City Council

ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 24, 2022 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Sheri Bukkila, May 24, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Valerie Holthus, Jamie Barthel, and Ted Butler Councilmembers absent: Randy Nelson Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Public Works Director/City Engineer, David Berkowitz Community Development Director, Joe Janish Associate Planner, Jake Griffiths Others DISCUSS UPDATES TO HUNTING/DISCHARGE MAP The City Council is requested to discuss updating the hunting and discharge map. At the April 26, 2022 City Council Workshop, the Council directed staff to get input from the owners of the two properties in question on potentially re-guiding their properties from Restricted Zone South to the Prohibited Zone. Associate Planner Griffiths stated staff had conversations with each of the property owners to get their input and both property owners expressed to staff that they would like to remain in the Restricted Zone South at this time. Staff would like the Council's direction on how to proceed with the hunting zones for the two properties to the south of Fields of Winslow Cove. Mr. Griffiths explained slug shot guns can be used on deer, on a property over 40 acres with a license from the City. He stated the City issues 2 such licenses each year. Mr. Griffiths stated residents can hunt deer with a bow, no permit required, or use a shotgun on waterfowl, on 10 Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2022 Page 2 acres or more. Mr. Griffiths stated the DNR and Anoka County Sheriff’s Department provide the enforcement. Councilmember Barthel stated he would be comfortable with bow hunting, but not shotgun, on the two properties in question. Mayor Bukkila stated Andover has not had any problems with hunting in the restricted zone. Mr. Dickinson stated when the larger parcel to the south develops, it will be likely the smaller parcel won’t be able to hunt due to the closer proximity of structures. The Council reached consensus to leave the two properties in the Restricted Zone South. PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) DISCUSSION Staff is expecting an increase in Planned Unit Development (PUD) applications and would like to provide a recap of how the Andover City Code defines, and uses Planned Unit Developments. Mr. Janish reviewed the key components of a PUD as written in the staff report. Mr. Janish cautioned the City against open bargaining with the developer. He stated Housing First is attempting to change State Statute and PUD availability. Staff and Council discussed appropriate methods to discuss amenities and development options with developers. Mr. Dickinson stated Code does allow the City Council to have the final say. Mr. Janish stated Housing First is stating cities are increasing the requirements placed on developers which raises the cost of the home. Mr. Dickinson stated staff will continue to review the plans and proposals with the developer prior to coming to Council, understanding Council’s general outlook. DISCUSS PASSIVE PARKS IN THE CITY The City Council is to receive an update on the discussions for passive parks that the Park & Recreation Commission and Nature Preserve Commission had regarding planning for passive parks. Mr. Berkowitz explained the Park Commission members asked why there isn’t just one Commission that oversees parks and preserves. The Nature Preserve Commission was open to working on the passive natural parks. The Park Commission was concerned about funding for the passive parks. Councilmember Butler stated the Nature Preserve Commission is more experienced in managing the natural spaces. He stated there should be some consistency in how the City manages natural spaces. Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2022 Page 3 Mayor Bukkila stated the Council is looking at how to get citizens engaged in partnerships and make the scope of participation wider. She stated the Park and Recreation Commission focuses on build out of the park system. Mayor Bukkila stated the Nature Preserve Commission looks at the natural amenities of parks. She stated diversity is important and so is a checks and balances. Mr. Berkowitz stated the City Council and Park and Recreation Commission will have a joint meeting at the June City Council Workshop where the Council and Mayor can explain their thought process and ideas for passive parks. The City Council reached consensus and look to discuss the issue at the June workshop. 2023 STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT DISCUSSION (OAK BLUFF)/23-2 The City Council is requested to discuss the proposed 2023 Street Reconstruction project regarding street reconstruction assessment rates and extending sanitary sewer and municipal water to the area. Mr. Berkowitz showed a map of the project area and stated they are large lots. He stated the project is around 80% planned and will include concrete curb and gutter. Mr. Berkowitz explained the complexities of the project when it comes to water and sewer. Mr. Berkowitz stated there are lots that can be subdivided and can get access to city sewer and water. Mr. Berkowitz recommended building water and sewer improvements to benefit the City’s water system. He presented options on how to pay for the extension to the Council. Mayor Bukkila stated the City should take the cost for the basic infrastructure and place the cost of the hookup on the resident. Councilmember Butler asked if this option would set a precedent that would hurt the City later on. Mayor Bukkila suggested charging it to the project. Mr. Berkowitz reviewed past projects and how they were handled. The Council reached consensus to build the water infrastructure and stubs with an assessment and attach an escalator for deferred assessments. Mr. Berkowitz asked the Council how they would like to handle the sewer line. He stated the sewer infrastructure is expensive and has little benefit to the City. The Council reached consensus to allow the residents to decide if they want it. Mr. Berkowitz presented options for roadway assessments. Mayor Bukkila asked why the assessments are significantly larger than other projects. Mr. Berkowitz stated the addition of concrete curb and gutter increases the cost. He explained using the front footage option addresses the issue of subdivision. The Council reached consensus to use the front footage assessment method. RECESS & RECONVENE Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2022 Page 4 Mayor Bukkila recessed the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 7:52 p.m. DISCUSS ANOKA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING APPLICATION FOR 7TH AVENUE NW The City Council is requested to discuss a letter of support for Anoka County Highway Department's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant application for safety improvements to 7th Avenue. Mr. Berkowitz stated the County is proposing a roundabout at 7th Avenue near 165th Avenue. Mr. Berkowitz explained the County was interested in constructing two roundabouts in the old turkey farm area along 7th Avenue, however, if they combined the projects, they are less likely to be funded. The City Council reached consensus to provide a letter of support for the project. APRIL 2022 ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE The City Council is requested to receive an update on the Community Center for the month of April. Mr. Dickinson reviewed the April Community Center report with the Council as written in the staff report. Mr. Dickinson noted the turf is out of the sports complex at the Community Center and will start selling summer ice June 13th. He updated the Council on the concession operations stating it will be fully implemented by September. Mr. Dickinson explained the Community Center and YMCA are having issues with unruly adolescent behavior and are working on solutions. Mr. Dickinson noted that vending is up 60% due to not having concessions. Mayor Bukkila asked about the increase in the fund balance. Mr. Dickinson stated the fund balance is set aside to pay for large repair items and replacement costs. OTHER ITEMS Fire Department Duty Crew Mr. Dickinson stated the City is entering phase 2 in duty crew requirements. He stated around 77% of the firefighters are meeting the current criteria of the duty crew. Mr. Dickinson stated weekend duty crew is and always has been a challenge. He is proposing premium pay for Fridays after 5:00 p.m. through Sunday and maybe only requiring 2 firefighters on duty. Mr. Dickinson noted the budget will be similar, unless 3 firefighters are needed. The Council concurred with Mr. Dickinson to look at shift differential pay for weekends for duty crew. Parking on City Streets Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2022 Page 5 Mr. Dickinson stated the City has received multiple requests for no overnight parking on City streets year-round. The City Council reached consensus to keep City Code as is and allow overnight parking seasonally. Water Treatment Plant Mr. Dickinson stated there are some air quality issues within the building, but this does not impact water quality. He indicated staff are looking at options to resolve the issue, priority is employee safety. Sheriff’s Contract Mr. Dickinson explained the Sheriff’s Department is increasing deputy pay rate by 9%. He is negotiating with the Sheriff’s Department on cost efficiency options without sacrificing public safety and is hoping to propose an increase of less than 2%. Mr. Dickinson stated the current Investigators have 76 active cases. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Holthus, Seconded by Barthel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.