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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP April 14, 1994 CA. CITY of ANDOVER special City Council Meeting - April 14, 1994 Call To Order - 7:00 p.m. 1. BOARD OF REVIEW 2. Assessment policy: Extending Payments 3. Purchase of Wasteco site 4. City Hall Committee 5. Arrange Strategic Planning Session 6. 7. Adjourn .- . -- _.~- ~-- --- -- ~-- .-.--" -- ---..- ~. CITY of ANDOVER A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 14, 1994 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on April 14, 1994, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Dalien, Jacobson, Knight, Perry Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Finance Director, Daryl Sulander City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others BOARD OF REVIEW John Leone, Anoka County Assessor, was present. The following submitted testimony to the Council regarding their proposed assessed valuation: Sophie Kozlowski, 1021 Crosstown Boulevard NW - stated at the increased valuation of her property, it will take her two months to earn enough to pay her taxes. She has lived there for 50 years, plans to live there until she dies and does not want to sell it or develop it no matter how much they bother her. Mr. Leone noted the 42 acres and her house were assessed at $83,200 and was increased to $96,600 basically due to the increased value of the land. The wetland area is assessed at $50/acre; the high ground at $1,800/acre. Land in that area with sewer and water capabilities is selling for as much as $8,000 to $10,000 per acre Ms. Kozlowski - expressed concern and frustration over the ever increasing valuation and inability to pay on a fixed income. Her property is also hampered by the pipeline easement and the railroad going through it. She cannot access the seven acres across the tracks, so it is of no use to her. The house is over 100 years old with cracking walls because of the vibration from the trains. The three box cars of taconite from the train wreck three years ago still has not been cleaned up despite her efforts to get the railroad company to do so. Also, she is no longer allowed to claim Green Acres, and she has not found anyone to farm her land so that she can make that claim. The increasing land values is a problem for all senior citizens. Mr. Leone stated he did decrease the value of the house after inspecting it. She has about 30 acres of high ground that is buildable. Green Acres can only be claimed if there is proof that the property is farmed. Mayor McKelvey stated he would see what he could do to get the taconite cars removed from her property. Because the assessed valuation appeared fair, the City Council took no action on this item. (Y\~~ on 5"/5/9'+ ._-~.~--- ~----- ., Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 14, 1994 Page 2 (Board of Review, Continued) Ann Sikora, 17800 Universitv Avenue NW - stated her valuation increased $2,000 from last year. When they moved out there 44 years ago, there was nothing. They struggled for 20 years to get what they have now. Now the high taxes are making it unaffordable for her. She has no children in the schools and does not use the parks. She recycles all garbage, yet now the county is taxing her for garbage too. She didn't move there just to abandon it or develop it, feeling consideration should be given when there is only one social security check to live on. Ms. Sikora also stated that many of the large oak trees have died; and she cuts them down, using the wood for heat. In the last two years she has had water surrounding her house, so it is not a very desirable lot for sale. But she doesn't want to sell lots and get neighbors. She was taken off Green Acres because harvesting the wood was not considered farming, so the taxes have increased on that 40 acres. When is this increase in valuation going to stop? Her taxes keep increasing, but she receives no benefit. Her house is 30 years old and is in need of repair. Something needs to be done for the senior citizens. Mr. Leone stated property in the county was increased 3.5 percent across-the-board this year. The State doe3n't allow the cutting of wood as a crop any more. He agreed to visit her house again to re-evaluate the value of the house. Councilmember Dalien sympathized with the plight of the senior citizens, but advised the City Council is obligated to follow the guidelines of the State. He encouraged them and the City to work with the State Legislature to give senior citizens in these circumstances a break on their taxes. That is the only way they will see some relief. He did see a bill this session to help those who cannot afford to keep paying the increases in taxes, but he did not know if it would be passed. (Councilmember Jacobson left the meeting at this time; 7:30p.m.) After further discussion with Ms. Sikora and Mr. Leone, the Council took no action on the valuation of the property. The Council recessed at this time, 7:37; reconvened at 7:45 p.m. Mayor McKelvey asked for a motion to close the Board of Review. MOTION by Dalien, Seconded by Perry, to so move. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, I-Absent (Jacobson) vote. ASSESSMENT POLICY: EXTENDING PAYMENTS Mr. Fursman explained the last three petitioned street improvements projects were turned down by the residents because of the high cost. It was noted the people were informed the assessment period would be five years, though the Assessment Policy allows for up to ten years. In " ~ - ._- ..~ - - - . --.....-._~- '. ---. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 14, 1994 Page 3 (Assessment Policy: Extending payments, Continued) calculating the annual cost difference between a five-year, ten-year, l2-year, and l5-year assessment period, he found the greatest difference between five and ten years. He would not advise extending the assessment period beyond the project life of the facility; however, the City is reasonably confident the roads will last between 15 and 20 years. He would like to recalculate the assessment amounts for these projects for a ten-year assessment period and contact the residents with those new numbers for their consideration. In Council discussion, it was generally agreed that a ten-year assessment is reasonable; but they did not want to go to 15 years. It was noted the residents should have some time without an assessment before road reconstruction is done. There was a short discussion on bonding, with Mr. Sulander suggesting the City look at working with a financial consultant such as Springsted when going out for bonds, whose fees are based on the sale of the bonds. Mr. Fursman felt a component missing in the City's financing right now is someone who can analyze the market and the City's needs. No specific decision was made regarding a financial consultant at this time. The Council agreed that Staff should contact the residents in the street improvement project areas to let them know the annual assessment for a 10-year period; and if they are interested, they can petition for the projects again. (Councilmember Jacobson returned at this time; 8:18 p.m.) PURCHASE OF WASTECO SITE Mr. Fursman reported the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment has been completed' by Braun Intertec Corporation. The contaminants found are limited to the northern portion adjacent to the landfill. In talking with Braun Intertec this afternoon, they did not recommend doing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment because of the studies already done on the site. He would not recommend the City purchase the property, but that it let the option to purchase lapse. Mayor McKelvey stated he also discovered that the county has an easement over the entire 80 acres to store dirt for future road projects. He did not know if the county would be willing to release that easement. He thought it may be feasible to pursue the purchase of the 30 acres along Bunker Lake Boulevard which does not contain contaminants and there is no county easement. No action was taken on this item. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 14, 1994 Page 4 CITY HALL COMMITTEE Mr. Fursman recommended a committee be established to discuss the development of a City Hall site. Before the Council can make any decision, there has to be some ranking of sites and options available. Staffing needs and financing options also need to be explored. The Council noted that councilmembers Perry and Dalien already sit on a City Hall Committee, and both agreed to meet with Mr. Fursman on these issues. Mr. Fursman felt it is important to get a site established first, then explore the technical aspects of space, costs, and financing. ARRANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION Mr. Fursman felt an issue that needs to be determined is that of growth -- the rate of growth and keeping up with parks, roads, police, fire, staffing. Staff needs clear direction as to what the Council is or is not willing to do and what it is willing to offer in the way of development. There are a number of things that can be done on economic development that are not being done because there is no clear direction. Council discussed the issue of buying out some of the junkyards using Tax Increm~nt Financing funds, the philosophy and logistics of doing so, potential development scenarios, estimated costs, and the concerns of contaminated land. They also agreed to hold a strategic planning session. Mr. Fursman stated he will propose some meeting dates at one of the May Council meetings. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Perry, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully ~~ ~~ ,:1 Recording Secretary