A notable portion of the meeting was dedicated to the public forum, where Channing Stall, a member of the Anoka County Election Integrity Team, voiced concerns about a decision by the Anoka County Board. The board had delegated authority over the choice between electronic poll pads and paper rosters for elections to the unelected county auditor. Stall argued that this move undermined local control and potentially breached state law, emphasizing the importance of municipal autonomy in electoral matters. He urged the council to push back against the county’s decision and suggested seeking legal counsel to assess its legality. Stall’s concerns centered on the fear that such delegation could set a precedent, allowing the county to dictate other voting processes in the future. He provided materials summarizing his points and requested the council’s support in preserving local governance.

The council then shifted its focus to internal administrative matters, specifically the hiring of an intern for a digital file transition project. This initiative aims to convert paper files to digital format, a task acknowledged as complex and overdue. A council member raised concerns about the lack of detailed information provided about the candidate, such as a resume or name, which is usually included in council update packets. The staff clarified that the details were shared in a previous update and could be provided again. The council also debated whether existing equipment could handle the scanning needs, with staff indicating they would initially use current copiers but might rent additional equipment if necessary. Despite one council member abstaining from the vote due to a personal connection with the candidate, the motion to approve the intern’s hiring passed.

In another development, the Sheriff’s Office report revealed a busy July, with 529 calls for service, including six thefts, two assaults, and three property damage incidents. Notable incidents included an assault within a vehicle on July 12, where deputies arrested a suspect after a physical altercation. On July 13, a driver was arrested for DWI with a BAC of 0.125, and later in the month, deputies discovered methamphetamine and fentanyl during a traffic stop, leading to an arrest. The Sheriff’s report underscored an increase in proactive enforcement, with a notable rise in traffic stops compared to the previous year.

The Fire Department’s update followed, reporting 81 calls since the last meeting, including medical emergencies and a significant structure fire caused by a lightning strike. The Fire Chief highlighted the efficient management of the incident and announced the onboarding of five new personnel, alongside plans for a recruitment campaign to address upcoming retirements.

During the meeting, the council also discussed scheduling a town hall meeting for November, ultimately agreeing on November 13 as the date. Concerns were raised about potential attendance issues due to the overlap with deer hunting season, but the council decided to proceed with the planning.

Additional updates included a report on a transition from traditional cable to Midco TV, an online format. Staff acknowledged resident preferences for traditional cable and assured assistance during the transition. Furthermore, the city received funding from Anoka County for a broadband project on Brierwood Lane, aiming to enhance connectivity in areas lacking high-speed internet access, with hopes for completion before winter.

In council reports, a member updated on a recent booster day meeting, highlighting leadership changes and the recognition of Dan Dos and Scott Snyder for their contributions. The meeting ended with a call for volunteers to ensure the continuation of community events.