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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 06.12 CCM STUDY SESSION6/12/23 -1- DRAFT 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 JUNE 12, 2023 CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor April Graves at 6:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor April Graves and Councilmembers Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Marquita Butler (arrived at 6:12 p.m.), and Dan Jerzak. Councilmember Teneshia Kragness was absent. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Jerzak requested that Regular Session Consent Agenda Items 6c. Resolution Approving the Labor Agreement for the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS NUMBER 512) and the City of Brooklyn Center for the Period Beginning May 22, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and 6d. Resolution Approving the Labor Agreement for Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS NUMBER 520) and the City of Brooklyn Center for the Period Beginning May 22, 2022, years 2023, and 2024 be removed from the Consent Agenda due to a conflict of interest. City Manager Reggie Edwards stated the items could be moved to Regular Session to Council Consideration Items 10b. Resolution Approving the Labor Agreement for the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS NUMBER 512) and the City of Brooklyn Center for the Period Beginning May 22, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and 10c. Resolution Approving the Labor Agreement for Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS NUMBER 520) and the City of Brooklyn Center for the Period Beginning May 22, 2022, years 2023, and 2024 due to a conflict of interest. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Jerzak stated there was an email sent to the Council and City Clerk Barb Suciu. He read the email in full regarding consistent loud music at Northport Park. The writer felt that the music is intimidating and inappropriate. The writer requested the letter be read aloud at a Council meeting. The parks are meant for all community members to feel welcome. The writer was Patty Koenig. She also cited a code that is in violation due to the loud music. Councilmember Butler arrived at 6:12 p.m. 6/12/23 -2- DRAFT Mayor Graves noted she remembers a similar complaint in the park from a previous summer. She stated she doesn’t have an issue with music being played in public spaces, but it shouldn’t be forced upon residents. Dr. Edwards stated staff is working on hiring a new person that would be responsible to ensure parks and events are completed in an orderly manner among other things. Councilmember Butler confirmed the park does get rather loud on the weekends. She pointed out there have been issues in neighboring cities with large groups of youth gathering in parks. Councilmember Jerzak asked for a Staff member to reach out directly to Patty Koenig in the interim so she feels heard. Dr. Edwards stated Regular Session Consent Agenda Item 6h. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 35 of the City Code of Ordinance Regarding Application Requirements for Land Disturbance Permits (1st reading) needs to be removed as the Planning Commission did not reach a quorum to review the matter. Mayor Graves stated she would like an update on the absences of each member of the Planning Commission. Councilmember Jerzak requested the weekly emails to detail any issues with the Commissions meeting quorum. Councilmember Jerzak stated David Abrahamson sent correspondence to the Mayor requesting that North Memorial Ambulance Service at 4501 68th Ave nue North move their location to an area with fewer residences nearby as it would create a better living environment for all residents. The writer stated he hears sirens daily and it disturbs his attempts to enjoy the nearby nature. Mayor Graves stated she sympathizes with the writer as the sirens can be frustrating to hear. However, the Council doesn’t have any power in that situation. Also, it can be beneficial for such services to be close to residential areas. Councilmember Butler suggested sharing t he concerns with North Memorial Ambulance Service. They could potentially wait to turn on their sirens until on a main road rather than using sirens in the neighborhood. Councilmember Jerzak asked if the Council could receive information about the dog park and why it was pushed back. If there is a labor issue, the Council should be aware of it. Councilmember Jerzak also requested an update from staff regarding questions the Council had about group homes, a progress report on crime upticks in the City, a nd information about if community intervenors have been deployed. He stated he would like an update regarding grants and the recent opioid presentation and when the employee survey would be completed. Also, the Council needs an update on the process for the potential sales tax so they can prepare for it to be on the ballot if need be and financial reports related to the American Rescue Plan Act. 6/12/23 -3- DRAFT Dr. Edwards stated the community intervenors have been deployed, but he would get more updates on that topic alo ng with the others listed by Councilmember Jerzak. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out that the Council had previously considered revisiting the Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock-Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Act which would be important to do prior to budget discussions. Mayor Graves stated she would like to hold off on that conversation until the staff presents their recommendations. Mayor Graves asked if there were any legal requirements with timing. City Attorney Jason Hill stated there are no legal requirements related to timing and the Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock-Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Act. Councilmember Jerzak asked if the Council was still waiting for the Implementation Committee's presentation. If so, he asked when that would be held. Mayor Graves stated the presentation was supposed to be on May 8, 2023. However, it was postponed. There is a desire for LaToya Turk and the Police Chief to do a joint presentation on the topic. However, they have not had an opportunity to meet and prepare for a presentation. Dr. Edwards stated a date would likely be set for the traffic stop presentation by the next Council meeting. As for the alternative response recommendations, staff has been in communication with Hennepin County regarding their embedded response program. Councilmember Jerzak noted he asked about the Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock- Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Act because of grant funding the City has received for pilot programs and the potential need for budget discussions regarding funding for programming. Dr. Edwards explained the budget will include programs that are financially prudent. Staff has kept the grant funders up-to-date on the process, and there is no deadline to use the funds. Mayor Graves agreed she would like an update on the community intervenors and when they are working in the community. Mayor Graves stated she had a proclamation to add to the Regular Session Agenda recognizing a Park Center graduate for being a safety in the NFL and providing youth football programming within the Brooklyn Center community. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked what the status of the labor study is. Dr. Edwards stated the organization asked for an extension that was granted through the end of June. Mayor Graves asked if the Finance Commission and the new Councilmembers were provided with the sales tax discussion from May. If not, it would be beneficial for them to review it. Dr. Edwards confirmed staff can recirculate the presentation. He noted that staff would provide another sales tax presentation when presented to Council. 6/12/23 -4- DRAFT ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Graves closed the Study Session at 6:35 p.m.