by Erin Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers

In his final State of the City address, Mayor Pat Geagan encouraged civic involvement and warned of increasing partisanship that could hurt Eagan's ability as a community to make decisions for the common good.

"For me, it has been an honor to serve, because I know that this city council struggles mightily to weigh what's best for all of Eagan, not just what's good for one neighbor or neighborhood,î he said.

Geagan delivered the annual address on March 16, titled "The Future is Now,î outlining the city's recent accomplishments as well as upcoming challenges.

For the first time, the mayor's speech was broadcast live over the Internet, highlighting the city's efforts to bring new technology to its citizens.

The city has convinced Qwest to more fully extend DSL services in Eagan and is studying what the private sector can offer in wireless options, he said.

A city task force is also studying how the U.S. is falling behind other industrialized nations in true, high-speed broadband services, he said, with some countries enjoying speeds up to 10 times faster than those available in the U.S.

"We are working with the Chamber and the business community to figure out how to attract world-class Internet speeds to Eagan,î he said.

Geagan noted the city's continued trend of keeping property taxes and government spending low while leading the Twin Cities in job growth last year. In addition, Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges recently won a state leadership award, and the city received national awards for its new water treatment plant and its efforts to educate citizens about airport noise.

Geagan also noted the city's emphasis on preserving open space -- Eagan has 4,500 acres, more than double the national standard, and citizens have indicated they want to preserve even more.

"This City Council, I think, has proven that we're willing to go to the mat and explore all avenues to preserve such spaces if we can,î he said.

But escalating land prices, with some properties fetching up to $220,000 per acre, will make it increasingly difficult to preserve open space in the future, he said.

"If we are going to maintain our commitment to keeping taxes low, the public should understand there are limits to what the government can do,î he said.

There are other challenges ahead for Eagan, as well, he said.

Airport noise remains a serious issue since the opening of the new runway, he said, and more progress must be made to mitigate it.

Commercial building permits in the city have nearly doubled from one year ago, but the health of Eagan-based Northwest Airlines and Mesaba remain a concern, as does transportation funding for road improvements.

Achieving a balance in housing stock will continue to be a challenge for Eagan, with a need for more starter homes for young families and one-level homes for seniors.

"From entry level to higher end, we need both low-income housing and upscale options like those seen in the new Steeplechase development,î he said.

As Eagan approaches build out and begins focusing on redevelopment, the city views eminent domain as an important tool, he said.

"In Eagan we have always looked at this tool as a last resort to be applied prudently and conservatively,î he said. "My purpose here today is not to debate the strengths or weaknesses of eminent domain, but to ask the public, the business community and lawmakers to be most careful with any changes they enact.î

Geagan said that in his 30 years of public service -- as a police officer, police chief and mayor -- he's learned that people make a genuine difference when they get involved in their government, their neighborhood and their community.

He asked the citizens of Eagan to support honest inquiry by their elected officials and to insist that their government listen, partner, and compromise if need be.

"Insist that we respond with what's best for Eagan,î he said. "If you do that, if you get involved, Eagan will be a city that inspires and leads, not just in 2006, but for decades to come.î

The State of the City address can be viewed in its entirety at www.cityofeagan.com.

Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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