HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC August 21, 2001
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CITY OF ANDOVER ~ '1 L )Ò
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.' ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304' (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923. WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
Regu]ar City Council Meeting - Tuesday, August 2],2001
6:30 PM Grand Opening of SkateboardlRollerblade Park
Call to Order - 7:00 PM
Resident Forum
Agenda Approval
Approval of Minutes (81710 I)
Consent Items
1. Approve Change Order/01-]2INew E]ementary School and Verdin Street Improvements
(Supplemental) - Engineering
2. Reduce Letter of CreditlDevelopers Improvements/Townhomes of Woodland Creek - Engineering
3. Approve Quote/01-2/Ballfield Facility - West of High Schoo]/Irrigation - Engineering
4. Approve Classification and Sale of Forfeit Land - Clerk
5. Health/Dental Renewal and Employer Contribution - Finance
6. Consider Various Council Policies for Adoption -Administration
Discussion Items
7. Receive Anoka County Sheriff Department Monthly Report - Administration
8. Approve Amended Special Use Perrnit/PUD/Altemate Townhome DesignlNature's
Run Cont. - Planning
9. Park and Recreation Commission Recommendation! Application for Use of Sunshine Park
Conference Room - Engineering
] O. Consider Participation/Metropolitan Livable Communities Act (LCA) - Planning
II. Consider Approval of Community Survey - RecreationallFacility Needs - Finance
12. Consider Amendment to Charitable Gambling Ordinance - Clerk
Mayor/Council Input
Paymeut of Claims
Adjournment
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REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - AUGUST 21, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESIDENT FORUM ................................................................................................................. I
AGENDA APPROV AL.............................................................................................................2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES......................................................................................................3
CONSENT ITEMS
Reduce Letter ofCreditlDevelopers improvements/Townhomes of Woodland Creek ........ 3
Approve quote/O I -2/Ballfield facility - west of High schoollIrrigation (award to TJ's
Sprinkler System for $13,386) ......................................................................................... 3
HealthlDental renewal and employer contribution ...............................................................3
Various Council policies for adoption ..................................................................................3
Approval/Street wheeled roller purchase (Model RDllA from Ziegler for $12,460.50)..... 3
RECEIVE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT................ 3
APPROVE CHANGE ORDERlOI-12/NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & VERDIN ........... 4
CLASSIFICATION AND SALE OF FORFEIT LAND
Motion to approve with condition on the Crown Pointe property ........................................4
AMENDED SPECIAL USE PERMITIPUD/ALTERNATE TOWNHOME DESIGN/
NATURE'S RUN
Motion to table per request of Mr. Hupp .............................................................................. 4
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/ APPLICATION
FOR USE OF SUNSHINE PARK CONFERENCE ROOM................................................ 5
Motion to approve ................................................................................................................. 6
P ARTICIP A TIONIMETROPOLIT AN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT (LCA)
Motion to table to first meeting in November ...................................................................... 6
APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY SURVEY-RECREA TIONALIF ACILITY NEEDS............. 6
Motion to approve and forward to Sports Facility Task Force & Decision Resources ........ 7
AMENDMENT TO CHARITABLE GAMBLING ORDINANCE
Motion to approve as proposed............................................................................................. 8
MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT
Commercial property on Hanson Boulevard......................................................................... 9
Quad Cities cable TV new studio building in Champlin ...................................................... 9
Use of Council Chambers ..................................................................................................... 10
Anoka County Commissioners' bus tour .............................................................................. 10
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS ........................................................................................................ 10
ADJOURNMENT...................................................................................................................... 10
CITY of ANDOVER
REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 21, 2001
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike
Gamache, August 21,2001,7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,
Andover, Minnesota.
Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude
Councilmembers absent: None
Also present: City Attorney, William G. Hawkins
City Engineer, Scott Erickson
City Finance Director, Jim Dickinson
Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg
City Administrator, John Erar
Others
RESIDENT FORUM
Ed Hamilton. 6615 Highwav 10. Ramsev - is part owner of Hamilton Square. The assessment
payment is due the end of September. His Letter of Credit to the City is $47,700. Mr. Dickinson has
calculated only $5,875 of that can be released to be put toward the assessment payment. That leaves
him $4,015 short. They changed realtors in June, and they have a prospective sale now. He asked the
Council to help him, as he does not want to lose the property that he has invested over $1 million
to develop. Mr. Dickinson explained in April the development contract with Mr. Hamilton was
redesigned to reflect the criteria of not reducing the Letter of Credit less than 35 percent of the
outstanding principal on the outstanding assessments. The calculations show that $5,875 of the Letter
of Credit can be reduced at this time. Mr. Hamilton owes over $9,000 for the assessment, which
leaves him about $4,000 short if just based on the Letter of Credit. If the assessment payment is not
made on time, penalties will be added. This particular project was self-financed by the City and
certified to the county as assessments. There is no mortgage on the property. The assessment is the
only lien on that piece of property. After some discussion, it was the Council's desire to work with
Mr. Hamilton since the City is not at risk.
Mr. Dickinson stated he would bring forth his recommendation for Council discussion at the next
Council meeting.
Tom Enzmann. 1718 Andover Boulevard NW - stated he asked several questions regarding Nature's
Run at the July 3 meeting, and he received a very nice written response from the Staff. He asked for
the City Attorney's opinion of whether the request of the developer means the plat can be opened
up for review again. Attorney Hawkins stated in his opinion, the request is not of such significance
that the entire project should be reviewed again.
0-......._ r
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 2], 200]
Page 2
(Resident Forum, Continued)
Mr. Enzmann asked at what point would the City be allowed to review the entire project again.
Attorney Hawkins stated that is a subjective decision. If there were something he or the Staff felt
were substantial changes to the plat, then the process would be reopened. It is their feeling that the
design change of the town houses would not constitute a substantial change to the plat. Mr. Carlberg
provided some examples of what may be considered substantial changes such as increasing the
number of units.
Mr. Enzmann stated attached to his letter was a side note that there is no Native American burial
ground on the Nature's Run site. He stated he did not bring that issue up. He expressed concern that
the proposed change in the town house designs will increase the square footage of the house. He
assumed that means the setbacks will be affected as well as elevations. drainage and flood plains.
With all these changes, at what point does it become a substantial change? Mr. Carlberg agreed the
setback is measured from the structure, not the lot box. Staff will be evaluating each footprint to
make sure it meets the setbacks that were approved. Staff has not yet seen what changes are being
proposed. They will thoroughly review the changes prior to this coming to the City Council. The
landscaping plans will come before the Council along with the final plat. Mr. Erar explained the
process used was that he and the Department Heads and the City Attomey discussed the requested
changes and came to the conclusion that they were not significant changes. In his experience, other
cities use the same criteria for determining the significance of the changes and whether or not the
entire plat should be reviewed.
Mr. Enzmann thought the developers were changing the grading and lowering elevations of the
ground floors of some of the units. He felt those are relatively significant changes considering the
1 OO-year flood plain. The site is near the WDE site that has contaminated ground water. The ponds
are being dug deeper than originally planned. Variances on Nature's Run were based on variances
given to the Aztec Estates plat, a plat that has not been developed. Has anyone from the City
suggested to the developer to eliminate a few units so they don't have to dig the ponds deeper for
additional soil? Mr. Erar stated that issue has been reviewed by the City Engineer, who is preparing
a report for the Council. Mr. Carlberg stated the intent at the September 4 meeting is to consider the
amended Special Use Permit request relating to the town home styles. The Council will not be
revisiting the grading plans. He stated he would provide the most recent revisions to the plans to Mr.
Enzmann. The Council noted the amended Special Use Permit for Nature's Run will be tabled to
the September 4 meeting at the request of the developer.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Remove ITom Consent Items for discussion Item 1, Approve Change Order/01-12/New Elementary
School and Verdin Street Improvements; and Item 4, Approve Classification and Sale of Forfeit
Land. Add Item 6a, Consider Approval/Steel Wheeled Roller Purchase
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Jacobson, approval of the Agenda as amended. Motion carried
unanimously.
,
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21,2001
Page 3
APPRO V AL OF MINUTES
August 7,2001, Regular Meeting: Correct as written.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, approval as written. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 2-Present
(Gamache, Trude) vote.
CONSENT ITEMS
Item 2 Reduce Letter of CreditlDevelopers Improyements/T ownhomes of Woodland Creek
Item 3 Approve Quote/01-2/Ballfield Facility - West of High School/Irrigation (award to TJ's
Sprinkler System for $13,386)
Item 5 HealthlDental Renewal and Employer Contribution
Item 6 Consider Various Council Policies for Adoption
Item 6a Consider Approval/Street Wheeled Roller Purchase (Mode] RD llA from Ziegler for
$12,460.50)
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Orttel, approval of the Consent Items as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
RECEIVE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT
Captain Larry Klink reviewed the activities of the Anoka County Sheriff's Department in Andover
during July. They received 934 radio calls, which generated 732 incident reports. In response to the
resident complaints at a Council workshop on the increase in burglaries in the City, they have
responded with some plain car details and bicycle patrols by officers. They took a pro-active stance;
and while on patrol, they knocked on doors when they saw incidences of open doors, unsecured
vehicles and keys in vehicles to educate the citizens on the possibility of loss by leaving the area
unguarded. Incidences have been down the last couple weeks. He also noted the arrests and
confessions regarding the thefts and burglaries, stating they will continue to be vigilant in their
attempts to locate the perpetrators of these offenses.
Captain Klink stated he is retiring at the end of the week and commended the City Council and Staff
for their strong commitment to law enforcement in the community. He expressed appreciation for
the opportunity to serve the Council and the City. Captain Dave King will be taking his place and
will be providing excellent service. The Council thanked Captain Klink for his service and wished
him the best.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21,2001
Page 4
APPROVE CHANGE ORDER/OI-I2INEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND VERDIN STREET
IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Erickson explained the change order is for the improvements on Verdin Street in front of the
Rum River Elementary School. Turn lanes are being added to provide a safe access to the school.
The intent was to have this finished before school started; however, that will not happen. In talking
with the school district, it was agreed to hold off on the project until after school starts. The school
district will set up their traffic controls needed to get the buses in and out until the project is
completed. Staff will be meeting with Anoka County and the school district regarding the cost, as
the bid is somewhat higher than anticipated. There may be some areas where quantities of asphalt
can be eliminated to reduce the cost.
Councilmember Trude suggested the Sheriff's Department be notified of the open house at the
school next week to help with the traffic. She felt it is a safety issue, especially because it is a new
facility. Mr. Erickson stated they would work with the Sheriff's Department and school district on
their plans for the open house.
The Council acknowledged the change order pricing for Project 01-12.
APPROVE CLASSIFICATION AND SALE OF FORFEIT LAND
Councilmember Jacobson had a concern with the property in Crown Pointe. The developer should
have given it to the City as a part of the development process. To transfer ownership, the developer
wants the City to acquire it and pay the county $36.65. If the developer buys it, he has to pay back
taxes and the fees owed totaling $417.21. Council member Jacobson was not opposed to getting the
property but felt the developer should pay it. Mr. Carlberg stated the final plat cover sheet did not
indicate this parcel as dedicated property, so it was never dedicated as park property. The developer's
surveyor prepared the final plat cover sheet. This is a strip ofland to connect to the park and has a
paved trail on it.
The Council agreed to have the parcel withheld from the forfeit sale to acquire it for the $36.65, with
that amount to be reimbursed by the developer. Attorney Hawkins advised the parcel would be
purchased for public purposes and could not be sold to a private person.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Trude, to move on the items for consideration; and for the parcel
in Crown Pointe, to pay for it and ask for reimbursement from the developer. Motion carried
unanimously.
APPROVE AMENDED SPECIAL USE PERMIT/PUD/ALTERNATE TOWNHOME
DESIGN/NATURE'S RUN
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to table until the meeting on September 4,2001, per the
request of Mr. Hupp. Motion carried unanimously.
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Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21,2001
Page 5
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/APPLICATION FOR USE
OF SUNSHINE PARK CONFERENCE ROOM
Mr. Erickson stated the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission is to charge a
fee to use the gazebo but not for using the conference room in the Sunshine Park Building.
Park and Recreation Commissioner Dave Blackstad stated the recommendation follows what was
written in the newsletter. The reason for the fee to use the gazebo is to offset the expense of
additional clean up, cleaning the tables and grills and trash removal. They feel the use of the room
in the building should be for meetings only, but they have had several calls to use the room for party
purposes. That is a concern for the Commission. The upstairs of the building is not ADA accessible,
but the bottom room is. The building is heated in the winter and is accessible by the trails, but the
Sunshine Park parking lot is not plowed in the winter. Councilmember Trude stated the schools let
organizations use its rooms for meetings, but not during the summer months. She felt the demand
to use this room would be during the summer when the schools are not available. Her
recommendation would be to have a policy that the room would be available for the residents to use
primarily for meetings. Attorney Hawkins advised the Park and Recreation Commission is an
advisory group and would not have the authority to oversee the scheduling and use of the room.
Also, there could be claims for discrimination if the users are limited to specific groups. Standards
should be made so there is security and no damage, and the type of use can be regulated. Mr. Erar
stated Staff has discussed the issue of inspections, keys and security. The Sheriff's office has
indicated a willingness to make sure the facility is secure. Providing the key to someone within the
organization is standard. Criteria for denial would be based on past use. If a group creates a problem,
the administrator can make a determination to deny the use of the room. That group still has the
option of coming to the City Council.
Councilmember Orttel stated over the years the City's facilities have been used by various
organizations, and there has never been any damage done. Nor has the City ever charged a deposit
before. Mr. Erar stated it is not uncommon to have a reimbursable deposit that is given back when
the key is returned.
The Council suggested the application form be modified to use the conference room when available
since the parking lot is not plowed in the winter. They agreed the use could not be limited to a
specific list of groups. Generally the Council had no problem with organizations bringing in
refreshments or even using the room for a child's birthday party. The emphasis, however, would be
for a meeting room during the summer. Staff was also asked to make sure the conference room in
the Sunshine Park Building is furnished with sufficient tables and chairs.
Councilmember Jacobson questioned the first sentence in paragraph two of the "Applicant's
Responsibility". Mr. Erar stated the City Attorney will review this. Also the use of the room needs
to be modified to "as available". He also noted when the Resolution for charges for City services is
considered by the Council, they may want to consider charging for-profit groups to use the room.
That issue will be brought back to the Council for consideration.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21, 2001
Page 6
(Park and Recreation Commission Recommendation/Applicationfor Use of Sunshine Park
Conference Room, Continued)
Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Trude, recommend the use as indicated for the Sunshine Park
Building subject to the minor changes by Staff and the Attomey following the recommendations at
this meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDER PARTICIPATIONIMETROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT (LCA)
Mayor Gamache noted a decision on this item doesn't haye to be made until mid-November. He has
just received information on this, and he asked that it be tabled to allow him to review the material
and discuss it with Mr. Erar and Mr. Carlberg. He doesn't see anything in the material that would
change his campaign position not to join the LCA, but he would like to know more before voting
on it.
Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Knight, to table this to the first meeting in November.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Jacobson stated the Council has a long history of dealing with the
Metropolitan Council. He and others on the Council are against joining this, so he saw no reason to
stretch it out. He stated he would vote against the motion. He'd rather vote on it tonight and say no.
Mayor Gamache stated he has not been involved with this before and would prefer to look at the
information he has been given before voting on it. He'd like to know the positives and negatives of
joining and take more time to be sure he is making the right decision. There is no rush. Right now
he doesn't have enough information. He also asked that residents call him with their input.
Councilmember Trude stated she too would vote against the motion given the points raised by
Councilmember Jacobson. There have been strong words said about the LCA. It is public perception,
and she doesn't want there to be any question about where she stands on this. The language is the
same was it was in 1993. She didn't believe the City would be the beneficiary. She felt the
community should be able to determine its own future and do its own planning according to what
the people in the community want to do. Councilmember Orttel stated he is strongly opposed to this
as well, but he felt it is entirely fair to allow the time since the Mayor has not been involved with this
before. Councilmember Knight didn't object to the Mayor educating himself on the issue.
Motion carried on a 3-Yes, 2-No (Jacobson, Trude) vote.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY SURVEY - RECREATIONALlFACILITY NEEDS
Mr. Dickinson explained the community survey, which focuses on community recreational and
facility needs, was presented by Decision Resources, Ltd. The Park and Recreation Commission has
made comments, and he did not think their proposed changes would impact the survey.
Councilmember Knight stated he received calls from members of the Sports Complex Task Force
who were under the assumption this would come back to them before coming before the City
Council. Mr. Erar stated originally the final draft of the survey was to be reviewed by the Park and
..- ~ ..
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21,2001
Page 7
(Consider Approval of Community Survey - Recreational/Facility Needs, Continued)
Recreation Commission and the Sports Complex Task Force. Because the hope is to have the survey
done right after Labor Day, it was decided to bring this to the Council now rather than waiting to the
September 4 meeting. There are no substantial changes in this version than from the original draft.
Council discussion was on the logistics of approving the final draft, of allowing the Sports Complex
Task Force to provide further input and of allowing changes by Decision Resources, Ltd. Discussion
was also on the wording of some of the questions, the sequence and substance.
Councilmember Jacobson suggested the following changes: Page 2, Question 27 after "Moving on
... ", change to "I would like to read you a list of organized sports offered in the City of Andoyer..."
Question 62, second line, change to read"... to fund the construction of a Community center".
In questioning some of the wording of the questions, Councilmember Knight stated he raised the
same questions when they met with Decisions Resources, Ltd. The response was that it is their
experience that the wording they propose results in gathering the best information from people.
Councilmember Jacobson stated he would agree to approve this, then have it reviewed by the Sports
Complex Task Force as long as Decision Resources, Ltd, would use their professional judgement
as they go through the comments of each group.
Park and Recreation Commissioner Dave Blackstad explained the Commission was concerned with
the sequencing of Questions 62 and 63. They felt that by first agreeing to spend money on a sports
facility, people would then say no to spending more money on the parks. The Commission has
suggested Question 63 either be placed after Question 40, which ends the section on parks, or be
switched with Question 62. Council understood the concem and suggested another possibility would
be to have the callers ask Question 62 first half of the time and ask Question 63 first on the second
half of the surveys. Or switch the question for every other survey.
Mr. Erar suggested once this has been reviewed by the Sports Complex Task Force, their comments
as well as those of the Council and the Park and Recreation Commission will be forwarded to
Decision Resources, Ltd;, to incorporate the suggestions where they deem appropriate. Before doing
the survey, the questions will be given to the individual Councilmembers. If they have concerns, they
should call him or Mr. Davidson. If there are significant questions, the item will be placed on the
September 4 Council agenda.
Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Trude, that the matter of the content and format of the questionnaire
on the sports facilities in the City of Andover be forwarded to the Sports Facility Task Force for their
review along with the comments of the Park and Recreation Commission. Their comments will be
forwarded to the City Administrator for his consideration and discussion with Decision Resources
Ltd.; and for the entire survey to be sent back to the City Council as an informational item prior to
their first meeting in September. If there are no significant changes, the survey will go forward.
Motion carried unanimously.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - August 21, 2001
Page 8
CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO CHARITABLE GAMBLING ORDINANCE
Mayor Gamache asked whether Section 5, Item 6 means the establishment cannot charge up to 25
percent of its costs for heat, electricity, utilities and janitorial services. State statute allows them to
charge that additional amount. Attomey Hawkins stated as written, the $1,000 would include those
four items. Councilmember Orttel stated he has been told that the establishment could get more than
the $1,000 per month by having a pool table there. For this amount, it may not be worth it to the
establishment to have charitable gambling. He didn't think the total monthly amount being paid by
the Lions Club to Pov's was an issue, though he didn't know the Lions were paying so much more
than the $1,000 per month allowed by the existing ordinance.
Mayor Gamache was also concerned that it may not be worth it to the establishment if the additional
costs for trash cannot be charged to the charitable organization. There is a benefit to the City and to
the organization to have this activity. If the state statute allows the additional money to be paid, he
questioned the City eliminating that completely. He worried this may eliminate charitable gambling
in the City.
Jack McKelvey, Andover Lions, stated the $2,500 per month did include the rent, cleaning and
garbage. He explained there are two ways the cleaning costs can be paid by the charitable
organization, either 25 percent of the commercial cleaning costs or by paying the wages of one of
the employees who does the cleaning.
Councilmember Jacobson asked if Items 2 and 3 in Section 5 mean the same thing. Attorney
Hawkins stated that was not changed. An organization could have their headquarters in one place
and hold their meetings somewhere else.
Park and Recreation Commissioner Dave Blackstad suggested Sections 6 and 7 amounts to 100
percent of the profits being spent in the Andover trade area and coming back to the City. Some
organizations have national affiliates that they may want to contribute to. He suggested Section 6 be
dropped back to 80 percent to give them a little leeway in the distribution of their profits. The
Council noted that was discussed and the decision made at a Council workshop.
Mayor Gamache noted Section II only allows one charitable organization to operate in an
establishment. He asked why only one, as many establishments in other cities have more than one
group. Councilmember Jacobson noted that it would be a good moneymaker for the establishment
to be collecting rent from more than one organization.
Discussion returned to the amount of money the establishment will collect from the charitable
gambling organization. Councilmember Ortte1 stated he would prefer to rely on the state statue
regarding their ability to charge extra for heat, electricity, utilities and janitorial services.
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Trude, the ordinance amendments as proposed. DISCUSSION:
Councilmember Jacobson stated he is not in favor of gambling and would normally vote no.
However, he will vote yes on this item because this tightens the regulations and makes it more
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - August 21, 2001
Page 9
(Consider Amendment to Charitable Gambling Ordinance, Continued)
difficult. Councilmember Trude state the changes increase the amount of profits that will remain
in the City or trade area and limits what the establishment can charge for the use of the booth so
more money can be given for charity. The recommendation from the investigator was to stay with
local groups only, which this ordinance does. Councilmember Orttel is opposed to those changes that
are a private matter. Mayor Gamache stated he will vote no because of Section 6, thinking that will
probably need to be reconsidered in the future. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 2-No (Gamache, Orttel)
vote.
MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT
Commercial property on Hanson Boulevard - Councilmember Orttel noted an ordinance amendment
was approved a while ago regarding screening between commercial and residential property. He's
been told the Rademacher property north of SuperAmerica is for sale. Several years ago all the trees
on that property were cut down. There was no sunset clause in the Special Use Permit for that parcel.
He wondered if the property could be made to comply with the new ordinance requirements and
whether the City could impose a sunset clause on that parcel. Possibly it should be rezoned. Attomey
Hawkins didn't know whether or not the owner has a vested interest in the property. If not, the City
does have the right to rezone it. Action would have to be brought to revoke the Special Use Permit.
He can review whether or not the sunset clause can be invoked and whether or not the new standards
can be enforced. He stated he would research that and report back to the Council.
Quad Cities cable TV new studio building - Councilmember Orttel was disappointed that the new
studio building is going to be built in Champlin, which is as far away from Andover as one can get.
When considering the location, the Council was told not to bother because other cities were giving
away things. He had hoped that the participation in the use of the cable TV by the City and groups
within the city would increase, but that is probably not going to happen because the new location is
basically inaccessible. He stated it would take as much as two hours to get over there just to do a
Council update. The Minutes of the Quad Cities Cable Commission said nothing regarding a
discussion on the distance this will be for the residents of Andover. The schools offered a site, and
he didn't see any discussion of that in the Minutes either. He felt Andover has been cut out of this
and was concerned the City will be left with nothing if the other cities opt out of the quad cities
agreement. He alleged the residents were never considered, only the price. Councilmember Jacobson
stated the City Council made the decision not to participate in the process to provide a lot because
the only two sites that were available were not in the sewered area nor on a major access line. The
selection of the site was a unanimous vote. The one site in Ramsey was less than an acre for $65,000,
less than the minimum acreage required. The other site was large enough but the price was very high.
The cost of the Anoka site was outrageous. In talking with the school district, the high school wasn't
capable of handling their needs. The lot chosen in Champlin is about two acres and valued at over
$300,000, but they are getting it for $65,000. He brought this item up to the Council twice and was
told let someone else have it. The Council updates can be done here at City Hall. There was no
central location. They looked at all four cities and this was the best location for the best price.
-- -. -- - --- - -
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-August 21,2001
Page 10
(MayorICounci/1nput, Continued)
Councilmember Orttel also thought high speed internet access was being provided, but he found out
AT&T hasn't even started installing it in Andover. Councilmember Jacobson stated AT&T has
assured the Commission that they will have the high-speed fiber optics installed by December of
next year.
Use of Co unci/ Chambers - Mr. Erar stated the approach that will be used is to have an overall
policy for the use of all public facilities. That item is on the workload, but Staff hasn't had time to
dedicate to that issue yet.
Anoka County Commissioners' bus tour - Mr. Erar noted a special Council meeting will be posted
for Friday evening because three or four Councilmembers have indicated they will be attending the
tour with the County Commissioners and the City of Coon Rapids Council to look at improvements
in the Bunker Hills park.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to move approval of Claims. Motion carried
unanimously.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Orttel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
\,~~L
Marcella A. Peach
Recording Secretary
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