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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 06.26 CCM STUDY SESSION6/26/23 -1- 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 26, 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 6:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor April Graves and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Dan Jerzak, and Teneshia Kragness. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Director of Public Work s Elizabeth Heyman, Interim Community Development Director Jesse Anderson, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted she would be out of town starting on June 29, 2023, for about one week. Councilmember Jerzak stated the weekly update showed the Finance Commission meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The meeting has been postponed because the audit has not been completed. Councilmember Jerzak explained he wants the auditor to appear in person to explain the delay. He quoted the Charter about the required timeline for the audit. Mayor Graves asked which budget meetings are scheduled before the audit is expected to be complete. City Manager Reggie Edwards stated there are two departmental presentations scheduled. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted her agreement with Councilmember Jerzak. The auditors are a large firm, and the delay doesn’t make sense. Dr. Edwards stated he could explain some of the reasons for the delay. Alternatively, they could have the auditors appear on Zoom. Mayor Graves asked what caused the delay. Dr. Edwards stated the firm is new to the City, the process started late due to selecting a new auditing firm, and there has been a transition of some staff that has impacted capacity and documentation for grants needed to be completed. 6/26/23 -2- Councilmember Kragness pointed out that one of the criteria for selecting an auditing firm was timeliness. Councilmember Jerzak stated he would like an update on the project for the produce store next to the liquor store. If there is an issue with the project, the location could be a good option for the City to grant a marijuana license. Mayor Graves noted her disagreement as the owner of the space had struggled with her contractor and issues have arisen regarding loading and unloading produce at a certain entrance. Dr. Edwards stated that staff could put some information into the weekly update. Councilmember Jerzak stated there was a previous public commenter that expressed concerns about noise levels at a park. He explained he didn’t see a response from staff in the weekly update. He asked if the new hires could be included in the weekly update as well. Councilmember Jerzak added he gets regular questions from constituents about Police Department staffing levels, and he would appreciate more regular updates on staffing levels. Mayor Graves suggested a monthly update on staffing from Staff each week would be excessive. Dr. Edwards explained the weekly update has included when jobs have been posted, but it has not included when roles have been filled. That can be changed. Councilmember Butler noted there seem to be several homeowners that are impacted by the large park gatherings, due to both the noise levels and the trash. On another note, there are some people selling produce on Hwy 252. They regularly run through traffic to deliver the produce, and it is a safety issue. She asked if law enforcement could intervene to improve safety. Councilmember Jerzak stated the park gatherings would require a permit. He asked if the staff is following up on the permits to hold back any funds for events that did not follow the permit. There has been an increase in complaints from his constituents. Dr. Edwards stated staff can present to the Council the role of the new Parks and Recreation Department personnel. Prior to that hire, there wasn’t capacity to follow up on permits or attend park events. Mayor Graves asked how long the new role has been filled. Dr. Edwards stated the new person has been working for two weeks. Mayor Graves pointed out that the fence around Brooklyn Boulevard has come down. She asked what happened. Interim Community Development Director Jesse Anderson stated staff has been in discussion with the developer there. The current lender is processing the foreclosure by judgment, which could take up to a year. The fence was likely taken down due to a lack of payment. Mr. Anderson has requested a meeting with the developer but hasn’t heard back. Mayor Graves asked for a rundown of the process for obtaining an event permit. She explained she has spoken with Jammin Wings about a permit they filed for an event. Dr. Edwards stated staff 6/26/23 -3- would prepare a presentation on the process for obtaining an event permit as a refresher. City Clerk Barb Suciu noted Jammin Wings has filed for an event permit. However, there are issues with the permit because the facility doesn’t have a liquor license. The permit process requires 45 days of notice before the event, which is meant to be held in August. However, the building projects are still not complete. Mayor Graves pointed out the Council Retreat is coming up on July 8, 2023. The prework is supposed to be completed before July. Councilmember Jerzak asked if there has been progress in getting the former Radisson in compliance. They were unlicensed at the last meeting. There is a substantial amount of money in arrears. Dr. Edwards stated Staff will look into the matter and report back to the Council. Dr. Edwards asked if all Council will be present at the July 10, 2023 meeting. If so, he requested a 5:00 p.m. closed session to complete the settlement discussions. There was no objection from Council. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL DOG PARK PROJECT Dr. Edwards introduced the item and invited Public Works Director Elizabeth Heyman to continue the staff presentation. Ms. Heyman explained the 2024-2038 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a plan for major capital investments over the next 15 years. It was developed by prioritizing a list of capital projects based on the anticipated year needed and based on anticipated funding opportunities. Fluidity is expected. The current focus is on the first few years, and 2024 projects will be incorporated into the 2024 budget. Ms. Heyman noted the CIP includes street improvements, public utilities, park and trail improvements, and the Capital Maintenance Building Program (CMBP). There are a variety of funding sources including utility fees, special assessments, franchise fees, Municipal Street Construction Aid, a portion of local government aid, liquor operations, and the like. Ms. Heyman showed a table with a list of plans for 2023 and 2024. The staff has already started the preparation and design work for the 2024 projects. Ms. Heyman stated the dog park is slated for 2027. A small dog park costs $150,000. Planning, design, and construction would take 18 to 24 months. Dog park planning would begin in 2025. As for estimated maintenance considerations, it would cost about $10,000 and 400 hours of staff time per year. In the 1980s, the Public Works Department had 22 Staff. Today, the Department only has 17 Staff. 6/26/23 -4- Ms. Heyman pointed out some preliminary considerations including the size of the dog park, if there should be different areas for different types of dogs, the location, adjacent uses, parking, insurance, other recreation needs, permitting, and enforcement. Ms. Heyman explained for the preparation process, there needs to be preliminary design development, public outreach, design revisions, develop enforcement and permitting plan, and operating budget adjustments. There are also maintenance considerations such as daily garbage collection, daily dog waste removal, daily refill of waste station bags, annual seasonal irrigation maintenance, monthly fence inspection, and bi-weekly ground surface treatments. Ms. Heyman noted the CIP includes a Park Capital Planning Study in 2023 and 2024. The park plan is important because it streamlines decisions about park planning and prioritizes includes engagement. The planning is approved by Council and is beneficial for planning maintenance budgets. There have been requests for soccer fields, splash pads, driving range, and volleyball courts. Staff must also consider the maintenance of current recreation spaces. Ms. Heyman showed an image of the proposed Lions Park Additions. The project has already been approved by Council, and staff has obtained grant money. Pre-planning parks and recreation efforts make it easier to obtain grant funding. Ms. Heyman stated the next step for the dog park is to prioritize dog park engagement in park capital planning work. A request for proposal will be out in three or four months. Also, staff will keep an eye out for grant opportunities. Councilmember Graves asked what the City would be liable for if there were issues within the dog park. Ms. Heyman stated she doesn’t have that information, but that is part of the preparation work to ensure Brooklyn Center understands the potential impacts. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out there was a consensus from the Council for the dog park, and she had requested moving the timeline at the Finance Commission meeting. She asked how it went from a Council consensus to being pushed out five years. Ms. Heyman stated she didn’t hear a formal vote for an action. Dr. Edwards stated there was consensus from the Council to get a dog park. Then it was the role of the staff to determine how to build a dog park, when the resources would be available, and the like. The request from Council did not have a required time frame. The staff recommendation was based on alignment with the CIP and when resources would be available, and consideration of the preparatory work that would be required. However, if Council has a consensus for the dog park to be completed sooner than 2027, staff can look into alternative timeline options. Councilmembers Lawrence-Anderson, Jerzak, and Kragness confirmed they would like the dog park to be implemented sooner than 2027. Ms. Heyman stated the earliest the project could be completed is 2026 because of the required 6/26/23 -5- research and community engagement that would be required. Dr. Edwards stated staff will create a list of pros and cons for various timeline options to bring back to the Council. Councilmember Jerzak noted he was hoping for a short-term solution while the official dog park was underway. He had previously offered an idea for a location that would only require a garbage can, a sign, and insurance coverage. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson agreed she is disappointed because there was a consensus from Council on February 13, 2023, for a dog park. Ms. Heyman had previously requested the item be tabled until a park plan was created despite Council consensus. CITY TRAFFIC STOP AND CONSENT SEARCH WORK SESSION This item was addressed during the June 26, 2023 Work Session. PENDING LIST FOR FUTURE WORK SESSIONS UPCOMING ITEMS • Memorial Policy • Special Assessment Policy/Franchise Fees (referred to Financial Commission) • Beautification and Public Art Commission • Liquor Store 2 • Organizational Chart-Budget work sessions • New and Repeat Type IV Rental License Review (referred to Housing Commission) • Food Truck Ordinance/License • Emerald Ash Borer Policy Review (referred to Park & Rec Commission November) • Opioid Settlement • ARPA Funds • Police Labor Study • Grants: Revenues & Expenses • Purchasing Policy • Commercial Vacant Building Fees • Interveners Impact ADJOURNMENT Mayor Graves adjourned the Study Session at 6:33 p.m.