Committee, Bio-Science Energy Technology and Work Force Development Committee (Vice Chair), Higher Education Work Force Committee, and the K-12 Education Policy Committee. The City Council dialogued about issues facing the State and the City in 2009. State Senator Carlson noted it would be beneficial to the delegation to learn of “shovel ready” projects from the City in the event that a federal stimulus package is approved. City Administrator Hedges, at the request of the Council, reviewed the 2009 Legislative priorities and positions from the City of Eagan, which included:  A responsible approach to the 2009-2010 state budget deficit, including opposition to any measure that would look to address the state deficit by taking money from cities’ fund balances. Additionally, Hedges noted that should the state further reduce LGA or MVHC from cities, then cities should be given the authority to levy back lost aid outside the levy limits that have been imposed by the state.  Secure funding sources to expand and maintain Eagan’s transportation infrastructure  Secure funding for the proposed ring-road Special City Council Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 3  Consider modifications for TIF redevelopment districts to offset the effects of the current development economy  Support TIF for businesses producing IT products  Oppose industry efforts to oversee building codes  Provide additional tools to minimize impacts of foreclosures  Be cognizant of the state’s task force on Broadband and current mapping study authorized last session to map Broadband availability state-wide  Be cognizant of concerns the City has with regard to state-wide franchising of cable television The City Council and legislative delegation discussed the use of municipal fund balances as a way to balance the state budget. Senator Carlson, Representative Masin, and Representative Obermueller all voiced their opposition to using City fund balances to address the state deficit. Mayor Maguire thanked the members of the legislative delegation for attending the meeting. III. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. V. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Fields moved; Councilmember Tilley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Aye: 5, Nay: 0 Special City Council Minutes January 13, 2009 Page 4 VII. ADJOURNMENT