Anoka City Council

July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 1 of 6 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 1, 2019 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Freeburg, and Skogquist. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Police Captain Andy Youngquist; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Electric Director Greg Geiger; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner. Absent at roll call: Councilmember Wesp. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 Minutes of the June 17, 2019, Regular Meeting. Councilmember Freeburg noted a correction was needed on Page 11, Paragraph 5, to read 641 Jacob Lane instead of 741 Jacob Lane. Councilmember Skogquist Page 3, Paragraph 2: “He said drivers use this street as a shortcut to Grant Street down Bunker Lake Boulevard and did not believe it is neighborhood residents but if so, should be ticketed as well.” Motion by Councilmember Freeburg, seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, to waive the reading and approve the June 17, 2019, Regular Meeting minutes as corrected. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Captain Andy Youngquist shared about the upcoming fireworks to be held on July 3 at Castle Field and encouraged people to arrive early and plan for some wait time leaving the area due to large crowds and asked everyone for their patience as they would be working to direct traffic as quickly as possible. He reminded the community about the dangers of illegal fireworks and to be July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 2 of 6 respectful of noise impacts to neighbors when using fireworks. Captain Youngquist spoke about traffic concerns shared at a recent Rum River Shores Association meeting and how police utilized tools such as traffic count technology and directed enforcement to address these concerns to help keep residential neighborhoods safe. He noted the department was currently working on the speeding concerns raised at the last Council meeting then shared about a recent arrest of a stolen saxophone to an undercover officer that occurred in Anoka. Councilmember Skogquist asked how many police staff were assigned to the fireworks event. Captain Youngquist said approximately 10 officers and other staff were assigned to focus on traffic with roving units in the crowds. Councilmember Skogquist asked about uncontrolled intersections and suggested the consideration of more signage such as yield signs in both directions. Captain Youngquist agreed, adding sometimes tree trimming is needed at certain intersections and encouraged residents to contact the police so they can be checked, adding the first person in the intersection has the right of way and to always act as if there is no stop sign to ensure the intersection is safe before entering. Councilmember Skogquist asked about the structure by police station. Captain Youngquist said the structure is a training apparatus for the fire department. Michael Steele, 2733 Rivers Bluff Lane, thanked several staff members for their help with his homeowner’s association, including Captain Youngquist who helped address questions regarding peddlers in a private area, Troy Winterfield regarding deck questions and when a permit is needed, and John Holmes for addressing the holding pond in their association. He complimented all staff for their quick response to their needs and said he was extremely impressed and appreciated the great customer service. Mr. Steele also shared how Darrin Berger listened to his concerns about infrastructure and timber retaining wall replacements and encouraged people to ensure sufficient infrastructure when constructing as the maintenance costs will fall on future homeowners. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Freeburg, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to approve Consent Agenda 6.1 through 6.4. Councilmember Freeburg thanked Tracy Kelley for his dedicated work to the Economic Development Commission. July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 3 of 6 Councilmember Barnett referred to the calendar correction of Night to Unite for Tuesday, August 6. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 Acceptance of Resignation from Tracy Kelley of the Economic Development Commission. 6.4 Issuance of Temporary On-Sale Liquor License; Anoka Lions Club, Anoka County Fair, July 23-28, 2019. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1. Planning Items: None. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 ORD/Purchase Agreement; City’s Sale of 641 Jacob Lane. (2nd Reading) ORDINANCE Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared a staff report stating the City Council discussed this item on June 17, 2019 at its regular meeting and had no changes or concerns regarding the proposed purchase agreement. The City has been in discussions with Gramercy Development LLC regarding property known as City 641 Jacob Lane or the City Park/Golf Maintenance Building. The subject property is made up of one parcel equaling 4.01 acres in size. The buyer Gramercy Development LLC is proposing multi-story senior cooperative/ownership residential building. The subject property appraised for $945,000.00. The City has received an offer of $235,660.00 per acre, or a total of $945,000.00 for the 4.01-acre parcel contingent upon the City Council’s approval to enter into a purchase agreement. Mr. Borglund said the City Attorney is satisfied with the purchase agreement from a legal perspective and is scheduled for a late summer 2020 development project or sooner based on sales. The Buyer plans to submit a land use application for Planning Commission and City Council review in the near future and has already contracted with an architect and engineering firm. July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Barnett noted the purchase agreement allowed for the removal of personal property but asked if there were items that could be removed and resold such as doors or windows. Mr. Borglund said we have the right to go through and remove items and will do so prior to closing. Councilmember Skogquist asked if the appraisal amount was based on bare land. Mr. Borglund said the appraisal was based on a new building being constructed of 80 units. Councilmember Skogquist asked what major changes in zoning were planned for the site. Mr. Borglund said the zoning will have to be changed to high density to accomplish the use as it is currently low density. Mick Conlon, Gramercy Development LLC, thanked the Council for moving forward on this plan. He said they were currently working with the architects on plans and were excited to share the proposal and were pleased to have the lease as well to allow a showroom presence on site. Motion by Councilmember Freeburg, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to hold second reading and adopt an ordinance to convey real estate property to Gramercy Development LLC. Councilmember Freeburg noted this would be a great location for this type of project based on the surrounding development. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Freeburg, and Skogquist voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.2 ORD/Approving Lease to Gramercy Development Companies of Classroom “D” at Green Haven Golf course and Event Center. (1st Reading) Mr. Borglund shared a staff report with background information stating this is the first reading of the lease of Classroom "D" to Gramercy Development Companies to serve as their sales office for the 641 Jacob Lane Development. He said rent payments of $1,000 per month will start upon commencement of the lease and the lease will be for 1 year with a month-to-month option to follow and that this is the room that the Rotary uses for their weekly meetings and we have a negotiated agreement to accommodate their meeting while the room is used as a sales office. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to hold first reading of an ordinance approving a lease agreement between Gramercy Development Companies and the City of Anoka relating to Classroom “D” and its use for their sales office. July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Barnett said this is a great partnership and makes sense for the development and asked how the public can get more information. Mr. Conlon said they were working on a marketing plan now with a website and staff that will be launched soon, adding they will be holding monthly information sessions beginning soon. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Freeburg, Skogquist voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1. Consideration of Appointment to Parking Advisory Board. Mr. Lee shared an application had been received from Roger Hoffhein of Anoka to serve on the Parking Advisory Board. We advertise all openings to the Boards/Commissions according to City policy and received only one application to fill this partial term vacancy on the Parking Advisory Board. This position will have an expiration date of December 31, 2019. Councilmember Barnett, made a motion to appoint Roger Hoffhein to the Parking Advisory Board for a term to expire December 31, 2019. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Rice welcomed Mr. Hoffhein to the Parking Advisory Board. 11.2 Consideration of Appointment to Waste Reduction and Recycling Board (WRRB). Mr. Lee said an application had been received from Cheryl Knapek of Anoka to serve on the Waste Reduction and Recycling Board. He said staff advertised all openings to the Boards/Commissions according to City policy and received only one application to fill this partial term vacancy on the WRRB. This position will have an expiration date of December 31, 2019. Upon this appointment, the WRRB will be at full membership. Councilmember Skogquist thanked Ms. Knapek for applying and noted her neighbors shared that she is always picking up waste in her neighborhood. Councilmember Skogquist, made a motion to appoint Cheryl Knapek to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Board for a term to expire December 31, 2019. Councilmember Freeburg seconded the motion. July 1, 2019 (Regular) Page 6 of 6 Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Rice said it has been said that the WRRB has the most fun of all Boards but more importantly helps Anoka reduce waste, increase recycling, and improve the world for our children and welcomed Ms. Knapek to the Board. Councilmember Barnett inquired about other Board and Commission vacancies. Mr. Lee noted all vacancies are posted on the City’s website and City Attorney Scott Baumgartner shared that vacancies currently exist on the Charter Commission and the Human Rights Commission. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. 12.2 Staff and Council Input. None. 13. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Freeburg, made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 7:35 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk