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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 01-14 CCM Regular Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION JANUARY 14, 2008 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, Mary O'Connor, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, City Clerk Sharon Knutson, and Carol Hamer, Timesaver Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS There was discussion on Consent Agenda Item No. 7b, specifically in relation to the designation of Wells Fargo Bank Brookdale Office as the depository for City funds. Mr. Jordet explained there is a schedule for RFP's on various financial services. The City is currently working on the Professional Audit Services RFP. The Bank Service RFP was last completed in 2002, and will be due again in 2008. There was discussion on Agenda Item No. l I in relation to which firms have responded to the City's RFP for Professional Audit Services. Mr. Jordet listed the seven of the eight firms that responded to the City's RFP. There was discussion on Agenda Item No. 111, specifically in relation to the recommendation for approval of the settlement agreement with Brooklyn Center Leased Housing Associates Limited Partnership (BCLHA). Mr. Boganey explained negotiations continued throughout the weekend and probably continue as they speak. There is not currently a settlement document available. If there is not a settlement document that is completed and agreed upon by all parties, then the Council will not be asked to take action on this item. Councilmember Yelich requested removal of Consent Agenda Item Nos. 7b and 7g from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Boganey requested that Consent Agenda Item No. 7h be removed from the entire agenda. g Y q g g Councilmember O'Connor requested the following change to the Special Session minutes of December 27, 2007: 01/14/08 -1- Pate 1 Location: CITY HALL SHINGLE r -r-Eu GONFERENGE ROOM COUNCIL CHAMBERS Adjournment: Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded adjournment of the Brooklyn Center City Council ExeetAive Special Session at 7:12 p.m. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the amendment to the December 27, 2007, Special Session minutes. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember O'Connor requested a refresher on the increase in health care costs in Brooklyn Center. She stated according to information distributed during a finance and budget hearing, it appears that health insurance costs went up almost 14% for employees. She also requested information regarding the cost to the City for health insurance per employee. Mr. Boganey indicated the City's contribution is approximately $9,000 per employee per year. He indicated he will provide Councilmember O'Connor with further information regarding health insurance costs. It was requested that the requested information on health care costs be included for the full Council in the Update. Councilmember Ryan stated he was present at the January 20, 2008, Round Table on Youth Initiatives. He requested an update regarding the planned task force on this issue. Mayor Willson explained a task force has not been formed. The mayors of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park invited interested parties from the school district and community colleges to start working on youth initiatives. Whether it rolls into a task force, joint powers association, or something else would need to come before this Council. There was discussion regarding the intent to proceed with youth initiatives. Councilmember O'Connor requested information regarding the anti -icing treatment unit being used to reduce the slipperiness of the bridge. She pointed out there has been discussion that the salt solution used on the 35W bridge could have caused deterioration. Mr. Blomstrom stated the 35W bridge was a steel structure and more prone to corrosion. Brooklyn Center's bridges are concrete. In addition, the volume of salt solution the City is putting down is very low. The thought process is to cut down on the overall salt usage that is normally put on bridge decks, which is what they have done with the new anti -icing unit. Another method to cut down on the amount of salt being used is a corn -based product that is being used this year. Councilmember O'Connor requested the City Council receive the update presented from the City Attorney to the Charter Commission regarding administrative fines. Mr. Boganey stated the City Attorney's written report regarding administrative fines will be forwarded to the City Council. 01/14/08 -2- There was discussion of a Star Tribune article that had been distributed regarding municipally- owned liquor stores. There was brief discussion of the finances and operation of municipal liquor stores in the City of Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Yelich requested an update on the timeline for an expected worksession discussion on the City's oversight of rental housing. Mr. Boganey indicated this topic will likely be on a February or March worksession schedule. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS FARMERS MARKET CITY COUNCIL Ms. Schleuning presented a brief presentation on the feasibility of establishing a Farmers Market in the City of Brooklyn Center. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember O'Connor seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:46 p.m. There was discussion of the feasibility of establishing a Farmers Market in the City of Brooklyn Center. The following topics were discussed in relation to a possible Farmers Market: priorities in relation to staff resources, location in relation to freeway access and visibility, saturation point in relation to other farmers markets, marketability and sustainability, competition with private sector, community building, and obtaining input from citizen input groups. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to direct staff not to pursue establishing a Farmers Market in the City of Brooklyn Center at the present time. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 01/14/08 -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 Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on January 14, 2008. 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 January 28, 2008, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 01/14/08 -4-