Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK April 23, 2003 {)JnJfiLLw1 8.Jo-cD CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - APRIL 23, 2003 MINUTES A Special Workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, April 23, 2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, MinnesotL Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, John Erar AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unan;mously. REVIEW 2002-03 COUNCIIÆDA MEETINGS Mr. Erar reviewed the 2002-03 CounciIÆDA Meetings REVIEW STATUS OF 2002-03 COUNCIL GOALS Mr. Erar reviewed the 2002-03 Council Goals with the Council. He stated almost all of the goals have been accomplished except for the goals that are still in progress and ones Council has not approved. Mr. Erar explained one item that was still in progress was the construction of a third Fire Station. Staffhas completed the space needs analysis and the Consultant has finalized the Fire Service Study Update. A feasibility report and building cost estimate need to be prepared. An RFP for a project architect is to be completed. Site issues have been presented to Council and staff is negotiating a land swap with the new owner. Mr. Erar stated another project still in progress was to consider a Water Meter Radio Reading System for commercial and residential water meters. Staffhas prepared a report for Council and will be moving forward with commercial meters upgrading. New residential meters will be installed to facilitate future radio read system capabilities. Councilmember Jacobson stated when a new home comes in we will install a meter. He asked if Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 2 residents will have to pay for the cost of new meters on existing homes. Mr. Erar stated the meters just need to be upgraded and as far as cost, Council would need to decide how this would be paid. Councilmember Trude stated she understood that the meters would be paid for through the water fund. Mr. Erar explained another item in progress was to consider purchasing additionalland for future Public Works expansion. Staffis negotiating a land sale with the owner and Council has authorized condemnation. A site layout has been presented to Council. Finan~ has presented financial data outlining financing options. He stated the appraisal came back at 9,000 and he is waiting to see how we can purchase a portion of the property. Mr. Slyzuk is adamant that this is what his property is worth. They have to go by what the independent appraiser has come up with. Fifteen acres would be roughly $750,000 and he is pursuing the acquisition proposal with Mr. Slyzuk and will be bringing forward a proposed purchase agreement to the Council. Councilmember Orttel asked if Mr. Erar would bring back a signed purchase agreement. Mr. Erar stated he hoped it would be signed because he told Mr. Slyzuk that ifhe did not agree to the purchase agreement the City would move forward with condemnation. Council needs to make a determination if the property is worth ~,OOO. o.Nll¡ ULL-c\ S -to - ò 3 Jf Councilmember Trude stated Ag preserve requires condemnation to get it out of Ag preserve. Mr. Erar stated for public property they would go through a process that takes it to the EQB to pull the portion ofland they would want to use. Mr. Erar stated that item six, Consider the adoption of a proposed Meth Lab Ordinance, was not authorized by the Council but all of the involved departments are interested in bringing this back to the Council to address this issue and try to draft an ordinance for clean up because they consider this more than law violation but also for health reasons. Mr. Erar explained item eight, Consider the creation of a Storm Water Utility Fund and related user fees to finance maintenance operations, was completed but the Council needs to decide on what the rates should be. Mr. Erar explained on item 11, consider developing a volunteer program for community activities, staff has identified potential activities for the community and they did not receive one positive response for the Fun Fest; they are looking for more direction ITom the City Council. He stated Fun Fest planning is in progressing and there are interested people on the board but not many volunteers. Mr. Erar stated on item 13, consider scheduling an annual joint meeting with the Anoka-Hennepin School Board to discuss issues of mutual concern, the goal has been accomplished and they have met many times with the School Board over the two years. Councilmember Trude stated they may need to meet with them again because there are residents very dissatisfied with the School District. Mr. Erar stated on item 16, Consider changing Andover City Logo, the goal is in final stage of refmement. Councilmember Trude asked if they would see this again before it was finalized. Mr. - -- - - Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 3 Erar stated they would to make sure everything in the logo was to their satisfaction. Mr. Erar stated on item 17, Consider joining the North Metro Mayor's Association, the goal was accomplished and the City is a member for a trial one-year period. Mr. Erar explained item 21, Consider the construction of a City Co=unity Center, the goal is in progress and subject to final Council approval. Mr. Erar stated on item 23, Development ofWDE Site, the project is ongoing. A Feasibility study and preliminary site pIan were completed and presented to the EDA. Staff will be working on marketing efforts. They continue to get phone calls regarding the strip along Bunker Lake Boulevard. Mr. Erar explained item 25, Examine whether higher level of investigative services provided by Anoka Sheriff is needed in the Co=unity, it was determined the City is receiving adequate investigation service time for City needs. Mr. Erar noted other City projects in addition to the above are to complete the Water Treatment Plant, prepare Comprehensive Transportation Plan, implement 2020 Comp Plan Rural Reserve requirements, move Co=unity Center Project forward, complete 2003 Capital Improvement Projects, prepare 2004-2008 CIP, prepare 2004 City Budget, facilitate Andover Station Development activities, codifY and electronically publish City Code, prepare Wellhead Protection Plan, prepare 2003 Budget Reduction Plan, support and participate in Capital Campaign Effort, and implementation of Policy Changes for Private Installation for Public In&astructure. Mr. Erar stated the completion of the City Code should occur within the next thirty days. DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL 2003-04 GOALS Mr. Erar reviewed the 2003-04 Goals with the Council. CONSIDER MANAGEMENT TEAM 2003-04 GOALS City Administrator Erar explained staff has discussed a number of potential Council goals and objectives, which may impact the co=unity and organization in 2003-04. The Management Team has asked that these items be considered by Council for approval. Mr. Erar reviewed the proposed 2003-04 Council Goals with the Council. Councilmember Jacobson stated they way he looked at it, he divided things into categories. 1. Growth ---- Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 4 Councilmember Trude stated there are things that carryover from last year that need to stay on the list such as, Andover Station, Fire Station, Community Center Issues and there are some things that are just starting, such as the Rural Reserve and growth in the City. Councilmember Jacobson stated he worded this as Review Andover Growth Strategies!Staging. CounciImember Trude stated they need to figure out the sewer line for people and also how the rural reserve fits into the pIan. Councilmember Jacobson stated they need to fmd out what fits into different years. He stated maybe they should be looking at breaking the five years down into year by year because it seems like everything gets put into the fIrst couple of years and nothing towards the last. Councilmember Orttel stated he did not think that was the case, the opposite happens and nothing comes in. Councilmember Jacobson stated he would like staff to look into it and come back to the Council. Discussion started regarding placing parks in different areas. Councilmember Orttel asked what happens when they do not have any plans in the works, is that where the Rural Reserve comes into factor. Mr. Erar stated that they do not want to get into issues of density or encourage development in the Rural Reserve. Part of the problem is they have a limited area of development in the area and he would like to have the staging plan brought to the Council and get their input and insuring the infi-astructure costs will not be unusual or extraordinary. CounciImember Trude stated they need to plan the roads, trails and parks. CounciImember Knight stated they either need to develop or reaffirm. He asked if they have someone who wants to develop a piece of land, how long they will hold it up. Councilmember Orttel stated either the City or developers would come in with a Master Plan. Mr. Erar stated they do have a Comprehensive plan, staging plan, sanitary sewer in place and staff would like to bring the information back to the Council regarding these issues. CounciImember Jacobson stated as they grow, they should be looking at new business in the City. Mr. Erar stated any City that is experiencing high growth should be looking at this every couple of years. Councilmember Jacobson asked if Staff should look at fire and police to see if this will be adequate in ten years. CounciImember Trude stated she has had complaints about the quality of the police service and that there has been an attitude ITom the police. Mr. Erar stated maybe the sheriff's office should have open houses. Councilmember Trude asked if the police could have more interaction with the residents. Mr. Erar stated he could add this as a goal. Councilmember Knight stated they are not using cable adequately. We could be using it in a more beneficial way. --- -~-- ---- "- ---- Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 5 2. Financial Councilmember Jacobson stated the City should stabilize or lower the tax fee structure and no matter what happens they should attempt to keep the taxes within the cost ofliving. He does not want to see the taxes go up thirty percent. Mr. Erar stated he thought they were doing this now because taxes went down this year ITom last year. Councilmember Jacobson stated he would like to see them develop a budget that is cost effective. Councilmember Trude stated they did not know what the legislature is planning to do. Mr. Erar stated he believed their tax basis is the third lowest in Anoka County. Mayor Gan1ache stated he would like to have the option to do what they need to do depending on what the Legislature does. 3. Infrastructure Councilmember Jacobson stated he would like to finish the Storm Water Drainage Project and finish out Andover Station South. He also stated when they have the water treatment plant done, they should have an open house and he would like to review City space and structure needs. They need to take a look at it and review it. Mr. Erar stated in regard to the open house for the water treatment plant, this could be done. The City space and structure needs are in the CIP. Andover has the lowest staff per resident ratio compared to surrounding communities. Councilmember Jacobson stated they should look at private financing for infi-astructure and they should look at security at the City Hall because anyone could walk into the building at any time. Mr. Erar stated they are looking at bringing back a security plan for the City Hall, Water Treatment Plant, Community Center and Fire Stations. Councilmember Orttel stated there is not a park and ride facility in the City and he thought it should be looked at. Councilmember Orttel asked what they were going to do about Round Lake. Mr. Erar stated it is in progress. Mayor Gamache stated the plan was to look at putting in a permanent dam for water to flow into the lake. Councilmember Orttel asked about the possibility of redeveloping the original WDE Site. Mr. Erar stated they have had a meeting recently and it cannot be touched for another twenty to forty years. Councilmember Knight stated he did not like the way the County is pushing the Northstar Corridor. He did not want to see their relationship with the County based on the Northstar Corridor. Councilmember Jacobson stated they should be meeting with the County Board and surrounding cities regarding this. 4. Communications/Miscellaneous ----- - ---- Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 6 Councilmember Jacobson stated he looked at all the meetings they had last year and he thought they should stick to meetings on the second Tuesday of the month. Councilmember Orttel stated all of the goals they set were accomplished and he did not think they would have as many goals this year so there should not be as many meetings. Councilmember Jacobson stated they should only stick to meetings on Tuesdays. Councilmember Orttel stated the only way they could do this is to rely on staff summaries as opposed to discussing the entire issue. Councilmember Knight believed last year was busier than normal and he did not anticipate it to be like that this year. Mayor Gamache stated they should try to get a maximum of one meeting a week. Councilmember Jacobson asked if there was anything in State Law that instead of going to a polling place, they could vote electronically. Mr. Erar stated there is nothing right now in State Law that allows that. Councilmember Jacobson stated in regard to the Fun Fest, he heard some of the City employees complaining that they were doing a lot of work without outside help. Should they look at doing this if the community is not willing to help. Mr. Erar stated a lot of staffhas donated their personal time for this. Mayor Gamache asked if they have gone to the churches to see about volunteering. Mr. Erar stated that if the Council had any ideas to let him know. Councilmember Jacobson stated he thought they had a lot of good employees in the City and he wondered if they had any formalleadership program to develop skills that the employees need to participate in. Mr. Erar stated they have a wide range of employees that attend some type of in- service training and there is a leadership program put on by a number of different organizations. They have promoted leadership at all levels. With the budget and State Aid cutbacks, they have had to cut back on some of the training. Councilmember Orttel asked who owned the rights to Fun Fest Mr. Erar stated he believed it was a 501 c. Mayor Gamache stated there are a number of ways to get volunteers. He thought they could go to the Churches and start building the volunteers. Mayor Gamache thought it was time to recognize a business of the month. Mr. Erar asked if the EDA should nominate the business of the month so they would have direct connection with the businesses. The Council thought it was a good idea. Mr. Erar stated a lot of cities are putting together a business appreciation day and this may be a good idea to get the businesses to all come together. Mayor Gamache stated he met with Mr. Dan Tierhart who came up with an idea for the Hockey Arena regarding naming rights. His idea was to pick out a name for the ice arena and raise money for the arena and then have an opening party. Mr. Tierhart stated he could get this started if Council wanted. Mr. Erar stated he would like to prepare some goals and provide them to Council. Councilmember .- - - _. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 23, 2003 Page 7 Jacobson asked ifhe could email it to them and they will approve it. Mr. Erar asked if the Council could prioritize the items. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Trude stated they had a Stakeholders meeting and the YMCA wants to come to the Council meeting regarding the City Center and she did not know if they should be there. Mr. Erar stated what Council directed was to have the architect, CM and YMCA there. Councilmember Knight stated the Council should meet fIrst to discuss the information regarding the City Center and then they can meet later with everyone else. Councilmember Trude stated the YMCA seems to be in charge and she would like the Council to have more input. The Council discussed who should be included in the meeting. Council consensus was to include Mr. Erar, Mr. Dickinson, Craig Cronholm, CM Manager and one of the architects at 7:00 p.m. Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Trude, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary --