HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.26.92 Special Council Minutes
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MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL
AUGUST 26, 1992
1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. at the Dakota County Extension
Office Building.
Members Present: Kuchera, Mayer, Orr, Rotty, Galler.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present: Administrator Thompson.
2. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Growth and Annexation Study with
the Castle Rock, Empire and Eureka Township Boards. The meeting was turned over to
facilitator Don Bargen.
3. Mr. Bargen outlined the possible outcome for the evening, noting that no decisions
would be made and that the public could observe but not participate. After lengthy
discussion, it was agreed that 20 minutes would be reserved at the end of the meeting
for public input.
4. A general discussion followed regarding the following strengths and weaknesses
of the study.
Weaknesses: - Title is misleading, overly criticizes townships.
- Didn't seek input from the Met Council, presentation was bad.
- Did not recognize areas of cooperation, one sided, very negative,
didn't present options.
Strengths: - Got people's attention, presents good history.
- Key issues are good, very comprehensive.
5. Mr. Bargen led a discussion on the following three key issues and where people
agreed and disagreed:
a. land use policies,
b. environmental and Ag Preserve,
c. provision of public services.
6. A major issue of concern was the City's insistence on keeping contested annexation
as an option. Councilmember Orr reviewed the history and intent of the study, noting
that annexation was one of only several options but should continue as an option because
it is unrealistic to think it would not occur over the next several years. It was
suggested that if the City would remove contested annexation as an option for a limited
time period, it would greatly help dialogue. It was agreed by all parties that the
dialogue was good and should continue.
7. Comments made by the audience were as follows:
a. Many inaccuracies in the report.
b. City residents also use facilities in the Townships, such as the Fairgrounds.
c. Township residents shop and do business in Farmington.
d. Would be a good idea to form a joint committee to study the issues.
e. Hard to have a good, open dialogue with annexation on the table.
f. Farmington is trying to make a tax grab.
g. Farmington and the Townships are on opposite ends regarding agricultural uses
and any hope of reconciling those differences is a pipe dream.
h. The Council's visioning process should be more correctly labeled hallucination.
8. MOTION by Mayer, second by Orr to adjourn at 9:30 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,..
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Larry Thompson
City Administrator
Approved