Eagan News

Eagan Firefighter Danielle Fasching displays a smoke detector. Neighboring communities saw an increase in smoke detectors installed due to rental licensing programs. One of the main goals of rental licensing is to improve housing safety.

The City of Eagan may adopt a rental licensing ordinance this spring to improve housing safety. Providing similar ordinances are more than a dozen Twin Cities communities, including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Richfield, and St. Louis Park. Most Dakota County cities also have rental licensing programs.

Program benefits include public safety

If adopted, the Eagan program would include the installation and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. "Many communities see fire-safety improvements with the implementation of rental licensing programs,” says Eagan Fire Chief Hugo Searle, noting that the Burnsville Fire Department experienced a decrease in fires and fire deaths after that city’s program went into effect.

“This program will help the City verify that rental units have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, which are such important tools for protecting both lives and property,” says Searle. Other nearby cities have seen a large number of new smoke detectors installed after rental licensing programs began. For example, Roseville landlords installed nearly 4,000 smoke detectors since the beginning of that city’s rental licensing program.

Rental licensing also helps tenants advocate for repairs to ensure safe housing without needing to access the court system. “A tenant may contact the City with concerns about unsafe conditions,” says Jill Hutmacher, Eagan’s community development director. “The City will inspect the property and, if it finds a maintenance violation, work with the property owner to ensure that repairs are completed. A licensing program makes these issues easier to address by allowing the City to enforce a code to keep buildings in good condition.”

Next steps

The City Council discussed the rental licensing ordinance at a January workshop and may approve it at a regular Council meeting in the spring. If approved, the ordinance will likely take effect this July. Landlords will be able to license rental units through a phased process based on the type and location of rental units.

For more information or to offer feedback, call (651) 675-5660 or visit cityofeagan.com/rental-licensing. The draft ordinance will be posted for public input prior to City Council approval. Residents, renters, and property owners will be invited to share feedback on rental licensing.

If your taps are delivering lower-than-normal water pressure, you may be able to diagnose and fix the problem yourself. Check out these tips:

1. Water softener filters can break down and plug up over time, affecting water pressure. To see if it’s a water softener issue, use the bypass on the water softener to see if your water pressure improves. Check your owner's manual, often available online, for guidance. Or contact a licensed plumber.
2. If low water pressure occurs at only one sink or fixture, try cleaning, repairing, or replacing the fixture screen.
3. Has it been a while since you’ve drained your water heater? Do so annually to reduce mineral buildup and water pressure issues.
4. Built-in furnace humidifiers can plug up with scale and malfunction—clean or replace filters every three months.

For additional assistance, call Eagan Utilities at 651-675-5200.

Academy participants learn about Eagan’s K-9 program and meet award-winning K-9 Bear.

Members of the 2022 academy cohort pose with Eagan police officers, including Chief Roger New (center) and Deputy Chief Andy Speakman (front row).

For 25 years, the Eagan Police Department has opened its doors and invited residents to learn about the law enforcement world. During that time, nearly 700 Eagan residents have spent their evenings getting to know the officers who make the city a safe place to live and work. Past participants give the academy rave reviews, and the program has become one of the police department’s favorites to host.

“This is a great chance for Eagan residents or those who work in Eagan to get an inside look at the police department and learn about law enforcement procedures,” says Police Chief Roger New.

Participants in the 2023 academy will meet K-9 officers, learn about tasers, participate in a ride-along, observe DWI testing, tour a SWAT truck and command vehicle, follow an investigation, learn about police techniques and policies in heightened scenarios, and more.

The police department will begin the next Citizen’s Academy on March 1. The eight-week program meets Wednesday evenings, 6–9 p.m., at the Eagan Police Department (3830 Pilot Knob Road).

Twenty-five openings are available; apply at cityofeagan.com/citizens-academy or call Crime Prevention Specialist Jill Ondrey at (651) 675-5700 for more information.

Nearly 50 years after its completion, the park building at Rahn Park has received a remodel. Plus, the park’s sports courts were renovated and expanded, and an existing asphalt hockey rink was converted into a summer parking lot, preventing the removal of green space and park amenities.

These park updates are typical for the City of Eagan, which aims to keep parks up to date and redeveloped when needed. Many Eagan parks were built in the 1970s and need updates.

“At Rahn Park we were able to use the shell of the existing building and build a new envelope around that to minimize construction waste,” says Chris Fleck, Eagan’s park superintendent. The improved building features better heating and cooling systems, too, which save energy.

Additionally, a new storm drain and basin manage runoff from the asphalt sport courts—a sustainability-oriented project feature. Better ADA access and trail connectivity are two final improvements, funded by a $130,000 Minnesota DNR grant.

Eagan's first outdoor refrigerated ice rink

Long before snow began piling up this winter, outdoor skaters were enjoying Goat Hill Park, thanks to a new outdoor refrigerated ice rink, and the public-private partnership between the City of Eagan and the Eagan Hockey Association (EHA). “This is a great community project,” says Andrew Pimental, Eagan’s director of parks and recreation. “Partnering with EHA was a great opportunity, and we’re really excited to have been able to create this wonderful outdoor winter destination.” EHA provided $1.3 million to cover the project’s first phase.  

Through community engagement, City staff members had learned from hundreds of residents that there was a strong desire to update this park. Besides increased access to outdoor skating in the winter, this project aims to create a year-round community space.

Phase one included rink installation, a refrigeration system, and site enhancements for the 2022–2023 winter season. The concrete rink and chiller system were installed in 2022, providing access to outdoor skating as early as November and as late as March. The energy-efficient design of the chiller allows it to run only when necessary to support the ice.

The plan’s second phase will include building a pavilion to create a shaded area for year-round community activities. The cover will also help control light and noise. Other possible updates include improvements to the park shelter building/warming house.

More winter recreation opportunities

Lace up your skates at nine outdoor locations with a total of 19 rinks across Eagan, including hockey rinks and pleasure rinks. Find locations and more at cityofeagan.com/rinks.  

Do you have a surveillance camera at your home or business?  If so, the Eagan Police Department would like to work together to help keep our neighborhoods safe.

How SafeCam works

• Community members voluntarily share camera locations and footage and police create a list of these
• If a crime is committed, police use this list to reach out to people in the area who would be willing to share their camera footage
• Those community members can review their own footage and choose to share it with police

What to know

• The police department never has direct access to community members' cameras or footage
• Camera owners who have registered for the list can always choose to share  -  or not share  -  their video
• Personal information is confidential and will not be distributed except as required by law or court order

How to help

You can register your camera using the link below.  Your camera footage could help solve a crime.

SafeCam Registration Form