Anoka City Council

May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 1 of 7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 1, 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, and Weaver. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee; Public Services Director Mark Anderson; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; Recreation Manager Nickie Jenks; Captain Tom Schneider; Sergeant Josh Huebner; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; and Electric Utility Director Del Vancura. Absent at roll call: Councilmember Wesp. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 April 10, 2023, Special Meeting. April 10, 2023, Closed Executive Session. April 17, 2023, Regular Meeting. Councilmember Weaver noted for the record that he had not participated in the closed session. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to approve the April 10, 2023, Special Meeting, the April 10, 2023, Closed Executive Session, and the April 17, 2023, Regular meeting as presented. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared backgrounds of newly appointed Captain Tom Schneider and Sergeant Josh Huebner then swore both into service. Sergeant Josh Huebner joined the Anoka Police Department in January of 2018. He came to Anoka with three years of police experience at the Columbia Heights Police Department, and noted his father was a retired Anoka Police Sergeant. Prior to being prompted Sgt. Huebner served as a Patrol Officer, Criminal May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 2 of 7 Investigator, Use of Force Instructor and Firearms Instructor. He is currently assigned to the SWAT Team. He is considered for this promotion because of his work ethic, communication skills and his leadership ability. Chief Peterson shared that Captain Tom Schneider joined the Anoka Police Department in 1996 as a non-sworn Security Officer assigned to the AMRTC. He is a graduate of Saint Cloud State University. He left Anoka for a police officer position in Dayton MN and in 2000, returned to Anoka as a Patrol Officer. Captain Schneider served as a School Liaison Officer and Criminal Investigator, Use of Force Instructor, Field Training officer and was a long-time member of the SWAT Team. Captain Schneider was promoted to Sergeant in 2016 where he led a group of successful and productive officers. He said he was considered for this promotion because of his vast knowledge in department operations, his work ethic and his leadership skills. He shared qualifications of good leaders and thanked the families for the support of their officers then congratulated both. A round of applause was shared. Councilmember Weaver said Anoka was very fortunate to have the support of the new supervisors, adding the department is built on trust and teamwork. Councilmember Skogquist thanked both for their work and leadership then asked why they chose Anoka. Sergeant Huebner said he remained because of a legacy to uphold, both personally and professionally, then spoke about the department’s integrity and professionalism and said he looked forward to helping the department continue to move forward. Captain Schneider said he started as a security office and left for another department only because there were no openings at the time but said he always wanted to return. He said Anoka is a great place to be an officer and said the City was second to none. Mayor Rice said the City was proud of the department and both in the choices they made and said he was pleased they wanted to be part of this community. Chief Peterson shared the river levels were dropping and were now out of minor flood stage and thanked Public Works for their work this spring to make sure areas were safe, adding they had well trained and provided benchmarks for future response to flooding then shared trail closure updates due to high water. He shared general police call management but noted more had started to occur around the bar areas and that staff would continue to monitor. Mayor Rice asked if we track speed of water during high water times and encouraged everyone to respect river currents and be careful. Chief Peterson said they do record flow rates which provides a lot of information in how to best respond. Councilmember Weaver noted gauges along the rivers provide both height and flow rates. May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 3 of 7 4.2 Anoka High School Leo’s Program Introduction. Olivia Dalton, Jessica Jensen, and Ally Lutz shared about the Anoka High School Tornado Leo Service Group led by advisor Jenna Zabel, Anoka High School Youth Service Coordinator. They shared their mission for a student-led, all- inclusive, volunteer-based club that strived to better the community and have fun while doing so. They shared volunteer requirements then outlined some of their projects including making military packages, writing Valentine's Day cards to send to the elderly, making tie blankets for the homeless and more then encouraged everyone to participate in their upcoming Community Clean-Up Day on May 20. Councilmember Skogquist thanked the group for participating and hosting this event and thanked everyone who helped with the recent recycling event. 4.3 Summer City Events/Activities. Recreation Manager Nickie Jenks stated this item provided an opportunity for the Council to receive an update on upcoming events and activities throughout the City and provide an opportunity for the Council to have a general discussion on the upcoming events and activities. She shared upcoming events and activities that included the Community Tree Planting, Community Clean-Up Day, Summer Concerts, Aquatic Center season, and other City sponsored/co-sponsored special events. Councilmember Skogquist thanked Ms. Jenks and their staff for all the work on these events. Councilmember Weaver thanked staff for their work in marketing the re- envisioned farmer’s market. 4.4 Highway 10 Anoka Construction Update. Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared an update regarding Highway 10 construction. Councilmember Weaver spoke about lane closures at West Main Street in both directions, making it difficult to access neighborhoods and asked how long this will remain and suggested a temporary stop sign at Green and Main Street to help alleviate traffic impacts. Mr. Nelson said the lane closures was due to the 2023 SRP project and the new gas main installation and said they planned to be done in two weeks. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 4 of 7 Electric Utility Director Del Vancura shared about recent substation security camera system installation that included lights, cameras, and sirens which are monitored by Xcel Energy’s control center then noted they will be adding new signage to gates and fences to help deter unauthorized access for safety as well as theft. Councilmember Skogquist thanked staff for this work then asked what measures were in place to protects areas from animals such as squirrels. Mr. Vancura responded part of the fence work includes deterrents for animal protection as well. Chief Peterson thanked Mr. Vancura for his work to harden our targets and said the new camera system will be very helpful. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to approve Consent Agenda Items 6.1 through 6.3 as presented. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project; Approve Change Order Numbers 41 and 42. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1 Planning Items: None. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 RES/Approval of an LG230 Off-Site Gambling; Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association/for the Sale of Pulltabs at the Anoka County Fair, July 25-30, 2023. May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 5 of 7 City Manager Greg Lee shared a background report stating Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association has submitted an application for a State issued LG230 off-site gambling permit to allow the sale of pulltabs at the Anoka County Fair, July 25-30, 2023. They held this permit in 2022. This is a State issued license but requires the approval of the municipality in which the event will take place. Staff has reviewed the application and no concerns or objections have been expressed. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt a resolution recommending the issuance of a State issued LG230 off-site gambling permit for Andover Huskies Youth Hockey for the sale of pulltabs at Anoka County Fair July 25-30, 2023. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, and Weaver voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.2 RES/Innovative Business Development Infrastructure Grant Application for Graco. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS None. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Emergency Street Repairs Program. Mr. Nelson shared that pursuant to Council discussion at the March 27, 2023, worksession, 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 $1.25 million towards repairing roads that were not budgeted in 2023. As part of the Emergency Street Maintenance Program, Council directed staff to perform bituminous patching, spray patching, mill and overlays, and other required road repair work. Council is aware that Harrison Street from 3rd Avenue to 7th Avenue is included in this program. The maintenance work includes approximately a 0.42-mile full depth reclamation project in 2023. The Emergency Street Maintenance Program will be financed by the general fund reserves and $150,000 from the 2022 street maintenance funds rolled over into the 2023 budget. To date, funds have only been utilized to perform street patching work as well as work in the area by Mineral Ponds and May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 6 of 7 crews have been out conducting pothole patching work. He shared more about the proposed work that included Jackson Street, Golf Street, 5th and 9th Avenues and the industrial park area as well as McKinley and Lund Boulevard. He said work will begin later this week followed by mill and overlay for 9th Avenue from Levee to Branch, State Avenue to Green Avenue. He said bids will be received this week for Council consideration on May 15 then shared proposed patching areas for consideration and photos. Councilmember Weaver asked how many tons of asphalt Public Works was currently laying. Public Services Director Mark Anderson replied that Commercial Asphalt just opened after road restrictions were lifted so now, they were laying eight tons each day and noted this deterioration was happening all over the country, even in warm weather states, then spoke about standards for mix. Mayor Rice spoke about some sealcoating issues especially in traffic lanes and if that was the problem and inquired about other solutions to increase street longevity. He asked if there was merit in removing the delaminated areas and then patching. Mr. Nelson said this was why staff was working with contractors on mill and overlay and noted they did get a quote for mill and patch versus another method and staff has the same capability to assist. He noted they spoke with Coon Rapids regarding a joint project on 9th Avenue and shared they were experiencing the same road deterioration which is why we had stopped sealcoating a couple years ago as the work was not worth it. 12.2 Legislative Discussion and Updates. Mr. Lee shared the opportunity to discuss any legislative updates. 12.3 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. Councilmember Skogquist requested that the organized collection topic be moved to the May 15 regular meeting agenda instead of a worksession in order to have a more public discussion for formal direction and decision. 12.4 Staff and Council Input. None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Skogquist made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion. May 1, 2023 (Regular) Page 7 of 7 Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 7:54 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk