Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 03-23 CCM Work SessionMINUTES 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 MARCH 23, 2009 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 Tim Willson at 7:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal & Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Fire Chief Lee Gatlin, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 2009 STRATEGIC PLAN AND BUDGET LIMITATION POLICY Mr. Boganey stated staff is seeking Council consensus regarding the revised Strategic Plan Outcome Statements and Budget Limitations Policy as a follow up to the City Council/Department Head Retreat held on February 28, 2009. Mr. Boganey provided an overview of the Strategic Planning Process, including the following information: 1) City Mission Jointly Developed; 2) Values Statement Jointly Developed; 3) Strategic and Ongoing Goals; 4) Desired Outcomes; 5) Desired Outcome Success Indicators; 6) Department and Program Missions; 7) Program Strategies/Tactics/Performance Measures; 8) Budget Proposals; and 9) Performance Reports. Mr. Boganey provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the 2009 Ongoing Goals. There was discussion on limiting the desired outcomes to a maximum of three per goal when possible for manageability. There was discussion on the following in relation to the 2009 Ongoing Goals: Goal No. 1, Desired Outcome No. 2: ■ Mr. Boganey explained that staff will present Council with a recommendation on what might appear to be appropriate benchmarks. Council would adopt the benchmarks if they agree with staff's recommendation. ■ Addition of the following bullet benchmark: Ability to respond effectively to a multilingual population. 03/23/09 -1- Goal 2, Goal Desired Outcomes: ■ Three measurable and visible goal desired outcomes of the City's financial stability: 1) City's Al bond rating, 2) City's auditor report with no significant findings, and 3) City's receipt of the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. o There was discussion on whether the above would be success indicators rather than goal desired outcomes. o Staff will revise Goal No. 2 Desired Outcomes. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to schedule additional discussion on the 2009 Strategic Plan and Budget Limitation Policy on a future work session agenda. UPDATE - MN/DOT LONG RANGE PLANS FOR TH 252 - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey introduced the item and reported that staff recently met with Mn/DOT and discussed the planning and construction activities and initiatives pertaining to the TH 252 corridor. Mr. Lillehaug provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the following planning and construction activities and initiatives pertaining to the TH 252 corridor: 1. Short-term a. Corridor Evaluation b. Median Cable Guard c. Signal Timing o Public Works Director/City Engineer Lillehaug will discuss signal timing with Mn/DOT due to concerns regarding pedestrian safety. d. 6-lane Section in Brooklyn Park e. 66th Avenue Intersection f. Pedestrian Crossing 2. Long-term a. TH 252 Expansion (Freeway Upgrade) b. TH 610 Expansion Mr. Lillehaug asked if Council is content with the TH 252 strategies as presented or whether the City should more proactively work with Mn/DOT on both short term and long term initiatives with the goal of bringing a corridor evaluation to the forefront and finalizing the study done by Mn/DOT in 2008. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to work more proactively with Mn/DOT on both short term and long term initiatives with the goal of bringing a corridor evaluation to the forefront and finalizing the study done by Mn/DOT in 2008. It was suggested that traffic on TH 252 be slowed to 35 mph until the freeway upgrade occurs. Mr. Lillehaug advised that it is not anticipated that a speed study would warrant changing the speed on the corridor, but a study could be requested. 1 03/23/09 -2- It was requested that staff review previous Council and Mn/DOT decisions on TH 252 improvements. There was discussion on the following in relation to a pedestrian bridge crossing TH 252: ■ Safety concerns on pedestrian crossing. ■ Determining whether a pedestrian bridge was part of the plan that was prepared approximately 30 years ago. ■ There are residents that oppose a pedestrian bridge near the Riverwood neighborhood ■ Tying a pedestrian bridge in with the Three Rivers Park regional trail and the regional trail along the Mississippi River. Mr. Lillehaug requested direction on whether Council would like to consider the addition of a pedestrian bridge prior to the freeway expansion project. Councilmember Lasman stated her opposition to allocating staff time to research the construction of a pedestrian bridge prior to the freeway expansion project. She stressed the expense and the unlikelihood of the project being funded. She noted there is a fairly large constituency who adamantly oppose a pedestrian bridge. Councilmember Roche stated his support for the construction of a pedestrian bridge prior to the freeway expansion project. He stated his support of looking for a funding stream for the bridge that would most likely be from the State, rather than the City of Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson stated his position that pedestrian traffic should be included in the plans that are prepared, although he agrees that there will not be funding available for a pedestrian bridge. Councilmember Yelich stated his position that a pedestrian crossing is needed in this area, although it will likely be part of the expansion project. He stated his support of incorporating the regional trail system in with the proposed pedestrian bridge. Councilmember Ryan stated his position that pedestrian safety should be part of the planning process on the roadway. Mr. Boganey recapped the Council's direction in terms of staff's discussions with Mn/DOT. Staff is to address concerns about pedestrian traffic today and in the future, and things that can be done to enhance and improve pedestrian traffic. Staff is to be more proactive in terms of defining the future of the TH 252 corridor. He noted that the City of Brooklyn Park took the lead on the Devil's Triangle in cooperation with Osseo and Champlin. A lot of City funds were spent on some of the preliminary design efforts, but they felt it was a problem intersection and a solution was needed, and that it was important to get out in front to help shape the direction. Mn/DOT came on board later and participated in the project. The TH 252 expansion is likely 10 to 15 years away, but if the City takes the lead and becomes proactive in setting the agenda and direction there is likely a better chance to achieve what the City wants in the end. 1 03/23/09 -3- WATER CONSERVATION RATE REQUIREMENTS - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey introduced the item and explained that the 2008 Minnesota Legislature changed Minnesota Statutes to include a requirement for conservation water rate structures. The City of Brooklyn Center began looking at this issue several years ago. The thing that kept them from moving forward was the need for better data, which should be available with the implementation of the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system. The rates must be adopted and in place by the end of 2009. Mr. Jordet provided information on conservation rates and answered questions of the City Council. It was noted that the adopted rate structure should not provide a disincentive for water- using commercial companies to locate in the City. It was noted that the rate structure could have an adverse effect on households with a large number of children and high water consumption. Mr. Jordet indicated that the study will be completed in time to include the rate consideration for the 2010 budget cycle. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT PLAN - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey introduced the item and stated staff has been working diligently with Three Rivers Park District to negotiate the best agreement for the City and still meet some of the expectations of the Park District. Mr. Eitel stated staff is looking for direction from the City Council on possible conversion on some of the City's community trails through the Three Rivers Park District. A copy of the draft agreement and letter from the City Attorney are included in the Council's packet. Mr. Eitel reviewed the following trails included in the draft Cooperative Trailway Agreement: ■ Twin Lakes Trail Connection to Shingle Creek Parkway ■ Shingle Creek Trail which crosses the City ■ Planning and future improvement of a Twin Lakes Trail Extension to the Mississippi River Regional Park Mr. Eitel provided an overview of the draft Cooperative Trailway Agreement with Three Rivers Park District. He stated the Park and Recreation Commission expressed concern on the use of a permanent easement, the duration of the agreement, and the relinquishing of City control on trail design and construction. He stated his understanding is that the maintenance standards of the Park District exceed the City's level of standards, and that the Park District's construction standards meet or exceed the City's standards. Mr. Eitel requested direction from the Council on the following: ■ Is it in the Community's interest to convey the maintenance, operation and capital expense of the Shingle Creek Trail Corridor, the Twin Lakes Corridor and the future extension of the Twin Lakes Corridor to the Mississippi River Corridor Trail to the Three Rivers Park District? ■ Are the design construction and maintenance standards of the Three Rivers Park District Trail System equal to or better than the City's trail standards? 03/23/09 -4- ■ Is it in the City's interest to enter into an agreement, which requires a permanent continuous and contiguous trail corridor, which crosses the city and connects to regional trail corridors? ■ Should this matter be referred back to the Park and Recreation Commission for a final report and recommendation? There was discussion on utilizing the existing trail on 69th with a pedestrian crossing at TH 252 labeled as a future connection. There was discussion about the concern of a permanent trail corridor and the possibility of a time period for evaluation on the corridor. It was suggested that a representative of the Three Rivers Park District meet with the Park and Recreation Commission to discuss the purpose for the permanent easement. Councilmember Ryan requested staff to keep an eye out for opportunities to enhance the trail along 57th Avenue east of Highway 100 in an effort to enhance the quality of the neighborhood in this area. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to schedule a meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission and representatives of the Three Rivers Park District. Council will be provided with a report from the Park and Recreation Commission and representatives of the Three Rivers Park District will be invited to attend a City Council meeting or work session. It was noted that paragraph 4 of the draft Cooperative Trailway Agreement should be amended as follows: "...city trail corridor from Twin Lake Beak Park to Brooklyn Boulevard..." BASS LAKE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE - CITY MANAGER Mr. Lillehaug provided background information on the Bass Lake Road Streetscape and Regional Trail Project. He stated the streetscape and transportation improvements for the 2008 Xerxes Avenue Reconstruction Project were completed in the Fall of 2008. The second phase and remaining portion of the public improvements addressed in the comprehensive streetscape study pertain to Bass Lake Road from Brooklyn Boulevard to Highway 100. Currently a specific funding source has not been fully indentified and committed to his second phase. However, the City is continuing to pursue multiple funding opportunities and partnerships in an effort to proceed with this project. Mr. Lillehaug provided an overview of the following funding options for Bass Lake Road Improvements: ■ Transit for Livable Communities ■ Hennepin County ■ Three Rivers Park District ■ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) ■ Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 3 Mr. Lillehaug explained that with the current special economical funding opportunities available and requirements to qualify for them, it may be beneficial for the City to deviate from the typical project planning/approval scenario. The ARRA funding sources currently being considered call for shovel ready projects. In an effort to meet this requirement pertaining to the Bass Lake road Streetscape and Regional Trail Project, it is necessary to proceed with plans and specifications to 03/23/09 -5- have this project "on the shelf' to meet the shovel ready requirement. He requested discussion on whether the Council supports pursuing the project funding strategies for the project, and whether the Council supports proceeding with the development of plans and specifications for the project. There was discussion on the proposed use of TIF District 3 funds as a funding source for the project. Mr. Boganey clarified that the bond proceeds in TIF District 3 were borrowed in anticipation of this project and the Xerxes Avenue Reconstruction Project. Mr. Lillehaug indicated that the full $3 million balance identified in TIF District 3 would not be available for this project as some of these funds are keynoted to other areas. There was discussion on including a dedicated striped bike lane in the project area. Mr. Lillehaug provided his recommendation that it is possible this could be considered in the future, but it would be difficult to include in the scope of the current project. The majority consensus of the City Council was support in pursuing the project funding strategies as outlined for the project, and support in proceeding with the development of plans and specifications for the project. Mr. Boganey stated staff will proceed with preparing a contract to have plans and specifications prepared for the project. A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) amendment will be presented to the Council for consideration, as this project was not included in the 2009 CIP. 2009 BUDGET REVISION UPDATE - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey stated staff has prepared options for adjusting the 2009 budget based on the priorities identified by the City Council. Based upon what the department heads have prepared thus far, he is cautious, but very optimistic, that in two weeks the Council can be presented with a balanced budget for 2009. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:21 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 1 03/23/09 -6- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) 1 1 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on March 23, 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 April 13, 2009, Regular Session. I City Clerk 03/23/09 Mayor -7-