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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP - January 8, 2019X 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Mayor and Council members CC: James Dickinson, City Administrator FROM: Dana Makinen, Human Resources Manager SUBJECT: Commission Interviews DATE: January 8t' & 10t', 2019 Please find the attached information for the Commission Interviews • Interview Schedule • Application from Candidates © • 2018 Commissions Information o Andover YMCA Community Center Advisor Commission o Planning & Zoning o Park & Rec. o Open Space Respectfully submitted, Dana Makinen C 0 H u ANDOVER COMMISSIONINTERVIEWS— JANUARY 8,2019 MINUTES The Andover Commission Interviews was called to order by Mayor Julie Trude, January 8, 2019, 6:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Mike Knight, Sheri Bukkila, Valerie Holthus and Jamie Barthel Councilmember absent: None AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved as presented. INTERVIEWS OF PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION / PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION / YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION APPLICANTS Sarah Murray — Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Planning and Zoning Commission Sarah Murray stated she has lived in Andover since 2013 and noted her professional background is in real estate. She stated she has been to some Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and enjoyed them. Councilmember Bukkila asked if she has any experience with zoning and ordinances. Ms. Murray stated, not directly but in her current job she works with titles, easements, and encroachments. She noted when she and her husband were building a garage, they went through the City's process and she was able to see how it works on that level. Councilmember Holthus asked where she went to school. Ms. Murray stated she went to school in Lakeville and then received her undergrad in Criminal Justice in Arizona. She stated she started working at Coldwell Banker in Minnesota after college and has been working with property titles since. Councilmember Barthel asked Ms. Murray why she is interested is in the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ms. Murray stated it is interesting to see things develop and would like to be a part of it. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 8, 2019 Page 2 Councilmember Holthus stated she had been on the Planning and Zoning Commission for years and told her about her experience serving on it. She noted at times they have had to review the City Code and due to its size, it can take hours of reading. She stated she wants to make sure Ms. Murray would be okay with completing some tasks like this. Ms. Murray replied stating she would be fine doing that. Councilmember Holthus asked if Ms. Murray is detailed oriented and if she has tasks at work requiring that skill. Ms. Murray stated she is and noted today she worked on tasks such as drafting a directive and researching, which required her being very detail oriented. Councilmember Knight asked if she has any ideas or goals in mind that if appointed, she would like to see happen. Ms. Murray stated she would like to continue to see businesses grow in the City. Mayor Trude asked Ms. Murray if her husband had to go through the process of getting a variance or any additional steps when building their garage. Ms. Murray replied no, but they did review the city codes and standards during the process. Mayor Trude stated they expect Planning and Zoning Commissioners to read the packets before io each meeting and noted it can sometimes be 3-4 hours of homework for each meeting. She stated the Planning and Zoning Commission meets twice a month on Tuesdays. Ms. Murray stated she would be fine with that. The Council thanked Ms. Murray for taking the time to interview. Brian Beck —Park and Recreation Commission Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Park and Recreation Commission and asked if Mr. Beck has enjoyed his time on the Commission. He stated he has really enjoyed it. Councilmember Bukkila asked Mr. Beck about his background. Mr. Beck stated he was a Police Captain, taught community safety all over the State, and currently is a Park Ranger in Anoka County 3 days a week. Councilmember Barthel asked how long he has been on the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Beck stated he was an alternate until August when he was brought on as a regular Commission member. Councilmember Knight asked what some goals are that he has for the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Beck stated he wants to give back to the town, he enjoys the parks and stated they are important to him. L: J © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 8, 2019 Page 3 Councilmember Holthus asked what he sees as the greatest need for parks in Andover. Mr. Beck stated he doesn't know off hand because he hasn't seen all the parks yet but noted he thinks maintenance and upkeep of the parks is one thing they will always need. Mayor Trude asked what equipment Mr. Beck sees being used most commonly at the parks. He stated he sees the basketball courts being used a lot. Mayor Trude asked if Mr. Beck continues to serve on the Park and Recreation Commission, what skills can he contribute to the Commission. Mr. Beck stated he has some experience with grant writing and the skills he has from his time being a police officer would be well suited on the Commission. The Council thanked Mr. Beck for taking the time to interview. Mark Miskowiec — Park and Recreation Commission Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Park and Recreation Commission. She,asked Mark Miskowiec why he wants to continue to serve on the Commission after serving on it for 10 years. Mr. Miskowiec stated he enjoys that it is always changing and that he enjoys when they have been ® able to make people happy within budget. Councilmember Holthus asked what Mr. Miskowiec thinks is the greatest need for the parks. Mr. Miskowiec stated adding trails is something they should look at and he thinks they need to ask the public what they would like to see happen. Councilmember Bukkila asked how things have been with the turnover on the Commission. Mr. Miskowiec stated it is hard when people are absent because time is spent catching them up on what they missed and the same when a new Commissioner replaces another midterm. He noted he hopes things remain steady going forward. Mr. Miskowiec stated if they can get connected trails next to street that would be great but no matter where, they need some. Mayor Trude asked Mr. Miskowiec where he would like to see the funds they have to go to within the parks because the funding doesn't cover the trails. Mr. Miskowiec stated they have a wish list and he would like to see them start moving forward with the items on the list. Mayor Trude asked if Mr. Miskowiec was able to drive up to the turkey farms site. Mr. Miskowiec stated he wasn't able to due to his work schedule. The Council thanked Mr. Miskowiec for taking the time to interview. © Karen Godfrey — Planning and Zoning Commission © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 8, 2019 Page 4 Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Karen Godfrey stated she has lived in Andover for over 20 years. She stated she was a banker for awhile and then went into consulting for government and financial institutes working in compliance. She stated she has experience working with regulations, codes, and statutes. She works with attorneys, government agencies, and businesses. Councilmember Barthel asked why she is interested in Planning and Zoning. Ms. Godfrey stated she is interested in how the City Code, Comprehensive Plan and the Metropolitan Council all fit together. She noted she looks forward to learning about it. Councilmember Knight asked Ms. Godfrey about her background with animals. She stated her husband raises and trains show dogs on their five acres of land. She stated they enjoy the animals and social aspect of the sport Councilmember Holthus asked how she feels about the time commitment required if she is appointed to the Commission. Ms. Godfrey stated she is self-employed, so her schedule is flexible, and she wouldn't have any conflicts with the time obligations. © Councilmember Bukkila asked how she feels about the lot split topic. Ms. Godfrey stated she feels it's important to maintain some flexibility for people to make a choice that suits them. Councilmember Barthel asked after looking at the Comprehensive Plan what are two things she would like to see happen within the City. Ms. Godfrey stated the Plan doesn't seem to tie the City together and she would like to see them create a more cohesive plan with a central downtown. Councilmember Knight added with the broad spectrum of ages of their residents, commercialization is needed. Mayor Trude asked what Ms. Godfrey feels she can contribute to the Planning and Zoning Commission if appointed. Ms. Godfrey stated she has good critical thinking skills and would bring practical ideas while communicating effectively. The Council thanked Ms. Godfrey for taking the time to interview. Don Berthiaume — Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Don Berthiaume stated he has no ulterior motive for wanting to join the Planning and Zoning Commission, he just wants to serve and give back to the community. He stated he grew up on the © East side of St. Paul, is the son of a fire fighter so he has seen a lot of civil servant work in his family and his schedule finally allows time for him to get involved and give back. He stated he has © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 8, 2019 Page 5 two kids who are in college and one in high school and would like to set that example for them as well. He noted he does marketing and planning for a living. Mayor Trude asked Mr. Berthiaume how he feels about change and having to be supportive of changes he might not always agree with. He stated if there is a plan in place with a guided strategy, that should be what helps guide those decisions and he has no issues with that process. Councilmember Barthel asked what are one or two things that stand out to Mr. Berthiaume that need to happen in the City. Mr. Berthiaume stated he has read the first few chapters of the Comprehensive Plan and so far, he doesn't have any specific ideas but noted the rural reserve needs to be looked at. He stated he would like to see Andover have that old feeling downtown area as well, but he recognizes that may not be something you can build or create easily. Mayor Trude asked how he would approach the feelings of people who may be opposed to some changes being made or requests for such changes. He stated projects like adding sheds in your backyard don't bother him typically but noted that all sides need to be weighed and reviewed with all circumstances to determine what is the best thing to do. Mayor Trude asked if preservation of trees and parks are important to him. Mr. Berthiaume stated © it is very important to him to preserve as much natural life as possible, he doesn't want to see Andover become a concrete lot. He added he has planted about 200 trees on his lot since they built so he enjoys trees. Councilmember Bukkila asked what his stance is on public transportation. He stated he would be open to explore bringing public transportation into Andover. He stated he read something saying Andover has terrible traffic for commuting, so he feels there could be some solution that would help with that. Councilmember Holthus asked if he will have any issues with time commitment if appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Berthiaume stated he would have no issues at all with the time commitment. Mayor Trude asked why the Council should choose him to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Berthiaume stated it's about objectivity and following the rules they have laid out and he is good with that. He stated he has no personal agenda, no bias, and is just interested in being involved with his community. He added as a Princeton graduate, he is intelligent, educated, and objective and those skills would help him on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Council thanked Mr. Berthiaume for taking the time to interview. Sophia Newton —Park and Recreation Commission © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 8, 2019 Page 6 Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the Park and Recreation Commission. Mayor Trude asked Sophia Newton if she has a favorite park in Andover. Ms. Newton answered that Kelsey Park is one of her favorites. Councilmember Bukkila asked how long Ms. Newton has been a resident of Andover. Ms. Newton stated she has lived in the City for about 11 years. Councilmember Barthel asked why she likes the Park and Recreation Commission. Ms. Newton stated she wants to get involved and make a difference and the Park and Recreation Commission sounded like a good place to start out given her love of the parks. Councilmember Knight asked if there are changes, she would like to see in the parks. Ms. Newton stated she would like to see the City create a park suited towards Autistic children, a fenced playground where they can play safely. Councilmember Bukkila stated that is a great idea and she isn't sure if that has been explored yet or not, but it is something to look into. Councilmember Holthus asked Ms. Newton about her background. Ms. Newton stated she grew © up in Coon Rapids and went to school in Blaine. She stated she moved to Andover to attend school for becoming a dental assistant. She stated she liked that people were always walking around and outside in the areas. Councilmember Holthus asked if she feels the funding for parks should go to the larger more popular parks or if it should be dispersed between all the parks. Ms. Newton stated she thinks it should be given equally to all the parks, she stated she sees the value in the smaller neighborhood parks. Councilmember Barthel asked why she is interested in being on the Park and Recreation Commission. Ms. Newton stated she wants to get involved in the community and has a willingness to learn and make a difference. Mayor Trude asked if she would be okay making site visits for homework if appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission. Ms. Newton stated she wouldn't mind at all, she enjoys the parks and would like to see them all. Ms. Newton stated she is excited to get involved in the community, and noted she created a Facebook page for her neighborhood so they can be involved and connected. The Council thanked Ms. Newton for taking the time to interview. Don Schmeichel— YMCA Community Center Advisory Commission Mayor Trude reviewed the position of the YMCA Community Center Advisory Commission. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 8, 2019 Page 7 Don Scbmeichel stated he has been on the YMCA Community Center Advisory Commission for two years now and has worked with most sports and has enjoyed it. Mayor Trude asked Mr. Schmeichel if he feels he is making a difference on the Commission. Mr. Schmeichel stated he has lived in Andover since 1997 and believes the Community Center has always been an asset to City. He stated his day job is running a large sales company, so he has been able to bring some of that background with finances to the help on the Commission. He also noted his background in IT has been helpful from time to time. Mayor Trude asked if the City was to get another gym would that be enough to change the girls' basketball season around. Mr. Schmeichel stated it probably wouldn't solve that issue, but it would help so teams can stay in Andover instead of looking outside of the City for space. Councilmember Barthel asked what he finds exciting about the work on the Commission. Mr. Schmeichel stated it was exciting to be able to contribute to the positive changes in the community and giving back. He stated the aftermath from the changes in the past has created some angst among the community and that was difficult to deal with. He stated he sees both sides of an issue but overall, it's good to continue to stir up people in the community and get them out and involved. Councilmember Holthus asked if Mr. Schmeichel has been to other community centers and field houses around the State and seen things he would like to change within the Community Center. Mr. Schmeichel stated Andover has a great YMCA and Community Center and he doesn't see a need for much change, but he is an advocate of putting in some walking areas. The Council thanked Mr. Schmeichel for taking the time to interview. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Holthus, Seconded by Councilmember Barthel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michaela Kujawa-Daniels, Recording Secretary TimeSaver OffSite Secretarial, Inc. u