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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTM October 23, 1996 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL ANDOVER TOWN MEETING - OCTOBER 23, 1996 MINUTES All Council was present, including Dick Fursman. The meeting took place on October 23, 1996. At 7:00 p.m. the Mayor called a Town Meeting into session and asked if anyone had anything to say. Ann Sikora, from the northern part of Andover on the Ham Lake border, asked if Andover intended to develop all the City. She commented that the taxes were too high. She indicated that she had $400 tax increases each year. The Mayor indicated that he would look into the problem. Carol Dixon, 16434 Zuni Street, indicated her displeasure with all of the development. Ms. Dixon produced a map from the Department of Natural Resources showing various different types of special vegetation. She indicated that their natural habitat areas were shrinking to almost non-existence. She indicated that development of the property of homes and farms were destroying the natural habitat and that would never come back. She wanted to see the City work with developers for the preservation of natural areas. Mike Knight indicated that he too was sad about the development in the City when it took away the natural beauty of the area. He further indicated that the State laws are such that the City must allow development to occur. Councilmember Dehn agreed that farms must be preserved and further stated that open land would have to be purchased by the government in order to preserve it all and that would raise taxes. Ken Orttel indicated that the City's share of taxes had gone up from 13 cents on the dollar to 20 cents on the dollar. He further stated that the only reason taxes would go up is if there is an increase in spending. Mr. Omel questioned the amount of testing the City did on the Best and M.R. Olson sites indicating that the City should have been aware of contamination and debris on the site. Mr. Orttel indicted that the radium has been in the water and that it has not been discussed in the past four (4) years. Councilmember Jacobson indicated that Andover water has radium gas in it naturally but that the standard was changed by the Federal Government so the water meets the necessary threshold requirements. Mr. Orttel indicated to the Council that he felt that the town meeting was a disguise to get publicity for incumbents. An unidentified Hills of Bunker Lake resident expressed concern over the Bill's Superette intersection coming into the development relating to the traffic on Hanson. Carol Bradley asked what relationship the City has with the County Highway Department. The Mayor indicated that the City works regularly with the County Board, staff works with other staff in planning developments in ensuring that Andover has a voice when requesting County Highway projects. Lynette Barry asked if the clean-up of the contaminated sites in the new industrial area would cause further problems with the water. Mr. Fursman indicated that the water problem would be helped by the clean-up of the contamination and that the public water is being drawn from different aquifers not related to the contaminated site. Ms. Barry questioned if the City would be able to compete with neighboring communities in its economic development efforts. The Mayor indicated that it would be difficult to say how much competition would be generated through the development of the industrial park when related to other communities. Ms. Barry questioned if the City could not have done soil removal prior to purchasing the auto salvage yards. Mr. Fursman answered by saying that the owners would not have allowed their property to be disturbed in that manner and further that they had to be coaxed into selling and that if the City did not negotiate in an appropriate manner the site would never be cleaned. A resident, who identified his name as Mike from 16300 Makah, had several comments relating to taxes increasing both at the Federal, State, School District, County and City level. He also questioned if the Council took into account increases in taxes when we increase the number of personnel put on. The Mayor responded by saying if the City cannot afford personnel or projects, the City does not do them. Mike indicated that the budget keeps going up and questioned why the City continues to spend increase in the amounts of money. The Mayor indicated that there are many factors related to the City budget increases including the reduction of State Aids. Councilmember Dehn indicated that the City has to be conscientious when dealing with the budget. Couniclmember Jacobson indicated that people should be involved throughout the year. Mike indicated that he didn't care if services were provided for people, such as parks, because he didn't use them and that the City should keep the spending cost at no more increases than the cost of inflation. Lyle Bradley, from 7th Avenue, indicated that he wanted to compliment the City officials and said they were doing a good job. He had a question regarding boats running up and down the Rum River and indicated that he lost 35 feet of his river bank due to motor boats going up and down the river and that an ordinance should be established for a "no ~"_ 0_" wake" zone in that area. He further questioned if prairie grass as a wild flower couldn't be planted on 900 foot of road frontage along property to save money for having to mow it constantly. He asked if a Citizen's Comminee on the idea could be established. He questioned if the County was doing as much speed checks as a motorcyclist was killed on 7th Avenue with cars passing on the right and speeding. It was becoming a treacherous stretch of road. The Mayor indicated that there are several patrols out there and that they are trying to cover as much area as possible. Mr. OrtteI commented that if the City was looking at an MTC route that would be very expensive and the City should not do it. CounciImember Dehn questioned if it would be possible for the City to do it privately. Councilmember Dehn thanked the people for coming out and talking to the Council. A citizen commented on shooting zones and that we have to communicate with other cities on our border about where people should be able to discharge fireanns. A resident who introduced his name as Steve from 1509 Yellow Pine asked what the status of the full-time Park and Recreational staff member was and that he in favor of it. The Mayor indicated that that has been put on hold and that the City detennined that it could not afford it at this time. There was discussion as to when another school is going to be built so Andover students could go to Andover schools. There was an ensuing discussion on school district lines intertwining with municipality lines and the need to use schools that are empty in other areas of the school district. With no other questions or comments for the Town Meeting, the Mayor thanked everyone and called the meeting to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ubmined, , ..