Anoka City Council

September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 1 of 6 WORKSESSION OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION ROOM SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Weaver called the worksession meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice (arrived at 5:07 p.m.), Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Staff present: City Manager Greg Lee, Community Development Director Doug Borglund, Senior City Planner Clark Palmer, Finance Director Brenda Springer, and City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; Golf Manager Larry Norland; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Liquor Store Manager Mike Brual; Liquor Store Manager Kevin Morelli; Public Works Director Mark Anderson; Communications and Recycling Manager Pam Bowman; Public Services Administrator Lisa LaCasse; Utility Director Del Vancura; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner. Absent: None. 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS and/or DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Discussion; Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) Proposed Athletic Complex Expansion. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner shared a staff report with background information stating representatives from ARAA were present to have a discussion with the City Council relative to possible locations for the placement of an athletic dome and fieldhouse facility in the City of Anoka. He shared further about the proposed project with ARAA to construct an athletic complex at Gray Ghost Field and how while the proposed size would not accommodate the full project as planned, they wished to move forward with a reduced size with the hope of a larger second phase over time. He spoke about the difficulty for field/court space for youth, especially for basketball, which was why ARAA was proposing this project. He said they wanted to remain in Anoka and currently use areas in the City and would like to know if the City is supportive of their proposal. Councilmember Weaver said he was in favor of the project as it would alleviate the City maintaining the area as well as benefit youth year-round as well as the high school students. September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 2 of 6 Dustin Reeder, ARAA, shared comments about other opportunities they have explored but how this was the best option and shared their desire to move forward. Councilmember Scott shared his support as it was strategic to have a sports-center area of the City. Councilmember Skogquist agreed. Mayor Rice asked about the plan to have the center all in one location. Mr. Reeder said that was the intent and while the size had to be smaller it would provide them a place to start that would cost less and make the overall project more comfortable for the board. Jen Niska, ARAA, said the proposed size would still allow them to host tournaments and be useful. Mr. Reeder said they would like to create something larger long term that could be used for other events such as boat or sports shows and help generate revenue and create more borrowing power. He said there will be courts in the dome just not as many and could be available for other uses such as pickleball. Mr. Baumgartner said due to the limited size the dome will likely allow for all sports except basketball with the hope of a community center concept later in the second phase. Ms. Niska said while this reduced size was not ideal, they didn’t have a choice and that this proposal would still provide a great facility with sufficient space for now which could then be reevaluated for a possible second phase. Councilmember Wesp asked what happens if mediation with the City Ramsey is successful and if the $9 million plan is feasible with purchase of Gray Ghost. Ms. Niska said the $9 million estimate includes the turf, structure, etc. but no property purchase. Mr. Baumgartner anticipated the mediation will be successful as both sides want to resolve the issue. Councilmember Weaver said he was not interested in selling the land but would rather have Anoka recognized as a partner in exchange for allowing seniors to play pickleball for example. He said the dollar amount would mean nothing in the end and a mutual agreement would be much more valuable. Mr. Reeder shared how ARAA was not here to make money but provide investment for the betterment of the community and said Anoka feels like the right place as the parking lot already exists. He said while we still have to work out details with the school, they were confident that will occur. He recognized that the land has value but agreed with Councilmember Weaver that it costs a lot to maintain the park and not having to do so would be a benefit to the City. September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 3 of 6 Ms. Niska said ARAA has a great track record with Anoka and felt this would be a great partnership while providing a service to the community. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about the mix of uses and if the second phase would allow for reconfiguration if needed. Mr. Reeder shared how St. Michael uses a seasonal dome for turf as well as court space and felt confident they could make the necessary changes to accommodate a second phase successfully. Councilmember Skogquist suggested the possibility of reduced fees for residents. Ms. Niska agreed, stating partnerships were important to them too as it helped with investors and expectations, adding retaining ownership was important as it would allow them to be able to donate court time. Discussion was held on other dome facilities operations. Mayor Rice inquired about the property lines and current buildings. Mr. Baumgartner commented on the benefits of daytime use being available for seniors which allowed for youth use on evenings and weekends. Councilmember Skogquist spoke about the need to bury power lines as part of the project as well as retaining the portion of the lot for an easement to allow for flexibility. Mr. Baumgartner noted a lease could be constructed for the land around the tower. Mayor Rice confirmed his support of the modified project but said it would have been nice to have the full center come to fruition. He said ARAA was already a part of Anoka and that he was pleased to see this come together. Mr. Baumgartner confirmed Council consensus to continue forward with the project with a purchase price of $1 with the provision that if the dome was not constructed within 12 months the property would automatically revert back to the City. Councilmember Weaver suggested including an agreement on how residents will also benefit from this partnership, including the possibility of naming rights. Mr. Baumgartner recommended the parties enter into a development agreement where those details would be outlined. Mr. Reeder shared a local business was already interested in naming rights and felt Council would be pleased once shared as it would recognize Anoka’s history. Mayor Rice suggested adding first right of refusal for the site should it become available in the future. Mr. Baumgartner spoke about allowing for an option for phase two and a potential community center in light of upcoming mediation. September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Weaver said a community center would be good and how the City needed to do its due diligence regarding how the entire 14 acres could work. He spoke about the architectural consortium which could create a facility that eventually provided winter opportunities similar to the community center in Andover. Discussion was further held regarding opportunities for this site such as a hotel and the value of the dome to the high school as well as benefits for youth through life lessons learned while playing sports. Mr. Reeder spoke about being fully financed and once finalized their intent to break ground in April and open in October and thanked the City for their support. Mr. Baumgartner spoke how this project will help bond the relationship with the high school, youth coaches, and players and foster those relationships even more. Council consensus was to move forward with the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association athletic complex expansion as proposed. 3.2 Discussion; Ordinance Related to Murals on Buildings. Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared a staff report with background information stating two members of Council had requested the topic of building murals be included on the agenda for discussion. He shared photos of current murals throughout the City then shared examples of mural regulations and definitions from another city which was defined as public art. He stated most who do murals are community minded but if allowed the Council may wish to outline parameters and create some boundaries. Councilmember Skogquist said the question was raised by a property owner regarding process for creating new murals which was the reason for the discussion. Councilmember Weaver said he would support creating an ordinance but did not want to see murals on the front of historic buildings. He spoke about the need to require property owner permission as well as outlining maintenance of murals. He suggested restricting murals to only one side to protect the historic feel of the City as he did not want to weaken the current façade ordinance. Councilmember Scott spoke about the need to outline commercial purpose versus artistic purpose as well. Mr. Baumgartner suggested creating a permit process and include the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) as well then spoke about balancing art with free speech and while the City can regulate the time, place, and manner for speech it can be sometimes difficult to do. September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Skogquist supported a review process that could include HPC or administrative permit possibly and supported creating a process for murals. Councilmember Weaver cautioned against painting brick as it will be difficult to maintain and result in loss of property value as brick is sometimes permanently affected. Mayor Rice suggested creating an appropriate process for brick murals that would be different than concrete murals. Councilmember Skogquist asked if ordinance currently allows for painting unpainted brick. Senior City Planner Clark Palmer confirmed no painting of previously unpainted brick is allowed then shared the HPC supported this concept if created with a review process to ensure a mural did not change the character of the downtown area. He agreed about the need to balance free speech along with time, manner and place as allowed by cities. Mr. Baumgartner suggested creating different parameters based on geographic areas for example. Discussion was held on several areas and examples of what could be allowed and the need to be resolute in whatever is ultimately decided, including how Lyric Arts and Anoka Shopping Center murals were allowed. Council consensus was to support the creation of an ordinance related to murals on buildings. UPDATES/REPORTS/COUNCIL SUGGESTIONS FOR TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Lee shared an update on the social district and the need for the public to use the designated cups on patio areas as outlined by ordinance. Mayor Rice agreed and suggested motivating bars that designated cup use is their responsibility through enforcement. Councilmember Weaver suggested security or officers be present during social district hours and ask where people are getting cups. He said if we require bar owners to hire someone for the patio, they won’t generate the revenue to hire and we should have many officers working the area for enforcement. Mayor Rice said if done correctly the bars should see more people which will build revenue. Councilmember Skogquist noted the social district application states cups will be used on patios and the vast majority are in compliance then spoke how people can September 11, 2023 (Worksession) Page 6 of 6 refill those cups. He agreed with enforcement while educating the public but if served outside in public spaces it is required to use only the designated cups. Councilmember Weaver noted two bars are not participating in the social district which adds to the difficulty and stressed the need for police presence during this early pilot time. Councilmember Scott stated public education is key. Mayor Rice agreed, stating the goal of tickets is education not revenue. Mr. Lee stated alcohol is allowed on all public property in the district, including sidewalks, but if not required to be in social district cups it makes it very difficult for the police to enforce. Councilmember Skogquist agreed with Councilmember Weaver on the need for enforcement and education and asked if information regarding cup use may be coming from the non-participants. Mr. Baumgartner suggested a police report be created if an officer asked where non-designated cups are obtained in order to create a record for documentation if needed. Mr. Borglund added the ordinance does not allow for any breakable containers, including glasses or glass beer bottles. Mr. Lee reiterated the difficulty of those not part of the social district while still allowing outdoor seating as the requirements cannot be controlled. Council consensus was to require social district cups in all outdoor areas and continue to educate the public on all requirements of the district. 4. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Scott to adjourn the Worksession at 6:34 p.m. Motion carried. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk