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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP August 9, 1988 J~ " CITY of ANDOVER ~ \.~ <, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 9, 1988 - AGENDA ,,-,,--:_, 7:30 P.M. l. Call to Order 2. . Police Proposal 3. Water Study Update 4 . Mining Permits/vegetation 5. Health Insurance/City Employees 6. Overlay of Rum River Forest, Lakeridge, Njordmark-Dale (Policy on assessing) 7 . 8. Adjou!nment v .- ~.. CA CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 .' SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 9, 1988 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Wlndschltl on August 9, 1988, 7:34 p.m., at the Andover Ci ty Hal], 1685 Crosstown Bou]evard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmen present: Apel, Knight, Orttel Councilman absent: EI ling Also present: City Administrator, James Schrantz; and others UPDATE/COMMISSIONER NATALIE HAAS-STEFFEN Anoka County Commissioner Natalie Haas-Steffen understood the Council rescinded the Park Board decision to table the Fox Meadows park development for one year. She stated she is willIng to work with the Park Board in terms of an entrance off CoRd 58, and hoped the development of the park does not change the fact that they should be looking at the realignment of the intersection of CoRds 58 and 7. Mayor Windschltl explained the Council felt the park development should go ahead because of the need in that area of the City. He too felt the CIty and county should continue workIng on the CoRd 58 Intersection. Commissioner Haas-Steffen reported the county is willing to work out a deal regarding the exchange of privately-owned property south of the creek for the tax forfeit property on the north side of Coon Creek. She asked Andover to contact Mr. Hupp to negotiate with him on that matter. Commissioner Haas-Steffen also reported the county attorney has said if the gentleman leasing the tires off Bunker Lake Boulevard takes care of his tax situation with the State of Minnesota and then asks for hIs license, they wil I have to give It to him. She wi I I attempt to make a conditIon of the lIcense that a shredder be on site and operating, though she didn't know if the County Board will agree to that. POLICE PROPOSAL Mayor Windschitl felt a comparable city would be that of Ramsey, whose police budget for 1988 Is $407,000. For that same amount of coverage, the Sheriff's contract would cost Andover $342,000. He al so had trouble with the other contract proposal submitted to the city because of the beginning and ending figures. The Mayor continued, there Is st i I I about $80,000 in this year's budget, recommending It be used to establish a cIty police department. He proposed the creatIon of a committee consisting of Bruce LIndberg, . - - Special Ci ty Counci I Meeting Minutes - August 9, 1988 Page 2 (Police Proposal, Continued) Jim Schrantz, two Counc i ] men, and one outside law enforcement officer such as Buster LaTuff. The CommIttee would recruIt a police chief to set up the department, expecting It to be operatIng by about February, 1989. The $80,000 would pal' for the chIef's salary and buy the equIpment necessary to start the torce. Councilman Orttel argued the Council has not yet decided that to start Its own police force Is the best a]ternatlve. He didn't fee] the cost figures JustIfied our own department, plus there are some substantial negative I terns wi th It. At this point he didn't thInk there was an advantage of a city force versus the county contract. Counci Iman Orttel was also concerned wIth the political hassI es often involved between Councils and the Police Department, which is something he doesn't want to get Involved in. It Is also a big item in the budget, thinking possibly it should go out for a referendum to let the people decide. Councilman Knight was concerned with spending more than the City can afford. His dilemma was also that the main problem In Andover Is the burglaries, and he didn't know if a city polIce force would have any affect on that, having been told that a larger force has little affect on burglarIes. Bruce Weber - authored the private contract proposal to the CIty. He felt under the Sheriff's contract, the deputies stilI belong to the Sheriff and do have to leave the City whenever the SherIff tel Is them. Councilman Orttel didn't feel that happened in Andover unless It is a mutua] aid call. M.. Weber - stated one of the reasons for havIng a local Pol ice Department Is so that the people Involved know they work here, that there Is status In their Jobs In the City, and hopefu III' they wi I I do a better Job. Also, he felt a local department wi II Increase pOlice protectIon and improve the qualIty of life In the communIty. The level of protectIon very often depends on the people doing the Job. The people he Is Involved with are very highly trained and experienced wIth a high work ethic. Councilman Orttel asked if he is involved wIth the unsigned letter circulating In the communIty from something called the Committee for a Police Department. M.. Weber - stated they are associated with 1 t. Councilman Orttel then stated he was not interested In speaking with Mr. Weber, as this City does not operate in that manner. There was then a lengthy Counc II discussion on the merits and disadvantages of a city polIce force. Special CIty Council Meeting Minutes - August 9, 1988 Page 3 (Pol Ice Proposal, Continued) Bruce Lindebera - felt the CIty would need about 5 1/2 people to provide 24-hour coverage. Even wi th its own force, the City would stll I have the Sheriff's Department to provide backup, so there is actually more coverage than If there Is Just the Sheriff's contract. Mayor Windschitl felt there Is a way of generating the monel' for the force and that It would be a mistake not to expand the coverage, stating the City Is very undercovered at this time. The Counc II continued to debate the issue. M.. Lindberg agreed extra cars on patrol would not help the burglary situation, but It could be made a goal of the chIef If the CIty had its own department. The City would be in control rather than trying to talk to the Sheriff about doIng something. He also explained the prOcess of negotIating wIth a union and pointed out the standard for protectIon is two officers for every 1,000 populatIon, or about 28 officers for Andover. Councilman Apel also expressed concern about the costs, especial II' In future years. He would like to see the City start In the direction of establIshing its own department, but to move cautiously with the ability to back off If It becomes unfeasible. Councilman Orttel suggested a decIsion of this magnitude should be made with a full Council. Counc I I man Ape I agreed. Mayor Windschltl didn't know when that would be, given Councilman Elling's illness at this time. M.. Schrantz stated he wi I] have more specific figures for the 1989 budget within a few weeks. Because of the budget concerns by several Counci Imen, it was suggested the item be tabled until more accurate figures are known for the 1989 budget. It was hoped by that time the ful I Counc I I would be available to take action, pointing out It should be done at a regularly published meeting. MOTION by Apel, Seconded by Orttel, that we table this subJect to the second meeting In September. Motion carried on a 3-Yes, I-No (Windschlt]), I-Absent (Elling) vote. WATER STUDY UPDATE John Davidson and Tom Kirk of TKDA reviewed the updated Comprehensive Water Plan dated April, 1987, per their letter and recommendations dated June 24, 1988. With the proJected use, they recommeded setting aside land and beginning the design of a second water tank and the drII ling of a fourth well. They argued theIr proJections are based on very conservative figures. If the City wants to put them In sooner, It would have to see If there are the fInancIal means to do so. Special City Council Meeting Minutes - August 9, 1988 Page 4 (Water Study Update, ContInued) Discussion was on the pressure of the current lines, wIth the Council and Frank Stone, PublIc Works Supervisor, contendln9 the pressure Is so low there is, for all practical purposes, no fire fightIng capabilIty. Mr. KIrk felt I t wi I I help to get Well No.3 on line. Also, once the trIangle is complete between the four wells and two tanks, the pressure will be better. He stated the low pressure is a circumstance of an Incomplete system. It takes about two years from the time a new tank Is authorIzed until It Is on ]Ine. Mr. Davidson also explaIned If additional pressure Is needed, the second tank could be raIsed to a hIgher level where a two-level system will have to be dealt with, or convert Wells 1 and 2 to high pressure and leave the tank at the low pressure, or raise the level ot the first tank. AI I of those alternatIves will add more costs to the system. They have already increased the size of the thIrd well In anticipatIon of the need for more pressure. He too stated the pressure wi I I be greater once the entire system Is completed. At thIs point the Mayor didn't see any other choice but to increase the pressure in the system. The Counc i I also noted a sense of urgency to getting another tank on line, asking that the Staff. TKDA, and the Attorney revIew the water fund to determine its financial status as it relates to the construction of a new water tank. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Knight, that we dIrect Staff to prepare an evaluation of our water fund to show Its current status In relation to construction of a new tower. Motion carried unanimously. Counc I I recessed at 9:00; reconvened at 9:05 p.m. MINING PERMITS/VEGETATION Mayor Windschit] asked if this would also apply to proJects done by the City such as sewer installation. If so, he fel t It would be Impossible to fol]ow the ordinance. Mr. Schrantz stated this would only apply In the case of minIng permits for the mInIng of fIll. Councilman Knight repeated a concern raIsed at other meetIngs, that of the developers removIng al I the dirt and levelIng an area prIor to platting. He fe1t that results In an unsightly development and wanted to fInd a way to stop It. Councilman Orttel agreed, statIng he has prevIously mentioned the platting ordinance for the City of Ham Lake which requires leavIng the maximum amount of vegetation possible when plattIng. He thought the Planning CommIssIon had been asked to look at that ordinance and make a recommendation. Special City Council Meeting MInutes - August 9, 1988 Page 5 (Mining Permits/Vegetation, Continued) MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by KnIght, that the Planning Commission, in their consideration of the minIng and site development ordinance, take into consideration that as much natural vegetation as possible be left in place, and that regardless of how the site Is prepared, that natural appearing contours will remain when the site is complete. Motion carried unanImously. HEALTH INSURANCE/CITY EMPLOYEE Counc il dIscussIon was that everyone Is experIencIng the same problem of rate Increases wIth the HMOs and less coverage. Councilman Orttel noted there is a possibility that it will be made mandatory that al] municIpal employees be insured through the State of Minnesota, and that could happen as early as next year. Discussion was on the rate increases and the amount covered by the City. The Counc I I questioned the interpretation of the insurance coverage policy, thinking it says it will pay only up to $125 per month whether it is single or famIly coverage. Mr. Schrantz was asked to look at the policy again. No action was taken at this time. OVERLAY OF RUM RIVER FOREST. LAKERIDGE. NJORDMARK-DALE/POLICY ON ASSESSING Mayor Windschltl questIoned overlayIng LakeRldge, thinking the mat must be taken off and the road redone completely. Mr. Schrantz also noted LakeRidge and Rum River Forest both only had 1 1/2-inch mats, but when it Is paid for by the square yard, the mat usually gets to be closer to 1 inch. He also suggested the proJects be done next year, with publIc hearings held then if they are going to be assessed. There was also some dIscussion on the possibility of tilling the dItches or grading the road down and go with birmed streets. No action was taken thIs evenIng. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Apei, to adJourn. Motl on carr i ed unanimouslY. Meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Respectful]y submItted, ~~'-~'-~~0-~ .~ Mar e 1.1 a A. Peach Recording Secretary