Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.05.05 CCM WORK4/14/25 -1- MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION May 05, 2025 CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President April Graves at 9:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President April Graves and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Dan Jerzak, Teneshia Kragness, and Laurie Ann Moore. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Interim City Clerk Shannon Pettit, and City Attorney Siobhan Tolar. ACTIVE DISCUSSION ITEMS COMMUNITY SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMISSION This item was addressed during the Regular Session. BUDGET SCHEDULE Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated that the proposed budget schedule is too condensed. The audit presentation isn’t until June 30. She asked why it was so late. Also, the first budget meeting isn’t until August. The first meeting has way too many agenda items. Mayor Graves stated Council previously agreed that they should start the process sooner. They had previously agreed to add three more meetings than in the previous budget session. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted the Council doesn’t want to have weekly meetings. However, the previous budget schedule was too rushed. She takes her fiduciary responsibility seriously. She asked when the levy date is. Dr. Edwards stated November 30, 2025, is the final meeting to set the levy. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out he didn’t receive the budget schedule in his packet. He requested that the meetings be placed on their calendars. 4/14/25 -2- Mayor Graves and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson agreed that the meetings need to be placed on their calendars. Councilmember Jerzak added it is impossible to set the preliminary levy without the audit report and other budget meetings to prepare. They must also consider the Federal government's current position and how that may impact their discussions. Councilmember Jerzak stated that if the budget meetings are too long, then the Council glazes over by the end of the presentations. Mayor Graves suggested that Staff add two more meetings to the schedule and rearrange the dates to start earlier. Councilmember Jerzak pointed out that the screen is extra grainy. Mayor Graves agreed. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson suggested that meetings be added to July and September. She asked if a Councilmember can be excused if they are unable to attend or don’t want to attend a budget meeting. Dr. Edwards stated the budget meetings are special meetings. They take Council attendance, and the rules of attendance apply. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson explained that she wants to enjoy her summer, but she also wants to uphold her fiduciary responsibility. Dr. Edwards pointed out that he reviewed the budget schedule for the past ten years. On the whole, they started the process in June. The auditor is currently scheduled to complete the audit before June 30, 2025, audit meeting. If the Council wants the audit sooner, then they will have to request an earlier date for 2026. Dr. Edwards stated the early meetings focus on the strategic priorities and Council’s budgetary requests then Departmental presentations are scheduled. They typically have those meetings in July and August. Since 2019, the presentations have been in August. The schedule has been consistent since 2019. In recent years, there has been a request to decrease the number of meetings. Dr. Edwards explained that in 2009 and 2010, there were nine budget meetings. In 2011, there were ten budget meetings. In 2014, there were 11 meetings. In 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, there were ten budget meetings. In 2020, there were nine budget meetings. In 2021, there were eight budget meetings. In 2022, there were nine budget meetings. In 2023, there were seven budget meetings. In 2023, there was a request to reduce the number of meetings further, so in 2024, there were four meetings. In 2024, there was a request to add meetings again. The proposed schedule includes six meetings. Dr. Edwards stated if the Council wanted earlier meetings scheduled, Staff wouldn’t have the documents prepared. The Council set the budget meeting schedule at the beginning of the year, 4/14/25 -3- and Staff is following those timelines. He offered to break up the meetings so there were fewer presentations in a given meeting. Dr. Edwards added that Staff may set their vacations based on when they are needed for presentations. Therefore, it may be difficult to reschedule some presentations. Mayor Graves suggested that two meetings be added. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson pointed out that there aren’t any budget meetings scheduled for September. Councilmember Moore stated the presentation by the Office of Community Prevention, Health, and Safety was way too long. They will provide a similar presentation during the budget process. The presentations should be all about the money. She requested that the Departmental presentations be concise in explaining the financials, the highlights, and the aspirations. Councilmember Moore stated that the 2024 budget meeting schedule was unacceptable. The meetings were rushed. One of the Councilmembers even said that they didn’t want to meet. She requested that there be at least one more meeting added. They want to hear the financials, the accomplishments, and the aspirations. Councilmember Kragness stated that they don’t need to receive presentations on things that they already know such as the budget process. The presentations should be straightforward and focused on the money. If a meeting needs to be added, it should be after the preliminary levy is set. There don’t need to be too many added. Mayor Graves suggested that two meetings be added. She noted that Staff can be trusted to schedule the meetings with appropriate spacing. Dr. Edwards confirmed that Staff would consider amendments to the presentation schedule. There are more Departmental presentations scheduled throughout the year, per the request of Council, which should shorten the presentations during the budget meetings. They aim for a more streamlined presentation process. Mayor Graves stated that Councilmember Jerzak had previously been appointed to the Minneapolis Southwest Tourism Board. However, Mayor Graves will be taking over the appointment. She requested that the item be added to a future meeting. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson pointed out that she receives emails from the group. Mayor Graves stated that Staff needs to update the Board with the new information. Councilmember Kragness stated that she didn’t receive a copy of the budget schedule in her packet. Dr. Edwards confirmed that Staff would provide her with a copy. Dr. Edwards added that the issue with adding a meeting to September may push back the timeline of setting the preliminary levy. 4/14/25 -4- ADJOURNMENT Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Kragness seconded the adjournment of the EDA/Work Session meeting at 9:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.