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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP December 16, 1999 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755'5100 SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 16,1999 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on December 16, 1999.8:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson. Julie Johnson. Mike Knight, Jack McKelvey Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Richard Fursman Community Development Director. David Carlberg DISCUSS SCHOOL SITING ISSUES Mr. Carlberg reported that meeting was originally planned as a work session with the School District to discuss the potential sites for a new high school. However, the school district informed the City that there would not be anyone present. Mr. Carlberg went on to explain the sites that were being considered by the School District. Mr. Carlberg stated that the School District gave the City certain criteria and then asked for a list . of sites that met the criteria. The School District is looking for sites that are 65-plus acres and within the Metropolitan Urban Services Area (MUS A). Staff provided the School District with a map that showed four sites that met these criteria. Mr. Carlberg explained each site, but added that the School District has since added a site. He informed the public that maps of the sites would be made available. Mr. Carlberg explained that the Agricultural Preserve status on the Don Eveland property and that it has a 2005 time frame so, at that time, the land would be added to the MUSA and would be ready for residential development. Mr. Carlberg added that the public really needs to deal with the School District at this time, as the City does not know which site they are considering. There will be more discussions with the City on several issues, however. Cindy Miller, 2094 139'h Avenue?, asked if the School District can condemn the Agricultural Preserve land without the City's consent. Mr. Carlberg said that if the School District wishes to up the time frame on the availability of the Agricultural Preserve land, there are two ways this could be done. One would be to receive a pardon from the Governor, and another would be for the School District to go through the condemnation process. Ifthe School District chooses to do this, the City's Comprehensive Plan would need to be consulted as to what the future plans for the land are. Mr. Carlberg explained that a school is a permitted use in a residential district, and ---_.~ - -, -..-.... H _ Special Andover L..y Council Meeting Minutes - December 16.1999 Page 2 a residential district would be the future use of the land. This would be considered during the condemnation process. He remarked that he does not know what the City's role in the process would be. Anita Heins? 2305 l50th Avenue? asked why the City would provide the School District with residential sites for the school. Mr. Carlberg reported that approximately 95% of Andover is residential, and the sites that were given to the School District were sites that met the criteria that the School District requested. Ms. Heins asked if there were any sites in Andover that are not residential but met the criteria. Mr. Carlberg said that there were not any other sites in Andover that were not residential and had sewer and water. Joe Steffanek??, 2244 149th Avenue, commented that he was concerned about the safety issues of having a high school near a residential area. He pointed out that other high schools in the surrounding areas are not located in residential areas. Councilmember Orttel recommended that the public talk to the School Board and the entire site selection committee about their concerns. Mr. Carlberg explained that at the present time the school district has not ruled out any site. Councilmember Jacobson stated that he had listened to the School District's discussion about whether or not they had to locate in a sewered area, and it was clear that they would not locate in an area without sewer and water. Jim Nelson, 2328 150th Avenue NW, asked what studies will be done, such as traffic studies, pollution studies, environmental impact studies, before the development proceeds. Mr. Carlberg said that it is too early to determine what studies will be done for sure, but once a site is selected these types of studies will be done. Mr. Nelson asked how soon the School District wants to build the school. Mr. Carlberg said that they would like the project to be completed by the Fall of 2002, so it is anticipated that they could begin in August of2000. Councilmember Johnson reiterated that the public should call the School Board and Steering Committee with their concerns. Councilmember Orttel asked if the City had shown the School District any sites that lie outside of the anticipated 20 I 0 MUSA boundary. Mr. Carlberg clarified that they had not shown any sites outside of the MUSA. Councilmember Orttel recommended that they also be shown these sites. An unknown member of the public asked ¡fthe City could request another meeting, and Mr. Carlberg said that the City would request another meeting with the School District. Mayor - -~-- .....- - -- -+-- Special Andover L ..y Council Jfeering Minutes - December 16. 1999 Page 3 McKelvey said that he had talked to the President of the School Board and the President said that they were willing to work with any affected neighborhood. Pete Hanson, 2307 l55th A venue, asked what power the City had during this process, and whether the City Council had thought about how they might direct this process with the School Board. Councilmember Knight stated he believed that the most logical spot for the school would be the eastern side of Andover. Mr. Carlberg told the group that it would be difficult to get sewer and water to this area, and that there would be some questionable issues on soils and substantial wetland issues. Mr. Steffanek asked how other cities located high schools in areas that were not residential in nature. Mayor McKelvey explained that, in other cities, sewer and water connections were close to the development. An unknown member of the public asked who deals with public safety and access issues. Mayor McKelvey said that it would be the School District and the County if it concerns Crosstown Boulevard. Don Scully, 15131 Yellow Pine ??, asked again what type of influence the City has with the School District. Mayor McKelvey said that three years ago, there was not a good relationship with the School District but, since that time, the relationship has changed for the better. As for the ranking, the Mayor pointed out that the School District has a higher authority than the City Council. Mr. Scully asked how the City planned for multi-family residential developments in relation to railroad tracks, and how the School District feels about the railroad tracks. Mayor McKelvey said that he didn't think that the School District would build next to the railroad tracks. Mr. Carlberg reiterated that the School District has not ruled out any sites. A member of the audience suggested that if the School District wanted to locate in the Woodland Estates area, they could go to the very southern section of the Woodland Estates area where there are currently no homes. This would mean that any homeowner moving into new residential developments in that area would be aware of the fact that they had built next to a high school. He also said that the City Council should be active and try to influence the School District on which site they choose so very little impact is felt on the community. Mayor McKelvey said that if the southern portion of that site were chosen they would support that choice. Mike Pierce, 14925 Osage Street??, said that he built his home four months ago and was under the impression that Crosstown Boulevard would never be a four-lane' road. If the school goes in, he does not want that road to be a four-lane road. Mr. Pierce stated he would have never built his house had he known that Crosstown Boulevard could be a four-lane road. ------ -- , -- -- -- -._~_..- ---~._- ~ - . - - Special Andover Lity Council Meeting Minutes - December 16. 1999 Page 4 Council member Johnson again reiterated that the public should call their School District representati ves with their concerns. Steve ??, 5108 Swallow Street, said that the Andover residents have empowered the City Council to help them with matters such as this, and he hopes that they do help the residents. He asked for suggestions as to how the group might move forward without any leaders throughout the process of site selection. Councilmember Jacobson indicated that he believes the more people that call to influence the decision-makers the better, but they could choose a leader if they thought it would be helpful. Tracy Wood, 1534 Swallow Street, questioned the flyer that the neighborhood received regarding a piece ofland that seemed suitable for a school site. Mr. Carlberg examined the letter and said that he could pass that on to the School District as another site to consider. Councilmember Orttel suggested that the public talk to Mr. Carlberg about the MUSA land and potential sites to become knowledgeable for when they talk to the School District representatives. Bryan Anderson, 2356 150th Avenue, suggested that the City put together some infonnation on the cost of extending sewer and water to potential sites and compare that to the tax revenue that would be received if the potential sites were to be residential. Darren McKnight, 4151 149th Avenue??, said that the City should help the School District decide the new location for the school, and questioned if a two-month time frame is realistic for the City. Councilmember Knight asked the public if they were sending the message that it was acceptable to go to the south site with the new school. The audience members indicated that they were not in favor of this. Tracy Wood, 1534 Swallow Street, asked if the school is not built on any of these sites, can anything be located there, such as a Wal-Mart. Mayor McKelvey said that the land is zoned residential and only a church or school could be located there ifhomes were not built. Councilmember Jacobson said that the City would ask for a meeting with the School District for next week. Councilmember Orttel told the public that all of the Councilmembersrepresented the public because they are "at large" officials. An unknown member of the public asked if the City could identity 15 sites that included sites with sewer and water and without sewer and water. Councilmember Johnson reminded the public that if the school is not built on any of these sites, people in other areas would be impacted. ~- - - - - - - -~~ - - . - . Special Andover City Council /1.leeting Minutes - December 16, 1999 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Thomsen, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. . - - -- - - CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 L ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - DECEMBER 16,1999 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council and Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on December 16, 1999,9:20 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Jack McKelvey, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Park and Recreation Commissioners present: Dave Blackstad, Dave O'Toole, Jeff Kiefer, Valerie Holthus, AI Grabowski Commissioners absent: Tom Anderson, Jim Lindahl Also present: Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas DISCUSS PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR THE YEAR 2000 Chainnan Blackstad made a brief presentation on the Park and Recreation Commission's research into park dedication fees for 2000. The Park and Recreation Commission recommended to the City Council that the park dedication fee be increased from the current $1,100 to $1,800. He explained that residential land sales (Fox Hollow and Sunridge) for raw land in the urban area this year averaged $25,85 I per acre. Over the years, land values have increased substantially in Andover. Blaine and Ramsey are currently charging $1,300 and $1,200 per unit respectively for park dedication fees in lieu of land. The City of Andover is currently developing at approximately 2. I units per acre. Based on this density and Andover's current market value of land ($25,851) and using the 10% rule, Andover should be charging $1,231 per unit. Chairman Blackstad stated that if the Council chooses to leave the park dedication fee at $1,100, the City would be falling short, and current and future residents of the City would be short-changed. Councilmember Jacobson mentioned that the trail fees are in addition to the park dedication fees that are collected fÌ'om new residents. Chainnan Blackstad stated his belief that those two fees should be kept as separate items. Chairman Blackstad stated that the recommendation of$I,800 is something to be put on the table and negotiated with the City Council. He said that based on the numbers the park dedication fees should be somewhere around $1,300-$1,400. Commissioner O'Toole pointed out that on several plats last summer, based on the 10% rule, the City did not charge nearly enough in park dedication fees and the City lost out on a lot of money because of it. This will continue if the park dedication fees are not changed. .--.- Special Andover City Council },;feeting Minutes - December 16. 1999 Page 2 CounciImember Jacobson remarked that the City should look at fees from other cities and use that as part of the rationale for changing the fee. Chainnan Blackstad also talked about the percentage increase in land values over the last few years. He explained how that increase should be worked into the park dedication fees. CounciImember Jacobson asked the City Council if they believed that the $1,100 is still appropriate for park dedication fees, and the City Council concurred that it was no longer appropriate. Mayor McKelvey suggested that the fees be changed to $1,250. Chairman Blackstad remarked that $1,250 would be less than what was requested last year. Commissioner O'Toole stated that the City Council should look at land sales and values and use that to detennine the park dedication fee along with the 10% rule. Commissioner Grabowski said that the Council should look at the sales from the previous year, what other cities charge, and the City Council should not expect sales values to go down. Councilmember Orttel asked if the trail fee was a Park related issue. Chainnan Blackstad clarified that it was a transportation issue. Councilmember Knight remarked that the City is not making a place for multi-housing when discussing the park dedication fee, and the Metropolitan Council is pushing the City into dealing with the issue. This creates an impact on parks that should be discussed. Chainnan Blackstad pointed out that multi-housing impacts the parks more than a single-family home. CounciImember Orttel cautioned that a large park dedication fee might be considered a taking if it gets too high. Motion by Councilmember Jacobson, seconded by CounciImember Johnson to increase the park dedication fees to $1,300 per unit. CounciImember Knight questioned what this number was based on. Councilmember Jacobson said that it was based on a 20% increase and the increase in land sales. Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSS FUTURE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Commissioner O'Toole indicated to the City Council that the Park and Recreation Commission wanted to bring to their attention the fact that some of the City parks are outdated. The $30,000 in the Park Capital Improvement Budget is not enough to develop the existing and new parks; therefore, a separate fund such as a capital improvement replacement plan should be considered and required in the budget from year to year. Chainnan Blackstad said that the park dedication fees should go to increasing the amenities in the regional parks. He said that $30,000 might replace equipment in two parks, and in approximately 15 parks in the City, the equipment is 20 years old. .-. - - Special Andover Lity Council Meeting Minutes - December J 6. J 999 Page 3 CounciIrnember Orttel asked if the maintenance part of the Park and Recreation budget is for upkeep but not park equipment. Chairman Blackstad clarified that it was. Councilmember Orttel asked if the upkeep would be better funded in the maintenance part of the budget. CounciIrnember Knight asked how the park dedication fees can be earmarked for certain items. Chairman Blackstad said that it is a supplement to the park capital improvement budget. CounciIrnember O'Toole explained that park dedication fees should be used for new parks, rather than for replacement of existing equipment in the older parks. Commissioner Grabowski commented that the City should keep in mind that they are falling behind on ADA requirements in the parks as well. He pointed out that Andover does not use CDBG funds for this like other cities do. He said that he thought the County still had some CDBG money for this type of thing. Mayor McKelvey stated that only a certain percentage of CDBG money could be used for parks. Commissioner Grabowski recommended that staff investigate as to what is available for CDBG money. CounciIrnember Johnson left the meeting at 9:50 p.m. CounciIrnember Jacobson told the group that it is too late to increase the $30,000 in the Capital Improvement budget, but it is not too late to research CDBG funding. Chairman Blackstad said that they realized that, but they just wanted to urge the Council to look at this at the beginning of their budgeting process for next year. Councilmember Orttel commented that there might be some unspent funds at the end of the year ITom snowplowing, etc. that could be used for this, and possibly funds ITom the sales of property. Chainnan Blackstad said that a sinking fund would be all right, as they know that the new equipment put in today will need to be replaced in 15 years. Commissioner 0 'Toole reiterated that the Park and Recreation Commission just wanted to remind the City Council to look at this figure in next year's budget. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner O'Toole also wanted the City Council to look at the trail fees more closely because the cost of construction has gone up, and the current trail feeÏs not enough to cover the cost of construction of the trails. Councilmember Jacobson reminded the group that there is never enough money in the budget to cover everything, and when these fees keep increasing it might get to the point where it is considered a taking. - - Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - December 16, 1999 Page 4 Commissioner O'Toole commented that the City does not seem to have a problem charging higher fees in other departments. Councilmember Jacobson commented that this may seem to be true, but things like streets, sewer and water are public necessities, and trails are not a necessity. Mayor McKelvey asked if anyone had put any time into getting grants for trails. Assistant City Engineer Todd Haas stated that staff will be applying for some of the grants that are available. Applications are due in late February or in March, depending on which grant the city is applying for. Councilmember Jacobson left the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Commissioner Grabowski remarked that the costs of construction are escalating and Andover seems to be falling behind. Chairman Blackstad reminded the City Council that according to community surveys that were done in the past, the number one thing that people want in their community is trails. Commissioner O'Toole said that he did not expect decisions to be made at the meeting, but he wanted to make the City Council aware of their concerns. He thanked the City Council for coming to the meeting and hearing the concerns of the Park and Recreation Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Knight, seconded by Orttel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lori Thomsen, Recording Secretary TimeSaver OjJSite Secretarial. Inc. . -- .... - ~~ ~ - - .0___ .-