Eagan Adopts Rental Licensing Ordinance

The ordinance aims to improve safety in housing

Eagan, Minn - The City of Eagan adopted a rental licensing ordinance on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The purpose of the rental licensing program is to ensure safe housing for tenants and long-term maintenance of the City’s housing stock. The ordinance is similar to those adopted by more than a dozen Twin Cities communities, including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Richfield, and St. Louis Park. The ordinance is posted on the City’s website at cityofeagan.com /rental-licensing.

Program benefits

The rental licensing program includes the installation and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

“As housing stock ages, communities can see unintended consequences like deferred maintenance and less attention to safety features such as smoke detectors,” Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire said. “And that’s why the Council adopted a new rental licensing ordinance that creates accountability and ensures safe housing in Eagan for everyone.”

"Many communities see fire-safety improvements with the implementation of rental licensing programs,” said 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,” Searle said. 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,” said 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.”

Rental Units in Eagan

Including single-family and multi-family units, approximately 30% of Eagan homes are now rented. There are approximately 9,000 rental properties in Eagan, and over 1,300 of those were converted from owner-occupied homes.

Next Steps

Rental licensing will begin being implemented on July 1, 2023. Licensing deadlines will be phased based on the type of unit and geographic location. Landlords will submit online licensing applications and city staff will reach out regarding inspections.

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Eagan Adopts 2023 Budget

Eagan, Minn - Last night, the Eagan City Council adopted the 2023 budget to continue to deliver quality service and ensure that the City is able to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19 on our community.

The adopted property tax levy is a 6% increase. The City portion of property taxes on the average home translates to a $7.25-per-month increase for the average valued home ($345,500).

You can find details on the budget and the process at cityofeagan.com/budget.

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Eagan Receives State Environmental Award Again

The City continues to invest in sustainability efforts to match community priorities.

Eagan, Minn - The City of Eagan received the award for being a Step 5 city in the Minnesota GreenStep program. Eagan is one of 147 participating cities and tribal nations in the 12th year of the program.

The city of Eagan is a unique community in many ways. One very specific attribute is our commitment to preserve, protect, and invest in the natural environment—so much that our residents prioritize the natural environment as much as the economy and public safety. We reflect those values by creating, investing in, and implementing programs, services, and policies that make Eagan the green community our residents desire. We do this in partnership with the community through education, innovation, inclusion, engagement, and empowerment.

These ingredients have led to nearly every Eagan resident rating our natural environment highly, and the City is continually being acknowledged as a leader in green initiatives and protecting and enhancing our natural spaces.

“This award shows our community members and other cities across Minnesota that the City of Eagan is taking great steps in the direction of energy and resource conservation, innovation and environmental awareness initiatives,” said Andrew Pimental, Eagan’s Parks & Recreation director and Eagan’s GreenStep program leader.

View the City of Eagan’s green efforts at cityofeagan.com/green.

The City of Eagan has worked hard to implement best practices to meet its own sustainability goals with support from the GreenStep program and its peers. The program focuses on actions that save money, reduce energy use, conserve resources, fight climate change, and encourage civic innovation. You can learn more about Eagan’s efforts at https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/city-detail/11986.

“This award is a great achievement for Eagan,” Andrew Pimental said. “By being part of the program, Eagan and our peers help make Minnesota more resilient for the future while also helping our cities thrive in sustainable ways.”

About GreenStep: Minnesota GreenStep is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to help cities and tribal nations achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. Celebrating its 10th year serving Minnesota communities, this free continuous improvement program is based on 29 best practices that are tailored to Minnesota cities and tribal nations. More at MnGreenStep.org.

Eagan’s Green Story

Trees

Eagan is a city of trees. They are part of our identity; our city logo is an oak tree. We celebrate their contributions to our quality of life and the environmental benefits they provide our community. Our budget, policies, and services reflect those values through the creation of our Tree Dedication Fund.

Eagan’s commitment to trees has led to one of the most robust urban canopies in the state of Minnesota, and the City being recognized as a Tree City USA for 34 consecutive years. Sustaining the health and diversity of our urban forest involves preservation, management, maintenance, and partnerships between the City, residents, and businesses. For example, with cities across our region are battling emerald ash borer, Eagan’s forestry team is removing more than 2,000 ash trees on public property as quickly as possible. While doing this essential work, we are partnering with residents, businesses, and other organizations to buffer the loss and restore our green roof through education and investments in new replacement trees that will thrive in Eagan.

Eagan residents love planting trees. In fact, we’ve sold over 12,000 trees over the past 30 years at our annual tree sale, which provides trees at a reduced cost and tips on how and where to plant them. This past year, the tree sale sold out in 48 hours, so we are expanding our efforts and the sale to match our community’s passion and needs.

City forestry staff are always available to provide education and consultation both proactively and by appointment on any forestry-related issues including best practices for tree planting, tree maintenance, tree preservation, and invasive plant management.

Water

Eagan’s waters, which consists of 1,200 lakes, streams, wetlands, ponds, and a river, are defining characteristics and significant assets of the community. Our waters help make the city a desirable place to live, work, play, and visit. Water conservation has been integral to our culture, and organized efforts to protect our water began in the 1980s. We are early adopters when it comes to protecting our water, whether it was creating a nationally recognized stormwater management plan and separating our storm sewer in the 1990s or investing in a water resources team to treat and protect our waters.

For over 30 years, the City has funded our water resources management program, which has been successful in protecting and improving natural, aesthetic, and recreational qualities of lakes and wetlands. Eagan’s ongoing success story is attributable to reliable and consistent support and participation by policymakers, residents, volunteers, and City staff, as well as partnerships with other agencies. Through partnerships, education, outreach efforts, and financial investments, our first-class water resources team is a leader in water quality management.

And we are carrying that culture forward. As a part of our recent City Hall campus remodel, we’ve planted trees, created rain gardens, and made permeable parking spaces that drain water through, as natural ways to manage stormwater.

Sustainability

The City has invested in sustainability efforts including community solar development partnership, electric vehicles and charging stations, using goats to fight invasive species, supporting pollinator by adding four acres of pollinator areas to the previous 21 acres in our parks , and creating responsible guidelines for residential and commercial use of alternative energy systems (solar, wind, geo-thermal). In fact, the City signed up for a local wind energy program to provide electricity for all City facilities in 2022.

Eagan continues to be a member of the Minnesota GreenSteps Cities Initiative, which has agencies take steps to reduce energy use, preserve and enhance the environment, and encourage innovation within city operations, and to be green leaders for the community. Eagan has been awarded the highest step of this program the last five years.

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Eagan City Council Meeting Date Change to February 2, 2022

Eagan, Minn - The first Eagan Council Meeting for the month of February will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road.

The meeting date has been changed due to caucuses being held on Tuesday, February 1, the regular meeting date.

The agenda will be available prior to the meeting at cityofeagan.com/meetings. Meeting dates for the rest of the year are available at cityofeagan.com/calendar.

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Eagan City Administrator Dave Osberg Retiring with 40-Years of Distinguished Service

Eagan, Minn - Dave Osberg will complete his nine-year tenure as Eagan city administrator on March 4, 2022, in the same community where he started as an intern in the early 1980s, bookending a 40-year career of distinguished public service.

Along the way, Osberg served as a city administrator for three other Minnesota communities, including St. James, Waterville, and Hastings, at which he worked 24 years.

"When the Council interviewed Dave nine years ago, I knew immediately that he had the qualities needed to succeed as only the second city administrator in Eagan’s history," notes Councilmember Gary Hansen. "He has rewarded our faith with his dedication, reliability, diligence, and management leadership. I appreciate Dave’s support in being responsive to resolving issues as they arise."

"Under Dave’s years of leadership, Eagan has repeatedly been named a Top City to Live, achieved a triple-A bond rating. He helped guide the Eagan Forward community visioning, facilitated major developments in Eagan, and much more," says Mayor Mike Maguire. "On a personal note, he has been an amazing colleague, peer, mentor, coach, leader, and friend to so many – including me."

"The way Dave can navigate the comprehensive guide plans and a development plan and then transition to the Wild, Vikings, or Twins game," notes Eagan City Councilmember Cyndee Fields, "makes him a relatable leader and someone we will miss in our day-to-day functions."

Some of the major developments during Osberg’s time in Eagan have included the Twin Cities Premium Outlet, Central Park Commons, and Viking Lakes. Several substantial transitions within City buildings and staffing under Osberg’s watch have encompassed the remodeling of Eagan Police, City Hall, and the Central Maintenance Facility as well as the evolution of Eagan’s Fire Department from one of the largest volunteer departments in the state to a 24/7 fulltime staffing model to serve the community now and into the future.

Osberg has been lauded for his outstanding service throughout his entire career, receiving the League of Minnesota Cities Leadership award for cities with a population over 10,000, in 2010, while serving in Hastings. In 2014, while in Eagan he was named Manager of the Year by his peers in the Minnesota City and County Managers Association. He’s served on many boards and as president of several, including the League of Minnesota Cities; one of only a few non-elected officials to do so.

"It’s because of his many admirable qualities, that his presence, knowledge, and influence will continue to live on here in Eagan and beyond," says Mayor Maguire.

"He’s genuine and respectful to everyone," adds Dianne Miller, assistant city administrator, "and his actions demonstrate his dedication to his work, his staff, and his family."

"While I appreciate the experience that Dave brings to each topic, issue, and opportunity for Eagan," remark's Councilmember Fields, "the thing I appreciate most is Dave's presence, and how he knows when to break a silence or create a great path forward with a quip or a crack of a joke."

In his notice of retirement letter accepted by the Eagan City Council in October Osberg wrote, "The confidence you showed by hiring me back in February 2013 as only the second city administrator in the history of Eagan remains humbling and I remain truly grateful."

"The opportunity to end my 40 years of public service in local government management," he continued, "working for a tremendous City Council and professional, caring, and vibrant City staff is something I will always treasure."

When he retires in March, Osberg plans to spend more time with his wife Laurie who retired from a decades-long teaching career last year, and his children and three grandchildren. "We also plan to travel more, and I’ll likely play some golf," he adds.

"Dave has surpassed every expectation in continuing Eagan’s tradition of excellence and professionalism among our city staff," says Eagan City Councilmember Mike Supina. "He has always made sure that Eagan looks its best, both internally and in our public image. Dave’s diligence and good judgment have made everyone else’s job easier."

Councilmember Paul Bakken shared, "Although Dave is leaving us, he is leaving behind a legacy of excellence. Eagan is one of the highest rated city governments in the nation, and Dave has played a key role in crafting our organization. The Eagan that we see today is a testament to his professionalism, leadership, and dedication to the public good."

"I especially appreciate Dave’s openness and easy-going manner," says Councilmember Gary Hansen. "He is friendly, easy to talk with, and we share common interests. I will miss that the most. I wish him the best in his much-deserved retirement."

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Dianne Miller Receives Outstanding Service Award

Eagan Assistant City Administrator recognized by the Minnesota City/County Management Association  

Eagan’s Assistant City Administrator, Dianne Miller has received the 2021 "Outstanding Service Award" from the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA), the professional and educational organization for appointed management executives and assistants serving local governments in Minnesota.  

Miller is the first recipient of this new award, which recognizes and celebrates a member who has made contributions to the organization, the profession, and plays a crucial role by providing leadership from a non-CEO role in their organization. The individual is dedicated to a career as a local government professional and demonstrates a passion for ethical public service. The award was presented at the MCMA annual conference in September.  

"Nominating Dianne Miller was a no brainer and I applaud the organization for selecting her for this well-deserved recognition" said Dave Osberg, Eagan City Administrator. "In many ways, the award criteria define Dianne. The City Council, the residents, her colleagues and I, see every day how her outstanding service crosses borders from the City of Eagan, to MCMA, into our community, and into all those who interact with her." 

Miller has been an active member of the MCMA since she began her public administration career, serving on numerous committees of MCMA, the Board of Directors, and has served as the MCMA President throughout the 2020-2021 year, marked by a worldwide pandemic.  

"Dianne is the consummate public service ambassador who believes in building community, collaborating with the City Council and staff, providing top-notch programs and services, and developing policies to support residents and our organization", said Osberg. "She is the go-to person at City Hall for both a warm smile but also to get something done, no matter how big or small, or whether it is in her ‘job description’ or not."  

Miller shared, "I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition from my peers. I am abundantly blessed to work with a fabulous team of leaders, and thankful each and every day to serve the Eagan community."

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City of Eagan has received an Alternative Urban Area Review (AUAR) Update for Viking Lakes

Eagan, Minn - The City of Eagan has received an Alternative Urban Area Review (AUAR) five-year update from MV Ventures Properties, LLC for the Viking Lakes development, which is the home of the Minnesota Vikings Headquarters and mixed-use development in Eagan. 

The draft update to the 2016 Viking Lakes AUAR is now available for comment.  A copy of this AUAR Update has been officially submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board for publication in the EQB Monitor on May 18, 2021.

Unless an objection is filed with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, the Eagan City Council intends to review and consider adoption of this AUAR Update at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Notice will be published in the EQB Monitor and distributed to all commenting agencies following the document’s adoption. 

Please contact Mike Schultz, City Planner with any questions or comments. 651-675-5650 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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