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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP April 29, 1997 arrJv,LI~ ff4-kG~/9?'7 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL JOINT ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE CITIES OF ANOn AND RAMSEY - APRIL 29, 1997 MINUTES A Special Joint Meeting of the Andover City Council ,and the Cities of Anoka and Ramsey was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on April 29, 1997. 7:18 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Knight, Orttel Councilmembers absent: Dehn, Kunza City of Anoka Mayor Peter Beberg; Councilmembers Brian Wesp, John Mann and Mark Freeburg; City Manager Mark Nagel City of Ramsey Mayor Tom Gamec, Councilmembers Shelia Beyer, Jerry Zimmerman, Carolyn Beahen, Natalie Haas-Steffen; City Administrator Ryan Schroeder Also present: Andover City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others RUM RIVER uNO WAKEu ZONE Mayor McKelvey explained erosion has become a problem along the Rum River. The suggestion has been that the Cities of Ramsey and Andover. both adopt a "No Wake" ordinance along the entire common boundary of the Rum River. Mr. Schroeder explained that in 1990 the City of Anoka adopted a "No Wake" ordinance. A similar ordinance was considered by Ramsey along the Mississippi River in 1993, but the issue was the inability to control it. So the ordinance was not passed. Mr. Nagel summarized Anoka's ordinance, noting they have a grant from the DNR to install buoys at the boat access on the Rum River each spring. The enforcement has not been has good as they would like. It is posted through the "No Wake" section. They have had the ordinance in place for six years, and there hasn't been a problem with it. In further discussion, it was noted that the Anoka County Sheriff's Department will be doubling its patrol on the Mississippi River as of May 15, plus two jet skis will be available for patrol. They will be patrolling the Rum River as well. It was generally agreed that the banks of the Rum River are being eroded and that steps must be taken to preserve them. There was some discussion on the whether or not the size of motor on the river should also be regulated. It was then agreed that the size of the motor isn't as much of a concern as the speed and resulting wake splashing at the river banks. Representatives from the City of Anoka agreed to forward copies of their "No Wake" ordinance to the Cities of Ramsey and Andover. It was also suggested that possibly the three cities could enter into a joint powers agreement to financially support the patrol of the Rum River areas. ~. . - -. - - - - II Joint Meeting of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey Minutes - April 29, 1997 Page 2 (Rum River "No Wake" Zone, Continued) There was general agreement that the Cities of Ramsey and Andover would draft "No Wake" ordinances similar to that of the City of Anoka, solicit DNR approval, and hold the public hearings. ESTABLISH NEW HUNTING ZONE Mr. Fursman stated the City has been alerted by Andover residents of gun shots and stray bullets near the Rum River. He suggested both cities look at where the residents are along the river and redraw the hunting lines accordingly. Representatives from the City of Ramsey stated their ordinance does not allow the discharge of firearms within 1500 feet of any building nor on private property without the written permission of the property owner. They do not have a specified hunting area within the city limits. In reality, the regulations limit hunting to about three pieces of property in the City. They have not heard of any hunting problems in Ramsey. Councilmember Knight thought the problem may be the duck hunters on the river in the fall. There was some discussion with the problem resulting from the rising deer population and the issue of bow hunting. It was agreed that there is little, if anything, that the City of Ramsey must do regarding hunting regulations and that Andover may want to review its hunting zones if a problem continues. CITY SNAPSHOTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH ISSUES OF EACH CITY - TRANSPORTATION ROUTE DEVELOPMENT Mr. Fursman gave a brief synopsis of the City's rapid residential growth rate, the commercial park that is being developed by the City, and the lot availability. Those present discussed various aspects of growth and development including lot prices, demographics, and the demand for single family detached housing. Mr. Nagel reported on three major projects taking place in the City of Anoka. One is the reconstruction of Ferry Street to four lane from the bridge to Highway 10, which is expected to be completed by November, 1999. The other project is the reconstruction of Charles Horn Pool. Because the majority of users of the pool are not City residents, Anoka is putting together the statistics which have been asked for by the City of Coon Rapids to consider alternatives methods of other cities contributing to that project. Considerations have been to a one-time contribution by the other cities or establish~.ng residential rates. The third project is the reconstruction of Goodrich Field. In discussing the pool usage, representatives from both Ramsey and Andover expressed an interest in being provided with the statistics gathered by Anoka and the recommendations regarding the costs. _.____~_"" ~._+ .u~_____ _ 0____ II Joint Meeting of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey Minutes - April 29, 1997 Page 3 (City Snapshots, Economic Development, Growth, Issues, Transportation Route Development, Continued) The discussion then turned to the transportation problems in the area, including the need for a cloverleaf from Ferry Street to access Highway 10, the traffic congestion, the need for another bridge over the, Mississippi River and the urgent need to earmark and preserve the location of that bridge very quickly before all of the land is developed. Councilmember Haas-Steffen hoped that the cities would form a group on the issue of establishing another major north-south route. She felt the initial push would be to talk about turning back Highway 47 to the city or county.' Possibly this is something that the North Metro Mayor's Association should be pushing for. Representatives from all three cities agreed on the need to address the transportation issues, but nothing specific was set up at this meeting. Mr. Schroeder then reviewed the activities of residential and commercial growth in the City of Ramsey. He noted the ability to work with the City of Anoka because· of their Enterprise Park has been a benefit in their commercial growth. They have about 50 acres of industrial land that is not yet spoken for. Mr. Fursman asked about the development policies of Anoka and Ramsey for commercial development. Mayor Beberg stated they have found that if they do not provide incentives, other cities and states will. Mr. Nagel and Mr. Schroeder each agreed to send Andover the copies of their commercial development policies. ANOKA COUNTY COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM Mayor Beberg reported a survey in the three cities identified alcohol use among young people as a major concern. The Consortium has been working for the last 1 1/2 years to identify ways to meet the needs of the youth. They had a $50,000 grant to begin the Consortium, and it is estimated they will have $20,000 left at the end of the year. A concern, though, is that they are losing a key player in the Consortium; and that position needs to be filled. They have adopted 40 assets for their goals. Mayor Beberg touched on a few goals and problems to address, noting the schools and churches have been very cooperative. The idea is to prevent problems, to meet the needs of the youth up front. They are to the point where a part-time director is needed, which would cost $12,000 to $15,000 per year. They will be coming to each of the cities during the budget process for some contribution to the program. Mayor Beberg stated there are four consortiums in Anoka County. One successful program has been the mentor program in Anoka and Ramsey that is designed to keep the youth from going through the court system. Instead, an adult works with the teen through peer mediation and other means. He noted one of the major pushes from the students at Anoka High School is for a community center so the teens have a place to go. The group discussed some of the needs and concerns of the youth,' generally agreeing with concept being promoted by the Consortium. No action was required on this item this evening. >-.-. - ~--- -- _.__.._._~- ...----. -- - .... II) Joint Meeting of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey Minutes - April 29, 1997 Page 4 CITIES RESPONSES TO LEVY LIMITS LEGISLATION There was a brief discussion on pending state legislation pertaining to levy limits. No action was taken. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~p~L Recording Secretary 0_.- - ~_ __ _< ---_0-_- -...- --- . - --~------