Anoka City Council

April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 1 of 7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 19, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:15 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Weaver, Skogquist, 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; Recreation Manager Nickie Jenks; Public Services Administrative Assistant Tessa Sakola; and City Attorney Scott Baumgartner. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 March 22, 2021, Worksession. April 5, 2021, Executive Session. April 5, 2021, Regular Meeting Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to waive the reading and approve the March 22, 2021, Worksession, April 5, 2021, Executive Session, and the April 5, 2021 Regular Meeting as corrected. Councilmember Skogquist noted one correction to the March 22, 2021, Worksession minutes on Page 3, Paragraph 4, “…access to residents anyone…” Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Proclamations; Tree City USA and Tom Hammer Arbor Day 2021. Public Services Director Mark Anderson introduced staff member Tessa Sakola who will be coordinating this program. Ms. Sakola shared the Tree City USA April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 2 of 7 proclamation recognizes the achievement of the Tree City USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 40th consecutive year and the importance of Arbor Day. She said the City will be celebrating Arbor Day on April 30 at the Little Blessings of Anoka Childcare located within the Anoka Community Mission and that each child will receive a seedling oak tree to plant in their yard or boulevard near their home. She then shared about Tom Hammer Arbor Day 2021 declaring April 30 as Tom Hammer Arbor Day 2021 in Anoka and said the proclamation celebrates Tom Hammer’s exceptional service dedication to the City of Anoka, his love for trees and landscaping, and past participation in Arbor Day celebrations. Councilmember Weaver shared a story about Mr. Hammer and his passion for the outdoors and said he will be greatly missed. Councilmember Skogquist said Mr. Hammer had a wonderful way of engaging children and teaching them about the outdoors. Mayor Rice shared Mr. Hammer’s love for storytelling and that he was a true joy. 4.2 Event Updates. Recreation Manager Nickie Jenks shared updates on upcoming events throughout the City that included Spring Fling, summer concerts, farmers market, movies in the park, the aquatic center season, classic car show, and others. Councilmember Weaver asked for an update on the opening of the silos in conjunction with the farmer’s market. Mr. Anderson said staff was obtaining quotes for modifications to create openings in the silos in the lower level and anticipated the work would not be intensive and will help preserve the heritage of Anoka. Councilmember Wesp asked about the upcoming recycling day event and if there were any limits on the number of fluorescent bulbs recycled. Ms. Jenks said all recycling information was posted on City’s website. 4.3 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson thanked fellow staff for their work on events which were so important to the community then shared an update regarding the recent civil unrest resulting from the officer-involved shooting in Brooklyn Center and subsequent curfews. He said Anoka ordered increased staffing in anticipation of events occurring in the City and opened the emergency operations center but was pleased to share that there were no issues. He shared about riotous behavior in Champlin and that Anoka sent officers to assist which he believed helped calm the situation then spoke about how tensions were currently high and will likely continue for some time. Chief Peterson said he and the entire department have April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 3 of 7 built relationships and trust and will continue to be guardians of everyone’s civil rights to live in peace. He said the anticipate a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial this week and will staff accordingly, adding the Governor had called a peace-time emergency in order to request assets from other states if needed. He shared about the recent school walk-out not sanctioned by their administration but said the events were peaceful. Chief Peterson shared COVID-19 statistics and noted while Anoka’s positivity rate was the highest in Anoka County it was not much higher. Councilmember Wesp said as representative on the Anoka-Champlin Fire Board they had full support from both cities going forward during this time. He said Champlin was involved in the recent unrest and stated the Fire Department was prepared and ready to respond to both communities as well as the Police Department and that the public can feel very secure with public safety as a whole and thanked the community for following the imposed curfews. Councilmember Skogquist thanked Chief Peterson for allowing the public their space to protest while ensuring people’s security then asked how we would handle a situation like what occurred. Chief Peterson explained they would do everything in their power to calm the riotous behavior but not tolerate individuals’ safety or risk property and would engage mutual aid assistance as needed. He said while they would demonstrate that they were ready to listen they would be fluid in response, especially to outside agitators whose wish it was to create chaos. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Councilmember Barnett referred to National Linemen Appreciation Day and said AMU does an outstanding job for Anoka and thanked linemen for the dedication and work. She shared Anoka had received an exceptional rating for electric reliability from APPA and was in the top quartile across the nation. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to approve Consent Agenda 6.1 through 6.4. Councilmember Barnett noted the Fire Board meeting was postponed to April 21. Councilmember Skogquist inquired about Item 6.4 and the ability to approve minor amendments by special counsel. Engineering Technician Ben Nelson said the action was being requested because the school board was taking action on April 21 and required pre- April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 4 of 7 signature but noted only minor modifications would be allowed and anything major would come back to the Council for consideration. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project; Approve Parcel 5 Purchase Agreement. 6.4 U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project; Approve Parcels 29-30-31 Purchase 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 None. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 RES/Highway 47/169 (Ferry Street) Resurfacing Project; Approve Traffic Control Signal Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Mr. Nelson shared a background report stating on March 19, 2001 City Council adopted a resolution entering into Agreement No. 81393R with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation for the installation of traffic signals on Trunk Highway 169 (Ferry Street) at Main Street and South Ferry Road. He outlined the City’s responsibilities as part of the agreement that included maintain the luminaires and all its components, re-lamp the new traffic control signals and street lights, clean and paint the new traffic control signals, cabinets and luminaire mast arms extensions. Beginning in July, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will be resurfacing Highway 47 from the south end of the Mississippi River to Clay Street and from Pleasant Street to just south of Industry Avenue/Bunker Lake Boulevard. There will spot repair curb and gutter work and upgraded drainage/storm sewer. The project will also include improving the sidewalks and approaches to meet Americans with Disabilities standards. He outlined the benefits of this work and said as part of the resurfacing project, staff is recommending to include the signal re-painting of existing traffic control signals on TH-169 at South Ferry Road, TH-169 at the pedestrian crossing, and TH-169 at Main Street. He said by including this work under the State’s contract, the City is not required to obtain permits from the State and that staging and April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 5 of 7 coordination for the signal re-painting will be part of the overall traffic control for the project. He said as is common with City owned traffic signals along State roads, MnDOT requires an agreement between the Commissioner of Transportation and the City to perform work on these traffic signals under the State contract for the project. This agreement outlines the cost of the project and the responsibilities of the State and City as they relate to the maintenance, operations, construction, and project costs. He said the agreement has been reviewed and there were no specific objections by the City Attorney then shared the total City cost would be $34,560 and outlined the proposed schedule. Councilmember Weaver asked if cost sharing agreements were typical and if the work would be done outside of peak traffic hours. Mr. Nelson said the agreements are required and that while the City has not painted signals along this corridor before this is a standard agreement to allow this type of work and that work would likely be done overnight. Councilmember Skogquist asked what other signals was the City responsible for and if we can do work on those that are needed as well. Mr. Nelson explained each signal has its own agreement and that staff can work with Anoka County and identify a plan for work. Motion by Councilmember Weaver seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to adopt a resolution for the Highway 47/169 (Ferry Street) Resurfacing Project; Approve Traffic Control Signal Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1 Notice of Intent to Circulate a Referendum Petition to Repeal the Ordinance Repealing the Human Rights Commission Section of the City Code. City Manager Greg Lee shared a background report stating on April 12, 2021, the City received a Notice to Circulate a Referendum Petition to Repeal the Ordinance Repealing the Human Rights Commission Section of the City Code. The Notice was signed by a sufficient number of registered voters of the City of Anoka who will serve as the sponsors of the petition. City Charter requires the petition be signed by 3% of the registered voters at the last Municipal General Election, which amounts to 353 signers. He outlined the process that included the submitted petition due by May 5, verification the petition meets all of the April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 6 of 7 requirements of the City Charter, and if sufficient presented to the City Council. He said the City Council will consider whether to uphold the ordinance that repealed the Human Rights Commission section of the City Code or repeal that ordinance. If a majority of Councilmembers vote in favor of upholding the ordinance, the question will be sent to the voters either at a special election or at the next regular municipal election in 2022. A majority vote of the Council will determine what type of election would be held. Councilmember Barnett shared her disappointment in this petition and said it was contrary to the will of the elected City Council. She said she has asked several times why the group wants this to be a City commission and has received no response which was forcing her to speculate on their reasons that included not enough organic need for this group and that it would not survive. She said she believed the group wanted the taxpayers to fund their activities without having to raise their own capital and noted the City of Coon Rapids has a similar organized group that was not a formal commission that operates as a 501c3 organization. Councilmember Barnett shared thoughts that the group wanted to legitimize a more radical agenda that included items such as sanctuary city then played a meeting clip from a past meeting where former commissioners spoke about presenting two lists of ideas that included unacceptable goals and how their tactics were not how City boards and commissions should operate and that they serve at the pleasure of the Council. 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 Skogquist asked for an update on the upcoming rounds of stimulus funding. Mr. Lee said staff was still waiting for updates on final amounts and what the funding could be used for but said it was estimated to be close to $2 million and should be received in the next month with a second distribution in one year. 12.3 Staff and Council Input. Mr. Lee asked if Council wanted to discuss a potential ordinance on residential targeted picketing. Council consensus was to bring the topic forward at an upcoming worksession. ADJOURNMENT April 19, 2021 (Regular) Page 7 of 7 Councilmember Wesp made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Weaver seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 8:04 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk