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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 09-14 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 SEPTEMBER 14, 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 9:09 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were Assistant City Manager/Director of Building Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. MISCELLANEOUS Discussion continued on the sign ordinance. Concern was expressed with any action being taken on the sign ordinance prior to a report by the City Attorney on the consequences of any changes. Councilmember Yelich clarified that his proposal is not an ordinance amendment; it is direction that the City Manager would provide to staff in terms of enforcement. There was discussion on whether inconsistencies in the way departments enforce City Ordinances are rectified via City management directive or whether City Council policy is required to bring consistency in enforcement. Assistant City Manager/Director of Building Community Standards Vickie Schleuning explained that issues such as different interpretations or implementations will be taken care of by the City Manager. She indicated that this is part of the bigger picture and the impacts, which will be included in the report from the City Attorney. The majority consensus of the City Council was that no action should be taken on the sign ordinance prior to a report by the City Attorney on the consequences of any changes to the I ordinance. 2009 CONSERVATION UTILITY RATES Ms. Schleuning introduced the item and provided background information on the Minnesota Statute 103G.291 mandate on water conservation rates for all sales of water after January 1, 2010. 09/14/09 -1- Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet provided an overview of examples of water conservation rates, including increasing block rates, seasonal rates, time of use rates, individualized goal rates, and excess use rates. He advised that in order to comply with the Legislative requirement for a water conservation rate by January 1, 2010, staff is recommending that the City adopt the following increasing block rates at the levels and charges: 0— 30,000 gallons/quarter $1.29/1,000 gallons (current rate) 30,001 60,000 gallons/quarter $1.60/1,000 gallons 60,001 or more gallons/quarter $2.40/1,000 gallons Mr. Jordet explained that following adoption of the new structure it will be submitted to LOGIS for programming and tested by staff. The rate structure will be initiated as of January 1, 2010. The second step will be to evaluate the unit charges in light of the 2010 capital improvements budget requirements. Any change recommended in the dollar amounts for 2010 rates will be presented to the City Council as part of the 2010 budget discussion on utility funds. Mr. Jordet informed Council on the future data collection on water consumption in order to reevaluate the i tier levels for consumption. He advised that staff recommends Council action at the next City Council meeting authorizing the proposed rate structure to be put in place for test purposes, with the actual dollar amount for the rate to be discussed with 2010 budget discussions. There was discussion on the proposed water conservation rate structure. Council Members expressed support for further study on the impact of the proposed rate changes on water intensive commercial users in the City. There was discussion on the possibility of raising water rates in the future in order to increase revenue. Mr. Jordet noted that in 2009 it was decided to hold off on rate increases in recognition of the fact that people would find their money to be tighter. Staff will provide suggestions on how to make this up when the 15-year rate plans are tied together. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to utilize the increasing block rate structure to proceed with the process of implementing water conservation rates. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:35 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 09/14/09 -2- 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on September 14, 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 28, 2009, Regular Session. �//�ar 1� City Clerk Mayor 09/14/09 -3-