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Home My WebLink About2009 07-27 CCM Study Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER 1N THE COUNTY OF HENNEPiN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION JULY 27, 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, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Councilmember Tim Roche was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, Director of Community Activities, Recreation Services Jim Glasoe, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on EDA agenda item 4 regarding the stipulation of settlement for 6742 Regent Avenue N. He asked whether the loan is forgiven if the buyer signs a letter of intent to be owner-occupied. City Manager Boganey stated that is correct. Councilmember Yelich questioned the duration of intent and if there is not a length of time the property has to remain owner-occupied. Mr. Boganey indicated that if it is owner-occupied as sold at the sheriff's sale, the loan is forgiven. If the property is sold to an investor, the loan has to be paid. Councilmember Yelich stated he would like the stipulation for owner-occupied status to include a term in order to protect the interest of the City as well as make sure the dollars are being well used. Mr. Boganey explained the error that occurred with filing the mortgage, resulting in the EDA's mortgage being placed in first position. It is staff's view that this is a compromise position and further changes may not be accepted. I Director of Business Development Eitel advised that he had asked for inclusion of income guidelines but they disagreed so they may also object to any contingent requirement. Mr. Boganey stated it is at the Council's discretion whether to include a requirement far length of occupancy to forgive the loan. 07/27/09 -1- Councilmember Ryan requested the following change to the Joint Work Session with Financial Commission minutes of July 20, 2009: Pa�e 2, l bara�rabh "He said market value has increased for commercial and industrial property and dropped far ��a residential properties." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to table consideration of the July 20, 2009, Work Session minutes so staff can clarify that sentence. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman requested that discussion of the community garden and City of Hopkins' garden program be added to a Work Session agenda. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS WALKING TOURS EBHC Mr. Boganey introduced the item and advised of staff's discussion with Brooklyn Historical Society members regarding their intention to conduct historical tours that included the Earle Brown Heritage Center and need to assure such tours do not interfere with other conference activities. To address the liability issue, the City's loss/risk representative recommended the City designate the Historical Society tour guides as official City volunteers, which would cover issues of liability. Councilmember Yelich asked whether discussions with the Brooklyn Historical Society addressed tour access to resident's historical houses, such as during Earle Brown Days. Director of Community Activities, Recreation Services Glasoe advised there was discussion about special occasion tours. It was noted that several tours have been successfully coordinated and conducted without impact to the City's operations. Staff will move forward with developing a volunteer position description and complete volunteer applications. CRIME MID-YEAR REPORT Police Chief Bechthold provided highlights of the 2009 mid-year crime report, noting violent 0 0 crimes are down by 7.45 /o and property crime is down by 13.75 /o. He reviewed the calls for service and stated they are over the national average for solvability of these crimes. Mayor Willson asked where Brooklyn Center fits with other metro cities. Police Chief Bechthold stated Minneapolis had a significant 14-16% decrease in violent crimes and there has been an overall decrease. 07/27/09 -2- Councilmember Lasman asked about the number of Crime Watch groups. Police Chief Bechthold advised that an individual has indicated they would organize a block and if that occurs, it would be over 200. FIREHOUSE PARK/PARTIES IN THE PARK Police Chief Bechthold introduced the item and reviewed the history of disturbance calls to Firehouse Park, the majority far loud music and other disturbances, resulting in the removal of basketball hoops as a temporary measure to calm the situation. On July 20, 2009, a neighborhood meeting was held with 60 residents in attendance and for the most part, everyone agreed that the hoops should stay down. Since then, there has been a decrease in loitering, littering, racing traffic, and calls for service have gone down to zero. Police Chief Bechthold stated they had asked the residents to help with problem solving and other alternatives were offered centering around time and locking mechanisms. He stated he and Mr. Glasoe will research alternatives, confer with the Park and Recreation Commission, and present a staff recommendation for Council's consideration. Mayor Willson suggested they also research an automated locking system. Councilmember Yelich stated his appreciation for the efforts of the Police Department. He noted there have been similar problems associated with other parks but residents have indicated they want hoops available for children to use; however, there may be a more suitable location. Mayor Willson noted that other cities close their parks at various times and asked whether that may be an option in addition to the current 10 p.m. curfew. Councilmember Ryan asked if there was discussion with the townhome property manager adjacent to Firehouse Park about the townhome development installing its own basketball court. Police Chief Bechthold stated that option may have been raised but it would have to be voluntary on their part. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Willson closed the Study Session at 6:42 p.m. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. BASS LAKE ROAD REGIONAL TRAIL STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 2009-18, CONTRACT 2009-I 07/27/09 -3- Public Works Director/City Engineer Lillehaug introduced the Bass Lake Road Regional Trail and Streetscape Proj ect and presented a map identifying streetscape, trail, median elements of the project, and alternate elements. He advised of anticipated funding for this $5.2 million project. Mr. Lillehaug provided an update on easement acquisition and properties that remain under negotiation. He also presented the project schedule and requested the Council to provide direction whether it supports the basic elements, funding package, and whether to pursue the alternate elements. Councilmember Yelich complimented the designers on removing the free right-turn elements, which he felt would be great improvement. He asked why it was not considered at the Shingle Creek Parkway and County Road 10 intersection. Mr. Lillehaug explained it was discussed, but there is not enough permanent County easement in that location. In addition, it may be considered during the future creek daylighting project. Councilmember Yelich asked about the Kohl's parking lot entrance. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to continue discussion of the Bass Lake Road project to the Work Session following the Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:59 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 07/27/09 -4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COiJNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) 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 27, 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 August 10, 2009, Regular Session. i :7�. f �/.�e�'a��iiffi( J City Clerk Mayor 07/27/09 -5-