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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC March 6, 2007 0 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755.8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Regular City Council Meeting - Tuesday, March 6, 2007 Call to Order-7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Introduction of Sheriffs Deputies Presentation - Anoka County Rail Authority - Tinklenberg Group Resident Forum Agenda Approval 1. Approval of Minutes (2/20/07 Regular Meeting) Consent Items 2. Approve Payment of Claims - Finance 3. Waive Public Hearing! Adopt Assessment Roll/05- 34/Bluebird Street NW & Hanson Boulevard NW /Intersection Improvements - Engineering 4. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/06- 37/161 st Avenue NW & Crane Street NW /Intersection Improvements - Engineering 5. Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/07-3/2007 Crack Sealing - Engineering 0 6, Award Quote/07-16/ Andover Station North Ball Field Facility/Bleachers - Engineering 7. Award Bidl07-4/2007 Seal Coating - Engineering Discussion Items 8. Approve By-Laws Changes for Fire Relief Association - Fire 9. Consider Sketch Plan/14430 Crosstown Boulevard NW - Planning 10. Consider Code Amendment/Expand Public Notice for Rural Properties to 700 Feet (cont.) - Planning Staff Items 11. Wayside Horn & Railroad Quiet Zone Update/06-1 0 - Engineering 12. Discuss Contribution to YMCA Water Safety Program - Administration 13. Discuss Council Workshop - Administration 14. Administrator's Report - Administration Mayor/Council Input Adjournment "- 0 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 9 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 6,2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE..................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION OF SHERIFFS DEPUTIES......................................................................... 1 PRESENTATION - ANOKA COUNTY RAIL AUTHORITY - TINKLENBERG GROUP. 2 RESIDENT FORUM ................................................................................................................. 3 AGENDA APPROV AL.............................................................................................................4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................... 4 CONSENT ITEMS Approve Payment of Claims ................................................................................................ 4 Resolution R030-07 waiving Public Hearing/Adopt Assessment Roll!05-34/Bluebird Street NW & Hanson Boulevard NW !Intersection Improvements ................................. 4 Resolution R031-07 approving Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/06-37/161st Avenue NW & Crane Street NW !Intersection Improvements ........................................ 4 Resolution R032-07 approving Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/07-3/2007 Crack Sealing ......... ...... ........ .................................................................. ....... .... ....... ....... 4 0 Award Quote/07 -16/ Andover Station North Ball Field Facility/Bleachers ......................... 4 Award Bid/07-04/Seal Coating (Resolution R033-07)........................................................ 4 APPROVE BY-LAWS CHANGES FOR FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION .............................. Motion to Approve................................................................................................................ 5 CONSIDER SKETCH PLAN/14430 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW .............................. 5 . CONSIDER CODE AMENDMENT/EXP AND PUBLIC NOTICE FOR RURAL PROPERTIES TO 700 FEET (CONT.) Motion to Approve (ORD. 342)............................................................................................ 6 WAYSIDE HORN & RAILROAD QUIET ZONE UPDATE/06-10........................................ 7 DISCUSS CONTRIBUTION TO YMCA WATER SAFETY PROGRAM Motion to approve ..................................................................... ..... ......... .............. ..... ........... 7 DISCUSS COUNCIL WORKSHOP ......................................................................................... 8 ADMINISTRATOR REPORT .................................................................................................. 8 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Snowplowing Thanks............................................................................................................ 8 WiFi Emails ........... ..... ....... ................................................................................................... 8 ADJOURNMENT...................................................................................................................... 8 0 CITY o F 0 NDOVE REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 6,2007 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, March 6,2007, 7:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Attorney, William Hawkins City Engineer, Dave Berkowitz City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Community Development Director, Will Neumeister Others 0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INTRODUCTION OF SHERIFFS DEPUTIES Sheriff Bruce Andersohn introduced the deputies available to Andover for 2007. Councilmember Knight stated a resident he spoke to expressed how pleased she is with the Sheriff's Department. Councilmember Jacobson wondered how many officers are currently assigned to Andover. Sheriff Jenkins indicated it is currently nineteen with two more being hired this summer. Councilmember Trude stated she has noticed some new faces in the Sheriff's Department serving Andover and wondered how they acclimate them to the codes and laws here. Sheriff Andersohn stated they still have senior officers patrolling Andover and they help the new deputies along with continued education. He noted a lot of the officers serving Andover also live in Andover. Councilmember Orttel thanked the Sheriff's Department for a great job. Mayor Gamache thanked them also. 0 Captain Jenkins thanked Fire Chief Winkel for his leadership in the Fire Department and for working constructively and consecutively with the Sheriffs' Department. Fire Chief Winkel thanked the Sheriffs' Department and indicated they see deputies on a daily basis. They have to share their resources and it is appreciated that they are out there. 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 2 PRESENTATION -ANOKA COUNTY RAIL AUTHORITY - TINKLENBERG GROUP City Administrator Dickinson explained Mr. Elwyn Tinklenberg of the Tinklenberg Group, representing the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority, is at the meeting to discuss future initiatives of the Authority, particularly as they would relate to passenger and inter-city rail services and how those initiatives could impact the City of Andover. Also present were Scott LeDoux, Julie Ruehle. Commissioner LeDoux stated this project is very important to the County because it will help relieve the traffic congestion on Highway 10. He thought it is important economically to have a commuter rail. Mr. Tinklenberg made a presentation to the Council. Councilmember Jacobson thought there were a number of unanswered questions associated with this. He noted he has seen a lot of development projects over the years and when it comes to 0 reality, the costs are at least double of what people think and plans change. A concern he has is the cost. They have costs that are seven years old. Another concern is the upgrade of the rails from fifty to eighty miles an hour, passenger loading estimates, costs to the cities and the train schedules do not look like they would mesh too good with business operating hours in Minneapolis or St. Paul. One of things discussed was the Twins Stadium and if that is not built where it is on the simulation that would take away a bit of the incentive to putting that in. He thought there are still a lot of questions yet and he thought this is a wonderful concept but he had some concerns. Mr. Tinklenberg stated there are a lot of questions to be answered and the work to be done along the corridor will need to have a feasibility study done that will look at both the technical issues in terms of the rail improvements and crossing safety. This will give them a much better cost estimate. The figures from the 2000 feasibility study were only meant to give a relative scale of what they are talking about and those cost estimates need to be much more up to date before they move forward. In terms of passenger loading, that would also be a part of the study and they are anticipating being able to work with Amtrak in terms of developing those numbers. He noted a large part of what they develop the service for is the long term and to be able to provide that option for those that want it. Councilmember Trude thought the information is very preliminary. One of the issues the people in their community have is the train horns because of all the proximity of homes and she would want to see them working on those issues. They also have the frustration of police and fire not 0 being able to service the half of the community that is on the other side of the tracks. She would like to see them as they look at the feasibility to also look at incorporating the costs of an overpass on Bunker Lake Boulevard to keep the community connected if they are putting a lot more trains on the tracks so they address the concerns of their residents as well as providing options for them in community. Mr. Tinklenberg stated the concerns have been noted. 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 3 Mayor Gamache asked when they expect a bill or any legislation would be going through the Federal Government in Washington D.C. Mr. Tinklenberg stated there are a number of bills that are moving forward. The applications are due this month. That is being submitted to provide for preliminary engineering and environmental assessment work on the line, which would begin in 2008. In the State bonding bill related to transit and transportation, there are requests for funding to look at the line in terms of the feasibility study and to secure a small piece of the rail line that is proposed to be abandoned on the Duluth end of the line. What gives them the leg up in that process is the ability to work through the Federal Rail Administration Budget and with BNSF and Amtrak and their budgets. Councilmember Knight stated one of the things that concerns him about these projects is the unrealistic projections they get and they cannot get politicians to be realistic on these types of projects so the public does not get a realistic cost estimate. Mr. Tinklenberg stated this is a real important point and is something they need to be really cognizant of and that is what the feasibility study is for. They have talked with BNSF regarding improving the tracks and they believe the improvements as they have looked at them can be done in a period of one 0 construction season along the entire corridor. Councilmember Trude stated this is a heavy issue for them politically but she would like to be supportive of the feasibility study because that is the information they would need to go any further and she would consider supporting a resolution where they support further evaluation of the feasibility of this line but she could not make a decision in this short amount of time without the information other Councilmembers are asking for. Getting more information would be helpful to them. Councilmember Orttel wondered if they could move this to their next work session to discuss further and get more information. Mayor Gamache thought they could probably support something close to this resolution but would like more information. Commissioner LeDoux stated he spent a week in Washington D.C. talking to their Congressmen and many have been very supportive of this rail line. They are very fortunate to have their State Senators and Congressmen in this situation. Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Jacobson, to move the discussion to their March Workshop. Motion carried lInanimously. RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the CounciL 0 AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes except for an amendment to Item 7. 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 4 Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Trude, to approve the Agenda as amended above. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 20, 2007, Regular Meeting: Correct as amended. Councilmember Trude indicated she has a couple of changes to the minutes. On page six, in the resolution for the Farm Winery they talked about deleting the limitation of how the items would be shipped. She wanted to delete the words "shipping via parcel post" so that the shipping is not restricted. She stated on the top of page seven, line two, she wanted to add one word "Councilmember Trude indicated she was originally not going to support..." Near the bottom of page nine they were discussing the redevelopment PUD' s and they approved what was proposed to them without changes but the motion says "to approve the proposed changes" but they approved this without changes. 0 Councilmember Jacobson stated on page six, line 39, it says "Councilmember Knight wondered if this is the minimum lot. .." On page six, line nine, the end of that sentence, he did not remember that verbiage and neither did Councilmember Knight. He stated they wanted to make sure they did not damage the park. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Jacobson, approval of Minutes as indicated above. Motion carried lImmimously. CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approval of Claims Item 3 Waive Public Hearing/Adopt Assessment Roll/05-34/Bluebird Street NW & Hanson Boulevard NW/Intersection Improvements (See Resolution R030-07) Item 4 Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/06- 37 /161 st Avenue NW & Crane Street NW /Intersection Improvements (See Resolution R031-07) Item 5 Approve Plans & Specs/Order Advertisement for Bids/07 - 3/2007 Crack Sealing (See Resolution R032-07) Item 6 Award Quote/07-16/Andover Station North Ball Field Facility/Bleachers Item 7 Award Bid/07-4/2007 Seal Coating (see Resolution R033-07) 0 Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, approval of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried lImmimously. 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 5 APPROVE BY-LAWS CHANGES FOR FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION Fire Chief Winkel stated the Andover Firefighter Relief Association has discussed with the active members proposed changes to the Firefighter Relief Association By-Laws that were approved in concept by State Legislators during the 2006 Legislative session. The new language is consistent with what the State Pension Board also approved for Firefighter Relief Associations Pensions. Councilmember Jacobson asked on Clause C, second line, it says "except for Item f'. There is an exception for Item I and there is no Item 1. He wondered what this is. Chief Winkel stated Item I in their By-Laws says you have to be at least fifty years of age and is part of the eligibility requirements to collect a pension. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Trude, to accept the proposed changes to the By Laws of the Andover Firefighter Relief Association and authorize the City Attorney to update Clause E. Councilmember Jacobson wondered if the City Attorney has looked at this. City Attorney Hawkins indicated he has. Chief Winkel stated the City Attorney had some good questions regarding Clause 0 C and Clause E. He asked if a deferred member could invest his or her dollars in an IRA and the answer is no. You cannot collect it until age fifty. Councilmember Trude wondered if you cannot use Clause E for an IRA, would it go back to Clause C, where they still accumulate interest. City Attorney Hawkins stated he is concerned the way it is written whether or not you could transfer your benefit even though you are not eligible to receive it through an IRA. Councilmember Jacobson thought they could approve this subject to review by the City Attorney. Motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Jacobson stated they also need to appoint someone from the City Council to sit on the Board. Mayor Gamache thought they should put this on the workshop as an item. CONSIDER SKETCH PLAN/14430 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW Community Development Director Neumeister stated the property owner would like to construct a new home on the subject property that would contain an additional dwelling unit for rent. This is considered a multi-family structure. By applying for sketch plan review the applicant is attempting to get a reaction to whether the necessary approvals described in the report would be supported. 0 Mr. Jack Noedl, M:K Financial stated he is representing the owner of the property, Mr. Steven Butler at 14430 Crosstown Boulevard NW. He gave a brief background of the property. Mayor Gamache wondered if the front of the home will face Crosstown or Osage. Mr. Noedl stated 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 6 currently the driveway is on Crosstown and they would move it onto Osage. Councilmember Jacobson wondered how a person would get into the lower unit. Mr. Noedl stated the plan is not exact and is just a sample of what they plan to build. He stated the lower entry would be from the side of the house. Councilmember Jacobson wondered why Mr. Butler did not just build a single family home and allow his family to live there with him instead of going through all of this because this would require rezonmg. Mr. Steven Butler explained to the City Council the reason he wants to build a home like this. Councilmember Jacobson wondered if this would be for economic reasons only. Mr. Noedl indicated it is because Mr. Butler would not be able to afford a home like this ifit were single family. Councilmember Orttel stated to put a multiple family lot in the middle of a single family area is pretty tough to do. They would have to go to the Met Council and show that it is not a spot zoning 0 and it is a classic spot zoning. Councilmember Jacobson indicated to do it for an economic reason only would be the wrong way to go. He understood what the problem is but someone else could come to them indicating they could not afford their home either and would want to do the same thing. This would only lead to problems. Mr. N oedl stated the neighbor was also considering going into this with him and make it a transition area Councilmember Knight stated his concern would be if this home were sold what would happen. Councilmember Jacobson stated this is a sketch plan but if this were before them officially, he would have to vote against it. CONSIDER CODEAMENDMENTIEXPAND PUBLIC NOTICE FOR RURAL PROPERTIES TO 700 FEET (CONT.) Community Development Director Neumeister explained this item provides the adjustments requested by the Council at the February 20, 2007 meeting. Mr. Neumeister discussed the changes with the Council. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Orttel, to approve the attached ordinance amendment and summary. 0 Motion carried llnanimously. (ORD. 342) 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 7 WAYSIDE HORN & RAILROAD QUIET ZONE UPDATElO6-10 City Engineer Berkowitz explained two projects that staffis working on to reduce train noise within Andover are the wayside horns at Andover Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard and the Railroad Quiet Zone at Bunker Lake Boulevard. Mr. Berkowitz reviewed the staff report with the Council. Councilmember Knight stated with all of the projects upcoming in this area, did Mr. Berkowitz ~ there may be some problems for the residents with travel. Mr. Berkowitz stated the project at Bunker Lake Boulevard and the railroad tracks would remain open for traffic during the construction. They are looking at getting this done even with inconveniences. Councilmember Trude asked ifBNSF is still giving them trouble with the wayside horn even though it is in the Federal Railway Authority indicates it is an acceptable solution. Mr. Berkowitz indicated that. The general agreement has language that is of some concern. There is some concern the way some of it is written. He did not know if they were trying to put a stop to the project but he thought 0 they were being cautious because it is the first of its kind in this area. Staff further discussed what was done at previous meetings with BNSF and the results with the Council. DISCUSS CONTRIBUTION TO YMCA WATER SAFETY PROGRAM City Administrator Dickinson stated as part of the discussion of contributing to the Anoka Aquatic Center at the February 6, 2007 Council meeting, the Council asked staff to approach the Andover YMCA to see if a program could be facilitated where Andover residents that are not YMCA members could pay a member or discounted rate for swim lessons if the City made a contribution of $4,000 to the Andover YMCA. Mr. Dickinson reviewed the information with the Council. Councilmember Jacobson wondered if this would be on a first come first serve basis and would YMCA members be included in this. Mr. Dickinson indicated it is on a fIrst come first serve basis and the YMCA members will have their own program at a better rate. Councilmember Knight wondered what happens if there are too many kids for the amount of money they donate. Councilmember Orttel asked if they do not use all of the money, where would the 0 excess money go. Councilmember Trude asked how many kids the money would benefit. Mr. Dickinson indicated it would benefit approximately 130 kids. He did not think: there would be any money left at season end and he was not sure if it would accommodate all the kids wanting the lessons. 0 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2007 Page 8 Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Trude, to approve the contribution of$4,000 to the Andover YMCA, with funding provided by the City General Fund, outlined by staff. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gamache noted this is a one year program and will be evaluated after the year is over. DISCUSS COUNCIL WORKSHOP City Administrator Dickinson explained the Joint Meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission has been moved to the month of April. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Orttel, to schedule a Special Council Workshop for March 27,2007 at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR REPORT 0 City Administrator Dickinson updated the Council on the Administration and City department activities, response to previous Mayor/Council Input and resident forum items, meeting reminders and miscellaneous projects. City Engineer Berkowitz updated the Council on road improvements projects in the City. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT (Snowplowing Thanks) - Mayor Gamache stated he received an email from Mr. James Erickson thanking the City for all the great snowplowing done by the Public Works Department. (WiFi Emails) - Councilmember Jacobson indicated he received three emails, two for WiFi and one against WiFi. Councilmember Trude stated it has been mixed for her. Mayor Gamache indicated he has received a few of them. Mr. Dickinson stated he has received a lot and they are mostly for WiFi. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 0 Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary