Anoka City Council

June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 1 of 7 WORKSESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION ROOM JUNE 24, 2019 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the worksession meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Freeburg, Skogquist, and Wesp. Absent: None. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; Engineering Technician Ben Nelson; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Police Captain Andy Youngquist; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Finance Director Brenda Smith; Electric Utility Director Greg Geiger; Golf Course Manager Larry Norland; Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse. 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS and/or DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Discussion; Animal Containment Facility and Law Enforcement Training Facility. Director of Public Services Mark Anderson shared a staff report with background information stating there is significant redevelopment interest in the Park Service Center property at 641 Jacob Lane. This redevelopment will require the relocation/construction of the new Golf Maintenance & Animal Containment Facility (ACF). The proposed location is at State Avenue and Garfield. Demolition of the existing Park Service Center building will also eliminate the Law Enforcement Training Facility (LETF/gun range) that has been used by the Anoka Police Department for decades. This has provoked conversation about the possibility of a new combined ACF/LETF at the Public Safety site at 275 Harrison Street. The concept would be to delete the ACF from the new Golf Maintenance Building and reallocate that money to help pay for the new ACF/LETF. The proposed location would be north of the Public Safety Building and adjacent to Third Avenue. In this proposal, the ACF portion of the building would be completely finished and functional at project completion. The LETF portion would be a “shell” only and training equipment would come at a later date by other means. Police Chief Eric Peterson explained how the current ACF is used, reviewed the fee structure and operations, then detailed the many benefits of this new proposal with regard to the importance of the LETF as well. The new Golf Maintenance Building with Animal Containment is expected to cost around $3.3 million to construct, with approximately $300,000 of this is for the Animal Containment portion of the project. To construct a new June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 2 of 7 ACF/LETF at the Public Safety Site will cost approximately $1 million as described above. Deducting the $300,000 saved from the Golf Maintenance Building would result in an approximate $700,000 ACF/LETF project. Councilmember Freeburg inquired about the possibility of partnerships with other communities for the LETF for renting Anoka’s range. Councilmember Barnett inquired about the need to change the parking lot as well and would it be ACF only or other uses. Chief Peterson said yes at some point and how he would like to see it be a scenario room in the future but not necessary if the costs are too much. Mayor Rice inquired about partnering with the gun shop range on Ferry Street and asked questions regarding maintenance when partnering with other agencies. Chief Peterson said he did foresee some difficulties with someone who would expect constant use and limit our availability. Mayor Rice asked questions regarding concerns with people with mental illness and suicide and the use of tasers more when possible. Chief Peterson responded about the importance of training with all tools. Mayor Rice asked why the facility would not work near the golf course. Chief Peterson said the fact that it is disconnected from the Police Department would be difficult for animal drop-off/pick-up as well as to be able to shoot while on duty and not having it close to operations and administration supervision. Councilmember Wesp encouraged creativity and noted that Federal Cartridge would be a creative solution with Vista Outdoors headquartered in Anoka. City Manager Greg Lee noted the request is for the ACF location and that the LETF could be discussed more in the future. Councilmember Skogquist asked if we are the only inhouse animal facility and if the Humane Society could help. He said if it comes down to service and what we want to do for citizens and if costs are equal, he would prefer to err on customer service but noted a dog run near housing is a concern. Mayor Rice agreed Anoka does a great job with customer service with this dog facility. Councilmember Freeburg inquired about notification for pet owners. Chief Peterson said the most valuable tool was social media such as Facebook and other pet finding sites. Council consensus was to move forward with the proposal for the golf maintenance building without the dog facility and to further consider the LETF later in the future once we have more information from Federal, etc. June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 3 of 7 Mayor Rice referred to the discussion about space being a premium and that while $300,000 is a lot of money this would be the most valuable square footage. Mr. Anderson said any additional storage area we get from this facility would help the site a lot. Councilmember Barnett requested that staff ask to partner with other cities too. Mayor Rice said partnering with a private entity has its concerns but would be surprised if there would be concerns with Federal Cartridge. Chief Peterson said they were very interested in a discussion and spoke about accessories and weapons for prospective buyers as we are customers too, adding he would like to see an officer recertified in hunting safety as it would be a great connection for seminars on safe-weapon handling. Mayor Rice agreed, adding DARE training and firearm safety training was very important. Councilmember Skogquist asked about next steps for the golf maintenance facility. Mr. Anderson said they would likely start the process this summer for a 2020 bid. Mr. Lee said they would not award a contract until Gramecy reaches their 60% sales threshold so as to not interfere with that process so it would be designed this fall with a sales data update as per the development agreement so Council could make those decisions to build before the 60% instead as a possibility. 3.2 Discussion; Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP). Finance Director Brenda Smith shared a staff report with background information stating prior to adoption. The document is for planning purposes and allows staff to project future funding needs based on planned capital improvement projects and equipment replacement. This Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Plan is in a draft form. The capital improvement and equipment replacement plan impact several governmental and business type funds. Mr. Lee noted the focus of the CIP and ERP would be primarily on 2020. Engineering Technician Ben Nelson reviewed the engineering requests in detail and noted the CRTV regional stormwater expansion was being requested. Mayor Rice asked if this addition would be more cost effective. Discussion was held on the benefits of expanding rather than individual ponding. Ms. Smith referred to the Street Renewal Program for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Avenues and Monroe Street. Mr. Nelson explained the TIF funds of 10% need to be used by June 2020 before the district expires and the Bridge Square parking lot would be resurfaced as it would be part of the project totaling $44,000 of the $2.2 million project. June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 4 of 7 Ms. Smith said this would amount to $230,000 and could be used in other areas for SSIP if the Council felt other streets were worse. Councilmember Skogquist said this is different than a residential area and is the lowest amount and asked about the finishes compared to Main Street for example. Mr. Nelson said the budget included $100,000 for some streetscape and that MSA funds could be also used. Councilmember Freeburg said this was an important area as this is the City’s business district. Mr. Nelson said all roads would be complete by 2025. Mayor Rice agreed, stating if TIF funds were collected here should be spent here. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about assessing people because we have not done so before but the faster, we complete these then the policy can be changed so it is equal for everyone. Mayor Rice noted residents pay for the roads now whether it’s through property taxes or assessment. Mr. Lee said the Council could review the policy once all the streets are done. Mr. Nelson shared a Green Haven Parkway update and referred to design and property acquisition in late 2020 and contract award in July as part of the Anoka Solution. He noted the 2020 SRP project would include the area around Federal Cartridge and Harrison Street. Discussion was held on moving the signal at Bob Ehlen south of Harris Street and adding a signal north of Bunker. Mr. Nelson outlined the Anoka Solution and signal work and how the City will work with MnDOT on getting the signal. Mr. Lee said the next critical step will be the neighborhood meetings for the signals at McKinley and Dunnon Oaks neighborhood to get their support. Discussion was held regarding the need for this intersection to be addressed. Mr. Nelson outlined the 2020 Street Surface Improvement Project (SSIP). Councilmember Skogquist asked questions about replacing Cutters Grove and Church Street before Fairoak. He said at what point do we say roads built in the 1990s should be treated the same as those that are older and asked for review of streets such as Logan, Quarry, and Cutters Grove. After discussion Council consensus was to continue with the current rating schedule. Mr. Nelson reviewed the proposed 7th Avenue reconstruction in advance of Highway 10 reconstruction and confirmed that placeholders were included for sidewalk extensions. June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Skogquist spoke about the West Liquor Store parking lot and the cost benefits of whether to repair if we are selling. Mr. Nelson reviewed sewer capacity concerns with projects such as Rum River Shores. Mr. Anderson said trunk sanitary sewer proposed projects should be included as a future worksession topic. Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse reviewed water jets in the floor in the aquatic center that could be postponed until 2021 or 2022 and delaminating monitoring which is still doing well. She reviewed the Anoka Nature Preserve for future trail construction and a potential restroom facility. Councilmember Skogquist asked about Emerald Ash Borer proactive efforts. Mr. Anderson said staff was still in the monitoring phase but will begin steps where possible. Ms. LaCasse reviewed minor playground repairs, trailway connection along 7th Avenue, grant opportunities for smaller trail segments, Rudy Johnson Park phased project update and others, boat slips at Akin Park expansion project, then reviewed the trail segment connections and Peninsula Park resurface of parking lot. Mayor Rice suggested a stairway to the docks outside City Hall in addition to the switchback. Councilmember Freeburg left the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Golf Manager Larry Norland spoke about the proposed men’s locker room expansion and swapping the men and women locker rooms because of the size then reviewed restaurant improvements that could include a patio expansion to allow both patio seating and outdoor wedding ceremony space. Councilmember Wesp said he liked the idea of a patio but cautioned against spending a lot more money as the Tavern Restaurant needs to come up with ideas too. Mr. Lee agreed but added if successful then it will be reflected in the lease renewal and higher lease rates. Councilmember Barnett agreed about how much are we trying to grow their business versus how much they are trying and how if we work together both succeed. Mr. Norland agreed, noting the reservation calendar is as busy as he has ever seen. Mr. Anderson spoke about the need for a new roof on the East Liquor Store. Discussion was held on benefit analysis of adding square footage if a roof is needed anyway to help increase inventory availability. Electric Utility Director Greg Geiger reviewed proposed projects including circuits from the Garfield Substation, Substation Infrastructure Repair, SCADA Substations, and GIS June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 6 of 7 Improvements for the Highway 10 rebuild. Councilmember Barnett said she was pleased with the proposed improvements. Mr. Anderson spoke about need for a new wheelchair lift for City Hall and rooftop gardens/patio at Walker Plaza. Councilmember Barnett requested informing the residents since this was their space. Councilmember Wesp asked how the leaking is affecting the structure. Mr. Anderson said he is not sure but noted the roof is in rough shape and should have been a pedestrian- style roof. Mayor Rice suggested alternatives to gardens if this is not working. Mr. Anderson agreed if the repair does not address the drainage, they will have to remove the roof gardens. Mr. Anderson spoke about 501 Pierce Street painting and reroofing needs and how it should be done in 2020 as there has been lots of deferred maintenance on this building. Discussion was held about need and benefits for a new public maintenance building. Mr. Anderson said HVAC for the community room was needed and discussion was held about rental for weddings and other uses and the civil defense warning system. He said the parking ramp needs repair and the bollards by the snow dump then spoke about the storm sewer outfalls to the river need attention along with bridge inspections and repairs, sign replacement program, well inspection repair, and water reproduction. Mr. Geiger said he was requesting one truck for electric equipment that would be replacing a 1992 unit. Mr. Norland said the 1999 rough mower should be replaced and how speed of play would be addressed with this piece of equipment. Discussion was held about the potential for leasing and concluded purchase was best. Discussion was also held on golf simulators and the increased cost for adding this equipment versus privately-run simulators. Councilmember Barnett said she supported the remodel but could rent this out if needed noting simulator space could be used for office space in the future if needed. Mr. Anderson reviewed the request for a new dump truck its importance to upgrade. Mr. Lee said staff will continue review of the complete request list in greater detail as the budget process continues. Mayor Rice asked how much the proposed budget could be decreased. Ms. Smith said it depended because the garage fund of $140,000 for leased vehicles could be invested into other equipment. June 24, 2019 (Worksession) Page 7 of 7 4. OTHER BUSINESS 4.1 Staff Update. None. 5. COUNCILMEMBERS COMMENTS None. 6. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rice recessed the Worksession meeting at 8:30 p.m. to enter into a Closed Executive Session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. (c) to discuss property acquisition priority list. Worksession meeting was adjourned following the Closed Executive session, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk