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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK - September 19, 2011A NDOV E T Y o r © 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 . WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV City Council Workshop Monday, September 19, 2011 Conference Rooms A & B 1. Call to Order — 6:30 p.m. 2. Interview Candidates for City Council Vacancy 6:30pm Valerie Holthus 7:05pm Kyle Nemeth 7:40pm Tony Howard 8:15pm Mike Seymour 3. Other Discussion © 4. Adjournment E AP ICJ ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING - SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 MINUTES The Andover City Council Workshop was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, September 19 2011, 6:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Mike Knight, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEWS Valerie Holthus Ms. Holthus stated she is currently serving her third term on the Planning and Zoning Commission, she has served two terms on the Park and Recreation Commission and was just appointed to the Open Space Advisory Commission. Ms. Holthus works at Andover High School and is currently the chairperson for the committee working on the levy campaign project. Councilmember Trude asked how she feels about giving up her position on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Open Space Advisory Commission. Ms. Holthus replied she is willing to give up her position on the commissions to serve on the Council. The knowledge she has gained while serving on the commissions will be helpful while serving on the Council. Councilmember Trude asked how she would handle the role as a Councilmember. Ms. Holthus replied she would find out the facts and hear both sides of the issue before making a final decision. Councilmember Knight asked if she has any priorities while serving on the Council. Ms. Holthus indicated her goal is to increase the quality of life for the residents of Andover. Mayor Gamache asked what city she would compare Andover to. Ms. Holthus replied Plymouth. She likes the City of Plymouth for their open space policy, the tree lined boulevards, good trails, and community center. Councilmember Trude asked what she likes about Andover and what would she like to see improved. Ms. Holthus likes the openness, the trails, and the opportunities for children. She sees potential improvement of the Downtown Center and would like to see more restaurants in the City. Ms. Holthus indicated she would like to see more money spent on roadways since most of the residents are commuters. She would also like to see more money go to regional parks than neighborhood parks. Mayor Gamache asked why she should be selected over the other candidates. © Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes — September 19, 2011 Page 2 Ms. Holthus stated she has a lot of knowledge about the City. She has sat on many commissions, knows the procedures and how they work. The Council thanked Ms. Holthus for her interest to serve on the City Council. Kyle Nemeth Mr. Nementh stated he has lived in Andover for 9 years. He has been employed at the State of Minnesota for the last 11 years. He has a degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Economics. Councilmember Trude asked how he would take on the Councilmember role in dealing with angry residents. Mr. Nemeth said he would deal with it quite well. He would listen to what the resident had to say and then explain to the resident why the policy is the way it is. He said it is important to let the residents know why you made the decision you did. Councilmember Knight asked him to describe his image of the City. Mr. Nemeth indicated Andover has the feeling of a smaller close knit community. He agrees with the preservation of open space and © the funding of parks and trails. He believes Andover is a hidden gem among cities. Mayor Gamache asked why he wants to be on the Council at this time. Mr. Nemeth said he has had interest in serving on a commission but the timing hasn't been right. The time constraint with going to school has kept him from applying for a commission position or runnin for office. With those commitments behind him he feels he has the time and would like to give back to the community. Councilmember Bukkila asked if there is one Councilmember or Mayor he agrees with more than the others. Mr. Nemeth stated there is not, he has kept an open mind when reading through previous meeting minutes. Councilmember Trude asked what his future plans for the City are. Mr. Nemeth stated with the economic situation he sees homes that have gone in disarray, he would like to provide low interest financing to residents to fix up their homes. He would also like to see small business programs to entice businesses to move into the City. Councilmember Knight asked what vision he has for the City. Mr. Nemeth would like to see more businesses come into the City and to continue the preservation of open space. Mayor Gamache asked why he should be selected over the other candidates. Mr. Nemeth stated he understands how government works. His knowledge in team building, people skills and finance would help him to serve on the Council. The Council thanked Mr. Nemeth for his interest to serve on the City Council. Tony Howard © Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes — September 19, 2011 Page 3 Mr. Howard stated he has lived in Andover just about all of his life. He has been very involved with the community. He has previously served as an interim Councilmember on the Council years ago. Councilmember Knight asked what his priorities are for the City. Mr. Howard stated he would like to see some type of Teen Center for older children ages 13 -15, a structured environment for children that don't play sports or skateboard. Also working with the Senior Center and keeping the seniors in the community by offering more programs. Councilmember Bukkila asked as an Andover business owner what does he think needs to be changed. Mr. Howard indicated the taxes on businesses are very high. When he talks to other business owners he hears their biggest complaint is communication. There needs to be better communication between the Council and the businesses. Councilmember Bukkila asked with the YMCA paying their portion of the Community Center where does he see those funds being used. Mr. Howard stated he would like to see those funds be set aside for improvements. For example doing anew project every year at the Community Center to keep the building fresh. He would also like to see the funds go towards a teen program. © Councilmember Trade asked what other things should be worked on. Mr. Howard said the City needs to be more pro- active to drive more businesses into the area. Councilmember Knight asked him for his thoughts regarding the area on Bunker Lake Boulevard between Crosstown Drive and Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Howard stated he would like to see the area with businesses and maybe apartments above the businesses. Councilmember Trade asked for his thoughts on the parks in the City. Mr. Howard feels residents do not use the neighborhood parks and funds should be put towards regional parks. Councilmember Bukkila asked how he would balance decision making between urban and rural lots. Mr. Howard stated it would all depend on the specific lot. Councilmember Knight asked what city he would compare Andover to. Mr. Howard indicated five years ago he would have compared Andover to Rogers due to the growth. Rogers offers urban and rural lots like Andover. The one thing Rogers has that Andover does not is a freeway. Mayor Gamache asked why he should be selected over the other candidates. Mr. Howard stated he has spent many years in the community and feels in a small way he has helped shape the community into what it is today. He has the willingness to listen and work with people and it would be his way of giving back to the community. © The Council thanked Mr. Howard for his interest to serve on the Council. Mike Seymour © Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes — September 19, 2011 Page 4 Mr. Seymour stated he moved to Andover in 1997. He enjoys living in Andover and enjoys the multi - community facets that we have. He has been active in volunteering for area service clubs, such as the Lions and Kiwanis. He currently serves on the Emma B. Howe YMCA Board. Councilmember Trude asked why he would like to serve on the Council. Mr. Seymour indicated he is a classic over achiever and enjoys a new challenge. He feels the prospective he can bring and the take aways he might get would be a great experience. Councilmember Trude asked if appointed to Council what would he like to see worked on. Mr. Seymour indicated the prospective that he brings, he will hit the ground running and would like to satisfy the needs of the residents. He would like to attract more families to the community. Mayor Gamache asked what he likes about Andover and what he would like to change. Mr. Seymour stated the YMCA was a great addition to the City, the athletic associations are strong and a lot of the businesses are new. Councilmember Knight asked what city he would compare Andover to. Mr. Seymour stated he has © not lived in many cities but in terms of prestige he would say Blaine. Mr. Seymour feels Andover has a terrific reputation of holding a brand among communities and it is a great place to raise children. Mayor Gamache asked what he thought the role of the City Council is. Mr. Seymour feels the position is following policies. Mayor Gamache asked why he should be selected over the other candidates. Mr. Seymour said in the time of shared services he has experience in partnerships with other communities. The Council thanked Mr. Seymour for his interest to serve on the Council. Motion by Bukkila, Seconded by Knight, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michele Hartner, Recording Secretary C