Anoka City Council

March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 1 of 6 WORKSESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION ROOM MARCH 25, 2019 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the worksession meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Skogquist, and Wesp. Absent: Councilmembers Barnett and Freeburg. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Finance Director Brenda Smith; Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers; Public Works Director Mark Anderson; Electric Utility Director Greg Geiger; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; and Recording Secretary Cathy Sorensen. 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS and/or DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Discussion; Human Rights Commission. Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers shared a staff report with background information stating that over the past couple of years there have been some internal discussions regarding abolishing the Human Rights Commission (HRC). She shared history on the HRC’s establishment and meeting attendance which resulted in members resigning, meetings becoming less and less and the resulted membership number change and meeting on an as-needed basis. The City’s HRC actually only serves as a conduit between a community member that would contact the City and express concern that their Human Rights may have been violated and the State of Minnesota Human Rights Commission. However, in the past it has been City staff that assisted a community member in getting them in touch with the proper resources. Our City Commission does not advocate on behalf of a person or group, nor do they participate in any lobbying efforts for law changes. Ms. Oehlers noted staff discussions have occurred over time regarding the potential of abolishing the HRC as any resident concerns would be heard at the State or Federal level, adding most cities do not have an HRC with the exception of some cities such as Brooklyn Park, Edina, St. Paul. Oehlers asked for Council input and direction. City Manager Greg Lee explained that State and Federal resources are more appropriate to handle human rights issues and are better able to address concerns. Councilmember Skogquist thanked staff for the history of the HRC and said the our current code relating to the HRC states that they address not only human rights violations March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 2 of 6 topics but educate others on diversity and multi-cultural awareness and that our HRC seems to be tasked only for issues that require a judgment decision. He said this should not be the intent of the. He referred to the City of Coon Rapids’ who facilitated a group to address issues within the community that included round table discussions and incorporating dialogue and requested consideration of this idea instead. Councilmember Skogquist said the group should consider not just racial inequities but economic, age, etc. Councilmember Wesp questioned the HRC’s value brought to the City, adding that the HRC is not like the Parks & Recreation Board or Parking Advisory Board which are more “A-political”. He added that since human rights issues are handled at the State and Federal level, having a City HRC seems redundant and unnecessary. Mayor Rice suggested requiring an annual meeting of the HRC to review what other cities are doing and provide a report to City Council, to measure whether or not our City is in tune and at least considering the possible benefits to evaluating issues as they arise. Councilmember Wesp said he was concerned about having the HRC meet to discuss an issue being brought forward and would prefer more of an agenda of items to work on. Councilmember Skogquist agreed, stating their mission has to be less of judgment decisions and more outreach, such as the community garden projects. He suggested advertising in places of worship and others, adding many human rights issues are already dealt with at the school level for example and would not get to the City level. Ms. Oehlers suggested some work could be done at staff level and should the HRC remain asked what their purpose would be as there is a limit to what the HRC can do. Mayor Rice said the HRC could develop a mission similar to the Economic Development Commission which is to provide an atmosphere of success and suggested they do so through music, education and other activities. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner said the current ordinance suggests that the HRC’s charge is to advise on human rights issues and said his concern would be that we are opening the City to potential liability and agreed the focus should be more of providing cultural opportunities versus an advisory capacity. Councilmember Wesp suggested current City commissions could also work on diversifying activities. Councilmember Skogquist agreed the HRC’s scope should change and suggested reviewing Eden Prairie’s Human Rights Commission as they address items such as expanding employment opportunities, housing, and a culture of openness and inclusiveness, adding we should have something ready to replace the HRC before any abolishment occurs otherwise it could be perceived poorly which is not the case. March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 3 of 6 Council consensus was to begin the work to disband and repeal the HRC in its current form and create a Commission that better represents the Council’s intention of the HRC which is to promote inclusiveness for all residents of the City. 3.2 Discussion; City Contributions to Non-Profit Organizations. Mr. Lee shared a staff report with background information that provided an overview of current non-profit organizations and directed staff to add Eagles Healing Nest (now called Haven for Heroes), Lyric Arts and others. He shared the current list of contributions including two other non-profit entities that the City has been monetarily contributing to several years, including the Anoka Halloween Orange Tie Ball for $300 per year and the Anoka Philolectian $450 monthly contribution and said the City should not be involved in these types of contributions. Councilmember Wesp asked about the background of the group, adding while they did good work it was not appropriate that the City subsidize this group and not others. Mr. Lee agreed said their current contract expires in May and suggested it not be renewed. Finance Director Brenda Smith said in the past the Philolectians contributed more to the community with donation of items such as water fountains in parks but their direction has changed and their focus is now only on schools. Councilmember Skogquist said there are many wonderful organizations in the City and referred to the Round-Up program and suggested groups be considered for funding if they focus on a basic need such as housing, crime reduction, food or shelter, as well as Anoka Halloween since this is a community celebration and brand. Ms. Smith noted Anoka Halloween has not invoiced the City for past three years and shared that the State Auditor posts organizations that cities can contribute public funds to such as Anoka Halloween as a community event. She said this criteria was the basis of the Round-Up Fund’s creation that focused on youth, families, and seniors and that change in direction would have to occur in the Round-Up Fund as well. Councilmember Wesp confirmed the Philolectians contribution was paid from the General Fund and not Round-Up Funds and said this was an uncomfortable precedent to set. Mr. Lee said he recommended allowing the Tavern to work with groups directly without any City subsidy. Councilmember Wesp said the City’s obligation to Youth First was through a JPA but we do not address in-kind contributions to Anoka Halloween which the City has built on fundamentally. He stated Haven for Heroes has had many hours of time donated but that was the City’s decision to enter into a contract with Anoka County for these buildings. March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 4 of 6 Ms. Smith noted the in-kind donation would be a lot more in reality should the City host the celebration on our own. Councilmember Skogquist inquired about the upcoming request for Round-Up Funds. Mr. Lee said the next distribution will be done in July and noted Councilmember Barnett has suggesting including the Anoka Community Mission and that staff will be scheduling a worksession to discuss. Councilmember Wesp requested a review of the definition of non-profits serving youth, families and the elderly and suggested tighter definitions be crafted. Ms. Smith noted Stepping Stones did not fit the criteria as their clients are adults and confirmed the Philolectians contract will be allowed to expire. Mr. Lee referred to the declining revenue of the Round-Up Funds. Council discussed the benefits of opt-in and opt-out options. Council consensus was to schedule this topic for a May worksession. 3.3 Discussion; QCTV Items. • Remote Meeting Participation. Mr. Lee said two years ago the City researched the logistics and legalities of conducting remote meeting participation of City Council meetings. We were set to conduct a meeting with a Councilmember attending remotely; however, just before said meeting occurred the Councilmember resigned his position from the Council. He said with the upgrades to recording and broadcasting capabilities for City Hall, QCTV has posed the question if cities wanted to modify the equipment to allow for remote participation capability. Councilmember Wesp said he was not a great supporter of the option but said he understood it was necessary when needed and noted with his upcoming traveling schedule for work it may be an option he would use, but reiterated he preferred attending the meetings in person. Mr. Baumgartner explained the Statute that allowed remote meeting participation being open to the public and referred to proposed legislation that would allow exceptions for members in the military or with medical reasons to be exempt from the public location up to three times per year. Mayor Rice agreed while this is not the best way to conduct business it is an option that could be used. Councilmember Wesp noted the City could be more restrictive by limiting the number of times the option is used. March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 5 of 6 Mayor Rice referred to City Charter that states an elected official has to live in the City but said for example having a vacation home defeats the idea of living in the community and representing constituents. He said he agreed that proposed exceptions could be for illness if needed. Mr. Baumgartner commented about snowbirds and the importance of whether someone is a resident of Minnesota or elsewhere. Councilmember Skogquist disagreed with the concept of remote participation. Mayor Rice referred to the Fire Department’s policy of 35% attendance at events and said he was open to either direction. Council consensus was that they would be supportive of having the tools to participate in meetings remotely with realistic controls and limits and suggested a worksession be scheduled for policy creation. • Strategic Plan Stakeholder Interview. Mr. Lee said QCTV is engaging in Strategic Planning in 2019 and as part of this plan, QCTV would like to interview stakeholders such as the City Council. He shared a summary of the interview topics and four questions that QCTV would like input on. He said this topic was discussed at a QCTV Board meeting surrounding technology and changes in cable television that included capitalizing on smart devices and other potential changes and how QCTV can help. Mr. Baumgartner said it was important that citizens can communicate back to the Council on items through things such as interactive television. Discussion was held on social media and the impact due to accountability. Council consensus was QCTV was doing very well and that their website was a very useful tool to view past meetings as well as providing live stream meetings. Councilmember Wesp agreed cable is becoming a thing of the past but he appreciated the ability to live stream and review past meetings. Mr. Lee applauded QCTV for their efforts and said he would provide the Council’s feedback to QCTV. 4. OTHER BUSINESS 4.1 Staff Update. None. 5. COUNCILMEMBERS COMMENTS March 25, 2019 (Worksession) Page 6 of 6 None. 6. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rice adjourned the Regular Worksession meeting at 6:03 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk