Anoka City Council

November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 1 of 6 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 2, 2020 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, Skogquist and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Police Chief Eric Peterson, Police Captain Andy Youngquist; Housing & Redevelopment Manager Darin Berger and City Attorney Scott Baumgartner. Absent at roll call: Councilmember Freeburg. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 Minutes of the October 19, 2020, Executive Session. Minutes of the October 19, 2020, Regular Meeting. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to waive the reading and approve the October 19, 2020, Executive Session and the October 19, 2020, Regular Meeting as presented. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared an update about the successful Halloween drive by parade and Pumpkin Bowl game that occurred last week as well as downtown activity Saturday evening that resulted in no incidents. Police Captain Andy Youngquist shared an update on the Jackson Street entertainment district and spoke how well some owners managed capacity while others did not but that most patrons wore masks. He said the fire department was present to assess capacity with no major concerns and by 2AM all locations were cleared. He said officers addressed multiple intoxicated individuals and while November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 2 of 6 some citations were issued no arrests were made and noted most used sober driver options resulting in no DWI arrests or vehicle accidents in the area. Chief Peterson spoke about the difficulty managing crowd sizes but was pleased it went very well then shared preparations being made for election day to ensure all voters are allowed to exercise their right to vote without interruption and that they will be staffed accordingly. He then spoke about recent camping ordinance violations and their work to identify temporary housing for people then shared statistics on COVID-19 impacts in the City. Councilmember Skogquist thanked everyone for their hard work over the Halloween weekend and was pleased to hear bars did well then asked about hospital capacity. Chief Peterson said he was not aware of recent capacity figures but absent a report from Anoka County Public Health Department assumed the figures were acceptable at the moment. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Steven Martin, President and Director of Chillin’ Café, spoke about the difficulties in opening this café in spite of many obstacles including ANTIFA, death threats, and property damage, etc. He shared how he applied for emergency grant funding through both the City and Anoka County that resulted in disqualification due to not having a certificate of occupancy and requested the police department investigate potential collusion against receiving CARES Act funding. He said he would prefer to open in Anoka but was on hold until the next course of action. Ed Evans, 1186 Benton Street, congratulated Councilmember Freeburg for his 24 years of service to the City, Councilmember Barnett on the upcoming birth of her child, and wished all candidates the best of luck in the upcoming election then shared concerns about use of the golf course for dogs during the winter and its effects on trails for cross country skiing and requested the City consider an ordinance restricting dogs on the course. Councilmember Barnett agreed the City had made a large investment in cross country skiing on the course and suggested signage restricting the course to dogs. City Manager Greg Lee suggested this topic be brought before the Park Board for further steps. Councilmember Skogquist suggested directing the community to utilize the area off 11th and Grant Street instead for dog walking. Councilmember Wesp spoke about the 100th Halloween celebration and thanked Anoka Halloween for pivoting so well to still hold this celebration safely during the pandemic then shared his condolences on the recent passing of resident Chuck Winnerlund. November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 3 of 6 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to approve Consent Agenda 6.1 through 6.2. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. Councilmember Skogquist inquired about the bill for $47,835 for a 10-ton coil from Modern Heating and Air Conditioning and confirmed a quorum would be met for the upcoming canvass meeting. Mr. Lee said he would follow-up on the invoice. Councilmember Barnett noted the worksession has moved to December 14 due to the holidays. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1 Planning Items: 7.1.A. ORD/Amending Chapter 78 Zoning, Article V, Division 5, Section 78- 316(3)(a) and Chapter 78 Zoning, Article 1, Section 78-2 Definitions (Adding Definition and Use of Vet Center). (1st Reading) Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared background with the Council stating on June 22, 2020 the City Council discussed the property at 700 East Main Street is the former location of Gould’s Diamonds & Jewelry. The property was purchased by C2A, LLC and the new owners are seeking to renovate and lease the existing building to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the establishment of a “Vet Center” (Readjustment Counseling). Regarding Vet Centers, the VA’s website says “Readjustment counseling is a wide range of psycho social services offered to eligible Veterans, Service members, and their families in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life. The reason for the discussion is the subject property is zoned Main Street Mixed Use, East Main Street Sub-district 2 (EM-2). The proposed use is not specifically defined in the zoning code. The use is consistent with a few different uses either allowed or not allowed in the zoning district. The new owners have submitted a building permit application and plans for renovating the building. Staff is seeking November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 4 of 6 direction from the City Council related to the interpretation of the zoning code and the proposed Vet Center use. The City Council on June 22, 2020 provided interpretation and direction to bring forward necessary zoning text amendments to the Zoning Code. The building permit was issued for the Vet Center back in June of 2020 and is currently under construction. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 6, 2020 and no comments were made by the public and the Planning Commission recommended approval of adding Vet Center as a permitted use in the Main Street Mixed Use, East Main Street Sub-district 2 (EM- 2) and further adding (Veterans) as presented. Councilmember Barnett clarified this type of vet center was not allowed in any zoning district in the City and that this was the reason for the amendment. Mr. Borglund confirmed some had similar uses but not exactly as requested and felt this use would be a good fit for this location. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to hold first reading of an ordinance Amending Chapter 78, Article V, Division 5, Section 78-316(h)(3)(a) MS-EMS-2 Permitted Uses and Chapter 78, Article 1, Section 78- 2, Definitions of the Code of the City of Anoka Minnesota. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 RES/Approving CARES Act Grant Funds to Businesses. Housing and Redevelopment Manager Darin Berger shared a background report stating Council received an update at the October 19 City Council meeting detailing all program activity. Since that time, Baker Tilly has determined four additional small businesses eligible for the CARES Fund Small Business Grants for a total of $40,000. He shared a recap of the program followed by an itemized list of recipients and their grant amount and said on September 8, 2020, the Anoka City Council approved an allocation of a portion of the City CARES Act Funds towards a CARES Act Small Business Program. The application period closed on October 9, 2020, and since then staff has spent time reviewing applications with our vendor, Baker Tilly. He reviewed the non-profit recipients and small businesses and amounts in detail of 22 approved applications with four non- profits and 18 small businesses totaling $216,854.19 and shared requests for funding included items such as providing virtual environment for employees, additional cleaning precautions, payroll reimbursements and commercial lease or mortgage payments. Denials were mostly limited to ineligible requests such as November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 5 of 6 businesses not having brick and mortar business in Anoka and loss of revenue and that this item would be before Council again later this month to review how all CARES funds were spent. Councilmember Skogquist asked for a list of those who received Anoka County grant funding too for comparison and said he was pleased to see so many businesses take advantage of this opportunity. Mr. Berger said he was aware some were applying for County grant funds too and how businesses cannot apply for the same expenses and that the County was still finalizing their approvals. Mr. Lee noted the City defined this program early on and included criteria that only brick and mortar businesses in operation six months prior to March 2020 would be allowed to apply which was one of the reasons why the individual during open forum had been denied funding. Dr. Evans asked for the funding source and concern about electric bills that will not be paid in addition to typical shut offs. Mr. Berger said the funding came from the federal government in the amount of $1.399 million to cities based on population. Mr. Lee said the City wrote off approximately $50,000 annually but that staff has seen an increase in delinquent bills over the past several months and will be notifying residents in an effort to get them current and inform them of additional CARES Act funding for assistance. Councilmember Skogquist noted reimbursing the City for lost utility payments was not an eligible expense and that while they worked to identify nonprofit organizations to donate to assist with utility bills the program did not come to fruition. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to adopt a resolution adopting expenditures of City of Anoka Cares Act Funding to reimburse the City of Anoka. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1 Riverside Development; Development Access, David Weekley Homes. ITEM POSTPONED November 2, 2020 (Regular) Page 6 of 6 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. 12.2 COVID-19: City Operations, Changes, and Impacts – Questions, Comments, and Discussion. Councilmember Barnett spoke about the outdoor patio seating extension and ways to help restaurants through this upcoming winter season. Mr. Borglund said the patio seating had been extended until November 9 and that staff would begin reviewing the survey sent to businesses for input on ways to help this winter for consideration by the Economic Development Commission. Councilmember Wesp suggested blocking off Jackson Street and partner with restaurants to purchase tents to provide more seating area and stressed the importance of not being restrictive during these times. Mr. Borglund noted some restaurants with patios already have tents in place. Councilmember Skogquist shared concerns about the public accessing Council and other meetings and providing a better virtual interactive access. Mr. Lee said staff would review options to provide full interaction remotely. Councilmember Barnett agreed this would be a good idea as virtual meetings will continue in the future and stressed the importance of Boards and Commissions meeting too as building those relationships are important. 12.3 Staff and Council Input. None. 13. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wesp made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 8:10 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk