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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 02-25 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 FEBRUARY 25, 2008 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 8:53 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kay Lasman, Mary O'Connor, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, Engineering Technician IV Bruce Johnson, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, Timesaver Secretarial, Inc. SIGN ORDINANCE FLASHING LIGHTS COUNCILMEMBER LASMAN Mr. Boganey introduced the item and stated the purpose of the discussion regarding flashing signs in the City. He requested Council discussion as to whether there is a need to in some way modify the current sign ordinance as it relates to flashing signs. Mr. Eitel presented examples of signage in the City. He indicated signage at Atlantis Pool and Spa appears to be in violation of the current sign ordinance. Action will be taken on this. Signage at Hansen Brothers Fence is questionable of being in compliance with the current sign ordinance. Other signs in the City appeared to be static to him. There was discussion on the effort that has been put into the sign ordinance in the past. It was noted that previous City Councils put considerable effort into ensuring that there would not be an onslaught of unattractive signs in the City. It was suggested that there should be consideration of a reasonable time interval between changing messages, and not to be too restrictive. It was also noted that businesses should not be allowed to violate the intent of the sign ordinance through the use of the time interval. Concern was expressed regarding safety and aesthetics in relation to motion in signs. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to review the current language in the sign ordinance and to develop recommendations for changes to meet the purpose and intent of the ordinance. Mayor /President Willson pointed out there are at least three important items that are included on tonight's agenda that Council has been working on over the last year. He commended staff on bringing these items forward. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Mr. Eitel introduced the item and provided background information on the Comprehensive Plan Update. He reviewed the proposed project scope included in the Loucks and Associates proposal for 02/25/08 -1- public participation. He explained a change in the project scope would involve eliminating portions of the public component portion of the plan. The option before the Council is to stay with the plan as proposed and utilize tax increment financing or utility funds to cover additional costs, or to revise the plan to meet the $50,000 budget. There was discussion on whether to reduce the elements of public participation involved in the Comprehensive Plan Update process. It was noted the previous Comprehensive Plan process involved an established committee to provide much of the public input. Mr. Boganey noted that many communities are attempting to broaden the input process to include as much of the community, and as any segments of the community, in the process as possible. The objective of the Loucks and Associates proposal was likely to go beyond a small group of interested citizens and expand it out to get more input from the broader community. Reducing this element of the budget will still comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Boganey clarified that the reason this budget was set at $50,000 rather than $60,000 is due to the anticipation that $10,000 to $15,000 of the cost would have been absorbed in the 2007 budget. There was additional discussion on whether to reduce the elements of public participation involved in the Comprehensive Plan Update process. There was discussion on the following in relation to public participation: possibility of the website incorporating the element of a blog to facilitate public participation; surveys; obtaining input from the under- represented citizens in the City; The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed on the basis that there will be a significant element of public input included in the scope of the Comprehensive Plan Update Project. Council will be provided with additional information regarding the survey and more details on all elements of the public input process. 2008 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Mr. Boganey introduced the item and provided background information regarding 2008 legislative issues. He stated staff would like direction as to whether there is specific State or Federal legislation that Council wishes to take a formal position on. Council reviewed the list of 2008 legislative issues. The following issues were noted to be of interest for the City to stay abreast of: Legislation regarding the sale of wine in grocery stores Proximity of Group Homes. o Mr. Boganey noted that this issue could be carried by the North Metro Mayors Association, which has taken a position in favor of empowering cities to limit the proximity of group homes similar to the authority the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul currently have. House File No. 3229 Water Utility Notice o Staff to provide Council Members with copies of House File No. 3229 Local Government Aid (LGA) o Mr. Boganey noted LGA is well represented, as it is on the agenda of the League of Minnesota Cities, Metro Cities, and the North Metro Mayors Association. Staff will present Council with the U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution regarding education for consideration of confirmation by Council. 02/25/08 -2- There was discussion of restructuring school district boundaries. It was noted this is a daunting issue that does not come forward due to the great costs and lawsuits involved. CITY MANAGER SALARY -2008 Mr. Boganey introduced the item and provided an overview of the city manager /administrator compensation comparison for Year 2008. It was suggested that consideration of a pay increase be presented to Council at a regular City Council meeting, as the City Manager performance review was favorable and the City Manager contract includes a provision for consideration of a salary increase in January 2008. Mayor Willson and Councilmembers Lasman and Ryan stated their support of a 3% pay increase to the 2008 City Manager salary. Councilmember O'Connor stated her opposition to a pay increase to the 2008 City Manager salary. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to present a resolution approving a 3% pay increase to the 2008 city manager for Council consideration at the March 24, 2008, City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Yelich moved and Councilmember /Commissioner O'Connor seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:38 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. i 02/25/08 -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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on February 25, 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 March 10, 2008, Regular Session. C Y 1 City Clerk Mayor 02/25/08 -4-