What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Lindgren/Hedberg lot split at 22851 Jarvis St.
The requested lot split to separate 10 acres from a 25.67-acre parcel was not heard because additional information requested by the planner had not been received; council consensus was to remove the item from the meeting agenda.
Agenda: 1.a. Speakers: Stockman.
Code enforcement process changes and administrative citation program
Council reviewed a proposed pre-notice letter and discussed changing the city’s code enforcement process, including who should send the initial letter and how ordinances and timelines would be referenced. Council agreed to table the administrative citation process change item and remove it from the agenda, planning to revisit it in December along with the related code enforcement process/city code amendment discussion.
Agenda: 1.b, 4.d. Speakers: Stockman, Rainville, Pilon.
Bearman Wildlife Management Area tax-forfeit land auction and possible city acquisition
The planner reported attending a meeting about the sale of the Bearman Wildlife Management Area, telling the DNR the City would like to obtain the property and discussing wetland/upland constraints. The property was described as going to auction on December 18 with a minimum bid based on county figures, and staff described a sequence if it does not sell, including a later 75% offering to neighbors and a possible legislative request for a variance from state statutes if it still does not sell.
Agenda: 1.d. Speakers: Stockman.
2040 Comprehensive Plan commercial/light manufacturing expansion mapping and January 8 open house
Council and staff discussed a draft land use map and outreach letter describing possible commercial/light manufacturing expansion areas and emphasized the map was for resident feedback rather than a final expansion decision. Residents spoke against being included in possible expansion areas, and council discussed whether all potential areas should be shown at once. Council directed specific edits to the draft map and scheduled an open house for January 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM at City Hall, with staff to update the map and adjust the letter before mailing.
Agenda: 1.d, 4.g. Speakers: Pilon, Stockman, Bridget Mueller, Jason Alders, Bettinger, Reighard, Rainville.
Park and trail dedication fee clarification
Staff asked to bring the Park and Trail Dedication Fee back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for discussion and clarification, stating it had been applied to newly created lots rather than existing lots. Council consensus was to return the issue to the commission and recommend ordinance changes to align with the intended approach.
Agenda: 1.d. Speakers: Stockman.
Five-year road improvement planning, assessment policy, and 2018 overlay feasibility
Council reviewed a proposed five-year road improvement plan and debated priorities such as overlays in Pinnaker Lake Estates and Krypton St., how to address Old Viking Blvd., and whether the city can fund the plan without significant levy increases or higher assessments. Discussion included concerns about overlay performance on roads with crack filling and the need for feasibility studies before assessing residents. Council consensus was to send the five-year plan back to the Road and Bridge Committee to rework it around $400,000 per year and a 50% assessment, and Breyen indicated he would revise the 2018 overlay RCA to request feasibility studies for Old Viking Blvd. and Pinnaker Lake Estates.
Agenda: 2.a, 2.b. Speakers: Breyen, Nelson, Bettinger, Reighard, Rainville, Pilon.
City assessor contracting options (Anoka County vs. Skogquist & Wells)
Council heard from Anoka County and from Mary Wells about assessor contracting, including the county’s typical five-year cycle required by statute and potential cost exposure if assessment shortcomings are not addressed. The private contractor referenced contract language intended to hold the city harmless for liabilities arising from the assessors’ performance, and participants discussed workload and capacity in other cities. No decision was recorded in these workshop minutes.
Agenda: 4.a. Speakers: Alex Guggenberger, Mary Wells, Bettinger, Breyen, Reighard.
Recreational skating rink configuration
Council reached consensus to proceed with a 100-foot square skating rink as shown on drawing #2 (option B).
Agenda: 4.b.
Hockey rink and warming house policy research
Council requested more information from neighboring cities about rink and warming house operations, including attendant hours, pay, and required training or skills. The item was tabled pending additional information.
Agenda: 4.c. Speakers: Pilon.
Nowthen Heritage Festival request to waive reservation fees and deposits (Sept. 22, 2018)
Council discussed a request to waive park and City Hall reservation fees and deposits associated with the September 22, 2018 Nowthen Heritage Festival. Reighard noted the Fire Department Open House is not part of the festival and asked that the festival committee coordinate with Captain Chad Sacre due to issues the prior year at the fire station. The minutes do not record a vote on the waiver request.
Agenda: 4.e. Speakers: Reighard.
Employee review process and potential raises
Council discussed employee performance and compensation history, including a statement that employees had received only a 3% raise in the last 10 years and concerns about retaining staff. Council consensus was to complete the review forms, submit them to staff, and schedule an employee review meeting.
Agenda: 4.f. Speakers: Bettinger, Reighard, Pilon.
Final budget workshop scheduling
Council reported no changes to the proposed budget and decided not to schedule additional final budget workshops, directing that the item be removed from the council agenda.
Agenda: 4.h.