City Council

1 2 3 4 5 6 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – FEBRUARY 20, 2024 7 MINUTES 8 9 10 The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor 11 Bukkila, February 20, 2024, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, 12 Andover, Minnesota. 13 14 Councilmembers present: Jamie Barthel, Ted Butler, and Randy Nelson 15 16 Councilmembers absent: Rick Engelhardt 17 18 Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson 19 Community Development Director, Joe Janish 20 Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz 21 City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner 22 Others 23 24 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 25 26 MEET THE DEPUTIES 27 28 Commander Paul Lenzmeier introduced each of the Sheriff’s deputies who work in the City of 29 Andover. Each deputy came forward and introduced themselves to the Council. 30 31 Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise came forward and acknowledged the dedication and 32 commitment of all of those who work for the Sheriff’s Office. He invited the Council to come and 33 tour the jail if they were interested. He noted the need for a new facility. He shared there is 34 consensus on the need to replace the building; however, he would like the Council to see this for 35 themselves so they can understand the purpose for this big-ticket item. He said there are four things 36 that make an agency great, which are great culture, competitive wages, support of the citizens, and 37 support of elected officials. He shared that all four of these things are met with the Anoka County 38 Sheriff’s Office Andover contract. He thanked everyone for the kind words and support that the 39 Sheriff’s Office receives. 40 41 Mayor Bukkila thanked the Sheriff and the deputies for their work. She asked for a moment of 42 silence for Officer Paul Elmstrand, Officer Matthew Ruge, and Firefighter Adam Finseth of 43 Burnsville who were killed in the line of duty this week. She also acknowledged Sergeant Adam 44 Meldicott who survived this incident. 45 46 RESIDENT FORUM 47  Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 2 1 Dan Anderson, 13445 Heather Street NW, came forward and shared he is representing the Crooked 2 Lake Area Association as a Board Member. He thanked the City of Andover for their participation 3 and help in keeping Crooked Lake in wonderful condition. He shared they have been very 4 successful over the years with keeping up with the invasive weeds and milfoil in the lake. He noted 5 last year they received an A- grade from the DNR on their water clarity, which is a good grade for 6 a metro lake. He thanked those who live on the lake and those who take care of it. He shared he is 7 thankful for the partnership they have with the City and other organizations. He emphasized the 8 importance of their partnerships. He added they have received a grant from the DNR. He thanked 9 the City for their contributions to help keep the lake healthy. 10 11 Mayor Bukkila thanked Mr. Anderson for the partnership with the City. She shared having the 12 Crooked Lake Area Association manage the lake helps the City. 13 14 Matt, Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop 3609, came forward and shared he and the Boy 15 Scouts are in the attendance this evening for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. He 16 explained one of the requirements for this badge is to go to a City or Town Council meeting. 17 18 AGENDA APPROVAL 19 20 Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Butler, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 21 unanimously. 22 23 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 24 25 February 6, 2024, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. 26 27 Motion by Butler, Seconded by Nelson, to approve the February 20, 2024, Regular meeting 28 minutes as presented. Motion carried 3 ayes, 1 present (Mayor Bukkila). 29 30 CONSENT ITEMS 31 32 Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims 33 Item 3 Approve Purchase – Front V-Plow for Unit #22-514 34 Item 4 Approve Implementation of Utility (Sanitary Sewer, Water & Storm Sewer) Assessment 35 Management Software 36 Item 5 Award Bid/23-38/Red Oaks Water Contamination Mitigation Project (See Resolution 37 R024-24) 38 Item 6 Accept Petition/Waive Public Hearing/Order & Approve Assessment Roll/24-30/2815 – 39 134th Ave. NW (See Resolution R025-24) 40 Item 7 Approve Application for Exempt Permit 41 Item 8 Consider Approval of Premises Permit/White Rabbit Kitchen (See Resolution R026-24) 42 Item 9 Receive January 2024 City Investment Reports 43 44 Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to approve of the Consent Agenda as read. Motion  Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 3 1 carried unanimously. 2 3 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT 4 5 Commander Lenzmeier provided a monthly report including 1,149 calls for service. He shared 6 they were very busy and proactive in January with continuing their proactive traffic enforcement, 7 with a total of 280 traffic stops. He noted there were 81 traffic arrests for the month, as well as one 8 burglary and 22 thefts report. He discussed the following significant events, including a call that 9 they received from the FBI on January 4th concerning a social media post through Snapchat that 10 had come from Andover High School, which was a photo posted with the caption “do I shoot up 11 the school?” He noted the SROs are no longer in the schools; however, officers were sent to the 12 school to respond to this and identified and questioned the student who made the post. He shared 13 the student was cited for disorderly conduct and the school is taking repercussions on the incident. 14 He added it is great to have the FBI watching these social media posts to be able to get the local 15 law enforcement agencies the needed information. He noted they are looking forward to the 16 legislature fixing the law so they can have SROs back in the schools. He explained on January 17 13th, there was a robbery at the Walmart where two people had met up to make a sale from 18 Facebook Marketplace. He noted when the individual who was to be purchasing the item that was 19 for sale, showed the seller a gun and demanded the item be given to them. He shared they were 20 able to use the video surveillance from Walmart and the investigation is ongoing for this situation. 21 He noted there is an exchange lot right down the road from the Sheriff’s Office which has video 22 surveillance and can be used for these types of situations to protect sellers and purchasers. He 23 added on January 24th, there was a 78-year-old female walking in the area of 135th Avenue and 24 Jonquil Street when a black Toyota truck stopped and asked the woman for directions. He shared 25 as the woman approached the vehicle, she noticed that the driver's pants and underwear were below 26 his knees, and he was touching himself during the encounter. He noted the driver took off before 27 the woman could get his license plate number. He encouraged residents to always call the Sheriff’s 28 Office if they have a strange or suspicious feeling about something. He shared on January 24th 29 they received a call from the 17500 block of Verdin Street where a female caller notified the 30 Sheriff’s Office that both of their family pets were dead inside the home, which was suspicious as 31 the caller has a history with the Sheriff’s Office for domestic related incidents and they suspected 32 it could be her ex-boyfriend. He noted they were able to determine that it was not her ex-boyfriend 33 as he had an alibi. He explained they sent the animals to the medical examiner's office in Ramsey 34 who sent bloodwork to the U of M, where it was determined that the dogs were poisoned. He shared 35 the dog owner made a post on Facebook about her dogs being poisoned and received many 36 responses from others in the area whose dogs or cats had also passed away in the last few months 37 in similar ways. He noted there are investigators working very diligently on this matter. He shared 38 the poison was found to be rat poison and hamburger meat. 39 40 Mayor Bukkila asked what area this poisoning happened in. Commander Lenzmeier said it was on 41 Verdin Street, north of Rum River Elementary and south of 181st Avenue. 42 43 Councilmember Nelson shared he had an Andover resident contact him to give a shout out to the 44 Anoka County Sheriff’s Department, the Andover Fire Department, and Allina EMS for 45  Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 4 1 responding to her home after she slipped and fell in the driveway. He asked if there is hope for the 2 SRO situation during the current legislative session. Commander Lenzmeier shared there is a lot 3 of discussion surrounding this; however, he is not that optimistic based on what he has heard. He 4 hopes they can get the SROs back in the schools soon. 5 6 Mayor Bukkila shared she sits with Sheriff Wise on a School Resource Officer Committee with 7 Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council. She noted the legislature has brought forward 8 language and what can and cannot be done. She added that part of the proposal is to remove the 9 SRO piece and make other stipulations which will increase training exclusively for these officers 10 who would be assigned to schools. She explained there is more discussion that needs to be 11 reviewed in terms of who will provide and monitor this training in terms of replacing these officers. 12 13 Councilmember Nelson added he had read a proposal that was to eliminate the law that was created 14 last year and move forward with the SROs and then discuss what they would like to do with this 15 program down the road. Mayor Bukkila shared she does not know if there is an option to repeal 16 this law but rather, they are just looking to amend the law that is currently in place. 17 18 City Administrator Dickinson noted this is all about leverage and will go through negotiations and 19 they will see what happens. 20 21 City Attorney Baumgartner shared he believes they should stop playing politics and do the right 22 thing with these SROs. He noted they screwed up when they made this law, and they did not invite 23 the right people to the table to discuss it and now law enforcement is needed back in these schools. 24 He shared the officers and the parents want the SROs back in the school. 25 26 HOLD PUBLIC HEARING/ORDER PLANS & SPECS/24-16, 2024 MILL & 27 OVERLAY/BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD SERVICE ROAD NW/GROUSE ST. NW & 24- 28 17, 2024 MILL & OVERLAY/BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD SERVICE ROAD NW/ROSE 29 ST. NW TO HEATHER ST. NW 30 31 The City Council is requested to hold a public hearing and order plans and specifications for the 32 mill and overlay projects at Bunker Lake Boulevard Service Road and Grouse Street, and Bunker 33 Lake Boulevard Service Street and Rose Street to Heather Street. 34 35 Director of Public Works/City Engineer Berkowitz reviewed the information with the Council in 36 regard to the proposed 2024 Street Reconstruction project. He reviewed the estimated costs and 37 funding sources for these projects, as well as project timelines. 38 39 Councilmember Nelson asked about the lot on Bunker Lake Boulevard Service Road that the City 40 owns and asked if they were taking care of the whole entire street in this area. Mr. Berkowitz said 41 yes. 42 43 Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Butler, to open the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Motion carried 44 unanimously.  Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 5 1 No one came forward to address the Council. 2 3 Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Butler, to close the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Motion carried 4 unanimously. 5 6 Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to adopt resolution no. R027-24, ordering the 7 improvement of projects nos. 24-16, 2024 Mill & Overlay/Bunker Lake Boulevard Service Road 8 NW/Grouse St. NW & 24-17, 2024 Mill & Overlay/Bunker Lake Boulevard Service Road 9 NW/Rose St. NW to Heather St. NW. Motion carried unanimously. 10 11 CONSIDER LOT SPLIT & DEDICATION OF EASEMENT - 17165 TULIP ST. NW; 12 PID#08-32-24-12-0008 - MODERN RENOVATIONS LLC (APPLICANT) 13 14 The City Council is requested to consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning 15 Commission and make a decision on the lot split request. 16 17 Community Development Director Janish reviewed the information with the Council concerning 18 the lot split request. He shared the recommendation of approval from the Planning and Zoning 19 Commission. 20 21 Mayor Bukkila asked about the power lines and where they affect this lot. Mr. Janish showed on 22 the map where the power lines are located and shared that there is an NSP easement for them. 23 24 Councilmember Nelson asked if there is a 60-foot setback from the easement. Mr. Janish explained 25 the setback would be applied whether it is a side, front, or rear yard setback. 26 27 Motion by Butler, Seconded by Nelson, to adopt resolution no. R028-24, approving a lot split 28 request at 17165 Tulip St. NW PID#08-32-24-12-0008. Motion carried unanimously. 29 30 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 31 32 City Staff updated the Council on the administration and city department activities, legislative 33 updates, updates on development/CIP projects, and meeting reminders/community events. 34 35 (Administrative Staff Report) Mr. Dickinson reviewed the Administrative Staff report. He shared 36 he has a number of meetings coming up that he will be attending, including the North Metro 37 Mayors Association’s Operation Committee, where they will discuss the legislative session and 38 develop a strategy towards items that need to be addressed moving forward. He added he attended 39 the Anoka City jail meeting and noted they discussed building a jail outside of the City of Anoka 40 which would require new legislation. He shared Andover is one of the potential locations for this 41 jail. He added he has also been involved in a number of development discussions and these items 42 will start coming through to the Council shortly. He noted they have 18 new homes so far this year 43 as well as a number of commercial projects getting started, including the 911 Center. 44  Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 6 1 (Public Works/Engineering Department Report) Mr. Berkowitz reviewed the Public Works and 2 Engineering Department report. He noted on the Consent Agenda for this evening was the 3 awarding of the contract for the Red Oaks water contamination mitigation. He shared the bids for 4 this project came in very well and they are working towards getting these homes connected. He 5 added they have done some tree clearing along Crosstown Boulevard just east of the railroad 6 tracks. He explained the tree clearing is for extending sewer and water and they hope to move 7 towards a trail in the future. He noted more information on this will be brought to the Council in 8 the future. He added they are very active with the number of roadway projects that are getting 9 started. He noted this is a very active time for Public Works and Engineering. 10 11 (Community Development Department Report) Mr. Janish reviewed the Community 12 Development Department report. He shared they have been spending a lot of time meeting with 13 developers and applicants that are looking at doing projects in the City. He added they have the 14 North Suburban Home Show coming up March 9th, which Staff does volunteer with. He shared 15 the hope for a good turnout this year. 16 17 Councilmember Nelson shared he also attended the meeting with the Anoka City Council and 18 Anoka County Commissioners and there was a robust discussion on the new jail. He noted in order 19 for any other city than Anoka to be considered for this new jail there would have to be legislative 20 changes. He said he does not see this happening. Mr. Dickinson shared there was a Committee 21 Hearing today concerning this where the proposed bill was laid over, which means they will not 22 be discussing it in detail but may pull it off the table at some time in the future. He noted this 23 discussion encouraged local units of government to continue to work things out for this. He added 24 this hearing took place in the House and no hearing has taken place in the Senate; however, a bill 25 has been offered. 26 27 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT 28 29 Councilmember Nelson encouraged the residents to participate in early voting for the Presidential 30 Nomination Primary through March 5th. 31 32 ADJOURNMENT 33 34 Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting 35 adjourned at 8:01 p.m. 36 37 Respectfully submitted, 38 39 Ava Major, Recording Secretary 40 Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2024 Page 7 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 20, 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS TOC \h \u \z \t "Heading 1,1,Heading 2,2,Heading 3,3," MEET THE DEPUTIES .............................................................................................................1 RESIDENT FORUM ..................................................................................................................1 AGENDA APPROVAL ............................................................................................................. 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ...................................................................................................... 2 CONSENT ITEMS ..................................................................................................................... 2 Item 2Approve Payment of Claims ............................................................................................ 2 Item 3Approve Purchase – Front V-Plow for Unit #22-514 ...................................................... 2 Item 4Approve Implementation of Utility (Sanitary Sewer, Water & Storm Sewer) Assessment Management Software ............................................................................................ 2 Item 5Award Bid/23-38/Red Oaks Water Contamination Mitigation Project (R024-24) ..........2 Item 6Accept Petition/Waive Public Hearing/Order & Approve Assessment Roll/24-30/2815 – 134th Ave. NW (R025-24) .......................................................................................................... 2 Item 7Approve Application for Exempt Permit ......................................................................... 2 Item 8Consider Approval of Premises Permit/White Rabbit Kitchen (R026-24) ...................... 2 Item 9Receive January 2024 City Investment Reports .............................................................. 2 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ............................................3 HOLD PUBLIC HEARING/ORDER PLANS & SPECS/24-16, 2024 MILL & OVERLAY/BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD SERVICE ROAD NW/GROUSE ST. NW & 24-17, 2024 MILL & OVERLAY/BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD SERVICE ROAD NW/ROSE ST. NW TO HEATHER ST. NW (R027-24) .......................................................... 4 CONSIDER LOT SPLIT & DEDICATION OF EASEMENT - 17165 TULIP ST. NW; PID#08-32-24-12-0008 - MODERN RENOVATIONS LLC (APPLICANT) (R028-24) .........5 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ............................................................................................... 5 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ......................................................................................................6 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................... 6