Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP - January 14, 2020U H 41 NDCIly 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.CI.AN DOVER. MN. US TO: Mayor and Council members CC: James Dickinson, City Administrator FROM: Dana Makinen, Human Resources Manager SUBJECT: Commission Interviews DATE: January 146 and 16'', 2020 Please find the attached information for the Commission Interviews • Interview Schedule • Application from Candidates • 2019 Commissions Information o Planning & Zoning o Park & Rec. o Open Space Respectfully submitted, Dana Makinen rcX ANDOVER COMMISSIONINTERVIEWS—JANUARYl4, 2020 MINUTES The Andover Commission Interviews was called to order by Mayor Julie Trade, January 14, 2020 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Councilmember absent: Others present: AGENDA APPROVAL Mike Knight, Sheri Bukkila, and Valerie Holthus Jamie Barthel City Administrator, Jim Dickinson The agenda was approved as presented. INTERVIEWS OF PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION/PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION/YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION/OPEN 0 ZCy W.�1-11%[.TW311KIIu15_I_fYO11701T11111 Y.1016 903 WA 990 [NI►Y Ky Mayor Trade stated there were fewer applicants than in past years and if the Council felt there weren't qualified applicants, they could ask current members to stay in their position instead of re -advertising. Jim Lindahl — Park and Recreation Commission Mayor Trade welcomed Mr. Lindahl and asked what he planned on working on this coming year. Mr. Lindahl responded the Park and Recreation Commission is working on their general comprehensive plan and getting a better idea of funding. He stated they are also working on trails, trail corridors, and connectivity. He stated the City is at capacity for parks and they are now working on maintaining them. Councilmember Holthus asked what trail connections Mr. Lindahl thought were the most important. Mr. Lindahl responded everything around the core of the City and connecting the dead ends were important. Mayor Trade stated the trail by Coon Creek on the east side by Prairie Road needed to be completed and suggested a grant be acquired to fund the project. Mr. Lindahl stated the Park and Recreation Commission has sought out grants to complete and improve trails from the DNR. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 14, 2020 Page 2 Councilmember Holthus asked if the Commission intended to place interpretive signs at Kelsey Round Lake Park. Mr. Lindahl stated there has been discussion on it. Councilmember Knight asked if there is anything about the City, past or present, that frustrated Mr. Lindahl. Mr. Lindahl replied the park budget is restrictive and the Commission has done what they can with the funds. He stated the Public Works Department is doing what they can with what the resources they have. Councilmember Bukkila asked Mr. Lindahl for his opinion on what long-term projects need to be done. Mr. Lindahl replied the Commission needs to look at the budget and where the gaps are. He stated the Commission has broken the City into quadrants and it has helped them see the deficiencies in amenities and services. Mayor Trude stated the parks in the south end of the City get used more and the City distributed funds equitably no matter how much they were used. Mayor Trude asked Mr. Lindahl how the City can better address spending money on parks. Mr. Lindahl replied that Strootman Park was a good example where funds were limited due to the neighborhood not having many kids. He stated the Commission asks the neighborhood for their opinion and they try to meet their needs. The Commission thinks about use and are being cognizant about what each park needs and how it will © get used. Councilmember Knight asked what frustrates him more than anything else and Mr. Lindahl stated he thinks the Commission has done a good job keeping up with the needs of the City and anticipating usage, such as the growth of lacrosse. Mayor Trude asked what Mr. Lindahl was most proud of. He replied he is most proud of that he has served for many years and he enjoys developing the parks. He stated he has been part of developing more than 75% of Andover Parks. The Council thanked Mr. Lindahl for taking the time to interview. Erik Lindberg — Open Space Advisory Commission Mayor Trude asked Mr. Lindberg about his background and interest in Open Space and Park and Recreation. Mr. Lindberg stated he is a first-time homeowner and moved to Andover in September of 2019. He stated he works for Tree Landscape and speaks to cities about tree and plant health care plans. He works with cities around the nation in addressing Emerald Ash Borer. Councilmember Holthus reviewed the open space locations. Mayor Trude stated the Commission is now focusing on maintenance and asked Mr. Lindberg if he preferred the Open Space or Parks Commission. Mr. Lindberg stated he preferred Open Space, but both are interesting, and his goal © is to get more involved in the City. He stated he works within City budgets to build effective plans. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 14, 2020 Page 3 Councilmember Bukkila asked where he came from. He replied he was originally from Wisconsin, went to Texas for his master's degree, and then moved to Minnesota for work. Councilmember Holthus asked if he had background in athletic fields, associations, or playground equipment. Mr. Lindberg stated he played basketball as a youth and is now an avid runner, participating in marathons. Mayor Trude explained the difference between Park and Open Space Commissions and stated Open Space sounds like a better fit. She explained the goals of the Open Space Advisory Committee and how often they meet. Knight asked if Mr. Lindberg saw anything he would like to get done in the City. Mr. Lindberg replied he is still getting familiar with the community. The Council thanked Mr. Lindberg for taking the time to interview. Dawn Perra Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Trude welcomed Ms. Perra and asked her what she would like about being on the Planning © and Zoning Commission instead of the Park Commission. Ms. Perra stated she likes to learn new things and the Planning Commission seemed like the next step. She started out from the resident's perspective and has learned a lot about how the City works. She has been a long-time resident, as a child and as an adult. Councilmember Holthus explained the City Code, zoning districts and land usage. Ms. Perra stated she reads the Planning Commission minutes regularly and has become informed on development. Councilmember Knight asked what Ms. Perra would like to see done in the City. She stated there is nothing specific, but Andover suffers from growing pains separating the new Andover from the old Andover. She would like to see some of the charm from the Old Andover. She refers to the Old Andover as tire fires and large lots but believes there needs to be standards to maintain the positive aspects of Andover. Mayor Trude asked if Ms. Perra has gone to a Public Hearing or watched one. Ms. Perra state she has watched them on video. Mayor Trude explained the challenge of the Planning Commission and the importance of their role. Councilmember Bukkila asked Ms. Perra her background and experience related to building, planning, codes, or ordinances. Ms. Perra stated her experience is related to Park and Recreation and following items through to the Planning Commission and Council. She stated building her own house gave her experience and indicated she would have a lot to learn. © Councilmember Knight asked Ms. Perra about her experience with Anoka -Hennepin School District and PACT Charter School. Ms. Perra explained her background in working and © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 14, 2020 Page 4 volunteering, setting agendas, and running meetings. Mayor Trade explained the status of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and asked Ms. Perra if she has opinions on the development of the City versus other areas where she has lived. Ms. Perra stated she lived in Ramsey and she didn't like the way the city mixed uses such as residential, commercial and industrial areas. Ms. Perra stated she supports townhomes but doesn't support apartment buildings because of the lack of public transportation and entry level jobs. Mayor Trade asked if Ms. Perra could serve on the Planning Commission and the Park Commission for a year if selected for Planning Commission. Ms. Perra stated she doesn't want to leave the Park Commission but wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to be on the Planning Commission. She stated she could serve on both Commissions for a year or serve wherever the Council needed her most. The Council thanked Ms. Perra for taking the time to interview. Richard Krusemark — Open Space Advisory Commission —phone interview Mayor Trade asked Mr. Krusemark what intrigues him about the Open Space Advisory Commission. Mr. Krusemark replied he likes the idea of open space and preserving nature. Councilmember Holthus asked if Mr. Krusemark has been to the open spaces, which ones, and what he likes. Mr. Krusemark replied he has not visited the open spaces but has driven by them. Councilmember Knight asked how long Mr. Krusemark has been in Andover and he replied 40 years. He stated it is time to start helping the community. Councilmember Knight asked his perspective for the future. Mr. Krusemark stated the City needs to continue growing while keeping open spaces. Mr. Krusemark stated he as 6.5 acres and has a vineyard hobby. Mayor Trade explained the responsibilities of the Open Space Advisory Commission and asked if it interested him. He stated yes and he has talked with City Staff about the responsibilities of the Advisory Commission. The Council thanked Mr. Krusemark for taking the time to interview. Wes Volkenant— Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Trade welcomed Mr. Volkenant and asked if he had the opportunity to watch any Planning and Zoning meetings or read the minutes. Mr. Volkenant replied he did and found them interesting. © Councilmember Bukkila asked his long-term vision and plans for transportation and housing. Mr. Volkenant replied that the Council has given good direction for the City's development and the flow from suburban turning rural. He stated Andover is not like surrounding cities and sees © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 14, 2020 Page 5 opportunities for building with intention. He stated if Andover brings in affordable housing, there will be transportation issues, because Andover isn't on a major highway but has access to roads leading to the highways. Councilmember Knight asked how Mr. Volkenant saw the future of development. Mr. Volkenant states as possibilities come along, you must weigh in. He doesn't anticipate everything filling in and would like to protect some of the character of Andover. He stated the City has a lot to protect and has done a good job of balancing development. He stated Andover is partly metro and partly rural. Mr. Volkenant described himself as a person who listens and gathers information. He feels he is a problem -solving person and feels the Planning Commission is a good format for that. Mr. Volkenant stated there are two sides to every issue and stated codes may need to be updated to keep up with the changing development. The Council thanked Mr. Volkenant for taking the time to interview. Marni Elias— Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Trude welcomed Ms. Elias and asked if she had seen meetings or watched them. Ms. Elias responded she watched November's and December's meetings. Ms. Elias stated she had a © background in law enforcement and has experience in impound lots. Ms. Elias stated she worked for the City of Brooklyn Park and is now retired. Councilmember Bukkila asked Ms. Elias to share the concerns and transitions she saw in Brooklyn Park and asked what she would bring to Andover. Ms. Elias stated there were gang problems and multi -family housing with concerns. She stated she saw the multi -family housing properties in Andover is being torn down and redeveloped. She thinks the development in Andover is incredible. She stated she sees lower income areas that the City can work on by maintaining parks and showing the community they are valued and safe. She stated she has children going through the school system and is invested in the City. She stated if the City brings in the wrong kind of business, it can change the City. Mayor Trude described the responsibilities of the Planning Commission and stated the Planning Commission is the front line for the Council. Ms. Elias stated condos with stores on the street level may be a good addition to Andover to increase density. Ms. Elias listed of the cities she has worked in and she believes she can offer a different perspective on how change can affect neighborhoods. The Council thanked Ms. Elias for taking the time to interview. ADJOURNMENT © Motion by Councilmember Bukkila, Seconded by Councilmember Knight, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 14, 2020 Page 6 Respectfully submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary Timesaver OffSite Secretarial, Inc. u u