Anoka City Council

February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 1 of 6 ANNUAL GOALS SESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL GREEN HAVEN GOLF COUSE & EVENT CENTER 28000 GREENHAVEN RD, ANOKA-MN FEBRUARY 13, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee, Assistant City Manager Amy Oehlers, Finance Director Brenda Springer, Police Chief Eric Peterson, Public Services Director Mark Anderson, Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse, Community Development Director Doug Borglund, Liquor Stores Manager Kevin Morelli, Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson, Golf Course Manager Larry Norland Council and staff met at Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center for the Annual Goals Session. Meeting began at 5:00 p.m. Each Councilmember discussed their specific goals for the City for 2023-2024. Mayor Rice 2023-2024 Goals 1. Development; • Rental properties, Rail Station, Historic Rum River, 7th/116, Anoka County Jail. 2. An ordinance regarding social medial and elected officials. 3. Revenue sources to ensure funds for infrastructure including a tax levy. 4. Organized Hauling; • Legislative goal regarding ballot question and immediate change. 5. Highway 47: • Evaluate Thurston Ave as a possible solution to Hwy 47, with funding for a signalized intersection in the Anoka Enterprise Park. February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 2 of 6 Councilmember Scott 2023-2024 Goals 1. Develop a responsible City budget: a. Takes into consideration the existing and continued extraordinary inflation environment. i. Budget and plan for opportunities that extend City asset lifespan. Encourage multi-modal transport options to reduce congestion and degradation on public roadways. Reserve dedicated monies for the eventual replacement of City assets (playgrounds, buildings, roads, etc.) so when the asset needs to be replaced, the City is prepared with limited need to borrow from other City funds or to bond. ii. Accounts for minimum service requirements for the citizens of Anoka. Adjusts for reasonable compensation packages to attract and retain talent in all departments (limits shortages especially for seasonal needs) for minimum service requirements. iii. Make investments that prepare Anoka and its residents for the future, investments including enhancements to select City infrastructure, and contributions and partnerships with community partners to promote resident personal development and community spirit (rehab property partnership with STEP, if feasible). 2. Develop City protocols that promote local development and growth of citizenry and business development. a. When considering business proposals, ensure consideration for local growth (incubation of our small businesses) when possible. b. Echoing Police Chief Peterson’s comments about the Civilian Service Award and how often it is awarded, create periodic (annual, semi-annual) reviews/ceremonies from citizen or business submissions to acknowledge and encourage citizenship actions (both corporate and personal) in our community. c. Consider adding a non-voting youth representative on our City Boards & Commissions to encourage youth citizenry and engagement. d. Evaluate switching primary City banking accounts to a local credit union vs. a national bank. i. Deposits are reinvested into local community lending. ii. The City may see higher savings rates on deposits and lower fees. February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 3 of 6 3. Evaluate security and redundancy or susceptible City assets and create action plans to ensure stable services. a. Work with our Police and Public Works to develop actionable recommendations to ensure our power, water, and buildings have adequate security and redundancies in place to prevent potential sabotage, breakdown or equipment, and security breakdowns where feasible. i. For example, there has been a recent rash nationally of targeting power resources. Additionally, there have been boil water advisories locally. 4. Enhance public amenities/infrastructure that encourages stronger community spirit. a. Continue to support and develop the Riverwalk plan. b. Repurpose a portion of the Aquatic Center for cabana rental for small celebrations. c. Develop plans to implement the City Social District. d. Encourage other modes of local transportation via designated bike lanes and connecting sidewalks where it makes sense. 5. Retool Anoka City ordinance that criminalizes the application of washable and temporary items on City property. a. Allow for washable substances on City property. i. Since approval and implementation of this ordinance, there have been limited to no enforcement actions for chalk and other infractions. Why have an ordinance that is frequently and flagrantly violated with no enforcement? Councilmember Skogquist 2022 Accomplishments 1. Continued major capital investment in rebuilding streets and underground utility infrastructure. 2. Reconstructed Rudy Johnson Park, built Station Park, and received grant funds for West Rum River Trail and 4th Ave & Railroad tracks crossing. 3. Completed replacement of Law Enforcement Training Center. February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 4 of 6 4. Affirmed City of Anoka Human Rights Commission with regular meetings. 5. Increased preservations focus by initiating HRA curb appeal grant program. 2023-2024 Goals 1. Craft infill standards so new construction blends with neighborhoods not redefines them. • Single family areas should be protected and complementary homes and uses should be the focus. • Certain development types and styles (townhouses, modern styles like split levels) should be limited in the core historic neighborhoods (Christian Hill, Slab Town, Swede Town, Whiskey Flats). • Have Heritage Preservation Commission continue to identify zones to focus on first then create overlay standards based on criteria in our existing ordinances or other cities. 2. Increase sidewalk/trail connections enhancing multi-modal transportation. • Construct missing trail segment on 4th Ave and railroad tracks. • Build trail between Garfield and Bunker Lake Blvd on west side of 7th Ave. • Stripe on-street bike lanes where practicable (e.g. Garfield, 4th Ave). • Increase sidewalk and trail connections on primary and secondary roads and to parks and schools. 3. Enhance communication with citizens using diverse forms of communication and increasing responsiveness to citizen concerns. • Signs on affected parcels calling out proposed land use changes (variance requests, rezoning, comprehensive plan amendments). • More neighborhood meetings when key decision effects them instead of just a Council meeting with limited notification (e.g. Hwy 10, Hwy 47, Rum River Shores). • Use of social media to announce times and locations of key decisions. • Televising all Boards/Commission meetings at a minimum quarterly. • Positive and responsive communication when residents contact staff with concerns. 4. Create a sustainable funding model to address aging infrastructure like utilities and roadways by extending their life and pay for ones needing replacement. • Extend lifecycle when practicable. • Use existing resources more economically. • Adequately address revenue needed to keep up on maintenance and replacement. February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 5 of 6 5. Create a recycling center in the City of Anoka. • Repurpose some existing funds. • Apply for grants and other opportunities for construct and operate. • Allow residents to bring in large quantities of material and greater variety (look at Andover and Coon Rapids as models). Councilmember Weaver 2022 Accomplishments 1. Nothing is accomplished individually. All accomplishments are done by the entire Council by their votes. 2023-2024 Goals 1. Make sure to have a responsible budget. Finding new sources of revenue through responsible development to increase the tax capacity. Only use bonding if there is a debt reduction component to not raise the levy against the taxpayers. 2. Preserve the Agricultural Area; grain binds, silos, feed mill. 3. Rum River Dam safety project, including navigation lock/hydropower generation, automat3ed gates and walkway, trails, fish passage, possible river surfing. 4. Infill standards in historic neighborhoods. 5. Responsible Anoka County expansion in the downtown. 6. Responsible MnDOT Hwy improvements in Anoka. 7. River recreation including a Riverboat. Councilmember Wesp 2023-2024 Goals 1. Continued redevelopment in the Highland Park neighborhood and development of the Greens of Anoka. 2. Create an acceptable Courthouse Development Plan for the City of Anoka. 3. Implement a responsible City budget. • Support adequate funding for Police and Fire protection. February 13, 2023 (Annual Goals Session) Page 6 of 6 4. Secure legislative funding for the Rum River Dam project. 5. Funding for a Highway 47 grade separation, with acceptable route. 6. Strong, safe and vibrant downtown Anoka. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Prepared and submitted by: Amy T. Oehlers, Assistant City Manager Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk