Dakota County

Physical Development Committee

of the Whole

Minutes

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

9:00 AM

Conference Room 3A, Administration

Center, Hastings

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Commissioner Holberg.

Commissioner Mike Slavik

Present

Commissioner Joe Atkins

Commissioner Laurie Halverson

Commissioner William Droste

Commissioner Liz Workman

Chairperson Mary Liz Holberg

Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland

Also in attendance were Heidi Welsch, County Manager; Tom Donely, First Assistant County

Attorney; Georg Fischer, Physical Development Division Director; Liz Hansen, Administrative

Coordinator.

The audio recording of this meeting is available upon request.

Audience

The following person was in the audience and spoke to the Committee on an item not on the

agenda:

Karen Anne Lenore Reeck, Inver Grove Heights

Inver Grove Heights resident sought assistance from the committee to avoid eviction and

receive support. Staff offered resources to address her situation.

No comments were submitted to CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us.

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Ayes: 7

3.1

Second: Mike Slavik

Consent Agenda

Approval Of Minutes Of Meeting Held On May 13, 2025

4.1

Motion: Joe Atkins

Ayes: 7

Second: Laurie Halverson

Regular Agenda

Adoption Of 2050 Parks, Greenways, And Natural Systems Vision Plan

5.1

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: Joe Atkins

Lil Leatham, Principal Planner, discussed the 2050 Parks, Greenways, and

Natural Systems Vision Plan.

Commissioners commended staff for aligning the plan with community values

and outlining specific goals for potential future initiatives. Some concerns were

raised regarding the plan's flexibility to accommodate unforeseen needs. Staff

responded that the plan is subject to revision as needed, and that the individual

Park and Greenway Master Plans will contain more specific information about

future improvements. Additionally, a commissioner cautioned against staff using

the plan's general nature to rationalize actions that have not been specifically

approved by the County Board.

WHEREAS, the Dakota County Parks Department has been updating the

previous 2030 Parks System Plan with the 2050 Parks, Greenways, and Natural

Systems Vision Plan (Vision Plan); and

WHEREAS, the plan frames future work and investment in Dakota County’s

parks, greenways, and natural systems for the next 25 years; and

WHEREAS, the updated vision is “Nature Protected, Community Reflected, All

Are Connected”; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-196 (April 22, 2025), the Dakota County

Board of Commissioners (County Board) authorized the Vision Plan to be

released for public review April 22 - May 20, 2025; and

WHEREAS, for the most part, feedback was supportive; and

WHEREAS, the plan document has been revised to reflect public comment; and

WHEREAS, on June 26, 2025, the Dakota County Planning Commission

recommended adoption of the Vision Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby adopts the 2050 Parks, Greenways, and Natural

Systems Vision Plan.

This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of

Commissioners on 7/29/2025.

Ayes: 7

Approval Of Schematic Design For Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Site

Improvement Project

5.2

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Joe Atkins

Jay Biedny, Capital Projects Manager, and Yao Xiong, Sr. Project Manager,

presented this item and responded to questions. Commissioners discussed the

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Site Improvement Project, emphasizing the

important modifications made to the review process and the budget constraints

imposed by using external funding and Metropolitan Council regulations. Despite

these challenges, the project supports County Board supported goals related to

river access and offers benefits for future generations. Several commissioners

commended the project's focus on accessibility and cost efficiency, noting that it

aligns with the county's strategic plan. They expressed their eagerness for the

project's completion.

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-444 (September 26, 2023), the 2024 Parks

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes a project to

design and construct site developments making Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

(MRPR) a better place to serve the adjacent communities; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-091 (February 27, 2024), the Dakota County

Board of Commissioners authorized the MRPR Master Plan, which outlines the

site improvement plans; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-545 (November 12, 2024), the Board

approved to select HKGi to provide professional design services; and

WHEREAS, since December 2024, staff have worked with HKGi to progress the

design and related review process; and

WHEREAS, staff reviewed the initial concept with tribal partners virtually on

February 6, 2025; and

WHEREAS, a public open house was held in person on February 6, 2025, and

project materials were published online for public comments; and

WHEREAS, public and private stakeholder workshops were held in person on

February 7, 2025; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-242 (May 20, 2025), the Dakota County

Board of Commissioners authorized to amend the contract with HKGi for

unforeseen complexity of the site; and

WHEREAS, schematic design was developed, incorporating the result of

wetland delineation; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends that the County Board approve the schematic

design for the MRPR Site Improvement project as presented by County staff on

July 22, 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby approves the schematic design for the Miesville Ravine

Park Reserve Site Improvement project as presented at the Physical

Development Committee of the Whole on July 22, 2025.

This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of

Commissioners on 7/29/2025.

Ayes: 7

Approval Of Right Of Way Acquisition And Authorization To Initiate Quick-Take

Condemnation For Trail Easement For Veterans Memorial Greenway In City of

Eagan, County Project P00147

5.3

Motion: Joe Atkins

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

Tony Wotzka, Parks Greenways Manager, and Eddie Buell, the Real Estate

Supervisor, led a discussion on the use of eminent domain for the Veterans

Memorial Greenway project. The committee deliberated on the topic and voted

not to authorize the recommended quick-take condemnation of easements on

the three properties at this time. Staff were directed to evaluate all other

alternatives, such as different routes, including using the existing street in front

of the subject properties, as well as the associated costs to complete the

Greenway segment. The committee emphasized the importance of taking a

balanced approach that considers both property rights and the feasibility of the

project. Staff will bring an update on potential alternatives to a future committee

meeting.

WHEREAS, Dakota County is proceeding with County Project P00147, the

Veterans Memorial Greenway, to construct approximately two miles of regional

trail, including a bridge over Trunk Highway 3 in the City of Eagan; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for design, construction

administration, and right of way acquisition for the Project; and

WHEREAS, construction is proposed to begin in 2025 and the project is being

partially funded with federal funds, which require timely acquisition of right of

way for authorization of project bidding; and

WHEREAS, the County Board previously authorized acquisition of right of way

for Parcels 3, 4, and 5 through direct negotiation by Resolution No. 24-594

(December 3, 2024); and

WHEREAS, negotiations have not resulted in acquisition agreements for Parcels

3, 4, and 5; and

WHEREAS, in order to maintain the project schedule and comply with funding

requirements, Dakota County must proceed with quick-take condemnation to

acquire the required easements.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Attorney's Office to initiate

quick-take condemnation of the following parcels:

20-58500-04-070 - Jacquelynne and Scott Baker - Parcel 3

A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the

north 60.27 feet of Lot 16, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded

plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.

Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,026 square feet.

10-44300-01-170 - Robert Snyder - Parcel 4

A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the

south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates,

according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.

A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the

north 60.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded

plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.

Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,506 square feet.

Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,054 square feet.

10-44300-01-180 - Nicole Medin - Parcel 5

A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the

south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates,

according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.

A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the

north 60.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded

plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.

Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,501 square feet.

Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,023 square feet.

This item failed to pass.

Ayes: 3

Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Halverson, and Commissioner

Hamann-Roland

Nay: 4

Commissioner Slavik, Commissioner Droste, Commissioner Workman, and

Chairperson Holberg

Physical Development Director's Report

Georg Fischer, Physical Development Director, provided the Committee with a written Division

update.

During the Director's report, Lake Augusta was identified as one of the area's top ten polluted

lakes. Joe Barton from the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District noted that

cormorants contribute about 14,500 pounds of phosphorus annually. Despite research efforts,

the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization decided not to manage the

bird population and will instead focus on water quality monitoring and potential partnerships

with local residents or cities.

Future Agenda Items

The commissioners discussed several potential future agenda items, including the Lake

Augusta issue and the lead release from Gopher Resources. One commissioner mentioned a

meeting with residents on County Road 46 concerning noise and street racing, which has led

to increased patrols by the Lakeville and Apple Valley Police Departments. Staff will continue

to monitor these issues and bring updates back to the committee as warranted.

Another significant concern raised by a commissioner was the high crash rate at the

intersection of County Road 46 and Highway 52, which recently resulted in a fatality. County

staff reported that they received a $10 million grant to address this issue and are currently

implementing temporary solutions while planning a long-term project.

Adjournment

Motion: Mike Slavik

8.1

Second: Liz Workman

On a motion by Commissioner Mike Slavik, seconded by Commissioner Liz

Workman, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

Ayes: 7

Respectfully submitted,

Liz Hansen

Administrative Coordinator