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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK June 27, 2006 o o o ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - JUNE 27, 2006 MINUTES The Special Council Workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, June 27, 2006, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Councilmember absent: Also present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude None City Administrator, Jim Dickinson, City Engineer Dave Berkowitz, Others AWARD BIDIWOODLAND CROSSINGS (05-32), SHA W'S GLEN (05-24), CARDINAL RIDGE (05-20) & ADJACENT PARCELS Councilmember Jacobson asked about the bid amount of the project. City Engineer Berkowitz stated the errors did not change the final bid amount and there is not yet a final plat. He said developers are pushing for approval, but it cannot be rushed through legal and the plat is held up in the surveyor's office. Councilmember Orttel asked if the bid amount could be approved subject to the final plat approval. Mr. Berkowitz said they are not far enough along yet, and tabling the discussion will push the surveyor's office to get it done. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Orttel, to table the discussion until the July 5, 2006 Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. WHITE PINE WILDERNESS TURN LANES Mr. Berkowitz stated this issue is being brought up for a decision about how to move forward. He said it needs more discussion than it was given during the preliminary plat. He stated the developer is requesting the City consider a public improvement project for intersection improvements on Crane and 161 st Avenue. Mr. Berkowitz said the intersection will serve the development in the preliminary plat and future developments to the north. The development and future developments will be assessed for the costs. Mr. Berkowitz said the County has suggested two options: a full intersection and a right-in and right out. He explained the requirements of the options and added the Developer feels right and left turn o o o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes-June 27,2006 Page 2 lanes will not serve the property. Councilmember Jacobson asked about costs and Mr. Berkowitz responded that historically, a full intersection has cost $200,000 and a right turn lane $50,000. The options were discussed and it was agreed upon by Councilmember Trude and the developer, Mr. Emmerich, that U-turns are quite dangerous. Mr. Berkowitz stated his concerns about funding for the projects, specifically that the City would be spending City funds on a County Road. Several road options for the development were discussed. The timeline for the development was also discussed and Councilmember Orttel suggested the intersection options should be considered when there is better access to Hanson Boulevard and more development in the area. Councilmember Knight agreed. Mr. Berkowitz explained several options for funding the project. Mr. Emmerich stated he would like to see the road as a public improvement with a feasibility study completed over the winter. Councilmember Orttel said he believes a short-term fix would be the best. Mr. Emmerich mentioned that he would like to begin building Phase 1, with 15 units, and said a right-in, right-out would work now. Mr. Berkowitz stated he would like to have a plan approved by the time the plat comes to the Council for approval. He added he would begin working on the problem and bring it back to the Council for further review. REVIEW MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING / 04-23 / RECONSTRUCTION OF HANSON BOULEVARD NW & BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD NW Mr. Berkowitz said the City has been working through the Hanson Boulevard project over the last year and a half. He said that there is a plan and schematics for improvements and the County requires a Memo of Understanding that if there are any significant changes to the plan and schematic, it will be at the City's expense. Mr. Berkowitz explained that trails from 133rd Avenue to Bunker Lake Boulevard would be required for federal funding. He went on to explain how the funding would work with City, County, Metro Transit, and federal funding sources. Councilmember Jacobson asked about the City's liability for the cost if Metro Transit does not pay. Mr. Berkowitz said the total for the trailway would be $12,000, which Councilmember Trude said was a small price to pay for the safety the trails will offer. o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 3 Mr. Berkowitz explained where the trail would begin and end. He also explained about the highway access for various entities along Hanson Boulevard. Councilmember Orttel asked if there have been significant changes to the plan from the original approval. Mr. Berkowitz said there have been no major changes and explained the agreements among Coon Rapids, Anoka County, and the City regarding intersections and stoplights. Councilmember Orttel asked about the compost site and stated residents are worried the traffic will go through the ,neighborhoods. Mr. Berkowitz responded that Coon Rapids will work with the compost site regarding right-of-way but are not willing to build a roadway. Mr. Berkowitz explained future plans for Highway 10 and Hanson Boulevard including how the intersection will look and the timeline for construction. He explained how the detours will work once the road is shut down. He added that the traffic on Crosstown Boulevard will increase due to the detour. o Mr. Berkowitz, City Administrator Dickinson, and the Council discussed plans surrounding the Hanson Boulevard renovation including the various sources of funding and proposed trails. Mr. Berkowitz explained the cooperation between Coon Rapids and Andover for various intersections and trails. He also explained how TIF and State Aid funding will be used for a stoplight. Mr. Berkowitz was asked about streetscaping and landscaping. He replied there is nothing in the plan for streetscaping and that it will all be concrete curbed and sodded. Mr. Berkowitz was asked about access points to various businesses on Hanson Boulevard and explained the plans and City concerns. Councilmember Knight and City Administrator Dickinson discussed broader plans for various roads. Councilmember Knight brought up Crosstown Boulevard and the problems that may arise during the detour were discussed. Councilmember Trude mentioned that residents in the Hidden Creek development will have a difficult time getting south. Mr. Berkowitz stated he would like to bring the issue back to the Council in July. He explained further what options the City has to ease congestion on Crosstown Boulevard. Councilmember Orttel asked about making traffic changes before the detour. Mr. Berkowitz o responded that he would like to approach the County for a project. Mayor Gamache and the Council discussed various ways to inform the public about the upcoming construction project and detours. The Council also discussed traffic volume on South Coon Creek Drive. o o o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 4 Councilmember Knight asked about the effect of the detour on businesses. He added that the gas stations on Bunker Lake and Hanson Boulevards will be most affected. He also asked about MN/Dot's timeline for construction on Highways 65 and 14. Mr. Berkowitz stated it is scheduled for 2007. Mr. Berkowitz informed the Council of an upcoming open house about the project. CONTINUED DISCUSSION - SPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLlCY Mr. Dickinson presented the Council with a document he prepared to start the discussion. He stated the City needs $800,000 - $900,000 to keep up the road infrastructure. He stated the proposal is to increase the net tax capacity from 1%. Mr. Dickinson explained how the tax levy will work and that the tax will be computed on the market value of the property. He added thatajump from 1% to 2% maybe feasible, but ajump to 3% is not feasible or necessary. Councilmember Orttel asked how the tax would impact homeowners. Mr. Dickinson explained that longer-time homeowners will be the hardest hit, because of the limited market value phase out. Mr. Dickinson added that the City is trying to separate the reconstructs from new construction. He said that there may be bonding and state and federal aid funding available for new construction. The Council asked if work on the roads should wait until they are in very bad shape. Mr. Dickinson said that in 6 years, the poor roadways will likely be in that shape. Councilmember Knight asked how projects are prioritized. Mr. Berkowitz responded that traffic problems and infrastructure failure help determine the priorities. Mr. Berkowitz suggested that the Council tour some of the areas that need work. Mayor Gamache and the Council asked for lists of such areas. Mr. Dickinson stated that a mild increase of the tax rate is feasible. His main concern is the Sheriffs contract. Councilmember Jacobson stated he is reluctant to increase taxes, but if the roads fall apart, it will cost even more. Mayor Gamache asked whether full curbs are necessary. Councilmember Trude explained why full curbs are needed in high traffic areas, but not necessary in rural areas. Mr. Berkowitz discussed how projects are planned and prioritized and explained his recommendations. o o o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 5 Mr. Dickinson added that the tax increase must be solidified by September. The Council discussed a timeline for paying for projects, and Mr. Dickinson stated he would be fine with an 8-year assessment period. Councilmember Jacobson asked about a sliding scale for interest rates. Mr. Dickinson stated that statute will not allow a sliding rate and the internal rate is currently set at 6%. The Council said a curb policy should also be discussed. Mr. Dickinson asked the Council if the policy should be kept simple or expanded upon. Mr. Berkowitz stated that he would like the option for the Council to decide upon front foot or unit pricing. Resident Robert Whitney commented on the curbs and suggested some ideas. PARK I TRAIL NAMING POLlCY Councilmember Knight stated he likes the Cottage Grove park naming policy. Councilmember Orttel stated there should be written criteria for naming a park. Councilmember Jacobson added that only the suggested name that meets the specific criteria should be considered because he does not want to waste Staff time on a name that will not go through. Mr. Dickinson presented the Council with an additional draft of a park naming policy from the City of Shakopee. Councilmember Jacobson stated he is in favor of taking Cottage Grove's policy, adapting it a bit for Andover's needs, and presenting it to another governing body, such as the Park Commission, for reVIew. Mayor Gamache stated he would not like street names as a part of Andover's ordinance. Councilmember Orttel stated he liked the idea that parks are named after people who were born in Andover who rose to national prominence. Councilmember Trude added she likes Champlin's policy where residents could buy a park bench or tree in the park system as living memorials. Councilmember Jacobson offered to undertake the project and have a draft, based on the Cottage Grove ordinance, ready for the next Council meeting. Mr. Dickinson said it could be ready for the July 5, 2006 City Council meeting. Mr. Whitney asked if the Council would like to consider different criteria for the initial naming of a o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 6 park and re-naming of a park. Mr. Dickinson stated he will make modifications to the Cottage Grove policy and forward it to the July 5th agenda. DISCUSS COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS - OPEN SPACE REFERENDUM Mr. Dickinson explained that the survey showed strong support for an open space referendum for preservation. He said residents supported a $21.06 per year tax increase for such preservation. Mr. Dickinson explained there were other questions asked to determine whether a referendum should be put on the November ballot. Councilmember Knight suggested the City work with the Trust for Public Land to analyze and discuss the issues. o Mr. Dickinson explained how the tax would work if it were passed and how much money it could potentially generate. Councilmember Jacobson stated that before discussing dollar amounts, the City should determine whether or not residents support such a referendum for open space. Mayor Gamache suggested a task force will be able to discuss and analyze what other cities have done as far as open space preservation. Mr. Dickinson reminded the Council that the deadline for the ballot question is September 15th and the Council must have exact language for the ballot question determined by that point. He stated the question would identify the plan, but not determine where the land would be. The City must determine what dollar amount they would like for the open space referendum. Councilmember Trude brought up that once the referendum is on the ballot, the Council cannot take the stand one way or another regarding the issues. Councilmember Knight said there needs to be a policy so the City can receive open space. Mayor Gamache stated the same issues surrounded the Community Center. Councilmember Trude requested that Mr. Dickinson prepare a report about the costs to an average o household and how much could be raised overall. Councilmember Jacobson asked Mr. Dickinson to research the legal consequences of having the issue a ballot referendum. o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 7 Mr. Dickinson asked if the Council would like him to begin working on a referendum question for the November ballot. The Council agreed they would like work to begin. Councilmember Orttel suggested a citizen committee be formed regardless of whether or not the referendum is on the ballot. Councilmember Jacobson added he would like to ensure it is legal before the referendum is presented. Councilmember Trude suggested inviting Public Land Trust to the next meeting to advise the Council. Mayor Gamache and Councilmember Knight added they would like to know what other cities have done in this regard. Mr. Dickinson stated he will have something ready to present at the next Council meeting. o UPDATE ON 2007 BUDGET & 2007-2011 CIP Mr. Dickinson gave the Council the monthly budget update for the 2007 Budget Process and reviewed the deadlines for each department's submissions. Councilmember Jacobson asked questions and stated he would like to stay with the status quo with the Sheriff s contract. Councilmember Knight added it would be beneficial to meet once a year with the Sheriff s department. Mr. Dickinson said he will initially increase the road and bridge levy up to the 2% tax capacity. He also explained that there is a consultant working on the quiet zone issue and it will be discussed at the next work session. Mr. Dickinson pointed out other highlights from the report, including the legal defense designation for the Woodland litigation. He explained how funds are being held in escrow in the court. He also noted that staff positions have been removed and the investment in the financial software is saving the City more on an annual basis with the reduced salary budget. Mr. Dickinson explained the City health insurance policy and also discussed a pedestrian tunnel o under Crosstown. OTHER BUSINESS MNCAN Project o o o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 8 Mr. Dickinson presented the Council with a document to sign that states the City is opposed to the alternate for the Minnesota/Canadian Pipeline project. Deer Hunt Mr. Dickinson stated that after research with the DNR, it would appear the City does not want a special hunting season. He stated he is currently working on ordinance modifications within the current season that would allow bow and arrow hunting. Discussions Regarding Marystone Boulevard Mr. Dickinson said the issue will be coming up in the next month. He believes the residents want it to be a City initiated project. Mr. Berkowitz added there are many problems with that area. Public Works Property Mr. Dickinson stated there has been some work on the wash station behind the Public Works building and the City will be receiving a MCES grant from the Metropolitan Council. Carnival Councilmember Knight brought up his concern about the pavement where the carnival will be set up and who will pay for repairs if needed. Mr. Dickinson said that the City has historically paid for such repairs and that he has requested pads be put under the rides. Stealing Mail, Washing Checks Councilmember Orttel asked if the people have been convicted who were charged with washing and cashing checks. Mr. Dickinson stated he would look into the issue and report back to the Council. Fire Chief Dan Winkel Speaking to the Recreational Fire Ordinance. Mr. Dickinson stated that there will be a short meeting on July 5th . Councilmember Jacobson brought up an issue about some neighbors who are engaged in a dispute. The Council discussed the fIre ordinance and nuisance code in regard to the dispute. Councilmember Jacobson stated the ordinance, which allows four recreational fires a week, needs to be reviewed. Councilmember Orttel asked the issue be put on the next agenda. o o o Special Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2006 Page 9 Fire Chief Winkel responded to the Council's concern about the dispute. He stated that it has been an ongoing problem between the neighbors that has finally gotten to the point oflitigation. He stated there have been no illegal fires and he has limited one of the resident's fires to three a week. Councilmember Orttel stated it is not the Fire Department's problem to deal with a nuisance code, but only with illegal fIres. Mr. Dickinson stated the Sheriff may have to be trained with how to deal with the smoke nuisance, similar to the way noise problems are treated. Bunker Lake Boulevard Medians Mr. Dickinson stated that the plantings on Bunker Lake Boulevard are 75% weed infested. He explained the cost involved in caring for the plants and that United Properties is struggling to maintain the areas and would like to consider pulling up the plants. Councilmember Jacobson and Councilmember Trude asked about using other plants. Mr. Dickinson stated the question is if the City wants to pull out some of the plants and if the Council is against paving it over. The Council agreed they are against the idea of paving it over and suggested investigating alternatives, such as planters. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lauren McKay, Recording Secretary