Anoka City Council

April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 1 of 15 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 3, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Finance Director Brenda Springer; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; Communications and Recycling Manager Pam Bowman; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; Electric Utility Director Del Vancura. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 February 27, 2023, Worksession. March 20, 2023, Regular Meeting. Councilmember Wesp said the February 27, 2023 worksession minutes needed a correction on roll call from Councilmember Barnett to Councilmember Scott. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to approve the February 27, 2023, Worksession and March 20, 2023, Regular Meeting as corrected. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared the upcoming awards ceremony to recognize staff for their amazing police. He said a work peer review committee made nominations for recommendations but added there was great work throughout the year by all members. He said the Anoka Anti-Crime Commission will be voting in new members and presenting the most recent crime statistics report then said the Landlord Management Association will be presenting on hoarding in rental April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 2 of 15 housing and provide managers CPR/AED training. He spoke about the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association training for active shooter and strategies and how the Association will train staff to then bring into the business community. He announced former CSO Robert Whiteside is now a patrol officer and shared his background, field training, and future oath of office then explained work to fill both full-time and part-time CSO positions, and additional patrol officer. He noted the recent extreme winter weather caused no major interruptions but staff assisted stranded motorists then said they were currently monitoring flood forecasts and preparing in the event flooding occurs. He said predictions are nine feet at the bridge next week and that 14 feet results in minor flooding and will likely close trails along Mississippi and Rum as a precaution. Councilmember Skogquist thanked staff for their work during the winter storm then asked how Anoka trains and prepares for potential train derailments. Chief Peterson responded staff has an emergency operations plan in place which includes many events such as derailments then spoke about opportunities for staff to attend training at the Fridley railyards. He said while a derailment is a possibility Anoka would rely on their many partners in the Fire Department as well as the State and Federal levels and are very aware and trained in the event something takes place. Councilmember Wesp said the police recognition program was started by former Chief Revering to show what our officers do and allow others to understand the commitment police have to the community. He said they will be recognizing Captain Justin Anderson who will be retiring after 32 years of service and recognize many others for their support of the City through helping our community. 4.2 Highway 10 Anoka Construction Update. Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared an update regarding Highway 10 construction. Councilmember Weaver said there continues to be confusion at the roundabout at Highway 10 onto West Main Street. Mr. Nelson said staff is working with MnDOT on ways to address the concerns including signage with directional arrows and lights to help reduce speed which will be installed yet this season. Councilmember Skogquist clarified the gravel roads on Cutters Grove and Fair Oak were graded and thanked staff for doing this so quickly. Mr. Nelson said as soon as the City re-mobilizes on the site the gravel will no longer be needed and will be replaced with temporary pavement instead. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 3 of 15 OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Ross Peterson, 4309 Parkview Circle, asked if the Council could assist getting the Twins game schedule added again to the NorthStar rail schedule. Jim Burns, 404 Rice Street, asked about the item regarding the restaurant pad and if there will be an opportunity for public comment. Mayor Rice confirmed there would be an opportunity to speak at that time. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Skogquist asked if there was a conflict with his voting on Item 6.7 as his mother was a member of the organization and completed the application. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner clarified there was no conflict of interest regarding this item. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to approve Consent Agenda Items 6.1 through 6.8 as presented. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 Issuance of a Massage Business License for Tai Wellness, LLC; 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. 6.4 Issuance of a Massage Therapist License for Taiqian Zhu of Tai Wellness, LLC; 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. 6.5 Issuance of a Massage Therapist License for Zhi Dong of Tai Wellness, LLC; 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. 6.6 Issuance of a Massage Therapist License for Jeffrey Apel of Anoka Massage and Pain Therapy, 710 E. River Road. 6.7 Waiving Facility Charges for Designated Organizations; Daughters of the American Revolution and Lincoln Elementary. 6.8 Highway 10 Rum River Bridge and Corridor Project; Approve Change Order Number 31. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 4 of 15 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1 Recycling Items: 7.1.A. Waste Reduction and Recycling Board Annual Report. Chair Cheryl Knapek presented the Waste Reduction and Recycling Board (WRRB) annual report. She reviewed information on SCORE funding, the WRRB’s accomplishments in 2022 which included an organic drop off program, recycling outreach, partnering with Peterson Shoes to collect 1,107 shoes for reuse, aluminum can collection trailer, constructing a little lending library, Citywide garage sale, and rebrand with logo. She spoke about the Ace Solid Waste contract since 2021 which provides great service and results in very few complaints then spoke about contamination issues on recycling with multi-family developments and their work through ACE to correct. She reviewed 2022 tonnage collections then highlighted the spring, summer, fall and recycling events with a goal of 1,771 tons and reached 1,696 tons or 95% of goal, compared to last year’s goal of 85%. Chair Knapek said recycling rates for 2023 will remain the same as 2022 and should be for the next three years then reviewed the 2023 recycling schedule and postcards mailed as well as their Waste Wizard tool to help guide residents on what to recycle as well as the ACE mobile app. She reviewed 2023 SCORE funding of $78,046 then outlined 2023-2024 goals in detail including the possibility of a recycling center in the City then outlined the planned events for 2023. She thanked the Anoka Lions, AMU, and Public Services for their support and partnership for events and work. Councilmember Skogquist thanked the WRRB for their work and goals of 95% then asked if the garage sale will affect tonnage or is the goal mostly reuse. Chair Knapek said the goal was reuse and following that they will do a reuse event with Anoka County for leftover garage sale items for exchange which will then be weighed. Councilmember Weaver thanked the WRRB for providing the trailer for aluminum can recycling which provides funding for lunches for the Waterfowl for Warriors event. An audience member asked questions about the ACE Solid Waste contract and if their tonnage was contributed to the City’s overall tonnage goals. Mayor Rice confirmed it was. 7.2 Planning Items: Mr. Baumgartner noted Items 7.2A. and 7.2B. will be considered at a future Council meeting to allow for amendments to the development agreement, tentatively scheduled for April 10 at 5:00 p.m. 7.2.A. RES/Approving a Development Agreement with Ryan Companies for Development of a Grocery Store at 7th Avenue and Bunker Lake Boulevard. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 5 of 15 POSTPONED 7.2.B. RES/Ryan Companies Final Plat. POSTPONED 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 ORD/Amending Chapter 6, Article II, Onsale Intoxicating Liquor and Wine Licenses; Relating to the Municipal Authority to Issue Wine Licenses to a Baseball Team. City Manager Greg Lee shared a background report stating this item is an introductory first reading of an ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 6, Article II, onsale intoxicating liquor and wine licenses. This amendment is being presented to reflect what the current State Law is regarding the issuance of this type of license for alcoholic beverages at a baseball field. In order to allow the sale of strong beer (which is what has been sold in the past at tournaments at Castle Field), a licensee must hold a wine license and a 3.2 malt liquor license as required by State law. He said the following agenda item will consider an amendment to City Code relative to the onsale 3.2 malt liquor, which essentially replicates the same language as this language for the onsale wine license. He said staff is currently reviewing how this amendment would apply to teams operating in Anoka and additional language will be included at second reading. Mr. Baumgartner said the amendment will allow certain entities to hold onsale licenses and this will allow the opportunity for alcohol sales at Castle Field for the entity who can hold the license. Councilmember Weaver how a license can be given to someone who may want to hold a music event. Mr. Baumgartner said Statute allows only certain entities to obtain a liquor license, this provision is only for teams, and that a social event such as music would be licensed under a different portion of Statute such as a caterer’s license. Councilmember Skogquist clarified if not called out as an allowed use then someone would apply for a special one-day event. Mr. Baumgartner agreed, stating this ordinance was not for one-time use but ongoing liquor license sales. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Wesp, to hold first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Article II, onsale intoxicating liquor and wine license. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 6 of 15 Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.2 ORD/Amending Chapter 6, Article II, Onsale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor; Relating to the Municipal Authority to Issue Wine Licenses to a Baseball Team. Mr. Lee shared a background report stating this is an introductory first reading of an ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 6, Article III, onsale 3.2 malt liquor licenses. This amendment is being presented to reflect what the current State law is regarding the issuance of this type of license for alcoholic beverages at a baseball field. In order to allow the sale of strong beer (which is what has been sold in the past at tournaments at Castle Field), a licensee must hold a wine license and a 3.2 malt liquor license. The previous agenda item coincides with this proposed amendment. Councilmember Skogquist confirmed this amendment would for the sale of strong. Mayor Rice asked if the amendment would allow seltzers to be sold. Mr. Baumgartner said alcohol seltzers would be included in the intoxicating license. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to hold first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Article III, onsale 3.2 malt liquor licenses. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.3 RES/Harrison Street Surface Improvement Project; Order Project, Waive Public Improvement Hearing, Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specifications, and Authorize Advertisement for Bids. Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared a background report stating pursuant to Council discussion at the March 27, 2023 worksession meeting, Council provided unanimous consent to develop an Emergency Street Maintenance Program to address the acceleration/increase in deterioration in road surfaces from the current freeze thawing over the winter and spring months and committed $1.15M towards repairing roads that were not budgeted in 2023. As part of the Emergency Street Maintenance Program, Council directed staff to resurface Harrison Street from 3rd Avenue to 7th Avenue in the 2023 construction season. Harrison Street will be approximately a 0.42-mile full depth reclamation project, essentially a street surface improvement project (SSIP), that will create a long- term maintenance benefit other than just with typical roadway maintenance. The proposed full depth reclamation project will involve the reconstruction of the street surface, including the bituminous pavement, minor replacement of the concrete curb and gutters, storm sewer reconstruction only as necessary, and April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 7 of 15 pedestrian ramps reconstruction to meet current Americans with Disabilities ADA standards. He reviewed the bidding and authorization process and the estimated project cost of the Harrison Street Surface Improvement Project is $500,000, which includes 6% for inflation construction contingency and 10% for engineering and administrative contingency. The project will be financed primarily by the general fund reserves and $150,000 from the 2022 street maintenance roll over funds into the 2023 budget for emergency street maintenance. Mr. Nelson noted the resolution has been revised to authorize the transfer of funds in the amount of $1,000,000 from the general reserve fund to the emergency road repair program to finance the general roadway repairs in 2023 and authorize staff to solicit quotes and execute contracts for emergency road repair program based on lowest quotes received for said maintenance. Councilmember Weaver said the action will authorize taking from the reserve funds from a balance set by Charter as well as $250,000 in rollover funds for use. He said even with this funding we may run out of funds money before all roads are addressed and asked if there were other CIP funds that could be deferred to continue other street projects such as 6th Avenue, Jackson Street, and Jacob Lane. Mr. Nelson said there were no CIP projects in Engineering that could be postponed but noted Jacob Lane would be included as part of the Highway 10 project. Councilmember Weaver said we cannot wait that long to repair Jacob Lane. Public Services Director Mark Anderson agreed there are many potholes on Jacob Lane as well as throughout the City but noted staff can now get hot mix which allows for more permanent patching which is good while they continue to identify other funding sources. Councilmember Weaver said he was concerned about staff going in many directions, including snow removal still in April, and taking away from pothole repair and asked if contractors could be used to help catch up. Mr. Anderson said most of this work will be done through contractors for the large repairs so staff can focus on the smaller pothole repairs. Councilmember Weaver said Webster Street off the entrance of Franklin School will not last until the SSIP program next year. Mr. Anderson staff will review the area and identify ways to address. Mr. Lee suggested creating a change order to this year’s street project plan to include Webster Street repair as a possibility. Councilmember Wesp spoke about the importance of Harrison Street as a main thoroughfare for police and fire and that staff has done work by identifying funding of $500,000 for repair but asked if it would be best to continue patching this year and go out for bids next May and use the funding for other street repairs. Mr. Lee suggesting staying the course with Harrison Street and see what the bids April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 8 of 15 come in at on May 2 and if good then decide, adding we are not committed to any project. He noted the proposed resolution has been revised to add transfer of funds. Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, to adopt a resolution approving the Harrison Street Surface Improvement Project; order project, waive public improvement hearing, authorize preparation of plans and specifications, authorize advertisement for bids, and include staff revisions for transfer of funds. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.4 RES/U.S. Highway 10/169 Ramsey Gateway Project; Approve Joint Power Agreement with Anoka County Highway Department for the King’s Island Trailhead Parking Lot and Area Improvements. RESOLUTION Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared a background report stating pursuant to a resolution adopted by Council on the July 6, 2015, the Anoka Solution Plan for Highway 10 was approved. To date, all of the various improvements along Highway 10 in Anoka are being or have been constructed with the exception of the Riverdale Drive Extension, project identified as “F” on the Anoka Solution plan. The Riverdale Drive Extension includes the following; provides south side frontage to Highway 10, ties in with City of Ramsey’s plan, connection to a trailhead for the park, and eliminates numerous access points from Highway 10. On February 6, 2023, the Anoka County Transportation Committee made a motion to authorizing the County Engineer to negotiate a Joint Power Agreement (JPA) with the City of Anoka for the construction of the trailhead parking lot at King’s Island and area improvements as part of the U.S. Highway 10/169 Ramsey Gateway Project. A future Council action will be required for the approval of this agreement. On March 20, 2023, City Council approved a Right-of-Entry Agreement with Anoka County Highway Department to preform pre-construction actives (i.e. tree clearing) for the U.S. Highway 10/169 Ramsey Gateway Project. Anoka County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) are working together to grade separate at CSAH-56 (Ramsey Boulevard NW) and CSAH-57 (Sunfish Lake Boulevard NW) at U.S. Highway 10/169, along with frontage roads, backage road, and other associated corridor improvements along U.S. Highway 10/169 in the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka. When completed, the Ramsey Gateway Project will improve traffic flow, decrease congestion, increase safety, reduce access points, and improve mobility within Ramsey Councilmember Skogquist asked about issues putting a public road that close to Oxbow near the Mississippi River. Mr. Nelson said to his knowledge there would be no issues with this placement. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 9 of 15 Councilmember Weaver referred to the steep ravine off the highway and how to address. Mr. Nelson said the road will be pushed to the north but that staff will review the plans from Anoka County to review the proposed grading. Councilmember Weaver said he was pleased to see this trail opportunity and the possibility of a footbridge to the island from the trailhead. Mr. Nelson said the CIP for 2026-2027 includes $2.2 million to create the trailhead, paths, and bridge across Oxbow. Councilmember Weaver said since this is the MRT trail will there be grant funds available as well. Mr. Nelson said staff is currently researching that possibility. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt a resolution approving U.S. Highway 10/169 Ramsey Gateway project; approve joint powers agreement with Anoka County Highway Department for King’s Island trailhead parking lot and area improvements. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.5 RES/Adopting 2023-2024 City Goals. RESOLUTION Mr. Lee shared a background report stating at the goals session on February 13, 2023, the City Council discussed the City Council's goals for 2023-2024. Based on that discussion, the City Council goals for 2023-2024 were established and outlined in the proposed resolution. Staff will provide the City Council with a goals’ status report throughout the year, including those of boards and commissions. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt a resolution adopting the 2023-2024 City goals. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.6 RES/Purchase Agreement for 2612 4th Avenue. RESOLUTION Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared a background report stating at the October 17, 2022, closed executive session, the Council directed staff to move forward and pursue acquisition of the subject property at the price of $250,000. The property owner is a willing seller and the subject property is a vacant/unoccupied duplex. The City has obtained a real estate appraisal for 2612 April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 10 of 15 4th Avenue determining its value at $275,000. The seller has and the City has agreed on a price of $250,000 contingent upon final approval of the purchase agreement by the City Council, adding the owner would like to close on property as soon as possible after City Council approval. Councilmember Weaver inquired about the playground. Mr. Borglund said a small playground exists on the property and there was an agreement in place to use a portion for the playground with the Anoka County Mission and that staff will have to work with them as part of this process, adding the City owns all the property to the north. Mayor Rice said while it is not unusual for the City to address a problem property in this way it solves several problems in the area and is a good purchase to remove this home in this area. Councilmember Weaver cautioned about the third-party use and handshake agreement and adverse possession and asked if this use is in writing and can we terminate that use and obtain clear title. Mr. Baumgartner explained since there was permission to use there is not a hostile use and the discussion will be had regarding relocating the playground but that certainly Ms. Welte had permission and their burden to use the property without permission, adding there was nothing recorded on the property so the City could obtain clear title. Councilmember Scott spoke about public perception and exercising their rights as with nonprofit property owners and the importance of showing our position. Mr. Baumgartner said staff can get something in writing to the Mission and that Ms. Welte acknowledged this has been used permissively prior to closing. Councilmember Weaver suggested including a 30-day notice of termination of use so there is more than just an oral agreement. Councilmember Wesp said the Mission spoke about this in January and the property the Mission owns and easement to Pleasant Street could be part of a land swap. Mr. Borglund shared this allows an opportunity to relocate their driveway which has to be addressed before any redevelopment of the site and the playground gives us some negotiating power. He said Mr. Abeler owns the Milk Factory and said the storage lot might be an opportunity for shared parking, relocated access, improved playground or removing the access that serves another property from a City-owned property as it hinders the site but said staff was confident we can come to a conclusion. Councilmember Weaver stressed the need for a clear path before spending the money. Mayor Rice asked how long the playground has been in place. Mr. Borglund said he was unsure but noted it has been in place awhile. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 11 of 15 Councilmember Wesp asked if we approve purchase agreement does that put the process in motion with nothing further for Council to consider. Mr. Baumgartner said the motion could be to the approve purchase agreement and closing contingent upon the outlined concerns. Mayor Rice suggested adding a lease for $1 with a 30-day termination clause to address the playground use. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt a resolution approving purchase of real property at 2612 4th Avenue, contingent upon entering into a lease for playground agreement with Anoka County Mission for a $1 annual lease and 30-day termination clause or other satisfactory to Council. Councilmember Wesp confirmed the lease will come back to Council for approval. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10.1 Remove Restaurant Pad from the Real Estate Market. Mr. Borglund shared a background report stating through two Councilmembers have requested the topic of removal of the restaurant pad from the real estate market be discussed and considered by the City Council. Councilmember Wesp confirmed there was no conflict of interest on this issue if he participated in discussion and vote. Mr. Baumgartner said there was no conflict of interest specifically to removing the site from the real estate market. Mayor Rice said because the Council was at a deadlock it made sense to remove the site from the market until progress or acceptable agreements were presented. Jim Burns, 404 Rice Street, shared frustrations regarding the sale and development of this site. He outlined 10K Brewery and the smokehouse business proposals for the site in detail and said as a resident he wanted to learn. He thought 10K was unsustainable based on the menu and that a brewhouse would not be a destination place in Anoka. He shared frustrations with a five-member Council and the required 4/5 majority and with one member abstaining only four could vote and the fact that those members were divided. He supported the City supporting current businesses such as 10K and the public restroom element and said he attended the EDC meeting when they reviewed the proposals and said the EDC voted 7-1 in favor of the smokehouse based on their menu, a completed project, the purchase price, and constructing the entire public restroom and hoped April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 12 of 15 their recommendation held weight for the Council. He said one Councilmember was concerned about the public restroom and would not support and asked how anything would ever get done at this point and asked why any business would submit a proposal in Anoka with no change in the outcome. He said he was frustrated Council could not make a decision and said they were elected to represent the residents but since they were at an impasse they needed to hear from more voices on preferences. He said because 10K has a robust following there may be a skewed view as they show up at meetings and noted the general public was not even present and that the word needs to get out more about these topics such as mailers to residents to gather more. Larry Tong, 2200 2nd Avenue, said the condo owners do not want odors from the proposed smokehouse and was disappointed that Jesse Hauf from 10K did not attend the worksession and liked Mike Briggs’ comments about cooperating with Anoka regarding ways to address smoking meats such as offsite. He said 10K has not waivered one bit on their proposal and as a community we want to see something constructed as the site is not generating any taxes now and when the TIF district was created it was intended to pay for the parking ramp but currently the residents were paying. He said unless 10K pulls out nothing will get done and said he agreed the site should be off the market in order to come up with a better solution or other restaurant someday as they all understood that was the goal. Amy Rozumalski, 404 Rice Street, encouraged the Council to come to an agreement instead of tabling the concept because that is why they were voted in. Mayor Rice said the risk with TIF is recouping costs through redevelopment and when this area came on in 2007 or 2008 the market didn’t allow for the aggressive construction we had hoped for. He said we have people willing to spend millions in Anoka now but since Council cannot agree he felt we needed to regroup as leaving it on the market would not be good to review proposals with no progress towards a sale until we have a unified strategy for the property. Councilmember Wesp said the Council has been accused of private meetings for a long time regarding this property and agreed we need to regroup. Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to direct staff to remove the restaurant pad site from the real estate market. Councilmember Weaver said grouping is a great idea but leaving it on the market wastes a lot of time with proposals and said he did not want to hear any more about secret meetings from members as they all were closed sessions as allowed by Statute and that the Council needs to be united. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about the difficulty of getting only four members to agree, adding this requirement is outlined in Charter and that disposing of a public asset needs to have full agreement which is important. He April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 13 of 15 said there are many ideas and agreed we should wait, noting there is lots of interest in other City projects and parcels. Mayor Rice said it was important to build the right thing in Anoka and that any project should include lots of input and noted we need to revise the process going forward. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1 Consideration of Appointment to Utility Advisory Board; Ed Evans. Mr. Lee shared a background report stating currently the City has two vacancies on the Utility Advisory Board. Both have terms that expire December 31, 2024. City staff published notice of the vacancies per City policy and received one application from resident Ed Evans. Mr. Evans had previously served on this board for many years but resigned on January 3, 2023 so he could be a Winter Seasonal Worker. The City Charter does not allow seasonal workers to serve on a City Board or Commission. The Ice Rink Seasonal work has ended and Mr. Evans is no longer working for the City of Anoka. Mayor Rice explained how agenda items are published in several locations for public information and knowledge. Councilmember Weaver added current agendas include tentative agenda items as well for public knowledge. Ms. Rice inquired how the public would learn about special worksession meetings such as the one on April 10. Mr. Lee explained about the required three-day public notice. Councilmember Skogquist encouraged the public to opt in for agenda notifications for all City meetings and noted meeting announcements are also pushed through social media and other ways. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to appoint Ed Evans to the Utility Advisory Board for a term to expire December 31, 2024. Councilmember Wesp said Mr. Evans has been part of the community for long time and has served many hours then asked what will happen if he chooses to return to employment at the ice rink, resulting in another vacancy. Councilmember Weaver said the City can address that if and when it occurs. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 14 of 15 Mayor Rice said there is a risk someone else would apply and become appointed, resulting in the loss of a long-standing member and appreciated his determination to continue to serve. Councilmember Skogquist said the Utility Advisory Board does not meet very often and believed it was created prior to the MMPA agreement and it may be worth a discussion about potentially changing the scope of the Board going forward. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Legislative Discussion and Updates. Mr. Lee shared the opportunity to discuss any legislative updates. Councilmember Weaver spoke about testifying at the upcoming Senate hearing. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about the importance of getting funding for the dam then referred to changes in rules regarding zoning authority and housing and infill standards and that the proposed bill is likely not moving forward this year but if it does next year it will need to be more precise. Mr. Borglund said there is much money included in the omnibus bill for housing and affordable housing and that more was focused on that instead of infill standards. He said Representative Elkins from Bloomington and others referred to zoning as a small portion of the housing industry which adds to the price of housing and stated going after cities for a small aspect will not address all the concerns such as workforce issues, material shortages, and many other elements. He noted the organization working on these changes was a wish list by an organization formally known as Twin Cities Builders Association but is now Housing First. 12.2 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. 12.3 Staff and Council Input. None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Weaver made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. April 3, 2023 (Regular) Page 15 of 15 Time of adjournment: 9:06 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk