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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 08-24 CCM Work Session 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 AUGUST 24, 2009 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brookl n Center Cit Council/Economic Develo ment Authorit EDA met in Work Y Y P Y� Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:25 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 Business and Development Gary Eitel, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. MISCELLENEOUS Discussion continued on rental license ordinance enforcement. Councilmember Yelich further stated his position that the City Council and staff are obligated to enforce the rental license ordinance, and that enforcement should be applied uniformly and consistently. He also stated his position that if the City has a process in place it would be reasonable to send out a letter notifying property owners that they are delinquent on utilities, and that their license is subject to revocation based on the rental license ordinance. He further stated his position that the rental license fee can be adjusted to cover the costs associated with administering the program, and that the City needs to operate its licensing program under the conditions and standards in Brooklyn Center, rather than in comparison with other communities. There was discussion on the above statements made by Councilmember Yelich. It was noted that upcoming work session discussions include Rental Ordinance Amendments and Zoning/Code Enforcement Ordinance Amendments. The majority consensus of the City Council was that staff should continue to enforce delinquent utility payments according to the current procedure. Councilmember Yelich distributed 2008 Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Crime Statistics and noted that Mr. Boganey recently provided the Council with information about crime statistics/reporting and variables affecting crime. He stated his position that it should be recognized that crime reporting is a highly variable process and that the statistics provided by the BCA are the best information available to the City at this time. It was noted that the City is addressing the issue of crime with the hiring of two new officers. 08/24/09 -1- Councilmember Yelich requested an update from staff on a timeline to address Council's direction to prepare sign ordinance implementation guidelines. City Manager Curt Boganey indicated his intent is to include this topic on the next City Council meeting agenda. COMMUNITY GARDENS COUNCILMEMBER LASMAN Councilmember Lasman stated she has been approached by residents showing an interest in creating a community garden program in the City. She had provided Mr. Boganey with information provided by the Metropolitan Council on community gardens and information she obtained from the Public Works Director in the City of Hopkins. Mr. Boganey assigned additional information gathering on community gardens to Mr. Eitel. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel provided a presentation on community gardens. The presentation included photos and information on Valley Park in the City of Hopkins and Eidum Historic Farmstead in the City of Brooklyn Park. Mr. Eitel presented an outline on starting a community garden provided by the American Community Garden Association. He presented photos on potential garden plot sites: Xcel Energy Transmission Line Corridor; Northbrook Church Site; Odyssey Charter School Site; Willow Lane School and Park; and 70 Avenue Adjacent to Willow Lane Apartments. Mr. Eitel requested discussion and direction on the position of the City Council regarding the City's role in promoting, facilitating, or developing community gardens. He indicated it should be noted that there are potential savings associated with a community garden. The City spends approximately $350 for each mowing at 57 and Logan Avenues; this property is normally mowed five to six times per season. There was discussion on the following topics in relation to creating a community garden program: Examples of community gardens in other municipalities Costs associated with the program would be covered by the rental fee for garden lots American Community Garden Association Fact Sheet Importance of including clear expectations in lot agreements Possible issues associated with water accessibility for locations that are not adjacent to the river or creek Each member of the City Council stated support for consideration of creating a community garden program. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to conduct further exploration, refine the possibilities, and define the structure of a community garden program. Mr. Boganey indicated staff will present Council with analysis and options for consideration. ADJOURNMENT 08/24/09 -2- Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember{Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:10 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 08/24/09 -3- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on August 24, 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 September 14, 2009, Regular Session. r���M City Clerk Mayor 08/24/09 -4-