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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 10-26 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 26, 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, Director of CARS Jim Glasoe, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. GROUP HOMES COUNCILMEMBER RYAN Councilmember Ryan stated he has received complaints from a number of citizens about negative aspects and nuisance complaints regarding group homes, and that the City would be better off with fewer group homes. He requested discussion from the Council on whether to request staff to prepare a report and evaluate the issues he has raised on this topic. The emails he has submitted to City Manager Boganey have been provided in the Council packet. City Manager Boganey advised that under current law there is very little the City can do to limit, control, or regulate these kinds of activities in the City. Legislation would be the first step towards the City being in a position to proceed with any type of additional regulation. There was discussion on identifying the current number, type, and location of group homes in the City. This information could tie in to the legislation being proposed by the North Metro Mayors Association. There was discussion on addressing concerns relating to group homes through licensing regulations. It was noted that concerns related to nuisances and loud noise would not require additional regulations, as there are currently regulations in place to address these issues. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to complete an inventory of group homes in the City and report back to Council. The inventory will include the following information: number of group homes, location, type of facilities, status of taxable or tax exempt, calls for service including code enforcement issues and other police calls. 10/26/09 -1- BASS LAKE ROAD STREETSCAPE AND REGIONAL TRAIL PROJECT STREET LIGHTING AND BANNERS Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug discussed the history of the street light banner options for the Bass Lake Road Streetscape and Regional Trail project. At the October 12, 2009, City Council meeting, Council requested additional information to add double banners on all poles throughout the median of Bass Lake Road from Brooklyn Boulevard to Xerxes Avenue. Mr. Lillehaug provided an overview of the costs for the street light banner options. Estimated ,project cost difference of single banner poles versus double banner poles is approximately $40,000. He advised his recommendation is to include single banners in the project. Councilmember Roche stressed the importance of the streetscape creating the critical elements of color, vitality, and 'energy. He stated his position that the project should be amended to include double banners, specifically in the location of Bass Lake Road from Highway 100 to Shingle Creek Parkway. There was discussion on the project as currently proposed and the cost /benefit of additional double banner poles being included in the project. Mayor Willson and Councilmember Ryan stated their position that the project should not be amended to include additional double banner poles. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to amend the Bass Lake Road Streetscape and Regional Trail Project to replace four of the single banner poles with double banner poles in the median along Brooklyn Boulevard between Highway 100 and Shingle Creek Parkway. SHINGLE CREEK RIPARIAN RESTORATION GRANT APPLICATION Mr. Lillehaug discussed the history of the Shingle Creek Restoration Plan included in the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission and the City of Brooklyn Center 2010 CIP. He reported that recently City and Watershed staff submitted a grant application to Hennepin County for this project. The project is included in the Draft 2010 CIP, which will be presented to Council for approval in the future. Mr. Lillehaug provided a brief overview and answered questions of the City Council on the Shingle Creek Riparian Restoration Project. There was discussion on possible tax incentives for maintaining natural buffers along the creek. Mr. Lillehaug indicated he is not aware of any tax incentives or other type of program offered by the DNR or other entity. He will report back to Council with any further information on this topic. Mr. Lillehaug provided information on strategies outside of the project to address the source of problems such as sediment or chloride impairment to the creek. There was discussion on culverts installed with the City project on the west side of Shingle Creek and the possibility of including an infiltration basin with this project. 10/26/09 -2- The majority consensus of the City Council was support of accepting the Hennepin County grant for the Shingle Creek Restoration Project. Mr. Boganey indicated that Council will be provided with another opportunity to provide approval on the project in the future. RENEW LOAN PROGRAM SIX -MONTH UPDATE Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel provided the ReNew Loan Program six -month update. He noted there has been a fairly equal distribution of funds throughout the City of Brooklyn Center. He noted that Council has been provided with a letter from Steve and Jennifer Hinz requesting the FDA's consideration to amending the program policies /guidelines to allow a new homeowner, that was unaware of the program, the option to make application to the ReNew Loan Program. Council is being requested to provide direction on whether the guidelines of the program should be amended as requested by Steve and Jennifer Hinz. There was discussion on the ReNew Loan Program and the request by Steve and Jennifer Hinz to amend the ReNew Loan Program guidelines. The majority consensus of the City Council was that the guidelines of the ReNew Loan Program should not be amended. Staff is to report this information to Steve and Jennifer Hinz with an explanation of how amending the program guidelines as suggested would open the program to all individuals that have previously purchased foreclosed homes in the City. COUNCIL RETREAT SCHEDULE Mr. Boganey introduced the item and requested discussion from Council on whether to schedule a Council retreat for 2010, and if so, if there are any proposed changes to the format or facilitator. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to schedule a 2010 Council Retreat for a Saturday in January. Staff is to contact several potential facilitators and request that they submit a proposal for Council review. FIREHOUSE PARK REPORT Mr. Boganey introduced the item and noted the October 21, 2009, memorandum providing an update and his recommendation in response to concerns raised about unacceptable activities that occurred this summer at and around Firehouse Park. Council has also been provided with the Park and Recreation Commission recommendation. There was discussion on the location of the parking lot in relation to the basketball courts inducing a party atmosphere. It was suggested that staff inquire if the owners of Georgetown would be amenable to building a basketball court on Georgetown property. It was noted that there is vacant property in the area of Bryant and 66 Avenues that could be-explored for a potential basketball court in the future. 10/26/09 -3- It was stressed that the residents deserve an effective response to the issues that occurred in the area of Firehouse Park. There was discussion on the recommendations of the City Manager and the Park and Recreation Commission to address concerns related to Firehouse Park. There was discussion lowering the rims on the basketball hoops as another option for consideration. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed with staff recommendation No. 1, reorientation of the basketball court to one 1 /2 court in the spring. There may be consideration of adding an additional 1 /2 court or removing the hoops in the future, dependent on the results of the reorientation. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:50 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 10/26/09 -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 26, 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 November 9, 2009, Regular Session. AQJ�f r jo City Clerk Mayor 10/26/09 -5-