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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.12.08 CCM REGULAR12/08/25 -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 DECEMBER 8, 2025 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 7:08 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Mayor April Graves, Councilmembers Dan Jerzak, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, and Laurie Ann Moore. Also present were City Manager Reggie Edwards, Parks and Recreation Director Cordell Wiseman, Police Chief Garett Flesland, Fire Chief Todd Berg, Community Development Director Jesse Anderson, City Clerk Shannon Pettit, and City Attorney Siobhan Tolar. Councilmember Teneshia Kragness was absent and excused. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. INFORMAL OPEN FORUM Mayor April Graves opened the meeting for the purpose of Informal Open Forum and reviewed the Rules of Decorum. No one wished to address the Council. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Moore seconded to close the Informal Open Forum. Motion passed unanimously. 5. INVOCATION Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reminded everyone during the holiday season to be mindful of the reason for the season, no matter what you believe. She stated in her opinion that it is about family, food, and festivities, and told people to be kind, patient, and enjoy the season. 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA 12/08/25 -2- Councilmember Moore moved, and Councilmember Jerzak seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, as amended, with amendments to the minutes as stated during the Study Session, with a change to the Consent Agenda to add item 6g. Resolution Approving the Labor Agreement for Law Enforcement Services LELS, Local 82 Officers and Detectives, and the City of Brooklyn Center for the calendar years of 2025 and 2026, and the Work Session item, Administrative Penalties Program and Abatement Fees Discussion, was moved to the Study Session, and the following consent items were approved: 6a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. November 24, 2025 – Study Session 2. November 24, 2025 – Regular Session 3. November 24, 2025 – EDA/Work Session 6b. LICENSES GASOLINE SERVICE STATION Brooklyn BP 6044 Brooklyn Boulevard Christy’s Auto Service 5300 Dupont Avenue North Holiday Station Store #292 420 66th Avenue North Kabalan Co. dba Pump N Munch 1505 69th Avenue North LIQUOR LICENSE The 50’s Grill 5524 Brooklyn Boulevard Captain Crab 1350 Suite A Shingle Creek Crossing Dos Hermanos II 1400 Shingle Creek Crossing Hiep Sing 6201 Brooklyn Boulevard Jambo Africa 1601 Freeway Boulevard Oga Madam 6000 Shingle Creek Parkway Palm Grove Event Center 2590 Freeway Boulevard Suite #2 MECHANICAL Falcon Mechanical 190 3rd Street South, Dassel 55325 Johnson Heating and Cooling LLC 28519 149th Street Northwest, 12/08/25 -3- Zimmerman 55398 TOBACCO LICENSES Cub Foods 3245 County Road North Holiday Station Store #292 420 66th Avenue North Holiday Station store #2099 Commissary 6890 Shingle Creek Parkway Jambo Africa 1601 Freeway Boulevard Kabalan Co. dba Pump N Munch 1505 69th Avenue North Royalty & Sons Tobacco 6044 Brooklyn Boulevard Walgreens 6390 Brooklyn Boulevard RENTAL INITIAL (TYPE II – two-year license) 3401 47th Avenue North Residents at Ryan Lake, LLC INITIAL (TYPE I – three-year license) 3806 72nd Avenue North Brett Christopher Hulett RENEWAL (TYPE IV – six-month license) 7212 Lee Avenue North Q K Fang & S Xu & H XU RENEWAL (TYPE III – one-year license) 6740 Grimes Place Victoria Townhouses 1 RENEWAL (TYPE II – two-year license) 3305 53rd Avenue North Lake Point Apartments Llc 4450 58th Avenue North Park Place off Broadway 1316 68th Lane Valeria McKissack 1323 67th Lane North 786 Homes-f23 Llc 3512 72nd Avenue North Cosco Property I Llc 6915 Logan Avenue North ATV LLC RENEWAL (TYPE I – three-year license) 1519 Humboldt Place North Johnson Organization Inc 12/08/25 -4- 5410 France Avenue North SFR BORROWER 2022-1 LLC 5640 Fremont Avenue North Cel Motion Llc 6343 Dupont Avenue North We Are Superior Contracts 6c. RESOLUTION 2025-124 DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES FOR THE 2026 ELECTIONS 6d. RESOLUTION 2025-125 APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT COMMUNITY POLICE PARTNERSHIP (JCPP) 6e. APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT FOR INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS (IUOE) LOCAL 49 (PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE) AND THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS 2026-2028 6f. 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE 6g. RESOLUTION 2025-126 APPROVING THE LABOR AGREEMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES LELS, LOCAL 82 OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES, AND THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2025 AND 2026 7. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/DONATIONS 7a. RESOLUTION 2025-127 EXPRESSING RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION FOR THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF POLICE SERGEANT STEPHEN PASTOR Mayor Graves read aloud a resolution expressing recognition and appreciation for the dedicated public service of Police Sergeant Stephen Pastor. Councilmember Jerzak moved, and Councilmember Moore seconded to adopt the RESOLUTION expressing Recognition and Appreciation for the Dedicated Public Service of Police Sergeant Stephen Pastor. Motion passed unanimously. Dr. Edwards thanked Mr. Pastor and said that in his time in Brooklyn Center, there has not been a more upstanding officer that he has encountered at the Police Station. He noted that the things Mr. Pastor has done in the community, along with training in the community while representing the Labor Union and being a voice for officers, have been greatly appreciated. He noted that Mr. Pastor has been unabashedly unashamed to speak from his perspective while trying to bring 12/08/25 -5- wisdom to conversations. He said Mr. Pastor's wisdom and insight, and 25 years doing a dangerous job, are commendable, and it has been an honor to say thank you to Mr. Pastor for his service. Chief Flesland said Mr. Pastor has been a fabulous partner and a great friend, who has taught him a lot and left an impact that will be felt for a long time. He wished Mr. Pastor well. Councilmember Jerzak said one of the greatest things about Mr. Pastor is his love for animals and dogs, which says a lot. He said he would miss Mr. Pastor; he appreciated him, and nothing more could be said. 7b. PARKS AND RECREATION OUTREACH PRESENTATION Dr. Edwards explained that a few years ago, Parks and Recreation created an Outreach program to help address issues and complaints that the City was receiving from neighborhoods and communities regarding the parks. Dr. Edwards introduced Parks and Recreation Director Cordell Wiseman, Deputy Director Carissa Goebel, and Outreach Supervisor Charles Walker to present this item. Mr. Wiseman said he has been looking forward to presenting this program to the Council. He said this program was formed due to a lot of feedback from residents about concerns regarding activities and events in the parks, such as noise nuisances, parties, alcohol, and overcrowding. He noted that his first 180-day plan when he came on board as Director was to address programming, and this program was part of that, particularly around teams and community. He said that the Outreach program addressed issues and activities not just in parks, but also in areas around the community, including the Community Center. He said it was unfair to expect police to respond at all times to issues within the parks, and that is how the Outreach Team could step in and help before police needed to be called. He said this program was created by restructuring the Parks and Recreation budget. He explained that the Outreach Team operates seven days a week, including many holidays, and includes one full-time Outreach Manager, two part-time year-round Outreach Specialists, and two part-time seasonal Outreach Specialists. Mr. Wiseman introduced Outreach Supervisor Charles Walker and his two part-time year-round employees, Ramont "Cheese" and Melissa, to the Council. He added that Minneapolis actually started a similar Outreach program for its parks, based on the Outreach program started in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Wiseman said there has been a lot of positive feedback about the Outreach program from the community. He explained that the 2026 budget of $230,411 was reallocated from other parts of the Park and Recreation budget and includes mostly costs of staffing the program year-round. The Outreach Program also focuses on teen Outreach in schools during the day to build connections and provide mentorship with after-school activities, field trips for job skills and leadership development, and to assist with learn to swim enrichment classes. He said when he first got here, the basketball courts were pulled out of Fire Station Park, which was really frustrating because it eliminated a resource for teens and a place for them to go, which just created more problems within 12/08/25 -6- the community. He added that since then, there have been basketball courts added to Lions Park, and there have not been any nuisances or problems reported there. Mr. Walker explained that the main focus areas for the Parks and Community Center are to have regular rounds to each park daily by Staff during the summer, host teen/youth activities all year round with summer cookouts, and back to school events, and Trunk or Treat during Halloween, He noted that Staff communicate with and support park neighborhoods, and to support Community Center Staff, that includes telling residents to call the Outreach Team before calling the police to deal with problems within the parks. The Outreach Program also focuses on teen outreach in schools during the day to build connections and provide mentorship with after-school activities, such as open gym three times a week. They also provide a teen night where Staff sit and talk with teens, get to know them. The Outreach program also provides field trips for job skills and leadership development, such as construction work, where ten kids helped the Outreach Team build a ticket booth at the school this summer. The Outreach Team also assists with Learn to Swim enrichment classes through the Aquatics program, which can help teens potentially get jobs as lifeguards after they finish the program. He noted that last year, one teen did not know how to swim when he started, and within six months, he had his lifeguard certification. Mr. Wiseman said he wanted to add that Councilmember Kragness went to the open gym one night and had asked some of the kids if they would be willing to come to the Council to share their story. He noted that some of them came to the meeting tonight, but he shared that if they did not have the open gym program, these teens had said they would be doing what they did before, and would be back on the streets, causing problems and getting into trouble. Mr. Wiseman also discussed a child who communicated with the Outreach Team that they did not have a safe adult in their life, and through the Outreach Team, the police were able to get involved, get intel, and work together to solve the problem for this child. He said he is really proud of the Outreach Program because prior to that, some of these kids did not have the resources to help them. He noted that the open gym typically has 40 to 70 kids show up at night, as opposed to them hanging out on the streets until 9:00 p.m. Dr. Edwards said he wanted to add his own input about this program, and said in 2021, the City was going through a very challenging time, and Staff had to think about how to work in different ways. One key insight was that there had to be work done in the schools with the kids, which is why the Outreach Program is doing cookouts and building relationships to be able to handle and deal with things if they go south. He said that some people have asked why Parks and Recreation is in the schools, but there is a strategy and a rationale there because, in building those relationships, there can be intervention and prevention at some point, if needed, with certain behaviors. Mr. Wiseman shared that the Community Center has not developed, equipped, or addressed teams within the community, which is why the Outreach Team is so important. He noted that there is also a cross-department partnership between the Outreach Team and the Police Department, which not only helps address issues in the parks quickly but also allows the Outreach Team to help foster relationships between the youth and the police in the community. 12/08/25 -7- Mr. Wiseman also noted that when he came on as Director, Public Works was very frustrated because Parks and Recreation had a lot of parties in the parks, and Public Works had to deal with all the clean-up. He said that the Outreach Team now takes care of all that, to ensure residents pick up after themselves, and includes fines if residents leave a mess in the parks, eliminating the need for Public Works to take care of it. Mr. Wiseman said Parks and Recreation and the Outreach Team also have a relationship with the City’s Fire Department and collaborate with them for events such as Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween, and help foster that relationship with the youth as well. Mr. Wiseman noted that Parks and Recreation also has an internal partnership with Community Prevention of Health and Safety, and that program has its purpose as a City-wide program, but the Parks and Recreation and Outreach Team work is different, and is strictly about their own programs and parks. He noted that the Outreach Team does not respond to areas outside of parks in the community, but will support the police if needed. Councilmember Jerzak said when this program started, he was skeptical, but he will give Mr. Wiseman his accolades for the successes that this team has achieved and the amount of work that has been done with so little. He said he remembered the ribbon cutting at Belleveue Park with the county, and he watched Mr. Walker engage with the youth in a pick-up basketball game. He said that when he does not have angry emails on a consistent basis about the parks, he knows that things are going better, and he is grateful. He thanked Mr. Wiseman for his work and for starting this program. Councilmember Moore said the budget that Mr. Wiseman has used for this program has been well spent. She said that the seasonal Outreach has been a success, and asked if there was overtime related to the Staff who have to work on holidays. Mr. Wiseman stated that there is no overtime offered on holidays. Councilmember Moore commended Mr. Wiseman on all the activities that Parks and Recreation are doing to engage with the youth in the community. She asked if the room rentals available at the Community Center could be a teen spot going forward in 2026, where some activities could be planned. Mr. Wiseman said that if there is space available on Sundays at the Community Center, and the Outreach program needs the space for a program, then they can utilize it and set up any activity. Mr. Walker responded that the majority of the programs they do at the Firehouse and the Blue Barn are in that area because the majority of the kids involved in the program live in that area. Councilmember Moore said there could be some kids who would potentially look at going to the Community Center, though, too. She asked if the kids are happy with the Blue Barn and the Firehouse. Mayor Graves said it probably depends on what the kids want to do. Mr. Wiseman said Outreach goes to where the kids are at, and the programs are based on what the kids want to do. He said these kids like playing basketball, and out of that, they develop job skills and other opportunities. He said Mr. Walker goes to the schools, because that is consistently where these kids are. Mr. Wiseman said the biggest problem with the Community Center is committing space, and the program has to be consistent for the kids. 12/08/25 -8- Councilmember Moore said she believes in the teen engagement, and if there is room at the Community Center on a Sunday, it could be used for a teen program. She said that Mr. Wiseman talked about event collaboration and support for those who have experienced homelessness in the parks, and shared that a resident that lives near East Palmer Park had a tree down on a trail and noticed a homeless person living back there, but said no one ever want to check on that homeless person, including the office of Community Health, Prevention, and Safety. She said she could not confirm who helped the homeless person, but it was not any of the City’s Departments, which is unfortunate. She asked if there are other events that Parks and Recreation collaborate with or play a vital role in with other Departments. Mr. Wiseman said that Parks and Recreation collaborates with the Juneteenth event, along with the Golf Course and the Brooklyns, and cookouts with the schools. Councilmember Moore said that residents are reaching out to Police, Fire, and Parks and Recreation when there are problems, and dollar for dollar, the Outreach program has been one of the most successful in offering effective opportunities for kids in the community. She thanked Mr. Wiseman and his team for their work. Mayor Graves said that since Mr. Wiseman has started, she has noticed a large difference in how responsive the City is to the needs of the community. She said she has been going to the Community Center for years, and there is a palpable difference there since Mr. Wiseman has taken over as Director, which is also reflected in the programming that comes out of the Community Center. She said what the Outreach program is providing is caring adults, which is a protective factor against multiple different health and behavioral outcomes. She said a young person who may not have a mentor or caring adult in their home and school that they can relate to is being provided for by this program, and the program is showing up where those kids are. She said this program is about prevention, which is difficult to quantify. She said she used to work in outreach engagement in Minneapolis, at Patrick County, Camden, and other areas to build relationships with youth, so she knows how it works. She said while the Community Center may not always have the space, the Outreach program is creating that space wherever they show up, and that is about welcoming and offering access to young people. She said the Outreach Team and Parks and Recreation should continue to tell the story of the amazing work that they are doing. She noted that Mr. Wiseman's passion, spirit, and joy in the work that he does is palpable and that rubs off on all the Staff and everyone that comes into the Community Center and the parks. She thanked Mr. Wiseman and the Staff for the presentation and all their hard work. Dr. Edwards said he wanted to underscore a connection between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Walker, and said Mr. Wiseman was a former player for the Chicago Bears, and Mr. Walker is a world-class Olympic-caliber sprinter, and they both can identify and connect with young people through those activities. Mayor Graves asked Mr. Walker if he was still coaching. Mr. Walker confirmed that he is still coaching. Mayor Graves moved, Councilmember Jerzak seconded to accept the Parks and Recreation Outreach Presentation. Motion passed unanimously. 12/08/25 -9- 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8a. ORDINANCE 2025-11 REPEALING SECTION 12-310 OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER CITY CODE REGARDING COMMERCIAL PREMISES IDENTIFICATION – SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING Dr. Edwards explained that this item has come to the Council before, as this is the second reading. He introduced Community Development Director Jesse Anderson to present this item. Mr. Anderson said the Council adopted an ordinance change in November 2024, regarding the address changes, which required larger addresses per the height of the structure. On July 14, 2025, the City Council directed City Staff to stop enforcement of the ordinance in order to bring back a discussion. On August 11, 2025, the City Council heard four options for consideration regarding the ordinance, and the consensus was to remove the requirement for larger commercial addressing. Mr. Anderson noted section 12-310, which is being repealed in the ordinance that was requesting larger letters on commercial buildings, with a three-plus-story building requiring 24-inch letters. He noted that the repeal process began when the first hearing was completed on September 13, 2025, and a second reading and Public Hearing notice was posted in the Sun Post newspaper on November 27, 2025, for the December 8, 2025, City Council meeting. If the motion passes to repeal the ordinance, the ordinance would be effective 30 days from the date of the repeal publication. He stated this action removes the language requiring larger numbers, and the remaining requirement in the first code will require address numbers to be at least four inches. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Jerzak seconded to open the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. No one wished to address the Council. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Moore seconded to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Jerzak moved, and Mayor Graves seconded to approve the Ordinance Repealing Section 12-310 of the Brooklyn Center City Code Regarding Commercial Premises Identification. Motion passed unanimously. 8b. ORDINANCE 2025-10 REPEALING AND REPLACING IN ITS ENTIRETY, CHAPTER 5 OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION WITHIN THE BROOKLYN CENTER FIRE DEPARTMENT – SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING 12/08/25 -10- Fire Chief Todd Berg said at the first reading, there was a lot of follow-up, but the purpose of the ordinance is to maintain a fire prevention division within the Fire Department of Brooklyn Center, as authorized by the Council to enforce fire codes and promote public safety through fire prevention, inspections, and education. Chief Berg said in the fire service, serious fire calls go down because of strong prevention efforts. The Fire Department has two full-time Fire Inspectors to carry out enforcement and education of this ordinance. This division is supervised by the Deputy Fire Marshal and ultimately the Chief of the Fire Department. Chief Berg noted that repealing and replacing Chapter 5 is needed because of substantial changes. The new ordinance establishes and defines the purpose of the Fire Prevention Division within the Fire Department and outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Chief. This new ordinance provides the right of inspection and the Fire Inspector’s duties and outlines the duties to correct hazardous conditions, while also mandating hotel fire life safety inspections. The new ordinance describes and prescribes Fire Prevention codes, standards, and procedures. It also outlines the fire regulations that apply in the City of Brooklyn Center, such as fire alarm systems and smoke detectors, malfunctioning elevators, electric vehicle charging stations, mobile food preparation vehicles, and gated access to commercial and residential properties. The new ordinance also outlines enforcement and penalties, including administrative citations and fines. He said he would measure the success of this ordinance over the next few years by having zero penalties, administrative fines, or citations. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Jerzak seconded to open the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. No one wished to address the Council. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Moore seconded to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Moore moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to repeal and replace in its entirety Chapter 5 of the Brooklyn Center City Code of Ordinances, establishing the Fire Prevention Division within the Brooklyn Center Fire Department. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Moore seconded to adopt a RESOLUTION 2025-129 approving summary publication of an Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 5 of the Brooklyn Center City Code of Ordinances, establishing the Fire Prevention Division within the Brooklyn Center Fire Department. Motion passed unanimously. 9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS 12/08/25 -11- 10. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS 11. COUNCIL REPORT Councilmember Jerzak reported on his attendance at the following events and provided information on the following upcoming events: • Attended the Legislative Update brunch with Mayor Graves and Senator Pha. • Attended the collaborative Highway 252 Safety Group and heard several complaints from constituents, which he forwarded on to Dr. Edwards. Mayor Graves reported on her attendance at the following events and provided information on the upcoming events: • Attended the Legislative Brunch and was happy to see the attendance by all the members of City leadership, as well as state representatives, floor representatives, the Metropolitan Council, and representation from the county for Commissioner Lundy, as well as from the federal level for Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. • Attended a panel this past weekend with the Mayor of St. Paul and Brooklyn Park to speak at a Black fraternity called Alphas, and discussed how to be more civically engaged. • Attended the Brooklyn Center Lions holiday meeting at Dos Hermanos, supporting a local restaurant and business. • Had an impromptu phone call with five Mayors from the Northwest Metro, exchanging ideas, and in response to ICE in the communities, to ensure that everyone feels safe. Councilmember Moore reported on her attendance at the following events and provided information on the upcoming events: • Noted that the Brooklyn Center Lady Lions, along with Brooklyn Center Police and Fire, and 12 other organizations did the Holiday Drive-thru at Crescent Cove, which was well attended and well supported. 12. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Graves moved, and Councilmember Jerzak seconded the adjournment of the City Council meeting at 8:16 pm. Motion passed unanimously.