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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 08-11 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 AUGUST 11, 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, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Planning and Zoning Specialist Ron Warren, Acting Director of Public Works /City Engineer David Peterson, Deputy Director of Public Works Bruce Johnson, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Lasman requested the following change to the Study Session minutes of July 28, 2008: Page 2 -under Housing Maintenance: Councilmember Lasman referenced a recent newspaper article relating to housing codes and regulations and requested discussion on whether the City should consider instituting a fee to cover City expenses in dealing with abandoned homes, as well as considering some of the other ideas that were referenced in the article concerning foreclosure or vacant nroberties." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the above amendment to the July 28, 2008, Study Session minutes. Staff was thanked for the comprehensive information provided to Council on foreclosure activities in the City. There was discussion on the Guide to Neighborhood Issues handout included in the last City Council packet. It was noted that this is a great summary of common issues and questions that arise. Mr. Boganey stated the handout is currently made available in the following ways: 1) new resident packets; 2) neighborhood meetings or organizations attended by City Staff; and 3) City Hall. Mr. Boganey indicated the new issue of City Watch will include a list of department phone numbers. 08/11/08 -1- Councilmember Lasman requested discussion regarding Point of Sale, specifically in relation to the Brooklyn Park requirement for an escrow at closing to cover repair costs as referenced in the July 28, 2008, City Council meeting minutes. She indicated it was suggested to her by a real estate agent that the City of Brooklyn Center should think things through before initiating anything that requires more regulation due to potential problems at closings. Mr. Boganey stated roundtable meetings have been held with City Staff and realtors to discuss foreclosure, promotion of home sales, and things the City can do in this area. In that discussion it was brought up that the City of Brooklyn Park has modified its original ordinance. Previously the ordinance required the buyer or seller to complete required improvements before the closing could occur. One of the problems was that the City would need to do an inspection and often the inspection could not be scheduled until a few days, or a week or two before the closing date. This meant that under the ordinance the closing could not proceed until the work was completed. The change made was to no longer require that all the work be completed before closing, but to do an estimate and to create the escrow. His understanding is that changing the ordinance has resolved many of the initial problems. Mayor Willson expressed his support in pursuing options available through a Point of Sale Ordinance and piggybacking from what has worked in the City of Brooklyn Park. Mayor Willson expressed his support of the proactive stance being taken by neighborhoods in tracking foreclosed properties. MISCELLANEOUS PROCESS FOR CITIZENS TO PRESENT IDEAS TO THE CITY Councilmember O'Connor requested discussion on the process for citizens to be heard by the City Council if they have an idea on how to fix or improve things in the City. The following suggestions were made as options for citizens to present ideas for improvements in the City: 1) Open Forum at City Council meetings; 2) contact City Staff; 3) emails and phone calls (may be forwarded from Council Members to City Staff); 4) referendum opportunities available through Chapter 5 of the City Charter. It was noted that there are finite Staff resources available and there should be Council support prior to tying up considerable Staff time. 57 AND LOGAN AVENUES CONTAMINATION Councilmember O'Connor requested information from Staff on whether the MPCA proposed location for the groundwater remediation device on the 57 and Logan Avenues site is in the location of the dry cleaning site. Mr. Boganey replied that a specific site has not been identified. Staff would like the location to be as near Highway 100 and as far away from the residents as possible for noise and visual reasons. The MPCA would prefer to have the location closer to the street where the identified spillage occurred. They are at a bit of debate about how close to Highway 100 and how close to the street the location needs to be. They will need to strike a balance on the determined location. 08/11/08 -2- There was discussion on the testing procedure that will be used. Mr. Boganey advised that the purpose for the testing is to mitigate the problem and reduce the amount of vapors in the plume area as much as possible. In addition, the MPCA would like to conduct the testing as a pilot to determine how effective the progress will work over time as a way to throw out the vapors from the plume area. It will not take out all of the vapors, but any reduction in the vapors is positive. It was suggested that Staff request a subgrade location for the remediation device. Councilmember O'Connor stated her support of locating the remediation device close to the site of the contamination, showing that the issue is being addressed by the City. Mayor Willson stated his support of leaving the location of the remediation device up to the discretion of Mr. Boganey in his discussions with the MPCA. Mayor Willson thanked the Engineering Department for repairs on a trench that had been left open following roadwork that was done in his neighborhood. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS FRANCHISE FEE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Mr. Jordet stated Council had previously discussed initiating a franchise fee amendment in July of 2008. He provided information on the history of the franchise fee and explained currently the franchise fee generates $660,000 per year in street reconstruction revenue. In order to meet the goals of the street reconstruction program through 2021, additional revenue is needed. Increasing the franchise fees as permitted in the franchise agreements will cover about half of what is needed to complete the street reconstruction program through 2021. Mr. Jordet reviewed the requirements associated with increases to the franchise fees. He explained funding the balance of the street reconstruction fund will require additional funding sources of approximately $80,000 per year through 2021 to complete the street reconstruction program according to the currently adopted Capital Improvements Program. Mr. Jordet provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the following information: City of Brooklyn Center Street Reconstruction Fund Cash Flows Analysis (Actual 2004 Projected 2021) City of Brooklyn Center Street Reconstruction Fund Cash Flows Analysis 3% Franchise Fee Increase Every Three Years (Actual 2004 Projected 2021) City of Brooklyn Center Street Reconstruction Fund Cash Flows Analysis 3% Franchise Fee Increase Every Three Years Plus Transfers and Loans City of Brooklyn Center Comparison of Franchise Fees Summer 2008 ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember O'Connor seconded to close the Study Session at 6:48 p.m. 08/11/08 -3- Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:49 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion continued on the Franchise Fee Agreement Amendment. There was discussion on the importance of the street reconstruction program and possible funding sources for the funding shortfall. Mr. Boganey stated given the three -year levy gap that is in place, it is very difficult to come up with sources of revenue over and above the ongoing daily requirements. It will be a challenge to come up with the additional $80,000 per year. Staff thinks the street reconstruction program should be funded, but cannot indicate at this time where the funding will come from. Mayor Willson, Councilmembers Lasman, Ryan, and Yelich stated their support of moving forward with the proposed 3% increase to the franchise fees. Councilmember O'Connor stated her opposition to the City collecting taxes through other businesses. She suggested consideration of improving the streets more slowly or eliminating curbs from street reconstruction projects. She stated she would prefer that the City not have any franchise fees in place. The majority consensus of the City Council was support in proceeding with the proposed 3% increase to the franchise fees, and that the increase be presented to the Council for an official vote at a future meeting. Information on the increase should be provided to the public that lays out the increase by the number of cents per year. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Yelich seconded to close the Study Session at 7:01 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 08/11/08 -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 August 11, 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 August 25, 2008, Regular Session. City Clerk f Mayor 08/11/08 -5-