Council Preview: Tactical Robot, Comcast Complaints, Drug Disposal

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The Eagan City Council will convene at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night at City Hall to hold a special meeting. Here's a preview of a selection of agenda items the council is expected to discuss. For a full agenda, click here.

• The Eagan City Council is expected to vote whether to accept a $15,163.94 donation from the Eagan Citizens Crime Prevention Association on Tuesday night. The donation would be used to pay for the purchase of a tactical robot for the Eagan Police Department. The robot would be wirelessly controlled by Eagan officers and deployed to areas unsafe for officers. It would also have the capability to stream video back to the controlling officers.

• After responding to overdoses and deaths involving the abuse of prescription medications, the Eagan Police Department wants to develop a safe disposal program for unused, unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs. As part of the disposal program, a secure "drop box" would be placed in the lobby of the police department so residents can anonymously dispose of any medications or illicit substances. The contents of the box would be regularly transported to a licensed incinerator for disposal. On Tuesday, the council may vote whether to approve the disposal program.

• The family of James A. Dare has donated $630 to the city of Eagan to install and memorialize a park bench in Cedar Pond Park. The council is expected to vote whether to accept the donation on Tuesday.

• The council is expected to hold five public hearings on Tuesday related to street improvements in Eagan. Project areas include Duckwood Crossings/Crestridge Drive, Eagan Woods Office Park, Ridgehaven Acres/Rustic Hills/Skyline, Blackhawk Glen/Blackhawk Ridge and the Ted Wachter addition along Civic Center Drive.

• City officials have received a number of complaints regarding potential fee increase notice sent out by Comcast to local residents. The council hopes to shed light on the issue by hosting a public discussion between affected residents and Comcast representatives. In the past, the city had limited authority to regulate basic cable and equipment rates, but that authority has diminished in recent years because of Federal Communications Commission rules, according to city staff.