City Council

ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – APRIL 6, 2020 MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Julie Trude, April 6, 2020 at 6:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Jamie Barthel and Valerie Holthus Councilmember absent: None Others present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson INTERVIEWS OF CITY COUNCIL VACANCY Mayor Trude stated Council will be conducting interviews, they have a list of questions. Mayor Trude suggested asking the same questions to each candidate. Councilmember Bukkila indicated she was not aware of a list of questions and has a list of questions of her own. She mentioned using the list of questions provided as filler questions. Councilmember Holthus stated she would like to use the same questions for each interview to make it fair and use question 8 as the place for add-on questions from the Council. Council Vacancy Interview Questions: 1. Keeping in mind that we have reviewed your application materials, please briefly discuss your education, training and work experiences which have prepared you for this position. 2. How long have you been a resident of Andover? What Community (volunteer) activities have you been involved in? 3. Could you tell us something you really like about Andover, and then also, something you think could be improved upon. 4. What is your view of the role of the City Council? 5. As an appointed official for an elective office, how will you conduct yourself as a member of the City Council? How will you respond to residents? Also, how will you approach decision making in this new role? Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 2 6. How would you handle the situation where the majority of City Council voted one way and you disagreed with them? 7. Do you have any special project, ideas or initiatives you would like to see accomplished? 8. Follow up questions. 9. To close. What makes you uniquely qualified for this position and why you over the other candidates? 10. Mayor Trude added question 10. How would you represent former Councilmember Knight’s values and interests if appointed? Peter Beberg 1. President of his senior class in high school and editor of the school newspaper. Took a political science class in high school which, carried on into college at Anoka Ramsey Community College. Served five 2-year terms as the Mayor of Anoka. 2. 6 years as an Andover resident. Owns a transportation business in Andover. 3. Enjoys the trails, they are a great way to bring the community together. A couple concerns are the current pandemic and how that is affecting the residents, what happens to the City’s budget if residents cannot pay their bills. 4. Developing relationships. 5. No interested in running in November for this Council seat. Looking at what is best for the City. Being open and honest to the residents. 6. The job is to represent the citizens of the City. If I firmly and strongly believe in my decision I would stick with my decision. 7. Having good equipment makes very good sense. Road repair and planning. Expansion of the City, including businesses. Mayor Trude asked where he would like to see commercial expansion. Mr. Beberg replied there is potential at the bus company property. 8. Councilmember Bukkila stated on his letter of intent he indicated he is not interested in running for the seat in November, why step up for just 7 months. Mr. Beberg replied he would like to be part of the City even more; he has the skills and the desire. 9. Has the desire, the time and experience to do the job. Mayor Trude stated having been a former Mayor how would you handle being a Councilmember. Mr. Beberg replied everyone on the council has one vote. 10. Continue to support the Community Center. The Council thanked Mr. Beberg for coming in. Jason Van Hecke Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 3 1. Served 4 years in the Navy. Has an engineering degree and works in the private sector as a general manager. 2. Andover resident since 2002. Involved in the local Senate District BPOU, Cub Scouts, and coached flag football. 3. Likes the feel of having both rural and “downtown” areas in the City. Would like to see more light industrial business. Mayor Trude asked if there is a location he has in mind. Mr. Van Hecke replied he does not have a specific area in mind. 4. Attract people and business to the City and to spend the resident’s money responsibly. 5. You have to be professional. It’s a collaborate effort, you take the input from the City, Council discusses and makes the best decision for the City. 6. Have discussions, discuss my point of view and agree to disagree. 7. Nothing specific. Doesn’t see the position as a way to get what “he wants”. 8. There were no follow up questions. 9. Give back to the community and feels his experience in the private sector may help bring businesses to the City. His job requires he work with government officials regarding codes and inspections. 10. His interest in solar energy. The kids are the future and we have to make the City a place where people want to raise their family. The Council thanked Mr. Van Hecke for coming in. Mary VanderLaan 1. Education in business and medical. Business owner. Has been a councilmember before. 2. Has lived in Andover since 1972. Volunteered in schools, the Red Cross, American Promise Group and has worked as an election judge. Has been on the Planning and Zoning Commission for 5 years. 3. Organized and balanced growth. Family orientated. Andover doesn’t have high traffic and pollution problems. Feels the City has set very high standards and has stuck to those. 4. 5 persons and decision makers. Need to comprehensively make decisions. 5. When given a problem a really good political official listens and interacts with the residents. Understanding not only what the resident said but what they haven’t said. 6. Explain my point of view and still have respect for the other members. 7. Thinks Andover may face homelessness within the City due to COVID19. Would like to see the City check in on the businesses during this uncertain time. 8. There were no follow up questions. 9. Experience. 10. Councilmember Knight’s values were with Open Space and the calm way he dealt with residents. Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 4 The Council thanked Ms. VanderLaan for coming in. The Council recessed at 7:26 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:32 p.m. Bert Koehler IV 1. English and Computer Applications major at Norte Dame. Is serving his ninth year on the Planning and Zoning Commission. 2. Andover resident since 1998. Director of the North Metro Soccer Association, President of the Andover High School Band Boosters, Andover High School swim team and playing Santa Claus. A big believer in community involvement. 3. Hard to pick out just one thing, recently visited the wetland preserve (the old golf course) and it was amazing. Right now, that is his favorite thing in Andover. Would like to see a little bit more commercial in the City. 4. Help the City grow, give guidance and direction. Taking all resources available and guiding the City 5. Whether a new elected or appointed member my job is to listen and learn. Conduct myself honestly and openly. Gather the input, sort it, discuss with other councilmembers and come to a fair and just decision. 6. Vote for what he feels is right and not to take disagreements personal. 7. Nothing specific. 8. There were no follow up questions. 9. Have learned a lot on the Planning and Zoning Commission and is willing to step up. Interested in working alongside every one of you. 10. Have a conversation with Mr. Knight and find out his ideas. The Council thanked Mr. Koehler for coming in. The Council recessed at 7:58 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:01 p.m. Ted Butler 1. Finance background with a master’s degree in Human Resources. Has worked for 20 years at the University of Minnesota. Have served 13 years on the Park and Recreation Commission and 12 years on the Community Center Advisory Commission. 2. Resident since 2000. Involved in coaching, school district groups and President of the Andover Athletic Association. Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 5 3. Appreciates the incredible community spirit in the City. Would like to see infrastructure improvements such as safe crossings and better communication with residents. 4. Providing high quality core services to the citizens. 5. Professionally, with integrity and with empathy. I would approach decisions with an open mind and form my own opinion. 6. Explain my decision to the other councilmembers and to have it on the record. 7. Priorities to me is better communication with residents, continue to attract businesses and support the needs of the residents. Mayor Trude asked where the businesses should be located. Mr. Butler replied that is a challenge since there is limited area. Continue to fill the commercial areas that already exist. 8. Councilmember Bukkila asked as far as planning and building out density in the City what are your thoughts about apartment buildings and where they should be located in the City. Also, what are your thoughts on partnering with Met Council on public transportation. Mr. Butler answered Andover is and should always be primarily a single- family community that’s what I would like to see Andover to continue to be. He could see apartment buildings on Bunker Lake Boulevard in the redevelopment area, but they would need to be high quality and well maintained. He is very skeptical on bringing in public transportation. 9. Have the vision, experience, skills and passion to do the job. Want to make sure we are getting a well-managed City. 10. Councilmember Knight dedicated his life to the youth, that is a passion of mine and it would be an honor to fill the vacancy. The Council thanked Mr. Butler for coming in. Mr. Dickinson stated that completes the interviews, now it is up to the Council for direction. Mayor Trude suggested each councilmember rank the candidates and then discuss relative merits. Councilmember Bukkila stated her top two are Pete Beberg and Bert Koehler IV. Mayor Trude stated her top two are Ted Butler and Bert Koehler IV. She feels Mr. Butler knows what is going on. Councilmember Holthus stated her top two are Ted Butler and Bert Koehler IV. Councilmember Barthel stated he does not have a top two. He indicated he still struggles with this decision since he was elected to make decisions on behalf of the people who elected him, but now he is going to appoint someone that is going to make decisions that has never been elected. He finds that very difficult. Councilmember Barthel continued with everything that is going on Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 6 and looking at the next agenda, it’s not a big agenda and we probably won’t have any big agendas for a while and I think moving forward with the four people that were elected by the citizens is huge for me. Mayor Trude stated Councilmember Barthel took an oath of office to uphold the State Laws. State law says to fill a vacancy as soon as possible. There was Council discussion. Motion by Trude, Seconded by Holthus, to appoint Ted Butler to the City Council. Further discussion: The Council explained their top two candidates. Councilmember Barthel asked being a statutory city is there a time frame on when we shall appoint someone. Mr. Dickinson stated Minnesota State Statute along with the League of MN Cities stress the appointment should be done as soon as possible. Mayor Trude stated everyone that interviewed had excellent credentials. They will be part of a democratic process moving forward. Right now, staff is holding back on agendas because of the virus. Councilmember Holthus asked Mr. Dickinson if he sees any significant votes in the next 7 months. Mr. Dickinson replied some of the significant decisions this year will be the Comprehensive Plan, the budget, zoning changes, development and phase 2 of Petersen Farms will be going through shortly. Councilmember Holthus stated she feels if we don’t appoint somebody then we will not have a full council to vote on some of the important issues. She continued to Councilmember Barthel, you were elected, and you are a representative for your constituents. In my opinion you have to fulfill the statutory requirement that you accepted when you became elected and one of those requirements is to appoint a replacement for Mike Knight. Motion carried 2 ayes (Trude and Holthus), 1 nay (Bukkila) and 1 abstain (Barthel). Councilmember Holthus stated she wants to make sure we recognize Mike Knight in some way, once things get back to “normal”. The Council concurred. Councilmember Bukkila asked for clarification of Mr. Butler serving on the Council and as President of the Andover Athletic Association. Mayor Trude stated it is not a conflict of interest. Mr. Dickinson indicated he will have the City Attorney look into it. OTHER BUSINESS Andover Special City Council Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2020 Page 7 Mr. Dickinson indicated at the next Council meeting staff will be adding to the agenda how the Council wants to address the vacancies on the Commissions. Mayor Trude asked about using Zoom (video conferencing) for future meetings. Mr. Dickinson replied staff is testing the program and it will be an option for future meetings. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bukkila, Seconded by Barthel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Hartner, Recording Secretary