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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP January 5, 1989 ~'.,.,- -, .~ ~." " CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Meeting - January 5, 1989 A special meeting of the Andover City Council will he held at 7:30 P.M., Thursday, January 5, 1989 at the Andover City Hall for the purpose of interviewing candidates for a vacancy on the City Council. victoria Volk City Clerk SCHEDULE OF INTERVIEWS FOR COUNCIL POSITION JANUARY 5, 1989 7:00 P.M. Marc McMullen 7:15 P.M. Ronald W. Ferris 7:30 P.M. Marjorie Perry 7:45 P.M. William A. Mam10ck 8:00 P.M. John M. Hartinger 8:15 P.M. Jeffrey Lee Flamo 8:30 P.M. William F. LeFebvre 8:45 P.M. Mary Jo Davich 9:00 P.M. Otto Henry Pfeiffer 9:15 P.M. Howard J. Neisen 9:30 P.M. John E. (Jack) MCKelvey 9:45 P.M. Richard P. Snyder /CA CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JANUARY 5. 1989 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Elling on January 5. 1989. 7:00 p.m.. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW. Andover, Minnesota, to interview applicants for the vacant Council position. CounclJmen present: Jacobson. Knight, Orttel Councilmen absent: None Also present: City Administrator, James Schrantz The following applicants for the vacant Council seat were given 15-mlnute interviews by the Council: Marc McMullen RonaJd W. Ferris Marjorie Perry William A. Mamlock John M. Hartinger Jeffrey Lee Flamo William G. LeFebvre Mary Jo Davich Otto Henry Pfeiffer Howard J. Neisen John E. (Jack) McKelvey Richard P. Snyder The applicants were asked questions alternately by the Councilmen as to what quallties they feel they have to set them above the other cdlldidates. whether they have any special interests or Issues they'd like to see addressed. how they feel about commercial development In the City. what they see as the pr]orltles the City needs to address ]n the next four to five years. how they would handle the conflicting interests between the urban and rural areas of the City. and how they would go about getting a balance of representation between urban and rural areas on the various Commissions. Those not now serving on a City Commission were asked if they would be wilJlng to serve in such a capacity if not appointed to the Council. Those not seeking public office In the last election were also asked why they did not run for the position at that time. Marc McMullen *feels strongly that the City should be more visIble at the legislature and has strong ties to It through his political activities. *feels the Council seat was a logical choice after serving on the Park Commission for 5 or 6 years. *would like to pursue the development of the business park to brIng employment Into Andover. *thought the fire and pollee departments are top priorities ~ - Special CI ty Council Meet!ng January 15, 1989 - Minutes Page 2 (Marc McMullen Interview, Continued) to serve the growing population, plus the commercial development for the extra tax base. *dldn't see unresolvable conflicts In the urban versus rural struggle, thinking those in the rural area, like himself, like the open spaces but also like the conveniences. *has encouraged residents before the Park Commission to become more active and felt the City must go to the neighborhoods to get them Involved. *did not run for the Council seat In the last election because he was Chairman of the DFL and was committed to two other campaigns, which left him unable to run any type of campaign for himself. Ronald W. Ferris *has an act I ve Interest In the City and was very Involved with the City of St. Paul. *believes the local government has the most control over the Ii ves of the people and wants to become Involved. *llkes the way the City is going and wouldn't make any big changes. *prlorlty issues would be the cleanup of the Junkyard district using Tax Increment Financing to bring development In, and to see that the remaining development in the City Is planned. *thlnks there must be a balance between multiple housing and single-family resident!al and there should be some plan for apartments, preferring to see them on the periphery of the City. *feeJs the pollee and fire departments need to be addressed; doesn't see a bond issue being successful In the future, though he was disappointed the last one failed; supported a city pollee department. *feels park dedication fees should be taken to develop the parkland, also feeling more winter activities are needed In the City. *has the time to devote to the responsibilities required of a Councilmember having withdrawn his St. Paul activities and with less travel now required at work. *gave several reasons why those living In the urban area do not apply for the Commissions, feeling neighborhood Involvement In park development fosters Interest. MarJorie Perrv *feels her background In serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission plus knowledge of how the City functions are her strongest qualities. *Is Interested In transportati on; housing, especiallY addressing housing for the elderly; parks and open spaces, preferring the larger park complexes to the small tot lots; and at looking at the way the professionals are being used at City Hall. *fee1s the City has done a good job on commercial development, though the undeveloped NB areas need to be addressed as well as providing sma I I commercial sites in the rural area. *prlority Is the cleanup of the Bunker Lake Boulevard area and the development of the commercial park. *hadn't considered running for the Council until approached by someone at work, then Just got "cold feet". *noted other sectors such as business, are not represented on the Commissions, thinking the City should be actively soliciting people so there Is a good mix and exchange of Ideas. *has the time that would be necessary to be a Councilmember, also feeling such a perSon must be a good communicator. Special CI ty Councl J Meet!ng January 15, 1989 - Minutes Page 3 Will iam A. Mamlock *feels his best qualities are his background with small business and sales, his ability to research to get to the root of the problem and to go forward to correct It. *had no Issues in mind when applying for the position but is concerned about the cleanup of the area along Bunker Lake Boulevard and strengthening the Jicensing procedure. *feels commercial business Is needed to make the community grow but thought the placement of the business In the commercial park was a poor decision because It would be a prime corner for a restaurant. *noted many people are new and are Intimidated by the Counc il , not realizing their needs will be addressed If brought before the Council. *is relatively new to the area but feels the main issue is cleaning up the area, bringing In good businesses. *dldn't run for the office because he never thought he would stand a chance. *thlnks items are often left undone, feeling more followup is needed. *suggested door-to-door solitlcation of volunteers for the Commissions. *is Interested in serving on the other Commissions If not chosen for the Counc II . John M. Hartinqer *didn't run for office because of circumstances surrounding his Job. *learned as a State legislator to listen to al I facts, to be objective, and to go ahead with a project, feeling that experience will help as a Councilman In dealing with urban and rural Issues of the City. *thinks a city needs a balanced development to offset taxes but that more commercial is needed In Andover; Is also glad to see the northern cities are organizing and has the experience on the State level to lObby for the City's share of businesses, incentives, etc. *feels a master plan from a growth standpoint is important for the City and that the standards be kept high. *Is not motivated by any issues other than he lives in and Is proud of the City. *would be Interested in serving on the other Commissions If not chosen for the Council. *feels his experience at the capl tol would be valuable to the City, as he could be a Ilason between the City and the capitol. Jeffrev Lee Flamo *Just moved into his house on October 14 and was too busy completing It to run for the office last fall: didn't even realize there was an election or he would have run. *moved to Andover because of the bigger yards and rural atmosphere, but feels with the proper planning there can be a happy medium between the rural and urban Issues. *pr I or i t1 es Include pollee enforcement, the fire department, engineering facilities to keep up with the demand, day care centers and foster parenting. *works for the City of Minneapolis, is familiar with the engineering procedures for projects, and would like to use that experience in Andover. *is licensed for up to four children as foster parents. *has an ability to make people understand the point he Is trying to make. *would encourage people to voice their opinions, Informing them that they w II I be heard. *would be willing to serve on other CommissIons, though his engIneering background may best be utilized on the Planning Commission. *worked with the Park Board In Columbia Heights as a coach. Special CI ty Counci I Meet! ng January 15, 1989 - Minutes Page 4 William F. LeFebvre *feels his experience within the City qualifies him for the position, having been on the park Board and with different youth athletic associations and the VFW. *Is also genuinely interested and feels he has the votes of the residents behind him. *feels one of the top priorities Is the hazardous waste situation, wanting to be sure the City Is envlronmentaJly safe and clean; also wants to strIve for more business growth. *prlorlties are planning for the growth, pollee and fire protection, individual items in the neighborhoods. *feels everyone needs to be kept In mind when making a decision, thinking the way the City Is run now is acceptable. *a ward system may be necessary once the City reaches full density, but not now. *induce a ward system if equal representation on the CommIssIons does not come naturally. *would prefer serving on the Council but would serve on a Commission if not chosen as Councilman. Marv Jo Davlch *Is able to devote more time to her Interests of serving politically since the children are grown. *feels everyone cannot be satisfied as the areas are developed, but would listen to al J sides before making decisions. *feels some commercial development Is good, especially for the tax base, as long as it is environmentally safe. *has no special Interests other than a property owner and a desire to see growth and a progressive community. *qualitles for the position are she Is a realtor, has had her own business, is flexible and versatile. *has lived in Andover since 1977 and Is a life-time resident of Anoka County. *has been Involved In the Federated Women's Group and active in hockey and Cub Scouts. *feels the priorities are the redistricting for the school district and wetlands. *would be willing to serve on other CommIssions if not chosen for the Council. Otto Henry Pfeiffer *did not have an issue in mind when applying for the positIon. *has worked on the city, state, and federal level but has not been active for the last eight years. *feels the diversified amount of experience he has had, including that in the Veterans Assistance Program, are his best qualities. *feels there Is spotty zoning In Andover but feels there should be a buffer between industrial and residential, and the rural area should be developed to suit the people there. *has not been involved In activities In Andover because he was developing his house, but is an active person and carries a project through once he gets Involved. *feels commercial development Is very necessary, as one-third of the tax base comes from commercial businesses. *feels a segment of all areas should be represented on the Commissions, noting most cities have wards with Commissioners appointed from each ward. *feels the biggest problem facIng the City Is the tire dump and the problems with the junkyards, wanting to find out what can be done and how It can be accelerated. *feels the top priorIties are the park system, as there is a lot of land but not much development; and another busIness zoned area. Special CI ty Council Meet!ng January 15. 1989 - Minutes Page 5 Howard J. Nelsen *moved Into Andover several weeks ago, ca I I ed the City Hall for Information, and was told about the vacancy on the Councl] . *Is not aware of any Issues and comes open minded. *feels his experience as Councilman and Mayor of Mounds View and State legislator would be helpful to Andover, and believes strongly in helping the area he lives In. *feels his best quality Is the ability to realize that everyone else has their own opinion and that they have a right to that opinion; has the ability to be open minded, to listen, and to weigh what the majority wants. *feels the Planning Commission Is the best tool for the City, and commercial development supports the tax base. *wouJd like to see a lot of planning before development. *In the past 8 years has served on the Charter Commission for the City of Mounds View and has been active in church, the VFW, and the Veterans Administration; but his real in Interest is in government. *feels the layout of total development must be done prior to the development to plan for parks, drainage, commercial development, etc. *maln Issue is to look at the parkland as part of the growth of the community. *also has experience with the Rice Creek Watershed area. *has signed up for the Economic Development Committee and the Planning Commission. John E. (Jack) McKelvev *feels his best quality Is when he starts a project, he works very hard until It gets finished. *has attended all the CIty Council meeti ngs I n the last 16 months and feels he knows the issues of the City. *has read Ordinances 8 and 10 and has experience dealing with the public as a police officer. *doesn't have any special Issues but Is Involved In the Coon Creek Watershed Issue. *feels commercial development Is necessary for the tax base. *dldn't run for the Council last fall because he actively supported an opponent of one gentleman he had a disagreement with, therebY not being able to run for office himself. *feels that growth should occur in an orderly fashion and should not be north of City Hall unt II the areas already sewered south of it are developed. *prlorites are the water supply and water tower, the fire department, the development of a pollee department when It is affordable, and expanding the City buildings. *feels the involvement of different groups will equalize the representation on the Commissions, though he didn't feel that was a problem on the Park Board. *hasn't thought about serving on any of the Commissions, though he may be interested in the P & Z. Richard P. Snvder *has lived in Andover about one year and was involved in politics in the City of Minneapolis. *has been a Minneapolis firefighter for the last 16 years and a construction worker before that. *does not have any special Interests but applied In response to the TV ad. *is really more interested In serving on the Planning Commission than on the Council. *has had training in hazardous material. *knows that commercial development Is necessary. *generalJy feels there are too many laws and ordinances, feeling government should be kept to an absolute minimum without getting too restrictive. *did not run during the election because he was still moving Into his house, but he wants to keep active In the area. *hasn't seen any major problems other than the Junkyards. Special City Council Meet!ng January 15, 1989 - Minutes Page 6 Counc il then discussed the selection of a CounclJmember. MOTION by Orttel to nominate Bill LeFebvre to fill the vacant Counc I ) seat. Motion dies for lack of a Second. Discussion was then on the candidates, their qualifications, their location of residence, and a method of selection. CouncIlman Orttel argued the residents may perceive some unfairness In representation If four of the five CounclJmembers are from the rural area. Each Councilman then indicated their top three choices, discussing the merits and weaknesses of each. Counc II also agreed on the policy of doing a background check on all individuals appointed to the CommissIons and to the CouncIl. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, that we select Marjorie Perry to f I ¡ I the vacant Council seat subject to the regu I ar background check by Anoka County. The Motion carried on a 3-Yes, I-No (Orttel) vote. Councilman Orttel stated for the record, " I feel Ms. Perry is a very qualified person but that the geographical disparity of the CI ty Counc I I Is totally out of whack, and I don't think that is fair to the residents of the urban area." Councilman Knight stated for the record, " I feel she is the best qualified, and I understand your (Councilman Orttel's) arguement In terms of geographical I oca t1 on. " Councilman Jacobson stated for the record, . I echo Mike (Knight> . I think she Is the best qualified. I don't want to consider location when selecting a person." Mayor Elling stated for the record, " I feel that she is the most qualified of the candidates that we had. I understand that there could be a problem In the urban area." MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to adJourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~"~~ovL Mar 'Ia A. Peach Recording Secretary