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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 07-11 CCM STUDY SESSION MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION JULY 11, 2022 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in a Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler (arrived at 6:20 p.m.), Kris Lawrence- Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember April Graves was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg McMahan, City Attorney Jason Hill, and City Clerk Barb Suciu. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS City Manager Reggie Edwards stated that Public Hearing Item 8a., Resolution Authorizing the Initial Legal Action to Enforce the City Code Regarding Violations at 3321 50th Avenue North in the City of Brooklyn Center, was supposed to be a Council Consideration Item. He asked that the item be moved to Council Consideration Item 10a., Resolution Authorizing the Initial Legal Action to Enforce the City Code Regarding Violations at 3321 50th Avenue North in the City of Brooklyn Center. Dr. Edwards asked that Planning Commission Item 9a., Planning Commission Application No. 2022-004 for the Re-plat, Re-zoning, and Establishment of a Planned Unit Development, and Amendments to the Zoning Code and 2040 Comprehensive Plan to Allow for the Re-development of the Former Sears Site(1297 Shingle Creek Crossing),be moved to a future meeting as it requires a vote of four Councilmembers. Mayor Elliott stated he would not be leaving the meeting early anymore. Dr. Edwards asked that the agenda item still be moved to a future meeting. Mayor Elliott asked on what grounds. Dr. Edwards stated that with Councilmember Graves out and Mayor Elliott indicating before the meeting that he needed to leave at 7:30,they won't have had 4 members to vote on the item. Mayor Elliott stated that he didn't have to leave at 7:30 p.m. now and there will be four Councilmembers present. Community Development Director Meg McMahan noted Staff told the applicant the item would be moved because Staff was told there would only be three Councilmembers present. Also. the City Planner is not in attendance. 07/11/22 -1- Mayor Elliott stated the item is on the agenda, and it needs to be addressed. Dr. Edwards stated Mayor Elliott told Staff he would be leaving the meeting early and would, therefore, not be in attendance for the presentation. Along with Councilmember Graves being absent, there were not enough Councilmembers to vote on the matter. He noted Mayor Elliott just now informed them he would be present for the whole meeting. Councilmember Ryan stated the matter requires four votes. Community Development Director Meg McMahan indicated they were not anticipating more than three Councilmembers. Also, the City Planner and the applicant will not be in attendance due to the Mayor's previously planned absence. Mayor Elliott stated the item should be addressed because it is on the agenda. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she concurs and we have been discussing this for a long time and deserves the vote of the full city council. Mayor Elliott stated they should at least have the presentation and then move the item to a future meeting if needed. If an item is on the agenda, it needs to be heard. Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to table Planning Commission Item 9a., Planning Commission Application No. 2022-004 for the Re-plat, Re-zoning, and Establishment of a Planned Unit Development, and Amendments to the Zoning Code and 2040 Comprehensive Plan to Allow for the Re-development of the Former Sears Site (1297 Shingle Creek Crossing). Dr. Edwards stated he adjusted the agenda when Mayor Elliott had indicated he would not be there and Councilmember Graves had indicated she would not be there. There is no one available to present on the matter. Mayor Elliott asked Dr. Edwards to check with the presenters to see if they could attend the meeting. Councilmember Ryan reminded Mayor Elliott there was a motion and second on the floor. City Attorney Jason Hill stated they would need to make the motion to table the matter during the Regular Session rather than the Study Session. The City Council did not vote on the motion on the floor. Dr. Edwards noted slides were added to the presentation For Presentations/Proclamations/ Recognitions/Donations Item 7a., Crime Statistics Follow-Up related to gun violence and strategies the City is taking to address the increase in gun violence. Dr. Edwards added there was a planned discussion regarding the Implementation Committee on the Work Session agenda. However, Staff recommends moving the item to a future session because there is not a full Council present. He suggested the discussion be held after the budget meeting. 07/1 1/22 -2- Mayor Elliott stated they cannot move everything because someone is absent. Those present are prepared to have the conversation and the Implementation Committee needs the discussion to happen for them to continue their work. MISCELLANEOUS a. Commission Appointments Mayor Elliott stated it has been a challenging week in Brooklyn Center,so he did not have a chance to prepare the Commission Appointments for the Study Session. b. Parking of Semi-Trucks Councilmember Butler noted she has conversed with Dr. Edwards about semi-trucks that frequent and park near the new Heritage Center. c. Incident at Xerxes and Bass Lake Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if more information regarding the incident that occurred on Xerxes and Bass Lake could be discussed. For example, she would like to know if the participants were Brooklyn Center residents. She noted the housing provider there has not been open very long, and she would like to see the number of calls for service at the property. It could be a consideration for its rental license or new rental license considerations. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSION Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted she would prefer to have the dialogue with Councilmember Graves present. She stated because the item is on the agenda; she believes in community feedback and the memo from City Manager Edwards, that the City Council should become involved in the future direction and governance of the Implementation Committee. She stated when a community member calls her, emails her, or speaks before the Council, it holds a lot of weight. Therefore, the City Council should intervene. The Chair's actions at the Implementation Committee did not reflect the values of the City. She noted that people make mistakes, but the Council needs to promote respect and unification. The number one goal is public safety in the community. She added she is interested in more conversations with the Council, community input, and for Councilmember Graves to be present for a discussion. Councilmember Ryan thanked Melissa C. for sharing her concerns about the conduct of the Chair at the Implementation Committee. It was concerning to hear Staff support being withdrawn from the Implementation Committee. He noted the Council needs to set up rules and a procedure that reflects its values. Anyone viewing the video would have witnessed a Staff person experiencing a very hostile work environment. He stated this is not the first time a Staff member has experienced a hostile work environment or the devaluing of their work. 07/1 1/22 -3- Councilmember Ryan stated he would like the Implementation Committee to refocus its efforts on bringing two recommendations to the Council, one for non-moving traffic violations and one for the City's response to mental health calls. He hopes he can have further discussions when all members of the Council are present. Councilmember Butler asked if the topic were to be discussed at Monday's meeting,and how long it would take. Dr. Edwards stated he would anticipate the discussion would take one hour and they would be done with the meeting on Monday by 9:00 p.m. Councilmember Butler asked if they would have to wait until a Work Session to vote on anything because the Monday meeting is intended to discuss the budget. Dr. Edwards confirmed the item could not be voted on until a Work Session. Councilmember Butler stated she would not like to go too late every Monday, but it is important to discuss the item. Implementation Committee Member Katie Wright invited a community member, Lori Bardal, to read a statement she wrote. Lori B. read the statement on behalf of Member Wright. She explained Katie W. is the mother of Daunte Wright, who was killed by Kim Potter while she was part of the Brooklyn Center Police Department. Member Wright has done everything she can to stop more grieving due to police brutality. The members of the Implementation Committee are passionate about and committed to the work. The Resolution was passed over one year ago, and there is not much progress. Implementation Committee Member Lori Bardal stated the issue was overblown to the press. Katie W. does not believe the Implementation Committee is a hostile work environment. The Members have been frustrated with the process. Any concerns have been kept in-house and we have always tried to keep the best interest of the city's future. She had never witnessed a hostile work environment within the Implementation Committee. Staff is presenting unnecessary and illegitimate barriers to the work of the Implementation Committee. Lori B. noted eyes from all over the country are on Brooklyn Center. and they must change how the policies interact with the community. They cannot continue to stall the work due to hurt feelings. They can reimagine public safety and set up rules and boundaries for the work. Implementation Committee Member Lori Bardal stated she would like to make her statement. She explained classism is dividing the City and the Implementation Committee. Many of the City Staff live outside of Brooklyn Center yet are making important decisions for residents. In 2021, the average annual resident's salary was$36,000 and the median salary was $15,000, 64 percent lower than the national median. Meanwhile, the City Manager is paid over $150,000 and resides in Mankato. The Community Development Director and Police Chief are paid nearly $150,000. She added the police officers are paid on average $75,000, and none of the Brooklyn Center Police Department officers live in Brooklyn Center. The average salary for Brooklyn Center police officers that have been involved in shootings is $95,000. The City Manager was able to appoint the Implementation Committee Manager without a problem. The Mayor is paid closer to $13,000. Lori B. stated her annual salary is $10,000 over the median and is a single mother who volunteers her time to make the community better. The Committee 07/1 1/22 -4- Members are putting their blood, sweat, and tears into public safety efforts while Staff is profiting off of it. She has been told to stay in her lane and called a"white body"rather than a human being. People who know her consider her an ally who will stand in solidarity with those in need despite their race, class, or gender. Mayor Elliott asked for the audience to remain quiet. Lori B. asked the Council to stop the politics and put aside that it is an election year. It is the community that pays the price. Implementation Committee Member Amity Dimock introduced herself as the mother of Kobe, who was killed by Brooklyn Center police. She echoed the sentiments of previous speakers. Amity D. stated she was offended that an outsider called the Implementation Committee meetings a hostile work environment. The Implementation Committee has worked hard to keep the work within its membership. They are trying to determine the role of Office of Community Prevention, Health and Safety Interim Manager LaToya Turk, and they don't know why she is part of the meetings. She is considered a liaison between the Brooklyn Center Police Department and the Implementation Committee. Staff tends to take over the meetings. The Mayor was very reasonable in explaining why she wasn't called on yet. Ms. Turk scolded the Implementation Committee for their time management after she was called on, which is not her role. Amity D. explained she has heard Dr. Edwards may have hired her as part of the Resolution, but the Implementation Committee has just heard of this. The claim is illegitimate and has only slowed the work of the Implementation Committee. The common denominator seems to be Ms. Turk. The Police Chief can work directly with the Implementation Committee. Katie W. added the Implementation Committee has invited the new Police Chief to show the Implementation Committee wants to partner with the Police Department for change. They have yet to hear back from the City Manager or Police Chief after the email was sent on Thursday. Implementation Committee Member Joylenna Garcia stated she wants to see a space where they can work together. It would make sense for the Police Chief to work directly with the Implementation Committee. She noted it is the first time she has heard Ms. Turk was hired to be part of the Committee. If the Committee would have understood Ms. Turk was meant to be part of the Committee, it would have made a difference in how she was received into the space. Joylenna G. added one of the ground rules of the group is to set aside personal feelings. The Implementation Committee wants to move forward and do the work. Mayor Elliott stated there was a recent publication about cities doing similar work around the Country. Brooklyn Center was one of the few highlighted in the report as a City that has a transformative model. The media has traveled from other cities to cover the efforts of Brooklyn Center. There is interest in the work. People across the Country recognize that Brooklyn Center is doing something unique. The work is very serious and has real consequences. Mayor Elliott pointed out the Implementation Committee has done an incredible amount of work already. The Committee is very cohesive. They have worked with Law Enforcement Action 07/1 1/22 -5- Partnership (LEAP) to go through numerous 911 calls. They have created a recommendation for a new traffic stop policy. The work must be lifted and highlighted rather than overshadowed. The Committee Members have devoted a lot of time and energy to the work. Mayor Elliott explained he has personal connections to the work as well. If people are offended by the work,they need to work it out amongst themselves. They have come too far. He apologized for any time he offended someone. He is committed to making sure the work gets done because it means people in their community can be safe. Mayor Elliott added LEAP has done a lot of work and countless community members have been engaged in the process. The work is bigger than any one person. They have already missed too many meetings. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she appreciates all the comments that were made and reiterated this is a brand new committee. She believes this committee needs to have a united direction and not have a divide in the City Council. She stated there needs to be further dialogue on this item. The process needs to be defined. Mayor Elliott stated the Committee and the Work Groups are going to continue to meet and do the work. They hope a Staff person will be at the meetings. Amity D. asked what role Ms. Turk played on the Committee. She asked what work Emerging Brooklyn Center is doing. Their work may be complementary, and it could be important to work together. Dr. Edwards stated Ms. Turk's role was clear from the beginning and hoped it would have been made clear to the Committee. As part of the resolution, the Office of Community Prevention, Health and Safety was formed. Ms. Turk was brought on as the Manager of the Office. There was funding for that role passed as part of the Resolution, and there is funding to implement the new models created by the Implementation Committee. It was under the Office of Community Prevention, Health, and Safety for the pilot models to be placed. The Resolution also called for a liaison between the Implementation Committee and the Police Department. Ms. Turk was hired to see the work through after the recommendations have been made, and she also serves as the liaison between the Implementation Committee and the Police Department. Amity D. asked what Emerging Brooklyn Center is. She stated the liaison is a different role. Dr. Edwards explained Emerging Brooklyn Center was born out of Evolving Brooklyn Center in early 2021. They brought the community together to determine how to survive at the moment and move forward. Evolving Brooklyn Center was presented to the Council multiple times. They hoped to address systemic barriers and racial disparities through the work of Evolving Brooklyn Center, particularly those that arose during COVID-19 and the civil unrest. Dr. Edwards stated issues from the unprecedented events impacted community health and local businesses, particularly Black/Indigenous/People of Color(BIPOC) businesses, public safety, and life essential resources. They worked to be collaborative and forward-thinking with those efforts. 07/1 1/22 -6- They sought out resources to improve the four areas, as previously stated. The government has historically siloed those areas, and they believe they needed to be addressed together. Dr. Edwards noted the efforts are meant to fix the community. Emerging Brooklyn Center was an intentional model to collectively improve the community through transformational change. There is a cohort of 40 people, with a majority being Brooklyn Center residents, and others are Staff and community organization leaders. They are on an 18-month journey to address issues of health, business, public safety, and life essential resources. They are trying to build capacity, relationships, and trust. If they had the answers, they wouldn't need Emerging Brooklyn Center or the Implementation Committee. The two efforts are complementary. Emerging Brooklyn Center does touch on public safety. Amity D. stated it would be nice for the Implementation Committee Chairs to attend an Emerging Brooklyn Center meeting. Dr. Edwards stated there is an open invitation for participation in Emerging Brooklyn Center. Katie W. asked how the community learned about Emerging Brooklyn Center. It was only mentioned at a Council meeting once. Dr. Edwards stated applications were received from the community. There was a mailing about the process and the open forum invitation was sent to all of the Commissions and the Implementation Committee. Implementation Committee Member Julie Bourque noted some undue stress has been put on Amity D. and Katie W. due to the lack of communication about the way things are supposed to work at meetings. At Work Group meetings, random people speak, and Amity D. isn't sure who people are and why certain people are there. The way the situation was handled with speaking was not equitable, and the space needs to be equitable. It is not fair for the Work Groups to be put in a difficult position, and it makes the Implementation Committee look bad. There need to be more clear roles and clear communication. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to close the Study Session at 7:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 07/1 1/22 -7- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned,being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. Attached hereto is a full, true. and complete transcript of the minutes of a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on July 11, 2022. 2. That said meeting was held according to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its July 25, 2022, Regular Session. tir City Clerk Mayor 07/1 1/22 -8-