Anoka City Council

January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 1 of 10 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 16, 2024 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 (participating remotely from 6168 S Fairway Place, Gold Canyon, AZ), Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp. Also present: City Manager Greg Lee; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; Public Works Director Mark Anderson; Utility Director Del Vancura. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 January 2, 2024 Regular Meeting. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2024, Regular Meeting as presented. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Chief Eric Peterson shared an update regarding DWI arrests which have increased 41% from 2022. He highlighted how last year two Anoka officers were recognized by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety for the Office’s “hat trick” award by making three arrests in one shift and noted Officer Berkner did it again this year and how these actions save lives. He shared about the department’s Auto Theft Task Force grant which has helped reduce auto thefts by more than half in Anoka then shared how thefts can be decreased and their work to continue to enforce, deter and educate on this crime. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 2 of 10 None. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) 5.1 2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Public Improvement Hearings. RES/2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Order Project and Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specifications. RESOLUTION Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson shared a background report stating a resolution was adopted by City Council on September 6, 2022, authorizing the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2023/2024 Street Renewal Projects (SRP). The feasibility report included the entire Franklin Area neighborhood as it was more economical to complete having the preliminary design for the entire area consolidated into one report, which for the City resulted in a saving of professional services. The “Franklin Area” neighborhood consists of the roads bounded by Branch Avenue to the west, TH 169 (Ferry Street) to the east, Highway 10/169 to the north, and West Main Street to the south. On December 13, 2023, an informational neighborhood meeting was held at Green Haven Golf Course and Event Center for the 2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II to further educate the property owners on the City’s Street Renewal Program and solicit input/feedback from the benefiting property owners. Overall, the residents of the neighborhood were in favor of the project. Council shall be aware there was no negative feedback/comments from the property owners. On December 18, 2023, City Council adopted a resolution approving the updated feasibility report, setting the public improvement and assessment hearings for 7:00 p.m. on 16th day of January, 2024. In accordance with the public improvement process, the next step is to hold the public improvement hearing. After the improvement hearing has been held, the Council may hold the assessment hearing. Mr. Nelson shared the streets proposed to be included in the Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II along with the proposed infrastructure changes in detail. He noted the total project cost would be $2,632,000 then reviewed proposed funding sources and project schedule. Councilmember Weaver inquired about the school district’s vacant lot and if any services will be installed as part of this project. Mr. Nelson explained the district has filed for a lot combination for the three parcels with Anoka County and once complete the lot will be included to be served with sewer and water commercial services. Mayor Rice opened the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. Being no comments Mayor Rice closed the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 3 of 10 NOTE: By motion from Councilmember Wesp, which was seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, and by a unanimous vote of the Council, agenda item 9.1 was moved up on the agenda and acted upon at this point. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, to adopt a resolution for the 2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Order Project and Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specifications. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 5.2 2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Assessment Hearing. RES/2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Adopt Assessment Roll. RESOLUTION Mr. Nelson shared a background report stated on December 18, 2023, City Council adopted a resolution approving the updated feasibility report, setting the public improvement and assessment hearings. In accordance with the public improvement process, the next step is to hold the public improvement hearing. He shared the proposed streets in detail and shared the proposed assessment roll and property frontage maps for the proposed project. The assessment roll includes a list of all property owners with their individual proposed assessment amounts. For single-family residential property zoned or used R-1 and R-2, City Council has set the street unit assessment at $4,820 and a $25.00 per lineal foot assessment for 2024. Four or more-unit residential buildings along with commercial or industrial properties have an assessment rate of double this amount. In addition to the street assessment, there is also an assessment proposed to each property for the new water and sanitary sewer services that are being installed. The assessment for the sanitary sewer service is $1,610 and the water service is $1,750 per service. A non–residential property and a four or more-unit residential property are the same for sewer service; however, it is twice the residential rate ($3,500) for the water service. Full utility assessments are only levied if the utility service is actually replaced and older than 10-years of age. The total assessment for a typical 80-foot wide lot would be $10,180. The annual payment for the typical assessment would be approximately $1,360. The following is an example of the breakdown for the typical 80-foot R-1/R-2 residential: Street Unit Assessment Street Front Footage Assessment ($25) $4,820 $2,000 Water Service Unit Assessment $1,750 Sanitary Sewer Service Unit Assessment $1,610 Total Assessment: $10,180. Councilmember Wesp confirmed staff’s opinion that the resulting benefit will exceed the assessment amounts. Councilmember Skogquist asked the age of the current services in this project area. Mr. Nelson said Ferry Street was last reconstructed in 2005 and had all new January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 4 of 10 services installed at that time then explained the alley assessments were done based on past practices of applying a one-unit assessment to those who fronted an alley but no other road. Mayor Rice opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. Being no comments Mayor Rice closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. NOTE: By motion from Councilmember Wesp, which was seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, and by a unanimous vote of the Council, agenda item 9.2 was moved up on the agenda and acted upon at this point. Councilmember Weaver commented on the current street conditions in this area, especially near Auto Zone and US Bank and said this project was long overdue then asked how long it will be before total completion of all roads in the City. Mr. Nelson said there were approximately two miles remaining in the City from the original 70 miles of reconstruction projects and will be complete in approximately three years. Councilmember Weaver inquired about the proposed interest rate of 5% and said because rates are higher now will we have to bond resulting in payments higher than 5%. Mr. Nelson explained this project was already pre-bonded prior to 2023 and approved a year ago, adding the 5% rate hasn’t been increased since 2004. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to adopt a resolution for the 2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Adopt Assessment Roll. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Skogquist, to approve Consent Agenda Items 6.1 through 6.9 as presented. Councilmember Wesp thanked Charter Commissioner Ed Burns for his service to the City and for being a longtime resident of Anoka. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 Issuance of Massage Therapist License for Catherin Danzl of Anoka Massage and Pain Therapy, 710 East River Road. January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 5 of 10 6.4 Approve Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Coon Rapids for a Mill and Overlay on 9th Avenue between East River Road and South Street. 6.5 U.S. Highway 10/169 Improvement Project; Approve Change Order Number 75. 6.6 Resignation from Charter Commission; Ed Burns. 6.7 Temporary Liquor License; Church of St. Stephen’s, Mardi Gras, February 10, 2024. 6.8 LGG 200 Gambling Permit; Church of St. Stephen’s, Raffle/Tip Boards, February 10, 2024. 6.9 Issuance of a Sale of Used Motor Vehicles License for Crew Automotive Group, LLC, 822 E. River Road. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1.A. Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission. Chholing Taha, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, shared the annual report on the activities of the Human Rights Commission. She shared the Commission’s activities that included new and updated mission statement, resources, substance use prevention education, outreach through QCTV and other avenues, and potential activities. Chair Taha shared more about their work and their purpose to be a helping hand for residents of Anoka. Councilmember Weaver thanked the Commission for their outstanding, positive work and Chair Taha for her leadership. Councilmember Wesp thanked former Councilmember Barnett for her work to recreate the Commission which has resulted in such great outcomes. He spoke about their work to raise awareness to decrease telephone scams and support of the Alexandra House and Haven for Heroes then thanked Chair Taha and the Commission for their work. Councilmember Skogquist thanked Chair Taha for the comprehensive report and outline of resources provided then commented how the community gardens could be used as a way to generate partnerships with the ACBC food shelf and Anoka Community Mission for food production for those who need it and work to get more people engaged in local government. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 6 of 10 None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 RES/2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Order Project and Authorize the Preparation of Plans and Specifications. ACTED UPON AFTER PUBLIC HEARING 9.2 RES/2024 Street Renewal Project – Franklin Area Phase II; Adopt Assessment Roll. ACTED UPON AFTER PUBLIC HEARING 9.3 RES/Supporting Pursuit for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Program Funding for Safety Improvements in the City of Anoka. RESOLUTION Mr. Nelson shared a background report stating the Minnesota Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Program was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2012 which started to enable children to walk and bicycle to school in a safe built environment and to encourage them to make active and healthy lifestyle choices from an early age. The SRTS program also improves safety, reduces traffic and improves air quality near schools. MnDOT Office of State Aid for Local Transportation (SALT) is responsible for the administration and oversight of the SRTS program on local roads. For this 2023 SRTS infrastructure solicitation, grant requests must be between $50,000 and $1,000,000 and the intent is to award grants totaling up to $10.9 million. The City of Anoka submitted the Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Safe Routes to School program on November 8, 2023. The City of Anoka was notified that the LOI meets all statutory and program requirements for the 2023 solicitation. He shared correspondence from Steven Prusak, MnDOT State Aid Active Transportation Engineer that stated some responses were unclear or incomplete that prevented a full recommendation to proceed. The concern was that two schools (Anoka Middle School for the Arts – Fred Moore Campus and Washington Elementary School) cited in the LOI to benefit from the project were not listed in the program equity tool. Given that Fred Moore Campus is considered with Magnet Schools of America and the Washington Campus is a hub school of the magnet school they are not in the program equity tool. Staff is recommending to reduce the project scope of the application not including these two schools. Excellent candidates for the SRTS grant program are the areas around Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts and Wilson Elementary School which were part of the LOI. Mr. Nelson said recommendations for improvements at each school and the total estimated construction costs for all proposed improvements under the grant application is approximately $370,000. Most of the costs are expected to be grant eligible and January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 7 of 10 paid by the SRTS grant. He noted while total City costs for these improvements are expected to be minor it was important to mention there are no local match funds required for the 2023 SRTS infrastructure solicitation and grants are paid on a reimbursable basis. Councilmember Weaver noted while Franklin was no longer an elementary school it still served as a school for students in the area and asked why SRTS couldn’t be used as the playground still attracted children from the area. Mr. Nelson explained the education program at the school included no walking district boundaries as all students were bussed. He said this was similar to Fred Moore hub school that had no walking boundaries and did not qualify for SRTS. Councilmember Weaver noted Fred Moore had hundreds of students walk to the school daily and suggested 5th Avenue from Main Street be included as well. Mr. Nelson said staff applied for the eligible sites first then will work with the school district to create walking boundaries for these two locations. Councilmember Skogquist noted $370,000 is a large amount for this program and understood we’ll have to work on qualifying the other locations once these are approved. Mr. Nelson said the City applied for improvements only to local roads with this application because others such as Anoka County roads would need agency support as well. Councilmember Weaver encouraged staff explore other routes for SRTS that included Fred Moore, Washington, and Franklin School areas for future inclusion. Mr. Nelson noted the sidewalk from Rudy Johnson Park didn’t qualify based on similar reasons and that staff would work on these locations next. Mayor Rice supported the City lobbying to amend the qualifications to allow for locations such as these that would clearly benefit from this program. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to adopt a resolution supporting pursuit for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Program Funding for Safety Improvements in the City of Anoka. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.4 RES/Anoka Rum River Dam Reconstruction and Modification Project; Select Consultant and Award Contract for the Concept Development and Feasibility Analysis. RESOLUTION January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 8 of 10 Mr. Nelson shared a background report stating pursuant to a memorandum recorded in Office of Register of Deeds dated January 1935, the Pillsbury- Washburn Flour Mills Company granted and deeded the flowage rights forever to the City of Anoka. On March 11, 1935, the City of Anoka purchased the Dam at Anoka from the Pillsbury Flour Mills Company and became the sole owner of the dam. As the owner, the City has been and continues to be responsible for the ongoing operations, maintenance, repair and replacement of the dam. In 1969, the City replaced the existing log timber dam from the late eighteen century. The dam was completed in 1970 and is the current structure across the Rum River. At the October 25, 2021 worksession meeting, Council discussed proposed modifications to the Anoka Rum River Dam including automatic flashboard system, power generation, lock system, invasive species barricade, and an access/maintenance platform. Council consensus was to seek grants to fund an updated feasibility report that could be a possible consideration at a later date. On July 27, 2022, the City of Anoka hosted a meeting with Anoka’s State Legislators, members of Champlin City Council, Andover City Council, and members of the Lower Rum River Management Organization regarding the dam and potential state funding options for needed improvements. The outcome of the meeting was to pursue bonding funds for a feasibility study during the upcoming legislative session for improving the safety and functionality of Anoka Rum River dam. As part of the bill, there was $500,000 granted to the City of Anoka for feasibility studies for the design, engineering, and environmental analysis for the repair and reconstruction of the Rum River Dam. This appropriation to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for the City of Anoka was a onetime appropriation available until June 30, 2027. The feasibility studies of the concept development and feasibility analysis will examine the cost and benefit for each element of the improvements. The final feasibility report will include engineer estimate for the overall project and recommendations based on the findings and direction then shared more about the proposed project proposals evaluation process. Councilmember Wesp commented when the project was first proposed years ago it was brought to our attention how people used the upper Rum River for recreation as well as the lower Rum River. He said as the community evolved it changed how the upper Rum River was used 50 years ago for activities such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pontoons and how Anoka was the lynchpin for the surrounding cities. He said we were on the bonding committee for the dam project and shared the possibility to use the upper Rum River going north and compared this to how we could create a riverwalk similar to San Antonio as well as hydropower, adding this could be a generational change in this community. He said he was excited for this project and felt the contractor and legislators were on board with the project. Motion by Councilmember Wesp, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to adopt a resolution Anoka Rum River Dam Reconstruction and Modification Project; Select Consultant and Award Contract for The Concept Development and Feasibility Analysis. January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 9 of 10 Councilmember Weaver referred to the task list included in the proposal and how the task of the lock and hydropower was very promising and felt this was the right contractor to accomplish these goals. Councilmember Wesp shared comments about the Erie Canal in the 1700s and compared this to how Anoka was founded based on industry and how this project will be successful. Councilmember Skogquist said all bidders were impressive then commented on the work ahead with regard to funding and eventual permitting and how this will work towards alternative funding sources, similar to Highway 10, and that the contractor will help us identify those options. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS None. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. Councilmember Weaver confirmed tentative agendas for upcoming meetings are posted online. 12.2 Staff and Council Input. Mr. Lee shared about joint meeting with Anoka County for February 7 at Green Haven to discuss proposed jail expansion; working to set up City task force, requested Mayor and Chair to jointly moderate the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wesp made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting. Councilmember Skogquist seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, Weaver, and Wesp voted in favor. Motion carried. January 16, 2024 (Regular) Page 10 of 10 Time of adjournment: 8:24 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk