The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025-09-02 CC REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Barthel, September 2, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Rick Engelhardt, Karen Godfrey, Scott Schue, and Jonathan Shafto Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Sarah Cotton Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Community Development Director, Joe Janish City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Finance Manager, Lee Brezinka Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATION - CONSTITUTION WEEK thrd Mayor Barthel read the proclamation and declared September 17 through 23 Constitution Week th to mark the 238 anniversary of drafting the United States Constitution. June Anderson, 1452 Ward Lake Drive, came forward and received the proclamation on behalf of the Anoka Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She gave a brief background on the DAR. RESIDENT FORUM Scott Coggins, 15043 Thrush Street NW, came forward and shared he is a member of the Anoka County Elections Integrity Team (ACEIT) and an election judge. He shared the Anoka County Board of Commissioners voted to affirm that the unelected County Auditor gets to decide whether or not cities or townships get to use electronic pollpads or paper rosters. He said he and ACEIT believe that this is County overreach and the Minnesota statute does not provide the County Auditor with this authority. He noted the County is choosing its staff over citizens. He shared ACEIT has presented its opinion to the Anoka County Board of Commissioners at least six times and has received no response. He requested the City ask Anoka County for a new pollpad agreement acknowledging the municipality's right to choose election devices. He said they want to get back to local decision-making during elections. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 2 Dan Schowalter, 13982 Silverod Street, came forward and shared concerns about what his neighborhood is starting to look like. He said he has had issues with a neighbor in Section 8 housing for the last four years. He shared this neighbor does not have trash services, so all their trash is stored under their deck or in their garage. He noted the yard is always overgrown, and the cops are constantly at this home. He added the side of the house is filled with junk. He said he wants this property to be cleaned up. He noted others in his neighborhood have cars, trailers, and junk on their properties that have been unmoved for years. Mayor Barthel asked Mr. Schowalter to connect with a member of Staff to get the contact information for someone who can help address some of these concerns in his neighborhood. th Brent Miller, 3140 149 Avenue NW, shared he lives on a dead-end road, which will lead into the th Fields of Andover development. He stated at the August 4 City Council meeting, the draft AURA proposal was presented to the City, and the open comment period began and will end on September thth 11. He shared he saw elsewhere that these comments are due on September 17. He noted during the last Council Workshop meeting, there was a vote to expand the AURA area, which now includes his property. He said he is unsure how this will impact him or how public comments will be impacted based on this change. He shared this process seems to be hurried along too quickly. He noted this is the most significant development that the City has seen, and he encouraged the Council to proceed carefully while respecting the rights of the citizens. AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Barthel noted the supplemental information received: Item #1G – Accept Resignation of Maintenance Worker Item #2A – Consider Preliminary Plat for Boulder Prairie Estates – 888 Crosstown Blvd. NW and 15540 Prairie Rd NW; PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 and 23-32-24-11-0002 (Boulder Contracting, Applicant) Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 19, 2025, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Motion by Engelhardt, Seconded by Godfrey, to approve the August 19, 2025, Regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 1. CONSENT ITEMS Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 3 A. Approve Payment of Claims B. Approve Application for Exempt Permit C. Approve Updated Data Practices Policy D. Approve Appointment – Part-Time Receptionist E. Adopt Denial Resolution & Findings of Fact – Variance Requests for Signage at 14220 Inca Street NW (Applicant: Holiday Stationstores, LLC c/o Karen Dodge of Municipal Resolutions, LLC) (See Resolution R077-25) F. Declare Surplus Property/Equipment G. Accept Resignation of Maintenance Worker Motion by Godfrey, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES - 888 CROSSTOWN BLVD. NW AND 15540 PRAIRIE RD. NW; PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 AND PID# 23-32-24-11-0002 (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) The City Council is requested to review a Preliminary Plat for Boulder Prairie Estates, a proposed 28-lot residential subdivision on the 14.24-acre properties at 888 Crosstown Boulevard NW and 15540 Prairie Road NW. Community Development Director Janish reviewed the Staff report regarding the preliminary plat request for Boulder Prairie Estates. He shared the Park and Recreation Commission’s recommendation of cash in lieu of park land and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation of approval. Councilmember Shafto asked why a tree preservation plan has not yet been provided for this project. Mr. Janish explained they will be losing several trees with grading; however, there are opportunities to look into this throughout the project. Councilmember Shafto noted the traffic concerns on Prairie Road, even with reducing the speed limit. He asked if there were other ways they had thought of to increase safety along this road effectively. Director of Public Works/City Engineer Berkowitz shared they follow the State statute for speed limits on this road. He said they can always conduct a speed study; however, it is possible that the study could find that the speed could be higher than it currently is. He stated he does not see the speed limit dropping below 45 miles per hour. He noted he is unaware of any safety concerns on Prairie Road. He explained if they have speeding issues, they can try to increase enforcement. Councilmember Shafto asked if any thought has gone into the intersection's future at Prairie Road and Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Berkowitz shared they did traffic counts in 2024, and they found that the average daily traffic on Prairie Road is 2,214 vehicles, and 7,543 cars on Crosstown Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 4 Boulevard. He noted these volumes are not extremely high at this point, but they have discussed the possibility of a roundabout in the future at this intersection. Councilmember Godfrey asked about the stages of this project and when this would come back to the Council. Mr. Janish explained with a preliminary plat, if it were to be approved this evening, it would move to an administrative review stage for approval before the applicant would be able to start grading at the site. Councilmember Schue asked if this would require rezoning. Mr. Janish said yes and noted this will be discussed in the following agenda item. Councilmember Schue asked if the rezoning must be approved before grading can start on the site. Mr. Janish said yes. Councilmember Schue asked why it had to be rezoned from R-1 to R-4. Mr. Janish explained when they receive a request to rezone, they look at the Comprehensive Plan for direction. He noted the fact that the applicant would be redeveloping the property to R-4 for a standard urban development would be consistent with the traditional residential zoning. Jason Rhode, EG Rud & Sons, came forward and shared they went through a rigorous review of this project at the concept plan stage, where they got some direct feedback. He stated they had initially been proposed a PUD; however, they have changed their plans to follow the traditional zoning standards. He shared this project will not save many of the trees in the area due to the grading that must be done on the site. Mayor Barthel noted that Staff has previously discussed rezoning this area to R-4 to connect to the Fields at Winslow Cove. He added city water and sewer are already at this site. Motion by Godfrey, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adopt Resolution No. R078-25, approving the preliminary plat of “Boulder Prairie Estates”. Further discussion: Mayor Barthel shared he is unsure if this development is right for this area. He said he would vote in favor of this preliminary plat because they could meet the R-4 zoning standards; however, he is still not sure this is the right project for the site. Councilmember Shafto agreed with Mayor Barthel; however, he does not see a reason they could deny this request. He shared his appreciation for the developer reducing the number of units at the site based on previous feedback. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 nay (Schue). B. CONSIDER REZONING FOR BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES - 888 CROSSTOWN Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 5 BLVD. NW AND 15540 PRAIRIE RD. NW; PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 AND PID# 23- 32-24-11-0002 (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) The City Council is requested to consider rezoning two properties located at 888 Crosstown Boulevard NW (PID# 23-32-24-11-0007) and 15540 Prairie Road NW (PID: 23-32-24-11-0002) from R-1: Single Family Rural Residential to R-4: Single Family Urban Residential. Mr. Janish reviewed the Staff report concerning the rezoning request for Boulder Prairie Estates from R-1 to R-4. He shared the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation of approval. Motion by Godfrey, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adopt Ordinance 581, approving the rezoning request to rezone PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 and PID: 23-32-24-11-0002 from R-1: Single Family Rural Residential to R-4: Single Family Urban Residential. Further discussion: Councilmember Godfrey shared she finds this request consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. She noted it has been the Council’s practice to guide areas for how they think they will develop and not actually make these changes until they have a proposal like this in front of them. Mayor Barthel shared he has the same sentiment with this request as with the last request. Councilmember Schue shared he agreed with both Mayor Barthel and Councilmember Shafto’s opinions shared during the last item. He said he would not vote in support of this. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 nay (Schue). C. CONSIDER VARIANCE REQUEST FOR MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACKS - LOT 1 BLOCK 3, BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) The City Council is requested to review a variance request for Block 3 Lot 1 of the proposed plat for Boulder Prairie Estates for a reduced side yard setback of 25 feet (from 35 feet) for an R-4 residential lot that is not a back-to-back lot. Mr. Janish reviewed the Staff report regarding the variance request for a side yard setback for a lot within Boulder Prairie Estates. He shared the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation of approval. Councilmember Schue asked if there were any safety issues that this change would impact. Mr. Janish said they do not anticipate any safety issues. Councilmember Godfrey asked if the basis for this request is due to a combination of being able to appropriately meet the 100-year floodplain and the aesthetics of the development. Mr. Janish Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 6 said yes. Mayor Barthel asked if this lot could have had a driveway to Prairie Road. Mr. Janish said they would not want to see additional driveways on Prairie Road. Mr. Berkowitz added Prairie Road is a major collector, and they do not allow traditional driveways onto major collectors. He noted if it is under 2,000 ADT, they allow roads to access minor collectors. Mayor Barthel asked if they could have put the driveway for this lot onto Quince Street. Mr. Janish noted the driveway is currently proposed to be off of Quince Street. Motion by Engelhardt, Seconded by Godfrey, to adopt Resolution No. R079-25, approving a variance request for the unaddressed property described as Lot 1 Block 3, Boulder Prairie Estates. Motion carried unanimously. D. DISCUSS/ADOPT 2026 PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY The City Council is requested to receive a brief presentation on the preliminary levy and to discuss and approve the resolution that indicates the total preliminary levy of $21,250,914 to be submitted to Anoka County Property Records and Taxation Division by September 30, 2025. Finance Manager Brezinka reviewed the Staff report concerning the 2026 preliminary tax levy. Mayor Barthel noted this levy could change before final adoption; however, it will only be able to decrease. Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to adopt Resolution No. R080-25, adopting the City of Andover 2026 proposed property tax levy to be certified to the County Auditor. Further discussion: Councilmember Godfrey noted the Council has spent several Workshop meetings discussing this budget, and they are satisfied that this is the best they can do at this time to provide the necessary services to the residents. She shared she is pleased they can hold this to a gross increase of 4.15%. She thanked the Staff, the Council, and Mr. Brezinka for their hard work to get the levy to where it is today. Motion carried unanimously. E. DISCUSS/ADOPT 2026 DEBT SERVICE LEVY CHANGES The City Council is requested to approve a resolution updating certified bonded indebtedness levies for 2026. Mr. Brezinka reviewed the Staff report regarding the 2026 debt service levy changes. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 7 Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to adopt Resolution No. R081-25, updating certified bonded indebtedness for 2026. Further discussion: Councilmember Godfrey explained the transfers they were able to make from specific funds have saved them from needing to levy these amounts in taxes. She noted the Staff has managed funds effectively for approved purposes without needing to collect more tax money from the residents. Councilmember Schue thanked Mr. Brezinka for doing an excellent job for the City. He noted Staff runs lean in Andover, and a lot of work goes into the daily operations. He said he is amazed by how well the Staff performs. He added no one on the Council wants to raise taxes and thanked the Staff for the work that they have been able to do to get the levy where it is now. Motion carried unanimously. F. SET HEARING DATE(S) FOR 2026 BUDGET & LEVY DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT The City Council is requested to select a 2026 Budget and Levy hearing schedule. Mr. Brezinka reviewed the Staff report and requested that the Council set the public hearing schedule for the 2026 budget and levy. He shared the recommended initial hearing date of December 2, 2025, the continuation hearing date of December 16, 2025, with final adoption on December 16, 2025. Motion by Schue, Seconded by Engelhardt, to set the hearing dates for the 2026 budget and levy discussion and public comment. Motion carried unanimously. 3. STAFF ITEMS 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. (Public Works/Engineering Department Report) Mr. Berkowitz reviewed the Public Works and Engineering Department report. He shared the roundabouts on Crosstown Boulevard and Nightingale Street, and Veterans Memorial Boulevard are now open. He thanked their consultant, WSB, for putting together these plans, and Senior Engineering Technician Jake Knutson for his work on this project. He said there is still landscaping work to be done at these sites. He shared they are continuing to work on the Coon Creek corridor trail project and hope to have the project designed and bid by the end of the year. He added they continue to work on the Crosstown Boulevard trail from Xeon Street to Prairie Road and will bring it back to the Council during the Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – September 2, 2025 Page 8 bid process. He noted they must acquire some easements along with this section. He said they are in the middle of designing another roundabout at Bluebird Street and Crosstown Boulevard, which st will be constructed next summer. He added the County has a roundabout planned for 161 Avenue thth and Crosstown Boulevard in 2026 and 156 Avenue and 7 Avenue in 2027. He shared they are already looking ahead to the 2026 construction session, which is looking to be more intense than this year. He said they will be working on assessing the roadway projects for next year. He stated the seasonal Public Works staff have transitioned back to school. (Community Development Department Report) Mr. Janish reviewed the Community Development Department report. He shared the public comments on the AUAR are due on th September 11. He said these comments need to be in writing. Councilmember Schue asked where the confusion from Mr. Miller came from regarding the comment deadline. Mr. Janish said that when the AUAR discussion was first brought forward, there was discussion that the study would be posted later, which would leave the public comment period open as well, and he assumes this is where the confusion came from. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Councilmember Schue shared at the last meeting, when Commander Erickson was presenting the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office report, he shared he would be doing a scam workshop, and it was asked if these presentations would be posted for those who are not able to attend the presentation in person. He shared Mr. Erickson sent him a response after the meeting, saying that the previous workshop had been recorded and they can record and post future sessions. He said he will connect with the Staff to provide them with the link to the previous workshop recording. Mayor Barthel shared there is a Pumpkin Classic Car Show and Fall Festival at the Anoka County Farms. He stated he would be judging the car show and invited the citizens to attend. Councilmember Engelhardt noted school is now in session and encouraged residents to use caution when driving. Councilmember Shafto shared he attended the nature preserve walk with the Nature Preserve Commission, and they had a great turnout. He thanked the Nature Preserve Commission for their work and dedication to this. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Schue, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ava Major, Recording Secretary REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..................................................................................................1 PROCLAMATION - CONSTITUTION WEEK ......................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM ..............................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL ..........................................................................................................2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................2 1. CONSENT ITEMS ..........................................................................................................2 A. Approve Payment of Claims ........................................................................................3 B. Approve Application for Exempt Permit. .....................................................................3 C. Approve Updated Data Practices Policy .......................................................................3 D. Approve Appointment – Part-Time Receptionist ..........................................................3 E. Adopt Denial Resolution & Findings of Fact – Variance Requests for Signage at 14220 Inca Street NW (Applicant: Holiday Stationstores, LLC c/o Karen Dodge of Municipal Resolutions, LLC) (R077-25)..................................................................................................3 F. Declare Surplus Property/Equipment ...............................................................................3 G. Accept Resignation of Maintenance Worker ....................................................................3 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS .....................................................................................................3 A. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES - 888 CROSSTOWN BLVD. NW AND 15540 PRAIRIE RD. NW; PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 AND PID# 23-32-24-11-0002 (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) (R078-25) ..................................................................................................................................3 B. CONSIDER REZONING FOR BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES - 888 CROSSTOWN BLVD. NW AND 15540 PRAIRIE RD. NW; PID# 23-32-24-11-0007 AND PID# 23-32- 24-11-0002 (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) (Ord. 581)............................4 C. CONSIDER VARIANCE REQUEST FOR MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACKS - LOT 1 BLOCK 3, BOULDER PRAIRIE ESTATES (BOULDER CONTRACTING, APPLICANT) (R079-25).................................................................................................5 D. DISCUSS/ADOPT 2026 PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY (R080-25) .................................6 E. DISCUSS/ADOPT 2026 DEBT SERVICE LEVY CHANGES (R081-25) ......................6 F. SET HEARING DATE(S) FOR 2026 BUDGET & LEVY DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT ....................................................................................................................7 3. STAFF ITEMS ................................................................................................................7 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT .............................................................................................7 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ...................................................................................................8 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................8