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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 07.10 CCM REGULAR SESSION7/10/23 -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 REGULAR SESSION JULY 10 , 2023 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 April Graves at 6:42 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, Community Development Director Jesse Anderson, Commander Tony Gruenig, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. Mayor April Graves opened the meeting for the purpose of an Informal Open Forum. Diane S. stated Thursday, July 13, 2023, there will be another Farmer’s Market with free ice cream through the Cone with a Cop program. Julie B. noted that a City resident, Matt Branch, has been providing accurate information about what has been happening in the community and shows up at incidents to build relationships. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson received an email from Patty K. and read it into the record. It expressed concerns about sound amplification at Northport Park, as they are a violation of the City Code and a nuisance. The writer did not know if there was an event permit pulled, but she requested that staff contact the permit holder to address the issue. Patty K. added she and her neighbors are trying to avoid calling law enforcement. Councilmember Jerzak noted he has received another, more recent email from Patty K. He read the email into the record. Patty K. stated law enforcement has been called and dispersed the group over the past several weekend evenings. Law enforcement said there was a permit for one evening for a graduation party. However, the permit was violated, and there should be repercussions such as a fine or no more permits issued to the individual. Also, there was an assault near Northport Park recently. 7/10/2023 -2- Dr. Edwards stated that the staff will follow up with Patty K. They have previously tried to reach out to her, but they have not been able to connect. Staff is also preparing a presentation related to the concerns for a future Council meeting. Diane S. thanked the first responders who handled the fire at the Target building today. Councilmember Jerzak noted another community member has reached out to him with similar concerns. The community member asked to remain anonymous, but the staff is still working to address the issues. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Kragness seconded to close the Informal Open Forum at 6:53 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Recess and Reconvene At 6:53 p.m., Mayor Graves stated there would be a short recess. The meeting was reconvened at 7:02 p.m. Mayor Graves noted there have been issues with the Zoom connectivity. The Council plans to switch from Zoom to WebEx in the near future. 2. INVOCATION Councilmember Kragness read a poem by an unknown author, “I am me. I’m who I ’m meant to be. I am my past, my present , and who I want to be. I’m not anyone, I am all three. I am a work in progress, a destiny. I am who I choose to be. I am me.” 3. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Regular Session called to order by Mayor April Graves at 7:02 p.m. 4. ROLL CALL Mayor April Graves and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Dan Jerzak, and Teneshia Kragness. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Jesse Anderson, Commander Tony Gruenig, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 7/10/2023 -3- 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, and the following consent items were approved: 6a. LICENSES MECHANICAL Advanced Heating And Air Conditioning 10550 County Road 81 Maple Grove 55369 Air Mechanical 16411 Aberdeen Street NE Ham Lake 55304 Appliance Connections Inc 12850 Chestnut Boulevard Shakopee 55379 Genz-Ryan Plbg & Htg Co 2200 W Hwy 13 Burnsville 55337 Midwest Maintenance & Mech 750 Pennsylvania Avenue S Golden Valley 55426 Quality Heating & Air Services 12912 Ventura Court #21 Shakopee 55379 Residential Heating and Air, Inc. 7454 Washington Avenue Eden Prairie 55344 Sunburst Heating & A/C 1556 Oakways Wayzata 55391 RENTAL INITIAL (TYPE IV – six-month license) 7207 France Avenue N P KIBAARA & J KIBAARA INITIAL (TYPE II – two -year license) 6135 Camden Avenue N PRIME PARTNERS LLC RENEWAL (TYPE IV – six-month license) 1107 57th Avenue N Alexander Irwin 5211 Xerxes Avenue N BMW Holdings 3512 Woodbine Lane Hpa Borrower 2018-1 Ms Llc 7/10/2023 -4- 3813 61st Avenue N Deluxe Properties Llc 5431 Logan Avenue N Cosco Property 3 Llc 6908 Unity Avenue N Sun Llc 7141 Newton Avenue N Ih2 Property Illinois Lp RENEWAL (TYPE III – one-year license) 1200 67th Avenue N T H Morrow & R J Morrow 5833 Pearson Drive Kou M Farngalo 6724 France Avenue N Jessica J Stoll 7230 Girard Avenue N QZ FUNDING LLC RENEWAL (TYPE II – two -year license) 2802 Northway Drive G B Homes Llc 4707 Eleanor Lane Cosco Property 4 Llc 7024 Oliver Circle Juliana Koe & Warren T Terry RENEWAL (TYPE I – three -year license) 5523 Lyndale Avenue N Brett R Hildreth SIGNHANGER Topline Advertising 11775 Justen Circle, #A Maple Grove 55369 6b. RESOLUTION DECLARING A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND ORDERING THE REMOVAL OF DISEASED TREES AT CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA Motion passed unanimously. 7. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/DONATIONS 7a. PRESENTATION ON CRIME STATISTICS DASHBOARD Dr. Edwards introduced the item and invited Commander Garett Flesland and Commander Tony Gruenig. 7/10/2023 -5- Commander Gruenig explained the City worked with LOGIS to create the dashboard. He showed the dashboard and explained the various components. He noted the data is refreshed each morning, but more complex reports may not make it int o the system the day of the event. Unfounded reports are not included in the dashboard. Commander Gruenig pointed out the Police Department switched from UCR to NIBRS due to federal regulations. The data in the dashboard goes as far back as the switch to NIBRS for consistency in the data. There is a widget on the City website to access the dashboard. Commander Gruenig stated the site is user-friendly and is intended to be self-explanatory with clicking on the item you want more information on. Users can search by neighborhood, crime type, date range, crime category, and more. The previous crime mapping system will continue to be accessible and will likely be taken down in the future. Councilmember Butler asked if the crimes are defined in the dashboard. Commander Gr uenig stated there aren’t definitions, but the crimes can be googled easily. Councilmember Kragness asked if the location is based on where the crime occurred or where the crime was reported from. Commander Gruenig stated the data points’ location should be where the incident occurred. Councilmember Kragness asked if there could be an option for a community member to add comments about a crime they know of. Commander Gruenig stated crimes can be reported through an online form, a phone call, or email. The locations on the map are not exact due to data privacy practices. However, a link could be added to the dashboard as a sort of tip line. Mayor Graves asked what the difference is between the new system and the old. Commander Gruenig stated the new system is much more user-friendly and allows users to access more detailed information. Also, the system is updated daily instead of weekly. Dr. Edwards added the dashboard is a pilot effort by LOGIS, and the system will likely evolve as LOGIS develops. Councilmember Jerzak thanked the Police Department personnel for all of their work to support the dashboard. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to accept the demonstration of the Crime Statistic dashboard that will be added to the City's website. Motion passed unanimously. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7/10/2023 -6- 8a. AN INTERIM ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A STUDY AND IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON THE OPERATION OF A CANNABIS BUSINESS WITHIN THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER City Manager Reggie Edwards introduced the item and invited City Attorney Jason Hill to continue the Staff presentation. City Attorney Jason Hill clarified the item is related to cannabis rather than THC edibles. At the June 12 City Council meeting, the Council heard a presentation and the first reading of an interim moratorium on the operation of a cannabis business within the City of Brooklyn Center. Staff will continue to study potential options in the space, though there likely won’t be presentations on the item until the end of 2024. The State has said they won’t be issuing licenses until 2025, so there is plenty of time to prepare. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to open the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Lo ri M. asked if the State does decide to turn over the licensing to cities, would the Council have the option to withdraw the moratorium? Mr. Hill confirmed the moratorium can be repealed at any time. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Mayor Graves seconded to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Mayor Graves seconded to adopt an Interim Ordinance Authorizing a Study and I mposing a Moratorium on the Operation of a Cannabis Business within the City of Brooklyn Center. Motion passed unanimously. 9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS None. 10. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS 10a. RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT (LCDA) AND PREDEVELOPMENT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR RESURRECTING FAITH WORLD MINISTRIES CONFERENCE/EVENT CENTER 7/10/2023 -7- Dr. Edwards introduced the item and invited Community Development Director Jesse Anderson to make the staff presentation. Mr. Anderson explained that staff is seeking authorization to apply on behalf of Resurrecting Faith World Ministries (RFWM) for an LCDA grant and pre-development grant. RFWM's proposed project is located within the opportunity Site and RFWM will develop a Conference/Event Center, 24-hour Childcare/Early Learning Center, Therapy Wellness Office, and 10 Barber/Beautician Suites which will be about 27,000 square feet. Mr. Anderson noted Livable Communities Act (LCA) grants are awarded to communities that participate in the Livable Communities Program in the seven-county metro region. Through different grant programs, LCA grants help communities achieve development goals that create more housing choices, support living wage job creation, and connect jobs, housing, and regional amenities to create a more equitable region. Mr. Anderson stated there are a number of LCA programs. The Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) supports development and redevelopment projects that link housing, jobs, and services, and use community and regional infrastructure efficiently. LCDA - Transit Oriented Development (LCDA-TOD) grants are focused on high-density projects that contribute to a mix of uses in TOD-eligible areas. The Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) helps clean up contaminated land and buildings for subsequent development. These grants are intended to provide the greatest public benefit for the money spent, strengthen the local tax base, and create and preserve jobs and/or affordable housing. TBRA has three different funding opportunities: Contamination Cleanup, Site Investigation, and SEED. Pre-Development grants are for teams who are defining or redefining a project that will support Livable Communities goals. Eligible costs are for early-stage activities like design workshops, financial studies, project impact analyses, and community engagement. Mr. Anderson stated there are some existing LCA grants in the City. New Generations, the veteran housing, was awarded pre-development grants in 2023 and has already been approved to apply for LCDA development funding. In 2022, PPL and Alatus were awarded $2,000,000 in LCDA-TOD funding and Altus and EMP received $1,500,000 in LCDA development funding. Also in 2022, CAPI was awarded $125,000 in pre-development, Global Holdings was awarded $100,000 in pre- development for the former Target site, and North 100 was awarded $863,400 in TBRA for the former Sears site. Mr. Anderson noted RFWM is seeking $300,000 from the MET Council for LCA pre-development to pay for pre-construction architectural design costs. They are also seeking $4,000,000 from the MET Council for an LCDA grant to pay for commercial construction costs. To date, they have schematic drawings and are working with Alatus for finalization. Councilmember Jerzak asked what happens if the applicant does not receive the funding and if there is an obligation on the City to assist in the payment. Mr. Anderson stated there isn’t an obligation, and RFWM is looking for alternative ways to fill the gap. The City would help RFWM 7/10/2023 -8- look for alternative funding sources if they didn’t receive the LCDA and pre-development grants. The City can support up to three applications. Councilmember Jerzak asked when the construction would begin. Mr. Anderson explained t he applicant wants to start as soon as possible. Applications are due in August 2023 and awards would come toward the end of the year. The pre-development grant process will be completed sooner. Mr. Anderson added it is unlikely the City would receive any permit fees for the project in 2023. Councilmember Kragness asked how realistic it is for RFWM to receive the $4 million. Mr. Anderson stated it is more likely for the applicant to receive closer to $1-2 million. However, it just depends on how many applications the program receives and how the projects score. Mayor Graves thanked Mr. Anderson for his presentation. Councilmember Butler moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to adopt the Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account and Pre- Development Grants and Authorizing an Application for Grant Funds. Motion passed unanimously. 10b. RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT (LCDA) TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR AFRICAN CAREER, EDUCATION AND RESOURCE (ACER) INNOVATION AND CATALYST CENTER (ICC) Dr. Edwards introduced the item and invited Community Development Director Jesse Anderson to make the staff presentation. Mr. Anderson explained the Innovation and Catalyst Center would be located near the former Target site. It is about 41,000 for both buildings with 18 total leasable units. ACER, in partnership with the Ignite Businesswomen Investment Group Cooperative (IBWIG) has formed the Brooklyn Village’s LLC to purchase, own, and operate a retail mall. The site will house ACER’s offices, existing tenants, and some 27 businesses from the IBWIG’s membership. ACER will operate programs and services, including the Business Resources Center, which will provide onsite small business technical assistance, resources, and workforce programming, in partnership with COPAL and HIRED to tenants and the broader Brooklyn Center and Northwest Suburbs community. Mr. Anderson showed a table with funding sources, the amount, its type, and its status. A majority of the funding has been committed. Their goal would be to cover just under $1,000,000 through the grant program to buy the building, and there is already a purchase agreement for the site. The grant is an LCDA-TOD, and there are no other competitors from Brooklyn Center looking for funding. 7/10/2023 -9- Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked how the project fits into the holistic business support the City is looking for. Mr. Anderson stated t here are many opportunities for support from other community entities and businesses. In the long run, some of the sites would be more difficult to sell off, such as the strip mall, but it is already a challenge either way. The project meets a lot of goals from EMP discussions and Opportunity Site community engagement responses. The current infrastructure plan is just a guide. He added the City won’t have any ownership of the site. Councilmember Jerzak stated the City is on the hook through 2025 for parking lot maintenance. He asked if that has been discussed. He also asked how the project would impact the value of the former Target site because the City has put a lot of investment into that building. He then asked about the tax implications if a nonprofit were to operate the strip mall instead of a business. Mr. Anderson stated there have been initial conversations about the maintenance agreements, and there is an opportunity to address the current covenants. As for the value of the Target site, there is still an option for redevelopment with a strip mall of offices. There is currently no development agreement in place for the Target site. As for the revenue question, Mr. Anderson stated he would have to look into the details. Councilmember Jerzak asked what happened to the money allotted to redeveloping the Target site. Mr. Anderson explained the most recent request was for $50,000 in reimbursable expenses that went to the County. The City has received the funds and will redistribute them. There is an ongoing market study underway on the site. Councilmember Butler noted the Council received a presentation about doing a sort of food hall on the site. She asked if there was a potential for that use. Mr. Anderson stated the development agreement for the International Food Hall has expired. They would prefer to redevelop the entire site, but it is too costly between the former Target site and the strip mall. The applicant considered the Wal -Mart building and the Slumberland building. Councilmember Jerzak asked if ACER would be able to move forward with the project if they didn’t receive the LCDA-TOD funding. Also, is there an obligation for the City to financially support the project if they do not receive the proper funding. Mr. Anderson stated they would likely still move forward with the project but with some debt. There is not a projecting closing date. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to adopt the Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account Transit- Oriented Development Funding and Authorizing an Application for Grants Funds. Motion passed unanimously. 11. COUNCIL REPORT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reported on her attendance at the following and provided information on the following upcoming events: 7/10/2023 -10- • Noted Farm Fresh will be held in the CEAP parking lot on July 12, 2023. All are welcome to get free vegetables; • Stated the Farmer’s Market is July 13, 2023, and Cone with a Cop will be that afternoon; and • Hmong Community Explore Your Parks will be at Centennial Park on July 16, 2023. Mayor Graves reported on her attendance at the following and provided information on the following upcoming events: • Recorded a Mayor minute; • Attended Northwest Cities Mayors gathering; • Attended the Regional Violent Crime meeting; • Attended Orchard Lane community meeting; • Participated in a Council retreat with staff and Councilmembers; and • Noted she would be out of town for a few days the following week. Councilmember Jerzak reported on his attendance at the following and provided information on the following upcoming events: • Attended Orchard Lane community meeting; • Participated in a Council retreat with staff and Councilmembers; • Noted he will also be at Farm Fresh and Explore Your Parks; and • Held office hours and met with several constituents. 12. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Mayor Graves seconded the adjournment of the City Council meeting at 8:01 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.