Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.05.06 Open Space Referendum Discussion ---- f @ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Mayor and Council Members FROM: Jim Dickinson, City Administrator SUBJECT: Open Space Referendum Discussion DATE: September 5, 2006 INTRODUCTION An Andover Council 2005-2006 goal is to explore open space preservation. Questions relative to open space were integrated into the recent community survey conducted by Decision Resources Inc. which indicated that there was strong support for the City to purchase open space for the purpose of preservation. The survey also indicated that residents would be supportive of an increase in property taxes to support open space preservation in the amount $20.60 on an annual basis. Council discussion over these results has lead to the consideration of an open space referendum as part of the November 2006 general election. In response to that discussion the Council created the "Open Space Task Force" on July 18, 2006 (refer to attached Council meeting minutes (pgs 3-4) and Open Space Task .Force member listing (pg 5)) to prepare a report for presentation to the Council on September 5, 2006. DISCUSSION - The Open Space Task Force has meet five times over the month in addition to participation at a Council workshop covering a lot of ground and have prepared a ballot question that is inserted into the approval resolution (pg 11) - and a "Commonly Asked Questions" sheet (pg 6)for the Council's review. The ballot question has been discussed at each meeting of the task force and has undergone review by the Trust For Public Land and the City's bond counsel. The "Commonly Asked Questions" sheet is a compilation of reference materials gathered through the task force's research and updated to meet the needs of the City of Andover. City Staff, City Administrator and City Planner, have assisted the task force along the way and have utilized the insight of bond counsel, Biggs & Morgan , and fiscal advisor, Ehlers & Associates, to assure that legal and fiscal requirements are met. The attached resolution (pgs 7 - 13) for the Council to approve ordering an open space ballot question was prepared by Briggs & Morgan. The other documents (pgs 14- 21) attached are for the Council's reference and are what will need to be approved at future meetings to comply with State of Minnesota statute requirements for a referendum ballot question Representatives of the Open Space Task Force will be present at the meeting and will provide a presentation to the Council of their work over the past month and the basis of the proposed ballot question. , BUDGET AVAILABILITY The commmrity survey cost was $13,750. The City did budget $20,000 for commmrity survey related expenses, $6,250 is currently available to assist with incidental expenses if it is the Council's desire to pursue placing an open space referendum on the November 2006 general election. If additional budget is necessary, Finance would be able to provide .suggested funding sources. ACTION REOUESTED The Council is requested to receive a presentation from the Open Space Task Force and City Staff. The Council is also requested to consider for approval the attached "Resolution Calling For An Election On $2,000,000 General Obligation Bonds". Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - July 18, 2006 Page 19 'ws Basketball Court and Park Trails. Motion carried 11nl'm;mously. (RES. 6) Motin y Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to decline the purchase of the property. Motion cmi . ously. UPDATE ON POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM City Administrator Dickinson stated an Andover Council 2005-06 goal is to explore open space preservation. Questions relative to open space were integrated into the recent community survey conducted by Decision Resources, Inc., which indicated that there was strong support for the City to purchase open space for the purpose of preservation. The survey also indicated that residents would be supportive of an increase in property taxes to support open space preServation in the amount of $20.60 on an annual basis. Mr. Dickinson reviewed the staff report with the Council. Councilmember Trod.e thought this has been an important issue to the Mayor. She noted she drew up a resolution appointing members to a task force committee. The City Council hereby: 1. Authorizes the creation of an Open Space Task Force consisting of those persons whose names appear on the list as part of Packet Item 19 in the Council packet of July 1 &, 2006, with the limitation that only one member per household may serve as a voting member. 2. Appoints Mayor Mike Gamache and Councilmember Mike Knight to represent the Council on this Task Force authorizing them to work with staff to organize the meetings, set the agendas and agree on the appointment of a Chair. 3. Directs the Open Space Task Force to prepare a rePort for presentation to the City Council on' September 5 ~ 2006~ to answer the following question: "If Andover residents voted to increase their taxes in order to purchase $2 million of open space, wba1 are the characteristics of the land that should be sought to be purchased with these funds?" 4. If the City Council votes to authorize a referendum be placed on the November ballot for the purchase of Open Space, the Task Force is authorized to prepare an article of (j) information on the referendum for publication in the City neV\'Sletter and other media , Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - July 18, 2006 Page 20 sources prior to the election. 5. The Open Space Task Force would be dissolved after completion oftbese tasks. 6. All meetings of the Open Space Task Force shall comply with the Open Meeting law, with notices posted, and other council members welcomed to attend. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Ortte4 to approve the proposed resolution. Counci1membe:r Jacobson stated in general he did not oppose this except for item 3. He thought they need to define what they mean and not just the characteristics of the land. They need. to define what they really mean by open space. Mr. Dickinson asked Decision Resources this question and when the survey question was asked it did not mean the development of "Ball fields or park specifics". The Council thought they need. to define open space for the ballot. Councilmembe:r Knight thought they need to lean heavily on the existing orwmi:7.lmons out there. The Council di.scussed with staff what the committee should look at regarding open space. ) I Motion cmried 'l]]lm;mously. (,RES. R091-06) ~ ~ROVE POllCY FOR NAMING AND RENAMING OF PARKS, PARK FACILITJES, AND CITY CONTROLLED AREAS At the July 5, 2 CoUIJCi1 meeting the Council reviewed a proposed City of for Naming and :RJ . of Parks, Park Facilities, Trails and Open S " staff was directed to inoorpo various details discussed at the m . Council for future consideration. Councilmembe:r Jacobson stated he bad thiS . stated in the introduction, the second p~ City grid system which is :fine, but streets do not use the following process and pro . The procedure everything else is for naming the parks, tr8ils and open space. It s not say anything about stt and he thought they should reword that to include stree . Councilmember Trude suggested th lete the paragraph because they see this . e preliminary plat and staff indicates if there y changes. Councilmemb rude stated she has a couple of changes. During their discussion couple of 0 er things they looked at and most of the time they do not 'Want to go tbro just for e basic parks. They already have a system. Item A should read "City Park naming . G) occ during the preliminary plat review process. .Parks shall generally be named after the cation, subdivision neighborhood adjacent or nearby street or prominent natural feature near ----- r . OPEN SPACE TASKFORCE RESIDENTS Sara J ablonecki Chip Stratman Corey & Tanya Weisser Pam Donato Lyle Bradley Douglas Falk Bruce Cutter Mary Holmes Mark & Randi Miskowiec Gretchen Sabel WInSlow Holasek Dennis Raab COUNCILME:MBERS Mike Gamache Mike Knight . ~ , Commonly Asked Questions 1. What will the city accomplish with this dedicated funding? Andover will use the funds to acquire land from willing sellers for protection of water and air quality, preservation of wildlife habitat and natural amenities. 2. How will the city do this? The city will acquire land and/or enter into land preservation agreements to permanently protect natural areas. 3. Where would the lands be located? Land'throughout the city will be eligible for consideration. . 4. What can be accomplished with $2,000,000? An initial investment by Andover residents will open the door to matching funds from public agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporate sponsors. Preservation can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the purchase of property, dedication of conservation easements, purchase or transfer of development rights and park dedication. By utilizing a combination of funding sources and methods, the amount of land that can be protected will be multiplied. 5. How long will these properties be protected? The land will be protected in perpetuity. 6. How much will property taxes increase to fund this program and for how long? A property owner will pay about $8 per year for each $100,000 of assessed property value for fifteen years. The annual tax impact is expected to decrease in future years due to growth in the city's tax base. 7. How will the city ensure the program is effective? A citizen advisory committee appointed by the City Council will review spending and expenditures will be audited annually. This information will be open to public review. 8. Does the city have experience with similar projects? , This year the city acquired more than 20 acres of natural habitat area and reached a~ement to protect an additional 10 acres along the same wildlife corridor near Hanson Boulevard and 161 5t Avenue. The agreement includes a trail connection to the existing system along Hanson Boulevard. A restoration project in Kelsey Round Lake Park was also completed with funding from with the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The city is currently working with the DNR, Coon Creek Watershed Management District, Tree Trust and Anoka County Parks to restore native plants in wetlands along Coon Creek. With dedicated funding a city wide effort to preserve natural areas can be implemented. 9. What will the effect be on my property? Local and national research has shown that natural areas positively affect home values and consistently rank high on lists of home buyer preferences. 10. Are there natural areas remaining in Andover that need to be protected? Yes. Approximately 40% of the city remains undeveloped. However, The Metropolitan Council forecasts the city's population will grow to 39,000 people with the addition of as many as 4,000 new homes by the year 2020. There is presently an opportunity to preserve unique natural areas from development for the enjoyment of residents now and in the years to come. 11. Will aU property owners be required to pay this tax? No, state law exempts agricultural land and seasonal property from taxes used to repay all referendum debt. 12. Why would a landowner want to participate in this program? This would be an option for landowners who don't want to see their land developed but want to protect it for the enjoyment of future generations. For Additional Information Contact: at (763) 755-5100 CD EXTRACT OF MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANDOVER, MINNESOTA HELD: September 5, 2006 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular or special meeting of the City Council of the City of Andover, Minnesota, was duly called and held at the City Hall on September 5, 2006, at o'clock p.m. . The following members were present: and the following were absent: Member introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELECTION ON $2,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council (the "Council") of the City of Andover, Minnesota (the "City"), as follows: 1. Proiect. This Council has investigated the facts and does hereby find, determine and declare that it is necessary and expedient to issue general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition of land from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat, for which spending would be subject to an annual audit. 2. Election. The proposition of authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $2,000,000 general obligation bonds for said purpose shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the City at the general election to be held on November 7, 2006. The election shall be held between the , hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The polling places for the election shall be: Precinct Polline: Place 1 Hope Lutheran Church 16180 Round Lake Boulevard NW 2 Grace Lutheran Church 13655 Round Lake Boulevard NW 3 Riverdale Assembly of God Church 3210 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 4 Crooked Lake Elementary School 2939 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW oJ 1 938824v 1 5 Meadow Creek Church 3037 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 6 Bunker Hills Activity Center 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 7 Constance Evangelical Free Church 16150 Crosstown Boulevard NW . 8 Andover Christian Church 16045 Nightingale Street NW 9 Prairie Oak Community Church 1657 161st Avenue NW 10 Andover Elementary SchoQI 14950 Hanson Boulevard NW 3. Notice and Ballot. The Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to post and publish according to law a Notice of Election and Ballot, and to prepare ballots for the question for use at the election, which notice and ballot shall be in substantially the following forms: 1938824vl 2 ~ -- NOTICE OF ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election on a question will be held in and for the City of Andover, Anoka County, Minnesota, on November 7,2006, between the hours of 7:00 'a.m. and 8:00 p.m., at which time the following question will be submitted: "Shall the City of Andover, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance the acquisition ofland from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat? Spending would be subject to an annual audit." The polling places for the election shall be ' Precinct Polling Place . 1 Hope Lutheran Church 16180 Round Lake Boulevard NW 2 Grace Lutheran Church 13655 Round Lake Boulevard NW 3 Riverdale Assembly of God Church 3210 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 4 Crooked Lake Elementary School 2939 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 5 Meadow Creek Church 3037 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 6 Bunker Hills Activity Center 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 7 Com~ce~an~licalF~Church 16150 Crosstown Boulevard'NW 8 Andover Christian Church 16045 Nightingale Street NW 9 Prairie Oak Community Church 1657 16lst Avenue NW 10 Andover Elementary School 14950 Hanson Boulevard NW @ 1938824vl 3 in the City, at which places all of the qualified electors of the City residing within the precinct with respect to which the polling place has been established may cast their ballots. Dated: , 2006. BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Is! City Clerk . . . @ 1 938&24vl 4 CITY QUESTION BALLOT CITY OF ANDOVER November 7, 2006 INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS: To vote for a question, put an (X) in the square next to the word "YES" for that question. To vote against a question, put an (X) in the square next to the word "NO" for that question. CITY QUESTION NO. 1 PRESERVATION OF WATER, WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITAT AREAS 0 YES "Shall the City of Andover, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 to 0 NO finance the acquisition of land from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat? Spending would be subject to an annual audit." BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. This proposal would cost approximately $8 per year for each $100,000 in property value on most property types. The maximum amount of increased levy as a percentage of market value is .0078% and the maximum amount that would be raised by the new referendum tax rate in the first year if it were to be levied is $195,539. Q 1938824vl 5 4. Election Judges. Election judges will be appointed at least twenty five days prior to the election. 5. Manner: Canvass. The election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the statutes of the State of Minnesota applicable, and the Council shall meet as required by law for the purpose of canvassing the election and declaring the results thereof. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member and, after full discussion thereof and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: and the following voted against the same: Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. @ 1938824vl 6 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF ANDOVER I, the undersigned. being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Andover, Minnesota, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that I have carefully compared the attached and foregoing extract of minutes with the original minutes of a meeting of the City Council duly called and held on the date therein indicated, which are on file and of record in my office, and the same is a full, true and correct transcript therefrom insofar as the same relate to an. election on the proposed issuance of general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition ofland from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat, for which spending would be subject to an annual audit. WITNESS my hand as such Clerk on September 5, 2006. City Clerk @ 1 938824vl 7 ------- [City Letterhead] , 2006 Anoka County Auditor 2100 Third Avenue Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 Dear County Auditor: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 205.16, Subdivision 4, this letter is to formally advise you that the City of Andover, Minnesota, will be holding an election on a question on the date of the general election, November 7,2006, between the hours of7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the following polling places in the City: Precinct Polling Place 1 Hope Lutheran Church 16180 Round Lake Boulevard NW 2 Grace Lutheran Church 13655 Round Lake Boulevard NW 3 Riverdale Assembly of God Church 3210 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 4 Crooked Lake Elementary School 2939 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 5 Meadow Creek Church 3037 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 6 Bunker Hills Activity Center 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW 7 Constance Evangelical Free Church 16150 Crosstown Boulevard NW 8 Andover Christian Church 16045 Nightingale Street NW 9 Prairie Oak Community Church 1657 161st Avenue NW 1938824vl @ . 10 Andover Elementary School 14950 Hanson Boulevard NW The following question will be submitted to the voters at that election: "Shall the City of Andover, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,000,0000 to finance the acquisition of land from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat? Spending would be subject to an annual audit." Very truly yours, . CITY OF ANDOVER, MINNESOTA By Its City Clerk 0 1938824vl 2 . STATE OF MINNESOTA AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING COUNTY OF ANOKA NOTICE OF ELECTION AND CITY OF ANDOVER OF POSTING SAMPLE BALLOT The undersigned, City Clerk for the City of Andover, Minnesota, being first duly sworn on oath, deposes and says that on , 2006 (at least ten days before the , election) she posted the Notice of Election, a true and correct copy of which is hereto attached, at the office of the City Clerk in said City, and at each of the following public and conspicuous places within said City: One at . One at One at She further says that on , 2006, at least four days before the election, she posted a sample ballot, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto, at the office of the City Clerk. On the election day, she posted a sample ballot at each polling place for the election. She further certifies that two weeks published notice of the election appeared ,in a newspaper published in the City, as evidenced by the affidavit of publication attached hereto, and that one week published notice of said sample ballot appeared in the official newspaper of the City as evidenced by the affidavit of publication attached hereto. City Clerk Subscribed and swom'to before me on , 2006. Notary Public (Attach Notice of Election, Sample Ballot and Publisher's Affidavits) 1938824vl @ STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICIAL RETURNS OF JUDGES COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF ANDOVER OF CITY ELECTION We, , , , Judges of the election held in the City of Andover, Anoka County, Minnesota, on November 7, 2006, DO HEREBY CERTIFY as follows: 1. On the date of the election we attended at the polling place for the election, to-wit: 2. The polls for the election were duly opened at 7:00 a.m. and remained open continuously thereafter until 8:00 p.m. on said day, and no longer. 3. The election was in all respects conducted according to law, and all qualified voters resident in the City who desired to vote thereat were permitted to do so. 4. Each person who voted thereat was furnished by us with an official ballot in form identical with the one hereto attached. 5. Forthwith upon the closing of the polls for the election, we proceeded to count and canvass the votes cast at the election upon the question set forth below, and thereupon found and determined and do hereby certify and declare, that the vote was as follows: "Shall the City of Andover, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance the acquisition of land from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat? Spending would be subject to an annual audit." Votes YES Votes NO Spoiled or Blank Ballots Total Ballots WITNESS our hands officially as such election officers on November _, 2006. (Attach Ballot) 1938824vl 6Y STATE OF ~SOTA COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF ANDOVER 1, the undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting City Clerk of the City of Andover, Minnesota, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that attached hereto is a full, true and correct copy of the official returns of the judges of the election held in said City on November 7, 2006, as shown in the files and records in my office. WITNESS my hand on t 2006. City Clerk . 1938824vl 2 @ . EXTRACT OF MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANDOVER, MINNESOTA HELD: November _,2006 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special or regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Andover, Minnesota, was called and held at the City Hall on November _ 2006, at o'clock .M. - The following members were present: and the following were absent: The City Clerk presented affidavits of posting and publication of a Notice of Election held in accordance with the resolution adopted on September 5, 2006, authorizing the election to vote on the question of the City of Andover issuing bonds in an amount not to exceed $2.000,000, to finance the acquisition oflmid from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat, for which spending would be subject to an annual audit, and also presented the official returns of the judges of election. Said affidavits and returns were duly examined, approved and ordered placed on file in the office of the City Clerk. Member introduced the following resolution and moved its - adoption: RESOLUTION CANVASSING RETURNS OF ELECTION BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Andover. Anoka County. Minnesota (the "City"), that it is hereby found, determined and declared that the election held in and for the City on November 7,2006, was in all respects duly and legally called and held and the returns thereof have been duly canvassed, and the votes cast at the election for and against the following question were as follows: "Shall the City of Andover, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2.000,000 to finance the acquisition of land from willing sellers for the preservation of natural areas, water and air quality and wildlife habitat? Spending would be subject to an annual audit." Votes YES Votes NO Spoiled or Blank Ballots Total Votes and said proposition, having received the approval of a majority of the votes cast thereon, is hereby declared to have carried. 1938824vl cW . , . The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member and, after full discussion thereof and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: and the following voted against the same: Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. . 1 938824v 1 2 @ ~- -- --- . . . ' . STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF ANOKA CITY OF ANDOVER I, the undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting City Clerk of the City of Andover, Minnesota, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that I have compared the attached and foregoing extract of minutes with the original minutes on file and of record in my office and thatthe same is a full, true and correct transcript of minutes of a meeting of the City Council duly held on the date therein indicated, insofar as the same relates to canvassing the results of an election held in and for the City. WITNESS my hand as such City Clerk on November _, 2006. City Clerk 1938824vl 3 ~