Anoka City Council

September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 1 of 7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rice called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:05 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL Present at roll call: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, and Weaver. Also present: City Manager Greg Lee; Police Captain Andy Youngquist; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Finance Director Brenda Springer; Public Works Director Mark Anderson; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; Senior City Planner Clark Palmer; Liquor Operations Manager Kevin Morelli; and Utility Director Del Vancura. Absent at roll call: Councilmember Wesp. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 August 5, 2024, Budget Presentation. August 5, 2024, Regular Meeting. August 19, 2024, Regular Meeting. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2024, Budget Presentation, August 5, 2024, Regular Meeting, and August 19, 2024, Regular Meeting as presented. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. Police Captain Andy Youngquist began by honoring Pete Beberg who passed away in August and served on the Coon Rapids Police Department for 25 years and was the first school resource officer in Minnesota along with many other roles. He spoke about his multiple community engagements and how he always worked to give back to the community, including serving as Mayor of Anoka from 1990-1999, ABLA, Anti-Crime Association, Anoka Chamber of Commerce, Anoka boards and commissions, and with staff. He stated Mr. Beberg was an Anokan at heart then shared the upcoming funeral arrangements. Captain Youngquist spoke about recent notable arrests in the City that included warrants, September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 2 of 7 DUIs, burglary, and others, then shared about the recent drowning of a male subject near Kings Island which was currently being investigated. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Ron Brokop, Anoka, thanked Mayor Rice for his service, leadership, facilitator, and presence as a calming force. He spoke about how Mayor Rice always reserved judgement and worked hard to make Anoka a great place to live and work. A round of applause was offered by those in attendance. Kirby Miller, Anoka, stated he lived in the American Coop and shared concerns about the lighting at Jimmy John’s/Baskin Robbins and requested dimming of the lights as they were becoming a concern. Councilmember Scott noted the approval was based on the ability to dim the lights based on 50%. Mayor Rice noted the requirement was to install the ability to dim then wait for a request, which the City has now received. Community Development Director Doug Borglund confirmed staff will follow up with the concerns. Warren Rush, Anoka, said the City had requested the exploration of a cannabis dispensary at the Green Haven Golf Course on the lower level formerly occupied by Gramercy Offices. He said the report noted 1,500 customers a month could be feasible which would result in 375 cars a week and asked why Green Haven was the proposed location. He said this type of business would be mostly cash which could create security, traffic, and parking concerns as well as the potential of people being under the influence, especially near pedestrians. He suggested a better location would be the Better Value Liquor Stores because it had better access, monitoring, etc. He shared concerns regarding speeding with more traffic and safety concerns with older adults nearby and how this would be incompatible with high-end housing and near the high school. Director of Public Services Mark Anderson provided an update on last week’s storm that resulted in hundreds of downed trees which affected traffic and access then outlined how residents can place their fallen trees for pick up through September 13. They outlined the impacts to the Anoka Water/Sewer department and wellhouse in detail then shared the contact for tree pickup. Mayor Rice spoke about placing debris on the curb for pick up and requested residents bundled their debris in portions four feet or less with the thickest trees parallel to the road for easier pickup. September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 3 of 7 Electric Utility Director Del Vancura shared an update on their storm response for the electric utility in detail and said they had crews from Anoka, Elk River, Buffalo, Chaska, and Delano assisting that resulted in an overall outage of 43 hours. He thanked MMUA and all electric crews, Public Safety, and Public Works crews for their work, especially on a holiday weekend. Councilmember Weaver thanked everyone for the exceptional work responding to the storm and suggested a lunch be arranged as a small reward for their dedication. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Councilmember Weaver said the Council met in worksession on August 26 to review the budget and jail expansion discussion and shared that Councilmember Skogquist had made insinuations of him and alleged miscommunications with Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson and whether that meeting was posted and asked that a clip be played from the worksession for the audience. Captain Youngquist provided a statement from Police Chief Eric Peterson that stated Chief Peterson was approached by Anoka County Attorney Johnson asking when the next task force meeting was, which he attended even though he had not received an invitation. City Manager Greg Lee shared a letter that Attorney Johnson had reviewed the video of the worksession that challenged his attendance and said Councilmember Weaver did not invite him to the task force meeting but he decided on his own to attend after the Council adopted a resolution opposing the jail. He said he learned the meeting was likely that day and confirmed no one invited him. Sharon Doffing, Anoka, asked the City to post all public meetings at City Hall and on the website, adding while she was a very active participant in Anoka, meeting notices need to be transparent. Mr. Lee explained the City moved to electronic viewing of meeting notices a while ago but will look into physically post notices on a City’s bulletin board as well. Councilmember Skogquist explained the electronic meeting notices were similar to boards and commissions added to the electronic bulletin board and then scrolled. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. 6. CONSENT AGENDA September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 4 of 7 Councilmember Weaver confirmed final payment for channel restoration was for work last year. Motion by Councilmember Weaver, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. 6.1 Approve Verified Bills. 6.2 Revising and Setting Council Calendars. 6.3 Consideration of Setting Public Hearing for Assessment for Services. 6.4 Rum River Channel Maintenance Project; Final Payment and Project Close-Out. 6.5 Approval of a Temporary On-Sale Liquor License; St. Stephen’s Church, Pumpkin Fest, October 19, 20, and 26, 2024. 6.6 Recommended Approval of an LG220 Gambling Permit; St. Stephen’s Church, October 5 and 27, 2024. 6.7 Issuance of a Massage Business License for Lin Health Care, LLC, dba Better Life Massage Wellness and Reflexology, 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. 6.8 Issuance of a Massage Therapist License for Fang Lin of Lin Health Care, LLC, dba Better Life Massage Wellness and Reflexology, 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. 6.9 Issuance of a Massage Therapist License for Chunxing Lin of Lin Health Care, LLC, dba Better Life Massage Wellness and Reflexology, 3841 St. Francis Boulevard, Suite 102. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS None. 8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION None. 9. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9.1 RES/Development Agreement Amendment; Patriot Builders, 742 Washington Street. September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 5 of 7 RESOLUTION Community Development Director Doug Borglund shared a background report stating in 2021, the City of Anoka sold 4 residential lots to Patriot Builders with the following development requirements stated in the original Development Agreement: Lot Development Requirements. Each lot of the Development Property to be developed by the Developer shall be subject to the following: (a) A single-family residential detached home with garage is the only use allowed to be constructed. The minimum value shall be no less than Three Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($350,000.00), not including the value of the lot. (b) The single-family home shall be a traditional style such as "Craftsman" with a modern function that fits the market of Anoka. New construction must blend in with the character of Anoka. (c) Exterior finish materials should include a higher percent of brick or stone on the front of the structure. Siding should be a cement board/James Hardy or composite/Smartboard type or like product. Use of vinyl siding is discouraged. (d) Garage placement shall not dominate the lot. The garage must be attached and located either even with the living portion of the structure or offset and setback a few feet from the front of the living portion of the structure. The garage shall be a 2-3 car attached garage minimum. (e) Developer shall maximize the use of the lot with a 2-story residential structure and avoid split level home designs. (f) All applicable zoning and building code requirements shall be met. Since 2021, Patriot Builders has constructed on 3 out of the 4 lots meeting the stated conditions and Patriot Builders has brought forth a plan for the last lot in the development. Patriot is asking for the following exceptions to the Lot Requirements, which are called out and addressed in the First Amendment to the Development Agreement: • Allowing the construction of a 1-story rambler style home with a basement instead of a 2-story home. • Allowing the garage to extend past the porch on the front of the proposed home. • Allowing a style of home not consistent with a traditional architecture style such as “Craftsman”. Councilmember Skogquist said this was an interesting location with the drainage pond and streets redone that included standards other than just the building and how Council had asked for standards that would not detract from the neighborhood. He said this work resulted in the Patriot Builders project and that now this lot has been sitting empty for a couple years and with the many ramblers in this neighborhood he supported changing the conditions for this lot as it will provide variety in the neighborhood. Councilmember Weaver asked if we should have a maximum for garages past the porch. Mr. Borglund explained the plan shared the part of the agreement then outlined the rest but could be added to the agreement. Councilmember Scott said he supported the amendment as the plans submitted fit the spirit of the goal and commended the property owner and builder for their work. September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 6 of 7 Mayor Rice felt the plan was even better than originally planned as it provided variety. Motion by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to adopt a resolution approving first amendment to the development agreement with Patriot Builders II, Inc. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rice, Councilmembers Scott, Skogquist, and Weaver voted in favor. Motion carried. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1 Acceptance of Cannabis Report. Liquor Operations Manager Kevin Morelli shared a background report stating on May 20, 2024 the City Council gave staff direction to hire Point7 Consultant Group to put together a financial analysis to determine the feasibility of a City- owned dispensary(s) and the results of this task was presented to Council by Dakota Fisher, Strategy Consultant and Senior Financial Analyst, at the August 26, 2024 the Council Worksession meeting. Councilmember Scott thanked staff and the consultant for the report then referred to the comments in open forum and the City considering Green Haven as a potential dispensary location and clarified the City has not yet decided to move forward with a dispensary or determined its location if it does. Councilmember Weaver asked if the report was meant to tell us what happens if a dispensary is created at Green Haven as he was adamantly opposed to a dispensary at the clubhouse as he didn’t want City employees selling cannabis. He supported the City having a license but not at Green Haven and suggested the Public Safety Center as a potential location then asked who owns the former Wright Tire lot. Mr. Morelli said in order to begin the report an address was needed and was based on the surrounding area and was just an example. Mr. Borglund shared the City owns the former Wright Tire site and the site would be eligible but would not be a permitted use at the former Vineyard site. He noted the former liquor store site would not qualify but the current store on East River Road would be eligible as well as 7th and Main Street but was not optimal. Mr. Borglund shared other potential locations then noted the former liquor store site was next to property owned by the school district and would not qualify but the existing liquor store would qualify. Mayor Rice said he would support a City-owned dispensary being part of the liquor store. September 3, 2024 (Regular) Page 7 of 7 Mr. Lee said it has always been the intent for Council to entertain any cannabis license in tandem with a liquor store and that the report provided Council with options. He noted the proforma showed $1.7 million of profit should the Council choose to move forward at some point in the future. Motion by Councilmember Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to accept the cannabis report as presented. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 12. UPDATES AND REPORTS 12.1 Tentative Agenda(s). The Council reviewed the tentative agendas of the upcoming Council meetings. 12.2 Staff and Council Input. None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Skogquist made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting Councilmember Scott seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 7:57 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerks