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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP March 21, 1988 -é}"''':~ .~ . '. " .- CITY of ANDOVER -;' SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 21, 1988 ~c 8:00 l. Call to order 2. Coon Creek Watershed Appointee Interviews a. Karen Peterson - 8:00 b. Robert Boyum - 8:20 c. Russ McGlenn - 8:40 d. Ken Slyzuk - 9:00 e. Raymond Warren - 9:20 f. Jack McKelvey - 9:40 3. Grading plan Discussion/Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition 4. Adjournment - - ~ ~ .~,~ '~ /!~ CITY of ANDOVER ~. ,-~ i." SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 21, 1988 ":\. -..-,' MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Winds chit 1 at 8:09 P.M., Monday, March 21, 1988 at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard N.W., Andover, MN to interview potential candidates to the Coon Creek Watershed Board and to discuss the grading plan for Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition. Councilmembers Present: Apel, Orttel, Elling, Knight (8: 16) Councilmembers Absent: None Also Present: James E. Schrantz, City Engineer; Dave Almgren, Building Official; others Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition Gradinq Plan Mayor Windschitl explained that there is a 13 foot drop from the lots in Red Oaks to the lots in Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition. This will cause a problem because there is a street proposed to tie into that area. Mr. Schrantz noted that the extra dirt on the property is going to be needed for the cul-de-sacs. Councilman Orttel suggested that we require full restoration, seeding and sodding or we're going to experience sand storms in that area. Mayor Windschi~l reported that a meeting with the DNR was held last Friday and they agreed to the 20 foot bridge if we can mitigate the 2~ acres of the wetland to their satisfaction. Any protected wetland is not acceptable. He felt that we need to look at what affect it will have on the neighbors and the streets. This item was tabled until later in the meeting. At this time, the Council interviewed Robert Boyum as a potential candidate for the Coon Creek watershed Board, asking him why he would like to be on the Board. Mr. Boyum explained that he would like to get a little respect back into thc Board, that at the present time it is a sham. The present representative fOL Andover is just a yes vote on the Board; Al Sannerud is running the meetings. Mr. Boyum noted that he started attending the meetings when the Board carne out with the new benefit and has only missed the last two meetings. Councilman Orttel asked Mr. Boyum what he thought should be required to generate the repairs of a ditch. Mr. Boyum felt that the petitions should have more signatures than seven indicating that the sod farmers and vegetable farmers should pay more because it directly benefits their farms. Mayor Windschitl asked Mr. Boyum what he would try to change. Mr. Boyum stated that he would be more responsive to the people. The average person is only being assessed $10.00 so they don't care what's going on. - - - Special City Council Meeting March 21, 1988 - Minutes Page 2 Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition, cont. Mayor Windschitl felt that if this is not a reasonable plan, we should look at changing it. However, it was noted that if the ordinance states a 4 to 1 slope, we'll have to let them go with that. Dave Almgren noted that 10,000 yards of dirt would be moved. Mayor Windschitl felt that we have to be able to tie in streets and protect existing neighbor- hoods. Tabled to later in the meeting. At this time, the Council interviewed Ken Slyzuk, the ~rAsent represent- ative to the Coon Creek watershed Board. Mr. Slyzuk noted that he would like to remain on the Board as hA feels it is a little bit of community service ~nd he also has an interest in what the Board is doing. Councilman Apel stated that there was some controversy in the last few years in regard to the Board'o assessment policy and asked Mr. Slyzuk to address that item. Mr. Slyzuk explained that they listened to their legal counsel, who advised them to do it this way. The formula used 1S the same that is used across the state. Now their legal counsel says that they can't do it that way. The Board is now in the process of working up a different formula that will be more fair. He didn't know if the numbers will change, but it treats everyone on the same basis. Councilman Orttel noted that this ditch is the only outlet for drainage. Something that we haven't done would be to sit down with our represent- ative and say this is our system and how can we work together to accomplish what we need. Mr. Slyzuk felt that would be a good idea, noting that the Board has asked to meet with the cities. In order for anything to work, everyone has to work in the same direction. We have to realize it's a storm sewer for all the cities combined and it has to be treated as such. The more building that goes on, the more runoff there is and it has to have some where to go. Mr. Slyzuk felt that some of the regional ponding will help this. Mayor Windschitl asked what the biggest issue is that the Watershed will have to address in the next two or three years. Mr. Slyzuk noted that they are trying to push the ponding. That is the thing we will be working the hardest on; they don't want to have flood- ing dmvnstream. He also noted that the DNR is not as difficult to work with as they have been in the past. The Watershed isn't into the pond- ing far enough to know how the Corps of Engineers will act. Councilman Knight asked Mr. Slyzuk how he views his positioil on the Board, does he represent the City of Andover or the Board as a whole? Mr. Slyzuk replied that he feels he represents both. It is a position where you have to look at it-as a whole watershed. Special City Council Meeting March 21, 1988 - Minutes Page 3 Mr. Orttel asked what Al Sannerud's capacity is with the Board. Mr. Slyzuk noted that he is the administrator and any phone calls that are made to the Watershed Board are made to him. He is doing more than he did 10 years ago, but the Board is also doing more now. Councilman Elling questioned the expenditures of the Board, noting that the administrative costs seemed to be extremely high. Mr. Slyzuk explained that the costs are higher than a city project because there are more things that go into one of the watershed's projects than into a city project, such as appraisals. If these are to change, the changes must come from the Legislature. In closing, Mr. Slyzuk stated that over the years, he has felt that he has been fair to the city and to the Board; he hasn't been on the Board for his own personal benefit. He also noted that he would be willing to meet with the Council and take their concerns to the Board. Raymond Warren was next interviewed by the Council. Mr. Warren stated that he has lived in the city for three years and is interested in the area, wanting to be part of the area and do what he can to see that everyone is treated fairly. Mr. Warren noted that he is presently on the Crooked Lake School Advisory council. Councilman Knight asked Mr. Warren if there is anything with the present setup of the Board that he would like to see changed. Mr. Warren felt that the attitude of some of the members needs to be changed. At one of the meetings, one of the members said, "I have made up my mind and I don't care what you think." Mr. Warren felt that there has be a way for the people to suggest different ways to do things. Mr. Orttel noted that as development occurs it puts more water into Coon Creek. He asked Mr. Warren how he feels the ponding should be managed and how it should be financed. Mr. Warren indicated that building ponds to hold the water is a waste of money and the only way to finance it is through taxes which he feels is unfair. In closing, Mr. Warren stated that he feels some changes should be made and he would like to be a part of making those changes. He would like to go into the meetings with an open mind, listen to both sides and make a good common sense decision. Presently at the meetings, everything is cut and dried and the public's opinion does not count. Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition, Cont. Mayor Windschitl noted that the street right now is running into a 14 foot wall. Looking at an overall profile, if nothing is changed it would work. Art Raudio, devploper of the plat, stated that they have tried to maximize the use of the dirt on plats. Some of the dirt will be used in fill areas. On the east side of the plat, tuck-under splits would work. Special City Council Meeting M~rch 21, 1988 - Minutes Page 4 Tom O'Malley, surveyor, stated that they have tried to keep the slope at 4 to 1. At this time, the Council interviewed Russ McGlenn. Mr. McGlenn explained that he has been involved in the watershed meetings for the last two years. He has a videotaping business and felt that the meetings should be broadcast on TV so that the people will know what is going on. He felt that when 43-50% of the mnney being spent is for administrative costs, something should be done. We need people on the Board who are going to try to cut spending, not increase it. Councilman Orttel stated that quite often we do a storm drainage project for a development. He asked Mr. McGlenn, as a representative of the city, because that iz our main outlet, how he would feel. Mr. McGlenn stated that the ditch is there to take care of the water. Most of the people he has talked to wanted to see the ditch cleaned, but they didn't feel it was fair the way it was to be assessed. Mr. McGlenn feels that we can sir down and negotiate some things. ~ayor Windschitl asked Mr. McGlenn what he would change about the Board. Mr. McGlenn noted that for a man to be on the Board as manager, and have him also be the CPA and supply the secretarial support is a conflict of interest. Mr. McGlenn would like to see a manager hired and put in as a full time position. In closing, Mr. McGlenn stated that if the Board would take the money that we are paying now, and use it to clean the ditch we would not need to be assessed further. He felt that being on the Watershed Board would be a duty as he is living in this community. Karen Peterson was next interviewed. Ms. Peterson stated that she is concerned with the spending that is being done and not being accounted for. She didn't feel that one person should be getting rich from the position. Councilman Orttel asked if arry jrreqularities have shown up when the Board has been audited. Ms. Peterson noted that the lawsuit shows that things were not being done legally. She further noted that the administrator of the watershed is the one person making all of the decisions. Jack McKelvey was then interviewed. Mr. McKelvey noted that he has watched how the people, especially our representative, have acted in the last cirses that we had. This party has not brought information forward to the p~ople to let them know what is going on. Mr. McKelvey stated that he would like to keep the people informed. Councilman Elling asked how he felt ahout changing some of the laws Special City Council Meeting March 21, 1988 - Minutes Page 5 that the Board is working under. Mr. McKelvey agreed that the laws need to be changed and would like very much to be a part of that. He feels that he has enough friends in the Legislature that he could get something started to bring the laws up to date. Councilman orttel asked how the drainage system should be managed and financed. Mr. McKelvey felt that the ditches are going to have to be cleaned; however, they won't need to be done to the extent they were in Coon Rapids. Mr. McKelvey stated that he would approach the county for more funding to clean the ditches and also approach the state legislature for more funding. Mayor Windschitl asked what the biggest item is that Mr. McKelvey would change. Mr. MCKelvey stated the way the Board formed should be changed. Once a person is appointed, it's hard to get them off. These should be elected positions and they should be responsible to the people in the communities they represent. Councilman Elling asked what past experience he has on committees. Mr. MCKelvey explained that he is the Chairman of the Crooked Lake Advisory Committee; he is very active in politics; was on the Model City Committee in Minneapolis; and several others. He noted that a lot of the members on the Board have been replaced and he felt that it's time to replace our representative. Councilman Orttel asked what should be required to generate a project. Mr. McKelvey felt that a petition with at least forty signatuLes would be appropriate along with the city making the request. In closing, Mr. McKelvey stated that things that go on with this Board should be public. There is no reason the representative should not come to a meeting at least once a month to let the council know what is going on. He further stated that he is qualified for this position as he has worked on many committees, has been a worker and knows now to get things done. Red Oaks Manor 5th Addition, Cont. Mayor Windschitl stated that in looking at this whole thing, it is almost a perfect plat if the dirt is not moved out. The grades are perfect and would match the existing development to the east. Tom O'Malley stated that they3are 887 ·for finish grade; using l~% grade going east, it would put it at 890. Councilman Orttel nuted that by taking 5 feet of dirt, you're looking at 160,000 yards of dirt. Mr. Raudio stated that their engineer said that there would be 100,00 cubic yards of cut and 40,000 cubic yards of fill. He further stated that he is looking to buy the house to the east (Barb Duerr's property). Special City Council Meeting March 21, 1988 - Minutes Page 6 Councilman Elling asked if the developers have an agreemAnt with the Corps of Engineers and the DNR about filling. Mr. Raudio noted that they have the OK on the filling per the grading plan the Council is looking at. Discussion centered on the mining of the dirt on the property and moving it out of the city, with Councilman Knight stating that we have come to the conclusion that we can't afford to be sending dirt out of the city any more. Mr. Orttel noted that Ham Lake has an ordinance regarding the topography of the land during platting. Mr. Almgren was directed to obtain a copy of this ordinance and have it sent to the Planning Commission for consideration. MOTION by Orttel, seconded by Apel to submit all six names to the County Board for their consideration., Discussion, Mr. Orttel stated that we have never asked our representative on the Watershed Board to come to a meeting to let us know what is going on. ML Elling noted that Gary Beck is the only one on the Board now who wants to change things and we need someone who will work with him. Motion carried on a 3 yes, 2 no (Elling, Knight) vot..,. Council briefly discussed the tire recycling operation at Tonson, noting that if the Special Use Permit is being violated, we should hold a hearing, and get it taken care of. MOTION by Orttel, seconded by Apel to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:08 P.M. Respectfully submitted, (, ( ~ IJd-/ vicki Volk Acting Recording Secretary