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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 06-23 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 23, 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, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Councilmember Mary O'Connor was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Police Chief Scott Bechtold, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Yelich requested the following change to the Study Session minutes of June 9, 2008: Paae 2, Paragraph Regarding Registered Sex Offender Public Notification Meeting, third sentence: He reauested suggested staff gather forward request to Buf ea-u of G in u Apprehensio ABC n) for the summary counts of vi uauaa registered sex offenders by comparable cities may. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the amendment to the June 9, 2008, Study Session minutes. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman announced that the President of the Crime Prevention Committee sent a thank you note to the City Council for sponsoring a hole at the Committee's Golf Fund Raising Event. Councilmember Lasman commented on the recent Sun Post newspaper article that incorrectly stated the Council and Mayor salaries. It was noted that a clarification on the salaries will be printed. 06/23/08 -1- Councilmember Lasman inquired about standards for sidewalk improvement projects. She explained there are several areas in her neighborhood where there are mounds of dirt with pieces of concrete mixed in, as well as one area where the trench is not filled in. Mr. Blomstrom stated staff is contacting the contractor regarding the requirement to grade the area after the five to seven day cure period. Councilmember Lasman suggested consideration of the following items discussed at the recent League of Minnesota Cities Conference: 1. When holding community meetings, take advantage of having residents gathered by having a short survey available. 2. Be proactive in addressing problems, rather than waiting to receive complaints. One possibility would be to adopt a policy on being proactive. One example discussed at the conference was a "spotters group" of senior citizens that received training on what kinds of things to look for and to contact code enforcement. 3. Revisiting Point of Sale, especially with the foreclosure issues the City will be dealing with. Staff and the Housing Commission could do a thorough study on the topic; the policy should not be too restrictive. 4. Noncompliance issues may receive more response by sending letters out on the City Attorney's letterhead. Councilmembers Ryan and Yelich stated their support of consideration of the above suggestions. Mayor Willson stated his support of consideration of suggestion Nos. 1 -3. He stated he would support suggestion No. 4 as a follow -up method, but not as the first contact on an issue. Mr. Boganey indicated he will share the above ideas with staff to determine where they could be implemented in the normal procedures. Further research will be needed on Point of Sale, which will come back to Council for future consideration. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS MONUMENT SIGN POLICY The Council discussed the Draft Monument Sign Policy. Concern was expressed regarding Criterion No. 6. Mr. Boganey stated there are clearly pros and cons to having the applicant continue to retain any responsibility once the monument sign has been constructed. The purpose for Criterion No. 6 is to make it clear that the sign can be removed if it is becoming a burden for the City to take care of or it becomes an eyesore to the neighborhood. This could result from vandalism, graffiti, or other damage. There was considerable discussion regarding Criterion No. 6, specifically in relation to whether or not the applicant should have responsibility for maintenance of the sign. Mr. Boganey explained the language was drafted as proposed because the representatives of the Riverwood Association had expressed some willingness to maintain the monument sign. However, in the long term it is likely better if the City assumes that responsibility. It should be noted that in times of levy limits and competing resources, the Association may have a high expectation for maintenance Association's willingness to com lete ce t at the City may not be able to meet. The Assoc t3' Y P 06/23/08 -2- I the maintenance when the City cannot is a way to ensure that the individuals who spent money and resources will get something that is being maintained to their level of expectations and standards. If the Association is willing to accept a certain level of responsibility, there will not be a need for debate about the different levels of maintenance standards. It was suggested that the Policy nclude language that discusses the City's obligation for Y Y g maintenance at a minimum standard level and that the association or neighborhood paying to have the sign installed can maintain the sign to a higher level if they wish. It was noted that the Policy should clearly spell out what the resources will be. Mr. Blomstrom explained staff is under tremendous strain to cover responsibilities at this point. Looking into the future, if there are more of these monument signs and they become bigger and more labor intensive, the City may not have the resources to maintain those structures at a standard some may feel is necessary, especially if there is graffiti. The intent of the draft language is to reserve the City's ability to remove the monument signs if the Association does not have the resources to continue maintaining them. It was suggested that the Brooklyn Center name or logo be included on these types of amenities. There was additional discussion regarding Criterion No. 6. There was discussion regarding liability associated with monument signs located in public right -of -way. Mr. LeFevere provided information regarding regulations on locating private monument signs in public right -of -way. He advised there would need to be an agreement between the City and the property owner of the underlying fee interest. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:48 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lasman seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Yelich asked if the properties of concern raised during the Informal Open Forum Session are included on the list of rental licenses being considered for approval on tonight's City Council meeting agenda. Mr. Boganey replied the Police Chief has been asked to conduct a background investigation and provide a brief report on the properties in question. The properties are not included on tonight's agenda; the rental license on these properties is under review and presumably will come before the City Council within the next several weeks. 06/23/08 -3- The discussion continued on the Monument Sign Policy. Mr. LeFevere recommended an agreement with the neighborhood association in order to ensure the City's right to do what is desired in relation to maintenance and to ensure that everyone is in agreement on the basic obligations. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 7:02 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 06/23/08 -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: 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 June 23, 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 July 14, 2008, Regular Session. rty Clerk Mayor 06/23/08 -5-