City Council

REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 21, 2017 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Julie Trude, November 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Mike Knight, Sheri Bukkila, Valerie Holthus and James Goodrich Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Community Development Director, Joe Janish City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENT FORUM Don Legge of 14417 Vintage Street NW stated the Engineering Department did a beautiful job answering the questions the residents had at the neighborhood meeting regarding the road reconstruction planned for their neighborhood. He reminded the Council that two years ago there was a petition brought forward by the neighborhood. The residents in the neighborhood each have functional water systems. Their water is clean and residents test their water. He stated the residents have been approached again about city water and they are frustrated. Mayor Trude referred residents to item number 3 on the agenda as the formal project proposal. She explained the matter [referring to the petition] could not be considered 2 years ago because as there was no project. Mr. Legge claimed residents along 143rd Avenue are stating the same thing and wish their street could be left alone. Mayor Trude reminded the residents nothing has started and the City practices due process. Mr. Berkowitz stated there will be a formal hearing and that is the time when residents come and speak to the Council as there is nothing formal to even be considered at this time. Mayor Trude explained City Councilmembers will get materials in preparation for that future public hearing and then residents can come and talk at that hearing. She did confirm there will be a water main for public safety purposes along 143rd Avenue and that matter would not be up Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2017 Page 2 for discussion. Mr. Legge expressed concern that “engineering wants to do it no matter what.” Mr. Berkowitz clarifies the process and noted the petition was being recognized as part of that evening’s meeting agenda. He went on to explain a feasibility report would be ordered and then a public hearing would be scheduled and just because it is in the report, it did not mean that it is going to be approved. If people are opposed to the water stubs, they will need to come to the public hearing and voice their concerns. Mr. Dickinson stated if a resident cannot attend the public hearing in person, opposition can be expressed in written form. Mr. Berkowitz confirmed there would be no cost to NOT hook up to water. Mr. Legge expressed his concern the City turned down CDBG funding. Mr. Berkowitz explained the City never turned down funding, but rather the funding request was not approved by Anoka County. Mayor Trude commented grants are good for the City/residents and the planned fire hydrants are for fire safety. Mr. Legge reiterated he does not see the benefit to hooking up to City water. Mayor Trude acknowledged acceptance of the petition. There will be a water main constructed along 143rd Avenue and the stubs will be installed. A homeowner will need to pay if they hook up to the stubs or sell their property. No interest will need to be paid, and the charge will remain at today’s prices when the time comes. There is concern about protecting the road once it is built and protecting that investment. Mayor Trude reminded residents staff is available to answer questions via phone and email. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Holthus, Seconded by Goodrich, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 6, 2017, Regular Meeting: Correct as presented. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Bukkila, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims Item 3 Receive Petition in Opposition to the Installation of Water Main/18-2, 2018 Street Reconstruction & 18-11, 143rd Ave. NW Reconstruction Item 4 Order Feasibility Report/18-2, 2018 Street Reconstruction & 18-11, 143rd Ave. NW Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2017 Page 3 Reconstruction (See Resolution R093-17) Item 5 Approve 2018 TimeSaver Secretarial Service Contract Item 6 Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage Motion by Goodrich, Seconded by Bukkila, approval of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Commander Brian Podany from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office highlighted a scam which targets daycares in the area. He also expressed appreciation for tips received from the public in solving a recent investigation surrounding the death of a 17-year-old in highly publicized circumstances. He also reported upcoming volunteering opportunities being done by members of the department. Mayor Trude thanked the Sheriff’s Office and congratulated Commander Podany on being promoted to Police Chief of the City of Blaine. Councilmember Knight joined Mayor Trude in thanking Commander Podany. Councilmember Bukkila thanked the Commander for willing to “get down in the dirt” and take care of the community. Councilmember Goodrich stated he appreciated the additional information the department has given the Council and community. Commander Podany thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve the community for the last 20 years. Mr. Dickinson also wished Commander Podany well. Commander Podany introduced Lieutenant Paul Lenzmeier. Lieutenant Lenzmeier responded he had “big shoes to fill.” He has had a long career with the Sheriff's Office and he is excited for this opportunity. Mayor Trude confirmed the City Council is looking forward to working with him. CONSIDER CITY CODE AMENDMENTS – TITLE 12 ZONING REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 6, ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND ORDINANCE SUMMARY PUBLICATION Mr. Janish presented information regarding City Code amendments addressing accessory structures and movable storage containers. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2017 Page 4 Mayor Trude asked if all of a resident’s garages together could be bigger than their house with this new proposal. Mr. Janish replied, “not necessarily.” Mayor Trude then asked if the garage plus all accessory buildings could be larger than the square footage of a home, to which Mr. Janish replied, “potentially yes.” He pointed out that 30% coverage of the lot size would still continue to apply. Mayor Trude asked if this would almost doubling what people can do now. Mr. Janish confirmed that was true, however, the setbacks will still have to be met. Mr. Janish reminded the Council that earlier in the year the City had a request for a variance and the Council requested that staff look into it. Mr. Janish showed what surrounding cities have in their Code on these matters. On the topic of portable storage units, known as PODs, the City is trying to make it easier for people moving to the community. The staff is proposing adding to the City Code that PODS can remain for a 30-day timeframe and for PODS to be parked on a lot. The POD has to be on a paved surface, preserve sight-lines, and be limited to 30 days. According to the industry, they are typically on site for 1-2 weeks. If it is longer than that, it is typically stored off site. Families still have other options such as having a POD moved or renting a storage unit. Mr. Janish reported the Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of the changes to the City Code. Councilmember Holthus asked if this matter would be one or two motions. Mr. Janish replied it could be one motion. Mr. Janish reminded the Council any new structure built has to be in character with what has already been constructed in the neighborhood. Councilmember Bukkila asked if the topic could be moved to a workshop meeting of the Council. Mayor Trude indicated she wanted to see different scenarios. Councilmember Bukkila felt more information was needed to make a fair review. Motion by Bukkila, Seconded by Holthus, to table the matter to an upcoming City Council Workshop. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 nay (Goodrich). Mr. Janish will put some material together for the January City Council workshop meeting. Mayor Trude asked Councilmembers to forward him any questions, so he could be prepared. Mr. Dickinson encouraged concluding this by the end of February or March so residents can plan their spring projects. Mayor suggested public comments could go to City Council or Staff. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT City Staff updated the Council on the administration and city department activities, legislative Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2017 Page 5 updates, updates on development/CIP projects, and meeting reminders/community events. (City Administrator) Mr. Dickinson gave an update regarding the RFPs for the potential Community Center expansion. There are planned interviews with architects, doing a 2nd round of interviews the week of this meeting. In other updates, the budget is in final stages and property tax statements are out for 2018. It is anticipated there will be 90 new construction permits by the end of November. Online permitting is now over 1,000 permits, through the City’s website. This saves time for residents and City staff. Mayor Trude reminded residents there is a public information meeting related to the WDE project, November 29th at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Everyone within ½ mile received a mailing. (Public Works/City Engineer) Mr. Berkowitz has indicated the City is getting ready to flood the ice rinks. With the warmer weather, they will hold off on opening rinks until mid to late December. Eighteen degrees at night is a good temperature for the ice rinks for flooding. It takes 2 weeks of night flooding to get the base flooded. There will be a lot of tree trimming done this time of the year. Residents should let staff know if property in your residential area needs trimming. There are 2 plats in the development review process for 2018. (Community Development) Mr. Janish stated he has 2 plats in the process of being reviewed and there are also meetings planned with developers. Code enforcement has not been as busy. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT (Mayor Trude) Mayor Trude indicated there have been a number of phone calls to the City regarding the WDE site. There will be a meeting next Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Residents will be able to get their questions answered by the MPCA staff. The City is getting closer to finding an architect for the Community Center expansion. Any of those being considered could do a wonderful job. She is looking forward to a lot of very good ideas, and partnering with the YMCA. The Anoka-Hennepin School District referendum passed so there will be an addition to Andover High School. It will be 60,000 square feet. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Holthus, Seconded by Bukkila, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marlene White, Recording Secretary Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2017 Page 6 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – NOVEMBER 21, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1 RESIDENT FORUM 1 AGENDA APPROVAL 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2 CONSENT ITEMS 2 Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims 2 Item 3 Receive Petition in Opposition to the Installation of Water Main/18-2, 2018 Street Reconstruction & 18-11, 143rd Ave. NW Reconstruction 2 Item 4 Order Feasibility Report/18-2, 2018 Street Reconstruction & 18-11, 143rd Ave. NW Reconstruction (See Resolution R093-17) 2 Item 5 Approve 2018 TimeSaver Secretarial Service Contract 3 Item 6 Approve LMCIT Liability Coverage 3 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT 3 CONSIDER CITY CODE AMENDMENTS – TITLE 12 ZONING REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 6, ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND ORDINANCE SUMMARY PUBLICATION Item Tabled 3 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 4 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT 5 ADJOURNMENT 5