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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 04-14 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 APRIL 14, 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 8:14 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, Director of Fiscal Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, City Attorney Mary Tietjen, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. BROOKLYN CENTER FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT Postponed to the next City Council /Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Session. TEDDY BEAR MANAGEMENT LLP LETTER REQUESTING EXCEPTIONS TO THE RENTAL ORDINANCE Mr. Boganey stated staff is seeking direction in response to a letter received from Mr. Leon R. Fischer of Teddy Bear Management LLP, the new owner of Twin Lakes Manor. Mr. Fischer is requesting that the City Council waive the application fee and inspection requirements for his new rental license. In the letter to the City Mr. Fischer indicates that he believes the current license expires on December 31, 2008. It has been explained to Mr. Fischer that under the City ordinance licenses are not transferable and that new owners are responsible for applying for and receiving a rental license. Mr. Boganey stated the City Attorney has advised that granting the request of Mr. Fischer and waiving the fee without amending the ordinance would be an unlawful gift. The Council would need to amend the ordinance in order to accommodate this request. There was discussion on the requirement for a full public process, including research by staff, in order to amend a City ordinance. It was noted that granting this request to waive the application fee and inspection requirements would open the door to future property owners requesting prorated licenses. It was also noted that the City Attorney has advised it would be an unlawful gift to grant this request without changing the ordinance. Mr. Leon Fischer, owner of Teddy Bear Management LLP, addressed the Council and stated he also represents Teddy Bear Investment, which purchased Twin Lake Manor. He stated they put a lot into the property and it took a long time to get it licensed. It would be a better use of resources to get issues taken care of on the property. He is looking for an opportunity to get things done instead of tying up many months with the re- inspection process. The $8,000 inspection fee is a waste of money at this point that could be put into the property. He stated he owns a property in the City of New Hope where 04/14/08 -1- they have a similar ordinance. He took that property over right after the bank cleared title on it; the City had just finished the inspection and waived the additional inspection as long as the money was put into the building. There was discussion on whether there is the opportunity for a lower inspection fee on this property since the inspection was recently completed. Mr. Boganey explained the fee is based on the total size of the complex and would not be reduced based on the date of the last inspection. It was noted that the inspection will provide the opportunity to inspect units that may not have been inspected previously and will provide Mr. Fischer with feedback on what needs to be done in those units. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff not to grant the request of Teddy Bear Management LLP to waive the application fee and inspection requirements for a new rental license, and not to amend the Rental Licensing Ordinance. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE PLANNING Mr. Boganey provided background information on the authorization of the Capital Maintenance Plan for municipal public buildings. He reviewed that during the 2008 budget approval process there was discussion of the building maintenance study. Council adopted a budget that increased the amount of funds transferred from the Municipal Liquor Fund to the General Fund that is estimated to be a sufficient amount to implement this Plan at least through the year 2010. Further discussion was referred to a work session review. Mr. Boganey stated staff's analysis is that it will cost an average of $291,000 per year to cover the General Fund portion of these maintenance needs throughout the life of the Plan. This would represent a 2.04% increase in the annual levy if the entire amount were to be paid through the levy. This is the policy choice Council could be presented with in the year 2011. Staff believes this would be the worst case scenario. Staff believes there are alternative funding sources to reduce the $291,000 amount. Mr. Boganey and Mr. Jordet provided an overview and answered questions from Council on the following undin alternatives: 1 continuing the transfer from the Municipal Liquor Fund throughout g g g p q g the life of the Plan; 2) grants; 3) amending the policy to reduce the reserve requirement in the Operating Fund balance; 4) $300,000 lump sum transfer from the Municipal Liquor Fund. It was noted that there are many variables involved when trying to come up with a long term solution outside of two to five years. It was noted that Local Government Aid (LGA), which is being considered by the i State Legislature, could be another possible funding source. It was requested that staff provide Council with additional information regarding the risks of reducing the Operating Fund balance. It was noted that the anticipated maintenance Center are very high in the p c ance cysts for the Community Cc to y g years 2011 and 2013. Mr. Blomstrom provided an overview of the anticipated maintenance on the Community Center in the years 2011 and 2013. It was suggested that the City sell the Community Center. Mr. Blomstrom advised maintenance costs for the pool have been identified, but additional analysis is needed to determine the actual long range cost if the City decides to keep the pool. It was noted that during the remodeling of the Community Center in 2002 it was pointed out that there were about 10 to 15 more useful years in the pool area of the Community Center. At that time there was discussion about a referendum being conducted to 04/14/08 -2- determine the community's long term desires related to the Community Center and whether the community is willing to pay for those services. There was discussion on obtaining feedback from the community regarding the Community Center during the comprehensive planning process. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to continue to maintain municipal public buildings and to work on viable plans for funding the Capital Maintenance Plan, and to provide Council with draft questions to survey the public regarding the Community Center during the comprehensive planning process. FRANCHISE FEE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Mr. Boganey stated the City has had franchise fees with the two private utility companies since December of 2003. The fees have been used exclusively to fund the City share of street reconstruction projects. Mr. Boganey provided information regarding the process to increase the amount of the franchise fee. He advised as they attempt to do more and more street reconstruction in the City a funding source will be needed for the City's share of that cost unless the City is going to pass on more of the share of that cost to benefiting property owners. Staff is seeking direction as to whether a franchise fee adjustment should be considered in advance of the 2009 budget adoption with notice provided to the utility of the intent. It was noted that the franchise fee spreads the cost of funding street reconstruction projects across the community, while the assessment process is more intrusive for the homeowners in the project areas. It was also noted that a 3% increase would represent an increase of one nickel per month and will provide necessary funding for the street reconstruction program. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to schedule a future work session agenda item for the Council to determine whether to proceed with a 3% franchise fee increase with the 2009 preliminary budget adoption, and to provide comparison data on franchise fees being charged in other municipalities. 2011 BROOKLYN CENTER CELEBRATION Mr. Boganey indicated Council has been provided with a draft Centennial Project Outline, draft invitation letter requesting community organizations to appoint delegates to serve on the Centennial Celebration Committee (CCC), a list of religious institutions in the City, and a list of potential CCC members. Mr. Boganey suggested Council review the information and provide feedback to staff. Mayor /President Willson stated Diane Sannes has agreed to serve as the CCC Chair. Ms. Sannes has requested to be provided with explicit guidelines on what her duties will be. It was suggested that the local high schools be contacted to encourage participation by teen youth. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to include the creation of the Centennial Celebration Committee on the agenda of the next City Council meeting. 04/14/08 -3- 2008 COUNCIL RETREAT FOLLOW UP Mr. Boganey reviewed with Council that a consensus review of Council Strategic Goals was established at the 2008 Council- Department Head Retreat. He stated Council has been provided with a report on the retreat, which includes a list of recommended actions. Mr. Boganey requested feedback from Council on any modifications, changes, or additions. He indicated formal action to adopt the new goals and revised mission statement will be included on the next City Council agenda. Staff will then fine tune the priorities and issues, strategies, and action plans. The following corrections were requested to the City of Brooklyn Center Council and Department Heads 2008 Leadership Planning Team Building Retreat Report: Page 6, paragraph 1: "The Mission Statement is a statement that describes the organizations orsanization's..." Page 10, item 8: "Progress made on administrative €x*ls fines" Page 22, item 5: "To share information and communicate openly with the city manager and other council members per reauirements of the Oben Meeting Law." Councilmember /Commissioner Yelich expressed concern that although the identified goals could be classified as good intentions or good priorities, they cannot be classified as goals because they are too ambiguous to measure progress, and they do not provide staff with clear direction. There was discussion on the list of goals. It was noted that in relation to goal #1, Council is provided with a report from the Police Chief that shows in a quantifiable way one of the ways in which they are providing a safe and secure community. It was pointed out that a number of things are being done, and goals that are too specific are limiting. Mr. Boganey stated the nine goals set for the year provide direction that is clear enough for staff to act on. Council will be provided with staff's interpretation of what they believe will help achieve these goals, which will include measurable results. If Council does not concur with the measurable results that are presented, direction and feedback at that time would be helpful to staff. It was noted that the closing remarks of the retreat focused on the need for the City Council and staff to be mission and goal driven, and to accept and appreciate diversity, to be team players, and to focus on the "big picture ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:07 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 04/14/08 -4- 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: t of the minutes o f a Work 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on April 14, 2008. 2. That said meetin g 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 28, 2008, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 04/14/08 -5-