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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-21 CC REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – APRIL 21, 2026 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Barthel, April 21, 2026, 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 Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RECOGNIZE WINNERS OF THE ANDOVER PHOTO CONTEST Mayor Barthel recognized the winners of the Photo Contest. Roger Hanson was recognized for the category of architecture and city life, Dave Knapp was recognized for the category of nature and landscape, Tom Siemsen was recognized for the category of people and parks, and Marilyn Sullivan was chosen as the overall favorite. Mayor Barthel thanked everyone who submitted a photo to the contest and encouraged residents to continue to participate. City Administrator Sarah Cotton commented there was a great turnout and even photos that were not selected as winners may be used in different forms of City content. She stated the City will continue to run contests going forward. RESIDENT FORUM nd Bev Hinkel, 1410 152 Lane NW, provided photographs of what has been going on for over 12 years. She thanked the Mayor and Council for working to ensure that one of the large buildings has been removed. She provided information on complaints and violations that continue to occur on a neighboring property and the need for continued code enforcement and abatement. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner commented in this case, there have been multiple citations issued, which usually gets the attention of a property owner. He stated in this case, violations of exterior storage are a fineable offense, and the property owner continues to pay the fines. He stated the last time there was an incident, the property owner did show up in court, in December of 2024, where they negotiated a stay of adjudication. He stated subsequent to that, another citation was Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2026 Page 2 issued in January of 2026, which created a violation of the adjudication and provided more information on that process. He stated rather than issuing another citation, they will now issue a formal complaint, which requires a mandatory court appearance. th Luke Metzinger, 3457 134 Avenue NW, commented on two homes near his home owned by HON Partners out of Texas, and the tenants are horrible neighbors. He noted one home has parents who neglect their children and provided several examples. He stated the other home becomes a drive-thru for drugs on weekends, with EMS visiting the property multiple times. He believed that someone was shot inside that home. He stated the homes do not perform the necessary maintenance required for snow and lawn care, or to be good and safe neighbors. He stated people are smoking marijuana in the driveway, wandering around the street on drugs, and using drugs, and then driving away in their vehicles. He stated their vehicles are also in disrepair and drive unsafely in the neighborhood. He commented three neighbors have moved because of the people living in these homes. He stated in the past seven days, there have been 14 drug deals in the driveway, two occasions where the bus driver had to wait for someone to get home to let the child into the house, and garbage piled up in the yard. He stated complaints have been filed with the City and Police, and he urged the Council to do something more to address this situation. th Daniel Dryden, 3467 134 Avenue NW, provided photographs in conjunction with the statements made by his neighbor. He commented these issues have been going on for the past three years, and it continues to get worse. He stated the tenants/low-income residents are buying and selling drugs in their driveway and on the street, noting that he has hundreds of photos and videos to back that up. He commented one of the homes had a shooting last June and another shooting 18 months before that. He stated Police Reports show domestic violence, a DWI hit and run, and a backyard lit on fire, as well as many violations from code enforcement. He commented on the lack of lawn maintenance and believed that CPS has also been involved with the properties. He commented on the loud verbal argument and other behaviors coming from the properties. He stated there has also been a random man living in a tent in the backyard of one of the homes. He noted three of his neighbors have sold their homes because of these issues. He stated all the neighbors have witnessed illegal and unsafe activity at the homes and need assistance in protecting their neighborhood and removing these residents from the neighborhood. Chris Rodriguez, 13403 Narcissus Street NW, commented she lives on the same street as the previous two speakers and lives kitty-corner from the houses mentioned. She expressed concern about the minor children, under the age of four, who are often outside playing in the driveway and on the street without supervision. She commented there has been an increase in adult males coming in and out of the property, and two teenage females live in the property without other adult supervision. She commented on the poor condition of the property and the nuisances that are created. She stated these properties were purchased by HON, which is a for-profit company that wants to provide low-income housing to individuals, but those tenants are not being good neighbors. She expressed concerns about the drug-dealing activity that children in the community are seeing. She commented on the disruptions that have been caused by partying at these homes. She stated the neighborhood has attempted to contact the property owner but cannot get a call back. She asked for assistance in addressing this situation. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2026 Page 3 th Mustafa Alsoton commented he is present to speak for his sister, who lives at 3447 134 Avenue NW, as she could not attend, but is also a neighbor of the previous speakers. He supported the statements made by the previous speakers and also spoke about the issues with the lack of maintenance, noise, and criminal activity created by the property. He stated the grass is so long at these properties that it creates issues for his sister’s yard. He noted his sister has offered to mow the lawns to stop issues with her own lawn, but the offer has not been accepted. He commented on the activity of the unsupervised children, who knock things down on his sister’s property. He also spoke about the shooting that occurred at the property, along with the constant marijuana smoking that permeates other properties. th Ms. Rodriguez provided the address of the home being discussed, which is 3437 134 Avenue NW. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Schue, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 7, 2026, Regular Meeting: Correct as written Motion by Godfrey, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve the April 7, 2026, Regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 1. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approve Payment of Claims B. Approve Massage Therapist License C. Receive March 2026 General Fund Progress Report D. Receive March 2026 City Investment Report st E. Receive 1 Quarter 2026 Community Center Update F. Declare Surplus Property/Equipment G. Approve Lower-Potency Hemp Registration H. Approve Commercial Kennel License I. Award Bid/24-43: Coon Creek Corridor Trail East of Prairie Road (R044-26) J. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Ad for Bids/26-02B: 2026 Street Reconstruction (Kadlec Estates)/26-02D: 2026 Street Reconstruction (Nightingale Preserve/Wittington strd Ridge/Nightingale Estates 1 – 3 Additions) (R042-26) K. Award Bid/26-29: Crosstown Boulevard & Bluebird Street Roundabout (R043-26) L. Approve Appointment – Mechanic M. Approve Cell Phone and Mobile Device Policy N. Approve City Code Amendment/Food Truck Inspections (Ord. 588 and Ord. 589) Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2026 Page 4 Motion by Schue, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Commander Brent Erickson provided a monthly report including information on various incidents throughout the month. He noted a recent scam trend for people to watch the arrest listing and call families requesting money for those individuals to be released. He noted this Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., they will be hosting the annual drive-thru drug takeback event, where people can drop off their unwanted medications. B. ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Interim Fire Chief Jason Baumunk presented the monthly report and provided information on responses throughout the past month. He recognized the efforts of staff and the fire department team to fill staffing gaps in recent weeks. He also acknowledged collaboration efforts with the Sheriff’s Department and dispatch. He noted a few members of the team assisted at Andover Christian Church with the elementary student egg drop challenge. He stated there was smoke in the area today related to the scheduled prescriptive burn at Kelsey Round Lake Park. He noted an th upcoming BBQ at the Fire Department on April 29, hosted by the Mayor. Councilmember Shafto thanked Mr. Baumunk for stepping up to accept the interim position, recognizing his contributions to the City in different positions. He was also impressed by the precision of the prescriptive burn. Councilmember Godfrey thanked Mr. Baumunk, Commander Erickson, their teams, and dispatch for the services they provide. She commented her family needed some assistance during this past week, and everyone who responded was amazing, caring, and efficient. 3. STAFF ITEMS A. 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 had nothing further to report. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Mayor Barthel stated he received an email from a resident, who is a runner in the community, who has seen a lot of cars in the crosswalks that make it difficult for pedestrians to cross. He asked Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2026 Page 5 drivers to remain out of the crosswalks to provide pedestrians the opportunity to cross safely. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Shafto, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary 1 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – APRIL 21, 2026 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 5 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1 6 RESIDENT FORUM ..............................................................................................................1 7 AGENDA APPROVAL ..........................................................................................................3 8 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................3 9 1. CONSENT ITEMS ..........................................................................................................3 10 A. Approve Payment of Claims ........................................................................................3 11 B. Approve Massage Therapist License ............................................................................3 12 C. Receive March 2026 General Fund Progress Report ....................................................3 13 D. Receive March 2026 City Investment Report ...............................................................3 st 14 E. Receive 1 Quarter 2026 Community Center Update .......................................................3 15 F. Declare Surplus Property/Equipment ...............................................................................3 16 G. Approve Lower-Potency Hemp Registration ................................................................3 17 H. Approve Commercial Kennel License ..........................................................................3 18 I. Award Bid/24-43: Coon Creek Corridor Trail East of Prairie Road (R044-26) .................3 19 J. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Ad for Bids/26-02B: 2026 Street Reconstruction (Kadlec 20 Estates)/26-02D: 2026 Street Reconstruction (Nightingale Preserve/Wittington strd 21 Ridge/Nightingale Estates 1 – 3 Additions) (R042-26) ........................................................3 22 K. Award Bid/26-29: Crosstown Boulevard & Bluebird Street Roundabout (R043-26) .....3 23 L. Approve Appointment – Mechanic ..................................................................................3 24 M. Approve Cell Phone and Mobile Device Policy ...........................................................3 25 N. Approve City Code Amendment/Food Truck Inspections (Ord. 588 & Ord. 589).........3 26 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS .....................................................................................................4 27 A. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ...................................4 28 B. ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT .............................................4 29 3. STAFF ITEMS ................................................................................................................4 30 A. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT .....................................................................................4 31 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ...................................................................................................4 32 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................5 33