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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP September 6, 1990 .~ CITY of ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 6, 1990 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 7:01 P.M. 2. Leet Variance 7:05 P.M. 3. Interview Boarman & Associates 7:35 P.M. 4 . Interview Bonestroo, Rosene & Anderlik 8:05 P.M. 5 . Steffen/Ruud; Anoka County 6. Adjourn 1~ CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 6, 1990 MINUTES A Special Meet I ng of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jim Elling on September 6, 1990 : 7:00 p.m.. at the Andover City Hal I, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to discuss matters relating to several lawsuits. Councilmembers present: Jacobson, Orttel, Perry Councllmember absent: Kn I gh t Also present: Building OfflciaJ, Dave Almgren; Representatives of the Fire Department; CI ty Administrator, James Schrantz and others LEET VARIANCE Mr. Almgren reviewed the Staff recommendation of the variance request by the Leets which was addressed at the regular meeting of September 4. After reviewing the ordinances further, the Staff believes that the request places the barn 102 feet from the habitable portion of the structure, which satisfies the ordinance and requires no variance. The 100-foot setback was adopted in 1979 prior to the attached garage requ I remen t . This is also a unique situation and one he has never had before because the house faces the side of the lot, not the street. Normally the setback would be taken from the back of the house; but because this house faces south, the garage Is closest to the proposed location of the barn. There Is no problem with the proposed location of the barn in relation to the septic system and welJ. Counc II discussed the interpretation of the setback being measured from the habitable portion of the house, not from the attached garage. Councilmembers Perry and Jacobson were not comfortable with considering the attached garage as separate from the principal structure. Mr. Almgren argued attached garages were not required at the time the ordinance was adopted, and garages are classified separately In the ordinance and are uninhabitable. Councilmember Orttel feJt the original intent of the ordinance needs to be considered, and that was to separate the living quarters from horse barns. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Perry, to amend Ordinance 23 to note that the separation between the accessory building and the house Is to be for health reasons and shalJ be 100 feet from the we II or habitable portion of the dwelling, whichever is closer, unless State health codes require a greater separation. DISCUSSION: CounciJmember Orttel also suggested there be some reference in the amendment that the separation refers only to the home that Is Jocated on the same lot as the accessory bUilding, not to a neighboring lot. Councilmember Jacobson was not in favor of revising the ordinance without further consideration by the P & Z and/or Equestrian Council. Motion carried on a 3-Yes, l-No (Jacobson), l-Absent (Knight> vote. Special City Counci I Meeting Minutes - September 6, 1990 Page 2 INTERVIEW BOARMAN AND ASSOCIATES Paul Mickelberg, Project Architect, Dave Kroos, Vice President, and Tom Sackett of Kraus-Anderson and consultant for cost estimating gave a presentation to the Counc II of their qualifications and experience In designing and overseeing the construction of fire stations. They also reviewed their proposal for the design and construction of Andover's two new fire stations. Afterwards they answered questions from the Council regarding their bid, services they would provide, cost estimates, scheduling, etc. They noted the importance of buffering the station from the neighborhood and designing it to blend In with the surroundl ng community. They felt an ideal schedule would be to complete the documents this fal I and bid them early in the spring for a September 1 occupancy. They would continuaJ]y communicate with the Staff, recommending regularly scheduled meetings so everyone is informed. They Indicated their firm Is willing to move ahead with the plans prepared to date by the Fire Department, offering critiques and suggesting Improvements. They also reviewed the critical points when the construction will be inspected, and noted their firm places a strong emphasis on inspections. They would be sure someone is out to inspect the site two times each month during construction plus at the critical points and whenever there is a problem or a concern. They also felt the total cost of construction would be lower If both stations are bid at the same time, but it wouldn't affect their fee at al] I f they were designed and built separate]y. At this point they felt the buildings as proposed would come within the budget a]]otted. Discussion was then on the advantages of having a construction manager oversee the project and the costs Involved. Mr. Mlckelberg noted they have worked with Kraus-Anderson In the past to provide accurate cost information. As a construction manager, Kraus-Anderson could not bid on the project to build the stations. If the City chose to have a construction manager, Kraus-Anderson would be contracted separately from Boarman & Associates. INTEVIEW BONESTROO. ROSENE AND ANDERLIK Bob Russek, Chief Architect, Glenn Cook, City Engineer, and Otto Bonestroo, Chai rman, gave a presentation to the Council of their qualifications and experience In designing and overseeing the construction of the fire stations. They also reviewed their proposal for the design and construction of Andover's two new fire stations, feeling this should be placed on priority scheduling to begin construction yet this faJ I to avoid inflated costs in the future. They stressed the importance of regular Inspections on the project, Specla City CouncIl MeetIng MInutes - September 6, 1990 Page 3 (Interview Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik, ContInued) pointing out key inspections as well as committing to an average of one inspection weekly. They felt one of their strongest assets Is their familiarity with the City, wIth Mr. Cook being the City's consultant engineer for over eight years. Mr. Russek also stated they have revIewed their fee schedule since the prelimInary interview and found that they had included a locatIon plan for the thIrd proposed fire station. Since that is not being consIdered at thIs tIme, they have adjusted their proposal to inc]ude only the two fire stations. They feel they can also provIde Andover some cost savings for Inspections by schedulIng the Inspector's tIme to coIncide with Inspections In neighboring communities. Their not-to-exceed cost is $100,100, which includes an allowance for necessary sol] borings. Mr. Russek stated there would be no other fees, and that Inc]udes project management. The Council could decIde not to utilize a proJect manager to reduce that fee. Their firm also believes In the general contractor bId so the general contractor is responsible for everythIng. Mr. Bonestroo also noted that the City owns the shop drawings; however, they must keep the origInal documents for six years In case of lItigation. Mr. Russek fe]t the buildIngs as proposed will come within the budget, though they can bId some things as a]ternates as a safeguard. No Council action was taken at this time; the selection of an archItectural firm was done later In the meeting. STEFFEN/OLSON - ANOKA COUNTY The Councl] met with County Commissioner Natalie Haas-Steffen and County EngIneer John Olson regarding several Items of concern. FIrst, Mayor Elling explained the City's desire to have an east/west corridor between Round Lake Bouelvard and County Road 7 in the vicInity of 165th for emergency servIces and traffic flows, asking If the county would be wi]llng to construct it as a county road in exchange for that portIon of County Road 20 on 157th. Several optIons were discussed. Mr. Olson noted the deep peat through the area makes It an expensive project, estimatIng a cost of $1.5 million to build the road. It is also the county's polley that on new roads, the City is responsible for purchasing the right of way. He stated the county has just completed is 2010 plan, and no such corridor was ever mentIoned. He was also concerned about where the dollars would come from. Special Ci ty Council Meeting Minutes - September 6, 1990 Page 4 (Steffen/Olson - Anoka County, Continued) Commissioner Haas-Steffen was not so concerned about changing the 2010 plan, but found going through 30 feet of peat troublesome. She stated i t Is possible that something could be worked out, but the money is not available right now. The Counc I I then reviewed maps for proposed road Improvements In Andover in the next 20 years. It was noted CoRd 58 is scheduled to be updated within the next five to eight years, though Commissioner Haas-Steffen suggested the City ask again next year to have Val ley Drive Improved as soon as possible as they do try to solve the probJems. After further discussion on plans and proposa]s, Commissioner Haas-Steffen agreed the county would be willing to look at the construction of an east/west route, though she could not guarantee when the funds would be available. She didn't foresee it happening within the next five years, and it could be 10 to 15 years. There was a brief discussion on the funds the county owes the City on the Crosstown Boulevar~Verdin Street project. Commissioner Haas-Steffen stated the City wiJ] be paid in 1992, which Is earlier than ca]led for by the agreemen t. Next there was discussion about the traffic concerns In the vicinity of the intersection at Round Lake and Bunker Lake Boulevards, everyone recognizing the problem wi I I be significantly compounded with the opening of the bridge over the Rum River. That bridge was not scheduled to be opened until June, 1991: however, It may be open as soon as this fa I I . Mr. Olson reviewed the maps showing the plans for Improving that Intersection with turn lanes, medians, etc. , plus the improvement of Round Lake Boulevard both north and south of that Intersection. He also noted the owners of the Downtown Shopping Center were aware of the ]ocatlon of the medians before the development. Two right/left accesses are proposed for that shopping center: one off Round Lake Boulevard by the Strip Mall and one off Bunker Lake Bou]evard near the bank. Mr. Olson estimated the major Improvement at the Intersection to be done within the next three to five years, though the minima] widening and turnlanes will be done next year. No action was taken by the Counc il . Discussion was then on the proposal to move the intersection of CoRd 58 at CoRd 7 to north of the Tom Thumb store. If that I s the desi re of the City, Commissioner Haas-Steffen recommended the City acquire the right of way, and the county wl]1 do the project when CoRd 58 Is upgraded. No specific action was taken by the Counci]. Finally, discussion was on the closing of the bridge over Coon Creek on Crosstown Boulevard. Both Commissioner Haas-Steffen and Mr. Olson agreed that because of the Ilabl]lty question and the cost, I t Is not SpeciaJ Ci ty Council Meeting Minutes - September 6, 1990 Page 5 (Steffen/Olson - Anoka County, Continued) possible to put in a temporary crossing for the firefighters and emergency vehicJes. The project Is to be completed by November 14. Mr. Olson suggested either having the firefighters park a car on the other side of the bridge to respond to emergencies, parking a fire truck somewhere else In the City, or park a fire truck In the county's shop off Bunker Lake Boulevard. Fire Chief Glenn Smith felt i t is not helpful to park a fire truck in the county shop. Under the circumstances, the best situation Is leaving a fIre truck parked in the garage on the former Conroy property off 139th at Crosstown Boulevard. No action was taken by the Council. Commissioner Haas-Steffen then noted a meetIng she wI I I be attendIng asking the FHA to 11ft their restrictions on loans for rural housi ng. Counc i I agreed to support her efforts. She agreed to send the City a draft letter to that effect for Counc i 1 consideration. SELECTION OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRM Counc i I discussed the strengths and drawbacks of both firms interviewed. Though it was genera I I y felt that either firm would be acceptable and would meet the City's needs, the majority tended to favor BRA because of their familiarity with the City, satisfaction with previous work done for Andover, their conservative nature, their experience in designing fire stations, and because of their commitment to average weekly inspections on the project. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Jacobson, that Councl I award the contract for the architectural, construction, and administration services for proposed fire stations to the Bonestroo firm per their contract based upon their proposaJ as amended on 9-6-90; and have the City Attorney In conJunction with Staff prepare the proper documents for that. DISCUSSION: Mr. Schrantz suggested the "Staff" I ncl ude those members of the committee that first Interviewed the architectural firms. Those members are Fire Chief Glenn Smith, Assistant Fire Chief Da]e Mashuga. Bob Peach, Mayor Elling, Dave Almgren and Jim Schrantz. Counc il agreed. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimous]y. Meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m. Respectful ly sUbmitte~ ~~~ Recording Secretary