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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 07-13 CCM Study SessionMINUTES 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 13, 2009 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were Acting City Manager /Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Yelich requested staff to look into the ability for him to conference call into the July 20, 2009, joint meeting with the Financial Commission. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on agenda item 6e, specifically in relation to the contract amount of $270,000 with SEH, Inc. and whether a good value was received with the SEH, Inc. contract on the Xerxes Avenue project. Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug provided information on the work to be done by SEH, Inc. with the Bass Lake Road project. He advised he believes the City is receiving a good value for the dollars that will be spent with SEH, Inc. on this project. He has worked with SEH, Inc. significantly on the proposal through several iterations to bring the costs down further. This is a very involved project, working with Three Rivers Park District, Hennepin County, MnDOT, and the federal stimulus package, as well as potentially acquiring easements from adjacent properties. Also, SEH, Inc. will be paid on an hourly basis with a not -to- exceed amount, and there is not a lot of time to complete this project. Councilmember Yelich indicated a resident inquired about the trees on Xerxes Avenue and also questioned if the trees with this project will be salt tolerant. Mr. Lillehaug replied that with the Bass Lake Road project it will be taken a step up to ensure that the trees are planted in a more sustainable environment. He will ensure that the trees on Xerxes Avenue are what were called for with the project. Councilmember Roche questioned if the possible alternate bike trail route parallel to Highway 100 that was previously discussed is being considered as a component of this project. Mr. Lillehaug replied it would not be a component of this project; it would be a future element to a regional trail. 07/13/09 -1- Councilmember Roche requested staff to look into removing the "For Sale" sign at the former Ground Round site purchased by the City. Councilmember Lasman requested discussion on agenda item 6f, specifically in relation to whether the State requirement on Truth in Taxation meetings has changed. Acting City Manager /Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet explained State Statute indicates that Truth in Taxation meetings are no longer necessary, but there still needs to be a public meeting forum to gather input from the public. He and City Manager Boganey have discussed several different options, possibly spacing the meetings earlier in the budget process in order to get more workable input. At this point staff has not determined what will be recommended. There was discussion on the public meeting requirements associated with the budget. It was noted that the City should ensure that there is good communication to the public about the meetings that will be held, transparency in the process, and receiving the input early enough in the process. Mr. Jordet indicated in relation to agenda item 10a, the City Prosecutor informed staff this afternoon that the past due property taxes have been paid for Brookhaven as of today. The City Clerk called Hennepin County to verify this; all of the due taxes plus penalties and interest have been paid. The City Prosecutor has recommended that the hearing be removed from tonight's agenda. The only issue in this hearing was payment of taxes. There was discussion on applying penalties in situations when a lot of staff time is expended due to irresponsible behavior such as the above in paying taxes in a timely manner. Mr. Jordet explained that tax collection and policy is under the purview of the County. It may be difficult to get the County to collect an additional fee to pass on to the City. He is not certain that the City has the authority to collect this type of penalty, but it can be looked into by staff. Councilmember Roche questioned if there should be written documentation confirming the receipt of tax payment prior to removing this item from the agenda. Mr. Jordet recommended that relying on the appropriate staff to provide this information seems to be the most effective way to handle the situation. There was discussion on the cost of doing business and whether there is confidence that the administrative overhead is being covered by rental license fees. Mr. Jordet explained there are a number of fees the City charges based on general cost accounting. In the process of building the budget, the costing of fees tends to be based more on market and comparative factors than the actual cost of the process, because it can vary from situation to situation. If they find there is an area that is giving them constant problems they may want to consider changing the fee if it is in the City's authority to do so. It was noted that Mr. Boganey had previously advised on the need to be careful to not charge more than is actually being used for fees relating to administrative services. 07/13/09 -2- MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman noted at the last City Council meeting she had requested that staff look into checking with Brookdale about implementing the carnival held there with Earle Brown Days. Since that time she has spoken with some of the Earle Brown Days committee members, and they would prefer not to have that action taken. She requested that any inquiries of this type be halted and that the events remain separate. Mayor Willson stated there has been discussion within City staff and at Mr. Boganey's level on Councilmember Roche's actions just prior to the Earle Brown Days parade in relation to signage that had been placed in the right -of -way. He expressed concern regarding Councilmember Roche's demeanor in the situation and that he provided direction to City staff after staff had been given direction by the City Manager based on City ordinances. Councilmember Roche replied he felt this was water under the bridge and that there had been an overreaction. He indicated he had tried to visit someone from the Earle Brown Days Committee that was not available, and the offer was made to see Jim Glasoe. They had a nice conversation and there was no manipulation. He stated it should be noted that the signs went up where there were pre- existing City signs for the Fire Department waffle breakfast that stayed up through the weekend while the subject signs were taken down immediately. He indicated he may look into a waiver for sign placement next year. Mayor Willson stated a waiver would be Council policy. He stated according to the City Charter, Council Members may have less rights than citizens in talking to staff. If there are issues, the members of the Council should be going through the City Manager in all cases. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS There was none. Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:43 p.m. 07/13/09 -3- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) ss. Certification of Minutes The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on July 13, 2009. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its July 27, 2009, Regular Session. City Clerk 07/13/09 -4- Mayor