Anoka City Council

February 10, 2021 (Annual Goals Session) Page 1 of 2 ANNUAL GOALS SESSION THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL GREEN HAVEN GOLF COURSE & EVENT CENTER 2800 GREENHAVEN RD, ANOKA-MN FEBRUARY 10, 2021 Present: Mayor Pro Tem Barnett, Councilmembers; Skogquist, Weaver & Wesp. Absent: Mayor Rice Staff: City Manager Greg Lee, Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers, Public Services Director Mark Anderson, Finance Director Brenda Springer, Electric Utility Director Greg Geiger, Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse, Police Chief Erick Peterson, Community Development Director Doug Borglund and City Planner Clark Palmer. Council and staff met at Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center for the Annual Goals Session. Dinner at 5:00 p.m., meeting at 5:30 p.m. City Manager Lee provided a presentation to the City Council relating to the 2021-2022 Goals. After discussion, the City Council set the City goals for 2021-2022 as: Development,Redevelopment & Housing  Craft infill standards so new construction blends with neighborhoods, not redefines them.  Have Planning Commission discuss a plan for a balanced approach to amounts and locations of senior housing.  Increase enforcement of rental housing statutes and codes; more frequent and strict inspections, increased penalty severity, more frequent fines and court actions, more staff to execute; focus on all rental categories.  Green Haven Parkway. Rail station, both East and South. Promote elevators in the downtown.  Focus on opportunities for and any new residential housing being owner-occupied housing.  Green Haven Parkway Development – cont’d property purchases and increased implement of development plan of Highland Park neighborhood.  Rental Licensing enforcement – identify properties that are perpetual violators and continue to convert multi-family dwellings to single family dwellings.  Strengthen historic preservation focus through rehab vs demo. City Finance & Area Business Climate  Zero levy increase and a responsible city budget.  We have spent down reserves and held tax low; we can’t afford to continue with both.  Continue to grow a strong and safe business and public atmosphere.  Continue to seek new opportunities for community gatherings and ideas to build lasting legacies in Anoka.  Designated location for the Farmers Market by the Feed Mill site using refurbished metal grain bins as vendor sales locations  Maintain balanced city budget and continue to identify and eliminate excessive spending.  Support and adequately fund Police and Fire Depts. to ensure optimal public safety of our residents. February 10, 2021 (Annual Goals Session) Page 2 of 2 Streets, Parks, Trails & Rivers  Maintain and enhance capital expenditures and maintenance levels for parks and sidewalk/trail connections.  Find River Walk funding including Stone House and acquisition and redevelopment of the Shiloh property.  Find an owner operator of a River Boat for cruises and entertainment nd on the Mississippi River.  Overnight parking – no parking on one side of street on 2 Ave So. by senior building and new townhomes, during winter.  Prep for Anoka Solution; anticipate unintended consequences. Limit heavy traffic through neighborhood short cuts. Remove stop sign at Brisbin & 7th during school year and put one up on 2nd Ave at Madison & 2nd. This would promote commercial vehicles to choose feeder street vs. residential. Get busy on garbage hauling education.  More trees. End of Park Street looks unfinished. Can see parked cars every day. Encourage Champlin to restore where they destroyed the buffer for those on the river. Miscellaneous  Enhance communication between Advisory Boards & Council.  Help the reconstituted Human Rights Commission be successful.  Allow Anoka citizens free-market choice for services. City Manager Lee stated that the Council will be given updates, at least quarterly, on the status of the goals. Meeting adjourned at: 8:05 p.m. Prepared and submitted by: Amy T. Oehlers, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk