HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 05-27 CCM Study 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
MAY 27, 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, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd
Blomstrom, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Planning and Zoning Specialist Ron
Warren, Police Chief Scott Bechtold, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, and Carol
Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS
Councilmember Ryan reported that the Charter Commission has expressed its intent to convene a
special meeting on June 12, 2008. The Commission has expressed a definite desire to include the
charter amendment on the ballot and will be working on draft language during the special meeting to
pass on to the Council.
Councilmember O'Connor requested the following correction to the Study Session minutes of
May 12, 2008:
Paae 1:
It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the a mendme correction to the
April 28, 2008, Work Session minutes.
There was discussion on amendment or change as the appropriate language. Mr. Boganey noted that
amendment would likely refer to new language being added to the minutes and correction would
likely refer to the correction of an error in language that has already been included in the minutes.
Councilmember O'Connor stressed that the request is for a correction to the minutes.
Councilmember O'Connor requested the following corrections to the Board of Appeal and
Equalization minutes of May 5, 2008:
Paae 4. last paraaraph:
"...Seconded by Councilmember Ryan. Councilmember O'Connor asked that the Assessor's
report be aiven. Ms. Woicik nave her report. Motion passed unanimously."
Paae 5. first naraaraph:
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"...Seconded by Councilmember Ryan. Councilmember O'Connor asked that the Assessor's,
report be given. Ms. Wojcik gave her report. Motion passed unanimously."
It was noted that the motions referred to in the above corrections had been to sustain the 2008
estimated market value, and that brief summaries may have been given, but full reports were not
presented. These were the two values being contested by the taxpayers and they were to be passed on
to the County, which is why they did not go into detail with the Assessor's report.
Councilmember O'Connor requested verification that the following values reflected in the Board of
Appeal and Equalization minutes of May 5, 2008, are correct:
Page 5. paragraphs 2 and 3:
"Daniel Gelb, 2590 Freeway Boulevard. Ms. Wojcik discussed the principles for her
recommendation to reduce the 2008 estimated market value from $1,950,000 to $975,000."
Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lasman seconded to reduce the 2008
estimated market value of $1,950,000 to $975,000. Motion passed unanimously."
Mr. Boganey stated the Assessor reviewed the minutes prior to presenting them to Council for
approval. He is comfortable that the numbers are correct, but will verify the accuracy following
tonight's meeting.
Councilmember O'Connor requested the following correction to the Regular Session EDA minutes of
April 28, 2008:
Page 1:
Commissioner O'Connor requested verification on the requested ameadme t correction to the
minutes. Councilmember O'Connor believes she voted no on resolution 2008 -05., Ms. Hamer
indicated the backup documents of the March 24, 2008, EDA Regular Session minutes can be
reviewed to verify the requested amendment prior to the next EDA meeting.
There was discussion on whether the above corrections to the minutes add relevancy or change the
substance of the minutes as they were written. It was suggested that in the future it may be helpful to
stay consistent with the language referred to by Mr. Boganey in terms of corrections and amendments
to the minutes.
It was the majority consensus of the City Council not to accept the above corrections to the May 12,
2008, Study Session minutes, the April 28, 2008, Regular Session EDA minutes, and the May 5,
2008, Board of Appeal and Equalization minutes.
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember O'Connor stated she is not feeling well and will be leaving following the EDA
meeting tonight.
DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS
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RIVERWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRY SIGN
Mr. Boganey introduced h in Council direction regarding the g y ced t o item and stated staff is requesting C g g request
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from representatives of the Riverwood Neighborhood to have two entrance monument signs installed
in public right -of -way entering the neighborhood. Mr. Blomstrom has met with the representatives
and indicated the issues that would be of concern to the City: 1) ensure that the signs would be
located in public right -of -way, but not located in a way that they would bean obstruction to traffic; 2)
determine what type of maintenance might be associated with the monument signs; 3) the issue of the
cost to purchase and install the signs. Mr. Boganey stated the representatives of the neighborhood
indicated they would pay the direct cost associated with the installation of the signs and agreed to
locate the signs as directed by the City. In regards to maintenance, the representatives indicated if the
signs were to be at a point of disrepair (i.e., graffiti) to the point where they are no longer attractive,
the City would have the right to remove the signs. Mr. Boganey requested direction from the Council
regarding the proposed entry signs. He noted monument signs are somewhat unique and have
different aesthetic appeal to different individuals. Staff feels it is important for Council to weigh in on
this request. Staff would also like direction on how Council would like to proceed in the future if
similar requests come forward.
In relation to graffiti, Mr. Boganey indicated the first choice would be to try to clean the graffiti, but
if the graffiti could not be removed or if it were to become a weekly occurrence the choice might be
to have the signs removed. If Council approves the signs, staff would follow up with a letter to the
neighborhood association clarifying the limits of the City's ability to maintain the rocks, and that the
intent is for the City to maintain the signs.
There was discussion on the following in relation to the proposed neighborhood entry signs:
The City's maintenance responsibilities
Landscaping
Consistency in announcing gateways in the City
It was noted that a policy should be established for neighborhood entrance signs, and
that the proposed entry sign by Riverwood sets a good precedent for a quality
neighborhood entry sign.
There was discussion on whether neighborhood entry signs should dovetail on the
theme of existing gateway signage for major entries into the City.
It was suggested that the white split rail fence used in the Brooklyn Boulevard project
was used for the feel of a farm connection, which has been discussed as a centerpiece
and amenity in the City.
Mr. Boganey indicated staff will present Council with general guidelines for a neighborhood entry
monument policy. Council will be able to add as much detail as they deem appropriate. He requested
direction from the Council on whether staff should notify the Riverwood Neighborhood to proceed
with the neighborhood entry signage.
Mayor Willson and Councilmembers Lasman and Ryan stated their support of notifying the
Riverwood Neighborhood to proceed with the neighborhood entrance signage. Councilmembers
O'Connor and Yelich stated their preference for Council review of the proposed neighborhood entry
monument policy prior to notifying the Riverwood Neighborhood to proceed with the proposed
neighborhood entrance signage.
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POLICE SUB STATION
Chief Bechtold introduced the item and explained in April of this year, police administration was
approached by representatives of NAI Welsh and Jerry's Foods about locating a police sub station at
Brookdale Corner. The proposed site is at 5605 Xerxes Avenue North. They have proposed to build
an 1,800 square foot bay at no cost to the City, built to the City's specifications, with an annual lease
rate of one dollar. Mr. Bechtold stated the proposed project fits into a conceptual model the Police
Department has been exploring due to the call load and call type for this area. A full -time officer from
the Problem Oriented Police Unit will be serving the Brookdale commercial area and will provide
proactive uniformed patrol and serve as a resource for area merchants.
There was discussion on the accessibility of the proposed facility and that staffing would be done by
volunteers and police cadets.
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 Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session
at 6:55 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
POLICE SUB STATION
The discussion continued on the Police Sub Station. It was noted that the sub station will provide a
great advantage and will be at no cost to the City. There was additional discussion on the anticipated
staffing of the sub station. In regards to the expectation of the business, Mr. Bechtold stated the
business fully understands the problems associated with volunteer staffing.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at
7:00 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
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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 May 27, 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 June 9, 2008, Regular Session.
axia
City Clerk Mayor
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