City Council

REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – AUGUST 18, 2020 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Julie Trude, August 18, 2020, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Valerie Holthus, Jamie Barthel, and Ted Butler Councilmember absent: Sheri Bukkila Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Public Works Director/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Community Development Director, Joe Janish City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATION – CONSTITUTION WEEK Mayor Trude declared September 17-23, 2020 as Constitution Week and read the Proclamation. RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared before the Council. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 28, 2020 Workshop Meeting: Motion by Butler, Seconded by Holthus, to approve the July 28, 2020 Workshop meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). August 4, 2020 Regular Meeting: Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 2 Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to approve the August 4, 2020 Regular meeting minutes as present. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent (Bukkila) 1 present (Holthus). CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims Item 3 Accept Contribution/Joyce Noyes/Sharon Copeland/Fire Dept./Fire Safety and Prevention Programs for Children (See Resolution R057-20) Item 4 Receive July 2020 Budget Progress Report Item 5 Receive July 2020 City Investment Reports Item 6 Approve City Fee Ordinance Changes/Community Center (See Ordinance 511) Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Holthus, to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Commander Paul Lenzmeier provided a monthly report for July stating the Department responded to 1,578 calls for service and 135 CSO calls, including 2 burglaries and 27 thefts. Commander Lenzmeier stated there were 8 felony arrests, 3 gross misdemeanor arrests, 8 misdemeanor arrests, and 4 DWI arrests. Commander Lenzmeier highlighted several significant events during July. He reported structure fires, an assault and brief chase, and a pursuit of a motorcyclist. Commander Lenzmeier detailed the four DWI arrests. Commander Lenzmeier reported 240 traffic stops resulting in 70 citations and 4 DWIs. Councilmember Barthel stated he contacted the Sheriff’s Office twice this month and was impressed with the professionalism and follow up of the officers. PRESENTATION/CONSIDER 2021 SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONTRACT City Administrator Dickinson reported that each year the City Council approves the subsequent year’s law enforcement contract with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office as part of the annual budget process. Mr. Dickinson stated the City has had discussions with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office for a 2021 status quo contract. Mr. Dickinson referred to the contract proposal which reflects a 1.28% increase ($41,528) in total contract cost and recommends approval. Mr. Dickinson introduced Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart. Sheriff Stuart approached the Council and spoke briefly about the role of the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Stuart explained the contract with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is all-inclusive, so the City does not have to worry about police services. Sheriff Stuart highlighted the services the City receives including patrol, investigation, supervision, records, and administration. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 3 Mayor Trude stated the City is able to receive excellent police coverage at a lower expense than cities that operate their own department. Sheriff Stuart explained the current contract is based on the previous completed year (2019). Sheriff Stuart explained proactive time where officers are patrolling the City and reactive time where officers are responding to calls and performing work related to calls. He explained the goal is to have 40-50% proactive time. He stated the Department uses this approach to keep services and costs consistent and fair among the cities the Department serves. Sheriff Stuart reported the Department is not seeking any increase in services for the City of Andover and stated there may be a need to increase it in 2022. He said the minimal increase in the current proposal is due to the officer union contract and personnel costs. Sheriff Stuart reviewed the contract with the Council. Mr. Dickinson added the City receives a reimbursement from the School District for the School Liaison Officers. He explained the City always has the number of officers on duty as listed in the contract even if an officer is on vacation or leave. Mr. Dickinson stated the City has a great partnership with the Sheriff’s Office. Councilmember Butler stated in his interactions with the Sheriff’s Office, the staff have been professional and empathetic. He expressed his appreciation and stated the community is well served. Councilmember Holthus thanked the School Liaison officers for their work in the schools. She asked how much the increase in cost for the health care was. Sheriff Stuart stated he would send the information to Councilmember Holthus when he acquires it. Mayor Trude stated defunding the police is not a discussion in Andover. She said she has heard residents say they want the police officers to know they are appreciated. Mayor Trude appreciates the actions the Sheriff’s Department has taken during COVID to keep the officers and residents safe. Mayor Trude asked Sheriff Stuart to address the quality of the officers the Department hires. Sheriff Stuart responded that the Sheriff’s Department is an example of the National best management practices in hiring and training. He explained the Department hired a consultant a few years back to improve the hiring process and make it more character based. He stated Anoka County is ahead of the curve in training on bias and de-escalation. He said there is buy-in from officers to the mission and character of the Department. Mayor Trude stated the community needed to hear this message from the top and the character, training and professionalism of the Department contribute to their effectiveness. Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, approving the 2021 Sheriff’s Office Contract. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 4 CONSIDER INTERIM USE PERMIT - MINING & LAND RECLAMATION - PID# 17- 32-24-21-0002, PID# 17-32-24-12-0004, PID# 17-32-24-12-0002 Community Development Director Janish presented the item stating the applicant currently owns three different unaddressed properties located west of Tulip Street NW that has limited potential for anything other than agricultural purposes. He stated the applicant has been working with the Engineering Department on ways that a dwelling could be constructed on the property. Mr. Janish stated the applicant is proposing to excavate approximately 8,500 cubic yards of fill from the floodplain to create a pond and relocate that fill to create three areas of usable upland, one of which could be suitable for construction of a dwelling in the future. He stated the excavation and hauling of the fill will be contained within the property. Mr. Janish detailed the application and conditions. He explained the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on August 12, 2020. Mr. Janish shared an email of support and stated one resident spoke at the public hearing wondering if the project would affect the water table, which it will not. Motion by Holthus, Seconded by Barthel, to approve Resolution No. R058-20 granting an Interim Use Permit for Mining and Land Reclamation at PID# 17-32-24-21-0002, PID# 17- 32-24-12-0004, PID# 17-32-24-12-0002. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). COVID 19 UPDATE City Administrator Dickinson updated the Council on the primary changes to the COVID-19 response since the last meeting. He stated Governor has extended the Executive Order for an additional 30 days. Mr. Dickinson stated the major change since the last meeting is the CARES Act dollars. He said the application deadline for the small business grants was August 17, 2020 and the City is beginning the review of 29 applications with requests totaling just under $1 million. Since the City has more funding to distribute, he stated the City will add a second round of grants for those that did not apply for the first round. Mr. Dickinson stated the City is engaging in mask education. He stated the City is working with the School District and the County on COVID safety. SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 EDA MEETING Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to schedule an EDA meeting on September 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). SCHEDULE AUGUST WORKSHOP MEETING Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to schedule Workshop meetings on 4th Tuesday of every month. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to schedule a Workshop meeting on August 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent (Bukkila). Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 5 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP MEETING Item addressed in previous motion. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT City Staff updated the Council on the administration and city department activities, legislative updates, updates on development/CIP projects, and meeting reminders/community events. (Administrative Staff Activities) – Mr. Dickinson stated Andover has 76 new homes this year. Mr. Dickinson updated the Council on his meetings, budget and CIP. He stated the City received the CARES money and has completed their first monthly report to the State. Mr. Dickinson reported the City is first to receive the CARES dollars and distribute it to businesses within Anoka County. He also said the City is #1 in the census response for cities over 15,000 population. Mr. Dickinson announced the Movie in the Park at dusk in Sunshine Park on August 22nd. He said Toy Story will be showing and the venue will be set up for social distancing. Mr. Dickinson stated it is a blow-up screen in cooperation with QCTV. (Engineering/Public Works) – Mr. Berkowitz updated the Council on the Veterans Memorial project. He updated the Council on construction projects and said the department is beginning work on 2021 projects, including assessments. Mayor Trude requested the assessment hearings be staggered to accommodate people in Council Chambers while maintaining social distancing. Mr. Berkowitz stated staff can encourage email comments and will send the virtual meeting information in the notices. Mr. Berkowitz said the Public Works Vehicle Maintenance building is almost complete. He updated the Council on the items the Public Works Department is working on. (Community Development) – Mr. Janish updated the Council on the meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He stated Code Enforcement has been extremely busy. Mayor Trude thanked Mr. Janish for his work on the business grants. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT (Alexandra House) Mayor Trude shared a letter from the Alexandra House stating the walk at Bunker Hills is cancelled and they are requesting to have a presentation to Council in September or October. Mayor Trude summarized the services provided by the Alexandra House. Mayor Trude stated the City gives funds to the Alexandra House through the Charitable Gaming Budget account. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 6 (Parks and Trails) Mayor Trude stated she sees many families using the parks and trails and thanked staff for maintaining the parks. (Hanson Boulevard) Mayor Trude stated Hanson Boulevard is complete and the City appreciates the work of the County. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2020 Page 7 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – AUGUST 18, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE..........................................................................................................1 PROCLAMATION – CONSTITUTION WEEK............................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM.......................................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL.................................................................................................................. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES........................................................................................................... 1 CONSENT ITEMS..........................................................................................................................2 Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims.............................................................................................2 Item 3 Accept Contribution/Joyce Noyes/ Sharon Copeland/ Fire Dept./Fire Safety and Prevention Programs for Children (R057-20).................................................................. 2 Item 4 Receive July 2020 Budget Progress Report......................................................................2 Item 5 Receive July 2020 City Investment Reports.....................................................................2 Item 6 Approve City Fee Ordinance Changes/Community Center (Ord. 511)........................... 2 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT.................................................2 PRESENTATION/CONSIDER 2021 SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONTRACT....................................2 CONSIDER INTERIM USE PERMIT/MINING & LAND RECLAMATION/PID# 17-32-24- 21-0002, 17-32-24-12-0004 & 17-32-24-12-0002 (R058-20)..........................................2 COVID 19 UPDATE.......................................................................................................................4 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 EDA MEETING................................................................... 4 SCHEDULE AUGUST WORKSHOP MEETING.........................................................................4 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP MEETING..................................................................4 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT.................................................................................................... 5 (Administrative Staff Activities)..................................................................................................... 5 (Engineering/Public Works)............................................................................................................ 5 (Community Development)............................................................................................................. 5 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT...........................................................................................................5 (Alexandra House)...........................................................................................................................5 (Parks and Trails) ............................................................................................................................ 5 (Hanson Boulevard).........................................................................................................................6 ADJOURNMENT........................................................................................................................... 6