Anoka City Council

January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 1 of 8 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ANOKA CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 6, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Scott called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL OATHS OF OFFICE Mayor Erik Skogquist, Councilmember Heather Rostad and Councilmember Jeff Weaver were issued the oaths of office. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Present at roll call: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad, Scott, and Weaver. Also present: City Manager Greg Lee; Police Chief Eric Peterson; Police Captain Andy Youngquist; Public Works Director Mark Anderson; Community Development Director Doug Borglund; Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson; City Attorney Scott Baumgartner; and Utility Director Del Vancura. Absent at roll call: None. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES 3.1 November 25, 2024, Worksession. December 9, 2024, Worksession. December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting. Mayor Skogquist referred to a correction needed on the December 16, 2024, Regular meeting on Page 13 to reflect Councilmember Wesp’s affirmative vote. Motion by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Weaver, to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2024, Worksession, December 9, 2024, Worksession, and December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting as corrected. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. 4. OPEN FORUM 4.1 Police Activity Update. January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 2 of 8 Police Chief Eric Peterson shared that all New Year’s Eve activities went well with minimal incidents. He said while they lost three members of patrol to other agencies in 2024, they were working hard on upcoming recruitment. He shared about their work on community engagement throughout 2024 and how they will continue to host events in 2025 as this was a large part of Anoka’s reputation and was valuable to the officers as well. He spoke about the use of the Animal Containment Training Facility in detail that was used by other agencies in exchange for either lease payments or assistance with large events then shared statistics about call volumes in 2024 and their work to address the City’s chief complaints for 2025 which was traffic violations. Councilmember Weaver shared the Council’s pride for CSO Allison Peterson who foiled a significant home burglary recently and said they were very proud of her work. Chief Peterson shared more about the incident that resulted in the apprehension of the suspect. 4.2 American Public Power Association (APPA) Mutual Aid Award. Electric Utility Director Del Vancura congratulated the new Council then shared about the award from APPA for mutual aid for their response to Hurricane Milton in October. He thanked everyone for stepping up to help when needed that included over 2,000 public utilities and said the two awards were presented to the City’s utility department for their response to the event in Orlando then shared more about the work with power outages at Connexus, the storm event in Anoka, as well as Florida. Mayor Skogquist thanked everyone for their help in August when the storm event occurred in the City and was pleased we could help in Florida as well. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. OTHER INFORMATION UNDER OPEN FORUM Representative Zach Stephenson congratulated the elected officials then shared an update regarding the current legislative composition that included one vacant seat which was occurring the first time in history. He said everyone on both sides wanted to get the work done and that he hoped they could set the example for across the country. He shared about the Rum River Dam program funding for the feasibility study for repairs and potential recreational opportunities, the Ferry Street grade separation project, and the Anoka Haven for Heroes lease and their work to restore and find funding that could include a small museum to highlight the work and history of the former State Hospital. 5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) None. January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 3 of 8 6. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Weaver confirmed the Dollar General Store met all past compliance issues and was eligible to receive their tobacco license. 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 Recommended Approval of an LG20 Gambling Permit; Church of St. Stephen’s for Raffle on January 25, 2025 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 506 Jackson Street. 6.4 Recommended Approval of an LG20 Gambling Permit; Church of St. Stephen’s for Raffle on March 1, 2025 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 506 Jackson Street. 6.5 Temporary On-Sale Liquor License; Church of St. Stephen’s, Mardi Gras Event, 525 Jackson Street on March 1, 2025. 6.6 Approval of Woodbury House Improvements per Contract for Deed. 6.7 Issuance of a Tobacco License for DG Retail, LLC, dba, Dollar General Store #30698, 657 E. Main Street. 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/Declaring Vacancy on City Council and Establishing Process to Fill Vacancy. RESOLUTION City Manager Greg Lee shared a background report stating Erik Skogquist was elected to the City's Mayoral position at the Municipal General Election held on January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 4 of 8 November 5, 2024. Erik Skogquist previously served as a Councilmember with a term to expire December 31, 2026. According to the Anoka City Charter, Section 2.05, the City Council must adopt a resolution declaring the vacancy and forthwith appoint an eligible person to fill such vacancy until the next regular City election. The resolution suggests: 1. Notice to the public of the vacancy and process to apply to fill the vacant Council term until December 31, 2026 will be posted on the City website on January 7, 2025, published in the Anoka Union on January 10, 2026 and shared via the City’s readerboard and social media outlets. 2. Qualified residents of the City of Anoka will be instructed to submit a Letter of Interest to the Anoka Assistant City Manager, Amy by 4:30 p.m. on January 16, 2025. 3. Qualified residents who submitted a Letter of Interest according to the above process and deadline, will be contacted and invited to attend the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting, where individuals will be asked the following general set of questions formulated by the City Council. These questions will be provided to the candidates prior to the January 21, 2025 meeting. Mr. Lee outlined the questions that included introductions, reasons for interest in being appointed, future vision of Anoka, and immediate goals. He said at the January 21, 2024 meeting, the Council will adopt a resolution to appoint an individual to fill the vacant Council position, to a term expiring December 31, 2026. The appointed individual will immediately be administered the oath and will take their seat at the Council dais. Councilmember Weaver expressed concern about enough notice due to the current newspaper publication period and the need to advertise more on social media and other avenues. Mr. Lee said staff will work to advertise the vacancy through all available avenues. Councilmember Scott agreed but said there may not be enough time then noted the public has known since November about the upcoming vacancy and that social media should help communicate the application period. Councilmember Rostad agreed there has been ample time for people to know about the vacancy and that she trusted staff to properly advertise the vacancy. Councilmember Scott asked what happens should Council not come to an agreement on the date for appointment. Mr. Lee said should that happen, Council can decide next steps. Motion by Councilmember Scott seconded by Councilmember Rostad, to adopt a resolution declaring a vacancy on the City Council and establishing a process to fill the vacancy. Councilmember Weaver said he was not opposed to the process but concerned about all advertising opportunities and the need to ensure transparency as this position was committed to the taxpayers. January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 5 of 8 Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad and Scott voted in favor. Councilmember Weaver voted nay. Motion carried. 9.2 RES/Annual Designations and Appointments to Various Committees – Part I. RESOLUTION Mr. Lee shared a background report stating Anoka City Council Bylaws and Charter require that at the first meeting in January, the Anoka City Council shall: (1) Choose a Mayor pro-tem (Acting Mayor) from the Council who shall perform the duties of the Mayor during the disability or absence of the Mayor from the City, or in the case of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, until a successor has been appointed and qualified; and (2) designate the official newspaper, (3) designate official posting location, (4) designate date/time of regular meetings and work sessions (5) appoint such officers, employees, and committees, and citizens to various boards and organizations as may be necessary; The City received only one proposal for designation of the Official Newspaper, which came from ECM Publishers/Anoka County Union. The Council shall appoint a member of its own to serve as Acting Mayor. The designations to other various committees are planned to be a two-part process, since Mayor Rice/Councilmember Wesp are no longer in office, and also due to the vacancy on the Council that has occurred through the election of Mayor Erik Skogquist. The Council can choose to make whatever appointments at this January 6, 2025 meeting and will be given the opportunity to make appointments that may include the individual the Council appoints to fill the Council vacancy at the January 21, 2025 meeting. Motion by Councilmember Rostad seconded by Mayor Skogquist, to appoint Councilmember Scott as Mayor Pro Tem. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad, Scott, and Weaver voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Rostad seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt a resolution for annual designations and appointments to various committees for 2025 as outlined in Exhibit A, with the exception of the City Attorney which should include a request for proposal and 60-day notice for new contract for legal services. Councilmember Scott asked if we obtain bids for the official newspaper other than from the Anoka County Union to ensure we are saving money where we can. Mr. Lee said we used to get bids from both the Anoka County Union and the Anoka County Record but now only received the Union. Councilmember Scott said the City Attorney has done a great job over the years but agreed we need to be honest and transparent and that while we have lots of January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 6 of 8 legal challenges facing the City it was important that we are being honest with the contract and supported the motion. Councilmember Rostad agreed with the need for transparency, adding it has been a long time since we’ve looked at these contracts and felt it was our due diligence to review contracts. She added the auditor suggested this review as well as it provided a great opportunity to explore. Councilmember Weaver said not reappointing the City Attorney will open the contract up to anyone and cautioned that the City Attorney makes this place solid. He cautioned about getting off track for budget savings and said he has full confidence in Mr. Baumgartner’s work. He said even if we don’t agree all the time, he is loyal and was very important to everyone at the City. Councilmember Rostad agreed but said this process would help ensure the City Attorney was getting his fair wage as well. Mr. Baumgartner clarified if the motion is adopted then the City does not have a City Attorney. Mayor Skogquist clarified part of the motion was a 60-day notice of the contract expiring and that they hoped to have an RFP soon but if not agreed the timeframe could be extended. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad and Scott voted in favor. Councilmember Weaver voted nay. Motion carried. Mayor Skogquist said staff had suggested postponement for the liaisons until appointment of the incoming Councilmember and encouraged other Councilmembers to attend if they wish. Chief Peterson said while the Anti-Crime Commission enjoys full representation as a non-profit he had no concerns waiting for the appointment to occur. Motion by Councilmember Rostad seconded by Councilmember Scott, to postpone consideration of appointments outlined in Exhibit B until a full slate of Councilmembers are present on January 21. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad, Scott, and Weaver voted in favor. Motion carried. 9.3 RES/Annual Designation of Financial Depositories. RESOLUTION Mr. Lee shared a background report stating annually, the City Council adopts a resolution designating the official depositories and signees. He shared a resolution January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 7 of 8 that makes these designations for 2025: U.S. Bank and Minnesota Municipal Money Market Fund. Councilmember Scott shared when first elected he had asked questions regarding why U.S. Bank was being recommended instead of a credit union then explained how he learned they offered a great return on cash balances which would likely not be as well served through other institutions. Motion by Councilmember Scott seconded by Councilmember Rostad, to adopt a resolution for the annual designation of financial depositories and signees as presented. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Skogquist, Councilmembers Rostad, Scott, and Weaver 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. Mr. Lee noted the second Council meeting would be held on January 21 due to the Martin Luther King holiday. 12.2 Staff and Council Input. Councilmember Weaver shared the City’s condolences regarding the recent passing of Park Boardmember Joe Anderle who served for 47 years. He said Boardmember Anderle had been a great advocate for the City and would be missed. Councilmember Scott said he served with Boardmember Anderle on the Park Board for some time and found him a very passionate member of the community who was always at events to ensure the City was well-staffed and represented. Mayor Skogquist commented about the need for faith and trust in elected officials, especially at the local level, and the need to review the current code of ethics to ensure there is enough included should something go awry. He said the January 6, 2025 (Regular) Page 8 of 8 current code had aspirations but not a lot of substance then suggested Councilmember Rostad work with staff on possible updates as she does this type of work in her regular employment. Motion by Mayor Skogquist, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to direct Councilmember Rostad to work with staff on possible updates to the City’s code of ethics. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Scott made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council meeting Councilmember Rostad seconded the motion. Vote taken. All ayes. Motion carried. Time of adjournment: 7:55 p.m. Submitted by: Cathy Sorensen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Approval Attestation: Amy T. Oehlers, City Clerk