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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 07.10 CCM STUDY 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 STUDY SESSION JULY 10, 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 6:11 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, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she had some questions about the ACER grant, referring to Regular Session Council Consideration Items 10b. Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) Transit-Oriented Development Funding and Authorizing an application for Grant Funds for African Career, Education and Resource (ACER) Innovation and Catalyst Center (ICC). She asked if ACER has the financial capacity to see the project through. City Manager Reggie Edwards stated staff will include the details in the presentation. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson explained the Council received an email from Patty Koenig and the emailer would like it entered into the record. She added that a community member consistent ly emails her regarding the mental stability of the people living under the Highway 100 overpass. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked what the city can do. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson pointed out that Liquor Store #2 was supposed to be a Work Session topic in March, but they have yet to discuss it. Also, the Council was supposed to see the results of the labor study, but it is not on the agenda. She asked for an update on the grant and purchasing policy. Dr. Edwards stated that staff can look into options to support folks living under the overpass. The discussion about Liquor Store #2 has been postponed as it has been determined that the project 7/10/23 -2- will not be built in 2023. As for the labor study, staff plans to present at the next Council meeting. Lastly, he explained he needed to check in with the Finance Director about the grant and purchasing policy. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out that Mayor Graves did a great job stepping in during the Centennial Park incident. He suggested the Council hear a presentation summarizing the concerns with Centennial Park. Dr. Edwards stated staff is planning on presenting an update on parks and community interveners in the next two Council meetings. Councilmember Jerzak thanked the staff for the summary of the produce store. He asked what City can do in the future to better support businesses in default. Mayor Graves noted the Community Development Department is hardworking but understaffed. There is a bit of a gap between cultural and zoning considerations. She asked if the staff has been in discussion with Brooklyn Park about their entrepreneurial marketplace. Dr. Edwards confirmed that staff has been collaborating with Brooklyn Park consistently, but he would have to check on details related to the entrepreneurial marketplace. He agreed it is difficult for micro -businesses to succeed, but it is still a priority of the Community Development Department to support new and smaller businesses. Councilmember Jerzak asked if the staff has looked into the restraints for certain businesses to be added near Walmart and if it would continue should the building be sold to a new party. Mayor Graves stated that a school in North Minneapolis, Legacy of Dr. Josie R. Johnson Montessori, is looking for a new location. Multiple related parties have reached out to her in search of a new school. They are a school that prioritizes teachers of color to support students of color. The need for space for community events and youth programming is a repeated ask that Brooklyn Center has been unable to fulfill. She asked who owns the buildings near Restaurant Depot. Dr. Edwards stated that staff can look into who owns the empty buildings near Restaurant Depot and inventory available spaces in the City. Community Development Director Jesse Anderson added the buildings near Restaurant Depot are currently in tax forfeiture. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS THC EDIBLES City Attorney Jason Hill stated the presentation is solely regarding items that were eligible for sale in 2022. The Council placed a moratorium on the sale while awaiting more guidance from the State. Since the moratorium is ending, the City needs to decide on THC edibles. The City can allow the moratorium to lapse as there are some State regulations. March 1, 2025, the system adopted in 2023 will replace any 2022 systems. The City can create a licensing program, similar to what it does for tobacco. 7/10/23 -3- Councilmember Butler asked what age of people can purchase THC edibles. Mr. Hill stated the minimum age is 21 years old. Councilmember Jerzak asked if any community members or the Liquor Stores have inquired about THC edibles sales. Dr. Edwards stated the City is interested in THC sales through the Liquor Store. Mayor Graves noted she has had a couple of interested parties contact her regarding THC sales. There has also been some community organizing efforts related to THC and marijuana. Councilmember Jerzak stated the Council has the responsibility to support business opportunities in the City. It would be the safest option to create a licensing program as a guardrail before the State takes over the licensure in 2025. Mr. Hill stated that staff can look into provisions in a THC edible licensing program that could transfer over after the more recent moratorium ends. It would save staff from having to redo the entire program next year. He recommended implementing similar language related to proximity requirements in the State’s documents. Mayor Graves asked what provisions would be helpful in the 18 months until the State licensure. She explained she wants the program to be accessible rather than a hindrance. She added she would not want to waste staff time on a program that will automatically expire. Mr. Hill stated the provisions could include location requirements. With those provisions in place, it can start a knowledge base for compliance checks and future State licensure. Councilmember Kragness asked if a licensure program would be proactive ahead of the 2025 State licensing program. Mr. Hill confirmed that this is correct. Mayor Graves asked how a temporary licensure program supports entrepreneurship and business owners. Councilmember Jerzak agreed he wants to avoid a cumbersome process. He stated he trusts staff to provide a recommendation on how they would like to proceed. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to direct staff to provide a recommendation on how to proceed with THC edibles. PENDING LIST OF FUTURE WORK SESSIONS • 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) 7/10/23 -4- • 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 closed the Study Session at 6:42 p.m.