Monday, May 8, 2023
What happened
Council approved the agenda, minutes, consent agenda, multiple resolutions (street project award, change order, fire station security, EMS subgrant, truck/snowplow purchase, meeting schedule change), discussed bridge JPA concerns and code enforcement plans, and adjourned 8:53 p.m. on a 4-1 vote.
10 motions on the record.
M1MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.
moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson
All in favor.
M2MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.
moved by West, seconded by Tradewell
All in favor.
M3MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson
All in favor.
M4MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-065 AWARDING UNIVERSITY AVENUE NW/NE IMPROVEMENT S.A.P. 2023-103-002 & S.A.P. 2023-109-002.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-065 AWARDING UNIVERSITY AVENUE NW/NE IMPROVEMENT S.A.P. 2023-103-002 & S.A.P. 2023-109-002.
moved by Tradewell, seconded by Bray Johnson
All in favor.
M5MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-064 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR 2023 STREET IMROVEMENTS.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-064 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR 2023 STREET IMROVEMENTS.
moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson
All in favor.
M6MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-061 APPROVING ACCESS CONTROL UPDATE AND SECURITY CAMERAS.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-061 APPROVING ACCESS CONTROL UPDATE AND SECURITY CAMERAS.
moved by Tradewell, seconded by Bray Johnson
M7MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-066 APPROVING MESB SUBGRANT AGREEMENT.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-066 APPROVING MESB SUBGRANT AGREEMENT.
moved by West, seconded by Tradewell
All in favor.
M8MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-062 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TRUCK AND SNOWPLOW.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-062 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TRUCK AND SNOWPLOW.
moved by Tradewell, seconded by Wylie
All in favor.
M9MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-063 MEETING SCHEDULE AMENDMENT.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-063 MEETING SCHEDULE AMENDMENT.
moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson
All in favor.
M10MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON, SECOND BY MAYOR ROLF TO ADJOURN.
MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON, SECOND BY MAYOR ROLF TO ADJOURN.
moved by Bray Johnson, seconded by Rolf
Amounts named in or tied to a motion that passed, each shown with the motion. A motion can approve an amount, cap it, or remove it from a list, so read the motion text. These links are AI-extracted, and the minutes control.
Budgeted amount in the 2023 CIP for replacement truck referenced during discussion of Resolution 23-062 (truck and snowplow purchase).
$65,000
28 items as recorded in the agenda and minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.
CALL TO ORDERCall to order; pledge of allegiance; roll call
Meeting called to order; roll call taken; one member attended via Zoom.
1Public Forum
No public forum remarks recorded in the minutes.
2Announcements
No announcements recorded in the minutes beyond agenda packet update note under item 3.
3Setting of Regular Agenda
Approve the regular agenda as presented or add/delete an agenda item by majority vote.
Agenda approved; administrator noted packet updated with supporting documents.
4Approval of Council Minutes for April 24, 2023
5Acknowledge Receipt of Commission and Committee Minutes
Planning Commission minutes for April 20, 2023.
Council acknowledged receipt.
6Sheriff's Report for April 2023
During the sheriff’s April 2023 report, council members asked about a significant increase in animal control calls, and the sheriff’s representative said they lacked a facility because the Humane Society was closed. Later in council updates, a council member noted that the city now has animal control services while the Humane Society is unable to accept animals and reminded residents to call the Sheriff’s Department if they see an animal at large.
Report presented; council discussed animal control call increase and process.
7Petitions, Individuals, Presentations, and Inquiries
No items recorded in the minutes under this heading.
8AConsent Agenda — Claims and Accounts
Approved as part of the consent agenda motion.
8BConsent Agenda — Resolution 23-057 approving Variance for Nick and Dana Houwman
Approved as part of the consent agenda motion.
8CConsent Agenda — Resolution 23-058 approving CUP for Anoka County Highway Department
Approved as part of the consent agenda motion.
8DConsent Agenda — Resolution 23-059 approving Final Plat of Smiths Grove Third Addition
Approved as part of the consent agenda motion.
8EConsent Agenda — Resolution 23-060 hiring Eugene Lund as temporary seasonal on-call Public Works employee
Approved as part of the consent agenda motion.
9AResolution 23-065 Awarding University Avenue NW/NE Improvement S.A.P. 2023-103-002 & S.A.P. 2023-109-002
Council adopted Resolution 23-065 awarding the University Avenue NW/NE improvement project after the city engineer presented bids. During discussion, the mayor asked whether costs would be equally divided between Oak Grove and East Bethel, and the engineer confirmed the cost split would be equal.
Engineer presented bids; cost to be split equally with East Bethel per discussion; resolution adopted.
9BAnoka County Bridge Project JPA
The city engineer presented the joint powers agreement for an Anoka County bridge project, but the mayor and council members raised concerns that the bridge should be 100% the county’s responsibility and that the city had not been sufficiently involved or informed. The mayor said he was unaware the city’s estimated construction share would be $62,372.39 and wanted to discuss costs with the county before agreeing, and council also asked about potential bridge noise (concrete grooving) with more information expected at an upcoming June meeting.
JPA presented; mayor and council members voiced concerns about cost responsibility and involvement; no action recorded.
9CResolution 23-064 authorizing Change Order #1 for 2023 Street Improvements
Council adopted Resolution 23-064 authorizing Change Order #1 for the 2023 street improvements, with the city engineer stating the project would begin in a couple of weeks and the change order would add 204th Ave NW and Eidelweiss St NW to the project.
Change order added 204th Ave NW and Eidelweiss St NW to the project.
9DEngineer Updates
Engineer provided development/construction updates; mayor discussed traffic study idea; county suggested third-party traffic study.
10AFire Department — Resolution 23-061 approving access control update and security cameras
Council adopted Resolution 23-061 to update access control hardware and add security cameras and software at Fire Station 2, based on a proposal from Integrated Protection Systems (IPS). The administrator said the City Hall access control system was updated in 2018 but Fire Station 2 was not, that the system has reached end of life, and that Fire Station 2 was the only city facility without security cameras; the items were stated to be budgeted in 2023. The motion carried 4-0 with Council Member West abstaining.
Motion carried 4-0 with West abstaining; project described for Fire Station 2; items budgeted in 2023 budget.
10BFire Department — Resolution 23-066 approving MESB Subgrant Agreement
Council adopted Resolution 23-066 approving the MESB subgrant agreement after the administrator explained that funds were made available through the Commissioner of Health for grants to purchase opiate antagonists and train eligible first responders, and that the city must enter the subgrant agreement to be reimbursed for purchase of NARCAN and training.
Agreement needed for reimbursement for NARCAN purchase and training; resolution adopted.
10CFire Department — Chief Updates
Chief reported April call statistics and training/hiring updates; council discussed HeartSafe training and Lucas Device.
11APublic Works Department — Resolution 23-062 authorizing purchase of truck and snowplow
Council adopted Resolution 23-062 authorizing purchase of a truck and snowplow, with the administrator and public works director noting there was no guarantee the city would get a truck but staff planned to bid when available. They described a 20-year replacement schedule and said the proposal would replace a 2000 Chevrolet truck, with $65,000 budgeted in the 2023 CIP. Council also discussed building maintenance and infrastructure needs, including an inoperable fire alarm at Station 2 and the importance of maintaining existing systems.
Staff preparing to bid on fleet vehicle; replacement of 2000 Chevrolet truck; $65,000 budgeted in 2023 CIP per discussion.
12Parks
Council Member Wylie provided a parks commission update.
13Planning Department
The city engineer presented the joint powers agreement for an Anoka County bridge project, but the mayor and council members raised concerns that the bridge should be 100% the county’s responsibility and that the city had not been sufficiently involved or informed. The mayor said he was unaware the city’s estimated construction share would be $62,372.39 and wanted to discuss costs with the county before agreeing, and council also asked about potential bridge noise (concrete grooving) with more information expected at an upcoming June meeting.
Planning commission update included upcoming county meeting with residents affected by bridge reconstruction and that the VisionQuest campground application was tabled at the last planning meeting.
14ACity Administrator Updates & Discussion Items — Resolution 23-063 Meeting Schedule Amendment
Council adopted Resolution 23-063 changing the start time of council meetings to 6:00 pm effective June 12, 2023. The administrator also suggested scheduling a work session before the June 12 meeting, stating it would begin at 5:30 and the regular meeting would start at 6:00.
Council changed regular meeting start time to 6:00 pm effective June 12, 2023.
14BCity Administrator Updates & Discussion Items — Code Enforcement
Council discussed starting code enforcement using Rum River Construction Consultants under an existing contract provision allowing $65 per hour for mutually agreed additional services, with Rum River willing to start June 1, 2023. The administrator said $24,000 was budgeted for consulting planner services in the Planning & Zoning budget and that some could be used for code enforcement; staff would continue intake and forward valid complaints to avoid paying for invalid complaints. Council supported moving forward and requested monthly updates on complaints and enforcement costs.
Council supported having Rum River Construction Consultants begin code enforcement under existing agreement provision starting June 1, 2023; requested monthly updates on complaints and costs.
14CCity Administrator Updates & Discussion Items — Administrator Updates
Council adopted Resolution 23-063 changing the start time of council meetings to 6:00 pm effective June 12, 2023. The administrator also suggested scheduling a work session before the June 12 meeting, stating it would begin at 5:30 and the regular meeting would start at 6:00.
Administrator suggested a June 12 work session at 5:30 before the 6:00 meeting; noted Buetow 2 Architects requested meeting to discuss fire station and city hall project.
15AMayor/Council Requests/Updates — Anoka County Fire Protection Council & URRWMO (Council Member West)
During the sheriff’s April 2023 report, council members asked about a significant increase in animal control calls, and the sheriff’s representative said they lacked a facility because the Humane Society was closed. Later in council updates, a council member noted that the city now has animal control services while the Humane Society is unable to accept animals and reminded residents to call the Sheriff’s Department if they see an animal at large.
Updates provided; Tradewell selected Treasurer of URRWMO; animal control services note; mayor read resident appreciation letter; next meeting time stated.
16Adjournment
Adjourned at 8:53 p.m.; motion carried 4-1 with West opposed.
Options the council weighed, and what happened to them. The record of the road not taken.
Anoka County Bridge Project JPA cost responsibility
deferredDelay agreement and discuss cost responsibility with the county before agreeing to the JPA
Cost comparison: Mayor believed cost was "100% the county's responsibility" but said he was unaware "estimated construction costs to the city would be $62,372.39".
Why: Mayor wanted to discuss costs with the county before agreeing; engineer suggested asking project representatives at an upcoming meeting.
Raised by Mayor Rolf
Viking Blvd NW traffic study near the industrial park
mentioned onlyHave a third party do a traffic study (instead of the county doing it)
Why: Engineer reported the county suggested this approach; no action recorded.
Raised by Anoka County
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
Packet
Not in this archive
The supporting materials the board reviewed.
The summary on this page is AI-extracted and may need correction. The PDFs and the meeting recording are the official record. What do the trust labels mean?