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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.07.22 CCM STUDY SESSION7/22/24 -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 JULY 22, 2024 CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Kris Lawrence-Anderson at 6:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tem Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, Dan Jerzak, and Teneshia Kragness. Mayor April Graves was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Jason Hill. COUNCIL MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS Councilmember Jerzak stated he would like to move Consent Agenda Item 6f. Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) funding for Resurrecting Faith World Ministries to become Council Consideration Item 10a. Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) funding for Resurrecting Faith World Ministries on the Regular Session. There was no objection from the Council. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out he has a number of letters he would like to read into the record. He asked if there are specific procedures to obtain a permit for an event in the park, noted many of the concerns he has received are regarding park happenings. City Manager Reggie Edwards noted there is a minor change to the Ordinance in Consent Agenda Item 6c. Resolution Regarding Planning Commission Application No. 2024-009 for Consideration of an Ordinance Rezoning of 1297 Shingle Creek Crossing from Planned Unit Development/ Business Mixed-Use (PUD/MX-B) District to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District - 2nd Reading. The effective date should be July 25, 2025. Councilmember Jerzak asked if it is appropriate to address the TransformCo matter in the Study Session or to leave it on the Consent Agenda. Dr. Edwards stated the Council can move the item if they desire. It is on consent because the Council has already discussed it. Councilmember Butler stated she supports the Staff recommendation and the applicant is not likely to be present at the meeting. Councilmember Jerzak agreed he supports the recommendation from 7/22/24 -2- DRAFT Staff and the earlier vote on the matter. Councilmember Jerzak reiterated he has received two of complaints from constituents. He read them into the record. The first was from Jill Fahey dated July 22, 2024. The writer expressed frustration from the repeated parties held at Northport Park. There is loud music, increased traffic, increased parked cars, loitering, and ample trash. Some folks feel unsafe bringing their families to the park because of the needles and other garbage. She and her neighbors are uncomfortable in their own neighborhoods. Councilmember Jerzak’s second letter was from Alexander Koenig dated July 22, 2024. The writer expressed frustration with the unpermitted events at Northport Park. They received a letter from Parks and Recreation Director Cordell Wiseman summarized efforts Staff is taking to handle the gatherings. The events have resulted in traffic congestion, inability to drive in certain areas of the neighborhood, excessively loud music, and general disturbances to the quality of life in the neighborhood. He implored the Council address the issue and restore the parks to their original purpose. Councilmember Jerzak’s third letter was from Steve Fix dated July 22, 2024. The letter shared examples of families keeping their children out of the park due to the trash resulting from the events. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out Mr. Wiseman sent an email to constituents on the matter outlining the actions planned by Staff to counteract park gatherings. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson stated the neighborhood and its residents deserve a quiet park. There needs to be a change to the events process or enforcement efforts because it isn’t working. The events seem to be happening every weekend. Councilmember Jerzak noted events have a specific application process. He asked how a park event would differ from other events. He asked why the amphitheater is not utilized as much as Northport. The complaints have been coming in for well over one year. The parks need to be open to and utilized by people. Councilmember Butler asked if the events are going through the permitting process. Dr. Edwards offered to schedule a presentation to the Council detailing the efforts made by Staff to address events in the parks. The recent event was a permitted gathering for a funeral function. Certain conditions were not complied with, so Staff went to shut down the event. After Staff left, the event restarted. Again, Staff returned to the event to shut down the event. Staff has considered increasing the cost for an event permit which would result in the deposit being forfeited should the conditions be violated. Staff is also considering requiring events with amplified sound be held at the amphitheater or limiting the number of folks allowed at an event. Councilmember Butler requested the presentation include information about what Staff can do 7/22/24 -3- DRAFT legally to address the issues. The City must avoid penalizing proper park use. Councilmember Jerzak asked why the Council should allow Staff two weeks to return with the presentation. He suggested the event permit approval process be paused in the interim. The neighborhood needs to be respected. Dr. Edwards requested permission from the Council for Staff to take immediate action to handle the events and report back to the Council at the next Council meeting. A moratorium may negatively impact folks who are following the rules. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson suggested signage be added to the park stating the rules of music and other noise limits. She asked Dr. Edwards to follow up with those who wrote to Councilmember Jerzak. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson noted paragraph two of the Study Session minutes from July 8, 2024 needs to be edited. The text implies she wanted the contract with the Sun Post be pulled, but she would prefer the City Attorney review the contract. She requested the item be pulled from the Consent Agenda on the Regular Session. There was no objection from the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson asked if Dr. Edwards wanted to pull Consent Agenda Item 6c. Resolution Regarding Planning Commission Application No. 2024-009 for Consideration of an Ordinance Rezoning of 1297 Shingle Creek Crossing from Planned Unit Development/ Business Mixed-Use (PUD/MX-B) District to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) District - 2nd Reading from the agenda. Dr. Edwards stated Staff is requesting a minor amendment to establish the effective date as July 25, 2025 within the ordinance. Councilmember Jerzak requested there be photos or videos included in the presentation to Staff regarding park events. Other relevant information would be the number of 911 calls, the dimensions of the tents, and the like. Dr. Edwards confirmed Staff would include images. Councilmember Jerzak added the Council has received multiple complaints from Sonder Point Apartments. He asked if Staff has reached out to residents to explain the limited power the City has to address rate changes or improper management. There are other options and resources the City could provide to the renters. He asked if Sonder Point was the vision of affordable housing. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson asked if Staff received the letters. Dr. Edwards stated he hasn’t personally read the letter just mentioned by Councilmember Jerzak. He will check with Staff to see if anyone has responded to Sonder Point renters. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out it is frustrating for constituents to reach out to the City for help without receiving a response. CITY MANAGER MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS 7/22/24 -4- DRAFT Dr. Edwards noted there are a couple of Airbnbs operating within Brooklyn Center. Brooklyn Center doesn’t currently have any rules regarding taxation of Airbnbs. He asked if Council would be interested in a presentation on the matter. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson stated the issue was first brought up a few years ago by a community member. She stated she would like a presentation from Staff. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out he dealt with a similar issue during his time working in enforcement. He stated he would like a presentation on the topic. Councilmember Kragness agreed she would like a Staff presentation. Dr. Edwards added National Night Out is August 6, 2024. More information will be in the weekly email sent out to Council. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence-Anderson closed the Study Session at 6:43 p.m.