Anoka City Council

October 23, 2023 (Special) Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 23, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 5:06 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. City Manager Greg Lee; Senior City Planner Clark Palmer. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 Proclamation; Travis Gienger Day, October 28, 2023. Mayor Rice stated Travis Gienger competed in the heaviest pumpkin contest in California this month and won the World Championship for having the heaviest pumpkin. He noted this was not just a local news topic but became a news topic in other countries. He noted staff also contacted Governor Walz's office and requested a State proclamation which was approved. Councilmember Weaver said the proclamation spoke for itself as they were in the presence of someone who has done amazing things and thanked Mr. Gienger for putting another stamp on the City and Anoka Halloween. Mayor Rice read the proclamation into the record and said they were proud to have Mr. Gienger in Anoka and thanked him for his success in this endeavor. A round of applause was offered by all. Travis Gienger, Anoka, thanked everyone for their support and said his prayer has always been to grow a large enough pumpkin to put smiles on people’s faces and felt this was not a selfish prayer because people don’t have a long-life expectancy but if we can put smiles on everyone’s faces the world would be a better place. Councilmember Weaver shared how Tim Holman of St. Francis kept sharing Mr. Gienger’s work regarding vine cutting and watering techniques and said he has been one of his largest supporters. Councilmember Skogquist said every time the story comes up it makes people happy and thanked Mr. Gienger for bringing something fun and positive to the October 23, 2023 (Special) Page 2 of 2 community. He thanked him for recognizing the City and bringing his pumpkin back to Anoka and said he was pleased he will be grand marshal of the Anoka Parade. Dave Bonthuis, Anoka, shared this event even made the BBC News. Councilmember Wesp shard former Anoka High School teacher and horticulturist Mr. Wegner had ties to Anoka High School and would be proud. Councilmember Scott thanked Mr. Gienger for his accomplishments and for being such a great representative, adding it was great to have Anoka recognized and said he looked forward to seeing him at the Grand Day Parade. Mayor Rice understands this is difficult to do and thanked Mr. Gienger for all his work. Councilmember Weaver asked how a 2,700-pound pumpkin is safely moved. Mr. Gienger shared about the harness and rope assembly that goes around the pumpkin then shared about their upcoming trip to New York for the pumpkin’s carving for the Veterans Memorial with proceeds going to Tunnels to Towers. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Skogquist made a motion to adjourn the Special Council meeting. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 5:19 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk