Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP October 11, 1995 CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - OCTOBER 11, 1995 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on October 11, 1995, 7:06 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to discuss externalities and the VISION FOR ANDOVER prepared by Change Facilitators. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Jacobson, Knight Councilmember absent: Kunza Also present: City Administrator, Richard Fursman City Planning Director, Dave Carlberg City Engineer, Scott Erickson City Finance Director, Jean McGann Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone Fire Chief, Dan Winkel Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Finance, Shirley Clinton Parks, Kevin Star The Council and Staff reviewed the summary of the VISION FOR ANDOVER that was drafted by Councilmember Jacobson. Mr. Fursman thought that after the Council has agreed to the various items, it will provide the ground work for a new Comprehensive Plan. Work on a new Comprehensive Plan should start immediately after this is completed. The ordinances must also be reviewed as to how they are impacted by this. Community a} New City logo - There was general agreement the existing logo should be updated. Suggestions were to modify the existing one with color, background scenery, etc. Also consider a City motto which can be used in the logo. No specific decisions were made at this time as to the procedure to devise a new logo (hire graphic arts experts, resident contest, etc.) or who would be responsible for doing so. b} Community events - There was general agreement that community events should be promoted. Mayor McKelvey mentioned work is being done to have a parade down Commercial Boulevard during Andover Days. The Fire Department also wants to bring in a circus and a carnival. The Andover Times will be coming out with community events. Mr. Carlberg suggested holding a business appreciation day to recognize the businesses in the community. c} Provide meeting rooms, community and recreational facilities - It was agreed to add this as a principle for the community. Land Use a) Adopt Wetlands Conservation and Marginal Land Use Ordinance - Staff noted the many restrictions already in place. It was agreed this should remain as a governing principle. . ~ .0_. __ _ __ .. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - October 11, 1995 Page 2 b) and c) Accommodate a maturing population and an ordinance on unit clustered housing - It was noted the City already has the ability to develop in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) , though not much has been done with that provision. A vision was to provide clustered housing for seniors with large green areas, a small shopping area to meet their needs plus transportation. The current zoning already allows that flexibility. A suggestion was to have the Planning Commission research ordinances from other states that have nice senior housing complexes such as California, Florida, or Arizona. Also add the land use planning issue of pedestrian ways. It was suggested they be made a part of the platting process. d), e), and f) - It was agreed these are important governing principles for the City. Council Leadership Responsibilities a) Review City ordinances prior to December 31, 1996 - Mr. Carlberg stated there have been many amendments in the last few years to bring the ordinances up to date. He agrees an ordinance-by- ordinance review needs to be done. b) Identify public transportation needs - It was agreed this should be moved to the Land Use portion of the Statement. There was a strong feeling by some that "park and ride" areas should be developed in the City. Private bus companies may be willing to service Andover if there are "park and ride" facilities. One appropriate place mentioned for such a facility is along Hanson Boulevard, possibly utilizing an odd-sized lot. c) Competition in providing services - Several Councilmembers noted a move to privatize services across the country, which is worth investigating. Staff noted a lot is already being done to contract services rather than have them done in-house, such as pesticide control, fertilizing, utility billing, etc. They also felt there will be an even greater movement to working with other cities to improve services. Andover already does that with Ham Lake, the county, etc. Councilmember Jacobson didn't think each department had to look for ways to contract services each year, but there are things to look at each year. Further discussion was the City should continue to seek competition to provide services at the least cost, to work cooperatively with other cities and to look at expanding joint purchases. It was also suggested Staff look at providing services to other communities, which would generate another source of income. d) Review of services and fees - Mr. Fursman agreed the City is overdue in reviewing its services and fee structure, especially in parks. Mr. Haas stated user fees are in place for adult leagues in the parks. Mr. Erickson also noted the establishment of a storm sewer district for maintenance should be explored. Such a program should be self-sufficient. Councilmember Jacobson questioned if that item should be listed under the Engineering section. ... ...~- r" -.. . --~---- .-. -- Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - October 11, 1995 Page 3 e) Encouraging new telecommunications services for citizens - It was agreed this item warrants further investigation. f) Town meetings - Council noted the lack of attendance at the town meetings that have been held in the past, though attendance may increase if they were held on a regular basis. Mr. Fursman suggested a survey be taken of the residents to get ideas and input, which often generates topics of interest. It was agreed that this item should remain on the list, including the use of surveys as a means of receiving resident input. g) The Staff suggested Item g be added that periodic joint meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission be held, possibly scheduled twice a year. The Council agreed. City Staff a) Develop professional relationships - It was agreed the item should read "City Staff should develop professional relationships...". b) and c) Educational sessions and physical environment for Staff - Staff agreed with the items as listed. It was also suggested that Councilmembers be encouraged to attend annual educational or training sessions. d) Annual progress report to Council by Departments - The Staff suggested periodic workshops of the City Council and Staff be held, possibly one before the budget process and one after. The Council agreed. Engineering a) Streets to nearby developable properties - It was agreed to require pedestrian ways in this statement, plus require two entrances to all developments. b) Negotiations with county on road improvements - All felt this is an excellent idea. Mr. Erickson thought additional funding for road improvements should be researched in order to get some county roads improved. c) Maintenance schedules of streets - Mr. Erickson stated a management system is being established that prioritizes the work to be done. There is a need for funding for this item. d) Establish storm sewer district development plan - Mr. Erickson asked that this item be added to the list to provide for storm sewer as the City expands. That should be done as a part of the Comprehensive Plan. e) Establish Capital Improvements Plan - Mr. Carlberg asked that this item be added to the list. Ms. McGann explained the intent would be to establish a plan to be able to fund capital purchases internally. Special Andover ci ty Council Meeting Minutes - October 11, 1995 Page 4 f) Re-establish Capital Improvements on Municipal State Aid Program - Mr. Haas explained it is important to have a MSA plan in place. Council agreed. Other items discussed were the philosophy of putting the City first and developers second; approving plats only when there are no contingencies in place; that an untapped resource for volunteers and community leaders is from the churches and other organizations; the possibility of seating residents with expertise in banking, real estate, etc., on the Economic Development Authority as the focus of the Authority shifts to economic and commercial development; on the need to re-establish a Comprehensive Plan Task Force to update that Plan using this list as a guideline; that some of these items will be done outside of the Comprehensive Plan and should begin immediately; other items are on-going and are already in place; and that possibly a first step is to incorporate these plans and ideas into the developers' handbook. It was agreed that Councilmember Jacobson will revise and, with the Administrator's input, prioritize the governing principles, incorporating suggestions made this evening. That list will be available at the November 7 Council meeting for further discussion. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Dehn, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Absent (Kunza) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \\~ ~~~ ( \ -\ ,~ ?CA..vir-- Marc~a A. Peach Recording Secretary