HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC June 3, 2003
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NDOVE
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
Regular City Council Meeting - Tuesday, June 3, 2003
Call to Order - Following EDA Meeting Scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Resident Forum
a. Pole Barn Construction - Planning/Building
Agenda Approval
1. Approval of Minutes (5-14-03 Special; 5-20-03 Regular)
Consent Items
2. Approve Payment of Claims - Finance
3. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/02-45/Constance Corners - Engineering
4. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/03-5/City View Farm - Engineering
5. Approve Plans & Specs/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 161" Avenue NW (CSAH 20)ffraffic
Signal- Engineering
6. Approve Joint Powers Agreement/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 161" Avenue NW (CSAH
20)ffraffic Signal- Engineering
7. Approve Resolution/Allocating Off System Expenditures of City MSA Funds onto County System/90-
19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 161" Avenue NW (CSAH 20)ffraffic Signal- Engineering
8. Accept Petition/Order Feasibility Report/03-13/14259 Woodbine Street NW/SS & WM - Engineering
9. Accept Feasibility Report/W aive Public Hearingl03-18/16150 Crosstown Blvd. NW (Constance Free
Church)/SS - Engineering
10. Approve Final Plat/Constance Corners -Planning
II. Approve Refuse Hauler License - Clerk
12. Approve Release of Letter of Credit #03-09/Plans and Specs/02-49/Woodland Estates 4th Addition-
Finance
Discussion Items
13. Assessment HearinglSunridge Delinquent Assessments/99-36 - Clerk
14. Consider Resolution/02-39/Red Oaks Manor I "_4th Additions & Unplatted Portions of Sections 33 &
34/Street Lighting, Continued - Engineering
15. Receive Update/Skate Board Park/OI-5 - Engineering
16. Funding Option/Prairie Knoll Park - Finance
Staff Item
17. Approve 2004 Council Budget Priorities & Approve 2004 Budget Guidelines (Supplemental) - Finance
Mayor/Council Input
Adjournment
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 14
REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - JUNE 3,2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE .....................................................................................................1
RESIDENT FORUM..................................................................................................................1
Pole Barn Construction ............ ...................................... ........ ......................................... .......1
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.......................................................................................................4
CONSENT ITEMS
Approve Payment of Claims .........,...................................,...................................................4
Resolution R117-03 approving Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/02-45/
Constance Corners .....................................................,....................................................4
Resolution R118-03 approving Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids!03-5/
City View Farm ...............................................................................................................4
Resolution R119-03 approving Plans & Specs!90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9)
& 161 st Avenue NW (CSAH 20)/Traffic Signal..............................................................4
Approve Joint Powers Agreement/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 161st
Avenue NW (CSAH 20)/Traffic Signal...........................................................................4
Resolution R120-03 approving Resolution/Allocating Off System Expenditures of
City MSA Funds onto County Systern/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) &
161 st Avenue NW (CSAH 20)/Traffic Signal..................................................................4
Resolution Rl21-03 accepting Petition/Order Feasibility Report/03-13/14259 Woodbine
Street NW/SS & WM .....................................................................................................4
Resolution R122-03 accepting Feasibility Report/Waive Public Hearings!03-18/16150
Crosstown Blvd. NW (Constance Free Church)/SS .......................................................4
Approve Release of Letter of Credit #03-09/Plans and Specs!02-49/Woodland Estates
4th Addition ......................................................................................................................4
Resolution R123-03 considering Special Use Permit AmendmentlNature's Run ...............4
APPROVE FINAL PLAVCONSTANCE CORNERS
Resolution R124-03 to approve.............................................................................................5
ASSESSMENT HEARING/SUNRIDGE DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS/99-36
Motion to open and close the public hearing.........................................................................6
Motion to acknowledge payment........................................................................................... 7
Motion directing staff not to redeem the letter of credit........................................................ 7
CONSIDER RESOLUTION/02-39/RED OAKS MANOR 1 ST - 4111 ADDITIONS &
UNPLATTED PORTIONS OF SECTIONS 33 & 34/STREET LIGHTING, CONT.
Resolution R125-03 to approve ............................................................................................. 7
RECEIVE UPDATE/SKATE BOARD PARK/01-5
Council Consensus to leave as is...........................................................................................9
FUNDING OPTION/PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK
Council Consensus to authorize funding for Phase II of Prairie Knoll Park .........................10
APPROVE REFUSE HAULER LICENSES
Motion to approve..................................................................................................................11
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 15
Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - June 3, 2003
Table of Contents
Page ii
MA YORlCOUNCIL INPUT
Speed Limit Signs ........................................,................,........................................................12
Community Center Meeting ..................................................................................................12
Andover and Hanson Boulevard Intersection........................................................................12
Storm Water Utility Brochure................................................................................................12
ADJOURNMENT ......................................................................................................................12
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CITY of ANDOVER
REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2003
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike
Gamache, June 3, 2003, 7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,
Andover, 11innesota.
Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude
Councilmember absent: None
Also present: City Attorney, William Hawkins
City Engineer, Dave Berkowitz
City Finance Director, Jim Dickinson
City Planner, Courtney Bednarz
City Administrator, John Erar
Others
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RESIDENT FORUM
Mr. Chris Scheiber - Pole Barn Construction - City Planner Bednarz explained at the last meeting
Mr. Schreiber indicated that staff had not given out proper information to him regarding the
construction of a 40' x 80' pole building on his property. Staff sent Mr. Scheiber a letter that
provided details regardmg the issue and what was allowed by the zoning ordinance along with a
couple of options. Mr. Scheiber has called back and has indicated that he will pursue the second
option, which is purchasing additional land from a neighbor and doing a lot line adjustment. This
would bring his property into conformance with the ordinance.
Mr. Schreiber explained getting additional property added to his does not seem like an option. At
this point, he would be looking for a variance.
Councilmember Trude asked if there was some storage on the property already. Mr. Schreiber stated
there was.
Mayor Gamache asked if the pole bam was already the total area allowed. Mr. Bednarz stated the
pole barn that already exists maxes out what is allowed.
Councilmember Trude asked if he needs the pole barn to run a business. Mr. Schreiber explained
when they were looking at property, they checked with the City to see what they could build. This
lot seemed like it was what they wanted but the pole barn only has a seven foot door and would not
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 2
be adequate to allow his truck with topper in and he can not get his boat. into the pole barn and they
heat their house with com and the com bin will not. fit because the door is too short. He showed a
rough drawing of the proposed pole bam to the Council.
Councilmember Trude stated he could tear down the pole barn they have and rebuild with the new
building or remodel the current building. Mr. Erar stated with respect to this situation but with the
initial review, it was more of a cursory understanding that the property owner believed he had more
than five acres of land. Staff has revised their procedures so in the future they will require a
registered survey of any site.
Councilmember Orttel stated part of the problem is that people figure in the roadway when figuring
how much land they have and he did not think the City thought of these problems when writing the
Ordinance. He suggested the Planning Commission review the Ordinance for possibly amending it.
Mayor Gamache asked if they did have Planning and Zoning look at this, how would they word it
regarding the road right-of-way. Mr. Bednarz stated it could be as simple as revising the definition
to include the right-of-way in the defInition if the Council would want this. Councilmember Orttel
stated there were times they would not want to go City wide because of certain situations.
Councilmember Trude asked how many outbuildings a person needs on their property and at what
point is it reasonable.
Councilmember Jacobson stated it was his understanding that if the structure went in, it would
exceed the total footprint of the main structure. Mr. Bednarz stated this was true.
Mayor Gamache stated if the property was over five acres, it would not matter. Mr. Bednarz stated
that was correct, but this property was just at five acres with the road right-of-way. Mr. Scheiber
noted the measurement on the survey is technically 660.01 by 330.01 which equals 9.9 square feet
over five acres.
Mr. Erar stated they could look at the Ordinance to make it more specific but in terms of Mr.
Scheiber, he is 100king for a variance, which would need to start at the Planning Commission and it
would require a hardship. City Attorney Hawkins explained it would need a hardship and he did not
think it would be deemed a hardship. He thought the preference would be to amend the Ordinance to
include road rights-of-way.
Mayor Gamache thought the Planning Commission should look at amending this. Mr. Erar thought
staff would like to look at this and see what options would be available and discuss this with ARC
first and then bring it to the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Jacobson stated they should authorize staff to take a look at the issue and bring it to
the Planning Commission for a review and hearing and then it will come back to the City Council
and have it expedited.
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 3
Mr. Scheiber explained he already spent a lot of money on a new building and he wondered where a
hardship came in. He believed the City put him in a spot for over a year because he was under the
impression that what they told him was true and he made big decisions based on those answers.
Councilmember Trude stated she did not think this fit the defInition of a hardship.
Councilmember Orttel described what a hardship legally would be. He explained the best thing
would be to have the Ordinance amended which will take some time.
Mr. Cal Herman and Mr. John Stotz -from Anoka High School explained they are doing a project
to better the City in a way for Modem Global and they picked turtle protection. He explained they
were focusing on a stretch ofland near 145th Avenue at the southwest end of Round Lake that has
been causing many deaths in turtle population due to road kill.
Mr. Stotz stated last year they performed a study to see how many turtles were killed. They
calculated that five turtles every week were killed due to car related incidents and this is taking five
turtles a week from a population that is already small and putting them on the endangered list.
Mr. Herman explained their proposal is to put up a sign ITom mid spring until the fall that would
warn people of the turtle crossing. Another proposal would be to put in a speed bump in the
designated area or a culvert could be placed in the road when redoing the road so the turtles could go
under there. He stated they have been using this tactic in Europe and it has been know to work.
Councilmember Trude asked how long they did their survey. Mr. Stotz stated they did the survey
ITom spring 2002 to fall 2002. Councilmember Trude asked how many turtles were killed. Mr.
Stotz stated he does not remember but it was pretty high. Councilmember Trude asked if there was a
particular turtle they noticed as being killed. Mr. Stotz stated it was the painted turtle
Mayor Gamache asked why the turtles cross in that spot. Mr. Stotz explained the turtles cross there
to get to the swamp to lay eggs.
Mr. Berkowitz stated when the road is reconstructed, there are plans ITom the County to put in a
turtle crossing and they may be able to install signs.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Remove from the Agenda Item 17, (Approve 2004 Council Budget Priorities & Approve 2004
Budget Guidelines), Add to Consent Item 12a (Consider Special Use Permit Amendment/Nature's
Run). Remove from Consent Items for Discussion Item 10, (Approve Final Plat/Constance Comers);
and Item 11, (Approve Refuse Hauler License).
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, to approve the Agenda as amended above. Motion carried
unanimously.
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 4
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 14, 2003, Special Meeting: Correct as written.
May 20, 2003, Regular Meeting: Correct as amended.
Councilmember Jacobson stated there were changes to the May 20, 2003 meeting in the
supplemental information.
It was noted in the May 20th minutes, Item 3 should be Resolution 106-03 to Reject the bids;
Resolution Rl 06A-03 to Order Revised Plans and Specs; and Resolution R1 06B-03 to Approve the
Revised Plans and Specs.
Also notes in the May 20th minutes, Item 5 was not a resolution. Resolution R108-3 should be
voided.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Jacobson, approval of Minutes as indicated above. Motion carried
unanimously.
CONSENT ITEMS
Item 2 Approval of Claims
Item 3 Approve Plans & Specs!Order Advertisement for Bidsl02-45/Constance Comers (See
Resolution RI17-03)
Item 4 Approve Plans & Specs!Order Advertisement for Bids!03-5/City View Farm (See
Resolution R1 18-03)
Item 5 Approve Plans & Specs/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 161" Avenue
NW (CSAH 20)/Traffic Signal (See Resolution Rl 19-03)
Item 6 Approve Joint Powers Agreement/90-19/Round Lake Blvd NW (CSAH 9) & 161 "
Avenue NW (CSAH 20)/Traffic Signal
Item 7 Approve Resolution/Allocating Off System Expenditures of City MSA Funds onto
County Systern/90-19/Round Lake Blvd. NW (CSAH 9) & 16151 Avenue NW (CSAH
20)/Traffic Signal (See Resolution RI20-03)
Item 8 Accept Petition/Order Feasibility Report/03-13/14259 Woodbine Street NW/SS &
WM (See Resolution RI21-03)
Item 9 Accept Feasibility Report/Waive Public Hearingl03-18/16150 Crosstown Blvd. NW
(Constance Free Church)/SS (See Resolution RI22-03)
Item 12 Approve Release of Letter of Credit #03-09/Plans and Specs!02-49/Woodland
Estates 4th Addition
Item 12a Consider Special Use Permit AmendmentlNature's Run (See Resolution RI23-03)
Councilmember Jacobson stated on Item 9, he is concerned with it appears they are proceeding on
this and they have not received anything ITom the Met Council that they can go up into this area. He
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 5
asked if they need to have Met Council approval on this. Councilmember Orttel stated he thought at
a previous meeting they were told this was approved. Mr. Bednarz stated that Met Council has
approved the Comprehensive Plan Amendment that brought the church site into the boundary.
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Trude, approval of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried
unanimously.
APPROVE FINAL PLAT/CONSTANCE CORNERS
Councilmember Jacobson stated he had this pulled because on the plat, lower left, there is an
extension of Sycamore Street that goes south to the existing Sycamore Street and there is not enough
room to put the street in. The understanding was there was either going to be a change in the plat
showing the property had been acquired so they could put the street in or some other vehicle and it is
not shown in the plat or in the Resolution and they need to make sure that Sycamore Street North-
west can be built in some fashion.
Councilmember Orttel asked if the land swap did not work. Councilmember Jacobson stated if the
land swap was done, it needs to be shown on the fInal plat and if it is not done, they need to have a
legal document showing it will be done. Mr. Bednarz explained his understanding was it was not
resolved yet so it was not part of the [mal plat and a condition does need to be added to the
Resolution so they make sure this is worked out. Mr. Greg Schlenk, Bruggeman Homes, stated they
are getting clear title to this property and they would like to get this as a separate deed.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to approve Item 10 (Approve Final Plat/Constance
Comers) and add Item 8 to the Resolution stating "subject to the necessary documents to ensure
Sycamore Street NW can be constructed which lies outside of the plat". Motion carried
unanimously. (See Resolution RI24-03)
ASSESSMENT HEARlNG/SUNRlDGE DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS/99-36
City Finance Director Dickinson explained payment of the fIrst half principal and interest on the
assessments in Sunridge, Project 99-36 was due on April 15, 2003. The payment was not received
by the City by the due date; therefore, notice was sent to the developer that the City could redeem his
letter of credit and certify the balance due to the 2004 property taxes. At the May 20, 2003 meeting,
Council declared the assessments to be in default and ordered the public hearing.
Mr. Dickinson stated the developer has paid the assessments on several of the lots. The developer
has been notified of the assessment hearing.
Mr. Dickinson stated to this date the developer has made some progress on the sale ofIots within the
Sunridge development. There were fourteen lots in default and since then four lots have been closed
and the City has received $42,600 for the four properties. The developer has also made payment of
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 6
$8,200 which would make the fust half payment on the remaining ten lots. Seeing that this was paid
after the due date, it still leaves the developer in default of the contract. It is at the discretion of the
Council as to whether or not they want to pursue calling the letter of credit and certifying the residual
balance to the property taxes next year. At this point in time, the development contract does
authorize the Council to certifY these to the taxes.
Councilmember Jacobson asked what the total amount outstanding is. Mr. Dickinson stated the total
letter of credit outstanding is $73,000; it is not the full amount of the assessments. He explained
$98,116.74 is outstanding and if they call the letter of credit, they would have outstanding
$25,116.74 with the payments to date and they do have an administrative charge that would be
applied to that amount, which would be $3,061.74 per lotfor a total of$30,617.40.
Councilmember Orttel stated they paid what was due to date, but they paid it after April 15. Mr.
Dickinson stated they paid it a month and a half late.
Councilmember Knight asked if a reason was given why it was paid late. Mr. Dickinson stated he
was told that they forgot but the City sent numerous letters to this developer and there was no
response.
Councilmember Orttel asked what the benefit is to calling the letter of credit. Mr. Dickinson stated
they would be the main lien holder and they would get paid sooner on the assessments.
Councilmember Trude asked if their next payment would be due in October. Mr. Dickinson stated
the next payment would be due in September for $8,200. Councilmember Trude stated she was
concerned with a shortfall.
Mr. Dickinson stated since this was initiated, four lots closed immediately. He stated there is some
activity.
Councilmember Knight asked if there was a precedence problem. City Attorney Hawkins stated they
have done it in the past and it is up to the Council to decide what to do.
Councilmember Jacobson stated his understanding is they are up to date but they were a month and a
half late in getting the payment made. Mr. Dickinson stated that was correct.
Councilmember Jacobson stated that since they are up to date but were late in the past, they authorize
staff in advance to let the property owners know that they expect all future payments to be paid on
time or they will automatically be taken down on the letter of credit and put the rest on property
taxes.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, to open the public hearing at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
No one wished to speak to the Council.
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3. 2003
Page 7
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Jacobson, to close the public hearing at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Trude, to acknowledge that financially the landowners arenowup
to date, but they were a month and a half late in making their payment and the Council does expect
them to make their next and all future payments on time or they will draw the letter of credit and
certify the rest of the payment to the property taxes and declare them in default.
Mr. Dickinson requested the Council to direct staff not to redeem the letter of credit.
Councilmember Orttel asked if they had any costs incurred that need to be recovered. Mr. Dickinson
stated they were mainly administrative costs and fairly minimal.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, to direct Staffnot to redeem the letter of credit as previously
directed by Council at the May 20, 2003 Council Meeting on the Sunridge Project. Motion carried
unanimously.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION/02-39/RED OAKS MANOR 1ST - 4lli ADDITIONS AND
UNPLATTED PORTIONS OF SECTIONS 33 & 34/STREET LIGHTING - CONTINUED
Councilmember Jacobson stated he would re&ain from voting because of conflict of interest.
City Engineer Berkowitz indicated this item is continued from the last meeting to allow City staff
and the City Attorney to determine if the Chapter 429 law applies to the street lights that have been
petitioned for by the neighborhood.
Mr. Berkowitz explained it has been determined that since this is a service that is being provided by
Connexus Energy and not an assessment, the City is not obligated to follow the State Statute Chapter
429 requirements.
Mr. Dickinson stated the street lights would not be owned or operated by the City but will be
installed and owned by Connexus and the costs would be billed back to the residents through the
utility. City Attorney Hawkins stated it was his understanding they were originally running 429 and
holding public hearings and ordering specifications but after discussing it they determined it was past
practice to authorize Connexus to install the lighting and Connexus would charge for the installation,
services and maintenance which would be billed quarterly to the residents. The cost would be higher
because it would include installation costs. He stated because the City will not own or assess for the
lights, the 429 process does not apply and he is satisfied this is an acceptable way to proceed on this
project.
City Attorney Hawkins explained the 429 process to the residents.
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 8
Councilmember Trude stated one of the questions they had was the monthly billing with Connexus
and asked if Connexus is willing to look at the payment plan and re-evaluate it. Mr. Dickinson
stated staff could talk to them about this but what is proposed is probably what the standard process
is. Mr. Dickinson stated the City has the flexibility in how the billing can be directed from
Connexus. If the Council wants staff can evaluate the way they pass the costs on and to be able to
extend them in these types of situations.
Councilmember Trude stated there is one homeowner that has nine City ornaments that the resident
has to mow around and they would like the City to look at putting the street light across the street.
Mr. Berkowitz stated they can look at the layout and decide where the lights should go.
Councilmember Knight asked if there is any change in the number of petitioners. Mr. Berkowitz
stated at this point, the petitions are the same as what was brought to the previous Council meeting.
Councilmember Orttel stated he is uncomfortable with this because they are giving entire control of
installation to the power company. City Attorney Hawkins stated the City can ask Connexus what
they would charge to put the lights in and the Council would need to make the determination if it is
reasonable. The City can always run the 429 process themselves if they have some concern about
dealing in this manner.
Mr. Erar stated the downside is this is a system powered by Connexus and if they go through
someone else, Connexus could choose not to maintain the poles.
Councilmember Orttel stated if they did this under a 429, they would have a spec. that everyone
would need to follow this. He is concerned with not only the monopoly on providing the power but
also a monopoly on installing the lighting. Mr. Dickinson stated technically this is not a monopoly,
it is somewhat regulated and there are other companies that could come in. He explained that if they
would start the 429 process, there would be costs incurred with it. Councilmember Orttel stated his
concern was if they are getting the best price and the best way to go.
Discussion ensued regarding issues with not getting bids for the best price.
Councilmember Jacobson stated if they looked at the bid, almost two-thirds of the costs were for the
jacking of the wires underground. When you go into a new development, it is fairly easy to do but
when they go into a development already there, they need to jack under driveways and under the
ground which costs more. He explained that if they go with a private company and a pole is hit and
falls down, they will have to contract out and a new pole will need to be installed and paid for but if
Connexus installs it, they will replace the pole with outany cost to the homeowner.
Mr. Tim Conroy, 2116 139th Avenue NW, stated he still liked it dark at night and lights will not help
people driving at night. He stated it is an expensive novelty to have. He was disappointed more
people in his neighborhood did not respond to the petition. He asked that the Council postpone this
or study it a little more.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 9
Mayor Gamache asked if the City considered looking at the way they billed this out to the residents.
Mr. Dickinson stated they could look at this but he thought Connexus would remain consistent on
their pricing because Connexus would need to be consistent with what they charge other cities. He
stated they could use the utility cost of street lighting to bridge the gap of a year or two.
Councilmember Jacobson stated there were two proposals and the Resolution did not distinguish
which one they would go with. Councilmember Trude thought they were going with the standard.
Mr. Berkowitz explained they could look at the development to the north to see what they have to
keep them consistent.
Councilmernber Knight asked if there was any criteria regarding how many or how far apart the
lights would be. Mr. Berkowitz stated they would have to look at what the foot candle requirement
is.
Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Trude, to approve the Resolution authorizing Connexus Energy to
provide service for street lighting for Project No. 02-39/Red Oaks Manor 151_ 4th Additions and
Unplatted Portions of Sections 33 & 34. (See Resolution RI25-03)
CounciImember Trude stated she would like staff to take a look at the standards and try to fmd ways
to lower the cost. Councilmember Orttel stated he would like staff to look at the property on 138th
and Nightingale.
Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 present (Jacobson).
RECEIVE UPDATElSKATEBOARD PARK/OI-5
City Engineer Berkowitz indicated this is an update as to the status of the skateboard park regarding
issues of littering, loitering, etc. and also the possibility of considering a skateboard park attendant
and funding options to pay for the attendant. He stated Commissioner Dorrie Peterson of the Park
Commission has taken the initiative to meet with the users to change their behavior and to be
responsible to keep the park clean.
Mr. Dickinson discussed the funding options with the Council. He explained the budget reduction
plan does remove the funding for the Skate Park Attendant and there is no funding for an attendant.
Councilmember Jacobson asked how many hours a day the attendant would be at the skate park. Mr.
Dickinson stated it would be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week with several part time
attendants for the summer.
Councilmember Knight asked if there had been any changes to the skate park. Mr. Dickinson stated
the indication from Commissioner Peterson is she has seen improvements. Councilmember Trude
stated she talked to Commissioner Peterson and her recommendation was to chain the garbage cans
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 10
down.
Mr. Dickinson stated in regard to putting a pop machine outside they do not have a conduit outside
so there would be some expenses. Mr. Erar stated they have a sign posted limiting the number of
minors allowed in City Hall which has improved that problem. He felt with the changes they could
maintain the skate park with minimal expense.
Councilmember Orttel asked if twenty-five people a day is a conservative number when figuring out
the number of kids using the park. Mr. Dickinson stated when they put together a funding proposal
last year he went out on several occasions and counted the number of kids there and projected that
number.
Mr. Dickinson stated his recommendation would be not to have an attendant and to have volunteers
continue to be at the skateboard park.
Councilmember Knight asked what the liability factor is for volunteers. Mr. Dickinson stated they
have a specific policy in regard to volunteers.
Mayor Gamache asked in regard to the garbage cans, are there other ways to work this out and has
the Parks Department thought of different ways. Mr. Berkowitz stated they can work with the Parks
Department on a solution to this problem.
Councilmember Jacobson stated his suggestion would be not to charge for anything and to have
volunteers and if problems persist, shut the skateboard park down.
Council consensus was to continue with the way they have been going with the Skate Park until
further notice.
FUNDING OPTIONIPRAIRIE KNOLL PARK
City Finance Director Dickinson stated Finance reviewed the City's Park Improvement Fund for
potential funding of the project, and concluded that dollars are currently unavailable in the Park
Improvement Fund to fund the Phase II improvements. If the Council desires to continue forward
with the project, Finance would suggest utilizing funding from the Permanent Improvement
Revolving (PIR) Fund. The dollars recommended from the PIR Fund are from assessment payments
assigned to the PIR Fund from projects that have fulfilled their debt service requirements and are not
required to be part of an assessment project to be spent, although requires a four-fifths vote of the
Council to authorize expenditure. If the Council desires to use this funding, Finance will prepare a
resolution authorizing expenditure.
Councilmember Jacobson asked instead of an outright grant, could this be fashioned in the form of a
loan to the Park Commission which would be paid back over a number of years with the funds that
would become available to them in the future. Mr. Dickinson stated they could put this with a
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 11
payback function on it that would be preferable to him. Mr. Erar asked what the likelihood would be
of the Park Commission having funds available to them because he thought the funds were already
committed to future park projects. Mr. Dickinson stated in the next few years, it would be highly
unlikely.
Councilmember Orttel was concerned with using the "rainy day" fund for parks, not what he would
consider an emergency. He would much rather see it as a loan with or without interest.
Councilmember Trude stated one of the things the Park Commission talked about was using their
$50,000 a year allocation to pay back a loan and the Council took it out of the budget so they have
lost their discretionary funds.
Mr. Dickinson stated this project is slotted for completion in the future. It would not be completed in
the next two years so they would be able to grade and seed but if it is not irrigated, it would be a
waste.
Councilmember Trude moved to utilize the fund to get the project moving and with the
understanding that $50,000 of this would come ITom future park dedication funds ITom the Andover
Station project. Mr. Dickinson stated this would be put in the form of a Resolution that would be
brought back to the Council for approval. He explained a motion was not necessary at this time.
Councilmember Jacobson stated his intention was if they were going to loan the Park Commission
$150,000, they should pay back the entire amount over five or six years. Councilmember Trude
stated she did not think this was feasible. Mr. Erar stated there is a list of Park projects that the
Commission prioritized over the next five to seven years. While the notion of having them repay
$50,000 or the full amount will be a very difficult challenge for the Park Commission given the other
park projects coming in as well as the fact that the number of housing units coming in are falling off.
Council consensus was to authorize funding for Phase II improvements of Prairie Knoll Park to come
from the Permanent Improvement Revolving (pIR) Fund with the Park Commission paying back the
entire $150,000 over a number of years if feasible.
APPROVE REFUSE HAULER LICENSE
City Administrator Erar explained the City Council is requested to approve the following hauler
licenses, in addition to BFI's license; Ace Solid Waste, Inc.; Walter's Recycling and Waste
Management. The haulers all do commercial and residential hauling.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Knight for questions but after reviewing the information,
the questions were answered.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Jacobson, to approve Item No. 11 (Approve Refuse Hauler License).
Motion carried unanimously.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 12
MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT
(Speed Limit Signs) - Mayor Gamache stated while driving through northeast Minneapolis on East
River Road he noticed signs posted with speed limits that were printed up and he wondered if this
could be done in certain neighborhoods in their City that has speed issues. Councilmember Trude
stated the olÙY problem is the signs would need to be rotated in order to be noticed. Mr. Erar stated
he would check into this and get back to the Council.
(Community Center Meeting) - Mayor Gamache updated the residents on the meeting on June 4th at
the Elementary School. He stated the meeting will be an update on the Community Center. It will
start with an overview and they will open it up to a question and answer session. Councilmember
Jacobson asked if there should be a time limit set for people to speak. Mayor Gamache stated they
would try to keep it flowing and limit it to five minutes for each question.
Councilmember Trude stated they could have comment cards available in case people do not want to
address the Council. Councilmember Knight stated he would urge people who have a concern to be
there.
Mayor Gamache stated he would welcome emails and phone calls and hopefully they will have all
the questions answered.
(Andover and Hanson Boulevard Intersection) - Councilmember Orttel stated he was trying to figure
out a way to clear up the congestion on the Hanson Boulevard and Andover Boulevard intersection.
He did not know why the County will not resolve the problem. The City bought the right-of-way for
Hanson Boulevard and he was wondering what that meant. City Attorney Hawkins stated they
conveyed it to the County so they lost control at that time. Councilmember Trude thought his idea of
making the area three lanes to accommodate the congestion was a great idea.
Councilmember Orttel stated he talked to the County Board Chair over the weekend and they are
concerned with some of the City's actions and want to meet with them. He asked if there was some
way staff could meet with the County on this. Mr. Berkowitz stated they could discuss this with the
County again.
(Storm Water UtilityBrochure) - CounciImember Orttel asked if the brochure would be going out to
everyone. It was noted it has already gone out. Mr. Erar stated they have a public informational
meeting on June 9th for the Storm Water Utility. A public hearing would then be held on June 17th
and then they would go for an Ordinance approval after the public hearing.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to adjoum. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - June 3, 2003
Page 13
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary