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Home My WebLink About2009 10-12 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 OCTOBER 12, 2009 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 8:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP MAYOR WILLSON City Manager Curt Boganey introduced the item and stated in July, or Willson and he met Y g g Y Y� Y with Sarah Mendoabar, Mayor of Tappita, Liberia. Mr. Kerper Dwanyen, President of the Organization of Liberians, arranged this meeting at which time an offer to establish a Sister City Relationship with the City of Brooklyn Center was extended. Based on the request Mayor Willson has asked that this item be presented to the City Council for review and consideration. Mr. Boganey advised that a Sister City Relationship can take many different forms. There is no standard Sister City Relationship in terms of who is involved and the specific government involvement. The fundamental question before the City Council this evening is whether this is something the Council believes the City should pursue. Mayor Willson commented on how the proposed Sister City Relationship could tie in with the large Liberian population in the City of Brooklyn Center. Mr. Kerper Dwanyen, President of the Organization of Liberians, addressed the City Council and thanked the Mayor and City Manager for their efforts in this process. Mr. Dwanyen discussed the large Liberian population in Brooklyn Center. He stated the Organization of Liberians feels at home in Brooklyn Center and that they have been able to succeed and thrive in the community. Mr. Dwanyen stated his support of a Sister City Relationship between the City of Brooklyn Center and Tappita City, Liberia. There was discussion on the Council Policy Issues outlined in the staff report: 1) Will the establishment of a Sister City Relationship contribute to the Council Goals and long term interests of the City? 10/12/09 -1- 2) Will the City have sufficient resources to participate in a Sister City Relationship? There was discussion on identifying specific programs that could be initiated and how they could be organized for mutual benefit. It was noted that these types of decisions would be worked out between the two cities so that each city understands what is expected. It was noted that it will be important to be very clear on the financial support that would be involved in the relationship. At this time the only upfront cost that has been identified is the $510 annual membership fee to Sister Cities International. Mayor Willson, Councilmembers Lasman, Ryan, Roche, and Yelich stated their support of exploring the establishment of a Sister City Program. Councilmember Roche stressed his position that the proposed relationship should not be limited to Tappita City, Liberia. Mr. Dwanyen provided information on the Liberian population in the City of Brooklyn Center, which is estimated at approximately 3,000. There was discussion on the proposal by Ashlee Kephart on behalf of the Kids For a Better World Organization, that the City of Brooklyn Center enter into a Sister City Relationship with Foya, Lofa County, Liberia. It was noted that a Sister City Program would not need to be limited to one Sister City. As a representative of the Organization of Liberians, Mr. Dwanyen was requested to present the Sister City proposal to the boards of local groups such as the Lions, Rotary, church groups, etc. and to report back to Council with the feedback at a future work session. Ms. Diane Sannes, 7006 Willow Lane N, addressed the City Council and stated the City of Brooklyn Center has had sister city relationships in the past. She stated there has not been discussion on the biggest groups in Brooklyn Center, which is the Hmong and Hispanic groups, and that they should be made aware of this and able to come and speak on the topic. She stated her position that the City could have a sister city relationship with four or five cities, and that there are notes with Council and staff on discussions that were held on this topic V/2 years ago. Ms. Sharon Kephart, 5130 65 Avenue N, addressed the City Council and stated she would like to clarify that the proposal for a Sister City Relationship with Foya, Lofa County, Liberia was raised by Ashlee Kephart 1 %2 years ago. There was support of businesses and residents in the late spring and they were waiting to hear back from the City on how to proceed. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to further explore the concept of initiating a Sister City Program. It was noted that the City Council is open to proposals for additional Sister City Relationships in addition to the request by Tappita, Liberia. RENTAL LICENSE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW Mr. Boganey introduced the item and noted that this topic was included on the last work session agenda. Council decided to continue the discussion to tonight's meeting after reviewing the proposed draft language for the rental license ordinance amendment. The City Attorney will 10/12/09 -2- prepare a final draft of the ordinance based on Council's direction tonight. The Council asked staff to review the draft ordinance with the Housing Commission after the City Attorney makes changes. Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning provided an overview and answered questions of the City Council on the Draft Revisions to Rental License Regulations in Chapter 12. The majority consensus of the City Council was to incorporate the following amendments into the Draft Revisions to Rental License Regulations in Chapter 12: Section 12 -901, la: "...A license will be granted in a specific Category as determined by a point system based on criteria established recommended by the City Manager and approved by the Citv Council." Section 12 -909, lc: Add language to require registration with legal name. Sec 12 -914: All language relating to prospective tenants to include statement "18 years or older" and make "subsequent persons residing..." reflected throughout section. Verification by the City Attorney on the following language included in Section 12 -911, 7: "...shall be made upon substantial evidence..." Add language requiring landlords to have clearly established decision making criteria in place. Staff will check with City Attorney. Provide method to indicate changes from this version and a clean copy for Council revision. Ms. Lisa Peilen, Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA), addressed the City Council and stated MHA strongly supports the approach of producing incentives for well managed properties. She thanked the City Council for considering this approach, thanked Ms. Schleuning for her willingness to listen to the concerns of MHA, and thanked the City of Brooklyn Center for the good working relationship. Ms. Jo Roberts, Link Associates, addressed the City Council and expressed her appreciation for the working relationship with Ms. Schleuning and for the City's support. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to present the Draft Revisions to Rental License Regulations in Chapter 12 with the above amendments to the City Attorney for review. The Draft Ordinance will be presented to Council following the City Attorney review. CENTER POINTE APARTMENTS UPDATE Mr. Boganey provided an overview of the Center Pointe Apartments Status Report dated October 10, 2009. He reported on a meeting staff recently held with Mr. Gary Brummer who stated he is in the process of purchasing the bank -owned apartment complex. Mr. Brummer inquired about the process to obtain a rental license for the property. Staff informed Mr. Brummer that he would need to own the property to obtain a license. It was made clear that the license is revoked and that staff could not provide him with a guarantee that Council would rescind the revocation. If and when Mr. Brummer completes the necessary repairs on the property, it is likely that he will request the City Council to rescind the revocation on the license. 10/12/09 -3- ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 10/12/09 -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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 12, 2009. 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 October 26, 2009, Regular Session. X2 X O AA` City Clerk Mayor 10/12/09 -5-