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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP September 29, 1998 CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Meeting - Tuesday, September 29, 1998 Call to Order - 7:00 PM 1. Anoka County Highway DepartmentJDiscuss Preliminary Layout of Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 2. Approve Gambling LicenselLions 3. 1999 Budget 4. Approve Meeting Date with Comprehensive Plan Task Force Adjournment .. - .. .. L.l00 H';¡} t. UI.) l'ß\;\I;.C ti'< ¡ \ ' .' }()_ ;;u).. "',I, " CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 29,1998 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on September 29, 1998,7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Bonnie Dehn, Mike Knight, John Kunza, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Building Official, Dave Almgren City Engineer, Scott Erickson Finance Director, Jean McGann Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone Fire Chief, Dan Winkler City Clerk, Vicki Volk Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg Park and Recreation Commission Chairperson, Dave O'Toole City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others ANOKA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTIDISCUSS PRELIMINARY LAYOUT OF BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD NW Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg; Jon Olson, Anoka County Highway Department; and Sue Mason, SEH, Project manager, reviewed the proposed layout for the reconstruction of Bunker Lake Boulevard between Round Lake Boulevard and Hanson Boulevard. A bituminous trail is proposed on the north side of the road from CoRd 18 to Quay Street and on the south side from CoRd 18 to Hanson Boulevard. It is anticipated that the existing sidewalk on the south side across from Crooked Lake School will remain in place and is proposed to be extended ITom Heather to CoRd 18. The county is in the process of buying the additional easement needed for the trail and sidewalk. At times it will be very close to the roadway. A part of the pond at Meadow Creek Church will be filled in and potentially the county will share the pond with the Church. The next step is to finish the storm sewer design and determine the construction impact on adjacent property. The intersection of Hanson Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard wìll be done as a separate project because it is a federal project. Mr. Olson hoped to bid the reconstruction of Bunker Lake Boulevard first early in the spring, 1999, then let bids for the intersection at Hanson. There was some discussion about constructing a service road on the south side from Gladiola west to Heather; however, because the Crooked Lake Boat Landing was acquired with federal fWlds, that land can only be used for parks and cannot be used for a service road. Bunker Lake Boulevard has been shifted to the north along that area because of that. .. . Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 29, 1998 Page 2 (Anoka County Highway/Preliminary Layout of Bunker Lake Boulevard, Continued) Discussion was on those streets that have full access and those that do not. Mr. Olson explained the intent is to develop a corridor that will carry the traffic. The more entrances and exits onto the road, the more traffic is slowed; however, they did attempt to provide full access for those streets that have no other access. As it is, there are too many signal systems on that stretch of road. Yukon and Butternut Streets are being proposed with full access. Crosstown Drive would not have access because it has access to CoRd 18. Mr. Olson stated they would be willing to limit the accesses to Yukon and Butternut if the Council will stand behind it at the public meeting. A concern of the Council was the creation of deadends on those streets with limited accesses and the ability of emergency vehicles to access them. Chief Winkel noted it would force the emergency vehicles to go through the neighborhoods instead of using the main roads in some cases. Mr. Olson noted the curbs will be surmountable so the emergency vehicles could cross over them. Mr. Erickson pointed out an access problem at fJ;::, ~} Street whfftthe senior citizen center is being constructed. There is no other access behind that facility, and ~ will only be a right-in, right- out. The Council noted the problem. Moving the signal from the shopping center to ~~·as not preferred, especially since the shopping center paid for most of that light. The Council felt that at some time the City will have to negotiate ~ the bank and shopping center to acquire street right of way behind the bank to route traffic from ~'Ito the signal between the bank and the shopping center. Mr. Erickson stated the City will ask the county to install the underground conduit for future signalization at Marigold. He also noted there has been discussion about a sidewalk on the south side of the road from Quay to Heather because of the large number of children walking to schooL However, there is very little room there. That will be re-analyzed. He asked if the Council wished to construct a sidewalk on the south side of Bunker Lake Boulevard ITom Gladiola east to DoRd IS. The Council didn't feel it was necessary because of the trail on the north side and because the children east of Coon Creek do not walk to schooL Mr. Olson stated Bunker Lake Boulevard \vill be closed at the bridge over Coon Creek all during the construction. Traffie will be rerouted to Highway 242. Mr. Erickson stated traffic can also be diverted to South Coon Creek Drive. Commissioner Berg stated starting in s'¿¡~k'b~,Y2000, the bridge over Highway 10 and 242 will be closed for about 10 months. If this project is not completed by then, it will create a tremendous grid lock for traffic flows. Mr. Erickson stated the county is working with Crooked Lake School and Meadow Creek to provide a full intersection at Heather and to combine the access for both facilities. Mr. Olson stated the county may need some assistance from the City in those negotiations. . - .. -~. --~ .. . Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 29, 1998 Page 3 (Anoka County Highway/Preliminary Layout of Bunker Lake Boulevard, Continued) Mr. Erickson stated the City will be asking that the underground pipe be installed at the intersection of Crooked Lake Boulevard for possible signalization in the future. He asked if the Council supports the closing of Crosstown Drive as proposed. Several Councilmembers were very concerned with closing Crosstown Drive at Bunker Lake Boulevard as it could have a very negative effect on the businesses on that corner, plus those residents south of Bunker Lake Boulevard would be unable to access those businesses. Several options were discussed. It was finally suggested that there be a full access at Crosstown Drive; however, Bittersweet and Yukon would then be only right-in, right- out accesses. Also, the City would allow a left turn only onto Bunker Lake Boulevard at Crosstown Drive. If that area between Crosstown Drive and CoRd 18 is ever redeveloped, it would be important to provide a service road or provide access behind 138th Avenue. Mr. Olson agreed with the understanding that the City would not request a signal at that intersection in the future. Mr. Erickson noted that Thrush Street into the Commercial Park will be a right-in, right-out only. There will be a full intersection at Quinn Street with a signal at some point at the City's expense. The piping wìll be installed across the road now. Jay Street will also be a full intersection with a signal. The City has done the signal justification report. The signal would be put in conjunction with this project but as a separate City project. Mr. Olson suggested the City ask that the signal be incorporated into the plan and be installed with this project. The Council discussed the option of providing temporary signals at Jay Street and Bunker Lake Boulevard since the theater is expected to be open in December. Because of the expense of installing a temporary signal, the Council then decided to wait for the permanent signal next summer. Mr. Erickson noted the sources offunding for the City's contribution toward this project can be ITom off-system State Aid funds, TIF money or assessment to adjacent property owners. Ms. Mason stated the City would participate 100 percent in the sidewalks and trails, SO percent for curb and gutter and 7S percent of the signal costs. Her estimate does not include lighting, landscaping or upgrades to driveways. She estimated the City's share to be between $SSO,OOO and $7S0,000. That does not include right of way discussions or the HansonlBunker Lake Boulevard intersection. Mr. Olson stated most of that cost will be incurred in 1999. Mr. Erickson noted the City is negotiating with the Anoka County Parks Department on a SO-SO cost share of the trail. Council suggested Staff look at the possibility offencing along the park or moving the playground equipment in Hidden Creek East Park. Mr. Erickson stated the Staff is also evaluating the size of the sewer line from Crooked Lake Boulevard east and will be reviewing the other City utility lines during construction as well. He will bring the discussion of the City's infrastructure to the Council when their evaluations are complete. Ms. Mason stated a public informational meeting on this project is being held the second week in November. They plan to let bids and start construction as early as possible next spring. -,- - Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 29, 1998 Page 4 APPROVE GAMBLlNG LlCENSE/LIONS Motion by Knight, Seconded by Dehn, to approve the Resolution. (Resolution R189-98 approving the renewal of the Charitable Gambling Permit for the Andover Lions Club to conduct a pulltab operation at Pov's Sports Bar and Grill) DISCUSSION: Councilmember Orttel asked why this is put on a work session and noted they do not have the documentation as to how much money is raised, how much is spent, and how much goes to the community. Mayor McKelvey stated State law requires they give at least 10 percent to the City, though they give between 40 and 45 percent to the City and about that much to the schools. The Andover Lions Club received this license notice but didn't realize it had to be to the state 90 days prior to the first of the year, which means it must be at the State office by October 2. Their books had been audited, and it was not realized they had this application until the audit was completed. 111e Lions havc givcn the City $37,000 this year for the delivery of the Andover Timcs, for the fireworks during Andover Days, for the payment of the hot tar machine for public works, for the City's contribution to the Youth First program and for parks. Their total budget this year to date is about $75,000, and they expect to contribute another $8,000 toward the hot tar machine and about $5,000 for the sign to be located on the corner of Hanson Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard. A statement is given to the City Clerk each month and thc City gets one-tenth of one pcrcent. Pov's is paid $12,000 for the booth rental and one-fourth of the garbage bill and one-fourth of the cleaning bilL The expenses are considerably below what the State allows them to spend so they can give more to the community. If this is not approved tonight, they will be penalized by bcing closed down for one month, which is a loss of about $25,000 to the Club which they cannot give to the community. Councilmember Orttel thought the Council should see the documentation. He asked that it be given to the Clerk so it is on file. Councilmember Dehn suggested in the future that this be calendar filed by the Lions Club so the request is not rushed in the future. Motion carried unanimously. The Council recessed at this time, 8:52; reconvened at 9:00 p.m. 1999 GENERAL FUND BUDGET Mr. Fursman highlightcd the differences in the proposed 1999 General Fund budget from the 1998 budget. New revenues are anticipated to be $406,500. The 1999 wage and benefit adjustments, which includc step increascs plus a 2.5-percent cost of living adjustment will cost about $170,000. The increase in the police contract and thc addition of a new officer will cost about $120,000. Other possible sources of income may be from the PIR fund, excess revenues collected from the Building Department, possibly a 1998-1999 COPS grant, the sale of commercial property and gifts. He asked the Council's position on the new police officers. The consensus was that another officer should be added. ._~ -~ ---~.. ..~- Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 29, 1998 Page 5 (1999 General Fund Budget, Continued) Mr. Fursman then listed some of the requests by the various departmcnts: Adding four people for summcr help, $24,500, which is already included in the budget. Increase the recycling hours to 40 hours per week, $8,800, which is already in the budget. Additional street maintenance, $100,000. Park trail maintenance, $10,000, which is included in the budget. Assistant Fire Marshal consisting of two to three firefighters helping out part time, $22,000, which is included in the budget. Fire equipment, $300,000. Data entry/Finance and Public Works, $28,000, which is in the budget. Park capital equipment, $100,000. Planning Intern, $9,000. These are added expenditures in the budget that would mcan a commitment to funding in futures years as well. Because there are more requests than additional revenue, he asked the Council to rank where they would put the additional revenue. Because street maintenance has been a priority, another option would be to eliminate some of the items and put the money toward that instead. Mr. Fursman explained that all capital equipment has been removed ITom the proposed 1999 budget. Chief Winkel did not understand what the $300,000 for fire equipment was for. He would have to research that further. Mr. Fursman stated it is all of the smaller items that were requested in the Fire Department budget. He would have to meet with Chief Winkel to go through those items. Ms. McGann stated that everything else in the budget is bare bones. Most of the increases in the departments have to do with wage reallocations. Mr. Fursman statcd the only place that expenditures do not match up with last year's is in the Street Department under maintenance for the roads. The excess MSA funds are not available to transfer to that maintenance as was done in 1998. The Council expressed concern with not keeping up with the road maintenance program. Mr. Stone stated his budget request included three additional employees in Public Works, one for utilities, one for streets and one for parks. He explained there has been an increase in the number of roads, parks and trails, but personnel has not been increased to meet the increased maintenance requirements. He asked where the Council wants to go. Ms. McGann stated the salary for the utilities person would come from the Enterprise Fund. The General Fund would pay for the personnel in streets and parks. She estimated a cost of $35,000 for salary and benefits per employee, for a total of $70,000 of additional expenditures for those two new employees. The Council noted an option would be to eliminate or reduce the number of summer part-time help in exchange for the two new public works employees. They acknowledged the need to keep up with maintenance. It was suggested that more emphasis be given to the "Adopt-A-Park" program to keep the parks clean. Park and Recreation Commissioner Dave O'Toole stated many parks have been adopted, but the residents are not allowed to mow them because of the liability issue. The Council did not believe liability was an issue, as volunteers would be covered under the City's insurance. They asked that Staff research that further. .- -. -, ----." _.-- Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - September 29, 1998 Page 6 (1999 General Fund Budget, Continued) Ms. McGann suggested another budget work session be scheduled the second week in November, at which time the decisions on prioritizing the expenditure requests can be made. She will also have more detailed information on the requests and on additional revenue for 1999. APPROVE MEETING DATE WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TASK FORCE Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Knight, to schedule a meeting with the Comprehensive Plan Task Force on October IS, 1998. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Kunza, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '\Y\~~vJL Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary . ~ . ~ -". --""- ..' 00-. -