City Council

REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Bukkila, August 20, 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 Human Resources Manager, Dana Makinen Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz City Attorney, Scott Baumgartner Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATION - CONSTITUTION WEEK Mayor Bukkila made the proclamation that September 17th through September 23rd will be considered Constitution Week as September 17th marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitution Convention. RESIDENT FORUM No one came forward to address the Council. AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Bukkila noted the supplemental information received: Item #8A - Approve Cannabinoid License for 13627 Quinn Street Motion by Butler, Seconded by Nelson, to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 7, 2024, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024 Page 2 Motion by Nelson, Seconded by Engelhardt, to approve the August 7, 2024, Regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 4 ayes, 1 present (Bukkila). CONSENT ITEMS Item 2 Approve Payment of Claims Item 3 Memorialize Non-Participation in Red Oaks Drinking Water Contamination Mitigation Project (See Resolution R069-24) Item 4 Approve Resolution Appointing Lee Brezinka as City Treasurer (See Resolution R070-24) Item 5 Approve Change Order #1/23-38/Red Oaks Water Contamination Mitigation (See Resolution R071-24) Item 6 Receive July 2024 City Investment Reports Item 7 Receive July 2024 General Fund Progress Report Item 8 Receive July 2024 Community Center Update Item 8A Approve Cannabinoid License for 13627 Quinn Street Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Butler, 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 1,220 calls for service, which is the highest number of calls for service they have seen all year. He shared there were two burglaries and 24 thefts reported for the month. He added they made three felony arrests, 10 gross misdemeanor arrests, 27 misdemeanor arrests, and nine DWIs during the month of July. He noted they made 456 traffic stops and 147 traffic arrests. He shared they also heard a lot of traffic concerns from residents due to the number of detours and they worked to get their SROs into neighborhoods and make stops when necessary. He explained on July 20th at 4:33 a.m. near the 3400 block of 138th Avenue, deputies and the Andover Fire Department were dispatched for a vehicle fire in a driveway. He shared the fire was started by a bottle with a flammable substance inside. He noted they were able to look at some video footage from surrounding neighbors and they were able to see some figures who started the fire, but they were not able to identify anyone. He said they will be doing DNA and fingerprint testing on the bottle that was found at the scene still intact. He shared on July 27th at 6:38 p.m. near Hanson Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard, they responded to a call concerning a large fight that was obstructing traffic. He noted six juveniles were involved in this event. He explained after the investigation it was determined that two of these individuals were walking along the roadway and the other individuals were driving by and were not happy with the speed that the individuals were walking and made comments that they were going to come and assault the individuals who were walking. He noted the individuals who were in the vehicle turned around and attacked the individuals who were walking. He said there were significant injuries found on one of the individuals. He added they discovered through video surveillance that one of the individuals had a knife that was thrown. He stated everyone involved was identified and charges are pending for those who are responsible. He shared they currently have four deputies in field training and three deputies that will be hired next month which will Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024 Page 3 bring them to full staffing levels. DISCUSS APPOINTING AN INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR The City Council is requested to appoint an Interim City Administrator and authorize the adjustment of the employee’s salary. Human Resources Manager Makinen reviewed the staff report in regard to the appointment of an Interim City Administrator following City Administrator Jim Dickinson’s resignation. She shared Human Resources’ recommendation to appoint an internal candidate. Mayor Bukkila asked about the level of interest among current staff to fill the interim role. Ms. Makinen shared she has discussed the interim position with two staff members, Director of Public Works/City Engineer David Berkowitz and Community Development Director Joe Janish. She noted both are very interested in the position; however, Mr. Janish has stated if Mr. Berkowitz and the Council would like Mr. Berkowitz to have the role, then he is okay with that outcome. Councilmember Nelson noted they posted the City Administrator position on the League of Minnesota Cities’ website and are asking for individuals to apply. He asked how long ago this was posted. Ms. Makinen shared the position was posted on July 25th and is set to close next week on August 28th. She noted there are currently 11 candidates who have applied for the position, and she expects more to come in before the posting closes. She added she expects the Council to have a nice group of applicants to choose from. Councilmember Butler shared the appointment of an Interim City Administrator should not discourage any internal or external candidates from applying for the City Administrator role. Councilmember Barthel agreed and added he does not want to limit any internal candidates from applying. Mayor Bukkila asked Mr. Berkowitz about his level of interest and why he would like to be the Interim City Administrator. Mr. Berkowitz shared he has a passion for this City and has been here for 27 years. He noted the people who work in the City are more than just colleagues, but also his friends. He said the City, as well as Mr. Dickinson, have been very good to him over his time working in the City and he has learned a lot from Mr. Dickinson. He added he would love to be the Interim City Administrator and help continue to move the City in the direction they are going. He noted there are a lot of initiatives they have started that they need to continue to pursue. He said he is grateful and thankful for the consideration. Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Nelson, to approve David Berkowitz as the City of Andover’s Interim City Administrator. Motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Barthel gave a shout out to Mr. Janish for his willingness to step up if Mr. Berkowitz was not willing to fill the interim role. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024 Page 4 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 he has been working with the department heads ahead of his transition. He noted there are 68 new homes in the City and they are continuing to have a very active commercial inspection process. He added he has attended a number of development meetings. He shared that Mr. Berkowitz and Mr. Janish are very capable of taking over the ongoing projects and seeing them to completion. He added they are working through the budget and capital improvement items. He shared they will be having a budget focused Workshop meeting next week that will include a preview of the preliminary property tax levy. He stated he participated in some association meetings relative to Metro Cities having to do with legislative policy setting. He shared public comment is now open for the Met Council’s Imagine 2050 initiative. He explained the Community Center is preparing for school activities to begin in September. He noted the Timberwolves camp is currently sold out. He added he attended the Property Records and Taxation meeting from Anoka County to discuss the County’s valuations for 2025. (Public Works/Engineering Department Report) Mr. Berkowitz reviewed the Public Works and Engineering Department report. He shared as they are winding down on the road construction season, they are starting some new project. He noted the biggest impact project is the watermain sewer project that is running along Crosstown Boulevard, Prairie Road, and Andover Boulevard. He shared Andover Boulevard is currently closed and starting on August 28th, Crosstown Boulevard will also be closed between the railroad tracks and Prairie Road. He stated they wanted to do this project without having to close the road to traffic, but they ultimately needed to close the road due to the traffic volume and what needs to be done as a part of this project. He noted it is never an easy decision to close roads; however, they needed to look out for the safety of the traveling public as well as the contractors for the project. He added the Crosstown Boulevard trail has been paved and they are pursuing extending this trail from Xeon Street to Prairie Road; however, they are running into the challenge of crossing the railroad tracks. He shared they are working on the transition from construction season to survey and design season. He added they are identifying the roads that will be in the proposed Capital Improvement Plan and these roads will be in the newsletter to give residents a heads up. He explained the Red Oaks project is continuing to move forward, and they have over 30 homes that are already connected. He thanked Jake Knutson for his work inspecting this project and working with the residents involved. Mayor Bukkila asked what was going on at Prairie Knoll Park. Mr. Berkowitz shared this is part of the watermain project. He said they are putting in a header pipe and bringing the groundwater down to below the pipe elevation. He added they have been working on where to discharge this water in order to limit the impact. Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024 Page 5 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT Councilmember Nelson reminded residents to call 811 before digging. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Barthel, Seconded by Engelhardt, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ava Major, Recording Secretary Regular Andover City Council Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024 Page 6 REGULAR ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – AUGUST 20, 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS TOC \h \u \z \t "Heading 1,1,Heading 2,2,Heading 3,3," 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 Memorialize Non-Participation in Red Oaks Drinking Water Contamination Mitigation Project (R069-24) ..................................................................................................... 2 Item 4 Approve Resolution Appointing Lee Brezinka as City Treasurer (R070-24) ............ 2 Item 5 Approve Change Order #1/23-38/Red Oaks Water Contamination Mitigation (R071- 24) .................................................................................................................................... 2 Item 6 Receive July 2024 City Investment Reports ...............................................................2 Item 7 Receive July 2024 General Fund Progress Report ..................................................... 2 Item 8 Receive July 2024 Community Center Update .......................................................... 2 Item 8A Approve Cannabinoid License for 13627 Quinn Street ..............................................2 ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MONTHLY REPORT ............................................2 DISCUSS APPOINTING AN INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR ...................................... 3 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ............................................................................................... 4 MAYOR/COUNCIL INPUT ......................................................................................................5 ADJOURNMENT ...................................................................................................................... 5