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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP - January 13, 2021l] 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763)'755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: - Mayor and Council me CC: James Dickinson, City '• �i'i u.1 SUBJECT: Commission interviews DATE: January 12a' and 13t', 2021 Please find the attached information for the Commission Interviews • Interview Schedule © • Application from Candidates • 2020 Commissions Information o Planning & Zoning o Park & Rec. o Open Space o Andover/YMCA Community Center Respectfully submitted, Dana Makinen ANDOVER COMMISSIONINTERVIEWS — JANUARY 13, 2021 MINUTES The Andover Commission Interview meeting was called to order by Mayor Sheri Bukkila on January 13, 2021, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Valerie Holthus (remote), Jamie Barthel, Ted Butler, and Randy Nelson Councilmember absent: None AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved as presented. 110 INTERVIEWS OF PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION, PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION, OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION/YMCA CC ADVISORY COMMISSION Catherine Fredrickson — Park and RecreationlOpen Space Mayor Bukkila welcomed Ms. Fredrickson and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Ms. Fredrickson to tell the Council about herself and why she wanted to be on a Commission. Ms. Fredrickson stated she is a new member of Andover and moved here to have more space for her and her family. She stated she works in Human Resources, likes to garden, and loves to travel. She said parks has been an important part of her life and 2020 has proven how important the outdoors is. Councilmember Butler asked Ms. Fredrickson what other community activities she is involved in and if she has explored the Andover community. Ms. Fredrickson replied she lives near Kelsey Round Lake Park. She kayaks down the Rum River. She stated she volunteers at her church and has been a certified personal trainer. Councilmember Nelson asked Ms. Fredrickson which Commission she is leaning more towards. Ms. Fredrickson replied she is leaning more towards Park and Recreation. She would like to create a space that multi -generations can enjoy and congregate. She said the Open Space Commission is important but feels her heart is in Park and Recreation. Mayor Bukkila welcomed Ms. Fredrickson to Andover and asked what research she had done to © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 2 prepare for the interviews and the initiatives of the Commissions. Ms. Fredrickson stated she has looked at the minutes and is unaware of specific Commission initiatives. She stated she reads the City Newsletter. Councilmember Barthel stated the City Commissions have members that have been residents for many years. He asked Ms. Fredrickson to share qualities and characteristics that she will bring to the Commission. Ms. Fredrickson stated she can bring a fresh set of eyes. She said a fresh set of eyes is important to bring a new perspective to people that have been around for a while. Mayor Bukkila asked if there were any topics that Ms. Fredrickson was interested in while she was reading through the minutes. Ms. Fredrickson replied the minutes she reviewed were short and she did not get a feel for the 2020 initiatives. Mayor Bukkila explained the Park Dedication fees are dedicated to funding park projects. She asked Ms. Fredrickson if she sees something that is lacking in Andover parks. Ms. Fredrickson stated the park on the Rum River is scarce in amenities. She said it would be nice to have more seating, additional playground equipment, a river overlook, and more educational opportunities to promote intergenerational interaction. Councilmember Barthel stated the Commissions work closely with the Council and sometimes the priorities of the Commission and the Council differ, and Council makes the final decision. He asked how Ms. Fredrickson would handle the differing priorities. Ms. Fredrickson stated the Council is elected and they have a greater understanding of the needs of Andover. She stated if there were a difference, she would defer to the City Council. Mayor Bukkila thanked Ms. Fredrickson for taking the time to interview. Jim Olson — Open Space Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Olson and thanked him for his service on the Open Space Commission and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Olson to tell the Council about himself and why he wanted to continue on the Commission. Mr. Olson stated he has lived in Andover for over 30 years. He loves living in Andover and it has changed a lot in 30 years. Mr. Olson said passing the Open Space Referendum was the smartest thing the City has done. He did not support it at first, but admitted he was wrong and finds it important to preserve open space. Mr. Olson stated the Commission started from scratch and did a great job of figuring it out. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Olson what he was most proud of from being on the Open Space Commission and what he sees as the next steps. Mr. Olson replied all the open spaces are different and there is a little bit of everything. Mr. Olson stated the Commission was tasked with acquiring land for open space. He said the next steps are to fine tune the parcels and figure out how to manage the maintenance needs as economically as possible. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 3 Councilmember Nelson asked Mr. Olson what motivates him to want to continue on the Open Space Commission. Mr. Olson stated he enjoys the outdoors and is a member of Pheasants Forever. He said open space in Andover is slipping away rapidly. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Olson what is left to do with open space and asked what discussions the Commission is having. Mr. Olson replied the spaces need fine tuning, making the property accessible, and most of the hard work is done. Mayor Bukkila asked if the Commission was looking at signage. Mr. Olson said the City does a great job of maintaining space and putting in trails. Councilmember Barthel asked Mr. Olson if he sees open space being more interactive in the future than they are now. Mr. Olson stated he hopes the open space stays as it is. He said his opinion is to leave open space as it is, and it should not be turned into a park or something else. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Olson for taking the time to interview. Brad Grayson Park and Recreation Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Grayson and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Grayson to tell the Council about himself and why he wanted to be on the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Grayson stated he is from Maryland and moved to Andover with his wife and kids. He has lived in Andover for 5 years. He said he is interested in getting involved in the City and thought the Park and Recreation Commission was a good place to start because he and his family are very active. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Grayson to talk about his involvement in community activities. Mr. Grayson replied he has participated in the Andover community days and is looking forward to volunteering as his kids get involved in activities. Councilmember Nelson asked Mr. Grayson what he would like to accomplish if he was selected for the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Grayson stated he would like to get to know Andover as a community and how they interact with the parks. He said he would like to preserve and improve Andover parks. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Grayson what steps he took to prepare for the interview. Mr. Grayson stated he called City staff and asked what the Commission did. He said he has a friend who works for the City and asked him about the Commission. Mr. Grayson said he is not up to speed on issues but reads the City Newsletter. Mayor Bukkila asked if he had watched meetings or read minutes. Mr. Grayson replied he has not. Q Councilmember Barthel asked what Mr. Grayson would do to make sure he was an active and knowledgeable member of the Commission. Mr. Grayson stated he would check out the minutes, © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 4 get a map of the parks, tour the parks, talk to friends in the area about what they would like to see, and reach out to other members of the Commission to introduce himself and ask questions. Councilmember Butler asked if Mr. Grayson had a favorite park. Mr. Grayson stated his favorite park is Prairie Knoll. He said his daughters are taking ice skating lessons and they go there to practice. He said he likes Bunker Regional Park and Hidden Creek North Park. Councilmember Barthel stated there are many Commissioners who have lived in Andover for a long time and asked Mr. Grayson how he will make his voice heard. Mr. Grayson stated he will be a fresh set of eyes and give a different perspective to the Commission. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Grayson how Andover meets his expectations. Mr. Grayson stated he has not been anywhere like Andover where people flood outside when the sun shines, no matter the weather. He said the parks are clean and well taken care of. Mr. Grayson stated Andover is improving the parks and the fields are well -maintained. He said he has been impressed and it is one of the reasons he wants to join the Commission. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Grayson for taking the time to interview © Karen Godfrey —Planning and Zoning Mayor Bukkila welcomed Ms. Godfrey and thanked her for her service on the Planning and Zoning Commission and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Ms. Godfrey to tell the Council about herself and why she wanted to stay on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ms. Godfrey said she would like to stay on the Commission. She said she originally wanted to get on the Commission to see how the City interacted with the Met Council. Ms. Godfrey's background is a consultant in Governance, Risk, and Compliance and banking. She said she is used to working in highly regulated environments and going through City Code is comfortable for her. Ms. Godfrey stated she wants to continue to increase citizen engagement. Councilmember Butler asked Ms. Godfrey what goals she has if she is selected for another term. Ms. Godfrey stated being a Commissioner is a different type of leadership and she has been studying and enhancing her leadership. She understands her role is to connect citizens to the City Council and draw out information as it is needed to make a recommendation. Councilmember Nelson asked what drives Ms. Godfrey to be on the Commission. Ms. Godfrey replied the Planning and Zoning Commission has become an important part of her life and she feels a part of something bigger than herself. She stated she finds passion in keeping Andover a strong community. She sees her role as a servant of the City, and she is in awe of the service she © sees in the Commissions and Council. Mayor Bukkila asked what concerns Ms. Godfrey has for PUDs in the rural area and breaking © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 5 away from the 2.5 acre lots. Ms. Godfrey stated Andover is at a crossroads and is transitioning to a PUD environment. She said in order to continue to grow, the City needs to be more flexible. She said the City would not be as attractive if everything was 2.5 acres or more. She said the fact the City has housing variety is what makes Andover appealing. Ms. Godfrey said it allows people to live here and transition throughout their life. She said the PUD is a wonderful tool and sets the tone for a neighborhood. Councilmember Barthel asked Ms. Godfrey what regulations she feels Andover should change. Ms. Godfrey said the City has made changes in the City Code that are for the better. She stated she is cautious about recommending wholesale change and does not want to be micromanaging. Ms. Godfrey likes to see flexibility on setbacks and does not want Andover to be a cookie cutter community. Ms. Godfrey understands setting minimums for safety and aesthetics but does not feel the City should be so rigid. Ms. Godfrey stated the Commission could go through the code and set minimums or guidelines. She gave the example that she does not believe dogs should be licensed any more. Councilmember Barthel stated the biggest thing in this world is showing up. He has been impressed that Ms. Godfrey attends the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and then follows up by attending the City Council meeting. Ms. Godfrey explained she attends the Council © meetings because she feels it is important that residents hold the City Council and Mayor accountable. She is also interested and likes to see how the Council handles the issue and the result of the Commission's work. Ms. Godfrey asked the Council how the Commissions can better serve the Council and assist them in doing their job better. Mayor Bukkila stated it is okay to disagree and the opinions of the Commission is what provokes thought in the City Council. Councilmember Butler stated he looks into why there are dissenting votes. Mayor Bukkila thanked Ms. Godfrey for taking the time to interview. Shelby Holubiw— Planning and Zoning/Park and Recreation/Open Space Mayor Bukkila welcomed Ms. Holubiw and asked which Commission she was most interested in. Ms. Holubiw responded Open Space is her number one choice, followed by Park and Recreation, and Planning and Zoning was third. Councilmember Holthus asked Ms. Holubiw to tell the Council about herself and why she wanted to be on a Commission. Ms. Holubiw stated she is a civil engineer and currently a stay-at-home mom. She moved to Andover in 2009 and has 5-year-old twins. She said their family canoes and camps. She stated she loves the preserves and Martins Meadows is her favorite one. She stated her favorite park is Pine Hills North. © Councilmember Butler asked what Ms. Holubiw's goals would be if she were selected to be on a Commission. Ms. Holubiw responded she would get up to speed with information, shadow a © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 13, 2021 Page 6 current Commissioner, preserve current parks, and look at acquiring new land. She stated she is a salesperson and is comfortable selling open space. Councilmember Nelson asked what motivated Ms. Holubiw to apply for a Commission. Ms. Holubiw responded she has seen the advertisement years ago and feels now is the right time for her to apply. Mayor Bukkila asked Ms. Holubiw how she prepared to be on a Commission. Ms. Holubiw replied she looked at the agendas, minutes, and meetings for Open Space and Park and Recreation. She stated she also watched videos about the open spaces. Councilmember Barthel asked Ms. Holubiw what she thinks the City should do to preserve, change, or expand open space and parks. Ms. Holubiw stated she would promote parks and open spaces more. Mayor Bukkila thanked Ms. Holubiw for taking the time to interview and explained the follow up process. Mayor Bukkila recessed the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Mayor Bukkila reconvened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. James Dickey —Open Space Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Dickey and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Dickey to tell the Council about himself and why he wants to be on the Commission. Mr. Dickey replied he is a Florida native and moved to Minnesota in 2010 for law school. He stated he moved to Andover in 2019 for more space for his family. He is married and has a daughter. He wants to be more involved in Andover's government and is interested in running for Council at some point. He has interest in land, how government acquires it, and how it is regulated while maintaining individual property rights. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Dickey what other community activities he is involved in. Mr. Dickey stated he volunteered at his church as a bus captain. He has joined a church in Andover and is looking to become more involved there. Councilmember Nelson asked what Mr. Dickey would like to accomplish on the Open Space Commission. Mr. Dickey stated he is more interested in being part of the discussion taking place and providing recommendations to the Council. He stated the Commission has a good foundation with acquiring land and educating the public. He said he wants to be part of the process. © Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Dickey if he would be interested in another Commission if the Council needed him. Mr. Dickey said he would entertain another Commission however he has committed © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 7 to a study group at his church for 10 weeks and would not be able to attend meetings right away. The Council described the Commissions, dates, and times they meet. Councilmember Barthel asked Mr. Dickey why he chose to live in Andover. Mr. Dickey replied he did not know much about Andover before he moved here. He said he was looking for houses in the suburbs and found what he was looking for in Andover. He said Andover has value with land, house, and a safe community. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Dickey which open space is his favorite. Mr. Dickey replied Martins Meadows is closest to his house and his favorite. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Dickey for taking the time to interview. Ryan Ingebritson — Open Space Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Ingebritson and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Ingebritson to tell the Council about himself and why he wanted to continue to be on the Commission. Mr. Ingebritson said he moved to Andover 4 years Qago and would like to be on the Open Space Commission because he grew up on a farm and Andover's open spaces are similar to his farm with woodlands and swamps. He said likes the aspect of clinging on to wildlife and untouched land. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Ingebritson what his goals would be for the Open Space Commission. Mr. Ingebritson stated a lot of people do not know about open space and making people aware of the open space preserves is important Councilmember Nelson asked Mr. Ingebritson what motivated him to apply again. Mr. Ingebritson replied he wants to be involved in the community but has small kids that keep him busy. He stated it is best for him to stay with something he is familiar with. Mayor Bukkila stated the heavy lifting is behind the Commission and asked what Mr. Ingebritson sees as the current mission. Mr. Ingebritson said the goal now is to maintain the open space and keep them untouched. Councilmember Barthel asked Mr. Ingebritson if he feels the relationship between the Open Space Commission and the City Council works or would he like to see it changed. Mr. Ingebritson stated he feels the relationship works because they do not have a large number of items to bring to the table. He stated their role is to bring the Council out to the preserves and show them what they are. © Councilmember Barthel stated he likes the idea of the Commission bringing the Council out to the preserves and learning the history behind them. He said he would like to see more of that moving © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 8 forward. Councilmember Barthel said the Commission has done an excellent job and agrees that the preserves are not promoted enough. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Ingebritson for taking the time to interview and for his service on the Commission. Twila Hauck -Martin — Park and Recreation/YMCA CC Mayor Bukkila welcomed Ms. Hauck -Martin and explained the interview process. Councilmember Holthus asked Ms. Hauck -Martin to tell the Council about herself and why she wanted to be on the Commission. Ms. Hauck -Martin stated she has been involved in sports organizations and the City has a $40 million facility she would like to see stand on its own as best as it can. Councilmember Butler asked Ms. Hauck -Martin what her goals would be if she were selected for a Commission. Ms. Hauck -Martin said she does not see enough community representation on the YMCA CC Commission and feels the taxpayers should be represented. She stated the Park and Recreation Commission does a good job and as she read through the minutes, she does not see © anything that stands out. Councilmember Nelson asked if Ms. Hauck -Martin preferred one Commission over the other. Ms. Hauck -Martin stated she volunteers where there is a need and will take it on whole-heartedly. She stated she would like to put her knowledge where there is a need. Mayor Bukkila asked Ms. Hauck -Martin how she would benefit the YMCA CC Commission. Ms. Hauck -Martin replied she has a background in business and bringing a business sense is important. She would like to see bigger things happening than general rentals that bring in revenue. Councilmember Barthel asked Ms. Hauck -Martin her vision for the YMCA CC for the future. Ms. Hauck -Martin stated she would like to see it expand outside general rentals and bring in revenue. She stated time can be spent focusing on revenue generation to make more money that it does not rely so heavily on taxpayer dollars. Councilmember Barthel asked Ms. Hauck -Martin her vision for the Park and Recreation Commission for the future. Ms. Hauck -Martin stated she would like to see trails and parks in each new development. She stated she has noticed many absentee Commissioners on the Park and Recreation Commission. Mayor Bukkila thanked Ms. Hauck -Martin for taking the time to interview. © Scott Roth — Planning and Zoning/Park and Recreation Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Roth and explained the interview process. © Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes — January 13, 2021 Page 9 Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Roth to tell the Council about himself and why he wanted to be on a Commission. Mr. Roth stated he is a 15-year resident of Andover and was recently furloughed from his job which gave him time to think. He stated he worked a lot, took care of his family, but never gave back to the community. He said he decided this is the next stage of his life. Mr. Roth stated he is an entrepreneur and got his experience through the golf business. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Roth what his goals would be if he was selected for a Commission. Mr. Roth stated his goal is to make sure Andover's amenities are solid, as it exists, and then to build and expand as they are able to. Councilmember Nelson asked Mr. Roth which Commission he prefers. Mr. Roth stated Park and Recreation is where he has the most experience. He feels he can get up to speed with Planning and Zoning. Mr. Roth stated if he had to choose between the two, Park and Recreation is his second home. Mr. Roth stated he would like to respond to the needs of the residents of Andover and talk to the community before making decisions. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Roth how he prepared for this interview. Mr. Roth stated he downloaded agendas and minutes for Planning and Zoning and Park and Recreation. He researched what is important. He stated he sat through a seminar on what it is like to serve. Mr. Roth stated serving Qon a Commission is just outside his comfort zone and he is willing to do the research and time to figure it out. Councilmember Barthel asked Mr. Roth what he would do to be familiar with a Commission if he were chosen. Mr. Roth stated he would do the same thing he is doing for his job search: talk to people who are doing or have done the job and ask what it is like. Councilmember Butler asked if Mr. Roth was interested in another Commission if the Council needed him. Mr. Roth stated he is open to other Commissions. Mr. Roth stated he would like to plagiarize Councilmember Barthel. He stated Councilmember Barthel was quoted as saying: "as a Councilmember I would ask myself 4 questions every time there is a vote: 1) Is it good for the Andover residents and their families? 2)Will it help attract businesses and families to our City? 3) Will it raise our property values and continue to make Andover a desirable place to live? 4) How much of a burden will it put on our taxpayers and what will they receive in return?' Mr. Roth stated that summarizes his feelings about how he would serve. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Roth for taking the time to interview and explained the follow up process. Shane Stenzel — Park and Recreation Mayor Bukkila welcomed Mr. Stenzel and explained the interview process. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 10 Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Stenzel to tell the Council about himself and why he wanted to be on the Commission. Mr. Stenzel stated he has been an Andover resident over 20 years. He has coached his kids and works for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. He was on the Park and Recreation Commission previously and had to leave it to coach his son to the Little League World Series. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Stenzel what his goals would be if he was appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Stenzel stated his goals would be to maintain the assets that Andover has. He said his long-term goal is to program the parks apart from sports and the YMCA. Councilmember Nelson asked Mr. Stenzel what made him want to come back to this Commission. Mr. Stenzel stated it is his investment in the community. He has raised his kids and is looking at the demographics, how they recreate, and keeping up with the trends. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Stenzel what he has done to prepare to come back to the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Stenzel stated he has looked at items and has followed the Commission. He sees the development in the City and expansion of neighborhoods and parks. He said the City needs to live within its means while representing the whole City. aCouncilmember Barthel stated the Park and Recreation Commission has a limited budget that is continually shrinking and asked Mr. Stenzel what his priorities are. Mr. Stenzel replied that maintaining what Andover has is the first priority. Mr. Stenzel said fostering relationships with athletic associations is important because they give back to the community. He stated maintaining parks is important because as parks age, they need replacement. He stated listening to the community and how they are using the park is important. Councilmember Butler asked Mr. Stenzel what factors he looks at in order to determine whether the Commission should ask a new development for a park or cash in lieu. Mr. Stenzel stated the Commission should look at the number of units, the proximity of existing parks, and amenities and size of the closest park. Mr. Stenzel stated connections to the park are also important. Councilmember Barthel asked Mr. Stenzel how he felt about the relationship between the City Council and the Park and Recreation Commission and how he would like to see it work. Mr. Stenzel stated there were things that worked and things that needed improvement. He said the Capital Improvement Program was a challenge. Mr. Stenzel stated park projects would get bumped for other projects and it would get frustrating. Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Stenzel for taking the time to interview and explained the follow up process. Mayor Bukkila recessed the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Mayor Bukkila reconvened the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Andover City Council Interviews for Commission Openings Minutes —January 13, 2021 Page 11 DELIBERATION The City Council discussed applicants for City Commissions. The Council reached consensus to table the YMCA CC appointments until the next meeting. Motion by Councilmember Butler, Seconded by Councilmember Barthel, to appoint Jake Widmyer, Sophia Newton, Shane Stenzel, and Scott Roth to the Park and Recreation Commission with Brad Grayson as alternate 91 and Shelby Holubiw as alternate #2. Motion taken by roll call: Councilmember Barthel - aye Councilmember Butler — aye Councilmember Holthus - aye Councilmember Nelson - aye Mayor Bukkila -aye Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilmember Barthel, Seconded by Councilmember Butler, to appoint Jim Olson, Ryan Ingebritson, and Shelby Holubiw to the Open Space Commission and Catherine Fredrickson as alternate #1. Motion taken by roll call: Councilmember Barthel - aye Councilmember Butler — aye Councilmember Holthus - aye Councilmember Nelson - aye Mayor Bukkila -aye Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilmember Barthel, Seconded by Councilmember Butler, to appoint Nick Loehlein and Karen Godfrey to the Planning and Zoning Commission with Scott Roth as alternate #1. Motion taken by roll call: Councilmember Barthel - aye Councilmember Butler — aye Councilmember Holthus - aye Councilmember Nelson - aye Mayor Bukkila -aye Motion carried unanimously. E.") -0111 RO-U&I Y Mayor Bukkila declared the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 10 Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary Timesaver OffSite Secretarial, Inc.