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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-18 CC REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Barthel, February 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Rick Engelhardt, Scott Schue, and Jonathan Shafto Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Sarah Cotton Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENT FORUM Scott Coggins, 15043 Thrush Street NW, came forward and shared he is an election judge and a member of the Anoka County Elections Integrity Team (ACEIT). He explained he is here this evening to ask the City to express opposition to the County’s action item to get new electronic poll pads. He noted this decision should be delayed at least until legal questions have been answered; however, Anoka County is scheduled to vote to approve the extension amendment to the original th contract for the poll pads on February 25. He shared ACEIT opposes this agreement for financial reasons as these poll pads would cost the County over $813,000 over the next six years. He noted these costs are unnecessary and unjustified for equipment that is only used on election day. He added these poll pads are security risks as voter data is leaving the precinct on election day when it should not be. He said there are too many ways these systems can be compromised and there are not enough assurances given to the public that they have not been compromised. He stated paper poll pads are the easiest way to keep voter data safe. He shared municipalities should have a say in whether they want to use these poll pads or not. He noted the cities hire election judges and determine precincts yet do not get a say in the poll pads. He stated he felt threatened as an election judge because of the letter that was sent to the head election judge which threatened them with a felony. He said this issue is bigger than just poll pads and it is time for Andover and Anoka County to give its citizens answers to these questions. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Schue, Seconded by Shafto, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2025 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 22, 2025, Special Meeting: Correct as amended. January 28, 2025, Workshop Meeting: Correct as written. February 4, 2025, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Councilmember Shafto noted a spelling error to his name on page 1, line 14 of the Special meeting minutes. He added he was also not present for any of the interviews for the Park and Recreation Commission interviews due to a conflict of interest. He noted he also was not present and did not participate in the selection of the Park and Recreation Commissions due to the same conflict of interest. Motion by Engelhardt, Seconded by Schue, to approve the January 22, 2025, Special meeting minutes as amended, the January 28, 2025, Workshop meeting minutes, and the February 4, 2025, Regular meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims Item 3 Approve New Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) Designation/Bunker Lake Blvd. Service Road/NW Grouse St. NW (See Resolution R020-25) Item 4 Approve Resolutions Authorizing Applications to the MNDNR for Funding 25-6/Dalske Woodlands Boardwalk and Kelsey Round Lake Park Trail Reconstruction (See Resolutions R- 021-25, R-023-25 and R-024-25) Item 5 Accept ACD Natural Resource Improvement Grant/Martin's Meadows Wetland Enhancement/24-53 Item 6 Approve JPA & Consent to Encroachment/Coon Creek Park Stream Restoration Item 7 Approve Application for Exempt Permit Item 8 Receive January 2025 City Investment Reports Item 9 Consider Resolution Finding Facts Sufficient to Declare a Dog a Nuisance Pursuant to City Code Title 5, Chapter 1, Section 5-1A-6 (See Resolution R022-25) Councilmember Schue shared he had questions on Item 4 which he asked City Administrator Cotton. He said he would like to look at this item more specifically in the future; however, he understands this resolution is simply to authorize the applications to begin rather than approving any funds to be dispersed. He stated he will be voting in favor of the Consent Agenda with reservations on this item that he would like to discuss further. Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2025 Page 3 Sergeant Scott Wicklund provided a monthly report including 1,021 calls for service for the month of January. He shared they responded to three residential burglaries, 22 theft reports, five assaults, and five damage to property calls for the month. He added they made 33 custodial arrests and th issued 91 traffic citations. He explained on January 5 a vehicle was stopped for a speeding violation, at which time the deputy noted signs of intoxication. He shared the driver was asked to th step out of the vehicle and blew a 0.88 which resulted in an arrest. He stated on January 9 a deputy responded to a call of a vehicle stalled in the middle of the road with a driver who was possibly th intoxicated. He shared this driver blew a 0.19 and was arrested. He noted on January 18 a deputy responded to a call from Walmart for a report of a male exchanging merchandise labels. He explained an employee had been taking the labels from lower-priced items and putting them on higher-priced items and purchasing them. He shared this employee was arrested for misdemeanor st theft. He added on January 31 deputies were made aware of a man with a warrant for disarming a peace officer who was at the 14400 block of Bluebird Street. He shared the homeowner allowed deputies to enter the home, and they located the man in question and arrested him on his warrant. Councilmember Schue asked about the medical stabbing and gunshot call in the report. Sergeant Wicklund said he would need to look up more information on this incident and report back to the Council. He explained dispatch categorizes a lot of calls this way even if it is just a threat of stabbing or gunshots. Councilmember Schue noted the Sheriff’s Office has encountered quite a few medical assistance calls. He thanked the Sheriff’s Office for their life saving acts. HOLD PUBLIC HEARING/ORDER PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS/25-11B, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (FOX MEADOWS & INDIAN MEADOWS)/25-11C, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (PINE HILLS ADDN.) & 25-11D, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (ANDOVER COMMERCIAL PARK) The City Council is requested to hold a public hearing and order plans and specifications for Projects 25-11B, full depth reclamation for Fox Meadows & Indian Meadows, 25-11C, full depth reclamation for Pine Hills Addition, and 25-11D, full depth reclamation for the Andover Commercial Park. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Berkowitz reviewed the staff report in regard to the 2025 full depth reclamation projects at Fox Meadows & Indian Meadows, Pine Hills Addition, and the Andover Commercial Park. Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to open the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Marc Angell, 16070 Quay Street NW, came forward and shared he was curious about the different assessment percentages being covered by the City for each project. He noted the Andover Commercial Park assessment percentage works out to 83% being covered by the City while in Pine Hills Addition 76% is covered by the City and in Fox Meadows & Indian Meadows, 75% is Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2025 Page 4 covered by the City. th Polly Hanssen, 4130 160 Lane NW, came forward and asked if they are stuck with this amount or if they have received any other bids that they could consider. She asked if curbs are a part of the proposal for Pine Hills. She asked how much of their driveways will be taken out and what it will be replaced with. She noted it is very presumptuous that every family in the community will be able to afford this assessment amount. She said she does not think it is reasonable or fair that they were not given much more notice of this project. She shared she moved to Andover because it was affordable and every year since she has moved here, her taxes have increased exponentially. She said these costs should be covered by taxes and residents should not have to pay additional costs for road projects. Motion by Engelhardt, Seconded by Shafto, to close the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Berkowitz shared the reason that the percentages are different for each project is because all of the out lots in the Andover Commercial Park are owned by the City. He added Pine Hills has a park which is why it has a slightly higher percentage that is being covered by the City. He explained this is just an estimate, not a bid. He shared they always try to get these projects out for bid early in the year to secure the best pricing. He said they hope to get about eight bids for this project and they will select the most reasonable bidder. He stated there will not be curbs in the Pine Hills area as it would be very difficult to put them in with the ditches and they would not want to affect the existing drainage system. He added they will be matching into the driveways the best that they can. He said they will replace the driveways with the same materials as existing. He noted they will be sending a letter to all of the affected residents with the inspector's phone number in case they have any questions or concerns about the project. He explained there is a Capital Improvement Plan that is approved by the Council, and they do not go through the notice process until the CIP has gone through formal approvals. He noted this project has been on the CIP for a few years. He added a recent Council initiative has been to have a more aggressive approach to th the roads. He shared there was a neighborhood informational meeting on January 28 about this project. He stated there have been many discussions over the years about how the City will handle funding roadway improvement projects. He said in order to make this fair and equitable to all residents, they assess property owners 25%. He explained that if they had to raise taxes to cover these projects it would increase a lot. Mayor Barthel added residents are paying taxes to the City, the County, and the School District on their property taxes so when taxes increase it does not mean that all of the increase is going to the City. He noted taxes were raised more this year to help address the roads. He shared Andover is the sixth lowest taxed City in Anoka County and if they were to include all road project funding in the taxes, they would be at the top of the list because of how much the road projects would cost. He encouraged residents to look at all three entities which are increased on the tax statements to see how much each one is increasing. He added the Council has been very frugal with the money spent in Andover. He reiterated this cost is just an estimate and not the final bid amount. He said the total cost will likely go down. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2025 Page 5 Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adopt Resolution No. R025-25, ordering the improvement of project numbers 25-11B, full depth reclamation for Fox Meadows & Indian Meadows, 25-11C, full depth reclamation for Pine Hills Addition, and 25-11D, full depth reclamation for the Andover Commercial Park and directing preparation of final plans and specifications. Motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT City Staff updated the Council on the administration and city department activities, legislative updates, updates on development/CIP projects, and meeting reminders/community events. (Administrative Staff Report) Ms. Cotton reviewed the Administrative Staff report. She shared the Met Council adopted the Imagine 2050 plan which is something staff has been watching very closely. She stated a key element of this plan is a net density requirement of 3.5 units per acre for suburban edge communities. She noted this is a reduction from the initially proposed four units per acre. She explained the Met Council will work to create guidance that the City will utilize in implementing this plan. She shared there have been eight single-family home permits issued so far this year with seven currently under review. She added the Walmart and Chase Bank permits are also under review. She noted that inspections are taking place at Chipotle, Starbucks, the Bunker Hills Activity Center, 304 Bakery, and the new 911 call center. She shared the Council held a Workshop meeting this evening where they reviewed applications for the vacant Council seat, and th they selected three finalists to interview at the March 4 City Council meeting. She stated they th plan to make an appointment to fill this vacancy at the City Council meeting on March 18. (Public Works/Engineering Department Report) Mr. Berkowitz reviewed the Public Works and Engineering Department report. He shared they are wrapping up the Silvercrest project with a development agreement and they are looking at breaking ground in April. He stated there are a lot of projects that are coming in and staff is working on getting plans prepared and out for bids. He added they have been working with the MPCA on the Red Oaks monitoring area, and they have some information for their representatives to utilize for funding. He shared they are also looking for funding for some preliminary work on the Eastbrook Terrace area. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ava Major, Recording Secretary REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..................................................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM ..............................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL ..........................................................................................................1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................2 CONSENT ITEMS .................................................................................................................2 Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims ....................................................................................2 Item 3 Approve New Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) Designation/Bunker Lake Blvd. Service Road/NW Grouse St. NW (R020-25)..........................................................................2 Item 4 Approve Resolutions Authorizing Applications to the MNDNR for Funding 25- 6/DalskeWoodlands Boardwalk and Kelsey Round Lake Park Trail Reconstruction (R021-25, R023-25 & R024-25 ...............................................................................................................2 Item 5 Accept ACD Natural Resource Improvement Grant/Martin's Meadows Wetland Enhancement/24-53 ................................................................................................................2 Item 6 Approve JPA & Consent to Encroachment/Coon Creek Park Stream Restoration .....2 Item 7 Approve Application for Exempt Permit ..................................................................2 Item 8 Receive January 2025 City Investment Reports ........................................................2 Item 9 Consider Resolution Finding Facts Sufficient to Declare a Dog a Nuisance Pursuant to City Code Title 5, Chapter 1, Section 5-1A-6 (R022-25) .....................................................2 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ...........................................2 HOLD PUBLIC HEARING/ORDER PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS/25-11B, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (FOX MEADOWS & INDIAN MEADOWS)/25-11C, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (PINE HILLS ADDN.) & 25-11D, 2025 FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION (ANDOVER COMMERCIAL PARK) (R025-25) .................3 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT .............................................................................................5 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ...................................................................................................5 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................5