Metro briefs: Anoka voters get the final say about Human Rights Commission

The fate of Anoka's Human Rights Commission will go to the voters after the City Council on June 7 voted 4-1 to uphold an ordinance that dissolved the group and removed it from the city charter.

Earlier this spring the council voted to end the commission and suggested it carry on as an independent nonprofit. Residents who objected to the move collected more than 380 signatures on a petition forcing the council to revisit the issue.

"Having a Human Rights Commission makes it so it can advise the council," said Council Member Erik Skogquist, who voted in favor of repealing the ordinance and keeping the commission. "Without it, you have no ability to advise the council. The point of the commission is they provide a different set of ears. Maybe there is a compromise."

Mayor Phil Rice said he supports the commission but voted to keep the ordinance intact.

The council declined to have a special election on the matter, which would have cost about $30,000. Instead, the issue will be placed on the ballot on Nov. 8, 2022.

Until then, the commission will continue, but it's not clear how it will operate.

Tim Harlow

Anoka County's license center inside the Ramsey Municipal Center resumed face-to-face transactions June 1 after being closed for about seven months.

The center had closed Nov. 16 and its employees were shifted to the county's other centers in Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, Blaine and Columbia Heights. Before the pandemic, Ramsey served about 100 patrons a day.

All Anoka County license centers require appointments, but they are accepting walk-in customers based on availability, said spokesman Erik Thorson.

Tim Harlow

A conditional offer was made to the existing director of regulatory services for the city of Minneapolis to become the new city manager of St. Louis Park.

At a special study session June 21, the City Council directed staff to begin contract negotiations with Kim Keller, who oversees 200 employees and a $26 million budget in her role with Minneapolis.

Keller will step into the role after St. Louis Park City Manager Tom Harmening retires at the end of July following 17 years with the city. He announced his retirement in February. The City Council interviewed final candidates June 5 and after a second round of interviews June 14, Keller came out on top. Her contract is tentatively set to be approved by the council July 6.

Kim Hyatt

The municipal liquor store located in downtown Farmington will be moved to Farmington Mall, 923 8th St., near the Dollar Tree, and officials aim for an early August opening date. The final day of operation at the downtown store will be Sunday when it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The relocation will improve the liquor store's visibility and traffic flow, a Farmington news release said. The new space will also be larger, the release said. The Pilot Knob Road municipal liquor store will stay open for business at its regular hours.

Erin Adler