Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.10.14 CCM STUDY SESSION10/14/24 -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 STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2024 CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor April Graves at 6:10 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, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Barb Suciu, Deputy City Clerk Shannon Pettit and City Attorney Siobhan Tolar. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS CODE OF CONDUCT City Attorney Siobhan Tolar explained she made minor edits such as adding a Table of Contents and reorganizing pieces. The text is the same as proposed but this is more organized presentation. One blurb section about ethics was added regarding open meeting laws and other topics commonly addressed. Section 1 are the edits presented by the previous City Attorney with some numbering of the items. Mayor Graves stated it was rather labor intensive to look at the past versions with the track changes so this is just a clean copy. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if there was already a Code of Conduct. Ms. Tolar stated the previous City Attorney added a Code of Conduct to the document. Previously, the Rules of Procedure and Decorum were written. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if it is standard for City Council’s to have a Code of Conduct. Ms. Tolar stated it is standard for larger cities to have a Code of Conduct. Mayor Graves stated between the political climate and the contention topics in Brooklyn Center, a Code of Conduct would be beneficial. Councilmember Butler added a Code of Conduct is necessary if Councilmembers aren’t willing to 10/14/24 -2- hold themselves accountable. There are requirements for the public who wish to comment. Mayor Graves stated she is unsure where the language for the decorum document came from. Councilmember Jerzak asked what the particular reason was to create a decorum document. City Manager Reggie Edwards stated that Council actually did requested staff create a document regarding conduct after some contentious City Council meetings. The goal was to prevent or prevent any issues. The Council had concerns about safety. Councilmember Jerzak stated that this is a follow up to the whole process from after that council meeting. He added he supports the idea, but he does have concerns about the Code of Conduct becomes individualized or weaponized. Since it is a policy, it can be amended in the future should the need arise. Councilmember Kragness stated she had read through the track changes version but appreciates this new cleaned up version as it is much easier to read. She would like to go through and agreed there needs to be an accountability measure, but they must be measures in place so this policy is not weaponized. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated the document allows a Councilmember to report any violations to a City Manager, City Attorney, or Mayor. Mayor Graves noted the addition was a response to concerns expressed by Councilmember. Dr. Edwards stated that even if an issue were reported to the City Manager, the City Manager doesn’t have any authority over the Council. The Council would need to decide how to handle the item. Ms. Tolar pointed out there is an investigation procedure involving fact-finding which would be required before any repercussions were implemented. Councilmember Kragness noted the document allows for a hearing at the next meeting. However, some meetings may be over-scheduled and not have the capacity to add an item to the agenda. Mayor Graves requested Councilmember Kragness email the Council with the specific location of the aforementioned requirement. Councilmember Jerzak explained on page five under item eight, there is a statement that Council may not attend Staff meetings without permission. In the past, Dr. Edwards was in charge of granting that permission. Dr. Edwards confirmed that was correct. Councilmember Jerzak stated there was a zoning meeting that he attended as a private citizen and didn’t provide any comment. The Code of Conduct states the mere presence of a Councilmember is influential. Ms. Tolar stated she is unsure why that provision was added as it predates her time. She stated the Council can request it be changed. 10/14/24 -3- Mayor Graves asked Councilmember Jerzak to find the specific location of the concern and report back to the Council. Councilmember Kragness pointed out the provision regarding an issue be addressed at the next hearing is on page ten, letter D. She requested the item be altered to allow for the topic to be addressed at the next Council meeting with space for the item. Ms. Tolar confirmed she would wordsmith an alternative. Councilmember Jerzak noted there is a provision that states Council cannot surprise Staff with a topic. It is on page six, item 13. In the earlier presentation on the audit, the Council had questions that they nor the Staff could have known about in advance. Mayor Graves stated she could work on editing the provision. Councilmember Jerzak added another provision that requires Councilmembers to make every effort to ask questions of Staff. However, he always asks the City Manager or City Clerk for information. Mayor Graves stated that would be an easy fix. Mayor Graves explained the item intends for Councilmembers to prepare for meetings and resolve some questions outside of the public meeting. Councilmember Kragness pointed out the section mentioned by Councilmember Jerzak is on page five, number eight. On page six, item twelve, there is a requirement that Council doesn’t speak negatively about other Councilmembers to Staff members. It could be simplified to require Councilmembers not to speak negatively about other Councilmembers. CITY MANAGER MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA City Manager Reggie Edwards stated at the last Study Session we had some preliminary discussions regarding Legislative Agenda and the City Council’s priorities. We are coming back to have further discussion in case Councilmembers have had any other ideas to add to the Legislative Priorities. City Manager Reggie Edwards explained Staff is working on legislation related to bonding for the Garage, prevention and intervention funding, fiscal disparities, racial equity, and other items. He asked if Council has more input on legislative priorities. Councilmember Kragness stated she would like a more detailed document along with a shorter resource to be used as a conversation starter. Mayor Graves noted she is interested in legislation related to sustainability and environmentalism. For example, there may be an item for tree replacement. 10/14/24 -4- Councilmember Jerzak stated the Council needs to have some higher priorities to focus on. The City’s representatives only have so much capacity. Dr. Edwards agreed with Councilmember Jerzak. He would like no more than three top priorities. He added some legislative items may take multiple years to get traction. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) extension is a top priority. Dr. Edwards agreed the TIF extension and funding for the Public Works Garage are top priorities. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated a presentation on the priorities would be beneficial. Mayor Graves stated one is already planned. ONBOARDING FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS City Manager Reggie Edwards explained at least one new Councilmember will join the Council after the next election. There is a desire for Staff to present a summary of ongoing happenings in Brooklyn Center. There could also be a presentation from the City Attorney. Staff is hoping to create a more effective, comprehensive onboarding process. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson pointed out there could be two new Councilmembers. She requested there be a retreat or luncheon planned to create an informal setting for the Councilmembers to get to know one another. Mayor Graves stated the Council Retreat is the next agenda item. Councilmember Kragness stated there needs to be more training. While she appreciated her one- day training with Staff, there was so much more to learn. It is especially important for Councilmembers to know the ins and outs of formal meetings such as procedure, voting, quorum, Robert’s Rules, and so on. Mayor Graves noted there is a training offered by the Minnesota League of Cities for new Councilmembers that covers basics such as Robert’s Rules of Order. Another resource for new Councilmembers would be a list of development and training opportunities. She suggested both the present and future Councilmembers be more trauma-informed. Systems can cause violence, and leaders need to know how to navigate trauma response. Mayor Graves added informing a new Councilmember on the history of the Council would be beneficial. Understanding the history helps folks to understand the culture. Councilmember Kragness stated it would be helpful for new Councilmembers to be briefed on ongoing items the Council is considering. Mayor Graves pointed out basic managerial training would be an important training topic. Dr. Edwards asked if Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson wanted a more casual meeting opportunity to meet with new Councilmembers. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson confirmed 10/14/24 -5- she wanted an opportunity outside of a formal meeting to interact with new Councilmembers. COUNCIL RETREAT City Manager Reggie Edwards stated December 7, 2024, and December 14, 2024, are potential dates for a retreat. Mayor Graves is unavailable on December 14, 2024. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson explained she would prefer a meeting in December. Mayor Graves confirmed she is available on December 7, 2024. Councilmember Kragness agreed she would be available on December 7, 2024. Councilmember Jerzak stated he is open to the retreat. However, he doesn’t have his calendar available to confirm specific dates. Mayor Graves explained she sent out an email from the National League of Cities to Council about the potential to join the Strong Cities Network. There is an opportunity to participate in a Prevention Academy with other smaller cities. The League received federal funding to host the Academy. The purpose is to identify threats to physical and mental safety, understand the benefits of a public health approach, and leverage resources to implement a prevention approach. It is a ten-month process for eight cities to participate. The meetings would primarily be offered remotely. The first is at an upcoming conference that both Mayor Graves and Councilmember Kragness will be attending. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Jerzak moved and Councilmember Kragness seconded to close the Study Session at 6:58 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.