Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK September 11, 2002 ~. Cl/.:2J CITY OF ANDOVER Q1n.lncltd l (')-1--6 ^ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CLANDOVER.MN.US SPECIAL COUNCIL WORKSHOP MISCELL\NEOUS CITY ISSUES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11,2002 at 7:00 PM AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ADOPT AGENDA 3. . 133,d STREET - UPGRADE PLANS 4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS 5. PUBLIC PURPOSE EXPENDITURES 6. CITY WATER USE 7. WIND POWER ALTERNATIVES 8. OTHER BUSINESS 9. ADJOURN r .. .~- o.~, ... . . CITY of ANDOVER ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORK SOP - SEPTEMBER 11, 1002 MINUTES The Special Worksnop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, September 11, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: None Also present~ . City Engineer, Scott Erickson Human Resources Manager, Dana Peitso PublicWorks Superintendent, FrankStone CjtyAdministrator, Johri Erar OtherS AGENDA APPROVAL· Add under Other Business, Community Center Issues. Motion by Orttel, Seconded. by Knight, to approve the Agenda as amended above. Motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER l33RD A VENUE UPGRADEPLAN Mr. Je;;¡ Splinter, Coon Rapids SityMana~ei-, was present to discuss the st~eet.upgrade plans for l33r Ayenue. Currently 133 Avenue IS a roadway constructed and mamtamedby Anoka County. Due toresidential development occurring south ofthis roadway, the City of Coon Rapids· is requesting assistance with signalization costs for the upgraded section at 133rd and Hanson Boulevard. Mr. Splinter reviewed the èxisting location of 133rd and explained why the Cityof Coon Rapids needs 'the City of Andover's assistance regarding a friendly condemnation of the County right-of-way. In return the City of Coon Rapids would work with the City of . Andover regarding placement of an entrance monument in the Tight~of-way, acquired from. AnokaCounty. Mr, Splinter alsosiated thaUheCityofAndover would benefit. from the intersection improvement because most of the traffic on Hanson Boulevard, inhisopinioÌi, js coming from Andover. Mr. Splinter said that the City of Coon Rapids would be responsible for all maintenance ofI33rd including seaSonal upkeep of the mad. The City of Coon Rapids and Anoka . County are very interested in getting Hanson Boulevard aligned and wòuld take responsibility for this project. CouÍ1cilmember Trude asked about the type ofdeve\Opment going on atthe ole! Yamaha site, . Mr. Splinter explained it was mostly single-family and towIÌhouses. . .'. . . M.'~_._ r n _ Andover City Council Workshop September I I, 2002 Page 2 of7 Councilmember Jacobson asked if the signal would benefit the City of Andover and would Council want a stoplight at that location. Councilmember Jacobson expressed his opinion that there doesn't seem to be much traffic currently. Mr. Erickson explained that this would be an agreement similar to one the City of Andover had worked out with the City of Coon Rapids on a previous intersection. Councilmember Jacobson also indicated that the City should not need to commit an amount for the improvement at this time, but that the Council would see a plat review prior to any city monies being spent. Mr. Erar indicated that the Council would be provided with a separate approval action on the signal at a later date and that the details still needed to be worked out with Coon Rapids. City Administrator Erar clarified that the action for tonight was to consider supporting the planning efforts of the City of Coon Rapids and Anoka County in upgrading 133'd Avenue, and City support for a friendly condemnation action by the City of Coon Rapids. Councilmember Trude asked about a timeframe for the widening of Hanson. Mr. Splinter stated probably 2004-200S, and that no signalization costs would be asked from the City of Andover until the signal was needed. Mayor Gamache agreed that more houses along Hanson Boulevard will mean more traffic and more congestion on Hanson. Mr. Splinter stated that a lot of traffic will probably divert to Avocet Street and the upgrade of Hanson Boulevard will benefit Andover residents. Mr. Splinter explained a study was done and most residents of Andover go south on Hanson and west to the Highway 10/242 interchange. Discussion continued about proposed changes for 242 by the City of Coon Rapids. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Trude, Supporting the planning efforts of the City of Coon Rapids and Anoka County in upgrading 133'd Avenue that would include friendly condemnation action of County right-of-way by the City of Coon Rapids and the preparation of a maintenance agreement between the City of Andover and Coon Rapids. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Dana Peitso, City Human Resources Manager discussed one of the 2002-03 Council goal items that was to increase public communication with City residents. A sub-group consisting of Mayor Gamache, Councilmember Jacobson, the City Clerk and Ms. Peitso, met and ideas were generated. Some of these ideas have staffing and cost implications and staff is looking for direction from the Council. Councilmember Jacobson stated that while the City does a good job of communicating with the residents, we need to look at doing it better and find new ways of getting information out to residents. Discussion included that the City discount cards, area merchant support of trails, music in the parks and seminars were more of a public relations communication, and should not be looked at, at this time. _.. - - . Andover City Council Workshop September 11, 2002 Page 3 of7 Currently the City of Andover pays for 30 hours of QCTV -cable resources and is not using all of that time. Discussion included Council members doing more updates on the status of the City, on the Hot Topics. We need to work with QCTV for ideas. Some suggestions include the history of the City by long-term residents. Need to work on more camera shots of the City and less talking. The City of Ramsey hired a staff person for this. The City of Andover needs to make better use of the time available with the resources available. Mayor Gamache discussed having a yearly survey done on resident concerns. City Administrator Erar stated that this would be similar to what was done for the Community Center by Decision Resources and would need to be budgeted for. Another suggestion was to have opinion polls on the Andover Website. Councilmember Knight asked how often the city web site was updated. City Administrator Erar stated that a committee was working on a new city web site that would be available soon. An on- line poll would be available with that. There would also be a community calendar with up- coming events listed for residents. Councilmember Trude discussed the need for city information to be available at the library. City Administrator Erar stated that the City ordinances were currently being codified and would be available in the very near future on the City's website. One suggestion was to have the newsletter available at local businesses. Councilmember Orttel gave an example of a resident that does not get the City newsletter, and of a non-resident that does get the newsletter. The City should place the newsletters at the grocery stores Suggestion from Frank Kellog that Dan Tehar, Andover resident, works for WCCO and that the City should do a newsletter article asking for volunteers, and see if we can get some communication experts. Currently the newsletter committee meetings are being hcld in the morning, but maybe another time would work better. Mayor Gamache suggested other ideas for the newsletter may include a story on what different signs mean, such as land use, or the temporary cul-de-sac signs. Councilmember Trude suggested that we should think about getting a computer terminal residents could use to look up property assessments and zoning information. City Administrator Erar explained that the Planning department was currently working on providing more information for residents in the front area of city hall, where the pop machines used to be. The Council indicated that the newsletter should include additional articles such as Economic Development updates: QCTV should have more City department news pieces: newsletters should be distributed at local community points such as grocery stores: and the website will be enhanced to provide more electronic interaction opportunities with City residents. DISCUSS PUBLIC PURPOSE EXPENDITURES Dana Peitso, City Human Resources Manager, discussed the report recently issued by the Office of the State Auditor regarding expenditures in the City of Brooklyn Park. In response to this ~.- - Andover City Council Workshop September 11,2002 Page 4 of7 report the League of Minnesota Cities issued their own opinion and one of the suggestions was that Cities should create a policy and have it adopted by their respective City Councils. Discussion included the fact that the State Auditor herself has a budget for meals and other expenditures. Discussion also included that Council felt these items were reasonable and prudent and should be approved. Councilmember Trude felt that there should be some slight wording changes to the Public Purpose Expenditure policy, to make it read more smoothly and clearly. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to adopt the Public Purpose Expenditure Policy with minor grammatical changes. Motion carried unanimously. C1TYWATER USE Scott Erickson, City Engineer, explained that he, Frank Stone and Brian Kraabel met with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to discuss the high water usage in the City .of Andover and ways the City could educate the public on conservation. They highlighted six different areas: Newsletter - education of residents Enforcement - Last year Andover was rated a 6, this year it is down to a 4 Increased rates for high water usage Water restriction - May through August Changing ordinance to require additional black dirt prior to lawn Changing ordinance to add additional trees or shrubs Other ideas that the DNR suggested included: Water audits of homes Landscaping tips that require less water Billing frequency - going to monthly billing. Councilmember Knight asked what the DNR would consider a good number. Mr. Erickson explained that a 3 is what was suggested. Councilmember Trude felt that 3 would be pretty amazing number to get to, with most homes having 5 people. She also felt that many of the families in Andover are very busy with sports and other activities, therefore, they take many more showers, and are more likely to do laundry on a Sunday night after being out of town for the weekend, and that volume could cause the low water pressure. Council member Jacobson discussed the worst-case scenario if the DNR won't let us pump more water. People would need to look into low-flush toilets and shower restrictors. Mr. Stone suggested requiring water sensors on automatic sprinkler systems. This is currently required for commercial property. Mr. Stone also explained that this report is from 1999, and we have already made many changes. One example is the number of tags given out. Last year they gave out 646 tags, this year it was 387. The City has increased fines on those who regularly do not obey the rules. ---.- T Andover City Council Workshop September II, 2002 Page 5 of7 Discussion included more information in the city newsletter to include the DNR requirements and what could happen if the city is not in compliance. Councilmember Knight suggested the need to get the word out that watering during the day is not effective, most of the water evaporates. He also stated that this must be mentioned continually for everyone to understand and should be in the newsletter. Mlly I,~ ll,~, ~ o1.vdlcl bt a 3qu¿'ul [I,....... fôr tÀ9C-P n'bi'ttlph1rm'erc th~t tllm tR~ir Reigl:iþgrß iR. ~ IO-I-ó).. No action was taken. WIND POWER ALTERNATIVES Per Councilmember Knights request, staff prepared a report on wind power alternatives. Administrator Erar discussed the report prepared by Jon Sevald, Planning Intern. The report suggests that there may be several problems with wind power generation in Andover. These problems include: 1. Site identified, WDE, is too unstable 2. Visual impact 3. Land impact 4. Low wind velocity 5. Low to no profitability; Financial loss Frank Kellog, suggested that the City of Andover is still within consideration of this type of power, even with being in the Class 3 low area. Further he suggested that we have slightly higher wind over other communities with the amount of open space available. Mr. Kellog also suggested that there are new smaller wind generation devices available, conducive to smaller facilities. Council member Jacobson discussed the fact that the Elk River wind generator has lost money on every kilowatt-hour, and that state crcdits may not be available in the future to help offset costs. Also, Elk River has one of the newer models that are more efficient and they are still losing money. Councilmember Knight stated that Wayzata is moving forward with wind alternatives and that he believed that were beyond the feasibility study phase. Mr. Erar indicated that according to City intern Jon Sevald this was the information that he recieved. Mr. Erar noted that the WDE site's elevation will eventually decrease to be even with the roadway. The site consequently may be unstable. Discussion followed regarding the use of methane gas. However, the site has been closed for 20 years and the first 12 years is usually the most productive for methane production. Councilmember Trude discussed the need to possibly surround the site with evergreens since the fencing is very ugly. Mr. Erar explained the issue with County right-of-way issues and associated restrictions. --'. - -._~.. ~.- - Andover City Council Workshop September II, 2002 Page 6 of7 Council decided that no further action should be taken on this issue at this time given the limitations of this site and other environmental factors specific to Andover affecting wind power generation potential. COMMUNITY CENTER ISSUES Councilmember Trude requested to add Community Center issues under Other Business because she had some concems about the YMCA and how they would offer memberships to residents. She felt that the YMCA needs to know that they must be creative with some of their ideas. City Administrator Erar stated that at this time the YMCA is very interested in the City of Andover Community Center but needs to consider cost implications associated with their involvement. The YMCA needs to have a base customer amount guaranteed for memberships to know that it will financially work in the community. A major sticking point for the YMCA is the need to develop a membership structure with fixed programming. Mr. Erar stated that the YMCA would like to meet with the Council and that date will be set at the next council meeting on September 17,2002. Discussion followed regarding the estimated costs for the YMCA involvement and the expected costs of the aquatic center. Discussion included that the survey completed last year indicated that residents wanted an aquatic center. Discussion occurred on how the associations and public would be able to use different parts of the community center and that the YMCA would be responsible for running the aquatics and a portion of the gymnasium. Mr. Erar indicated the importance of allowing stakeholder input in the design process as these groups will be the facility's customers. If the facility is to be financially successful, then user groups need to be involved in the design to ensure optimum utilization of the facility's amenities. Councilmember Trude felt it would be very important to meet with the YMCA to discuss mutual goals and how to accomplish them. She also felt the YMCA needs to understand having a daily use pass or punch card would be very important to residents, versus just memberships. The YMCA is proposing a cheaper family membership, but not a cheaper single rate. They do not have anything set-up for the occasional user. Mr. Erar stated that it would be very important for the entire Council to meet with the YMCA, their CEO, CFO,Vice-President and a board member, to discuss these issues. He has dates he will provide at the next council meeting. It might be as soon as September 26, 2002, but he will need to get back to the Council with the exact dates. Mr. Kellog wondered if there would be any way an upfront fee could be worked out instead of memberships. He was also concerned about whether the meeting with the YMCA would be open to the public. Mr. Erar stated yes it was an open meeting, and he would be putting together an agenda. Councilmember Trude had questions regarding the construction of the community center and how that would be accomplished. Mr. Erickson explained the different choices between hiring a General Contractor and hiring a Construction Manager. Either one will result in the project - _._---~ -- - Andover City Council Workshop September II, 2002 Page 7 of7 being completed, but both methodologies would also require public bidding regardless of the method chosen. Mr. Erar stated that Council could be involved with the interview process if theywould like to be, but that Council typically delegates this responsibility to staff. Mr. Erar indicated that the School Board delegated that responsibility to school management staff in selecting qualified firms for the new high school and that is the same process used by the School District for all its school projects, which is also similar to the way the City selected consultants for the Water Treatment plant and other capital projects. Mr. Erar stressed that the hiring of an architectural firm should be objective, non-political and based on professional credentials, firm experience and capabilities. Councilmember Trude indicated that she felt Council should be involved in the selection process of the architect to offer a more politically subjective preference for the right architect, given the high profile nature of this community facility. Councilmember Trude indicated that the School Board was very involved in the design of the new high school. Mr. Erar indicated that a similar process would be used for the design of the Community Center, but that the School Board was not involved in the selection of the architect or construction manager. Mr. Erar indicated it was important to avoid any public perception of political influence in the selection process as most cities seek to avoid any potential problems in this area. Further discussion occurred regarding options of construction. Mr. Shibrowski indicated that if the City selected their own architect directly that it might prevent some construction management firms from participating in the process. Mr. Kellogg indicated that architectural firms will charge a percentage of the construction costs and that the Council should consider the most cost-effective way to hire an architect for the project and that a construction management approach would save the City a lot of money if the architect were hired through the construction manager. It was indicated that many organizations, including the school district and other cities contacted hired their architects directly for a variety of project management reasons. Motion by Jacobson, seconded by Knight to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm. Respecttùlly submittcd, 7 g,' /.}///']:j ~ Dana Peitso Human Resources Manager -. ---~~~ -,---.....- - ,