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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP March 9, 2000 ~ V))(CA.-.- ~ ~ -----.........., I CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 9, 2000 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on March 9, 2000, 7:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councilrnernbers absent: None Also present: Finance Director, Jim Dickenson City Engineer, Scott Erickson City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others DISCUSS CITY PLANNING ISSUES RELATED TO NEW SCHOOLS Mr. Fursman reported the Metropolitan Council approved the amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan for the schools. The amendment was needed to make sewer available to the Eveland property and to change the Ag Preserve designation to residential designation. The City did have to agree to meet density goals, and the City has committed to work with the Metropolitan Council to complete the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and resolve issues of consistency with the Metropolitan Council policies. The Metropolitan Council hurdles to the school site on the Eveland are done. Mr. Fursman stated the other issues before the City tonight are the conditions that have to be met in order for the school to be built on the Eveland site including the installation of a road and the use of the City's facilities by the school district. In exchange the City would be able to use the school property such as the sports facilities, common areas, etc. The most significant issue facing the City is the construction of the east-west corridor between Crosstown Boulevard and Round Lake Boulevard which the school district wants for access. Before the Council is a map depicting soils conditions, topography and ownership of the property in that area. Mayor McKelvey stated he spoke with Superintendent Roger Giroux this morning, who was pleased with the actions of the Metropolitan Council. Because of a meeting, he was not able to discuss some of these road items in detail, but he will be talking with Mr. Giroux again tomorrow. Mr. Erickson reviewed the wetland delineation map, stating they are working with a geotechnical engineer who will provide a preliminary review of what is out there. It is hard to say until soil borings are done. They have the soil borings done by the school on the Eveland property, and they weren't as bad as originally thought. There are no red flags. SEH Engineering finn will be preparing the feasibility report. Before the Council is an estimated time line of the high school site improvements. It is estimated the feasibility can be completed by October, though it will be done in sections, and it is Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2000 Page 2 (Discuss City Planning Issues Related to New School, Continued) anticipated Council input will be required along the way. It wi!! take some time to coordinate with the school and their site plans, contact all property owners, do soil borings and get easements. Six to eight landowners wold be involved. The feasibility would include the sewer and water improvements as well as the road. Councilmember Orttel did not think the City wants to accelerate development to the area just because of the school. An issue will be whether or not to install utilities with the road; and if so, who will carry the costs and for how long. Much of it is wetland, so the City may have to permanently carry that cost. The Council should have a definitive answer when starting the plan. Mr, Erickson stated they can bring back the cost estimates. He also noted the road would be 9-ton and is estimated to cost between $1.5 and $2 million total, including sidewalks, traffic signals and an underpass or crossing. They will come back in stages of the feasibility for input. An EA W. will also need to be prepared and would be coordinated with the school. Indications are the school district would donate the easements to the City of Andover. Councilmember Orttel stated a concern would be if easements were given along Coon Creek where it is almost impossible to build. Mr. Erickson stated they have not yet seen site plans for the school on this site. Mayor McKelvey stated he received a letter that those plans will be available on March 15 at the Staff Development Center. In discussing the financing of an MSA road between Crosstown and Round Lake Boulevards, Mr. Erickson noted the City has also designated funds from this year and next for the Bunker Lake Boulevard project. They would first look at the future funds that could be borrowed against with no interest. If not, they would look at a State Aid bond, possibly for 10 years. Money would not come from the General Fund but would come ITom the MSA construction fund to pay for the principal and from the MSA maintenance fund to pay for the interest. The City receives a little over $500,000 each year for construction plus maintenance dollars, and a portion of that would be applied toward the bond. He will need to check into whether or not the City does have street easement at 149th from Round Lake Boulevard, as he did not know if the map is accurate. Councilmember Orttel noted if it is accurate, it is possible two houses would have to be removed, which changes the costs quite a bit. The county plans to upgrade Round Lake Boulevard to 149th in 2002. He asked if the Council wants costs and options to cross Crosstown Boulevard between the school and Sunshine Park. Council member Johnson has heard many people are opposing an underpass. She wondered if something similar to what is done in front of Coon Rapids High School could be done, which is a crosswalk. Mr. Erickson stated he ",ill provide three options, the overpass, an underpass and an at- grade crossing. Councilmember Orttel stated when Hanson Boulevard was built, the intent was that over time Crosstown Boulevard would be rebuilt and given back to the City as a local street. If Crosstown Boulevard is removed ITom the south edge of the Woodland Estates development down to Andover Boulevard, an overpass is not needed to Sunshine Park. It would save the school district Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2000 Page 3 (Discuss City Planning Issues Related to New School, Continued) approximately $750,000, would provide an additional five to seven acres of land for the school, would eliminate the traffic concerns of the residents to the east and north and it would save the taking of a house if the county widens Crosstown. The money saved could be used on Hanson Boulevard to add extra lanes. People ITom Woodland Estates would have to go north a quarter mile over to Hanson Boulevard. Traffic coming down from Nightingale would have to swing to Hanson Boulevard, and south to Andover Boulevard. The streets of 148th and 146th would need a cul-de- sac to prevent them being used as a short cut to the school. This proposal makes sense, saves a lot of money and gives more land to the school. The problem is Crosstown is still a county road and it would be up to them. Traffic on Hanson Boulevard and Andover Boulevard would worsen, otherwise it would not change things a lot. He felt the proposal deserves some consideration. Mayor McKelvey thought the school district had talked with the county, who said they plan to rebuild Crosstovm Boulevard. The county also said the Martinson house would not have to come out. The Sheriffs Department and Fire Department have both complained about this proposal. Councilmember Orttel felt that in time Andover Boulevard between Hanson and Crosstown Boulevards will need to be upgraded. He argued with the upgrading of Hanson Boulevard to four lanes, traffic lights and turn lanes, the Sheriff s and Fire Departments will have better access than they do now. A resident stated he talked with the county engineer today regarding the upgrading of county roads. He was told that there is no budget for any improvements on Crosstown. They have no intention of acquiring any right of way or doing any improvements. Mayor McKelvey stated the school district has said the county would provide turn lanes and upgrade Crosstown Boulevard. Councilmember Orttel felt the City owes it to the residents in Woodland Estates to do more study on his proposal. It would require ajoint meeting with the City, school district and county. A resident stated if Andover Boulevard is extended to Round Lake Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard is cut off, can they be assured the road would not connect to 150th for traffic to go through Woodland Estates. Another resident stated it doesn't make sense financially to build over a peat bog. Still another gentleman didn't understand the City's insistence on building on flood plain, wetlands and peat. Why spend a million dollars when it is not needed? That doesn't have to be done if the school is put in Ramsey. Someone commented how come there wasn't money to place the school in other locations but there is money to construct this road through the wetlands. A woman commented many in Woodland Estates are looking at the traffic. Another noted the speed on Andover Boulevard is 40 mph but people drive down it at 60 and 70 mph now. The Council explained the intent is to take traffic off South Coon Creek Drive. The school district is asking the City to look at this road extension, and at this point the City is asking questions about costs and options. Funding for the road would be from a different source than what would have been used to provide sewer to the other locations considered. This would come from state aid funds; the other would have come from sewer funds generated by those who live in the sewered area and would have been much more expensive for the residents. There is a concern with traffic on Andover Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2000 Page 4 (Discuss City Planning Issues Related to New School, Continued) Boulevard and the closeness of the homes to the street. If those homes need to be removed to widen the street, it would be very expensive. A map is needed of the overall region to know where the traffic will be coming from. Mr. Erickson explained they would look at Andover Boulevard and the area in general. Through the planning process, traffic expectations would be determined and improvements with anticipated costs would be proposed. Another woman felt the City is forcing the school on this site but it doesn't work because of the traffic and the residents around there. She asked why the Mayor is forcing the school on this site. Mayor McKelvey stated he did not pick the site, The City provided nine different sites for the school district to consider. Another person commented the only reason for wanting a high school is to have a hockey team with Andover's name on it. She complained people move to the area to live in the country but then want the services of the city. A gentleman noted he wants the school, and he also lives on Andover Boulevard. Councilmember Johnson argued a majority of the people in Andover want the school because it will be a benefit to their children. A comment from another gentleman was he's lived on Andover Boulevard for 40 years and now the City wants to take his front yard for a sidewalk. He stated the City doesn't care about the feelings of people, just jam it down people's throats. A woman stated there just has to be another site that is more feasible. Councilmember Jacobson stated the school board has not made its decision and suggested they attend the school board meeting on March 13. There are a number of things the school district has asked the City to do. The City has done a number ofthings, but the road and traffic is the biggest item. If a reasonable solution at a reasonable cost can be done, he felt the majority of the people will believe this is a reasonable place for the school. Other comments and suggestions from residents were notices were not received about meetings; cul-de-sac Andover Boulevard to force everybody down Crosstown Boulevard or Hanson Boulevard; agreed to the bond for the new school but not to all of the additional costs for roads; and positioning the high school and elementary to come off existing roads as is done in other cities, eliminating the need to provide the Andover extension. Mayor McKelvey understood that the demographics regarding the new high school would be to remove 600 students from Blaine High School and reduce Anoka High School by 800 students. About 1200 of the students at the new high school would be from Andover and the remaining 200 students would come ITom Ham Lake. It is estimated about 85 percent of the population would be less than two miles from the high school. Within one mile of the site there are 2205 homes. Councilmember Orttel speculated then the buses would come from the north, utilizing Nightingale and both Crosstown and Constance Boulevards funneling onto Hanson Boulevard. The rest would primarily be from southern Andover. Mayor McKelvey also understood that if the elementary school is built on the Eveland property as well, the students would be coming from the southeast, so the east-west extension of Andover Boulevard to Round Lake Boulevard would be needed. All students to the elementary school would Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2000 Page 5 (Discuss City Planning Issues Related to New School, Continued) be bussed. Councilmember Jacobson sununarized before any decisions can be made, the City needs to know where the student population will come from for the high school to detennine the traffic needs. lt also needs to see the layout ofthe new school and to find out what the county plans are for the road. Staff was asked to set up a meeting of the City Council and representatives from the school district and county for some time next week. Several residents expressed frustration with moving forward on this school site without knowing costs. They were also concerned with the additional costs to the City for this site and all that the City has had to give up with the Metropolitan Council, some preferring to let the school go to Ramsey instead. The Council again explained they will emphasize to the school board the concerns with the road extension to Round Lake Boulevard and the fact that it mayor may not be feasible. They also noted that the issues negotiated with the Metropolitan Council are ones that would need to have been resolved eventually because the City needs an approved Comprehensive Plan, but they had a concern with the attempt to remove local control. Other residents stated their concern that this is going through with so many unanswered questions or input from the residents. Councilmember Orttel stated he would envision meetings set up with individual neighborhoods to deal with their specific issues. A woman was disappointed in the Andover Times article, as it appears that most of the neighborhood of Woodland Estates favors this location. The article is not very supportive of those who do not favor the Eveland site for the high school. Mr. Fursman accepted responsibility for that article. An attorney came to City Hall with the law suit directed toward the school. He asked how many people were involved, and the Attorney indicated only one person. The City has received numerous calls from residents in the Woodland Estates area that said they do not want to be lumped with the people trying to block the school. He felt it was important to make the distinction that not all the people in that area oppose the school on the Eveland site. He advised the residents that if the site is approved, the residents will be given many opportunities all through the process to provide input, and they were urged to participate. A gentleman urged the Mayor to be candid when addressing the school board to make it clear this road issue is not etched in stone and that there is a chance the road will not be put in. Another stated there is a tremendous need for the school, but to wait until October for a feasibility on the road is absurd. He felt things need to slow down to get answers before committing anything further. The Council again explained the Resolution was passed by the Council with the caveat that it be made clear to the school board that there is a potential problem with constructing a road to Round Lake Boulevard. No further action was taken by the Council, noting the site selection is expected to be done by the school board on Monday, March 13,2000. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2000 Page 6 ROAD COMMITTEE UPDATE Mr. Erickson reviewed the items discussed by the Road Committee at their March 6, 2000, meeting. The first item is the recommendation for the revocations and designations of state aid designations. That will be brought back to the Council for action in two weeks. The Council suggested the items be placed on a map. It was also suggested that consideration be given to designating a state aid road from Constance Boulevard west of the railroad tracks south to Crosstown Boulevard, and then continuing south down to Andover Boulevard. Mr. Erickson stated they will bring that back as an alternate option for the Council to consider. Mr. Erickson reviewed the program to upgrade the traffic control signs throughout the City. They are working in Zone 7 now. They are looking at traffic counts at various locations to determine if the stop signs are appropriate. This item will be brought back to the Council. The Council asked that the City Attorney address the liability issue for stop signs that don't meet warrants. Mr. Erickson noted the Road Committee agreed that a policy should be established that in street reconstruction projects, the adjacent properties should be assessed a value for concrete curb and gutter. A flat rate of approximately $850 per lot was discussed. This policy is common practice in other cities. Staff will look at that number again and bring back a policy to adopt. The Council questioned if that same amount would be used in the rural areas. Also, if concrete curb and gutters are installed in areas that now have bituminous curb, will the storm sewers have to be changed? Mr. Erickson stated there may be some modifications. Each project would be reviewed for drainage issues on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Erickson reported the new legislation that took effect in August, 1999 reducing speeds in rural areas applies only to townships and is not applicable to Andover. The Council suggested its legislators be contacted and asked that cities be given the same consideration. Mayor McKelvey and Council member Jacobson stated they would be willing to make those contacts. Mr. Erickson reported the Road Committee indicated it will be necessary to further review the impacts of the proposed school to the adjacent City and county streets. The Council again noted the need to obtain a map shov.1ng the boundaries of student attendance for the high school if located on the Eveland property and to meet with the school district and county regarding road improvements. Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Grttel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '\\~IL¿L Marcella A. Peach, Recording Secretary