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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 09-12 CCM REGULAR 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 REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER INFORMAL OPEN FORUM The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Informal Open Forum called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Marquita Butler was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Finance Director Angela Holm, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. Mayor Mike Elliott opened the meeting for the purpose of Informal Open Forum. No one wished to address the City Council. Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to close the Informal Open Forum at 6:48 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Elliott recessed the meeting at 6:48 p.m. He readjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. 2. INVOCATION Councilmember Graves noted the recent anniversary of September 11, 2001. She read a quote from George W. Bush, "One of the worst days in America's history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans'history. We'll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice." Councilmember Graves then read a quote from Bill Clinton, "With almost no time to decide, they gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the capitol from attack. They saved God knows how many lives. They saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. And they did it as citizens. They allowed us to survive as a country that could fight terror and still maintain liberty and still welcome people 9/12/22 -1- from all over the world from every religion and race and culture as long as they shared our values, because ordinary people given no time at all to decide did the right thing." Councilmember Graves read a quote from Barack Obama, `Bven the smallest act of service,the �i simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11." She requested a moment of silence. i,, 3. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING , The Brookl n Center City Council met in Regular Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott I Y at 7:09 p.m. 4. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Marquita Butler was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Finance Director Angela Holm, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Elliott moved and Councilmember Graves seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, as amended, moving Council Consideration Item 10a., City Commission Appointments, and Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Item 6a., Approval of Minutes, to the following meeting, and the following consent items were approved: 6b. LICENSES MECHANICAL Genz-Ryan Plumbing & Heating Co 2200 W Hwy 13 Burnsville MN 55337 MN Plumbing and Home Services 12040 Riverwood Cir Burnsville MN 55337 Otsego Heating and Air Conditioning Inc 11 lst St.NW DBA Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling Maple Grove MN 55369 RENTAL INITIAL (TYPE IV—six-fnonth license) 4110 Lakebreeze Avenue North Jakai Taylor 3013 Quarles Road ABU ANAKO 9/12/22 -2- 5006 Howe Lane AUX FLINDING LLC 6213 Lee Avenue North Emmanuel Benson & Kaibeh Benson INITIAL (TYPE II—two year license) 5327 Queen Avenue North Myrka Zambrano 3000 Quarles Road HENNEPIN RP FLTNDING LLC INITIAL (TYPE I—three year license) 5137-39 France Avenue North Ricardo Noubleau&Myriam Noubleau 5206 Paul Drive SFR Acquisitions 3, LLC 5936 Zenith Avenue North S Banks & D J Banks 6029 Bryant Avenue North Herman Capital PR VII, LLC 6100 Bryant Avenue North Kurt& Mary Templin 6219 Regent Avenue North Good Domus Sub IX LLC RENEWAL (TYPE IV—six-month license) 3100 Thurber Road Tyler Morgan Henderson 4200 Winchester Lane Obafemi Oladeji 7025 Logan Avenue North Summit Properties, LLC 5357 71st Circle Randy &Augusta White 5432 Bryant Avenue North Christopher Michael Raisch 6106 Aldrich Avenue North Home Sfr Borrower LLC 6130 Scott Avenue North 2017 1 Ih Borrower L P 6324 Scott Avenue North Sayndee Sando 6501 Beard Avenue North Fyr Sfr Borrower LLC 6501 Brooklyn Drive Dawn M Araya&Danilo Araya 6724 France Avenue North Jessica J Stoll 9/12/22 -3- 7049 Regent Avenue North Home Sfr Borrower LLC 7119 Halifax Avenue North Hpa Jv Borrow 2019-1 Ath LLC RENEWAL (TYPE III—one year license) 3407 65th Avenue North Soderberg Investments LLC 1513 Humboldt Place North Johnson Organization Inc 5307 Penn Avenue North Ronnet Renay Dossman 5310 Knox Avenue North Cel Monton LLC 5330 Girard Avenue North C BrightlWagner Prop Rnt LLC RENEWAL (TYPE II—two year license) 7019 Morgan Avenue North Candlewood Home Buyers 5655 Northport Drive Raymond & Cindy Scherbing 5819 Knox Avenue North Crystal Clear Investments Crystal Brummer 6800 Fremont Place North Sharon McGary RENEWAL (TYPE I—three year license) 1304 68th Lane North Crystal A Dopp 1531 Humboldt Place North Johnson Organization Inc 1537 Humboldt Place North Johnson Organization Inc 3906 52nd Avenue North Randy L Hammond 5331 70th Circle Jazz Properties MN, LLC 5532 Logan Avenue North Irina& Igor Kovalsky 5400 Queen Avenue North Prosperous Property LLC 5607 Halifax Avenue North Kane M Buss 6c. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SITE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH DISH WIRELESS L.L.0 ON WATER TOWER NO. 1 9/12/22 -4- �I 6d. DISSOLUTION OF THE MOU BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER AND '� COUNCIL ESTABLISHING MANAGEMENT OF THE '�� IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR BY THE MAYOR. I, Motion passed unanimously. '�I 7. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/DONATIONS 7a. 2023 PRELIMINARY BUDGET City Manager Dr. Reggie Edwards summarized the timeline for upcoming budget meetings. He explained the 2023 budget continues to be driven by recent unprecedented times related to COVID-19,the shooting death of Duante Wright, and the ensuing civil unrest. Additionally,there are considerations with the economic condition including high inflation, Council strategic priorities, organizational stability, and ensuring a community-centered City. Dr. Edwards stated the proposed budget was developed recognizing unprecedented events and challenges faced by residents and Staff: Additionally,the proposed budget was developed with an intent balance the needs for economic growth,health and well-being of people, longer-term fiscal stability, pursuit of City Council direction and providing City services at an affordable cost for residents. Dr. Edwards showed a Brooklyn Center organizational chart. At the top are the residents who share their input with Council. From there, the Council directs the City Manager to implement certain strategies. Brooklyn Center also includes the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity, the Off'ice of Community Prevention, Health, and Safety, the Public Works Department, the Community Development Department, the Financial Services Department, the Administration Department,the Recreation Department,the Fire Department,the Police Department,and multiple advisory committees. Dr. Edwards stated the vision of Brooklyn Center is to envision Brooklyn Center as a thriving, diverse community with a full range of housing, business, cultural and recreational offerings. It is a safe and inclusive place that people of all ages love to call home, and visitors enjoy due to its convenient location and commitment to a healthy environment. The mission of the City of Brooklyn Center is to ensure an attractive, clean, safe, and inclusive community that enhances the quality of life for all people and preserves the public trust. Dr. Edwards stated Brooklyn Center has values of customer intimacy, meaning a commitment to serving each customer with dignity and respect which requires seeking to understand the needs of each customer and deliver quality service that will be understood and appreciated,and operational excellence, which is a commitment to delivering quality services in a cost effective and efficient manner and to be good stewards of the limited resources made available by the citizens. Dr. Edwards explained City outcomes include the existence of a healthy and safe residence, a 'r n ir nmen for seven enerations to come e uitable and diverse healthy and safe youth and thei e v o t g , q 9/12/22 -5- businesses,equitable stable and diverse tax base,a public trust,people feeling welcomed,residents feeling a sense of community pride, equitably diverse housing without gentrification or displacement, an increased household median income without harm, and a clean and safe human environment. Dr. Edwards added the strategic priorities of the City are an enhance community image, resident economic stability, inclusive community engagement, inclusive community engagement, targeted redevelopment, safe, secure, and stable community, and key transportation investments. Dr. Edwards stated the proposed budget has a number of highlights. There is$50,000 assigned for market competitiveness to ensure they are keeping and attracting the best Staff. It is a phased funding process. $409,447 is for a three percent salary adjustment toward a livable wage. Almost $50,000 was budgeted for natural gas inflation. Central Garage requires replacements in the amount of$389,254. Also, general inflation was considered in the proposed budget. Dr. Edwards stated if they want certain outcomes met,they must consider budget allotments. The proposed budget includes a Performance Measurement Analyst for $100,000. It is the only new position for 2023. Several positions were requested by Departments, but there is not the funding available. Dr. Edwards noted three Police Staff positions are still frozen pending a labor study and the recommendations from the Implementation Committee. Neither of those items have been completed. It is a phased funding process that accounts for $100,000 which would unfreeze one police officer. Councilmember Ryan stated the salary for an entry-level police officer is not $100,000. Dr. Edwards stated it would cost $120,000 to cover salary, benefits, and training for a police officer. Councilmember Ryan noted the minimum number of required officers on a shift was reduced from five to four. Dr. Edwards confirmed that was correct. Councilmember Ryan stated the intent was to allow for breaks having worked many additional hours in recent months. However, it is concerning to have so few officers available for backup due to safety and burnout concerns. He explained he would like to unfreeze all three positions. Councilmember Ryan added there is not an officer handling auto thefts,and the Police Department is down detectives. There are only four detectives when there can be up to seven. Both of those considerations are also concerning. A safe, secure community should be the top priority for the Council and asked for the Councilmembers to provide reasons why a safe, secure community shouldn't be the main focus. Dr.Edwards stated there is currently the option of 26 police officers,but there are only 22 positions filled. There is hope for another one to be added by the end of the month with a couple more in the pipeline. The funding suggested only pertains to one patrol officer, and there is currently room for more officers to be hired. The Police Department also wants to fill the detective openings. 9/12/22 -6- Dr. Edwards added the proposed budget also allots $75,000 to sustain public safety alternatives ��, through phased funding. The strategy was to fund new public safety alternatives with grant dollars, ', which has been secured. Then each year,a portion of the required funding is allocated to the make ' the program more sustainable long-term. Dr. Edwards noted the proposed budget includes an allotted $100,000 for youth violence , prevention and response strategy, which is yet another phase funding. This work is done with the i Violence Interrupters. The goal is to have multiple strategies to address public safety. II Dr. Edwards pointed out there are a number of items requested by the Departments that were � unfunded. The total requested levy increase would be 17.1 percent. The proposed budget is a levy of 5.9 percent. Unfunded requests include four part-time park liaisons at $91,000, new split community engagement in the Recreation Department at $109,000, a new full-time park maintenance worker at $101,000, a new full-time fire inspector at $97,000, and election off-year funding stabilization at $50,000. Mayor Elliott asked what election off-year funding stabilization is. Dr. Edwards stated elections happen every other year. On election years, the budget and levy spikes. It would levy out peaks and valleys. Mayor Elliott asked if the$50,000 would be saved and spent another year. Dr.Edwards stated that was correct. Finance Director Angela Holm explained the City's current budget policies provide basic framework and assists in the decision-making process. Policies include a balanced budget,current revenue should pay for current expenses, contingency of up to five percent of budget, providing adequate funding for capital replacement & maintenance, budget should describe goals, services and programs, and a targeted unassigned General Fund balance of 50 — 52 percent of the next year's General Fund budget. Ms. Holm noted there are also revenue policies which direct how the City maintains the ability to pay for services it provides its customers. The policies include maintaining a diversified and stable revenue system, an annual revenue estimates completed through an objective conservative analytical process, user fees should be reviewed and revised on an annual basis, fees and user charges for Enterprise Funds should fully support total direct and indirect costs, and user fees for City services will generally be established at a level which will recover the full cost of providing the service. Ms. Holm showed a table depicting the property tax levy adopted in 2022 and the proposed 2023 levy. The total City levy is proposed at 5.9 percent, and the HRA levy is 17.4 percent, which is completely separate. The debt service levy is 0.09 percent. From 2022 to 2023, there would be a proposed change of$1.24 million in the General Budget. 9/12/22 -7- Ms. Holm showed a graph comparing nearby similar nearby cities with the proposed 2023 levy. Brooklyn Center was second lowest after New Hope. Fridley has a proposed levy that is more than double of Brooklyn Center. Ms. Holm explained General Fund revenues by source are a majority from property taxes. The percentage from property ta�ces would go down by one percent from 2022. She showed a pie chart of the General Fund broken up by funding source, Department,and object. Police Department has the largest portion of the General Fund. Personnel services account for a large majority of what the General Fund is spent on. Ms. Holm stated overall the taxable market value has increased by 16.9 percent. Industrial and residential properties have increased the most, both of which have increased by almost 20 percent. The increases provide a larger tax base. The tax capacity for residential properties still accounts ' for over half of the City's ta�c capacity. For 2023, it is 54.5 percent, which is a few percentage points higher than 2022. Ms. Holm noted the median home value in Brooklyn Center for 2023 is $259,000. Since 2009, � the lowest median home value was $114,200 in 2014. Since then,there has been a steady increase in median home values. Since 2022, there has been an increase of about $35,000 in the median home value. Ms. Holm showed a slide that showed the City property ta�c rates for year since 2015 compared with the percentage. The percentages have decreased over time because the property values have increased. Ms. Holm stated a single-family residential home with an average home value would be impacted by a 5.9 percent levy increase with an additional $137 dollars in property taxes for 2023. Each incremental one percent levy impact would be an additional $13. Councilmember Ryan stated the more businesses lost in Brooklyn Center, the greater the tax i ere e the same number of businesses I capacity relies on homeowners. Mayor Elliott stated if th ar with a decrease in value, the same scenario would happen. Dr. Edwards pointed out the intent of the diversified tax base would be to shift the slices of the ta�c capacity pie. For example, in the case of a housing bubble, the City couldn't completely rely on residential properties. Mayor Elliott stated they didn't lose any apartments or industrial buildings, and they are still receiving taxes on empty buildings. Dr. Edwards explained the State sets t� rates and could , modify the t�rates. Then the tax capacity could change. Councilmember Ryan asked if StafF has looked at potential impacts on property taxes if certain reforms go forward that are being considered by the Legislature that would reduce property tax rates for apartment buildings to decrease rental costs. Ms. Holm stated Staff hasn't reviewed the possibility. 9/12/22 -8- Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated the final levy is being voted on at the September 26, 2022 meeting. Mayor Elliott noted the levy can go down from the vote, but it cannot increase. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson explained the reality of Brooklyn Center is that there is an increase of crimes and more weapons on the street. She doesn't want to focus on pilot programs. Instead, the Police Department should be fully funded. After the labor study, she would prefer to be providing too many services than too few. There needs to be a street crimes unit. Local businesses are paying for private security on top of property taxes. There has been a loss of revenue from businesses that have wanted to hire law enforcement for security. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson added she would like to learn more about the unfunded Fire Inspector role. There is both high inflation and high crime,so essential services need to be funded. After things are under control, then the Council can consider performing other services and programs. Councilmember Graves asked how the first mock budget discussion went with residents. Ms. Holm stated it went well. The community members were very engaged, and there was a good turnout. There were almost 20 non-Staff folks at the meeting. Councilmember Graves asked what stood out from the discussions. Ms. Holm stated the community members were very thoughtful and had good questions. The opinions were in favor of an equitable budget. Councilmember Graves asked for a summary or notes that came from the discussion. Councilmember Graves pointed out there is a need to weigh organizational capacity and being a community-centered City. The one new position proposed by Dr. Edwards aligns with strategic priorities set by the Council and would create a logic model to set the City up for the future. Councilmember Graves noted two of the positions that were frozen include a detective in training and a school-based police officer. The capacity issue with the Police Department is not a result of the three frozen positions. Instead, it is related to Staff retention and not being able to hire people enough. Councilmember Graves added doing youth violence prevention work could easily take over the role of the frozen school-based officer. She noted an example from a Minneapolis high school where it has been successful. Councilmember Graves stated the Council should increase the levy by one percent which creates the potential to hire another position such as the Fire Inspector or the role to assist with community engagement and communications. Alternatively,the extra one percent levy could fund the election off-year. Councilmember Ryan asked how the organizational functionality works out with the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity and the Office of Community Prevention, Health, and Safety. 9/12/22 -9- There needs to be accountability. The public elects the Council,the Council hires a City Manager, ' and the City Manager administers the directions of the Council. He asked what authority the , managers of the two Offices have and how they differ from the role of a director of a Department. I Dr. Edwards stated the City Manager is in charge of all Departments and Offices. The Offices are I, placed on the organizational chart above the Departments because the OfFices are involved in all 'i of the Departments. The Offices do not have the authority to hire or fire, but their purpose is to I influence culture. ', Councilmember Graves asked what the other Councilmembers think about increasing the II maximum levy by one percent, as she suggested. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she is responsible to the taxpayers, and public safety is her priority. If the Police Department is fully funded, she would not be opposed to raise the levy. Councilmember Ryan noted his agreement with Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson's statement on the matter. Mayor Elliott stated he is generally not in favor of increasing the levy unless Staff thought it was crucial to do so. Councilmember Graves noted she wasn't trying to prescribe how the additional one percent was used. Instead, she would rely on the expertise of the Staff. The suggestion was intended to create space for considering more services or offerings by the City. The average single-family home would pay an additional $13 per year with a one percent levy increase. Mayor Elliott moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to receive the presentation 2023 Preliminary Budget. Motion passed unanimously. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS None. 10. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS None. 11. COUNCIL REPORT None. 9/12/22 -10- 12. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Elliott moved and Councilmember Graves seconded adjournment of the City Council meeting at 8:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COiJNTY 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. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Regulax Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on September 12, 2022. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant 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 Se 022, Regular Session. , ; �'� arbara Suciu, City Clerk Mike Elliott, Mayor 9/12/22 -11-