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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK September 25, 1996 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW.. ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP Wednesday, September 25,1996 Call to Order - 7:00 PM 1. Woodland Terrace Discussion 2. Assessment Policy Guidelines Discussion 3. Amendment to Ordinance 10 Discussion Mayor-Council Input Adjournment u. ._. ..~--_. CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 25, 1995 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on September 25, 1996 . 7:05 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Jacobson, Knight, Kunza Councilmembers absent: None Also present: Building Official, David Almgren City Engineer, Scott Erickson City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others WOODLAND TERRACE DISCUSSION Mayor McKelvey stated because residents were given an opportunity to give testimony at previous meetings, no public input will be taken this evening. He stated that because he has always advocated a developmen~ have at least two entrances and exits, he would not be in favor of resolving the traffic problem along Narcissus in Woodland Terrace by closing roads. He believed it is an enforcement problem. Sheriff Podany has guaranteed him the Deputies would be assigned to spend more time in that development to alleviate the problems. Also, because of the legal ramifications of closing the streets to Coon Rapids, he. felt that is not a practical option either. Councilmember Kunza wondered if it would be feasible to make any of the roads in the development one-way streets. Would that alleviate any of the problems? Mayor McKelvey stated that would mean Narcissus would have to be designated one way, and that was rejected early in the discussions of this situation. It may reduce some of the traffic, but it could also cause more speeding on the streets because there would be no on-coming traffic. There is also a certain legal responsibility on the part of the City if some one is injured as a result of the City's installation of barricades. Councilmember Jacobson stated the problems are volume and speed. He felt the speed can only be controlled by the people driving through there and by law enforcement. If any road in the development is cut off, it just pushes the volume of traffic onto other streets, whic'1. doesn't solve anything. He felt a concentrated effort by the police would send a message to those traveling through that neighborhood. Councilmember Dehn was also opposed to closing any streets and to installing any chokers. A main concern is for safety and the ability of the police and fire to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner. Because the first 1 1/2 blocks down Narcissus seems to be the greatest problem area, she suggested sidewalks be installed on both sides and possibly crosswalks as well. With the new pedestrian laws, that would provide greater protection for the children. She too agreed with increasing law enforcement in there. . .---- --. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 25, 1996 Page 2 (Woodland Terrace Discussion, Con tinued) Mayor McKelvey informed those present that if they are interested in the installation of sidewalks along Narcissus, they should petition the City. When Councilmember Kunza asked about the possibility of closing another entrance off Bunker Lake Boulevard, Mayor McKelvey stated there is only one entrance at each end now. When the county widens punker Lake Boulevard, all exists will be closed except at the lighted intersection by the shopping center and at the light at the schools. There was some discussion about why Lily Street was closed off at the Coon Rapids border. Mr. Almgren recalled that was constructed to a cul- de-sac when the area developed. A resident disputed that point, stating it was only closed several years ago. Mayor McKelvey argued it was never an open street. Councilmember Knight stated he was in Woodland Terrace four times last week, and the area was quite deserted. Other residents are concerned if something is done to close the exit at Narcissus that it would create problems along 133rd and 134th by moving the traffic to that area. At this point, the consensus of the Council was that increased law enforcement would be the best solution. Residents were encouraged to petition for sidewalks if they are interested in doing so. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Dehn, that we request from the Sheriff increased patrol for traffic and speeding in the Woodland Terrace Additions over the next several months as solutions to the speeding and traffic volume problems. Motion carried unanimously. ASSESSMENT POLICY GUIDELINES DISCUSSION The discussion on the change to the assessment policy for road improvements to defer assessment against practicing agricultural properties was continued from the regular meeting on September 17, 1996. Councilmember Knight repeated he would like to see the policy for City projects be the same as the MSA one, that after 15 years the assessment would be dropped if the property does not develop. Councilmember Jacobson stated if the City subordinates the assessment, it does not create a financial burden to the City. The problem he had was who will pay for the bond obligations to cover the money that would not be received from the assessments that are forgiven. In an MSA project, the funding comes from the state. He did not know where those funds would come from for City projects, other than from the residents through an increased tax levy; and he did not think that could be justified. The Council continued to discuss different scenarios of applying the policy if were exactly like the MSA policy. It was also noted that this would only apply to existing dirt roads; and of the 22 miles of dirt road left in the City, very little is adjacent to practicing farms, possibly three or four farms. The paving of the street could be assessed if petitioned by a majority of the property owners or paid for by the developer. Any other access to the interior of undeveloped property would have to be paid for by the developer as a part of the development. - . - - - - ----- . -- - . ..-, Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 25, 1996 Page 3 (Assessment Policy Guidelines Discussion, Continued) Mr. Fursman reported in the Russell's Addition, the street going pas~ agricultural property was not assessed against the farm; however, the residents in Russell's Addition agreed to pay that assessment and the ag property owner agreed not to develop the property for a certain period of time. Councilmember Dehn stated as a farmer living along a dirt road, they are comfortable leaving it as it is. They have the same number of vehicles as before, and having a paved road would only increases safety problems. Also, even on MSA streets, there are assessments for storm drainage which can be very costly. Assessments against a farm forces it to develop to pay for them. That goes contrary to the City's position of wanting to save farms, trees and open spaces. After further discussion, Councilmember Dehn stated she would be in agreement with only subordinating the assessment against practicing agricultural properties for street improvements as long as there are enough ordinances and policies to protect the farmers. The deferment must be one recognized by financing institutions. Both she and Councilmember Knight wanted to see what other cities are doing about dropping assessments after a certain period of time if there is no development. MOTION by Dehn, Seconded by Kunza, directing Staff to look into other cities' policies and bring it back at another meeting. DISCUSSION: Mr. Erickson felt that could be ready for Council consideration at the October 1, 1996, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 10 DISCUSSION Mr. Almgren reviewed a diagram provided the Council which showed the difference between the current language and proposed amendment change to the ordinance regarding the lowest floor elevation. Because it is known that mottled soil is not always an indicator of the highest possible water table, the proposal is to allow the highest known water table to be identified by a geotechnical engineer. The intent is to avoid unnecessary fil and to save more trees along the building pad. As a check, the City would then hire another geotechnical engineer to review the first report before approving the lowest floor elevations. If this is approved, Staff when then bring back proposed amendments to Ordinance 8 so the identification of the highest known water table can be done by a geotechnical engineer on individual lots as well to keep the two ordinances consistent with each other. This only deals with house pads. On-site septic systems are completely different. Mr. Almgren also noted the lowest floor elevation must be one foot above the 100-year flood elevation. There is no connection between that and the mottled soils. Page 4, fourth line from bottom referencing mottled soils: Mr. Erickson stated that seasonal high water, mottled soil and highest water table are three ways of saying the same thing. Councilmember Jacobson stated page 1 references seasonal high water and page 4 states mottled soil. Mr. Erickson stated page 4 should be changed to seasonal high water. . -- - --"- ...-.. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 25, 1996 Page 4 (Amendment to Ordinance 10 Discussion, Continued) Councilmember Jacobson stated the ordinance does not give the City the authority to hire a geotechnical engineer to review the report of the developer's geotechnical engineer. Mr. Erickson stated that is administrative, but it can be put in the ordinance. Council generally felt it should be in the ordinance to avoid any question. There was a question as to who in the City would approve the use of a geotechnical engineer. Mr. Almgren stated this is the platting ordinance, and that approval is done by the Council. MOTION by Dehn, Seconded by Kunza, to adopt the Ordinance amending Ordinance 10 with the amendments with the rewriting of that one paragraph, changing mottled soils to seasonal high water on page 4. Motion carried unanimously. AWARD BID/IP94-30/CITY HALL/CONCRETE AND MASONRY MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Dehn, the Resolution accepting and awarding contract for the improvement of Project 94-30 for concrete and masonry construction, award to Crosstown Masonry, Inc. , $299,320. (See Resolution R206-96) DISCUSSION: Council asked how the costs would be made up to still stay within budget. Staff explained the areas of other contracts where changes or corrections will be made to modify the costs. Motion carried unanimously. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Groundbreaking/New City Hall - Staff reported the construction of the new building is scheduled to begin Monday, September 30. The Council agreed to hold a groundbreaking ceremony prior to the October 1 regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. They asked that the members of the City Hall Task Force be invited, as well as other dignitaries from the surrounding cities and county. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Dehn, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~~L- Mar lla A. Peach Recording Secretary . - - -- - . ~.- ~