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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 06-09 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 JUNE 9, 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, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on Agenda Item No. 11 c, specifically in relation to whether additional funds are anticipated that would allow acceleration of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Mr. Boganey replied he does not have strong indications on the prospect for a significant increase in revenues or reduction in expenses that would allow a significant acceleration in the CIP. He explained the expected increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) will have no beneficial impact on the City's ability to generate more revenue next year. This is due to the requirement to reduce property taxes by the increased amount of LGA funding. There was additional discussion on Agenda Item No. 11 c, specifically in relation to consideration of traffic calming measures with the preparation of the feasibility report. Mr. Blomstrom explained that adoption of the proposed resolution allows staff to begin meeting with residents to obtain feedback on concerns in this area. Adoption of the resolution also authorizes funding for preliminary work used to develop the feasibility report, including traffic measurements, soil borings, etc. Mr. Boganey stated improved traffic control and speed reduction is part of the assessment of the study. Unfortunately, in many of the locations of the City that follows the grid layout they are somewhat limited in terms of how they are able to respond in terms of re- engineering. In situations where there is clearly a severe problem it would be worth the cost to do something to address the issue. MISCELLANEOUS RECREATIONAL FIRES Councilmember O'Connor requested discussion regarding a letter submitted to City Council Members expressing concern about smoking pits in people's yards and requesting that Council review the recreational fire ordinance. She asked whether there is monitoring done to ensure that 06/09/08 -1- residents and are following the ordinance. Mr. Boganey indicated staff looked into the concerns contacted the individual who submitted the email. It is his understanding that the individual was satisfied after talking to staff, and that the individual understands the permit process and what to do in the future if he observes what he believes to be noncompliance with the ordinance. Mr. Boganey indicated he will provide Council with a copy of staff's response to the concern. There was discussion on the recreational fire ordinance and the permit process for recreational fires. There was discussion on whether there is support by the Council to review the ordinance. It was noted that with the drafting of the current ordinance there was consideration of coming to a reasonable compromise, recognizing that recreational fires are an activity families can enjoy together while taking into consideration the surrounding neighbors' rights. FINANCIAL REPORTS Councilmember Yelich noted there were a number of findings included in the City's Annual Financial Report (CAFR) relating to internal controls. He suggested reducing the frequency of financial reports being submitted to Council to a quarterly, rather than monthly, frequency if the staff time currently put into preparing the reports could be directed into addressing some of the internal control issues. Mr. Boganey stated the Finance Director will be requested to prepare his response and establish what it will take to eliminate the findings included in the CAFR. If the Finance Director were to indicate that going from a monthly to a quarterly report would be beneficial in relation to the staff time or resources used in the preparation of the reports, that recommendation would be brought forward to the Council. He advised the requirement for a monthly report may be included in the City Charter. UPDATE ON 57 AND LOGAN AVENUES CONTAMINATION Councilmember O'Connor requested an update on the 57 and Logan Avenues contamination and asked when the next meeting regarding this issue will be held. Mr. Boganey replied he discussed this issue with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff about two weeks ago. They are currently anticipating that the next meeting will be sometime in July or August, but no final determination has been made as of yet. Staff is in the process of holding discussions with the MPCA regarding additional testing they would like the City to do. REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER PUBLIC NOTIFICATION MEETING Councilmember Yelich stated he attended the registered sex offender public notification meeting on June 5`". The meeting was very well attended by residents and a lot of good information was presented by the State and the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. He requested staff gather summary counts of registered sex offenders by comparable cities. Mr. Boganey indicated he will contact the BCA with the request. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 06/09/08 -2- 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: I. 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 June 9, 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 23, 2008, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 06/09/08 -3-