HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC December 21, 2004
C I T Y 0 F
NDOVE
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
Regular City Council Meeting - Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Call to Order - 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Resident Forum
Agenda Approval
1. Approval of Minutes (12/7/04 Regular; 12/6/04 Truth In Taxation Meeting)
National Night Out Award - Sheriff's Office
Andover Baseball Association Presentation
Consent Items
2. Approve Payment of Claims - Finance
3. Approve Cost of Living Adjustment for Non-represented Employees - Administration
4. Approve Collective Bargaining AgreementlPublic Works -Administration
5. Approve Market Rate Adjustments and Pay Plan - Administration
6. Order Plans & Specs/04-52/W ell #9/Drilling - Engineering
7. Order Plans & Specs/04-52AIW ell #9ITransmission Line - Engineering
8. Approve No Parking ResolutionlMiller's Woods - Engineering
9. Approve Addendum to TimeSaver Secretarial Contract - Clerk
10. Approve 2005 Tobacco & 3,2 Malt Liquor Licenses - Clerk
II. Adopt 2005 Debt Service Levy Changes - Finance
12. Approve 2005 Anoka County Sheriff Contract - Finance
13. Approve Comprehensive Plan Amendment/Update Sewer Staging Plan (Continued) - Planning
14. Approve Letter of Support for Meals on Wheels Program - Planning
15. Approve Andover High Senior Party Donation Request - Administration
16. Approve E-rnail/Electronic Correspondence Policy - Administration
17. Accept Restricted Donation/Andover Baseball Association/Andover Station North Park - Finance
Discussion Items
18. Receive Anoka County Sheriff's Department Monthly Report - Sheriff
19. Consider Conditional Use PerrnitlRetail Sales in Industrial Zone/Beberg Landscaping - Planning
20. Consider Preliminary Plat/Andover Station North - Planning
21. Adopt City of Andover 2005 Budget & Certify 2005 Property Tax Levy - Finance
22. Adopt 2005-2009 Capital Improvement Plan - Finance
23. Authorize Negotiation for Jay Street Right-of-Way/02-33 -Engineering
Staff Items
24. Discuss Potential 2005 CDBG Project Applications - Planning
25. Administrator Report - Administration
Mayor/Council Input
Adjournment
~
REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 21,2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGŒNCE .....................................................................................................1
RESIDENT FORUM..................................................................................................................1
AGENDA APPROV AL .............................................................................................................1
APPROVAL OF MlNUTES.......................................................................................................1
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AWARD .........................................................................................2
ANDOVER BASEBALL ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION .................................................2
CONSENT ITEMS
Approve Payment of Claims .................................................................................................3
Resolution R205-04 approving Cost of Living Adjustment for Non-represented
Employees........................................................................................................................3
Approve Collective Bargaining AgreementlPublic Works...................................................3
Approve Market Rate Adjustments and Pay Plan.................................................................3
Resolution R206-04 ordering Plans & Specs/04-52/Well #9/Drilling .................................3
Resolution R207-04 ordering Plans & Specs/04-52A1Well #9/Transmission Line .............3
Resolution R208-04 approving No Parking ResolutionlMiller's Woods.............................3
Approve Addendum to Timesaver Secretarial Contract.......................................................3
Approve 2005 Tobacco & 3.2 Malt Liquor Licenses ...........................................................3
Resolution R209-04 adopting 2005 Debt Service Levy Changes.........................................4
Approve 2005 Anoka County Sheriff Contract ....................................................................4
Resolution R21O-04 approving Comprehensive Plan AmendmentlUpdate Sewer
Staging Plan (Continued) .................................................................................................4
Approve Letter of Support for Meals on Wheels Prograrn...................................................4
Approve Andover High Senior Party Donation Request......................................................4
Approve E-maillElectronic Correspondence Policy.............................................................4
Resolution R211-04 accepting Restricted Donation! Andover Baseball Association!
Andover Station North Park ............................................................................................4
RECEIVE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT
Received ................................................................................................................................4
CONSIDER CONDITIONAL USE PERMITIRETAIL SALES IN INDUSTRIAL
ZONE/BEBERG LANDSCAPING
Motion to Approve Res. R212-04 .........................................................................................4
CONSIDER PRELlM1NARY PLAT/ANDOVER STATION NORTH
Motion to Approve Res. R213-04 .........................................................................................5
ADOPT CITY OF ANDOVER 2005 BUDGET & CERTIFY 2005 PROPERTY TAX LEVY
Motion to approve Res. R214-04...........................................................................................7
ADOPT 2005-2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Motion to approve Res. R215-04...........................................................................................8
AUTHORIZE NEGOT A TION FOR JAY STREET RIGHT -OF- W A Y/02-33.........................9
CONSIDER MARKETING SIGN FOR BRUGGEMAN HOMES ...........................................1 0
DISCUSS POTENTIAL 2005 CDBG PROJECT APPLICATIONS .........................................10
Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - December 21, 2004
Table of Contents
Page Ii
ADMlNISTRA TOR REPORT ...................................................................................................11
MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT
Staff Thanks ...........................................................................................................................12
North Metro Mayor Association................ ............................................................................12
Anoka Council Member Passing ...........................................................................................12
ADJOURNMENT ......................................................................................................................12
REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 21, 2004
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Montlùy Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike
Gamache, December 21, 2004, 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 Attorney, William Hawkins
City Engineer, Dave Berkowitz
City Administrator, Jim Dickinson
Community Development Director, Will Neumeister
Others
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RESIDENT FORUM
No one wished to address the City Council
AGENDA APPROVAL
Add Item 23a, (Consider Marketing Sign for Bruggeman Homes).
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to approve the Agenda as amended above. Motion
carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
12/7/04, 2004, Regular Meeting: Correct as amended.
12/6/04, 2004, Truth in Taxation Meeting: Correct as written.
Councilmember Trude stated on Page 8, second paragraph of the December 7th minutes, she wanted
to change a name to Laurent Rom Lund. She noted the motion did not include that they did not give
credit for the private park and she did not know if this should be included in the motion.
Commissioner Jacobson stated they wanted credit for the swimming pool and tot lot and basketball
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 2
area and the motion was to say that no credit should be given for those areas.
Commissioner Trude stated she wanted to change another sentence in the second paragraph in a
statement she made. The sentence should read, "She asked Mr. Laurent to consider having the tot lot
open to the public accessible".
Commissioner Trude stated in their discussion, they talked about giving park dedication credit for
Country Oaks West and they were talking about giving credit for the useable parkland and the
construction of the park on it. What she would like to see was credit for both but the motion only
included for useable parkland. They discussed having this discussion continue at the stafflevel and
she wondered if the Council would consider an amendment to the minutes stating, "the consensus of
the Council was to further evaluate allowing the developer to proceed with construction of the park
according to City standards." Councilmember Jacobson thought the idea was that they were going to
talk about developing a policy on this. Mayor Gamache thought this was what was discussed.
Councilmember Trude wondered if they would be supportive of the consensus. Councilmember
Jacobson thought they should further evaluate this and develop a policy. Councilmember Trude
would like an amendment to read "to further evaluate allowing the developer to proceed with
construction of the park according to City standards and a specific policy to be developed".
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, approval the December 7,2004 Regular Minutes as indicated
above. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Jacobson, approval of the December 6, 2004, Truth and Taxation
Minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AWARD
Sheriff Bruce Andersolm and Crime Watch Coordinator Laura Landes presented the City of
Andover with a National Night Out Award.
Sheriff Andersolm stated Andover was ranked 52nd in the Country which is a great achievement.
Ms. Landes thanked the residents of Andover for participating in the activity. Sheriff Andersolm
thanked the City Council for their participation and commitment to the safety and quality oflife
in the City.
ANDOVER BASEBALL ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION
Mr. Craig Meshke, Vice President of the Baseball Association stated they now have gambling at
Tanners and he wanted to present the City with a check of $40,000 to go towards Andover North
Park. They would like construction to start sooner than planned so they could start playing there
in 2006. If the Resolution passes, they would be willing to donate $30,000 minimum a year for
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 3
the next four years to the City. He stated they need bigger fields and that would help out the
softball association and other associations. He stated this would help the community.
Councilmember Orttel asked if the larger fields were originally planned for that park. Mr.
Meshke stated they were originally smaller but he thought they were converted to larger fields.
Mayor Gamache thought they were looking at having three ball fields there.
Mr. Meshke stated they do have some commitments fi:om residents in Andover to help out with
the construction, volunteering their time and supplies.
Councilmember Trude stated she was pleased the charitable gambling has been able to provide
some money for this park. Mr. Berkowitz stated the feasibility report has been approved for
mass site grading and to build a portion of Jay Street. The second phase of Jay Street is
dependent on land sales and generating revenue to fund the second phase. This is still a project
in the works. Councilmember Trude thought the timing worked out great because they are still in
the planning stage.
Councilmember Trude wondered if there was a way to segregate the funds for this park. Mr.
Dickinson stated it is not hard to segregate the dollars. He explained the process.
Mayor Gamache asked, with the 300-foot fence, what types of associations could play on the
fields. Mr. Meshke stated Legion ball could be played there. He stated they have some different
things they would like to do to make some money to put forth for a more baseball-oriented area.
Councilmember Trude thought the City Attorney could look at the joint powers agreement with
the School District regarding the fields because she thought the baseball association should be
able to play on the school fields without having a fee. She thought they had an agreement with
the School District regarding this. Mr. Dickinson stated they could look into this.
CONSENT ITEMS
Item 2 Approval of Claims
Item 3 Approve Cost of Living Adjustment for Non-represented Employees (See Resolution
R205-04)
Item 4 Approve Collective Bargaining AgreementlPublic Works
Item 5 Approve Market Rate Adjustments and Pay Plan
Item 6 Order Plans & Specsl04-52/Well #9/Drilling (See Resolution R206-04)
Item 7 Order Plans & Specsl04-52AIW ell #9/Transmission Line (See Resolution R207 -04)
Item 8 Approve No Parking ResolutionlMiller's Woods (See Resolution R208-04)
Item 9 Approve Addendwn to Timesaver Secretarial Contract
Item 10 Approve 2005 Tobacco & 3.2 Malt Liquor Licenses
Item 11 Adopt 2005 Debt Service Levy Changes (See Resolution R209-04)
Item 12 Approve 2005 Anoka County Sheriff Contract
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 4
Item 13 Approve Comprehensive Plan AmendmentlUpdate Sewer Staging Plan (Cont.) (See
Resolution R21O-04)
Item 14 Approve Letter of Support for Meals on Wheels Program
Item 15 Approve Andover High Senior Party Donation Request
Item 16 Approve E-MaillElectronic Correspondence Policy
Item 17 Accept Restricted Donation!Andover Baseball Association!Andover Station North
Park (See Resolution R211-04)
Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, approval of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried
unanimously.
RECEIVE ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT
Sergeant Kevin Halweg, Anoka County Sheriff's Department, provided an update on law
enforcement activities occurring within Andover.
Councilmember Knight asked if there had been any change since they went to the 2:00 closing.
Sergeant Halweg stated he has not seen any change except later arrests. There were more arrests
after 2:00a.m. than before the times changed but the arrests between I :00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. have
decreased.
Councilmember Trude stated the numbers have drastically increased from last year. Sergeant
Halweg stated he did not have that information.
Mayor Gamache understood they have started increasing their patrols. Sergeant Halweg stated they
have started to increase their saturation efforts within the past month. Every other month they are
having a saturation effort where they have multiple cars assigned just to the impaired driver
detection.
Councilmember Trude wondered if it has helped having police officers sit down with bar owners
regarding getting cabs or alternative ways to get home. Sergeant Halweg stated he did not have that
information.
Councilmember Jacobson thought when this went to 2:00 a.m. that there was an extra fee to pay for
extra patrols. Councilmember Trude stated this goes to the State and not the County.
CONSIDER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/RETAIL SALES IN INDUSTRIAL
ZONEIBEBERG LANDSCAPING
Community Development Director Neumeister explained the City Council is asked to review this
request for an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit issued to Chris Beberg and John Skogman in
1997 which allowed them to operate a retail trade and service facility in an Industrial zoning district.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 5
Mr. Neumeister discussed the staff report with the City Council.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to approve the Conditional Use Permit amendment
request.
Councilmember Trude did not know why they would change the time to close at 4:00. She
wondered if this was a request rrom the business owner. Mr. Neumeister stated this was discussed at
the Planning Commission and was a request rrom them to change the time. He thought this was a
request rrom the business owner. It was noted the hours would be rrom 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on
Sundays.
Motion carried unanimously. (Res. R212-04)
CONSIDER PRELIMINARY PLAT/ANDOVER STATION NORTH
Community Development Director Neumeister stated the City Council is asked to review a
preliminary plat for Andover Station North. This plat was initiated by the City to establish
marketable lots based on a concept plan for the site. Once purchase agreements have been
established on each particular site, a plat, conditional use permit or commercial site plan will be
processed to finalize how each site will be developed.
Mr. Neumeister discussed the staff report with the Council.
Councilmember Jacobson asked in the Resolution, Item 4, when they are talking about the housing
component, does that mean that each of the owners of the residential property will also be owners of
the association and responsible for everything else. He thought that was the way it was worded. City
Attorney Hawkins stated this was already addressed with Bruggeman and his thought was that they
should handle this the same way they handled it on the south side. The City would be responsible for
maintaining the pond and they would probably create an outlot for the pond and will require
Bruggeman to establish an association for the townhomes. That association in their restrictive
declaration of covenants would have an obligation to make a contribution to the City to pay for the
cost of maintaining the pond and the association would in turn levy the townhouse owners in
addition to other maintenance costs. He stated the other areas in Andover Station North will
probably need an association set up by the City like they did for the south and their declaration would
also require that association to make a contribution to the City for maintaining the ponds.
Councilmember Jacobson stated the way he read the wording was they would be responsible for the
maintenance of the "outlots" which means to him all three of the outlots even though it is not on
their property. City Attorney Hawkins stated they could make them responsible when they are
draining into it. If they are draining into the ponds, they can make the owners responsible to share
the costs of the maintenance of the ponds and they would do that through the association documents
and the declaration of covenants.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 6
Councilmember Jacobson stated right now this would go to Bruggeman because they own all of the
property and would be the association but as the lots are sold off, that means each individual owner
would be responsible. Mr. Dickinson stated right now the lot is only an outlot and when Bruggeman
comes in, they will further subdivide this and then they can put the other conditions on them at that
point in time.
Councilmember Orttel wondered if the current rules went forward to the end user so they will have
the new association rules on top of these rules. City Attorney Hawkins stated they would not
establish an association at this time. The City will maintain the ponds and Bruggeman will need to
set up an association and pay the City for maintenance and when the rest of the property is
developed, the City will set up an association and all of the land owners will be members of the
association which will contribute for maintenance of the ponds through their association.
Councilmember Trude thought this was a layered approach.
The City Council continued to discuss the responsibilities of the associations in the development.
Councilmember Jacobson thought the City would have the financial responsibility of maintaining the
ponds. City Attorney Hawkins stated that was correct. Mr. Neumeister stated Councilmember
Jacobson was correct and the wording should say "outlots A and B"; C will still be maintained by the
City.
Councilmember Jacobson wanted to make sure the wording in this document is right and he would
like the City Attorney to review it because he wants this done correctly the first time.
Mr. Neumeister discussed with the Council the areas that will be maintained.
Councilmember Knight wondered what they are going to do with the pile of dirt on the site. Mr.
Berkowitz stated they are actually short of fill for the site. He stated this would be spread over the
site.
Councilmember Trude stated under number 1 of the "now therefore it be resolved", they have talked
about having different guidelines for Andover Station North because of excess lighting along the
boulevard on the south did not seem quite as appropriate for larger use buildings. Is this something
they want to state in here or should they say "Andover Station North Guidelines". Mr. Neumeister
thought that would be a good addition because they had discussed at an EDA meeting that those will
be adjusted at some point in the near future. Councilmember Trude stated they should insert "north"
in item number 1 after Andover Station.
Councilmember Orttel stated he wanted to make sure under the fourth and fifth whereas, that this
was clear enough that they were not setting any precedent. Mr. Neumeister stated in his experience,
a lot of developers that come through and phase their projects create a first phase and plat that in its
entirety and leave the balance of the land as an outlot. At this time, with the agreements with the
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes-December 21,2004
Page 7
EDA that they are working toward, they will be looking at selling the first lot that is adjacent to Jay
Street so they are creating a new lot at this time. If they do not want to create the two lots and create
the variance, they could just plat the whole area as one lot and then when Bruggeman Homes comes
in, they could plat the first phase as their first development area and then the remaining portion
would be a separate lot and then it would have access to the public street at the time the first phase is
completed. He stated this phased approach would happen in sequential order.
Councilmember Jacobson recapped the changes they want to make in the Resolution.
Councilmember Trude wondered if the third outlot would be used for something else. Mr.
Neumeister stated outlot C is the land that will be retained by the EDA to work out an agreement
with Mr. Povlitzki and it will not be a pond and will not be in the association maintenance area.
Councilmember Trude stated the outlots they are talking about then are the pond outlots. Mr.
Neumeister stated this was correct.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Trude, to approve the proposed plat to create marketable
properties within Andover Station North, subject to the conditions of the attached resolution. Motion
carried unanimously. (Res. R213-04)
ADOPT CITY OF ANDOVER 2005 BUDGET & CERTIFY 2005 PROPERTY TAX LEVY
City Administrator Dickinson stated each year the City Council is required by law to adopt an annual
budget and submit a property tax levy certification to Anoka County Property Records and Taxation
Division. The deadline for submission this year is December 28th.
Mr. Dickinson discussed the 2005 Budget and Levy certification information with the City CounciL
Councilmember Jacobson thanked the City Staff for doing a really good job on this.
Mr. Dickinson explained what changes to personnel will occur.
Councilmember Orttel stated this includes the Community Center. This will be the worst year as far
as the tax impact on homes for the Community Center funding. .
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Orttel, to approve the attached resolution that indicates a total 2005
property tax levy of$7,556,813 to be submitted to the Anoka County Property Records and Taxation
Division by December 28th and establishes the 2005 City of Andover Budget. Motion carried
unanimously. (Res. R214-04)
Mr. Dickinson thanked Mr. Lee Brezinka and credited him with helping make his job easier.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes -:- December 21, 2004
Page 8
ADOPT 2005-2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
City Administrator Dickinson explained the City Council held a Public Hearing on Tuesday,
December 7th to give the public the opportunity to conunent on the proposed 2005-2009 Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP has been revised to take into account changes discussed at the
December 7th meeting.
Mayor Gamache had a question regarding Prairie Knoll Park. He stated they are moving $265,000
into the 2005 CIP and that would be lighting one small field or would this be the entire lighting. Mr.
Berkowitz stated the $265,000 would be for lighting the entire complex. The football association
has indicated they would be willing to contribute ten percent of the cost for the two large football
fields.
Councilmember Orttel asked if they eliminated another project of similar value that was in 2005.
Mr. Dickinson stated some of the items for 2005, would be done by utilizing the cash flow of park
dedication dollars coming in 2005. Previous CIP's, they waited until they saw what came in and
then they worked with the available dollars from the prior year in the subsequent year. What they
have committed to do through this process is try and work with the cash flow based on when dollars
are available to go forward. They will then proceed forward with the project. Whether or not the
project can move forward is dependent on whether or not park dedication dollars come in or if there
were some other revenue flow that would allow them to construct these. That is how they are
fulfilled. He stated some of the other projects have gotten pushed out to complete this project.
Councilmember Orttel asked if this was proposed for 2006. Mr. Dickinson stated originally it was.
Mr. Berkowitz stated the completion of Prairie Knoll Park was proposed to finish the park but that
did not include the lighting. It included the parking lot and some of the other improvements but not
the lighting.
Councilmember Orttel asked if the Park Commission reviewed this. Mr. Berkowitz stated they
discussed this issue. Park Chairman Lindahl stated they did discuss it but they did not have any
numbers for their discussion and were not aware of the costs for the lighting and what the football
association was going to put forth for lighting of the fields.
Mayor Gamache wondered what the next step would be. Mr. Dickinson stated they would need to
adopt the CIP tonight and items will be brought back again.
The Council discussed the upgrade to Prairie Knoll Park.
Councilmember Orttel wondered how the changes to the CIP were discussed. They told the public
what projects would be done in each year and he did not think it was fair to move the scheduled
improvements for 2005 further out because some of the residents were expecting the improvements.
He thought this should be discussed and decided by the Park Conunission and City CounciL Mr.
Dickinson stated this was discussed at the December 7th meeting, which included the public hearing.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 9
The Council discussed with staff the reasons Prairie Knoll Park was moved up and other items were
moved further back in the CIP.
Councilmember Knight thought the improvements at the park were City wide and not just
neighborhood related. He thought it was a good idea to do this. Park Chairman Lindahl agreed.
Councilmember Orttel stated he only had the projects for 2005 and he wondered how the residents
affected by these changes could see when their park will be improved. Mr. Dickinson stated the
information could be found on the website.
Councilmember Orttel stated his concern was not the improvements to be done but the process how
these changes came about. He did not think the changes went through the proper process. He
thought there was a certain protocol that needed to be followed regarding the CIP.
Councilmember Trude stated the Public Works Department has a capital budget for playground
upgrades and they are continually maintaining and replacing parts in the parks.
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Trude, to approve the attached Resolution adopting the 2005-2009
CIP.
Councilmember Jacobson requested before they go ahead with the project that it go back to the
Council first for review of cost.
Motion carried 4 ayes, I present (Orttel). (Res. R215-04)
Councilmember Orttel stated he is voting present because he thought the procedure was improper.
AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATION FOR JAY STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY/02-33
City Engineer Berkowitz stated the City Council is requested to authorize staff to negotiate right-of-
way acquisition with Mr. Brad Povlitzkj for 522 square feet along the west side of the proposed Jay
Street in Andover Station North.
Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Jacobson, to authorize negotiations for Jay Street Right-of-Way.
Motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDER MARKETING SIGN FOR BRUGGEMAN HOMES
Community Development Director Neumeister stated Bruggeman Homes is requesting an
additional marketing sign for "The Village at Andover Station". "The proposed sign would be
located at the Northwest Comer of Station Parkway and Hanson Boulevard. They already have
the property owner's permission and the sign has been made to resemble the one that currently
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 10
exists on Bunker Lake Boulevard.
Motion by Knight, Seconded by Jacobson, to approve an additional marketing sign for Bruggeman
Homes and a six month time extension for the sign and the sign cannot exceed the City sign
standards. The sign is good through March 20, 2005 and needs to be taken down at that time.
Motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSS POTENTIAL 2005 CDBG PROJECT APPLICATIONS
Community Development Director Neumeister stated the 2005 Community Development Block
Grant funding cycle is underway. Cities and townships within Anoka County may apply for up to
$300,000 in grant assistance. Attachment A illustrates the types of projects that are eligible.
Attachment B illustrates the projects that were funded in 2004.
Councilmember Knight asked what the size of the property by the railroad tracks was. Mr.
Neumeister stated it is just less than five acres. Councilmember Knight asked what the proposed use
would be for the property. Mr. Neumeister stated long term there could be a need for a commuter
rail station there and park and ride station.
Councilmember Trude stated she drives by this site every day and she has seen vehicles parked there.
Councilmember Jacobson stated they are living in a trailer on the property. Councilmember Trude
stated they would need to evict them. Mr. Dickinson stated this was correct.
Councilmember Jacobson asked how long it would take to condemn the property. City Attorney
Hawkins explained the process to the City CounciL
Councilmember Orttel stated if they have a vacant building that is dangerous, why don't they have
the building destroyed and let them keep their land. Mr. Dickinson stated the best alternative would
have been the tax forfeit process. Now they are looking at a potential abatement of the property as
being an option. Councilmember Orttel stated once the building is gone, they have no real reason to
try to acquire it.
Councilmember Trude thought it might make more sense to go with an arm's length transaction and
negotiate a purchase because if they get in the situation of an eminent domain, they do have
somebody living on the site.
Councilmember Knight was troubled with condemning. Councilmember Orttel stated they could
have the building destroyed because it is a danger.
Councilmember Orttel hated to see the City take the land if they do not need to. He thought that if
the owner does not have the money to destroy the building, they might use the grant to remove the
building without taking the property.
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page II
Councilmember Knight did not have a problem with purchasing the property but he did not know if
he would agree to condemn it. Mr. Dickinson stated they could abate the property and get rid of the
blight and use the grant for something else.
Councilmember Trude thought they should try to go out for more than one category. She thought
they should try to get a grant for the Community Center to provide programs that would serve people
who cannot afford the fees.
Councilmember Orttel wondered if they could look at a grant to stop the train whistles. Mr.
Neumeister stated this might be a hard test to meet because it would be hard to meet the benefit test
to prove the low and moderate-income people would utilize it.
Following discussion, Council consensus was to bring the information back to the City Council at
the next meeting for further discussion.
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
City Administrator Dickinson updated the Council on the Community Center and Fire Station
Construction.
City Engineer Berkowitz updated the Council on Road Improvement Projects in the City.
Community Development Director Neumeister updated the Council on Development Activity in
the City.
Mr. Neumeister explained he received a letter from the Anoka County Community Action
Program (ACCAP) requesting a letter of support from Andover to be sent to Anoka County for
their CDBG Funds application.
Motion by Trude, Seconded Orttel, to have the City of Andover send a letter of Support to the
ACCAP Senior Outreach Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Dickinson updated the City Council on the Ice Arena.
Councilmember Knight asked if the High School would be providing some staffing at the games.
Mr. Dickinson stated they are working with the Booster Club to provide the appropriate staffing.
They have to work with getting the security and they are also responsible for the taking of tickets
and the cash exchange. A lot of ice arenas work with the Booster Clubs to try to do this and they
will see how successful they will be.
Councilmember Knight asked, because this is a high school fundraiser, why they are not
collecting the tickets. Mr. Dickinson stated they have not gotten all the fme details worked out.
Councilmember Knight stated they need to get this straightened out because he thought all of the
Regular Andover City Council Meeting
Minutes - December 21, 2004
Page 12
money raised would go to the high school and no one else. Mr. Dickinson stated they get
compensated for all of their time, the rental and management of that plus payment for security.
They get the net after the total take and with fees taken out. This is similar to other arenas.
MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT
(Staff Thanks) - Councilmember Jacobson thanked the staff and City Administrator for the good
work they have done this past year. He also thanked the Fire Department for their quick response to
the senior apartment fire in Oak Grove and for their dedication. He wished everyone Merry
Christmas. Councilmember Knight commended the Fire Department on controlling the fires also.
(North Metro Mayor Association) - Mayor Gamache stated he had a couple of meetings with the
North Metro Mayors Association and there has been some discussion regarding the new legislative
session so a lot is being talked about and should be an interesting year. He stated the Governor was
at Majestic Oaks for the North Metro Chamber meeting earlier in the week and he has indicated he is
sticking to his no new tax increase proposal. There has also been some discussion on the gas tax and
it may be in the mix this year.
(Anoka Council Member Passing) - Mayor Gamache stated Councilrnember Jolrn Weaver from
Anoka passed away from cancer and his funeral would be December 22nd. He stated John Weaver
was always a pleasure to work with and he was sad to hear that for his family.
Mayor Gamache also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 9: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary