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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-27 WK ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING – JANUARY 27, 2026 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Barthel, January 27, 2026, 6:00 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 Community Development Director, Joe Janish Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Natural Resources Technician, Kameron Kytonen Finance Manager, Lee Brezinka Utilities Manager, Steve Weinhold DISCUSS REQUEST BY ANDOVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND FOUNDATION HILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL TO USE ANDOVER STATION NORTH BALL FIELD PARKING LOT FOR STAFF/OVERFLOW PARKING Director of Public Works/City Engineer Berkowitz reviewed the request before the Council by Andover Animal Hospital and Foundation Hill Montessori School to use the Andover Station North Ballfield parking lot for staff/overflow parking. Sharon Nash, Andover Animal Hospital, stated as the business continues to grow to meet the needs of the community, parking for employees has become a challenge, and they do not have the option to add additional parking. They believe the most practical solution is to allow the employees to use the ball field parking during business hours. She commented that patrons of the ball field use the business parking lot on evenings and weekends, and even during business hours at times, so there is already some shared use. She commented they would like to partner with the City to solve this issue related to parking and provided additional comments on maintenance, and potential parking fees they could pay. Jenni Vitek, Foundation Hill, commented that even though they share a parking lot, they are separate businesses and provided information on the parking each business has available within the lot. She commented they have always welcomed the use of the parking lot by customers of other businesses and park users, and there is a parking issue. She asked that Foundation Hill be allowed five spaces across the street for staff overflow, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. She stated they are also willing to contribute to maintenance costs and would like to be a partner in this situation to solve the parking problem. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 2 Mr. Berkowitz stated if there is an agreement, it would need to be a contractual agreement prepared by the City Attorney. He asked if there should be a cost consideration as part of the agreement. Ms. Nash stated when they first built, they did post signs stating no ball field parking because they were experiencing a lot of ball field parking during business hours, with tailgating activities. She noted they never enforced the signs and had a verbal agreement from the sports association that they would speak with families and clean up the parking lot as they clean up the ball field parking lot. Mr. Berkowitz asked if the ball field lot is full when parking is occurring in the business lot. Ms. Nash replied the lot is not full and prefers those parking stalls as they are more convenient. Mayor Barthel asked about the business hours. Ms. Vitek replied they are open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the overflow would not start until 8:30 a.m. Ms. Nash replied their business is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Mayor Barthel was confident they could find an agreement and did not want the businesses to feel bad that they had a sign stating no ball field parking allowed. He stated the City has an agreement for overflow parking with the baseball association. He stated if the businesses want to plow that area to use for parking, he would agree with that. Councilmember Schue stated this does not seem to be an unreasonable request. He asked if Ms. Nash had a number of stalls in mind that they would need. Ms. Nash replied she did not have a specific number in mind and would accept whatever they could get. Councilmember Schue commented there does not seem to be a cost issue outside of plowing. Mr. Berkowitz stated the west end of the parking lot is plowed for sledding, and if plowing by the City is completed, they would need to determine that cost, along with maintenance costs. He suggested the City Attorney draft an agreement that could be reviewed in a future workshop. Councilmember Engelhardt commented he would support this action, and the other members of the Council agreed. Ms. Nash asked if they could use the spaces during the time the agreement is drafted. Mr. Berkowitz stated it would be an issue of liability and would work to draft the agreement for review at the February workshop. He stated staff will also speak with Andover baseball and remind them to use the agreed-upon overflow parking. Council consensus was reached to direct staff to work with the City Attorney to draft an agreement to be reviewed at the February workshop. ALTERNATIVE AREAWIDE REVIEW (AUAR) DISCUSSION Community Development Director Janish stated the AUAR study is in progress. The Council is requested to review components of the AUAR study related to sanitary sewer and groundwater/water appropriation. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 3 Kevin Kielb, Bolton and Menk, presented the information from the study related to the sanitary sewer and its feasibility. Mr. Berkowitz noted two lift stations that would be eliminated when the main is constructed, as planned. Councilmember Godfrey commented it appears that everything can be done and makes sense, and asked for clarification on why the trunk system would be built in place of the lift stations that would be removed. Mr. Berkowitz explained there are challenges within the system, and some of the pressure on the system can be removed by removing the lift stations. He stated the trunk main would add capacity and reduce maintenance needs. Councilmember Godfrey asked for additional information on the age of lift stations seven and eight and how long this replacement has been planned. Mr. Berkowitz estimated the lift stations are 20 and 22 years old. Councilmember Godfrey asked about the lifespan of a trunk main and the maintenance that would be needed. Utilities Manager Weinhold stated there is monthly maintenance required for all lift stations and trunk mains, but technology has evolved a lot in the past 23 years, which helps to alleviate some of the older maintenance issues. Mr. Kielb provided additional explanation on what a lift station is, how it functions, and the maintenance that is required compared to a trunk main. Mr. Berkowitz stated it would be a benefit to remove two lift stations and replace them with one trunk main. He identified the area that would benefit from the additional capacity that would be provided in the system. Councilmember Godfrey commented she was pleased to hear that there would not be a difference between commercial development and a mix of commercial and residential development for the identified area, as that leaves options open for the future. Mr. Janish acknowledged that sanitary sewer is just one component that would be considered for future development. Mr. Berkowitz presented information from the report related to groundwater/water appropriation. Mr. Weinhold provided additional information on the yield study to determine the impacts of biological on water treatment. Mr. Berkowitz provided additional information on future needs related to treatment and capacity. Mayor Barthel asked for more information on the type of storage that would be needed in the future, whether that would be underground or a water tower. Mr. Berkowitz provided more information on the two-tiered system used by Andover. He stated ultimately, they would remove water tower one and move to one hydraulic grade line. He commented they had always planned to have a water reservoir close to the water treatment plant. Mr. Weinhold agreed the plan would be multifaceted and some details are yet to be determined, although an in-ground tank next to the plant seems to be the most cost-effective. Mr. Berkowitz recapped the water needs identified within the study related to capacity for supply, treatment, and storage. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 4 Councilmember Godfrey asked for the lead time that would be necessary to plan for those needs. Mr. Berkowitz replied they will begin to place items in the CIP next year. He stated some of those dates are for the full build-out of the AUAR, so there will be additional time within. Councilmember Schue asked and received confirmation that the existing water treatment plant would continue to function and be used, and a second plant would be added. It was confirmed that all options would be reviewed, including whether an expansion of the current plant would be feasible. Councilmember Shafto asked for more information on the current water appropriation of the City and how long the process is to request a change. Mr. Berkowitz was unsure how long that process would be. Councilmember Shafto asked what would happen if the City exceeded that appropriation. Mr. Berkowitz replied the City would receive a fine. He confirmed they would want to start that process in the near future. Councilmember Engelhardt asked what the options would be if the DNR did not approve a higher appropriation. Mr. Berkowitz believed the DNR would work with the City to come to an agreement. He noted the DNR can impose certain conditions and commented that the City already has conservation measures in place, such as odd/even watering and tiered water use charges. He noted re-use irrigation could become a requirement for new development. Mayor Barthel noted conflicts between the higher density required by the Metropolitan Council, which places further demands on water, and water conservation desired by the DNR. Mr. Berkowitz noted the City of Ramsey previously requested surface water treatment with State funding contributions, which was denied, but that concept is something that may need to be considered in the future for some communities. Councilmember Engelhardt commented on the importance of having a plan, as different needs will be triggered at different points as they move forward. Mayor Barthel requested a short update be provided this spring related to the biological introduction in the water treatment plant and how that has worked for the past year. CONTINUE NATURE PRESERVE DISCUSSION Natural Resources Technician Kytonen provided background information from the November 25, 2025, City Council Workshop, where there was continued discussion of a potential transition from the Nature Preserve Commission to a redefined Natural Resources Commission. The Council is requested to continue the discussion of a potential transition, the proposed draft City Code amendment, and provide direction to staff on the next steps. City Administrator Cotton noted the draft City Code language is consistent with the other City Commissions and suggested the Council focus more on the powers and duties. She stated staff drafted potential language for consideration using the discussion that has occurred thus far by the City Council. Mr. Kytonen stated staff reviewed language from other communities with similar Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 5 groups to develop the draft powers and duties. Mayor Barthel referenced Item B, which references natural areas, and asked if that language is being used going forward rather than nature preserves. He referenced property that was donated to the City and asked if the Commission would assist in providing recommendations on the management of that area. Ms. Cotton commented staff would make a recommendation for the Commission to review and also provide a recommendation on. Mr. Berkowitz believed the language was flexible enough to include other things, such as areas within Kelsey Round Lake Park. Mr. Kytonen commented there are a lot of passive parks that lack management, and this group could assist in that. Councilmember Godfrey referenced language about partnering with other groups and commented that it could be a slippery slope, and leaned towards saying “may partner”. Mayor Barthel commented it is just a possibility and would not be solidified. Councilmember Godfrey asked if the Commission or staff would be the authority, using the example of a resident wanting to set up a rain garden. Ms. Cotton explained this would be an advisory body that would make recommendations to the City Council, and the members of the Commission themselves would not have authority. She commented residents would reach out to City staff to ask those questions. Councilmember Engelhardt stated this would be an advisory board where staff would still be the resource for residents. Councilmember Schue asked if the Commission would review every development coming forward, similar to the Park and Recreation Commission, or only certain developments where additional input is desired. Mr. Janish noted the issue of timing and how the Park and Planning Commissions fit into that process. Councilmember Schue commented he did not believe that the Natural Resources Commission would need to comment on every development plan. Mr. Janish agreed and suggested perhaps this group would be involved at a sketch plan level when the Council desires that input. Ms. Cotton acknowledged the Nature Preserve Commission has been meeting more informally, and the meetings are not televised, whereas the Natural Resources Commission would have monthly meetings scheduled that would be televised. Councilmember Shafto commented he did not have any concerns with the powers and duties, as they are direct enough to provide direction while also being broad enough to allow flexibility. Mayor Barthel confirmed the support of the Council on the draft language as presented. He asked if there is a desire to provide the Commission with a budget, noting that expenditures would still need to be approved by the City Council. Councilmember Shafto commented he believes there should be a small budget to start and should be developed based on input from the Commission. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 6 Councilmember Godfrey commented she would prefer to see an expenditure driven by a specific request, such as signage, with a specific amount. Mayor Barthel stated if there is no budget, there would be no parameters on the type of request that could come forward. Ms. Cotton stated if a Commission is established, the Commission can be charged with identifying goals and objectives for the coming year, and any budget requests could be included in that and discussed in the City budget discussions. The Council agreed. Mr. Kytonen stated there is a natural resources fund with about $15,000 per year that can be used for different activities within the natural areas and preserves. Ms. Cotton commented staff can review and provide information on a five-year history of how those funds have been spent. Mr. Berkowitz commented there are a lot of uses for that fund, and the budget for the Commission should be allocated separately. Ms. Cotton commented the next step would be to bring this ordinance forward for formal adoption. She stated they would then appoint members to the Commission, and the Commission could then begin to work on its goals and objectives. OTHER TOPICS CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD AND BLUEBIRD STREET ROUNDABOUT PROJECT (25-29) UPDATE Mr. Berkowitz provided an update on the project and the proposed design, which would assist in reducing property impacts. He confirmed all work would be done within the right-of-way and would provide a safe crossing for pedestrians. He noted there would be a bypass lane created to allow one-way traffic to the businesses during construction. He reviewed the notification that was mailed to residents and businesses for the upcoming open house and provided information on the proposed project timing. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS No comments. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATES Councilmember Shafto provided a brief overview of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) and its recent activity. Councilmember Schue provided an overview of the Fire Relief Association and the items that will be discussed at the upcoming meeting. He asked staff to follow up on the stipend that is being discussed to ensure that he would not be receiving that. Ms. Cotton commented she believed that the discussion was related to officer positions and members only, but confirmed that she would follow up. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – January 27, 2026 Page 7 Councilmember Godfrey provided information on the Anoka Hennepin Community Education group and stated she will be attending the first meeting for that group in February. Mayor Barthel provided information on the Joint Law Enforcement Committee, which he serves on, and some of the topics discussed. He stated he also serves on the Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission, of which he is the Chair, and provided a brief update noting challenges ahead for that organization. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Godfrey, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The workshop meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary