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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK - September 21, 2011C T Y O T © 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV City Council Workshop Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Conference Rooms A & B 1. Call to Order— 6:30 p.m. 2. Interview Candidates for City Council Vacancy 6:30pm Brian Haugen 7:05pm Todd Craft 7:40pm Ted Butler 3. Other Discussion © 4. Adjournment E NDOVE Lal ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITYCOUNCIL VACANCYINTERVIEWS SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 MINUTES The Andover City Council Workshop was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, September 21, 2011, 6:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Mike Knight, Julie Trade Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL VACANCY Brian Haugen Mr. Haugen explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to fill the City Council vacancy. Councilmember Knight asked if he has any priorities for the Council. Mr. Haugen stated that he does not have a specific goal to accomplish. Councihnember Trade asked what he sees as the role of the Council and what is needed in Andover currently. Mr. Haugen stated that this involves the budget which has gone through some changes. He recommended being innovative in using suppliers and contractors to tighten the budget. Councilmember Bukkila asked why Mr. Haugen should be selected over the other candidates. He reviewed that he came in third in the election which was just behind the two elected candidates. He explained the ways that he is connected in the community personally and professionally. Councilmember Trade asked for what his role would be on the Council. Mr. Haugen stated that he is in support of good academics and athletics to keep the youth involved. Mayor Gamache asked what city Andover could be compared to. Mr. Haugen replied that because it is a more open city he would compare it to Eagan and Apple Valley. Mayor Gamache reviewed the other City commissions and advisory boards. He asked for an explanation of their roles in the city. Mr. Haugen reviewed that a board like Parks, is an advisory board which looks into things more and makes recommendations to Council. Councilmember Bukkila asked specifically how Mr. Haugen would handle a complaint about © Andover City Council Interviews for City Council Vacancy Minutes — September 21, 2011 Page 2 bonfires disturbing the neighbors. Mr. Haugen stated he would ask the resident if they addressed the issue directly with the neighbor first, and then go from there on up the chain of command. He stated that if the bonfire was within the laws and was not hurting anyone he would not have control over the situation. Councilmember Trude asked how he would handle a junk car in a neighborhood driveway. Mr. Haugen stated that would be a nuisance. Councilmember Bukkila asked where the government gets involved and where it is private. Mr. Haugen stated that he is not in favor of emminent domain generally but if it is for the overall good it should be considered. He stated that for a decision about hunting, the DNR guidelines need to be referenced. He stated that he would check with neighboring cities and consider the openness of the area to make a decision. Mayor Gamache asked if there are any questions. Mr. Haugen stated that he was talking to staff before the meeting and understands the process from that. Councilmember Trude reviewed that his application has a comment about spending less money than what they take in. Mr. Haugen stated that he does not have a problem with cities taking on debt if it is well managed. Councilmember Knight asked what Mr. Haugen would do if he was a one person minority. Mr. Haugen stated that is why there is a group on the Council, so they can learn from each other and at times agree to disagree. Todd Craft Mr. Craft explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to fill the City Council vacancy. Councilmember Knight asked what city Andover can be compared to. Mr. Craft stated that it has been compared to Edina in the past but is not sure why. He commented that people in Andover want to hunt from their yard and others want to ride their bikes around so there are a variety of residential needs. He stated other communities should want to be like Andover. Mayor Gamache asked what should be done to improve the city. Mr. Craft supported a continuation of an increased number of restaurants in the community. He supported analyzing park use. He commented that he hates debt but it is necessary sometimes. He supported spending within the means of the city. He added that it is nice to have the city provide basic services. © Councilmember Trude asked if he is against creating debt for the city for things like water treatment plants and a fire truck. Mr. Craft stated that he is not as familiar with how a city finances things. He stated that building has slowed down and while it is at this level the spending needs to be matched to that. © Andover City Council Interviews for City Council Vacancy Minutes —September 21, 2011 Page 3 Councilmember Trade asked if he would be an asset to draw more business to Andover. Mr. Craft agreed that there should be investing into the community. Councilmember Knight asked if he is familiar with TIF financing. Mr. Craft stated that he is not familiar with this. Councilmember Bukkila asked where Mr. Craft would make an addition to Council from his background. Mr. Craft commented that he will be learning the position as he fills in. He added that he would like to work and be part of the solutions for Andover. Mayor Gamache asked how Mr. Craft would have voted last night on the hunting items. Mr. Craft stated that he would go back to the city code. He stated that none of the reasons to have a special hunt fit with the three options outlined in the code. Mayor Gamache asked why Mr. Craft should be selected for the Council. Mr. Craft stated that he has a solid background and a stable family. He added that he does not have a political platform to address. He stated that he is a quick learner and that he would be an asset. He stated that he will decide during the year if he wants to continue further and run for office. © Mr. Dickinson asked about BridgeLink and Mr. Craft's involvement. Mr. Craft stated that this is an extension of Constance Free Church where he is involved. He stated his teams helped with cleaning up yards and other community service projects for five years now. Councilmember Trade asked if there is a specific area of interest for the city to address. Mr. Craft stated that he would like to see businesses continue to be brought in for entertainment and restaurants. Mayor Gamache asked how requests would be handled from new residents who have moved from neighboring cities to the south and are accustomed to additional services. Mr. Craft stated that he understands Andover is a developing city that is set apart because it still has a rural feel. Mayor Gamache asked if Mr. Craft has any questions. Mr. Craft replied that he does not have questions at this time. Ted Butler Mr. Butler explained to the Council why he would like to be appointed to fill the City Council vacancy. Councilmember Trade commented that the Council is working to purchase some 4 -plex buildings on © Bunker Lake Boulevard and asked about involvement in this project. Mr. Butler recommended looking at refreshing areas that are aging as the city develops so they can continue to attract new people. He recommended creating a good business climate to encourage growth. He explained that older housing areas want to see improvements to business communities and continued growth in © Andover City Council Interviews for City Council Vacancy Minutes —September 21, 2011 Page 4 them. Councilmember Bukkila asked for thoughts on bringing in Metro Transit or transit amenities. Mr. Butler recommended talking to people to see what their usage would be and looking at the options to bring in transit options. He suggested looking at the cost and weighing if there is demand for usage beyond what currently exists. Councilmember Knight asked if there are special projects Mr. Butler would like addressed. Mr. Butler stated that from the Community Center Advisory Commission a teen center is being sought to fill a need in the community. He stated that he has no specific project. Mayor Gamache asked what city Andover could be compared to. Mr. Butler suggested Shoreview as an option. He stated that the housing, businesses and quality of life are similar. He commented that Andover has some unique developments that can be enhanced on to continue creating their own identity. Councilmember Trude asked what vision Mr. Butler has for Andover. Mr. Butler stated that he would like business expanded on. He replied that he would like Andover storefronts to be full, he © would like Andover Station to remain intact and a good business climate continue in the city. He recommended more full service restaurants in Andover. He recommended improving on the park facilities to get more from what they already have. He suggested that the city partner with other cities, the schools and the county to share resources. Mayor Gamache asked why Mr. Butler should be selected to work on the Council. Mr. Butler stated he has a record of serving the community. He stated that he is open to ideas and willing to work toward consensus. He stated that a strength he has is to work as a team. He reviewed that he has leadership experience in his career and in the community. His finance background would be beneficial. Councilmember Trude asked if he would want to run for Council in the fall following his appointment. Mr. Butler stated that he would consider running in the fall. He stated that he ran for the State Legislature in 2008. He stated that he has no ambitions to run for other offices as he is focused only on Andover. Mayor Gamache asked if Mr. Butler has any questions. Mr. Butler asked what the Council sees happening in order to get businesses in the city. He stated that he would like the Councils view point because if he serves he would like to know their insights. Mayor Gamache stated that there have been some changes made to level the field and make Andover attractive to businesses. He reviewed that these include water hookup and lot coverage. He stated © that with the Sheriffs Office and surrounding businesses this is hoped to spur development, in particular restaurants. Councilmember Knight commented that he would like to see development of a business strip from © Andover City Council Interviews for City Council Vacancy Minutes —September 21, 2011 Page 5 Round Lake Boulevard to Hanson Boulevard. He added that he would like to see the commercial centers along Round Lake Boulevard and Hanson Boulevard receive more promotion. Councilmember Trude stated that statistics on the website were helpful and the new website has been helpful as well. She reviewed that staff has been instrumental in carrying out ideas so communication with businesses has improved. The Council discussed the candidates for City Council. Mayor Gamache recessed the meeting at 8:52 p.m. Mayor Gamache reconvened the meeting at 8:59 p.m. The Council discussed the candidates for City Council and made a decision. Motion by Bukkila, Seconded by Knight, to appoint Tony Howard to the City Council. Motion carried unanimously. © OTHER DISCUSSION None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Trude, Seconded by Knight, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Beth Bostrom, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. x