Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP September 13, 1984 ~ 01 ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 13, 1984 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on September 13, 1984, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW for the purpose of discussing the proposed Shopping Center and the proposed 1985 budget. Councilmen present: Elling, Knight, Lachinski, Orttel Councilmen absent: None Also present: Building Inspector, David Almgren; Public Works Staff, Frank Stone and Dale Mashuga; Acting Fire Chief Bob Palmer; Park and Recreation Commission Chairman, Merlyn Prochniak; Park Board Commissioner, Bill LeFebvre; and others SHOPPING CENTER PROPOSAL DISCUSSION Wayne Anderson and Jeff Wickert represented the developers of the shopping center. Mayor Windschitl outlined the discussions with Boisclair and City Staff as to the points of concern on the project. The first item is whether there should be one or two curb cuts on 139th to service the north parcel, which is tentatively the location for a bank. Mr. Almgren reviewed the staff's concern of the ingress and egress onto a heavily traveled Round Lake Boulevard. There is also a letter from the County Highway Department stating they are going to re-evaluate the exit/entrance on Round Lake Bou levard. He noted the island for taking orders for the Dairy Queen. Council thought the voice box should be on the island and should face County Road g so the residents will not be impacted. Mayor Windschitl understood Boisclair wants to hold the question of curb cuts on 139th until the main part of the shopping center is done and re-evaluate the traffic situation at that time. Mr. Wickert explained the proposed traffic pattern for the Dairy Queen and the service road. Discussion was on the various proposals and suggestions on traffic patterns. Council expressed concern about the noise for the residents if there is a large volume of traffic on the service road. Mr. Wickert stated they will have to bring it back to the Council when they have a more definite proposal on the northern "bank" parcel. Council generally agreed to the traffic pattern as proposed on the sketch plan, and the question of the curb cuts on 139th will be held until something more definite is known about the development of the north parcel. Mr. Stone then reviewed their concern about the looping of the water system for the retail shopping building. The developers are showing one four-inch line going into the building from the front. The City has another six-inch line on the other side of the building on 139th, and the staff feels it should be brought into the building as a dual connector. If the line under the parking lot would freeze, the other line could be used to maintain continuous water service. Council questioned how the City can demand another line, that it would not be the Cityls problem but theirs if water service was interrupted to the 13 retail shops, the sprinkler system,etc. It is a private matter since they own the internal utilities. Mr. Wichert stated the mechanical drawings have been at the City Hall for awhile, but the drawings before the Council are new. They have also made some calculations on water flow which they will be reviewing in the overall center. If they can make the sprinkler system appropriate, it is their feeling that a looped water system is completely unprecedented. Mr. Stone requested a copy of their ISO report. Mr. Wickert stated he will forward that as soon as possible. Council agreed to discuss this item further at the September 18 regular meeting. ~- Special City Council Meeting September 13, 1984 - Minutes Page 2 (Shopping Center Proposal Discussion, Continued) The final issue discussed was on the Fire Department's concern about parking in front of the building. Acting Chief Palmer stated now that the building is definitely going to be sprinkled, it would probably be acceptable to have parking right up to the building. But they would like to see no parking every few feet to allow some space for a fire lane for hoses, possibly an 8-foot section. If that becomes a problem, it can be reviewed again at that time. Mr. Wickert stated one thing to keep in mind is that they will be approximately two to four parking spaces short according to the ordinances. Council also agreed to make a final decision on this matter at the September 18 regular meeting. Mr. Wickert stated they have had a problem with the steep grade where they had originally planned to put the fence, so they have to change that location to one foot off the property line. They intend to put the fence up the first part of next week. He also stated they do not want to cause a problem with dust resulting from the dirt that was moved for the building. If there is a problem, he stated they will probably plant something to hold it. Ms. Lindquist stated the office has had complaints about the crews starting work at 6 a.m. The noise ordinance allows for working between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. PROPOSED 1985 BUDGET Council generally agreed they would like to see any extra funds placed in the Parks Department and for police protection but did not want to raise the mill levy over 1984's mill levy. Council then reviewed the proposed budget: REVENUES 32162 Junkyards: Council was concerned that more funds were being expended for the enforcement of the Junkyard Ordinance than what is being taken in for junkyard license fees. It was commented that most of the expenses are incurred for yards that do not pay for the license or apply late. Suggestions were to raise the fee, charge a 10 percent late fee for license renewals that are late, charge additional fees for inspections, etc., or assess all charges in addition to license fees to those yards that require additional work on the part of the City. Council agreed the Attorney should be asked about the legalities of charging additional fees for inspections, re- inspections, etc., and charging late fees for license renewals. EXPENDITURES City Council and Mayor Salaries: It was suggested that rather than increasing salaries every four years which can result in a larger percentage increase, that the salary raises be considered every two years instead. It was agreed to place this item on a published Agenda for further consideration, suggesting it be placed on one of the regular October meetings. Page E4, 41430 Administration 101 Salaries: Ms. Lindquist explained the item reflects an additional 3/4 time secretary for the office at $2,000 a month. The position would be her secretary, budgeted for $2,000; and the rest of the time would be for assessing, which is a recoverable expense. She explained the increasing work load in the office as a result of the City doing the assessing for new developments. After discussing the situation further, Council generally agreed with the additional position but suggested hiring two part-time individuals rather than one 3/4-time person to reduce the expense of benefits. Special City Council Meeting September 13, 1984 - Minutes Page 3 (Proposed 1985 Budget, Continued) Page E12 41940 City Hall 530 and 580 Capital Outlays: Ms. Lindquist explained portions of the carpet have become worn and need to be replaced, plus additional space is needed for storage. The thought was to possibly push the counter of the front office out to provide additional space. Mr. Almgren also explained there is a problem with the water tank rusting and leaking, feeling it should be replaced. He noted that maintenance needs to be done on the furnaee and air conditioner. Council agreed these items should be maintained, and suggested consideration be given to a timer switch on a new water heater to reduce the costs of heating water. Council also directed that North Central Gas be asked to provide a written proposal for the costs to bring natural 9as to the City Hall site and of changing over the furance to natural gas. Page E13 41950 Fire Station 530 Capital Outlay - Improvements: Mayor Windschitl felt the cost to add a no-lead gas pump and redo the island for the Fire Department and Public Works was very expensive. An error was also noted that the other half of the costs are not reflected in the Public Works budget. Mr. Almgren stated they are presently getting no-lead gas at the County Building, but he didn't know how long that wouJd last or how the Council feels about it. Council generally felt the installation of a no-lead gas pump would not be needed at this time, that it would be acceptabLe to purchase the no-lead gas for those vehicles that use it from the County as long as the County is willing to supply it to the City. Council agreed to reduce the Administrative Recommendation by $3,000, making this item $7,~50. Page E16 41970 Senior Citizen Center 321 Telephone: Council felt the cost of the phones for the Senior Citizen Center was very costly. The Clerk was asked to check into ways of reducing that cost such as purchasing the phones and metered calling for local calls. No change was made to the $1,000 proposed for this item. Page E18 42000 Engineering 580 Capital Outlay - Other Equipment: There was some question as to whether another car is necessary or should a truck be purchased instead. Mr. Stone didn't think this item was a replacement but an additional vehicle with the existing truck then being turned over to Public Works. He stated they are definitely short on vehicles. No change was made to this item. Page E19 42100 Police Protection 310 Contract: Mayor Windschitl hoped more funds could be added for additional contract time. He would like to see the present coverage of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. plus an additional 40-hour shift. It would mean an additional officer for 40 hours per week, possibly covering Wednesday through Sunday evenings or whatever hours additional coverage is needed. He stated the County is willing to bid for that coverage. The amount would be the salary of an officer plus benefits plus some pro-ratio of a County car. No change was made to this item, but Council generally agreed additional funds should be added if possible. Special City Council Meeting September 13, 1984 - Minutes Page 4 (Proposed 1985 Budget, Continued) Pages E20-21 42200 Fire Protection 1311 Physicals: Acting Chief Palmer explained the requirement that each fire fighter have a physical by a doctor specifically authorizied to do the physicals. They are uncertain how much that will cost, but he understands a physical is not needed every year. He estimated a cost of $150 per fire fighter. Mr. Stone stated other Departments vary in requiring physicals every two to five years. It is hopßd a program can be set up through Mercy. No change was made to this item. 100 Salaries - Chief/Volunteers: Acting Chief Palmer stated his calcuations for this item came to $31,238. The only major changes were raising the amount for training to $5.75, which is the same as a fire call, adding an amount of $20/month for the secretary, and an additional $1,000 for officers' meetings. Council agreed to riasß this item by $5,250 to $31,238. 530 Capital Outlay - Equipment: Fire Department personnel reviewed the proposed capital outlay purchases of hoses, breathing apparatus, training aids, and items of video equipment for training purposes. An error in the proposed budget was discovered, as the $13,250 should have been $18,000 to cover all the items requested by the Department. Council discussion was on the video equipment, estimating that cost may be closer to $3,000 than the $4,000 proposed. Council agreed to change this item to $17,000. Page E25 42700 Animal Control The Clerk stated she has contacted the County, and their policy is they will match the City's gopher fee up to 30 cents. General consensus of the Council at this time was not to offer a fee for gophers in the City. Page E27 43100 Streets & Highways 603 Debt Service Principal: Mr. Stone stated he did not have a chance to price a water truck, but he felt they may be able to get one cheaper than the $75,000 budgeted for it. Council generally agreed that the cost of the principal and interest to purchase a new water truck would be about the cost of a used water truck. General consensus of the Council was that the uses of such a truck do not warrant the cost of a new one. Council and staff also discussed the purchase a front-end loader and its uses in the City. The Clerk reported $83,600 has been estimated to purchase a new front-end loader. And the cost of the new water truck has been put in the budget at $21,000 a year spread between three different funds. Staff'also noted the grader will be paid off this year; and except for replacing the hydraulic hoses, it should last another 20 years. Council agreed to leave in the amount budgeted for a new front-end loader for now. But the Council changed the total budgeted amount for the water truck, taking out the $21,000 spread between three funds and adding $7,000 for the purchase of a used water truck. Page E28 43125 Snow & Ice Removal 101 Salaries: This item includes 50 percent of the salary of a new person in Public Works. Council generally agreed to that proposal. Pages E34-35 45200 Park & Recreation 530 Capital Outlay - Improvements: Council agreed to leave $40,000 in this account for the City Hall Park site. There was general agreement that an allocation of $40,000 a year for the next three-year period of 1985 through 1987 would complete the City Hall park. Special City Council Meeting September 13, 1984 - Minutes Page 5 (Proposed 1985 Budget, Continued) Council also noted nothing is budgeted for the Crime Watch Program and directed that $6,000 be allocated in the budget for that fund. Recess at 10:08; reconvene at 10:17 p.m. Councilman Orttel asked the Council's opinion on the updating of the Capital Improvements Plan. He asked if just the requests are to be revised and updated or whether the entire plan needs to be edited and recopied, which would cost more. It was generally agreed that since it has been two years since the plan was done that the entire plan including the background information should be updated, thinking it would not be that costly to do and the funds could be taken from the contingency fund. The Clerk reported that with all the changes made to the proposed budget this evening, the balances will remain the same. She stated one mill is worth approximately $46,000. Certifying the Levy Limit of $590,596 plus the Special Levy of $59,081 for 1985 would be approximately 1.2 mills below last year's mill levy. Other items from the budget could be put under Special Levy thereby allowing additional funds for Park and Recreation or Police Protection, and the mill levy would remain about the same as 1984. Council generally agreed that it would be in the City's best interest to have additional funds in reserve. Adding $35,000 to the Special Levy would mean the 1985 mill levy would still be under 13 mills, less than 1984's mill levy of 13.4. The additional amount is to be placed in the "Una11ocated" account in the budget. MOITON by Orttel, Seconded by Elling, establishing the 1985 Levy to be certified to the Anoka County Auditor for the City of Andover with a total non-bonded indebtedness of $590,596; and a total bonded indebtedness of $98,141, of which $59,081 is set for 1978 General Obligation Bonds, $39,060 is for 1982 Certificates of Indebtedness. All other levies are hereby cancelled per the attached cancellation sheet. (See Resolution R091-84) Motion carried unanimously. Council then discussed the salary increases for the staff. The Clerk explained for budget purposes she used a 6 percent across-the-board increase plus an additional 5 percent for those employees earning 10 percent or less than the mean salary of like positions in the metro area. That amounted to an additional $18,452 in the 1985 budget for salaries. After a brief discussion, Council generally felt a 5 percent across-the-board increase would be acceptable. MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Orttel, that we authorize 5 percent increase in the budget for salary adjustments, which amounts to $10,735 for normal increases. Motion carried unanimously. Council then agreed to meet with the Engineer and Clerk/A. Administrator on an individual basis to discuss recommendations, objectives, problems, etc. It wi 11 be up to those supervisors to determine how the additional $7,700 that is proposed in the budget is to be divided among the staff. The Mayor hoped the balance of the action needed on the budget and salaries could be completed on Tuesday's regular meeting, September 18. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Elling, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. ,,~Respectfully SUb~ '~Q ~ ; \ OJ " "I' Marc la A. Peach Record g Secretary