Eagan City Council Regular Meeting – October 7, 2025

The Eagan City Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center. The meeting included recognitions for Eagan Television (ETV) and retiring arts supervisor Julie Andersen, a lengthy consent agenda, four public hearings on final street improvement assessments, an ordinance amendment on cannabis retail registration, and two new business items (a car wash planned development amendment and a conditional use permit for Coca-Cola storage tanks). All items were approved, most unanimously, with one 4‑1 vote.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda (with items H and J pulled for separate discussion). Approved items included:
  • Minutes of prior meetings (August 11 special, September 2 and September 16 regular).
  • Personnel items.
  • Check registers (three summaries).
  • Contracts.
  • Donations.
  • Stipulation of Settlement (adjournment to closed session noted but not held).
  • Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Soo Line Railroad (CPKC) and acceptance of public roadway easement.
  • Resolution in support of MnDOT Noise Wall grant applications for three I‑35E segments (Englert Rd to N Pond View Pt, Blackhawk Rd Overpass to Cliff Rd, Palomino Trl to Kings Wood Ct).
  • Railroad Right of Entry Agreement with Progressive Rail.
  • Easement Agreement with Great River Energy.
  • Extended working hours for Project Nova concrete work.
  • Encroachment Agreement for Outlots B and C, West Publishing Company 8th Addition.
  • MnDOT Agreement/Limited Use Permit.
  • Receipt of petition to vacate excess public right of way adjacent to Metcalf School.
  • Final payment, Contract 22‑02 (2022 Street Improvements).
  • Receipt of petitions to vacate drainage & utility easements (Woods of Witham Lane, Hilltop Plaza).
  • Final payment, Contract 25‑18 (Thomas Lake Alum Application).
  • Award of Contract 25‑17 (Sanitary Trunk Inspection – Area 2).
  • Authorization to apply for Building Official Training (BOT) Municipal Grant.
  • Declaration of surplus city property.
  • Scheduling a public hearing for October 21, 2025 to certify delinquent lodging tax bills.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered formal testimony during the public hearing periods or the visitors‑to‑be‑heard portion. One resident, Janine Hudson of 4445 Lakeshore Terrace, spoke during the consent agenda discussion on Item H (noise wall grants), expressing concern that construction might not occur until 2032 and asking whether trees along the corridor would be removed. Staff noted design and engagement would occur closer to construction (likely 2030) and that the council would hold neighborhood meetings.

Discussion Items

• Consent Agenda – Item H (Noise Wall Grant Applications): Director of Public Works Russ Mathis explained that MnDOT ranks noise wall segments by cost‑benefit; two Eagan segments are at the top of the list. If the city applies and is approved, construction would likely be in 2032‑2033 with 90% MnDOT / 10% city financing. Councilmember Bakken noted that city financial participation improves scoring and has helped previously. The council expressed support.
• Consent Agenda – Item J (Great River Energy Easement): Director Mathis highlighted that Great River Energy is expanding a substation near Wilderness Run Road and Pilot Knob. The city needs a well easement on that property. Great River Energy voluntarily altered their design (moving power lines, reconfiguring fencing) to accommodate city operations at no cost to the city—valued at approximately $2 million. The council praised the partnership.
• Public Hearings – Final Assessments (Projects 1567, 1568, 1570, 1572): Director Mathis presented the first four of nine street overlay projects completed in 2025. Total project cost for these four: $890,000; total assessed to property owners: $305,000; city share: $487,000. Assessment rates follow the city’s pavement management policy (36th year). Neighborhood meetings had zero attendees. One communication was received correcting a parking‑stall assessment error at Golfview Drive; the error was fixed in the final roll. Councilmember Hanson noted actual costs were 36–52% below estimates.
• Old Business – Ordinance Amendment Section 6.56 (Cannabis Retail Registration): City Clerk Kelly Miller explained the amendment removes the allocation of retail registrations between commercial and industrial zoning districts, while keeping the overall cap at eight. The change was needed because medical‑combination licenses (e.g., Rise dispensary) are not counted against the cap, and the former zoning allocation had become unworkable. The council discussed that Rise currently operates in Egan as one of only two medical‑combination dispensaries in Congressional District 2. Approved unanimously.
• New Business A – Planned Development Amendment (Club Car Wash): City Planner Schultz presented the proposal to redevelop a former fueling station at 2250 Cliff Road into a commercial car wash. The site is 1.1 acres, zoned Planned Development (neighborhood business). Access will be from Slater Road only. Traffic concerns from nearby residents were submitted in writing but no residents spoke at the APC meeting or council hearing. City engineering indicated the car wash will generate fewer trips than the previous gas station. The APC recommended approval with conditions, including three employee parking stalls plus one accessible stall, and a requirement to provide visual relief on the north building elevation. Councilmember Hansen dissented, stating the site could be better used. The motion passed 4–1.
• New Business B – Conditional Use Permit (Coca‑Cola Storage Tanks): City Planner Schultz described the request for three outdoor tanks (two chemical storage, one wastewater equalization) at 2750 Eagandale Boulevard, a bottling and distribution facility since 1967. The tanks will neutralize wastewater pH before discharge into the public sewer. A 8‑10 ft ornamental fence and matching paint will screen them. The Fire Chief confirmed fire code compliance. As a condition, the applicant must work with staff to replace 32 overstory trees lost to emerald ash borer. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved (items H and J discussed and included in the vote).
• Final Assessments: Four projects approved unanimously, with certification to Dakota County.
• Ordinance Amendment (Cannabis Retail): Adopted unanimously, effective immediately.
• Planned Development Amendment (Club Car Wash): Approved 4–1 (Councilmember Hansen dissented).
• Conditional Use Permit (Coca‑Cola Tanks): Approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m. (the mayor noted the over‑under was nine minutes for the meeting length).

Note: No closed session was held.