HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK - March 23, 2010
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1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.' ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
City Council Workshop
Tuesday, March 23,2010
Fire Station #1
1. Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.
2. Fire Department Update
3. 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan Discussion
4. Commercial Vehicles & Other Exterior Storage Items Discussion
5. 2010 Budget Progress Report
0 6. 2011 Budget Development Guideline Discussion
7. Discuss Community Education Opportunities
8. Other Topics
9. Adjournment
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1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING - MARCH 23,2010
MINUTES
The Workshop Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike
Gamache, March 23, 2010, 6:06 p.m., at the Andover Fire Station #1, 13875 Crosstown
Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Julie Trude
Councilmember absent: None
Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson
Community Development Director, Will Neumeister
Fire Chief, Dan Winkel
Fire Marshall, Robbie Bartholomew
Others
0 FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Chief Winkel updated the Council on the 2009 Annual Fire Department report and introduced
the Fire Department Officers.
Councilmember Jacobson asked how many other Anoka County cities are doing the same in
regard to sending out duty officers to calls first. Chief Winkel thought they all were doing
something similar to this program but the cities that have their own fire departments and staff, do
not do this.
Councilmember Trude asked on the mutual aid calls does he feel they are going to more of the
rural cities. Chief Winkel stated most of the calls are during the daytime. He stated they share
mutual aid with their bordering communities.
Councilmember Knight asked when they get a winter like this with large snow falls, does it cut
down on the number of fire calls. Chief Winkel thought it increased since people stay at home
and use wood burning stoves. He thought personal injury calls would be higher but it was not, so
this winter was an unusual year in regard to the number of personal injury calls.
Councilmember Trude stated her concem with mutual aid was seeing other communities cutting
back on their expenses and depending more on mutual aid in order to cut costs. Chief Winkel
did not think that was the case because we benefit from mutual aid and would not want to lose
0 neighboring cities support.
Councilmember Jacobson asked if they were ok with three stations or will they need another one.
Chief Winkel thought they were good right now but may need an additional station when the
rural reserve develops or if the northern area of Andover grows and the call times get worse.
0 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes - March 23, 2010
Page 2
Chief Winkel noted that the cost per capita is comparable to other cities in the area and is where
it should be.
Chief Winkel stated they have been fully staffed all year long with applications on file.
Councilmember Jacobson asked who would be in charge if a major storm or incident happened
in the City. Chief Winkel stated he would be in charge because that is the way the emergency
management plan is set up. He noted himself and Mr. Dickinson would set up an emergency
command center and would call on the Council to make decisions. They would not expect
Council to take charge.
Councilmember Jacobson asked at the end of the life of a vehicle is it the engine and pumps that
normally need the replacement with the body of the vehicle remaining in good shape. He
wondered if it is cheaper to order a new machine or to refurbish a machine. Chief Winkel stated
it is a possibility to refurbish and can be looked at. They used to have a refurbish column along
with a replacement column. He would recommend doing a refurbish at the fifteen year because
after the twenty-five year mark it would probably cost more than a new vehicle. They need to
figure out how much the refurbish would cost and how long would it extend the life of the
0 vehicle.
Councilmember Knight asked if there is a mileage factor for replacement. Chief Winkel stated it
is not usually the mileage but the hours put on a machine that is the main factor.
Councilmember Trude thought the resale value starts to plummet at a certain point in time so it is
advisable to sell it while the value is up. Chief Winkel stated that is correct.
Councilmember Jacobson stated the International Fire Association is talking about requiring the
installation of fire suppression systems in all new homes and he wondered what Chief Winkels'
opinion is of this. Chief Winkel thought he would recommend it for the safety, but there is a
significant cost.
Councilmember Bukkila asked if the Fire Department has ever thought about putting classes
together for residents for safety. Chief Winkel stated they have considered it but there is not
stafftime available or enough interest from residents. He stated they need to get the firefighters
to commit which is hard because of all they do already and some are getting burned out.
Councilmember Jacobson asked how the issues with Hughes Industrial area are coming. Fire
Marshall Robbie Bartholomew stated most ofthe buildings are up to compliance. Chief Winkel
stated there are a couple out there that do not want to comply and he thought the City Attomey
needed to send another letter out to them.
0 The Council recessed at 7:25 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 7:30 p.m.
0 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes - March 23, 2010
Page 3
2011-2015 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION
Mr. Dickinson explained in late March, AdministrationlFinance will conduct a 2011-2015 CIP
kick-off meeting with Department Heads where discussion will center on the 2011-2015 CIP
development calendars and the need of other committees (Vehicle Purchasing & Facility
Management Committees) and commissions (Parks and Recreation & Community Center
Advisory) to start their work.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed with the Council the Fire Department CIP items that will need to be
purchased in the next few years.
Councilmember Jacobson stated one ofthe things that bothered him is looking at the next couple
of years the costs go up, are some of the items listed in that time frame going to be able to be
picked up by the money from the TIF districts coming off line. Mr. Dickinson stated the road
and bridge fund would benefit the most. He stated if we do not get significant growth the
additional water treatment plant and other utility improvements will be pushed out further.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed the fire vehicle purchase process with the Council.
0 Councilmember Knight thought it made sense to push out growth related items since the
economy recovering is being pushed out three to four years.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE & OTHER EXTERIOR STORAGE ITEMS DISCUSSION
Mr. Neumeister stated both the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission have
reviewed a draft amendment to the City Code that would include regulations for the parking of
commercial vehicles within the City. Based on the City Council's direction, a draft amendment
was prepared for commercial vehicles and exterior storage of other items. The draft amendment
was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and their feedback has been summarized
in the report.
Councilmember Jacobson did not think anything larger than a vehicle that could be purchased for
residential use should be permitted to be parked in a residential neighborhood.
The Council discussed vehicles they would not want to be parked in a residential neighborhood.
Councilmember Jacobson thought anything bigger than a one ton vehicle should not be
permitted.
The Council reviewed the photos staff presented of different vehicles and decided on the
0 following:
Examples 1 and 2 majority is no, 4 nos, 1 yes (Gamache)
Mayor Gamache wondered if they are going to restrict all commercial vehicles from parking in
0 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes - March 23, 2010
Page 4
residential areas. Councilmember Jacobson stated he is trying to preserve the dignity of the
neighborhood by not allowing box trucks into the residential area. He thought if the vehicle
could be parked in a garage it should be allowed.
Examples 3 and 4 the vote was split.
Examples 5 and 6 the majority was no.
Councilmember Knight thought they needed to be flexible with service oriented businesses
because they do not have many options now.
Examples 7 and 8, 7 is not allowed to be parked outside, 8 is okay.
Examples 9 and 10 should be allowed.
It was decided that Sprinter style vans would be allowed if parked inside a garage.
Councilmember Trude thought it could be allowed if it was not painted the colors of the
company. She thought it could be allowed if they used magnetic materials on the side and put
0 them on once they leave the house.
The Council decided that flat bed trucks would not be allowed.
Councilmember Trude thought a one ton vehicle seemed reasonable but anything more should
not be allowed. Councilmember Knight thought they should also accommodate up to an eight
foot long box.
Mr. Neumeister asked if they should regulate accessory items. Councilmember Bukkila thought
they should be dealt with on a complaint basis. The rest of the Council concurred.
RV's
Councilmember Trude stated they should allow one motorized vehicle per residential property
that can be driven on a street such as an RV. She thought it would be ok to have a boat and a
trailer with snowmobiles or two boats. She did not think more than one RV should be allowed
on a property. Part two was the screening; she came up with a bypass provision, getting the
neighbors to sign off on allowing the RV to be parked there.
Councilmember Jacobson thought this would put a big burden on the neighbor and could cause
bad blood between neighbors. Councilmember Knight agreed with Councilmember Jacobson
and did not think it was a good idea.
0 Mr. Dickinson thought there was something in the City Code that would pertain to the screening
of these vehicles.
Mr. Neumeister stated in the rural areas the screening of vehicles would be exempt but the City
0 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes - March 23, 2010
Page 5
Code would still pertain to urban areas.
Councilmember Jacobson stated they should review the size further and when they discuss this at
the Council meeting they would decide the size. He thought they should leave everything else
the same.
Staff will bring this item back to a future workshop meeting.
2010 BUDGET PROGRESS REPORT
Mr. Dickinson stated the 2010 Budget and Levy was the outcome of a number of budget
workshops with the Council, numerous staff meetings, a December 1, 2009 Public Hearing and
the final adoption on December 15,2009.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed statistics and the budget process report with the Council.
2011 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINE DISCUSSION
0 Mr. Dickinson stated City Departments will soon start preparing for the 2011 Annual Operating
Budget Development process and is looking to the City Council to establish the council's
guidelines for the preparation of the 2011 Annual Operating Budget.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed proposed guidelines with the Council. He will be submitting the
guidelines for Council approval at the April 6th meeting.
DISCUSS COMMUNITY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Mr. Dickinson stated the City of Andover as part of the annual budget process for the past
number of years has included a funding contribution to the Anoka-Hennepin School District
specifically for Community Education. The budgeted contribution for 2010 is $45,200 and the
2008 and 2009 budget contribution was also $45,200.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed the information with the Council.
Council directed staff to discuss partnership opportunities with the Community Center and sport
associations. This topic is to be brought back to a future workshop meeting.
OTHER TOPICS
Mr. Dickinson stated he received an inquiry for another tower for Clear Wireless at Terrace Park
0 and he told them that he would not allow this to go forward as a conditional use permit unless he
talked to the Council first. He noted there is an emergency siren on a pole by Riverdale Church
and he urged them to look at that site first.
Mr. Dickinson stated there will be a five year celebration at the Community Center this year.
0 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes - March 23,2010
Page 6
Mr. Dickinson stated they are also considering doing absentee voting at City Hall because Anoka
County does not have the room to accommodate everyone. Councilmember Bukkila stated she
did not want the staff doing more than they are required to do.
Mr. Dickinson stated he received a request from Councilmember Bukkila to do an online survey
for a City wide garage sale and they have gotten back approx. 60 responses and ninety plus
percent of them are positive, supporting a city wide event.
Councilmember Trude thought the Lions Club would be a great organization to partner with.
CounciImember Bukkila thought they could also have the realtors coordinate open houses at the
same time.
Motion by Bukkila, Seconded by Jacobson, to adjoum. Motion carried unanimously. The
meeting adjoumed at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
0 Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary
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