Anoka City Council

Monday, February 1, 2021 (Executive Session) Page 1 of 1 EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL COUNCIL WORKSESSION ROOM FEBRUARY 1, 2021 EXECUTIVE SESSION COMMENCED AT 5:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the Executive Session to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver and Wesp. Staff present: City Attorney Kurt Glaser, Darin Berger, HRA Manager, and Engineering Tech Ben Nelson. Guests: Attorney’s Peter Mikhail and Amanda Johnson of LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. 3. Mayor Rice closed the meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd 3(b) for The purpose of discussing attorney-client privilege matter and pursuant to Minnesota Statute 14D.05, Subd 3(b) for Attorney-Client discussion regarding negotiations and litigation risks in using eminent domain to acquire & secure control of property for U.S. Highway 10/169 and associated improvement projects. 4. After discussion, the closed executive session adjourned at approximately 6:36 p.m. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, ACM/City Clerk February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 1 of 6 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS FEBRUARY 1, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; City Planner Clark Palmer; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; Engineering Technician Ben Nelson; City Assessor Scott Varner; and City Attorney Kurt Glaser. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 Minutes of the January 19, 2021, Regular Meeting. Councilmember Barnett outlined changes for Item 5.2 that included “…notice was published in the City’s legal newspaper” and to correct the motioner of the item from Councilmember Weaver to Councilmember Barnett. She also noted under the Consent Agenda that her name was omitted under roll call. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the January 19, 2021, Regular Meeting as corrected. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared about a recent theft incident regarding stolen mail and other property and stressed the importance of paying attention to your mail, including securing if possible and retrieving often as well as watching out February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 2 of 6 for neighbors. He spoke about Officer Wilman’s recent retirement and shared her outstanding work with the City, shared a contingent of police officers would be present at the City’s Winterfest activities, then spoke about the upcoming crime- free multi-housing class and statistics on COVID-19 testing which was decreasing as well as hospitalizations. Councilmember Weaver asked about a recent incident in a City parking lot by the former post office, 300 E Main St. Chief Peterson shared about a call involving illegal dumping that could be related to concerns with the Masonic Lodge. Councilmember Skogquist referred to a recent fire where Officer Skinner assisted individuals from their apartment safely and thanked him and all involved for their work in saving these residents. Director of Public Services Mark Anderson shared about the upcoming Anoka Winterfest activities February 13 at George Enloe Park that included sledding, skating, snowshoeing, and music and thanked Rum River Arts, Anoka Women of Today, Anoka WRRB, Art Start, Anoka Public Services, Anoka Police, Ambassadors, Parks and Recreation, Eastern Star, Anoka Hockey Association, and Anoka Halloween for their partnerships. Councilmember Barnett thanked the City and community partners for providing safe opportunities during this time, stating the event has been very successful year after year and that she was please they could adjust to continue to offer this great event. Councilmember Wesp shared about the school district’s decision to install artificial turf at Goodrich Field and applauded the school board for this direction to keep the field for future school activities. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM None. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to approve Consent Agenda 6.1 through 6.3. Councilmember Weaver asked about Check #159309 for the Chamber of Commerce for activities support in the amount of $5,000 then spoke about the collaboration of industrial February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 3 of 6 park tenants and services and said it would be worthwhile to have them speak at a worksession to share further about the value of this cost. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project; Parcel 22 Purchase and Settlement Agreement. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1 Golf Course Items. 7.1.A. Golf Summary Update. Greenhaven Golf Course General Manager Larry Norland shared a background report with Council about golf activity in 2020. He spoke about the increase in the number of tee times from 2019 that totaled 41,003 rounds then referred to the many restrictions and how no staff member became ill last summer or resulted in the need for contact tracing of customers. He thanked the City for their work to implement appropriate safety protocols then shared statistics on attendance and number of rounds. He said the men’s club was the most active in Minnesota and pays out shot credits that totaled over $73,000 then shared total golf revenue was $1.289 million, adding the previous record year was $987,000. Mr. Norland outlined expenses that totaled $961,763 and was spent on mowers, wells, and other items then shared more about simulator activity, club fitting and restaurant activity. Councilmember Weaver inquired about winter activities on the course including cross-country skiing. Mr. Norland shared the restaurant hours and that trails were open and groomed for an upcoming meet and that the simulator was leased for 50- 60 hours per week. Councilmember Weaver asked about discussions regarding third floor elevator access and opportunities for other revenue on third floor. Mr. Norland said the topic had not been discussed as they were in the three-year grace period allowed, stating while the outcome would depend on success of the simulators even with restrictions full access to the third floor seems viable and that the elevator should be extended. He noted there would not be a lot of room in addition to the simulators but that they could possibly create a meeting/party room. Mr. Anderson commented further on the lack of space on third floor and how this project would likely occur in 2022. February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Barnett spoke about the current profit/loss and how while the course experienced the best year in history it only brought forth $100,000 and said she would like to see how we could utilize the space to drive more profit through room rentals, weddings and events. Mr. Norland explained the total of $160,000 was money not specifically included as golf operation but was used to help pay expenses such as IT services and others, adding the figures did not include rent from The Tavern restaurant and other similar clubhouse activities but were purely golf-related and that there were already over 40 weddings booked for 2021. Councilmember Barnett suggested partnering with Gramercy on items such as golf and food. Mr. Norland said the Gramercy housing development will certainly generate more revenue such as green fees, restaurant, events, etc. and that staff has been partnering with them to move forward. Councilmember Skogquist asked if other courses said this increase as a general trend overall. Mr. Norland responded courses saw a daily activity increase of 20- 25% in rounds and revenue but that Greenhaven did better as resort courses did not do as well due to travel, adding their discussions have been on how much we can keep that increase over the next five years. 7.2 Planning Items 7.2.A. ORD/Amending Chapter 78 Section 78-562(e) Walls, Fences, and Hedges. ORDINANCE (2nd Reading) City Planner Clark Palmer shared that second reading of an ordinance amending City Code Section 78-562 (e) was before the Council with first reading held on January 19 with no changes since first reading. The Community Development Department is proposing a text amendment to City Code Section 78-562 (e). This section of the Zoning Code regulates fence heights in residential zoning districts. Staff is proposing to amend the language because the current language may lend itself to confusing interpretations concerning when fences are limited to no more than 4 feet. The unclear portion of the code says “in front of the front line of the residential structure.” The problem is the Zoning Code does not define “front line of the residential structure.” Staff recommends striking this language. Staff finds the elimination of the stricken text does not alter the meaning, spirit and intent of the code. He outlined the proposed changes and said the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendment and held a public hearing at their January 5, 2021 and approved the amendment. Councilmember Skogquist said any amendments should be well thought out and noted there were unique properties in Anoka and if adopted would there be houses walled off with fences. He referred to limits now in the front of houses to four feet but should not be six feet along the whole and that he would be voting against until the full impact of the changes was understood. February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Wesp asked if there were any concerns with the Planning Commission with the proposal. Mr. Palmer said there were comments by one Commissioner about why this amendment was needed now and echoed Councilmember Skogquist’s concerns about a portion being stricken as unclear and the need to review the entire Code section to address the unique situations. Councilmember Barnett asked if existing fences would be grandfathered in. Mr. Palmer said staff was not proposing adjusting language to cause problems with existing fences and if the linage was unclear and more of a consequence staff would recommend not doing anything. Motion by Councilmember Barnett, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to hold second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 78, Article IX, Division 1, Section 78-562(e) of the Code of the City of Anoka, Minnesota. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett and Wesp voted in favor. Councilmember Skogquist voted nay. Councilmember Weaver abstained. Motion carried. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS None. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS None. 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. Mr. Lee said there were no COVID-19 updates at this time. 12.3 Staff and Council Input. February 1, 2021 (Regular) Page 6 of 6 Councilmember Wesp shared about the benefits to the City that result by snowmobiling by the river as people utilize downtown restaurants and shopping and how people were using these resources more, especially during COVID-19, then asked more about the vaccine. Chief Peterson responded to the struggles at the State of Minnesota level to get enough vaccines but that Anoka County Public Health was optimistic that the amount of vaccine available will explode and how training was occurring for volunteer EMTs to administer the vaccine which will result in more people being vaccinated than the current lottery system. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about removing the firepits in the downtown bar areas due to the smoke smell and little use, adding parking may be preferred instead. He also spoke about the electric utility and MMPA to manage purchase and production and how the Board authorized electric vehicle charging stations in each member city covered by the MMPA and suggested the Parking Advisory Board review what was the best locations for this amenity. City Manager Greg Lee staff discussed potential locations and said staff would provide options such as non-prime locations as ramps on upper levels. He shared the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce would be presenting their annual State of Cities address on February 16 and asked if any Councilmembers wish to attend. Councilmember Wesp said he would attend then noted he and Chief Peterson would be conducting Fire Chief candidate interviews next week. Mr. Lee confirmed interviews would be recorded for future viewing. 13. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Skogquist made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Wesp seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 8:05 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk