City Council

REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – DECEMBER 19, 2023 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Bukkila, December 19 2023, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Jamie Barthel, Ted Butler, Rick Engelhardt, and Randy Nelson Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENT FORUM No one came forward to address the Council. AGENDA APPROVAL City Administrator Dickinson noted the supplemental information received: Item #8 – Approval of 2024 Liquor License with an additional license to be approved. Mr. Dickinson requested the addition of two agenda items: Item #15A – Approve Tobacco License Item #16A - Set Date for Board of Appeal and Equalization Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Engelhart, to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 28, 2023, Workshop Meeting November 28, 2023, Closed Meeting Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Butler, to approve the November 28, 2023, Workshop and Closed meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 present (Barthel) Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023 Page 2 December 5, 2023, Regular Meeting Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to approve the December 19, 2023, Regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 present (Butler) CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims Item 3 Adopt 2024 Fee Ordinance (See Ordinance 558) Item 4 Receive November 2023 General Fund Budget Progress Report Item 5 Receive November 2023 City Investment Reports Item 6 Receive November 2023 Andover Community Center Update Item 7 Approve Donations for 2024 Senior Class Events Item 8 Approve 2024 Liquor License Item 9 Approve Cost-of-Living Wage Adjustment for Non-Bargaining Employees Item 10 Approve 2024 Kennel License Item 11 Accept Resignation of William Weicht – Building Inspector Item 12 Approve Compensating Change Order #1/23-22, Sunshine Park North Parking Lot Reconstruction & 23-23, Fire Station #2 Parking Lot Reconstruction (See Resolution R107-23) Item 13 Accept Feasibility Report/Order Public Hearing/24-2/2024 Street Reconstruction (See Resolution R108-23) Item 14 Approve Fields of Winslow Cove 3rd Addition Final Plat (See Resolution R109-23) Item 15 Approve 2024 Used Vehicle Sales License Item 15A Approve 2024 Tobacco License Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion carried unanimously. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT Commander Paul Lenzmeier provided a monthly report including 1,116 calls for service, none of which resulted in any significant events. He shared that they continue to see proactive enforcement by the deputies and because of their proactiveness they were able to catch two stolen vehicles. He noted they currently only have two vacancies while they have six individuals in background and three in field training. He stated the County Board approved the joint powers agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and other Anoka County Law Enforcement agencies to develop a multi- jurisdictional SWAT Team which will be going live in January 2024. He shared that last week was the Shop with a Cop event where they brought 20 children from Andover Schools to Walmart and shopped for Christmas gifts for their families to take home. He added there were 10 or 11 families that were blessed with gifts along with the Armory in Anoka. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Sheriff’s Office. Councilmember Engelhardt noted that the community involvement efforts the past few weeks with the Public Works, the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office, and City Staff has been phenomenal Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023 Page 3 and he has heard so many great things from the community about this. Councilmember Nelson thanked Commander Lenzmeier for the fantastic job that he and the Sheriff’s Office have done. He shared that he had the opportunity to go to a luncheon for elected officials and the topic was human trafficking. He noted Minnesota is ranked thirteenth in human trafficking. He asked if there is a requirement for an annual review of human trafficking that the Sheriff’s Office does. Commander Lenzmeier shared there is no formal annual review of this; however, the Criminal Investigation Division has been very active for years on this issue. He explained they are actively investigating. Councilmember Nelson stated human trafficking was a top priority of the former Sheriff. He asked if this is a top priority under the new Sheriff. Commander Lenzmeier stated community safety and similar community initiatives of protection and service are in the Sheriff’s top priorities. He shared that they will be continuing with this great effort as they had done previously. Mayor Bukkila shared that she had a new resident ask her at the Tree Lighting event if the Sheriff’s Office had any type of resident or community academy. Commander Lenzmeier explained for the last few years they have hosted a citizens academy. He noted they typically host this event every other year. He stated they will likely bring this back next fall. Mayor Bukkila asked where someone would be able to look for information on this. Commander Lenzmeier shared that they can look on the Sheriff’s Office website under crime prevention or community interactions. Mayor Bukkila shared her appreciation for the Sheriff’s Office and their Staff who will be out working over the holidays and away from their families. SELECT 2024 LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION DATES Mr. Dickinson shared that the County has requested that the Council select their Local Board of Appeal and Equalization dates. Mayor Bukkila asked who the trained people are whose training expires. Mr. Dickinson shared that Councilmembers Butler and Barthel’s trainings both expire on July 1, 2024, with himself as a backup individual. Councilmember Butler proposed April 8, 2024 for this. Councilmember Barthel was in agreement with this. Mr. Dickinson said they need a second choice date as well. Councilmember Butler suggested April 16, 2024 as the continuation date. Motion by Butler, Seconded by Barthel, to schedule Local Board of Appeal and Equalization date Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023 Page 4 as April 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. with a continuation date of April 16, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. 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 Report) Mr. Dickinson reviewed the Administrative Staff report. He shared that the Finance Department is working on yearend reporting and preparing for the audit. He noted they are also still working with developers who have development interests. He noted this is the first year in many years that the Council has not had a project come before them right before the end of the year. He shared they are also getting ready for the upcoming legislative session. He noted the SRO item will be front and center during this legislative session. He added transportation funding will likely be a big topic this year. He explained there is a change with the requirements for applications for State and Federal funding that was adopted by the State with points on how greenhouse gases will be reduced for projects funded. He shared that they are having open conversations with the MPCA on additional financing for other contaminant issues that may be out there for groundwater. He noted he will be conducting the final all-staff meeting with the staff to recap the year and celebrate having a good year. (Public Works/Engineering Department Report) Mr. Dickinson reviewed the Public Works/Engineering Department report. He shared that around 70 individuals attended the roundabout open house. He noted overall it was a good open house with a lot of good, positive feedback. He added Engineering has also been doing neighborhood meetings for the 2024 reconstruction projects. He shared that a letter will be going out this week to the Red Oaks neighborhood for a January 10, 2024 meeting where they will review the improvements with the residents. He added the Engineering Department is also working on plans and designs for next year. He shared that they are ready for snow plowing. He shared that he does not think they will have outdoor skating rinks open in time for Christmas. He noted they are anticipating that the indoor skating at the Community Center will likely be very busy over Christmas break. (Community Development Department Report) Mr. Dickinson reviewed the Community Development Department report. He shared that the Building Department is ending the year with 63 new single-family home permits. He noted the final plat approved on this evening’s consent agenda helps with the lot inventory. He stated next year will be a busy year for the Building Department. He shared that ongoing projects are mainly commercial projects, including the 911 Center, Grace Lutheran Church, Legacy Christian Academy, and Andover Christian Church. Councilmember Nelson shared that he attended the roundabout open house. He noted there are some residents who are not so happy with the roundabouts. He added some were upset that they could not stop the roundabout from coming. He shared that there was some misinformation that he is glad that they were able to clear up. He said there was a resident who lives in the southwest corner of Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Nightingale Street who thought the roundabout would Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023 Page 5 be infringing upon their properties, which is not the case. He added this resident was fearful that he may have difficulty selling his home in the future because of this. He noted all other feedback seemed positive. Mr. Dickinson explained the reason for these open houses is to mitigate questions and concerns and give the residents information on who to talk to about their concerns. He shared there will be more community outreach for this. MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Councilmember Butler thanked Staff for a great year. He shared his appreciation for all the hard work and all that has been accomplished. He wished the whole community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ava Rokosz, Recording Secretary Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023 Page 6 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – DECEMBER 19, 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE .....................................................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM ..................................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL ............................................................................................................. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................... 1 CONSENT ITEMS .....................................................................................................................2 Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims .....................................................................................2 Item 3 Adopt 2024 Fee Ordinance (Ord. 558) ..................................................................... 2 Item 4 Receive November 2023 General Fund Budget Progress Report ............................ 2 Item 5 Receive November 2023 City Investment Reports .................................................. 2 Item 6 Receive November 2023 Andover Community Center Update ............................... 2 Item 7 Approve Donations for 2024 Senior Class Events ................................................... 2 Item 8 Approve 2024 Liquor License .................................................................................. 2 Item 9 Approve Cost-of-Living Wage Adjustment for Non-Bargaining Employees (R106- 23) .................................................................................................................................. 2 Item 10 Approve 2024 Kennel License ......................................................................................2 Item 11 Accept Resignation of William Weicht – Building Inspector ...................................... 2 Item 12 Approve Compensating Change Order #1/23-22, Sunshine Park North Parking Lot Reconstruction & 23-23, Fire Station #2 Parking Lot Reconstruction (R107-23) .....................2 Item 13 Accept Feasibility Report/Order Public Hearing/24-2/2024 Street Reconstruction (R108-23) ................................................................................................................................... 2 Item 14 Approve Fields of Winslow Cove 3rd Addition Final Plat (R109-23) .......................... 2 Item 15 Approve 2024 Used Vehicle Sales License .................................................................. 2 Item 15A Approve 2024 Tobacco License ................................................................................ 2 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ............................................2 SELECT 2024 LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION DATES ...................3 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ............................................................................................... 4 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ......................................................................................................5 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................... 5