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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 04-28 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 28, 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 8:03 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, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, IT Director Patty Hartwig, Police Chief Scott Bechtold, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. PROPERTY FORECLOSURE STRATEGIES OVERVIEW Mr. Boganey introduced the item and explained tonight the Council will be provided with an overview of things staff has been doing in response to the issue of foreclosures in the City. He provided an overview of foreclosure data from June 2006 to present and data on current sheriff sale and vacant properties. Mr. Boganey reported for the most recent assessment period of October 2006 to September 2007, assessed values of single family homes have decreased on an average 8 A similar drop is expected next year based on the current review of sales from October 2007 to September 2008. Assessed values of industrial and commercial values have increased about 9 Mr. Boganey provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the City's Foreclosure Response Strategy: Goal: Prevention, neighborhood stability, reduction of vacancies, promotion of owner occupancy, and redevelopment. Action Step 1: Data Collection Action Step 2: Neighborhood Stabilization Action Step 3: Prevention and Intervention Action Step 4: Reinvestment There was discussion on reinvestment, specifically in relation to reducing roadblocks that would allow someone to purchase, refurbish, and live in a home for some time. In relation to neighborhood stabilization, it was noted that the Comprehensive Plan includes the purchase of single family dwellings on Brooklyn Boulevard to convert into commercial property. It was 04/28/08 -1- pointed out that the current market would make this a good time to follow through on this part of the Comprehensive Plan while being good stewards of the City's pocketbook. There was discussion on identification of the vacant homes and ensuring that they remain good housing stock in the City. Mr. Boganey stated that relatively speaking the foreclosed homes in the City have been fairly well maintained and left in decent condition. He indicated staff is monitoring proposed legislation at the state and federal level that would make funds available to cities to acquire and rehab housing. BROOKLN CENTER YOUTH COLLABORATIVE Mr. Bechtold introduced the item and provided background information on the Brooklyn Center Youth Collaborative. He stated in response to findings of the 2007 PERF study, the Brooklyn Center Police Department has initiated projects to address prevention and intervention of youth violence and criminal behavior. Approximately two months ago the Police Department reached out and invited the community to sit down at a brainstorming session to address youth issues. The response was overwhelming with representatives present from police, probation, schools, CARS, businesses, social services, non profits serving youth, and the faith community. Mr. Bechtold stated the Brooklyn Center Youth Collaborative (BCYC) has split into two different sections of prevention and intervention. The prevention piece is still evolving; they are hoping to get more of a definitive model by mid -May so it can be up and running by this summer. Current efforts are aimed at mapping out community resources and their capacities; Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is taking the lead and will bring different partners together and will be putting together a youth summer events calendar. Mr. Bechtold stated the intervention piece has been how to holistically work with the Police Department, the faith based community, and social services on addressing the already at -risk youth. The Police Department has contracted with the MAD DADS organization to provide a youth outreach worker. Twelve high risk youth in the community have been identified, six of which have agreed to enter into the MAD DADS program where they will be assessed as far as educational needs, employment needs, and social service needs. The other six youth have declined the offer for service, and they have been put on more of an active monitoring program to ensure that they are in compliance with their probation terms. Mr. Bechtold reported seed funding for this initiative comes from a $12,000 grant from Hennepin County through the Joint Community Police Partnership. An additional $10,000 grant has been approved by Independent School District No. 281. It was noted that many people have stepped up to the plate and the community members are driving this initiative. There was discussion on the efficient use of resources and whether there would be a duplication of efforts with this initiative and the Brooklyn Bridge Engaging Youth Initiative. It was noted that this is not just a Brooklyn Center problem; it is a northwest region, metro, state, and country wide problem. The more people working on the issue the better they will be. BROOKLYN BRIDGE ENGAGING YOUTH INITIATIVE Mr. Boganey introduced the item and provided background information on the Brooklyn Bridge Engaging Youth Initiative. He reported that two meetings have been held and hosted jointly by 04/28/08 -2- Mayor Willson and Mayor Lampi of Brooklyn Park to discuss a cooperative planning and coordinating effort for youth services. Council has been provided with the agenda of the Mayors' Round Table Discussion held on April 8, 2008. Each community and the several educational institutions serving youth have been invited to establish a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) organization that will implement and manage the proposed program. Council has also been provided with the proposed JPA for a Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center Youth Coordinating Board and the proposed resolution supporting the JPA. Mr. Boganey requested discussion from Council on whether there is an interest in the City of Brooklyn Center being involved in the JPA. He stated the specifics of the Youth Coordinating Board have yet to be specifically worked out. Agreement on the details would be determined once it is determined who would like to be part of this effort. The purpose tonight is to answer questions of the Council on the Youth Coordinating Board and what is intended to be accomplished. If the direction of the Council is to proceed, a resolution supporting the development of a JPA will be presented for Council consideration. The JPA would also be presented to Council for final approval once the specific details have been worked out. Mr. Boganey stated in regards to the discussion during the previous agenda item regarding the BCYC and the proposed involvement by the City in the Brooklyn Bridge Engaging Youth Initiative, he does not believe there would be a duplication of effort. It is impractical to think that this Youth Coordinating Board would be a body that would do the kind of work the Police Chief is doing in terms of putting together specific programs aimed at dealing with specific issues in Brooklyn Center. The Chief would attend meetings of the Youth Coordinating Board and would have the opportunity to request assistance with resources that are needed. The Youth Coordinating Board at the policy level will meet once per quarter and serve as sort of a steering committee, providing general policy guidance. This is a planning /coordinating/collaborative program more than it is a youth activities development and implementation organization. There was discussion on the proposed resolution, specifically in relation to the involvement of youth in the initiative. There was discussion on whether youth that is involved in crime tends to participate in these types of programs, and whether this type of initiative will have an impact on crime. Mr. Boganey advised that the proposed resolution does not necessarily need to be adopted as written. The fundamental question being asked is whether the City Council is interested in supporting the development of a JPA, which will ultimately specify what will be done together. There was discussion on the importance for a clear and focused outcome of the coalition. Mr. Boganey advised this has been broken down into the following three areas: 1) communication; 2) collaboration; 3) initiative development. Councilmember O'Connor stated her opposition to the creation of the Youth Coordinating Board. She said more can be done for youth if the organizations continue to help youth but not create more bureaucracy. Mr. Boganey advised in relation to funding, at a minimum there will be some staff time associated with setting up meetings, putting together agendas, applying for grants, etc. This will need to be specified and detailed and there will need to be agreement on how the funding is split. 04/28/08 -3- It is fair to assume that some level of funding will be required. In response to the question of whether staff recommends entering into the JPA, Mr. Boganey stated his position that it would be worth the staff time and resources involved if the potential can be realized. However, additional information is needed on what the full cost will be before he can say whether he would recommend adopting the JPA. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to include a draft resolution supporting the development of a JPA on a future City Council meeting agenda for Council consideration. Mr. Boganey indicated the draft resolution will be included on the agenda of a future City Council meeting. He suggested the Council Members provide staff with suggested amendments to the draft resolution. CODE ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE ENHANCEMENTS Ms. Schleuning introduced the item and stated the purpose tonight is to get feedback and Council direction to ensure that staff is proceeding in the right direction in relation to vacant building management in the City. She provided background information, including the status of foreclosures /vacant buildings and an overview of current codes and management tools. She provided an overview of the Vacant Building Ordinance Proposal and possible code options. There was discussion on the possibility of implementing some type of point of sale program with vacant properties that go back on the market. There was discussion regarding the foreclosure brochure and methods used to get the information out to the public. In relation to registration of vacant property, it was noted that there should be consideration of the many snowbirds in the City that leave their property empty for three to four months. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed with amending the City Code to establish a separate section governing the maintenance and protection of vacant properties. GOV QA ROLL OUT Ms. Schleuning introduced the item and provided background information on the eCitizen Center to be launched on the City website on May 1, 2008. She explained the system will support four modules that will support incoming citizen requests for information and service, and outgoing communications for alerts and feedback. Ms. Schleuning provided a brief overview of the following planned implementation schedule of the eCitizen Center: Information Module (Knowledge/FAQs) Available to the public May 1, 2008 Service Request Module Available to the public June 1, 2008 Message Module Implemented as part of strategic program uses Survey Module Implemented as part of the strategic program uses 04/28/08 -4- Ms. Hartwig provided a presentation on the eCitizen Center and answered questions of the Council. Mr. Boganey announced the City will likely e rolling out the webstreaming of City Council g Y tY Y g meetings in July or August. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Mr. Boganey introduced the item and indicated Council has been provided with the draft Centennial Celebration Committee letter and list of organizations to invite to the kick off meeting. He requested Council input on changes or organizations to add to the invitation list. The following were suggested as additions to the invitation list: Brooklyn Center youth groups (high schools and Leos) Pan African Organization Hispanic or Latino groups Laotian groups The following additional suggestions were made: Communicate information to neighborhood watch group contacts as things are being planned and organized Send an informational letter to city commissions, asking if there is interest to assign an appointee The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to add the above organizations to the invitation list, to schedule the date of the initial planning meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., and that the invitation letter be signed by the Chair of the Committee, and mailed to the organizations on the list. There was discussion of the Chair's duties. Mr. Boganey suggested the duties include convening and chairing the meetings, and that the second principal role would be to report to the City Council at least once per quarter. In terms of assisting the Chair, staff can help facilitate and assist in other ways; he or another staff person could facilitate the first meeting. Once the groups have been organized the Chair would be responsible to ensure there is good communication with all the groups and report from the groups to the City Council on the status and the needs. It was noted that there are two time capsules that could be uncapped during the Centennial Celebration, and that there is information available for the Centennial Celebration from the 75 anniversary party. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:38 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 04/28/08 -5- 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 April 28, 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 May 12, 2008, Regular Session. *m" City Clerk Mayor 04/28/08 -6-