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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.08 CCM REGULAR SESSION4/8/24 -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 APRIL 8, 2024 CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Informal Open Forum called to order by Mayor April Graves at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Mayor April Graves and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, Dan Jerzak, and Teneshia Kragness. Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Artist-in-Residence Raquel Goutierez, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. INFORMAL OPEN FORUM Mayor April Graves opened the meeting for the purpose of an Informal Open Forum and requested each commenter limit their speaking to three minutes. Dr. Edwards pointed out that the Council had previously decided on two minutes. Mayor Graves stated three minutes seems more feasible, but she would stick to two. Bruce H. explained an assessor visited his neighborhood because of a neighbor with unsightly vehicles and items in their yard. He stated that he has contacted to city inspectors but he is unsure if anything has been done. He also called the Fire Department on the neighbor because of a fire at the same home. The firefighters knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Ms. Suciu noted she received a note from Mr. Knutson. He was not present. Julie B. noted she has concerns about the same community member mentioned by Bruce H. and another person on the street. A different neighbor was moving away due to the issues. She requested an update on the actions being taken by the City. Julie B. asked when constituents’ concerns regarding the unrecorded first hour would be considered. She expressed her disappointment in how guests were treated at the previous meeting. 4/8/24 -2- Multiple Councilmember cited their tiredness when speakers were trying to share with the Council, when the speakers were also likely tired. Mayor Graves stated her allotted two minutes was over. Julie B. stated she would like an update about the Councilmember who was being investigated. Mayor Graves stated her time to speak was done. Julie B. stated she would like an update still. Kevin S. welcomed Mayor Graves back, noting there is a great benefit in her participation in meetings. There are young children in his neighborhood, and it is lacking a playground. The nearby school has a playground, but the access is locked at all hours. Diane S. thanked Public Works Department for cleaning up a pile of salt in her neighborhood. Diane S. stated a year ago Councilmember Butler discussed the issue of blighting in the City. She offered to show the Council blight concerns throughout the community. She requested the Council look into the issue and educate business owners about the City’s standards. Councilmember Kragness moved and Councilmember Jerzak seconded to close the Informal Open Forum at 7:11 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Graves reviewed the decorum for the meeting. 5. INVOCATION Mayor Graves pointed out many community members are celebrating Eid this week. She suggested folks learn more about it if they aren’t familiar with the holiday. Mayor Graves shared a quote from an oracle card about beautiful peace. Peace provides clarity and promotes effective healing. 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Butler moved and Councilmember Kragness seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, as amended, and the following consent items were approved: 6a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. March 25, 2024 – Work Session 2. March 25, 2024 – Regular Session 3. March 25, 2024 – EDA/Work Session 6b. LICENSES 4/8/24 -3- HOSPITALITY ACCOMMODATIONS Brooklyn Center Hospitality dba Motel 6 2741 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center Hotel 2200 Freeway Boulevard MECHANICAL C & M Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. 7308 Blair Way Wahkon 56386 Myles Mechanical 17522 Concord Drive Ham Lake 55304 RENTAL RENEWAL (TYPE IV – six-month license) 1300 67th Avenue N Roger And Elizabeth 7230 West River Road 7230 Riverside Property Llc 707 69th Ave nue N SFR Borrower 2021-2 LLC 1713 70th Ave nue N Larkin Street Housing 2113 55th Ave nue N Ih3 Property Minnesota Lp 5949 Vincent Ave nue N Royal Priesthood Llc 6107 Emerson Ave nue N Lydia Yeboah 6424 Marlin Drive CJ Bright & QK Fank 6701 Scott Ave nue N Royal Priesthood Llc 7156 Unity Ave nue N Michelle A Shaffer RENEWAL (TYPE III – one-year license) 5956 Beard Ave nue N Hp Minnesota I Llc RENEWAL (TYPE II – two-year license) 6014 Girard Ave nue N Rifive Investments LLC 7045 Unity Ave nue N Amas Investments Llc 7225 Major Avenue N Iasis Iii Llc RENEWAL (TYPE I – three-year license) 4/8/24 -4- 3025 65th Ave nue N Wilmer Alexander G Mendoza 5336 Northport Drive TECH2 INVESTMENTS LLC 5406 70th Circle Mohammed G Aaser 5901 Pearson Drive Home Sfr Borrower Llc 6918 Halifax Ave nue N Gracelands Llc 6931 Toledo Ave nue N SFR II BORROWER 2021-3 LLC 7208 Dallas Road Excel Properties Llc SIGNHANGER Fastsigns Maple Grove-Osseo 300 Central Ave, Osseo 55369 6c. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-43 ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING A CONTRACT, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 2024-07, LIFT STATION #5 REHAB 6d. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-44 APPROVING MEMBERSHIP IN THE HENNEPIN COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, INC. 6e. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-45 AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE HENNEPIN YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM GRANT 6f. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-46 ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING A CONTRACT, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 2024-01 ORCHARD LANE EAST IMPROVEMENTS Motion passed unanimously. 7. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/DONATIONS 7a. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY Dr. Edwards introduced the item and noted Councilmember Jerzak brought the item to their attention. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out the valuable impact of therapy animals. Mayor Graves read in full a Resolution recognizing National Therapy Animal Day. Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Kragness seconded to accept the proclamation. 4/8/24 -5- Motion passed unanimously. 7b. UPDATE ON HENNEPIN COUNTY'S SOLID WASTE PLANS AND ORGANICS COLLECTION Mayor Graves noted Commissioner Lunde would also provide a short presentation on an upcoming event after discussing solid waste plans and organics collection. Tim Pratt, HRG Recycling Manager, explained Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and New Hope have a joint agreement to administer the recycling program under Brooklyn Park. His previous visit covered the plan to act within the new ordinance. They decided the Cities would require that each garbage hauler offer a recycling service. Mr. Pratt explained there is a State Statute that restricts additional charges for recycling on top of garbage hauling. There were also discrepancies between the charging done by haulers. The State noticed the discrepancy and pointed out that recycling only applies to organics. All haulers have to have an even playing field for charges. As of the start of 2024, the haulers rolled out a singular fee. There has been consideration of an HRG-wide contract for the organics. Some haulers are not committed to being effective in organics recycling. Coordinating resources with the other cities may alleviate the concern. Mr. Pratt added in October, Hennepin implemented a plan to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center and passed a zero-waste plan. Commissioner Lunde explained the zero-waste plan is aspirational and plans to close HERC by 2040. There is speculation that HERC may be causing issues and it isn’t desirable within its current neighborhood. The community pays for excess trash and packaging initiated by manufacturers. Organics recycling needs to work and be converted. The County is committed to better communication and education regarding organics recycling. They also want to make recycling easier. HERC will likely become a sorting facility someday. Mayor Graves asked why a plan to eliminate food waste wasn’t implemented first as it is a large part of organics recycling. The food could be repurposed to address hunger issues. Commissioner Lunde stated organics has the most potential currently. They also received funding to purchase a machine that would convert organics to energy. Organics is also the heaviest part of the trash. There are other education efforts in place. Mayor Graves stated businesses also need to take a role in organics recycling and the like. The same is true for construction and demolition materials. Mr. Pratt pointed out the County has deconstruction grants available. As for food waste, any business that produces a certain amount of organics had to have organics recycling by January 1, 2020. The County also has programs to work with restaurants and other entities. He listed additional resources in place to help reduce food waste. Mayor Graves asked for Mr. Pratt to explain the presentations to other Councils. Mr. Pratt 4/8/24 -6- reiterated the same presentation has been given to New Hope, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. Each of the Councils has expressed distaste for the current operations. A possible solution would be an HRG-wide contract. Mayor Graves agreed they need to look into more efficient processes. Also, they were late on the bulk waste collection. Brooklyn Center needs to remain part of the conversation. Councilmember Jerzak noted there needs to be some incentives. Many community members have old appliances sitting around. HRG could combine the services of the organic with the bulk item pickup to avoid complaints about the additional fees. He added he would like to see a consensus between the three cities for a more effective waste collection program. Councilmember Butler stated she is open to having a conversation with Crystal and New Hope. She asked if there is a website where community members can read about the various programs mentioned by Mr. Pratt. Mr. Pratt stated the resources are listed on the County’s website under the recycling and organics pages. Mr. Pratt pointed out the HRG Board is made up of the City Managers of each City. The Council can request their City Manager report back with a presentation. He noted the curbside pickup date is soon. Councilmember Kragness agreed the three cities need to be a united front. Brooklyn Center shouldn’t be the last entity to be part of the conversation. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out the best recyclables are usually scavenged before being picked up. He suggested a date later than April 9 be the pickup date because there could be snow in April. Mr. Pratt confirmed snow has been an issue in previous years. Unfortunately, the program requires a lot of personnel, and the operators for the equipment are limited. Therefore, the program is at the mercy of the availability of operators. Councilmember Jerzak suggested a brochure with the cost to the City would help inform the community and promote the offering. Mr. Pratt stated the pickup date is in the newsletter and the flyer has been provided to the communications Staff. Dr. Edwards reminded the Council Commissioner Lunde had an additional presentation. Also, Brooklyn Center is already in a contract with HRG Recycling. There was consensus by the Council to support moving forward with the contract. Commissioner Lunde noted the County is looking to expand the grants available for multi-family homes to retrofit the facilities to support recycling. There is an ask to set up an environmental committee that is more representative of the County and incorporates youth. He added the County has a program called Hennepin University Partnership (HUP) to bring research to the County’s waste and recycling programs. He has requested HUP calculate the true cost of handling waste. Commissioner Lunde showed a slide with his contact information and committee involvement. He pointed out he is particularly interested in public safety. There have been a number of changes 4/8/24 -7- to the County’s approach to public safety. In 2021, $5 million was issued for violence prevention grants. In 2022 the Safe Communities Department was created. The goal was to create a space for young people to thrive, provide resources for families, and partner for safer cities. Also in 2022, the community-led the effort for an Anti-Hate Initiative. Commissioner Lunde pointed out in 2023, there was a continuation of the $5 million for violence prevention grants by adding it to the County’s budget. There was a focus change with smaller grants to over 50 organizations; in 2021, only five organizations received funds. Commissioner Lunde added in 2024, there was money approved for a Safe Communities Summit. The Safe Communities Summit is intended to be a catalyst around youth-centered efforts to tackle the root causes of challenges repeatedly seen in communities. The County established an agreement with Cities United for delivery of the Summit. The use of two frameworks will help cities to achieve certain outcomes. The frameworks are Reimagining Public Safety and Roadmap to Safe, Healthy, and Hopeful Communities. Commissioner Lunde stated the Summit is May 16-18, 2024, and is free to attendees. It will be hosted in Brooklyn Park. The first two days set the stage while the third day will be the Cities United Framework Bootcamp. Mayor Graves stated Mayor Wilson signed onto the program during his tenure after she brought forth the concept, but Brooklyn Center hasn’t engaged in the space much. Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis have been longtime partners in the program. She would like to see several representatives of Brooklyn Center at the Summit and for Staff and the Council to use Cities United’s free technical assistance. Commissioner Lunde added community organizations that received funding from the County’s program will be represented at the Summit along with County and State resources. Commissioner Lunde noted during the 2023 legislative session, Hennepin leaders advocated for the creation of the Working Group on Youth Interventions. A collaborative and regional system is crucial to finding effective and lasting solutions. There is a need for expanded treatment options for justice-involved youth. Partnering with other counties and the State is fiscally and logistically efficient and will result in options benefitting all youth. Commissioner Lunde stated the working group’s recommendations focused on six primary areas. Key points include the lack of staff for existing facilities and the licensing restrictions. The legal system has a number of paths, whether through corrections or mental health provisions, that create vastly different outcomes purely due to licensing. The working group is asking the legislature to establish a joint task force and to invest in a comprehensive youth-centered data system. Commissioner Lunde added the District suffers from a lack of transit options. He showed a map of the existing service. The Blue Line extension is underserved today, but it is the area with the most financial needs. Transportation is key to participating in society. 4/8/24 -8- 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS None. 10. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS 10a. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-47 FOR BROOKLYN CENTER CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AND DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEREFOR City Manager Reggie Edwards introduced the item and invited Artist-in-Residence Raquel Goutierez to continue the Staff presentation. Ms. Goutierez explained beautification is the process of identifying and enhancing existing aesthetic conditions in the built environment, an area, or a city and creating visual improvements. Beautification can be framed as a public health issue, one that addresses mental and physical health, social well-being, economic health, environmental health, and community cultural health. It is also about attitudes and behaviors ingrained in the minds of residents and businesses. Ms. Goutierez added public art is publicly accessible original art that enriches a city and evokes meaning. It can be permanent or temporary, visual or performance-based, installations, events or social engagement activities, artist-designed infrastructure, architectural elements, functional amenities, or wayfinding markers. It can tell our stories, improve the look and feel of our built environment, enhance our quality of life, and improve the health of communities. Mayor Graves left the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Ms. Goutierez pointed out that in 2018, in response to a desire to lift the City's beauty and pride and align it with the rewriting of the City's Comprehensive Plan, the City of Brooklyn Center determined a need for a Beautification and Public Art Master Plan. The City hired Forecast Public Art, a nationally acclaimed Twin Cities-based non-profit consulting firm, to create the Master Plan. During the two years spent developing a Master Plan dedicated to creating a “Healthy City” evolved as they oversaw an in-depth planning process that included engaging hundreds of community stakeholders, collecting data, reviewing plans, mapping strategic locations and opportunities, and identifying implementation strategies for Brooklyn Center. Ms. Goutierez stated in February 2020, the City Council received an overview of the Brooklyn Center Beautification and Public Art Master Plan. In August 2020, the City Council received and accepted the Brooklyn Center Beautification and Public Art Master Plan, which outlined the establishment of an Arts and Cultural Commission. In 2022, the City onboarded a part-time Artist- in-Residence to help implement the Brooklyn Center Beautification and Public Art Master Plan. In addition, to work with departments and city partners on public art-related initiatives. 4/8/24 -9- Ms. Goutierez noted during the years 2020-2023, the City engaged in public art efforts including: the 2020 Census, COVID Awareness, environmental stewardship and awareness student art collaborative, civil unrest de-escalation, transportation hub public art, Opportunity Site and Sonder House apartment public art, heritage celebration community art, BCCS outdoor mural projects, city street banner initiatives, and others. Ms. Goutierez summarized samples of past public art engagement opportunities such as STEAM Fest, Snow Many Traditions, and Health On-the-Go. Ms. Goutierez explained in order to create a shared vision for Brooklyn Center’s Beautification and Public Art Initiative, it’s critical to identify motivational factors that inspire and guide the work going forward. The following list was developed with input from a broad and diverse group of community members, stakeholders, and participants in the planning process. First, places of beauty that encourage social interactions contribute to our well-being and our quality of life. Engaging diverse cultural community members in co-creating the physical and social environments in which they can thrive fosters civic pride and increases stewardship of public spaces. Public art reflects the values of the community; residents should be able to see themselves in the art that is part of their shared daily life and feel respected and represented. Ms. Goutierez added that if something is worth doing is worth doing well; high-quality beautification and public art efforts require adequate time and resources. Art and artists play an important role in developing, beautifying, and revitalizing cities, as well as promoting economic activity, generating pride, and building community. Cultural and community development are as important as economic development. Lastly, beautification and public art are an important part of any city’s arts and cultural ecology. Ms. Goutierez noted long-term goals are to foster civic pride and community health, grow the number of residents who become active stewards of Brooklyn Center, increase the number of volunteers in beautification projects, grow the number of residents desiring engagement in public art, increase the participation and leadership by locally based artists, residents and businesses, leverage private investment and partnership support, and build a professionally managed program. Ms. Goutierez added short-term operation strategies include establishing an Arts and Culture Commission, building the capacity of City Staff to manage projects, considering a range of funding mechanisms, creating a reference map and Focal Areas for opportunities, retaining City Team to assist with program incubation, considering incentives to grow interest, hosting educational events and forums, growing community engagement skills and effectiveness, and developing community education strategies. Ms. Goutierez stated the Cultural and Public Arts Commission will, hopefully, be established in April 2024. The scope of the Commission is to advise the City Council, Artist-in-Residence, and other Brooklyn Center advisory boards or commissions regarding beautification and public art initiatives. Its purpose is to guide aesthetic considerations and promote public art as a mechanism to foster civic pride, community health, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Responsibilities include 4/8/24 -10- advising on public art planning, identifying public art high-priority areas, assisting the City in the adoption of related policies and procedures, assisting the City with enhancing an inclusive and cross-cultural environment, advising the City with purchases of works of public art within city facilities, assisting the City in the development of a plan and guidelines for the City’s public art program, and making recommendations in the acquisition of a public art collection. Ms. Goutierez explained the Commission will include seven members with staggered two-year terms. All voting members shall be residents of Brooklyn Center. Any affiliate members must have a strong connection with the City and the subject matter. Ms. Goutierez concluded the goals identified in the City’s Comp Plan pertain to or offer opportunities for beautification and public art, as well as arts and cultural development. Brooklyn Center is now among the most culturally diverse cities in Minnesota and the most diverse in the Metro Area. Today, the diversity of its immigrant community is among the City’s greatest strengths. The plan is activated through the lens of the guiding principles distilled from the City’s values. Councilmember Jerzak stated he has some concerns that need to be addressed. Art will only have a positive impact on the community. The Council is aware of issues with litter and blight. However, few of the Commissions are meeting quorum, which negatively impacts Staff’s time. He is hesitant to add responsibilities to Staff that is already stretched thin. Also, one of the bylaws is concerning because the community survey clearly opposed new programs. Not to mention, there is an issue with funding requests and impacts on the levy. He pointed out many Commission applications are not being processed as it is. Ms. Goutierez explained a deadline was established for the applications which was communicated to the applicants. The Commission is part of the Master Plan. Dr. Edwards stated the City can only do what is within Staff’s capacity. However, this effort has been underway since 2018. If nothing gets started, then there isn’t any potential. Ultimately, it is a work in progress. Mayor Pro Tem Butler asked how the Commission is being advertised to ensure diverse applications are received. Ms. Goutierez stated diversity is a priority of the Commission. She has attended a number of events and community meetings to inform residents of the Commission. The Commission has received 14 applicants. Mayor Graves returned at 8:27 p.m. Councilmember Kragness stated the number of applicants is promising. Mayor Graves expressed her excitement for the Commission. Mayor Graves moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to approve Resolution No. 2024-47 for Brooklyn Center Cultural Arts Commission and Duties and Responsibilities Therefor. 4/8/24 -11 - Councilmember Jerzak asked that the record show that with his concerns being addressed, he is comfortable voting in favor of this item. Motion passed unanimously. 11. COUNCIL REPORT None 12. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kragness moved and Councilmember Jerzak seconded adjournment of the City Council meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.