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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-21 CC REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 21, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Barthel, October 21, 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 City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Fire Chief, Dennis Jones Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENT FORUM nd Bev Hinkle, 1410 152 Lane NW, came forward and shared that she is here to discuss the same neighbor on Bluebird Street that she has previously discussed. She noted she first brought her concerns with this property to the Council in April, and she was not able to attend meetings throughout the summer, yet nothing has changed at the property, and it has gotten worse. She shared on June 17, the Council approved three sheds to be added to the property, as well as another deck. She stated the new deck has been constructed and is being filled in. She explained that on June 17, Aidan Breen had emailed her to let her know what the Council had decided and that they would be giving the property owner a seven-day extension to remove the canvas building. She noted there was supposed to be an arraignment on October 8, and citations would follow every ten days. She reiterated that nothing has changed at this property. She asked why there has not been more enforcement at this property. Mayor Barthel asked Ms. Hinkle to email her concerns to the Council, City Administrator, and City Attorney to get answers to her concerns. AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Barthel noted the supplemental information received: th Item #2D – Review Letter Submitted by Leopoldo Silguero Jr./14760 7 Avenue NW Motion by Godfrey, Seconded by Schue, to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2025 Page 2 unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 7, 2025, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Motion by Engelhardt, Seconded by Shafto, to approve the October 7, 2025, Regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 1. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approve Payment of Claims B. Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage C. Approve 2026 Recycling Agreement with Anoka County D. Approve Tobacco License E. Approve Health Insurance Renewal and Employer Contribution F. Approve Dental Renewal and Employer Contribution G. Receive September 2025 General Fund Progress Report H. Receive September 2025 City Investment Report rd I. Receive 3 Quarter Community Center Update J. Approve Escrow Agreement for Design of Lift Station #12/25-45 K. Approve Final Plat Hartmans Meadows (Resolution R110-25) L. Approve 2026 Contract/TimeSaver Secretarial Service Motion by Schue, Seconded by Godfrey, to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Commander Brent Erikson provided a monthly report, highlighting the significant events, th including a call received on September 5 to the 15500 block of Dakota Street NW, where there was a juvenile who had a warrant. He noted that they were able to locate and arrest this individual. th He noted on September 20, on the 14300 block of Prairie Road, they received a call for a vehicle that drove off the road and was pulled over for conduct. He shared the driver was a 19-year-old female who was arrested for DWI and having an open container in her vehicle. He shared on nd September 22, there was another DWI arrest after the driver of the vehicle was driving erratically and hitting trash cans on the side of the road. He added on this same date, they arrested a driver after discovering meth in the vehicle during a traffic stop. He shared on the same date, there was a domestic incident where a woman consumed some psychedelic mushrooms and began fighting th with deputies and medical staff before being arrested. He shared on September 24, they responded to a call for shoplifting at Walmart, where they took the male suspect into custody. He added there th was a warrant arrest made when deputies responded to a domestic dispute on September 26. He Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2025 Page 3 th shared on September 29, they arrested a male suspect for obstructing the legal process after being called in for a custody dispute. He added they are having a prescription drug take-back event this th month at the Anoka County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and encouraged residents to come and dispose of their old prescriptions. He said they cannot accept any needles or syringes. He noted with cold weather moving in, they always see an increase in vehicle thefts in driveways for people who are letting their vehicles warm up. He encouraged residents to be cautious of this. Councilmember Schue thanked the Sheriff's Office for holding the prescription drug take-back event. He noted some people choose to dispose of their outdated prescriptions through their water supply, and this can be concerning for the water in the City. He asked if residents are able to drop off any unused prescriptions at the Sheriff's Office at any time. Mr. Erikson said yes and shared they can be dropped off during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the main lobby of the Sheriff's Office. He added there are many prescription dropbox sites located throughout the County. B. ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Fire Chief Jones provided a monthly report including 172 calls for service, which is up over previous months due to an increase in EMS calls. He added they also had an increase in motor vehicle accidents for the month. He shared this month was business as usual for the Fire st Department. He noted on September 21, they responded to a dwelling fire in Oak Grove, and they th also opened an investigation into this fire. He said September 30 was a busy day for them as they th responded to a dwelling fire at the 1100 block of 160 Avenue, where they received mutual aid from Anoka-Champlin, Coon Rapids, East Bethel, Oak Grove, Ramsey, and St. Francis. He said their investigators were utilized for this dwelling fire as well. He shared there was a fatal motor th vehicle accident on the morning of September 30, which involved a school bus. He noted they attended the Raise the Flag event for Andover High School and also participated in flag raising for 9/11 over Highway 10. He shared they also assisted the Sheriff's Office at their Open House on rd September 23. He noted four firefighters finished their fire investigator certification last week, giving them six total for the Fire Department. He added they also interviewed ten candidates and are moving six forward. He shared the new fire engine was delivered to Fire Station #1 after almost two years, and they hope to have it in service in the next few weeks. He explained October is Fire Prevention Month and encouraged residents to check their smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries once a year, same with carbon monoxide detectors. He added residents should also be practicing fire drills to practice exiting their homes. Councilmember Schue asked when they will be celebrating the arrival of the new fire engine. Mr. Jones said they plan to have a pushback ceremony once their engine is equipped and ready for service. He shared they will make sure to communicate when this happens. Mayor Barthel asked if residents should use separate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so they can be mounted at different levels. Mr. Jones explained the combination detectors are approved for use. He added if someone is using these combination devices, then they could also Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2025 Page 4 use portable carbon monoxide detectors throughout their homes. He encouraged residents to also pay attention to the manufacturer's date on their carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are still able to be used. C. CONSIDER RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) FY 2024 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG) The City Council is requested to formally accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Award Number EMW-2024-FG-02023. Acceptance is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel by funding an advanced fire apparatus driving course for forty-three (43) firefighters. Mr. Jones reviewed the Staff report regarding accepting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Mayor Barthel shared he thinks spending $1,485 to receive $14,858 in grant funding in return is a great investment. He asked if St. Cloud keeps up with the apparatus that would be used for this training. Mr. Jones said yes. Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adopt Resolution No. R111-25, accepting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the advanced driver/operator training program. Motion carried unanimously. TH D. REVIEW LETTER SUBMITTED BY LEOPOLDO SILGUERO JR./14760 7 AVENUE NW The City Council is requested to review a letter, dated October 13, 2025, submitted by Mr. Leopoldo Silguero Jr. City Administrator Cotton reviewed the Staff report and the letter received by Leopoldo Silguero Jr. in regard to one of his dogs, Biggie, being registered as an Emotional Support Animal. City Attorney Baumgartner explained two of the dogs have been relocated, while Biggie remains on this property. He said he would like to look deeper into the certification for this emotional support animal. He noted the City has the obligation to accommodate reasonable requests for this kind of support for emotional support animals. He said he would like to gather some additional information from Mr. Silguero and look into how this would work for an emotional support animal that has already been deemed a nuisance and potentially dangerous dog. He added if his further research does not support Mr. Silguero being able to keep Biggie as an emotional support animal, then he would like the Council's authorization to move forward with enforcing the resolution that was previously passed by the Council. Mayor Barthel asked if the doctor who granted this emotional support animal certification had to Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2025 Page 5 be made aware of the potentially dangerous dog declaration. Mr. Baumgartner explained the issuance of these certifications can be flawed. He noted the doctor who issued this certificate is located in Kentucky, so the doctor did not meet face-to-face with Mr. Silguero or his dog. He said that if someone is going to be diagnosed and says they need an emotional support animal, then they need the correct diagnosis, and he questions how this can be accomplished without knowing the dog or the situation and only interacting with them online. Councilmember Godfrey asked Mr. Baumgartner to look into whether or not Biggie is the appropriate animal for fulfilling emotional support animal duties. Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Engelhardt, to direct City Attorney Baumgartner to research the validity of the Emotional Support Animal certificate and letter received in conjunction with its applicability for a potentially dangerous animal, and if it is found that potentially dangerous animals are not allowed to be emotional support animals, then direct Mr. Baumgartner to take whatever action necessary to carry out the resolution that was previously passed by the Council. Further discussion: Councilmember Shafto asked if they could research whether this has happened in any other city before. He shared he is concerned that this could set a precedent because if this is allowed, then it will make it incredibly difficult to declare dogs as dangerous in the future. Mr. Baumgartner said he will look into this as part of his research as well. 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. (Administrative Staff Report) Ms. Cotton shared she does not have any updates for the Council at this time. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT th Mayor Barthel shared he was just asked to be on QCTV Live and Local on October 29. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Schue, Seconded by Shafto, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2025 Page 6 Respectfully submitted, Ava Major, Recording Secretary REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – OCTOBER 21 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..................................................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM ..............................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL ..........................................................................................................1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................2 1. CONSENT ITEMS ..........................................................................................................2 A. Approve Payment of Claims ........................................................................................2 B. Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage ............................................................................2 C. Approve 2026 Recycling Agreement with Anoka County ............................................2 D. Approve Tobacco License............................................................................................2 E. Approve Health Insurance Renewal and Employer Contribution ..................................2 F. Approve Dental Renewal and Employer Contribution ..................................................2 G. Receive September 2025 General Fund Progress Report ..............................................2 H. Receive September 2025 City Investment Report.........................................................2 rd I. Receive 3 Quarter Community Center Update ...........................................................2 J. Approve Escrow Agreement for Design of Lift Station #12/25-45 ...............................2 K. Approve Final Plat Hartmans Meadows (R110-25) ......................................................2 L. Approve 2026 Contract/TimeSaver Secretarial Service ................................................2 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS .....................................................................................................2 A. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ...................................2 B. ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT .............................................3 C. CONSIDER RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) FY 2024 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT (AFG) (R111-25) ..............................................................................................4 D. REVIEW LETTER SUBMITTED BY LEOPOLDO SILGUERO JR./14760 7TH AVENUE NW .................................................................................................................4 3. STAFF ITEMS ................................................................................................................5 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT .............................................................................................5 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ...................................................................................................5 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................5