Eagan News

On September 11, 2023, Governor Tim Walz issued a Writ of Special Election following the resignation of Minnesota State Representative Ruth Richardson on September 1. City elections staff are working closely with Dakota County Elections to coordinate details for the Special Election.

House District 52B includes Eagan Precincts 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13-16. Voters in these precincts are eligible to vote in the Special Election. The Special Election District 52B Precinct and Polling Location Map is shown below. Please note the polling locations for the Special Election are unique to the Special Election and may be different from voters' regular polling locations.

Voters can now request absentee ballots for the Special Election online.

Election Dates

Here are some steps you can take this fall to avoid frozen pipes this winter:

• Before cold weather sets in, locate the water shut-off valve for your outside fixtures by following the pipes from the outdoor spigot to the shut-off valve (generally located in the basement or utility closet inside your home) and turn the valve off. Leave the outside faucet on.
• If you store your sprinklers and hoses in a garage or storage shed, be sure to drain the water from them to prevent cracking.    

PREVENTING FROZEN PIPES

With extended cold temperatures comes deep ground frost that can impact the underground pipes carrying drinking water into Eagan homes. This can cause frozen water service pipes.

Tips to protect your home’s water pipes:

• Allow warm air to circulate in the area where the water comes into the house.
• Run the cold water faucet closest to your water service’s entry point for a few minutes and then take the temperature of the water. If the water is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended that you let your cold water run from this faucet at a pencil thickness.
• Run a pencil-thick stream of water nonstop when there is no one home, overnight when temperatures typically dip lower, or when no water will be used for a period of time.
• Leave the cupboard doors open under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
• Do not turn your furnace below 55° F.
• Wrap foam insulation around pipes most susceptible to freezing.
• Seal air leaks in your home and garage.
• If water lines run through your garage, do not leave the garage door open in cold weather.
• Locate the water meter and main shut-off valve in your home. You can shut your main valve to avoid water damage before leaving for a prolonged period.

If you experience a broken pipe or a frozen service line, shut off the valve next to the water meter and contact the City of Eagan Utilities Division at (651) 675-5200.

For more than 25 years, the Eagan Art House has been our community’s place to create and connect. In fact, thousands of artists have visited the 1960s rambler-style building every year since 1997. It’s no surprise to users or staff that we need a new art facility.

“Art has become a part of Eagan’s DNA,” says Andrew Pimental, Eagan’s director of Parks and Recreation. “And the Eagan Art House is at the heart of that. We’ve been patching this building up for more than 25 years and the sheer number of art enthusiasts who come through the doors inevitably creates a lot of wear and tear. It’s time for Eagan’s art community to have a safe, accessible new facility to match the high value our community places on art.”

Currently, the Eagan Art House hosts visual art classes, special events, and art exhibitions; plus, it performs community outreach. While art’s value is inherent, it has an economic impact in Eagan too — to the tune of $4.9 million annually. Eagan’s investment in facilities like the Eagan Art House benefits the entire community.

PROJECT TIMELINE AND DETAILS

“We look forward to a new building making it easier for people to create and connect,” says Tanya Mozingo, Eagan’s recreation manager. “The new building will allow us to welcome more users with a greater variety of programs, create more flexible activity spaces, and provide community gathering spots for the next 25 years.” On top of that, the new building will better connect visiting artists with nature, Mozingo says. The design will highlight the beauty of Patrick Eagan Park, and some land restoration to native oak savannah will be part of the work.

Additionally, users will experience better safety with enhanced air filtration. The City will also be able to prioritize sustainability in building and maintaining the facility.

The initial design study of the new Eagan Art House highlighted sustainability, accessibility, and spaces that can serve a diversity of interests and programs. Design and planning are underway, and the City expects a final design release this fall with a groundbreaking next spring.

“We don’t expect a break in classes and activities during the construction,” Mozingo says. “We’re planning to keep the current building open and operating until the new building is ready to use.”

For Eagan resident Anne Spicer, Eagan Art House pottery classes have brought her a sense of community and belonging. She says, “It’s a testament to the City of Eagan that
it’s supportive of a new facility that will bring more neighbors together, expand access to art participation, broaden our human experience, enhance enjoyment opportunities, and empower greater investment in our City.”

Learn more about this and other Parks and Recreation projects at cityofeagan.com/parkprojects. 

Since its inception in 1963, the Eagan Fire Department has evolved greatly. “Today we’re all career, all full time, here to respond from the station 24 hours a day, every day of the year,” says Fire Chief Hugo Searle. Those changes have meant faster response times, jumping from an average 14 minutes five years ago to under seven minutes today. “That directly impacts our ability to save life and property,” he says.

Along the way, the department has celebrated milestones, including new fire stations in 2011 and 2017, an all-female engine company for the first time in 2021, and transitioning to an
all-career staffing model in 2022.

With that transition, the City’s firefighters fully took on the roles of medical first responders, answering calls for aid in situations from car accidents to hazardous material leaks, and everything in between.

HOW THEY DO IT: TOOLS, TRAINING, AND TECHNOLOGY

The Eagan Fire Department is dedicated to protecting and serving the community with reliable responses by 40 highly trained professionals, plus three fire stations, a fleet of fire trucks, and equipment. That means a lot of training; regular practice scenarios include water rescues, apartment fires, and heart attacks.

Another key ingredient to the department’s ability to respond efficiently to emergencies is technology. In 2023, the department began using a geographic information system (GIS) to help provide data about locations they serve, helping them better prepare for situations they’ll encounter on calls.

Additionally, Searle says, they never underestimate the power of connection. Eagan firefighters attend community events like National Night Out, the Fourth of July parade, and the Food Truck Festival; plus, they host an annual open house during Fire Prevention Week in October. Participating in all these events helps develop relationships with residents and build trust.

Searle appreciates the community’s support — and their rating of the department in surveys. “We have a 96% positive rating from our community, and we’re very proud of that,” he says. “Our current success isn’t by accident or luck. We’ve had some of the best firefighters in the state go through these doors, and they’ve created a legacy in this community that each firefighter looks to live up to every day, and on every call.”

Per notice from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, our region continues to be in a period of drought and has now entered the Drought Restrictive Phase, so it is crucial that we come together as a community to address this pressing issue.

What you can do:

• Reduce outdoor water usage: Significantly reduce or stop lawn watering; lawns typically go dormant soon, so it will not damage the lawn in the long term. Consider discontinuing your use of outdoor lawn irrigation/automatic sprinklers for the season.
• Fix leaks: Check for leaks in your plumbing and irrigation systems. A small leak can waste a significant amount of water over time.
• Shorten showers: Take shorter showers and consider installing low-flow showerheads. Free low-flow showerheads are available. For more information: cityofeagan.com/conservewater
• Educate yourself: Stay informed about local water restrictions and guidelines for responsible water usage.

By making conscious efforts to reduce water usage, we can make a significant impact. Let's protect our environment and ensure there is enough water for everyone. Your actions today will make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

While fire safety should be top of mind year round, October is dedicated to brushing up on fire safety knowledge and skills. It’s also when the Eagan Fire Department invites you to visit a fire station to see the work they do and demonstrate safety tips up close. Plan to attend the annual Fire Safety Open House on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 5–8 p.m. at Station #2 (1001 Station Trail).

Cooking Safety

Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires.

Cook with Caution
• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...
• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…
• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.