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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTT November 30, 1999 -. '-"""-'v~·-. . CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 30,1999 TRUTH IN TAXATION MINUTES The Truth-in-Taxation Hearing of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on November 30, 1999,7:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to review the financial status of the City and to hear public testimony on the proposed 2000 General Fund Budget. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Also present: Finance Director, Jim Dickenson Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others Mr. Fursman explained Andover is one of the 10 fastest growing suburbs with a below average tax rate and a high level of efficiency. He went into some detail on the ten metropolitan cities with the highest population growth since 1990, comparison of tax bases between cities of residential and commercial development, building activity and fees collected for residential and commercial in the City since 1999, expenditures and revenues for 1999 and proposed for 2000, calls and budget history for police coverage since 1995, street maintenance and pavement management investments since 1995, comparison of residents per employee and sample property taxes for various cities, and property tax rankings which positions Andover 91 st among 96 metropolitan cities. Mayor McKelvey asked for public input. Chris Thompson. 5356 I 69th Avenue - was extremely unhappy with their proposed property taxes. They built in Andover to be in the open area. Their house is one year old, but their property taxes are much higher than any of their neighbors. They are on less than 1.5 acres and have their own sewer and water. The value placed on their house is about double what they had expected, with proposed taxes close to $4,400. She feels they are being penalized for having a high valued home. The only thing the City provides is the streets, snow removal and police. She asked what they can do to get this changed. Mr. Fursman went into detail explaining the fonnula applicable to residential properties, noting a doubling of valuation between two properties does not necessarily mean simply a doubling of the taxes. After some discussion with the Thompsons, the Council suggested they pursue the matter with the Anoka County assessor. Also, issues on property valuations will be heard at the Board of Review in the spring. ---- ...--.--....- .. , --, I -..' Truth-in-Taxation Hearing of the Andover City Council Minutes - November 30. 1999 Page 2 Winslow Holasek. I 159 Andover Boulevard - would like to see comparisons of Andover with the neighboring cities like Oak Grove, Ramsey, Ham Lake. Mr. Fursman stated Ham Lake is the lowest taxed community. Ramsey is slightly higher than Andover. He then showed a chart comparing tax rates for cities within Anoka County. The tax rate actually fell in Andover because of the new homes and businesses. For properties that increased in value less than 5 percent, the proposed taxes decreased for next year. Councilmember Jacobson noted the residents will see a large increase the following year when the school bond is on the tax rolls. There was no further public input. Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Johnson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '~k-~~ Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary "--'1 ~ I~',,), \-'1' ,.,! CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 30, 1999 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on November 30, 1999,6:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,.Andover, Minnesota, for the purpose of meeting with the City of Ramsey City Council. Councilmembers Present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councilrnembers Absent: None Also Present: Fire Chief, Dan Winkel Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg City Administrator, Richard Fursman City of Ramsey: Councilmembers Margaret Connolly, Susan Anderson, Terry Hendrickson and Jerry Zimmennan; City Administrator Jim Nonnan; Planning Intern Meagan Barnett Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg Metropolitan Councilmember Natalie Haas Steffen Ramsey City Councilmembers were interested in the process Andover has gone through regarding its Comprehensive Plan, the stipulations being placed upon the City by the Metropolitan Council, Andover's responses to those issues, and its position on density and townhome development. Mr. Carlberg explained the City established a task force which took about a year and a half in proposing the update of the Comprehensive Plan. A public hearing was held by the Planning Commission and there was little opposition. Within the next month the City Council will act on it and forward it to the Metropolitan Council. That draft plan was submitted for review to the Metropolitan Council, and there are some issues that still remain. One issue is that of the Met Council's requirement of developing three units per acre in the sewered areas. Andover is developing at about2.1 units per acre, but wetlands and streets still needed to be considered. Andover is also developing 2.5 acre lots in the rural area, and the Metropolitan Council's position is one for ten in the rural area. Andover does have a policy in place for the inspection of private septic systems every three years, thought it is on the honor system. The Metropolitan Council is asking for better monitoring of those inspections. Councilmember Hendrickson had understood those standards on septic systems are going to be relaxed and that the inspections would no longer be required. Ms. Haas-Steffen thought those regulations come from the PCA and are not from the Metropolitan Council. It is not something the Met Council can negotiate. Andover Councilmembers also pointed out the past debates with the Metropolitan Council about how the sandy soils in Anoka County are affected differently by septic -,,". ) ,-- Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - November 30, 1999 Page 2 systems than the clay soils in the southern part of the metropolitan area. Septic system failures have not been a serious problem in Andover, but it is an issue that the City had with its last Comprehensive Plan as well. In discussing the Metropolitan Council position of a density of three units per acre in the urban area, Ms. Haas-Steffen stated that is net acreage after wetlands, streets, etc., are subtracted from the gross acreage. Mr. Carlberg stated the Metropolitan Council has given Staff a scenario on calculating density which he will make available to Ramsey. Andover Councilmembers felt there would not be a problem meeting the urban density, but they do have a problem philosophically with mixed housing. The City has taken the position it does not want extremely high density, though there is some room for senior apartments. People move to Andover because they like the open and green spaces, and the Council has said they intend to keep it that way. The City is not able to handle high density trom the standpoint of police protection, schools and roads. The City has developed based on single family residential housing, but it is now being asked to retrofit to accommodate different life styles. The fear is once townhomes are allowed, it will open to door and there will be no way to stop them. Councilmember Orttel also pointed out that the 20-year population projections from the Metropolitan Council and those from the school district are not the same. The school district is projecting six years of gradual growth, then six years of no growth and then a steady decline in growth. That doesn't indicate there will be a problem with the supply of houses in the MUS A area in the next 20 years, but the Metropolitan Council projections doshow a problem. Ms. Haas-Steffen stated the approval of the Comprehensive Plans are tied to govemment funding that comes to the Metropolitan Council. Points are assigned to projects, and approved Comprehensive Plans and participation in Livable Communities is needed or federal funding will not be received. She also went into some detail on the guidelines to receive the funds and the types of funds that are available. The biggest concern is that area within the urban service area and the full utilization of the sewer facilities. Councilmember Jacobson stated if the City files a Comprehensive Plan with a different vision for the community, it will be denied some funds. He felt the councils are elected locally and know the people and what is best. He is not about to let some federal or state dollars dictate how he will vote on the growth of the community and what is being done here. Mr. Fursman estimated the City has lost between one and two-and-a-half million dollars in eligible funding because it does not belong to the Livable Communities. The decision was to use other resources. Councilmember Orttel suggested the livable communities standard be applicable to regions rather than individual cities. The intent is to provide housing, but not all cities should be made to look alike. Mayor McKelvey noted Andover should not be penalized within the urban service area, as the City has paid for all of that infrastructure. There is no cost to the metropolitan regIOn. There was further discussion on housing, apartments, social engineering, the lack of mass transit in this area, localized businesses so people would not have to commute and the Livable Communities Act. When asked the City's position on townhouses, Councilmember Orttel stated once the first unit goes in, there will be no stopping them just like in Maple Grove. Unless somebody changes their 'J Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - November 30, 1999 Page 3 philosophy, the City will basically continue to develop as in the past. Mr. Carlberg also noted the City is developing at 2.5-acres per lot in the rural area, which is inconsistent with the policy of the Metropolitan Council. That will have to be negotiated. The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary