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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP - January 29, 2013C I T Y O F ND OVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Conference Rooms A & B 1. Call to Order— 6:00 p.m. 2. Agenda Approval 3. Interviews of Planning & Zoning Commission/Park & Recreation Commission/Open Space Commission Applicants 4. Adjournment r�1 U Elp 0 ANLb 6 W A ANDOVER COMMISSIONINTER VIEWS JANUARY 29, 2013 MINUTES The Andover Commission Interviews was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, January 29, 2013, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Mike Knight, and Julie Trude Councilmember absent: Tony Howard AGENDA APPROVAL Remove Michael Lillquist and insert Kim Kovich to the 6:45 p.m. interview spot. Motion by Councilmember Trude, Seconded by Councilmember Knight to approve the agenda as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. INTERVIEWS Dennis Cleveland —Planning & Zoning Commission Mr. Cleveland explained to the Council why he would like to be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He felt it was important to have some experienced Commissioners who understood what was happening and to help guide the Commissioners that are less experienced. He noted they are trying to represent all of the citizens of the community. Councilmember Knight asked if Mr. Cleveland had a vision for the City. Mr. Cleveland thought the exterior look of some of the new plans he has seen lately are very nice and that was what the City was looking to develop in the City. He would also like to leave the wetlands alone. Councilmember Trude wondered if the City should be looking at the code in order to require nicer looking buildings and landscaping. Mr. Cleveland stated he would not have a problem with the City looking at the architecture and apply the code to each development that comes into the City. Councilmember Bukkila asked where does the City draw the line as far as determining what type of architecture is allowed and what is not allowed. Mr. Cleveland stated that is a fine line and © Andover City Council lnterviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 29, 2013 Page 2 there needs to be exceptions but there also has to be compromise between the City and developers. He felt a lot has to do with how the City sets the standards. Mayor Gamache stated they have ordinances on outdoor storage and he wondered if the City is too restrictive or are there areas that should have more outdoor storage. Mr. Cleveland stated he is not too concerned about outdoor storage but in some places, it does clutter the look of the area. He thought the City inconsistently applied overall aesthetics over the entire City but he thought the City needed to do it that way for now. Mr. Cleveland requested to meet more often for joint Planning and Zoning Commission/City Council meetings to discuss visioning for the City. Tim Cleven — Planning & Zoning Commission Mr. Cleven explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Trade asked if Mr. Cleven has watched any of the meetings. Mr. Cleven © indicated he has. Councilmember Trade stated the Planning Commission looks at issues related to City Code and she wondered how Mr. Cleven would deal with those types of issues such as infringing on an easement. Mr. Cleven stated he always believed there are laws and rules in place for a reason and he would need to follow them. Councilmember Knight asked how Mr. Cleven sees Andover compared to surrounding communities. Mr. Cleven stated the City is very nice but there needs to be more commercial growth, which is important for a more robust tax base and in order for Andover to grow. Councilmember Knight asked how Mr. Cleven sees the role of Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Cleven stated he would need to make sure the codes and zoning are enforced and maintained for the developers coming in. Councilmember Bukkila stated she would like to see more collaboration and discussion at the Commission level and wanted to know if Mr. Cleven has played a role in discussion or leadership. Mr. Cleven stated in his previous position he was looked upon to research codes and to make sure whatever happened in the different cities, the code was met. Councilmember Trade asked if Mr. Cleven sees himself as a creative person in order to make decisions. Mr. Cleven stated depending on what the issue is, there might be some give and take but they have to look at what the City would be opening themselves up to in the future if the decision does not follow the rules. He stated the City needs to look ahead and not just at the current time. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 29, 2013 Page 3 Michael Spande — Planning & Zoning Commission/Open Space Commission Mr. Spande explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Trude asked as Mr. Spande drives around Andover, what does he like or dislike about Andover. Mr. Spande thought some of the things Andover has done well is purchasing the gas station and apartments on Bunker Lake Boulevard so something will get redeveloped. Councilmember Trude wondered what Mr. Spande would recommend doing there. Mr. Spande was not sure but did not think another office building would work there because some in the area have sat empty for a while. He was not sure if he would be in favor of an apartment building there either. He noted there would need to be a lot of thought put into that redevelopment. Councilmember Bukkila asked if Mr. Spande had any personal knowledge or background regarding personal property rights. Mr. Spande thought the City and the Council had an interest in making things better for the City. The City Council and staff are working for the residents and he thought it was a balancing act that needed to be achieved. He was not in favor of a City being overbearing and taking property from residents unless it is in the best interest of the entire City. He is not in favor of eminent domain. Mayor Gamache stated at times the Planning Commission and Council do not agree on items and he wondered how Mr. Spande would handle opposition. Mr. Spande felt everyone should be professional. He indicated he will voice his opinion but understands where his role begins and ends. Councilmember Trude asked how long Mr. Spande has lived in Andover. Mr. Spande indicated he has been in Andover for six years. Kim Kovich — Open Space Commission Mr. Kovich explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to the Open Space Commission. Councilmember Knight asked if the purpose of the open space was for the enjoyment of residents or to prevent development of the area. Mr. Kovich thought the way it was written, preservation is important but people can still enjoy it. Councilmember Bukkila wondered how he thought the Open Space Commission worked together. Mr. Kovich thought the Open Space Commission worked well together and communicated. He enjoyed the people on the Commission and felt there was a lot of discussion © being made to make the decisions. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 29, 2013 Page 4 John Stong — Planning & Zoning Commission Mr. Stong explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Stong indicated he has read through all of the City Code and felt it was interesting. Mayor Gamache asked what Mr. Stong's thoughts were on how the meetings with Wal -Mart worked out. Mr. Stong thought it worked out okay but in general, he would tend to honor the individual property owner's rights as long as they are not violating anything. Councilmember Knight stated the Council has reviewed the Nightingale Street reconstruction and how far to extend the trail and he wondered if Mr. Stong had any input on how far north it should be extended. Mr. Stong stated if the trail is brought up to 157th Avenue, it would service the most residents but if it were extended farther north from there, it would not service a large number of people and would not be beneficial. He felt that part of the trail could be extended once development happened. Councilmember Bukkila asked what he does for a job. Mr. Stong stated he is in sales, which ® allows him flexibility. Brad Geiss — Planning& Zoning Commission /Park & Recreation Commission Mr. Geiss explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Trude asked when driving around Andover, did Mr. Geiss see anything he liked that the City should do more of. Mr. Geiss thought there were phases being done in Andover and that it was being well laid out throughout the City. He thought there were opportunities for more business in the City. Councilmember Knight asked what Mr. Geiss saw as a role of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Geiss thought the Commission would be brought together as a group to come up with suggestions for the Council and provide good data for the Council to review. Mr. Geiss wondered what the Council was looking for as a candidate for the positions. Mayor Gamache explained what the Planning Commission was comprised of and what the Council expected from them. Lynae Gudmundson —Planning Commission © Ms. Gudmundson explained to the Council why he would like to be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 29, 2013 Page 5 Mayor Gamache asked what the most interesting part of the three years has been for her. Ms. Gudmundson thought the most interesting item was regulation of fire arms and bow hunting. Councilmember Bukkila asked if there were any particular issue where she felt in the minority on an issue or where she was very vocal. Ms. Gudmundson stated often times she is looking at things as a residential appraiser and someone living in the community and she felt the rest of the Commission has more knowledge of commercial. Mark Miskowiec — Park & Recreation Commission Mr. Miskowiec explained to the Council why he would like to be reappointed to the Park and Recreation Commission. Mayor Gamache asked for an example of something he has worked on that either he liked or disliked. Mr. Miskowiec noted people take the parks so seriously. He thought if the Park and Recreation Commission is doing their job, the Council does not have to deal with it. Councilmember Knight asked what Mr. Miskowiec saw going forward regarding the parks. Mr. © Miskowiec stated they needed to look to the future rather than now when they construct their parks so it will be enjoyable for all now and in the future. Councilmember Trude asked what he would like to see in the new park being developed. Mr. Miskowiec stated there should be fields, sliding hills. They need to do a few good things and do them well. He did not think they needed to have everything in one park. Twila Hauck - Martin — Park & Recreation Commission Ms. Hauck -Martin explained to the Council why she would like to be appointed to the Park & Recreation Commission. She noted she likes multi -use in the parks and wants to make all of the parks usable by all the residents. Ms. Hauck -Martin discussed with the Council her role on different sports organizations and indicated she joined all of the boards for all the kids in the City, not just for her own. She felt that a person on a board should be looking out for the best for everyone and not just themselves. The Council recessed at 8:30 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:36 p.m. COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS 0 The Council discussed the appointments and voted on the Commission positions. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 29, 2013 Page 6 Open Space Commission 1. Bruce Perry 2. Kim Kovich Alternate: Hugh Phillips Motion by Knight, seconded by Trude to appoint Mr. Perry and Mr. Kovich to the Open Space Commission with Mr. Phillips as alternate. Motion carried unanimously. Planning and Zoning Commission 1. Lynae Gudmundson (Full Term) 2. Bert Koehler (Full Term) 3. Tim Cleven (1 Year Term) Alternate: Michael Spande Motion by Bukkila, seconded by Gamache, to reappoint Ms. Gudmundson and appoint Mr. Koehler for fall terms and to appoint Mr. Cleven for a 1 year term to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Mr. Spande as alternate. Motion carried unanimously. Park and Recreation Commission 1. Ted Butler 2. Mark Miskowiec 3. Shane Stenzal Alternatel: Tony Kowalewski Alternate 2: Twila Hauck - Martin Motion by Trude, seconded by Gamache to reappoint Mr. Butler and Mr. Miskowiec and to appoint Mr. Stenzal to the third open seat on the Park and Recreation Commission with Mr. Kowalewski as first alternate and Ms. Hauck -Martin as second alternate. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Knight, Seconded by Councilmember Bukkila, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, © Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver OffSite Secretarial, Inc.