Anoka City Council

July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 1 of 13 WORKSESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION ROOM JULY 25, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the worksession meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; Senior City Planner Clark Palmer; Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; Public Services Jon Holmes; Green Haven Golf Course Director Larry Norland; Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers; Finance Director Brenda Springer; Utility Director Greg Geiger; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; Communications Manager Pam Bowman. Absent: Councilmember Barnett. 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS and/or DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Discussion; Transportation Update; Minnesota Department of Transportation Highway 47 (Ferry Street) and BNSF Railroad Crossing Open House Recap, Preferred Alignment with Alternative Evaluations and Next Steps. Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared a staff report with background information stating the intersection of Trunk Highway 47 (Ferry Street) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad in the City of Anoka has many decades of safety and delay issues. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Railroad Administration, this crossing was considered one of the worst crossings in the state of Minnesota due to many criteria. The Department of Transportation (MnDOT) completed a study of safety issues at this crossing and the feasibility study recommended separating the highway and railroad crossing by constructing a bridge over the train tracks. The findings of the study included Trunk Highway 47 (TH-47) will be grade separated from the BNSF railroad crossing. This will improve traffic flow, decrease congestion, allow traffic to flow through the area better & faster, improve safety and provide a multi-use trail for pedestrians & bicyclists. He said MnDOT held the Trunk Highway 47 (Ferry St) and BNSF Railroad Crossing Open House on May 25, 2022, and approximately 80 people attended and the purpose of the event was to solicit input from the public for the alignment alternative of TH-47. Three alignment alternatives were displayed and project representatives engaged the attendees to rank/comment by July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 2 of 13 either “like” or “dislike” the proposed alternatives. At the open house, the public met project representatives and was able to view many informational materials. Mr. Nelson outlined several information points learned at the meeting then reviewed the proposed Alignment Alternatives 1, 2, and 5 in detail, stating after consideration of public input and additional analysis, Alterative 5 was the preferred alignment. Mr. Nelson shared a remediation summary for Schwarzman Recycling which would be part of this project then reviewed the proposed timeline for completion in fall 2026. He reviewed the project funding and cost in detail then concluded all three alignment alternatives included grade separation of the highway from the railroad, although Alignment Alternative 5 had a far less right of way acquisition cost resulting in lower project cost and provided more safety value than Alignment Alternative 2. Project team representatives Mark Lindeberg, Project MnDOT Metro District Project Manager, Melissa Barnes, MnDOT Metro North Area Manager, and Craig Hass of SRF Consulting provided a presentation including an overview of the open house, alternatives dismissed, alternative under evaluation, refined alternatives evaluation, recommended alternative, and next steps/updated schedule. They shared the five alternates in detail which had been narrowed down to three then spoke about the need to move the access to Garfield Street and closer to the Rum River which would have some impacts to the railroad. They reviewed the possible relocation of Alter Metals for Alternative 2 which had no impact to the Rum River then explained how they dismissed Alternatives 3 and 4 due to the Rum River floodplain and associated impacts and concerns with structures. They outlined the Rum River wild and scenic area and any fill impacts to the river caused with permitting the project any further then spoke about Alternative 5 impacts to both Alter and the Fairgrounds and summarized the open house with support for a two -lane bridge over the railroad with a potential for future widening. They stated they wanted to ensure an appropriate speed was in place while keeping the area safe for residential and businesses. They spoke about coordination with Alter Metals and the potential relocation of $100 million and how they were currently meeting to review costs similar to EMR Northern Metals from Minneapolis to Becker. They spoke more about details of each alternative with regard to speed limit, flood plain impacts, and visual quality of the river then said Alterative 1 was s closer to the river than the other two options and said there would be a fair amount of construction associated with it. They spoke about the criteria that included property impacts, relocation impacts, alignment options and costs which would be substantially higher than Alternatives 1 and 5 due to Alter Metals relocation. They spoke about Alignment 1 with the minimal right-of-way and lower mediation costs but included impacts into the Rum River and how they dismissed Alternative 1 and how Alternative 2 had the highest cost from contamination and right-of-way. They reviewed transportation safety between the two alternatives but said both addressed the railroad crossing but that Alternative 5 was less expensive and therefore provided more safety and that the team recommended Alternative 5 as it provided more access points, better sight lines, and separated traffic into two intersections. They stated they would do July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 3 of 13 a project management team presentation in August and how they will continue to minimize impacts and focus on safety and coordinate the bridge, with a design finalization in 2023 with construction late summer 2024. Councilmember Barnett asked about cost versus benefits which was roughly the same for safety but because Alternative 5 is less expensive it was the higher value but that based on public safety Alternative 2 was a better choice. The project team spoke about safety and operational benefits like traffic delays and congestion and said they had not evaluated those yet but only evaluated on safety at this point. Councilmember Skogquist asked if the project was far enough along to take into account more traffic, accidents, and other elements then said Alternative 5 extends the bridge furthest north, confirms the alignment, and smooths the curve a little and noted this change would make it difficult for alignment changes in the future. He spoke about the need to work with many then referred to unsafe roads with the curve and the opportunity to fix this the right way and would not be supportive of the proposal. Councilmember Barnett spoke about potential costs and why we pay for the remediation costs if due to Alter and Schwartzman. The team responded that remediation was done in 2009 and was good then but this project will impact areas outside of the remediated area and therefore would be a project-borne cost. City Manager Greg Lee spoke about Alternative 5 impacts on the pond and room to relocate. Mayor Rice asked if there were any estimates to relocate fairgrounds. The team responded they had not yet developed that cost. Councilmember Skogquist said Alternatives 1 and 5 shared concerns about traffic and trucks and do we have to accommodate as Alignment 1 closes access to the east and Alignment 5 provides under bridge access. Mr. Lee said MnDOT has not done a traffic study yet for Alter but shows two different accesses. The team stated Alternative 5 would include no changes to Alter’s facility and that trucks would exit north to the pump house, under the bridge to Alter, then spoke more about how this it would be mixed with traffic from residential area, adding flipping the site could assist in this situation. Councilmember Weaver said Alternative 5 would send trucks towards the pump house across City property and delay restoring the pump house into another use along the river. Mr. Lee added impacts to removing Well #2 would also occur. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 4 of 13 Councilmember Skogquist asked more about the proposed timeline and the required municipal consent and said he would prefer a project everyone was comfortable with rather than rushing so they could review all options, finances, and impacts. He said if the process takes longer that would be fine as he did not want MnDOT to start and then not have us approve. Mr. Lindberg said they hoped to bid the project in 2024 and begin later in 2024 so the environment studies would have to occur early in 2023 with design and municipal consent and final design early in 2023 for a two-year construction project. Ms. Barnes said the schedule depended on legislation and needs to be allocated by December 2024 because we can no longer extend funding. Mr. Lee said the preference was for Alternative 5 but would need to include a cost/benefit analysis and require discussions with Alter as it may bring up items such as pond relocation. He said staff would continue the process with Alter as it may change a lot and wanted to know what was best for the traveling public as they needed more time for a final solution, adding they could work with the legislature to extend. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner said this area included a potential four-lane road in the future and asked if Alternative 5 would afford that flexibility and which was the safer alternative without more funding. Mr. Lindberg confirmed there were no guarantees and that MnDOT should solicit bids, adding discussions with the Anoka County fairgrounds included if any land needed to be purchased, they should purchase all as they were already short- spaced. Councilmember Barnett said more time was needed to review the project and was willing to risk to losing project dollars to make sure we do what was best for the area as this project would be here for decades then asked how the Council felt about losing the fairgrounds in the City. Councilmember Weaver said we make sacrifices every time a MnDOT project is done as it is their goal to move people through Anoka and asked why we should keep giving up our access, adding the fairgrounds was part of the history of this community. Councilmember Wesp said Sherburne County will continue to expand and that he liked Alternate 2 and suggested directing MnDOT to continue with that option. 3.2 Discussion; Anoka-Hennepin School District Facilities Discussion Regarding Potential Changes to Franklin Elementary and Sandburg. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 5 of 13 Senior City Planner Clark Palmer shared a staff report with background information stating the school district is considering options for repurposing some of their facilities including Franklin Elementary and Sandburg and were in the discussion phase with no decisions. He said school district staff would like to engage with the City on options they are considering that include no changes (continue to utilize existing facilities and leased spaces), lease new spaces, build new facilities, and repurpose Franklin and Sandburg. He said one option they were considering was converting Franklin Elementary to a special needs school for students with educational disabilities. The programs being considered would combine moving to Franklin Elementary are the Bridges and Pathways programs, adding this would not include programs for students with behavioral issues. Mr. Palmer said they were also considering moving the Regional High School to the first two floors of Sandburg, with the third level continued to be used for administrative purposes and school board meetings. The Regional High School program is an alternative high school for students that may not do as well in a traditional classroom environment. This would not include programs for students with behavioral issues. Greg Cole, Chief Operations Officer, Mary Wolverton, Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Becky Brodeur, Associate Superintendent of Middle Schools and Special Education, Stacey Dahlby, Secondary Director of Special Education, Heather Forse, Principal of Regional High School, and Andrew Heidemann, Special Education Teacher and Administrator in Training, shared goals to merge the programs into one facility to provide and improve student experience and efficiencies, provide a safer and better student environment, and fulfill their goal to own instead of lease. They spoke about the various options including Sorteberg and others and how Blaine was rapidly growing and the high demand for early childhood education. They said Franklin held 330 students but had seen declining enrollment and could absorb those students and that next steps included communicating with Franklin, allow for community input and a public hearing in August, with a final decision at a school board meeting. He said they proposed a new five-year elementary district boundary and all students would remain in Anoka-cluster schools. Councilmember Wesp said with the addition of Brookside in Ramsey did that change Franklin’s attendance. The team responded that Ramsey Elementary had 1,200 students with kindergarten elsewhere and the potential increased growth in Ramsey area. Mr. Cole noted Franklin was a historic site and that they wanted to ensure its continued use. Councilmember Barnett asked how far out forecasting was being done. Mr. Cole responded they were forecasting five years into the future. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 6 of 13 Mayor Rice asked about capacity without building another elementary school. Mr. Cole said they did not think they needed a new building in the next five years in Blaine but added it is difficult to predict then spoke about how Sunrise accelerated far beyond what they expected in spite of the pandemic. Councilmember Wesp asked when the task force was created for Andover High School it was determined it would outlive its useful life in 20 years but now was doubtful. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about stability and frustrations with teacher cuts and impacts and said he did not want to see buildings constructed for 300-400 students and asked how we improve facilities and look outside the school district and focus on the City too. Mr. Cole responded in terms of students and where they live and proximity and how they do not want students on a bus for more than 40 minutes, adding staffing changes was precisely the reason to reconsider when a school gets too small to offer multiple sections. Borgie Bonthuis, Anoka, asked where the 330 students will go in the Anoka cluster in Franklin and Wilson and where the new school will go. She shared concerns about street parking and costs. Mr. Cole explained they needed an 8,000-9,000 square foot addition and how they would use parking for snow removal and the need to address as they were currently leasing facilities so the cost of a new building would be paid off in 10 years as a result of cost savings from no longer leasing. Mr. Palmer explained the proposed parking addition and outlined the land school owns. Ms. Forse shared about the regional school and students at risk for not graduating on time and the need for more room. She outlined the need for a gym, better cafeteria, and improved experience that created a safer environment and the goal to own rather than lease then outlined options that included moving to Sandburg. Councilmember Weaver asked if students drove to school or were bussed. Mr. Cole said both occur and that the 30-50 drivers will park with the current 200 staff that would result in a smaller footprint. Councilmember Wesp shared about the challenges in these schools and the students who attend and asked if the City would be challenged with parking as well as youth needing more police attention. He said while they need to be educated it may be better to occur in Coon Rapids in a secluded area and not downtown where Sandburg is located in neighborhoods and a business district and senior facility. Ms. Wolverton said she understood the concern but noted this was the only high school without a school resource officer on campus and that on average they have one call for service per year for a medical emergency. She noted they were not forcing students to attend and explained how referrals came to the school and outlined ways to address a better solution. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 7 of 13 Police Chief Eric Peterson confirmed the minimal calls for service but agreed with a downtown campus there could be potential concerns if students were required to remain in facility. Mr. Cole said there were students in situations they did not have more concerns with disciple than in any other facilities. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about how this could affect the current use and what could be lost. Mr. Cole said they would not lose anything as there would be plenty of space for the programs to coexist. Councilmember Barnett confirmed the proposed age groups. Mr. Cole explained the difference in separating high school age youth from ages 18-21. Ms. Bonthuis asked how much it would cost to renovate the space. Mr. Cole said they estimated $1 million and $5 million to renovate Sandburg as it was filled with cubicles which could be reused as classrooms, adding the largest cost was to reestablish the cafeteria and elevator. Ms. Bonthuis asked about parking on Monroe Street with the two-hour parking. Mr. Cole said they would need to request a change for parking and noted many students ride the bus and would use the parking lot across the street. Ms. Wolverton added they no longer offer night classes. Councilmember Weaver asked if the stage was still usable. Mr. Cole confirmed the stage was removed many years ago. A member of the audience asked if the Coon Raids building could be purchased. Mr. Cole said that was possible but would not be ideal. Councilmember Skogquist asked about physically changing the footprint. Mr. Cole said not all changes would be internal as the classrooms were ready but the challenge would be the cafeteria, gym space, ADA compliance, and cooling. He said they would continue to work with the school board and partner with the City to make sure permits were approved and provide good school transitions. Councilmember Barnett thanked the team for coming and said the relationship with the school board was important and appreciated. 3.3 Presentation of Certificate of Insufficiency Regarding a Petition to Amend City Charter. Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers shared a staff report with background information stating on July 12, 2022, the City received a petition to amend the City Charter relating to the creation of election wards, changing the Mayoral term from two years to four years and to amend the process to fill vacancies on the City July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 8 of 13 Council. The City Council was presented with a printed copy of the petition on Monday, July 18, 2022, and that initially, the petition was deemed insufficient due to it not meeting the requirements of Statute relating to the number of signatures required. It was initially thought that 540 signatures were required because staff was interpreting the amount was 5% of registered voters at the previous State General Election. After further review of Statute and Minnesota Rules, staff confirmed the number of signatures was based on 5% of votes cast at the previous State General Election which lowered the number of required signatures from 540 to 481. She said that during review they discovered several other deficiencies in the petition which were outlined in the Certificate of Insufficiency of Petition. She said staff was required to present the certificate to the Council and that no formal action was needed at this time then outlined the insufficiencies in detail. Councilmember Barnett confirmed the timeline to resubmit a corrected petition. Ms. Oehlers said the process would begin again and further insufficiencies an entirely new petition would be required, adding the timeframe to audit was August 26. Councilmember Wesp inquired about Councilmember Skogquist’s involvement in the petition. Councilmember Skogquist said he supported the idea and helped collect signatures. Mr. Baumgartner explained amending an ordinance was much different than amending the Charter and noted the summary exceeded the 1,000 words required then spoke about how signatures were not valid due to not meeting the requirements of the petition. Councilmember Wesp asked about inaccuracy of a petition and opportunity to correct. Mr. Baumgartner confirmed the petition was insufficient based on the items lacking. Mayor Rice said he was ambivalent about the proposed changes and said the advantage of having the Mayor as a two-year term was that three members would always have to run and could flip a majority. Councilmember Barnett asked how long it took to verify the submitted signatures. Ms. Oehlers said it took staff four to five days to confirm and noted the work needed to be prioritize balanced with the current election work. 3.4 Discussion; Recreational Vehicle Trail Easement on City Property. Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared a staff report with background information stating as the City Council was aware the City has an established snowmobile corral during the winter months to allow snowmobiles and UTVs to access downtown. The recent discussion regarding the restaurant pad brought to light the need to moralize the recreational vehicle trail formally. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 9 of 13 The City Council could establish a recreation vehicle easement over the area the snowmobile corral occupies during the winter months to memorialize the situation with the understanding that if the restaurant pad is ever sold, the property would have to be platted to finalize the restaurant pad lot. The easement could then be amended at that time to accommodate a proposed development scheme for the pad. Councilmember Weaver said it was important for both entities to acknowledge the importance of the trail and memorializing this action was important. He said this was a unique amenity and was important to retain a recreational trail for other uses such as skiing and that he fully supported those uses too. Councilmember Skogquist inquired about what was in place for snowmobiles for zoning and asked about the vote requirement for this action and a cost estimate for this action. Councilmember Weaver said certain areas were specific with regard to width but suggested a 12-foot easement could meander than acknowledged that an easement was the best action. Mr. Baumgartner said the action did not require a 4/5 vote as it was only an easement on property the City already owns then added a survey would be needed first before more could be confirmed about the process and cost. 3.5 Discussion; Regulation of Cannabis Products in Minnesota. Mr. Borglund shared a staff report with background information stating staff has been informed that based on a new law passed by the State Legislature it is now legal to sell products such as edibles and beverages infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabis ingredient extracted from hemp. This will have an effect on the City of Anoka and all cities in Minnesota as it will impact sales and distribution and influence Human Resource rules. The new law does not specifically prohibit cities from regulating the sale of cannabinoid products. City Code currently prohibits medical or recreational marijuana dispensaries and any commercial use selling drug paraphernalia in the MS Mix Use EM-1 (Historic Downtown) Zoning District. He outlined options the City Council could discuss that included doing nothing, licensing businesses that would like to sell these products, and prohibit the sale of THC products like drug paraphernalia is the downtown area. Relating to the Human Resources aspect staff is working with the City’s labor attorney to review the regulations currently have in place relating to employment and hiring of individuals that may test positive for THC. This new law does prohibit employees who are police officers and employees required to hold a commercial driver’s license for their job from the use of THC. However, it is likely that staff will need to make adjustments to the personnel policy relating to other employees and employment candidates and the use of THC, since the State has now adopted this new law. Staff will continue to prohibit the use of drugs while at work on City property during the performance of their job or whenever or wherever they may be performing their job duties. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 10 of 13 Councilmember Weaver said he would abstain from the discussion as Ms. Coyle is a tenant in his building who currently was selling these products. Mr. Baumgartner explained current ordinance does not address this topic but only addresses paraphernalia and dispensaries, adding a city cannot prohibit all sales but only the control of the sale. He spoke about compliance checks, location of products, transient sales, vending machines, and distance from schools and parks. Councilmember Wesp asked about impacts and regulation of amounts of THC. Jamie Coyle, retailer, responded that weight and amount is outlined in law and that some could potentially buy a product and put another in the package and said she hopes this law will not create misuse of the products. She noted there were not a lot of products out there currently as inventory builds and noted they chose to take all non-compliant products off the shelf. Mr. Lee said the product does not refer to just gummies but seltzers sold in liquor stores. Councilmember Wesp said more information is needed with regard to products in liquor stores. Chief Peterson agreed, stating they were researching other states for support but there was not a lot regarding enforcement but noted impairment is impairment but it was easier to measure alcohol impairment than THC. Mr. Baumgartner explained there currently was no enforcement except for packaging or selling to a minor and that the law was leaving the regulation to cities. Ms. Coyle commented liquor stores will have to look at this as well as breweries and the potential to prohibit and adjust as people can order products online and proposed working with the City to address concerns about potency and safety, adding they were hoping for an open-door policy regarding these products. Mr. Baumgartner said the City could put a moratorium in place then draft an ordinance sooner rather than later on how to address sales in the City. Mayor Rice asked if the current locations would be grandfathered in while they work on an ordinance. Mr. Baumgartner said not necessarily then used the former Redrum shop as an example and reemphasized the need to address sooner rather than later. Councilmember Skogquist said he would likely support licensing as he did not want to hurt businesses already selling while we go through the process but said once we do than anyone that comes forward such as a gas station could meet the criteria. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 11 of 13 Mr. Baumgartner said we need to be thoughtful in crafting an ordinance to help responsible business owners and explained how licensing affords the ability to identify the responsible one through location restrictions, compliance checks, and greater penalties because right now a violation is only a misdemeanor. A member of audience noted there could be limited sales in liquor stores. Mr. Baumgartner confirmed liquor stores cannot sell edibles but could sell THC- infused alcohol. Councilmember Barnett said she would support licensing but not along Main Street to allow some privacy for purchasers. She said she hesitated enacting a moratorium compared to a licensing model as she did not to impact the businesses already in place as these products could have great health benefits but just needs to be regulated. Mr. Baumgartner said we could do a moratorium quickly to see what other cities are doing then reviewed points such as distance from schools, who can sell, movable locations, and others. Ms. Coyle shared data on sales and suggested while this moratorium was in place that businesses who are selling be grandfathered in until licensing comes about and being allowed to apply because it would be detrimental to her business if they could no longer sell these products. Mr. Lee said staff could draft an ordinance similar to tobacco licenses. Councilmember Barnett asked if there have been any issues with sale or vending since the law went into effect. Mr. Baumgartner said the law is too new to know the impacts yet. Chief Peterson added the supply is still not available yet to fully know the impacts. Ms. Coyle noted there were not many products on the market yet that were compliant but that it took only two weeks to formulate and three to six to test so products should be coming forward soon. She spoke about the start-up capital needed and how their supplies were in compliance and was supportive of providing healthy and safe products, adding education was needed. Councilmember Wesp referred to a recent article about needing a lot of hemp growers to meet the demand and suggested an ordinance be created soon as he did not want to put people out of business either. Mr. Baumgartner asked about manufacturing and distribution and how the topic could be addressed through zoning. Mayor Rice said he would like to prohibit manufacturing and distribution. Ms. Coyle explained the Department of Agriculture regulated growing while the Board of Pharmacy regulated retail. July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 12 of 13 Councilmember Skogquist said the City should address sale for now then review manufacturing and distribution later as needed. Ms. Coyle emphasized the difference in 100% THC free products and full spectrum that even has a trace amount and was not intoxicating, such as topicals. Mayor Rice agreed he would like to regulate only what was legal. Council consensus was to move forward with a licensing ordinance with no moratorium at this time. 3.6 Discussion; Anoka County Jail. Mr. Borglund shared a staff report with background information stating the City Council and Staff met with members of the Anoka County Board and Anoka County Staff on July 14, 2022 at the Anoka County Government Center. City Staff is seeking direction on how proceed based on the discussion that occurred on July 14, 2022. Currently, the existing Anoka County jail facility is a non- conforming use and is not allowed in the Main Street Mixed Use EM-1 Historic Downtown Core Zoning District. The existing Anoka County jail facility can be improved, maintained, and replaced in its existing location, but cannot be expanded in any way. Some thoughts the City Council should consider discussing include location(s) the City Council supports, release of detainees into the downtown area, proposed parking ramp, and other issues and takeaways from the July 14, 2022 City/County meeting. Staff suggests the City Council develop a unified position overall on the issues as they relate to the proposed Anoka County expansion plans that can be communicated to Anoka County Commissioners and staff and asked for next steps. Councilmember Weaver said they took a strong position on the proposed expansion and asked if the County can override the action. Mr. Baumgartner said there could be some authority with regard to a jail and noted there was no variance language in place and said the best position was a nonconforming use and that the City could deny the expansion. Councilmember Weaver asked why the holding facility could not go into another city. Mr. Baumgartner said if the case goes to court and there is no other place having a position allows the City options. Mayor Rice said he believed the City needed to stand firm and not approve a building permit and more clearly define the area and the proposed alternative area of eight acres. Councilmember Skogquist said was one concern was the former state hospital was part of the City and that we did not want to provide options to tear the current July 25, 2022 (Worksession) Page 13 of 13 buildings down and suggested providing an alternative solution which outlines that the City is being reasonable. Mayor Rice said the use could fit around the current buildings and suggested other areas such as the rail station and 7th and 4th Avenues as they were most reasonable. He said the County could expand where they currently were located but did not want to consider a multi-level design due to operation costs and agreed the City had to provide reasonable alternatives. Mr. Baumgartner said that is why he believed rezoning the area south of the 80 acres was the best option as it would show the City acted to rezone property to allow the use which would be seen as reasonable in court. Councilmember Skogquist agreed, adding there would still be many items for consideration as part of this process and suggested this be a candidate question for the new sheriff. Councilmember Barnett asked if we could rezone the property then rezone back again if the use does not go through. Mr. Borglund responded the City’s strongest power is in land use and zoning and could be amended again. Councilmember Weaver asked about notifying property owners in the surrounding 350 feet. Mr. Borglund said the property owners around the site have already been notified. Council consensus was to bring the rezoning forward for second reading and outline the former Public Works site on 7th Avenue for a jail expansion. 4. UPDATES/REPORTS/COUNCIL SUGGESTIONS FOR TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. 5. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Barnett, seconded by Councilmember Wesp to adjourn the Worksession at 9:04 p.m. Motion carried. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk