HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC April 4, 1978
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 4, 1978
AGENDA
1. Call to Order - 7:30 P.M. - Acting Mayor Orttel presiding.
2. Resident Forum
3. Agenda Approval
Metropolitan Council Discussion _ Charles Weaver
4. Public Hearings _ None
5. Legal and Engineering
a. Hall Rental - Mt. Olive Church
b. Road Locations - R. Smith
c. Vacation of Right-of Way - P. Cavner
d. Preliminary Plat _ Fox Meadows
e. Declarations of Adequacy _ Street/Storm Sewer Petitions
l. Meadowcreek Estates
2. Cedar River Hills and Cedar Crest Additions
f.
6. Ordinances and Resolutions
7. Petitions, Requests, Communications
8. Reports of Officers, Boards, Committees
a. Planning and Zoning Commission
b. Volunteer Fire Department
c. Capital Improvements Committee
l. One - Year Plan
2. Purchase of Votomatics
9. Old Business
a. Screening/Engineer, Attorney Applicants
10. New Business
~ a. Interview Date - Park/Recreation Commission
~
>1* 11. Approval of Minutes
12. Approval of Claims
13. Adjournment
* Please add to agenda
** Please delete from agenda
- . ANDOVER
~ 01
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 4, 1978
MINUTES
The Re~ular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Acting
Mayor Kenneth Orttel on April 4, 1978, 7:40 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown
Boulevard NW, Anoka, Minnesota.
Councilpersons present: Lachinski, Vanderlaan
Councilpersons absent: McClure, Windschitl
Also present: City Attorney, E. p. Babcock, City Engineer, Di R. Kasma;
City Clerk, p. K. Lindquist; and interested residents
Residents Forum
Rosella Sonsteby. 4100 Seventh Avenue - questioned if a resident whose land abuts an
easement to the City can use that easement as a public road when they have their own public
frontage. The township has never maintained the easement. It is an easement to get to
some other property and comes out to Round Lake Boulevard. Mr. Babcock stated the
residents cannot use that easement as a public road. It is up to the City as to whether
or not they are going to accept it for maintenance and how it can be used. The Council
can grant a buildin~ permit for a building to abut this road if it meets our Ordinances,
and the Council can permit the public to use that road.
Ms. Sonsteby - stated there is an easement between two of her lots on the lake and people
have been usin~ it for snowmobiling. Do they have that right on this particular easement1
The easement is for storm sewers. Mr. Babcock stated he'd have to examine the easement
to be certain, but if it is a drainage easement, it does not ordinarily give the public
the ri~hts to use it as a pUblic thoroughfare.
Ms. Sonsteby - stated she owns a piece of land zoned R-l around Round Lake Boulevard,
which she felt is impossible to develop into 2~ acre lots and still have thè 330 feet of
fron ta ge . She felt she should have the right to break that into smaller lots. The P & Z
was not responsive to lots of less than 2~ acres. Her taxes have been raised on that
property substantially, and she would like to develop it. It is 17 acres in size, but she
is wanting to break out the 11 acres because of her private ditch going through it. She
felt when that area was first zoned that it was unjustly done. Ms. Sonsteby was advised
that the R-l zoning requres 2~ acre lots. If she chooses, she can apply for a rezoning
but it must meet the criteria that are set forth; and, of course, there is no guarantee that
that will be done. The Council has been most adamant about demanding at least 2~ acre lots
as minimum standard in the Community to control its growth, If 1/3 acre lots were
developed and building only allowed on every third lot as Ms, Sonsbety suggested, that
would still mean one house per acre, which is still below the City's minimum standard,
Mr. Retzlaff stated that there is a high probability that that area will remain zoned
for 2~ acre lots after the reorganization taking place this year, as the P & Z is re-
commending that everything that is unserviced be 2~ acre lots and that rezoning would
progress along with City improvements, That area isn't proposed for City improvements
until 1990 or later,
Bruce Hay, 39 North Oaks Road, St, Paul - presently has a mobile home park permit in the
City of Andover, the l14-acre piece on the southwest corner of Round Lake, He wanted the
Council's reaction to a rezoning request from R-5 on the land to an R-4 zoning, which
would enable him to develop it for residential homes, In the last several years the value
of residential property has increased; and from an economic standpoint it makes no difference
to him whether he develops a møbile home park or develops this area into residential lots,
He further stated that about ~ of that area is very high, and he didn't know what would
occur for developing that on a residential basis but would be willing to look into it,
Re~u1sr City Council Meeting
April 4, 1978 - Minutes
Ps~e 2
(Residents Forum - Mr. Hsy - Continued)
Mr, Hsy slso felt the need ~restly exists snd there is s very high demsnd for the one-
sere lot becsuse it is sffordab1e, The R-4 zoning is the 13,000 square-foot lot
reouirement, but 39,000 square feet is needed to build a septic system. He would develop
39,000 souare foot lots with a subdivision plan for further devs10pment later on when sewer
and water is available, This would, in essence, be building on every third lot, Mr,
Hay also stated he would want to get through both the rezoning and the platting procedures
at the same time,
Counci1person Vanderlaan sdvised that City standards adopted for R-4 zoning requres all
improvements be installed, which then provides some argument against the lower cost of
the 13,000 square-foot lot, This community is in favor of encouraging the larger lot
where there are no improvements. Councilperson Lachinski felt it may be difficult to do
what Mr, Hay wants until the City gets through its planning process, which could take up
to another year, By then it might be such that city improvements are cloee by and it 1s
feasible for that area sooner than what is currently being planned, He also felt that
what Mr, Hay is doing is correct; it , just might be somewhat premature with the City's
plannin!'; , Acting Mayor Orttel stated the Council cannot make a decision here; it must
~o through the Planning and Zoning Commission procedure for rezoning, Mr, Hay was advised
to meet with the Planning Commission for their suggestions and recommendations,
A~enda A t>1'roval
Discussion was on the items requiring a majority of quorum or a majority of the Council
to carry s decision, There was also some discussion as to what items to discuss as there
was a ouestion as to whether or not Counci1person McClure will bem attendance later in the
evenin~. Under Item 5e1, Declarations of Adequacy - Street/Storm Sewer Petitions, Meadow-
creek Estates, the question was whether or not Councilperson Lachinski could vote on the
item as he lives in the area, Mr, Babcock stated a majority of the Council is needed to
order the feasibility study on this project; and though he believed that technically it
would be 1'r01'er for Counci1person Lachinski to vote if he chooses to, he felt there is no
ouestion that it would be better if he did not vote, Mr, Kasma noted that a feasibility
study was done in 1976 on the Meadowcreek Estates, and he has substantially all the in-
formation available at this time, The Cedar River Hills and Cedar Crest Additions is an
entirely new 1'roject in which a lot of work must be done, He recommended ordering the
feasibility study as soon as 1'ossib1e if construction is to be done this season,
MOTION by Vanderlaan, that the City Council deal with the entire Agenda for April 4, 1978,
with the deletion of the followin!'; items: 5el, Declarations of Adequacy - Street/Storm
Sewer Petitions for Meadowcreek Estates and to delete Item 8c1, Capital Improvements
Committee One-Year Plan and 8c2, Purchase of Votomatics, Motion dies for lack of a second,
MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Ortte1, that we approve the Agenda as published with the
following additions: Interview Date - Park/Recreation Commission, and to defer the action
on whether or not Meadowcreek Estates will be acted upon tOnight until after 9 p.m" and
to delete Approval of Minutes,
VOTE ON MOTION: YES-Lachinski, Orttel, NO-Vanderlaan
Motion Carried,
Councilt>erson Vanderlaan - I feel that it is unwise to deal with 8c without at least four
Council 1'eo1'le.
Re~ular City Council Meetin~
Am-il 4, 19713 - Minutes
Pa~e 3
Hall Rental - Mt. Olive Church
LeRoy Stunek. 131335 Underclift - Items discussed with the City Clerk were the additional
liability insurance, the cost of preparing the contract with the City Attorney, and the
hall rental fee. The number of people involved would be under 150 people, as that is the
capacity of the hall; the length of the service on Sunday mornings would be two to three
hours. He was not sure whether or not a Sunday School or Bible School would be offered
in the beginning. It was Mr. Stunek's suggestion that the length of rental be for one
year with a possibility of reviewing and renewing it at that time. For custodial services,
Mr. Dick Schneider has volunteered, with Council approval, to take f?e responsibility of
the custodian duties on Sunday mornings and be responsible for open"ähd closing the building.
Councilperson VanderLaan stated ~he has looked into the procedure of some of the other
public buildings within the area and on the restrictions of having something on an on-going
basis; and ~enerally they reqmrs the presetlce of a staff member or elected official at the
functions. As this may be setting a precedence, she felt that someone either appointed or
elected from the City should be in attendance at least during a portion of the services
to take the responsibility, tend to emergencies, someone familiar with the procedures of
the City. She felt this was an unresolved issue and was apprehensive about approving this
until that issue is resolved. Actin~ Mayor Orttel felt that Mr. Schneider is as familiar
or more familiar with the procedure than most people and personally had no problem with
that at all.
Dick Schneider - stated he is a member of Mt. Olive Church and did offer to open the
buildin~, see that it is cleaned up, and lock it up.
MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Orttel, to direct the Attorney to prepare an agreement
for the Clerk to enter into an agreement with Mt. Olive Lutheran Church to rent the
Community Center meetin~ room on Sunday Mornings including regular church service days for
a period not to exceed 1 year, and also to waivs ths "Reoccurring provision" in Resolution
No. 33-6. Note that Mr. Dick Schneider has agreed to handle the custodial protion of the
requiremsnts to open and close the building.
VOTE ON MOTION: YES-Lachinski, Orttel; NO-VanderLaan
Motion carried.
Road Locations - Ron Smith
Actin~ Mayor Orttel read ths letter from TKDA dated March 29, 1978, noting that they rs-
viewed the street locations with Mr. Ruud, Anoka County Highway Engineer, and are recommend-
in~ the Council accept the entrqnce location proposed by Mr. Smith referred to as Alternate 2.
Mr. Ron Smith - stated !1r. Babcock needs a legal description before an agreement can be
drawn UP on the easement around the cemetery. He cannot give a legal description until
the lots are totally laid out. He is willing to give a 30-foot easement to the cemetery
from County Road 7 and a 50-foot easement around the cemetery.
Discussion waS on the easements proposed by Mr. Smith and how restrictive the City can be
within the easement to prevent the building of structures in close proximity to the
cemetery by private individuals but not to prohibit the City itself from buiMing a building.
Mr. Babcock stated the best solution to adequately protect the area around the cemetery
would be to have Yæ. Smith deed the property to the City. Mr. Smith stated he would be
willing to do that if it would work out in conjunction with working out the lot lines to
make the lots 5 acres. He would also be willing to put the exceptions in the deed of
buildings other than the City itself. Mr. Babcock also stated he could write an easement
that would ~rovide access for the City to the cemetery but still not provide access to the
public, and the City will have the right to use it as they choose to.
. Regular City Council Meeting
A~ril 4, 1978 - Minutes
Page 4
(Road Locations - Ron Smith, Continued)
Mr. Kasma ex~lained the best ~rocedure for Mr. Smith to follow is to put money in escrow
(which he has already done) and TKDA will check the rough grading, the gravel, and the
blacktop as the road is being constructed. The Engineer would be working for the City
as in any other develo~ment; afterwards the Council would either accept or reject the
finished road. Council~erson Lachinski stated the one problem he still had with this
situation is that by not ~latting this land the City does not end u~ with any parkland
dedication. Counci1person Vanderlaan felt the fact that the very large lot, which enhances
the conce~t of the City to control urban s~rawl, is advantageous, and that the Statute
will not allow us to demand ~arkland dedication from Mr. Smith. Mr. Retzlaff noted there
is a ~otential ~ark just to the east of there also.
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Orttel, that the City Council approve the proposed road
location for Old Farm Estates as presented by Ron Smith and referred to as Alternate
Number 2 as referre~ to in a TKDA letter date~ March 29, 1978, an~ the propose~ roa~
location drawing as presented to the Council on April 4, 1978. (See Resolution R32-8)
Motion carried unanimously.
Council~erson Lachinski - I feel that platting still is the best alternative for this
develo~ment, but I also feel that there are less desirable alternatives that could evolve
if this particular alternative isn't pursued.
Vacation of Right of Way - Paul Cavner
Reference Planning and Zoning recommendations of March 28, 1978. The Clerk stated she
had checked that the correct legal description is exactly as stated in the Resolution.
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Lachinski, a Rœolution vacating that portion of an
easement over the North 34 feet of the west 100 feet of Lot I, Block 2, Red Oaks Third
Addition in Section 34, Township 32, Range 24 . . . (~ee Resolution R33-8) Motion
carried unanimously.
Recess at 9:02; reconvene at 9:15 p.m.
Ca~ital Im~rovements Committee _ One-Year Plan
Mr. Babcock stated it would take a majority of the Council toadopt a one-year CIP plan;
and he didn't believe it would require publication or a public hearing procedure to adopt
a Ca~ital Im~rovement Plan. Acting Mayor °rttel reviewed the memo from the Capital
Im~rovement Committee to the Mayor and Council dated March 28, 1978, regarding the purposed
One-Year Ca~ital Improvement Plan.
Vic Evans, Fire Chief, stated the Fire Department met with the Roads Committee last evening
to discuss the informal quotations received for the cold storage building; and the lowest
quote came to close to 513,000 including the building and electrical. Because it is aver
the 510,000 originally anticipated, the alternative recommended is to investigate renting
or leasing a building for the remainder of the year to house public works and the
fire department equipment until a decision can be made on a permanent building. Mr. Evans
also stated at the present time there are 23 active members in the Fire Department, with
4 members on day coverage; and they have just begun a recruiting drive hoping to increase
membership.
It was Councilperson Lachinski's opinion that plãns should be gone ahead to get plans and
specifications on a permanent buiMing almost as to~ priority, Therefore, it was his
suggestion to the CIP that they take the money originally suggested tor the cold storage
building and ~ut it toward getting the plans and specs for a permanent building. Hope-
fully one could be constructed before the end of this year. Mr. Kåsma stated that plans
and s~ecs for a ~ermanent fire station do not have to be very detailed before going out
for a bond issue, He felt that they could be done for the public hearing for approximately
-Regular City Council Meeting
April 4, 1978 - Minutes
Page 5
(Capital Improvements Committee _ One-Year Plan, Continued)
$2,000, He also felt that the earliest possible date the permanent building could be
constructed would be December 1 providing there were no delays in decision making or
obtaining materials, etc, Councilperson Lachinski suggested making a total committment to
the Fire Department by preparing plans and specs for the permanent building, trying to
arran~e Some method of financing, and approving the expenditure for fire equipment all
at the same time, He felt that possibly financing the building through leasing would be
practical at this tim~and at some point in the future, if the City felt that a bond issue
would be cheaper in the long run, then a bond issue could be secured to payoff the lease
a.rrangement. He etated he could vote to purchase the fire equipment at this time if he
knew a permanent building would be built this year,
In discussing Item 4 of the CIP's motion to pUrchase a new dump truck for public works,
Lloyd Rieman, Road Improvement Committee Chairman, stated the Committee felt that purchasing
the new truck was not necessary if the requested $30,000 a year is not allocated to up-
grade two miles of road per year, They would still like to buy a used truck and use the
remainder of the money to buy gravel to try to ù~grade l~ to 2 miles of road this year,
The. Committee felt that the CIP overlooked their request for $20,000 a year for gravel for
upgrading roads and they have submitted a new request to the CIP itemizing streets to be
improved over the next 5 to 6 years,
Councilperson VanderLaan questioned the per capita amount that was recommended in the
Comprehensive Park Plan and how that compares to the Parks request of $3,500 for 1978 for
upgrading parks,
MOTION by LachinSki, Seconded by Orttel, to authorize the Clerk to enter into an agreement
to lease a facility for cold storage for the Fire Department/Public Works equipment
contingent upon Council approval, Discussion: Councilperson VanderLaan made a point
or order that the Clerk should be authorized to investigate leasing and report back to
the Council, MOTION CHANGED TO authorize the Clerk to investigate the possibility of a
lease~arrangement of a building within the community for the purpose of housing the Fire
Department and Public Works equipment and, if possible, have that least prepared for
Council action at the next regular scheduled meeting, Second still stands,
Further Discussion: The Clerk stated that the Building Official will investigate the
building to be leased and will investigate the accessability of this particular building
as opposed to the City Hall site, Motion carried unanimously,
MOTION by LachinSki, Seconded by VanderLaan, to refer the One-Year Capital Improvements
Program for 1978 back to the Capital Improvements Committee, Discussion: Councilperson
Vanderlaan requested detailed cost breakdown of figures for Parks as it is done for the
Fire Department and that this breakdown be included in all future requests, Councilperson
Lachinski requested the CIP investigate appropriation of funds for plans and specs for a
permanent-type Fire and Public Works building and that they consider the authorization
for classified gravel materials for 1978 road improvement program, Motion carried
unanimously.
Preliminary Plat - Fox Meadows
110TION by Lachinski, Seconded by VanderLaan, to table the Preliminary Plat for Fox Meadows
until the next regularly scheduled meeting, (See Resolution R34-8) Motion carried
unani1!'lously.
Declarations of Adequacy - Street/Storm Sewer Petitions - Cedar River Hills and Cedar Cre~
Additions
Mr. Kasma explained TKDA would do the preliminaries on a cost-plus basis at a cost not to
exceed ~3,OOO for that area, It will take some extensive work to narrow down the storm
drainage area there as it involves 5 different drainage areas, There are three additional
·~e~ular City Council Meetin~
April 4, lq78 - Minutes
Pap;e I;
(Street/Storm Sewer Petitions - Cedar River Hills/Cedar Crest Additions, Continued)
streets su~~ested by the Clerk to be included in this feasibility study that petitions were
not carried to, In addition, durin~ Council discussion, it was recommended to also in-
clude l77th Avenue from Blackfoot to Aztec Street and Aztec Street from l77th to l78th
Lane. ~r, Kasma felt these could be included for the suggested cost of 53,000, There
was also some Council question about the extension of Xenia to the north as it would be
the City's responsibility to construct that road if the proposed development to the north
were to ~o in, IT, Kasma wouldn't be in favor of putting in that road if the project
were not to ~o, ~e will examine the status of that development with the Clerk,
MOTIO~ by Lachinski, Seconded by VanderLaan, to order a feasibility study for streets and
storm sewer construction for those streets located in the west half of the southeast
ouarter of Section 5, Township 32, Range 24 and the northeast quarter of the northeast
Quarter of Section 6, Township 32, Range 24, in the City of Andover, , , (See Resolution
R3S-8) Motion carried unanimously.
Street/Storm Sewer Petitions - Meadowcreek Estates
Discussion was on how to handle this issue since there was not a majority of Council
nresent to order the feasibility study and the desirability of getting the project under
way as soon as ~ossible for construction this season. Iw, Kesma stated most of the
feasibility study for Meadowcreek Estates had been completed in 1976, altnough it must be
modified in that more storm sewer work must be done. Mr, Babcock stated a new feasibilivy
study must be ordered by the majority of the Council; however, there is no prescribed time
limit between the feasibility study order and when it is presented, Therefore, Mr, Kasma
could come prepared with this study at the next meeting and present it after the Council
passes the motion ordering the study to be done, Mr, Kasma stated he would be willing
to do it that way to save two weeks on construction time, The ßl,OOO estimate for doing
the study is the maximum cost,
Steve Simon, Meadow Creek Estates - questioned if the residents get to see the feasibility
s tu dy , Iw, Kasma explained the report will be given at a Council meeting; residents are
welcome to view it, After the report is given, a pUblic hearing is ordered, for which all
residents involved will be notified of the hearing date,
Capital Improvements Committee - Purchase of Votomatics
The Clerk stated the most time saved will be in the counting of ballots by using these
machines. Spread over a 5-year period, the City will be breaking even on the amount of
dollars the City saves per election by machines as opposed to the salaries of election
juda:es, After that the City will start realizing a savings yearly, She couldn't give an
answer as to the average length of a voting machine, but most of the cities have had
them from 10 to 12 years, By purchasing them from the County at this time, the City is
savina: ß20 per machine, $8 on a carrying case, and $12 on the demos,
MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Orttel, that the City Council, City of Andover hereby
resolve that the City Council, City of Andover authorizes the purchase from the County
35 voting machines at a purchase price of 5175 for each machine, 4 voting machine
demonstrators at a purchase price of 560 for each demonstrator, and 4 ballot transfer
cases at a purchase price of $26 for each case, for a total price of $6,469, , ,
(See Resolution R36-8) Motion carried unanimously,
·Re~lar City Council Meeting
Anril 4, 1978 - Minutes
Page 7
ScreeninglEngineer. Attorney Applicants
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Orttel, that the City Council waive a screening
reouirement for applicants for the Attorney position and that the City Council request
that a date to interview Attorney applicants be placed on the Agenda for April 18.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Orttel, that the City Council instruct the Clerk to
forward letters to all applicants for the position of Engineer/Administrator who are not
Civil Engineers informing them that the Council will not be considering them at this time;
and that the City Council request that an Agenda item, namely a date for interviewing
Engineer/Administrator, be placed on the April 18 Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Interview Date - Park/Recreation Commission
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Orttel, that the City Council scheduled an interview for
Park/Recreation Commission member consideration for Steven Nichols for 7:15 p.m.,
April 18, and that the Clerk so notify the applicant. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Claims
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by Lachinski, that the City Council approve Checks Numbers
1739 through 1742 and 1744 through 1758 for a total of $31,191.65. Motion carried
unanimously.
MOTION by Vanderlaan, Seconded by LaChinski, that the City Council request the Clerk to
prepare a check to Babcock, Locher for legal fees as represented in the most recent
statement from them less $16 for two unauthorized resident calls, one on February 27, 1978;
the other on February 28, 1978, from Jenkauski regarding the junkyard issue. Motion
carried unanimously.
MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Vanderlaan, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
~spe~~~ ~17f1 í
Ma~A. Peach
Recording Secretary
. -