Anoka City Council

September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 1 of 7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Barnett called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice (arrived at 7:09 p.m.), Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; City Planner Clark Palmer; and Police Chief Eric Peterson. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 August 16, 2021, Regular Meeting. August 23, 2021, Worksession. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to waive the reading and approve the August 16, 2021, Regular Meeting and the August 23, 2021, Worksession as presented. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Proclamation; Minnesota Women of Today Week, September 19-25. Jennifer Wulff, Ramsey, shared about Anoka Women of Today and asked the Council to proclaim September 19-25 as Anoka Women of Today Week. She spoke about the projects they supported which included foundation of service, growth and fellowship. Ms. Wulff said the organization began in 1960 as the Jaycees and shared about recent projects which included Riverfest which raised over $2,100 for scholarships and encouraged interested women to join. Mayor Pro Tem Barnett read the Proclamation into the record. September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 2 of 7 4.2 Constitution Week, September 17-23. Barb Thurston, Anoka, shared about the work of the Daughters of the Revolution and how they were the recipient of a $20,000 grant for the Haven for Heroes veterans housing then shared questions regarding the Revolution. Mayor Rice read the Proclamation into the record. 4.3 Presentation; QCTV Annual Report. Karen George, Executive Director of Quad Cities Community Television, shared their annual report with the Council. She highlighted 40 years of service to the communities of Andover, Anoka, Champlin and Ramsey, through award winning productions which included over 10,000 government meetings. She spoke about their board of governance, QCTV’s structure and franchise fee model, and how services were neutral to cities’ budgets. Ms. George shared about their strategic plan which focused on social media first and viewer engagement then outlined details on city programming and member city capital investment as well as their work on the technical pivot that occurred in the industry due to the pandemic. Seamus Burke, Social Media/Communications Coordinator QCTV, shared about video on demand and statistics on video productions for each city, website statistics and viewership data, then shared their social media strategy and how growth was maintained even after impacts of the pandemic lessened. He shared reach data for the City, especially with engagement of Anoka stories, and thanked the Council for their support. Ms. George shared more about QCTV’s award winning programs and staff then thanked the City for 40 years of city leadership through collaboration, commitment and support. Councilmember Skogquist shared his thanks to QCTV and Ms. George in particular whose knowledge and work on national-level boards was important especially as cable programming changed. 4.4 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared about the department’s recent POST audit of procedures, records, and training which they passed with no recommendations for changes. He shared about recent criminal activity that included significant incidents such as an assault, robbery, and vehicle pursuits but said the public was safe and commented how vehicle pursuits have tripled over recent years and encouraged the public not to leave their keys in their vehicle to help deter this activity. Chief Peterson shared about the start of the school year and encouraged the public to take extra caution while driving to be aware of students walking and boarding buses. September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 3 of 7 Councilmember Skogquist referred to when police vehicles were damaged during incidents how staff worked around vehicles out of service. Chief Peterson said it was difficult to adjust when a vehicle was out of service which is why they work hard to care for squad cars balanced with protecting the public. Councilmember Barnett asked if stolen vehicles were occurring more locally or state-wide and asked for reasons why. Chief Peterson said stolen vehicles was a metro-area problem specifically then shared comments that consequences should be higher to help deter this activity. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Dennis Sieben, 200 Madison Street, shared about BP Properties’ construction of a retaining wall that has resulted in concerns about capacity and flooding and the need to address the concern by the property owner, especially prior to snow melt and leaf debris occurring. Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared an update that staff was working with the property owner to address. City Planner Clark Palmer said the concerns occurred as part of a plugged pipe and that the property owner was now aware of the issue and was working to address. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to approve Consent Agenda 6.1 through 6.4 as presented. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 Consideration of Setting Public Hearing for Assessment for Services. 6.4 Waiving Monetary Limits for Liability Coverage and Annual Insurance. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 4 of 7 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS None. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 ORD/Zoning Text Amendment; Adding Churches to the East Main Street Mixed Use District, EM-3 Subdistrict. (2nd Reading) ORDINANCE Mr. Palmer shared a background report stating this is second reading of an ordinance that would add churches, religious institutions to the Main Street Mixed Use District (MS) and East Main Street Subdistrict (EM-3). He said first reading was held on August 16 with no suggested changes. Emmanuel Church – OPC is seeking a zoning text amendment to allow the establishment of their church at 850 East Main Street which lies within the Main Street Mixed Use District (MS), East Main Street Subdistrict 3 (EM-3). The use of churches is not listed in the applicable zoning district and is therefore considered prohibited per City Code. A prohibited use may be changed to a permitted or conditionally permitted use upon an amendment to the Zoning Code. The applicant has entered into contract with the seller of the subject property to purchase the site contingent on City approval. The property is the location of a former funeral home and the site has been on the market for several years and is being marketed for office/retail/redevelopment or special use. One stipulation is that the property may not be sold to another funeral home. The site is approximately 1 acre, with 67 marked surface-level parking stalls. The principal building has two levels with nearly 12,000 sq. ft. of floor area. He reviewed use regulations for churches in other districts and noted all required a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which would be recommended in this case if approved. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to hold second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 78, Article V, Division 5, Section 78-316(h)(4), Conditional Uses, of the Code of the City of Anoka Minnesota. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Barnett, Skogquist, Weaver and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 5 of 7 Mr. Palmer noted the applicant would be returning soon with an application for a Conditional Use Permit. 9.2 ORD/Purchase Agreement; Vacant Four Lots Located at South Street/Washington Street and 8th Avenue. (1st Reading) Mr. Borglund shared a background report stating the City has been in discussion with Patriot Builders II regarding 4 undeveloped residential lots known as the 742 & 750 Washington Street and 743 and 751 South Street. The property is zoned R- 1 Low Density Residential District. The buyer, Patriot Builders II, is planning single family under the conditions of development placed on the lots by the City through a development agreement. The City and Patriot Builders II have negotiated an offer of $85,000.00 per lot or a total of $340,000.00 for the 4 undeveloped lots contingent upon the City Council’s approval to enter into a purchase agreement. Councilmember Wesp noted this was a continuation of the Bonnell Field redevelopment that had flooding issues and the intent to monitor for issues since redevelopment and how flooding has not occurred. He said the neighbors should feel confident the concerns have been addressed and these lots placed for sale for redevelopment, adding the biding was very much on track. Motion by Councilmember Wesp seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to hold first reading of an ordinance to convey real property to Patriot Builders II. Councilmember Wesp noted the proposed standards were appropriate and would blend in well with the neighborhood. Mr. Borglund agreed and said staff would work with the developer to ensure higher-level materials would be used. Mayor Rice thanked the applicant for investing in 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 Appointment to Parks & Recreation Board. Mr. Lee stated at the last meeting, the Council voted on the appointment to the Parks & Recreation Board. There were only four members present at the meeting and the vote resulted in a tie vote between Donald Rowell III and Kiel Jenkin. He said the item was postponed to the September 7, 2021 meeting so a vote may be September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 6 of 7 retaken when all five members were present. He said residency is a requirement to serve on this Board and that currently one partial term vacancy existed to expire December 31, 2022. He explained that Donald Rowell currently works as a part- time Senior Van Driver at the Senior Center and if appointed would be addressed as far as supervisory conditions with staff and if appointed would resign his position as van driver. After a tally of Council votes, which would be included as part of the public record, three votes were given for Donald Rowell and two for Kiel Jenkins. The Council appointed Donald Rowell to the Parks & Recreation Board for a term to expire December 31, 2022. Mayor Rice encouraged residents to apply and benefit from their input. Councilmember Barnett noted all Boards and Commissions have a public forum component for public comment and input. 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. Mr. Lee shared his thanks to Public Services Supervisor John Holmes for his 43 years of service to the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department as a paid on-call firefighter and thanked him for this dedication to the City. Councilmember Weaver thanked Mr. Holmes for his work in the Public Works Department and Fire Department overall and said the City was very fortunate to have him on staff. Mayor Rice shared comments on Mr. Holmes dedication which keeps people working together. Councilmember Skogquist commented about low river levels which showed the amount of garbage in the area and suggested organizing an informal clean-up of the area. Councilmember Wesp asked about the railroad crossing opening at Ferry Street. Mr. Lee said traffic impacts have gotten better now but noted traffic impacts provided a good idea on how it will be when TH 10 reconstruction starts and noted Greenhaven Parkway had also been closed which compounded the concerns but should open soon. September 7, 2021 (Regular) Page 7 of 7 Mayor Rice said Anoka County has worked to create east/west alternatives and agreed we will have over two years of construction concerns to address but the result will prove to have great benefits once complete. Councilmember Skogquist asked about the timeline for the Ferry Street corridor. Mr. Lee said that would likely continue through the end of October. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wesp made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 8:20 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk