Eagan News
Visit the beautiful new Eagan Art House at the grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 13, noon–4 p.m. The event takes place on the first day of Eagan Art Block, Sept. 13–27. See the newsletter insert for details. Learn more about Eagan Art House, get event and activity info, and register for classes and more at eaganarthouse.org.
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At the corner of Pilot Knob and Wescott roads, across the street from the Eagan City Hall and Police Department, sits a little white building. This is the historic town hall, and you can take a peek inside during an open house on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “People are always amazed when they come in,” Eagan Historical Society member Lynae Gieseke says. Visitors can see photos of key people and places in Eagan, as well as some items from various historical periods. The original stove that was used to heat the building is still a centerpiece of the town hall. The historical society opens the building up a few times a year during the warm months, holding a meeting and welcoming visitors to look around.“We’re always looking for historical items and photos from Eagan,” member Kim Hazel says. “If your grandparents have stories about growing up in Eagan, for example, we’d love to collect those.” The group is always open to new members and volunteers. Learn more at cityofeagan.com/eagan-historical-society.
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The Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission kicked off its first Sustainable Eagan Academy last year. This year’s program, built on the first year’s success, featured eight youth speakers from Eagan High School and the School of Environmental Studies (SES). Besides engaging young people, this youth involvement offered a platform for them to amplify their voices and bring diverse perspectives to the sessions. Youth speakers had the opportunity to choose their own sustainability topic and their own presentation style.
During the 2025 academy season, the topics presented by the youth speakers included:
- The School of Environmental Studies Green Team
- Electric Vehicles and Air Pollution
- Composting and Food Waste
- Indoor Plants and How to Bring Nature Inside
- Youth Involvement in Sustainability
Student speakers gave the program a thumbs up. “Youth need to be involved in sustainability because they are the ones who will ultimately face the consequences of today’s actions,” one student said.
“We are not afraid to think differently; our voices can reach far and wide, inspiring others to act. We aren’t just trying to help; we are insistent on making a change. After all, sustainability isn’t just about protecting the planet; it’s about protecting our future,” said another student.
2026 Youth Speaker Opportunities
Visit cityofeagan.com/volunteer to get involved in next year’s academy.
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The Eagan Police Department has become Minnesota’s first to begin using the Grappler, a tool that can prevent a car chase before it starts — or stop a pursuit before it increases risks to the public. Administrative Sgt. Rich Evans explains that the Grappler extends a net that wraps around one of the suspect’s car’s rear tires. “Being able to deploy it from the squad while behind the subject vehicle, we can limit the risks to our officers,” he says, noting that it also helps keep bystanders safe. First used in Arizona, the Grappler has since been used over 600 times to stop suspects in pursuits, according to the manufacturer. “We watched the success of the Grappler from its origins in Arizona and saw that it would give our officers a new tool in preventing and stopping pursuits.” The Eagan Police Department is now evaluating the effectiveness of the Grappler to determine if it will expand its use across its fleet.
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Last year, Experience Eagan brought you “A Tale of Two Lakes” — a story about the restoration and removal of LeMay and Fitz lakes from the State of Minnesota’s list of impaired waters. As a result of these restoration efforts, and thanks to funding support from the Department of Natural Resources, the City of Eagan will install a new public fishing pier at Moonshine Park this fall. Located on the southeastern bay of LeMay Lake, Moonshine Park provides access to 36 acres of water, home to largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, and bluegill sunfish — along with wildlife and native plants. Improving recreational access to Eagan’s lakes and ponds isn’t just about fishing, though. Recent studies have shown that enjoying outdoor spaces can reduce stress, improve moods, and provide a general sense of ease in an urban world. LeMay Lake also happens to be in a part of Eagan with a gap in accessible fishing infrastructure. This pier will provide greater equity for fishing access for surrounding higher-density neighborhoods, as well as highlight LeMay Lake’s recent water quality improvements. For more information about fishing in Eagan, visit cityofeagan.com/fishing.
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After more than three decades of dedicated service to the City of Eagan, Police Chief Roger New has announced his plans to retire in the fall of 2025. Chief New has served the department for 31 years, including the last seven as Chief of Police.
Chief New’s retirement marks the end of a significant era of leadership for the Eagan Police Department. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the department through innovative practices, a strong emphasis on community partnerships, and a deep commitment to organizational culture.
“Chief New has been a steadfast and visionary leader,” said Mayor Mike Maguire. “His integrity, professionalism, and commitment to building trust with our community have left a lasting legacy. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him a well-deserved retirement.”
Throughout his tenure, Chief New has prioritized transparency, community engagement, and internal leadership development. He credits much of the department’s success to the dedicated members of the organization that he has served over the years.
Under Chief New’s leadership, the Eagan Police Department enhanced its community policing efforts, invested in staff development and wellness, and strengthened relationships with residents, businesses, and both local and regional partners.
Reflecting on his upcoming retirement, Chief New shared:
“While my departure is bittersweet, I’m proud to be leaving at a time when officer wellness and mental health are not an afterthought, the City’s investment in public safety innovation is unmatched, and community support is at an all-time high. The department is also built for future success, which wouldn’t be possible without the support of City leadership.”
Chief New plans to continue his role until the fall, maintaining “business as usual” to support a seamless transition.
City leaders emphasize that while this transition brings change, the core values and high standards that define the Eagan Police Department remain unchanged.
“The City of Eagan is committed to a seamless leadership transition and maintaining the high-quality public safety services our community expects and deserves,” said City Administrator Dianne Miller. “A recruitment plan is in the early stages, and more information will be shared as the process unfolds.”
The City extends its sincere thanks to Chief New for his outstanding service and will honor his contributions in the months leading up to his retirement.
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After announcing her resignation in May to accept a national leadership position, City Administrator Dianne Miller has made the heartfelt decision to remain with the City of Eagan.
Miller, who has worked for the City of Eagan for 24 years, had planned to join the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer. After thoughtful reflection, she has chosen instead to stay rooted in local service.
“After a lot of reflection, I realized how much I value being part of a team that is directly serving a community,” Miller said in a message to City staff. “The work we do here in Eagan, the relationships we’ve built, and the culture we’ve created together mean a great deal to me. Eagan is my place. And I love it too much to say goodbye.”
Mayor Mike Maguire echoed those sentiments:
“Dianne’s commitment to this community is inspiring. We were grateful for her service before and are even more so now. Her leadership, vision, and deep sense of responsibility are exactly what make Eagan a remarkable place to live, work, and play.”
The Eagan City Council has formally accepted the withdrawal of Miller’s resignation at the City Council workshop on June 10, affirming their support for her continued leadership.
Miller has been a steady and visionary leader through years of community growth, organizational change, and strategic planning. From launching the Eagan Forward initiative and enhancing sustainability efforts to guiding major projects like the City Hall and Police Department renovation and the new Eagan Art House, her leadership has touched every corner of the community.
We are thrilled to continue this journey together.
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