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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 01-25 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 JANUARY 25, 2010 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, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet, 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, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS The following correction to the Regular Session minutes of January 11, 2010, was requested: Pate 6, agenda item 7d: Mark Memec corrected to Mark Nemec throughout the agenda item. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the January 11, 2010, Regular Session minutes. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on agenda item 10d, specifically in relation to the requested amendment to the agreement with SEH, Inc. He questioned what information was provided to the consulting engineering firm regarding the complexity of the project at the time the agreement was entered into. Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug reviewed the requested amendment to the professional services agreement with SEH, Inc. for design services for the Bass Lake Road Streetscape and Regional Trail Improvements, Project No. 2009 -18. He stated this is a complex project, and that the consultant knew this was a complex project. When SEH, Inc. provided their original proposal the majority of the elements were fleshed out and he brought the contract amount down quite a bit from the original proposal. However, the consultant still agreed to do this project for a not -to- exceed amount. Mr. Lillehaug explained that the project was not fully designed and bid until the end of December, which was an additional two months from the anticipated completion date. He explained that there were a lot of iterations between the County, Park District, and MnDOT to get this project approved, and that the additional hours were 01/25/10 -1- needed hours. The amendment is coming to the Council more on the front of not having enough work in the original scope of the project. SEH has agreed to request a significant amount less than the actual hours expended with an agreed to amount of $66,000 rather than the original request of an additional $120,300. It was noted that the City previously received a letter from the State Auditor concerning the City's approval of too many change orders. It was stressed that while there are unanticipated issues that arise, it should be made known to bidders that the City expects a good and fair bid on proj ects. Discussion ensued on the proposed agreement amendment and the above information presented by Mr. Lillehaug. Mr. Lillehaug stated his position that the additional expenses incurred were justifiable and the City is receiving fair value, and that the amendment to the agreement is recommended for Council approval. City Manager Curt Boganey commended Mr. Lillehaug for his efforts to ensure that the City receives full value and pays the least amount necessary when reviewing project bids. He stated in this particular case the consultant should have identified the higher costs at an earlier stage in the process with City Council approval received prior to completing the additional work. However, he does not believe there would have been a different result in terms of the final cost. He stated his expectation is that Mr. Lillehaug will continue to make sure that consultants are giving the City the best value at the least cost, and that it is preferred to have a tight rein on projects. The majority consensus of the City Council was concern regarding the cost overruns on the subject agreement as well as appreciation of Mr. Lillehaug's efforts to keep costs in line. Councilmember Roche requested discussion on agenda item 9a, specifically in relation to whether the use of the property for religious purposes will have an effect on the tax rolls. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel responded in the negative. Mr. Boganey explained if the church were to become the owner of the building it would not be subject to local property taxes, but the tax status will not change as long as the church is a tenant in the property. Councilmember Roche requested clarification on agenda item 8a, as to whether a family member renting a property will be required to take out a rental license according to the language included in the proposed ordinance. Mr. Boganey responded in the affirmative. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Roche requested consideration by the City Council on the potential of the Planning Commission looking into the design elements and what can be done to enhance the entrance corridor in the area of Humboldt Avenue between 65 and 69 Avenues. He stated his support of enhancing investment opportunities in the City, such as the FBI headquarters that will be coming to this area. He noted that this could tie into the "complete street" concept and commented on the possibility of transit shelters, specifically in front of Humboldt Square. He expressed concern about young children walking down the street to school with people driving 01/25/10 -2- 40 mph. He stated this could also tie into the opportunity to look at Humboldt Avenue from the southern border of the City up to 57` Avenue and what could be done in terms of overall planning to improve this area. Councilmember Yelich stated residents have raised possible improvements of these two corridors to him in the past. He noted the portion of Humboldt Avenue between 53` and 57 Avenues is a county road scheduled to be redeveloped at some point in the future, and that this could fit in with that planning process. Mr. Boganey indicated if the City Council is interested in having the Planning Commission review these corridors in a comprehensive way in relation to aesthetic and traffic improvements, it would likely involve engaging a consultant to support staff and be available to the Planning Commission. It was clarified that the intent is that the review by the Planning Commission would be a visioning of the corridors from a citizen user perspective in a conceptual point of view, rather than utilizing the services of a consultant. The majority consensus of the City Council was support of the Planning Commission conducting an aesthetic visioning of the Humboldt Avenue corridors between 65 and 69 Avenues and between 53` and 57 Avenues. A consultant is not authorized for the study. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Roche moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman announced that Brooklyn Center Birthday Party tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting Sue LaCrosse at the Community Center. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS TWINS BALL PARK EXPRESS BUS LINE — COUNCILMEMBER ROCHE Councilmember Roche requested Council consideration of opportunities to better identify and 01/25/10 -3- brand the City of Brooklyn Center. One idea is to advocate for an express bus line from Bass Lake Road to the new Twins Ballpark. This type of service will be offered from the Hokpins Crossroad. Another option would be to promote the 766 Express, a ten minute ride with many time options available. The City may be able to work with Metro Transit to profile pre- existing routes and suggest more routes to get in and out on game day or changing the name on a route occasionally for ball games. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to contact the City's Metropolitan Council representative indicating the desire of the City to initiate an express bus line to the Twins Ballpark as outlined above. GATEWAY COMMONS — REVOKED RENTAL LICENSE Mr. Boganey introduced the item and explained that staff is seeking direction regarding the request submitted by Mr. Gary Brummer, the owner of Gateway Commons, that City Council reconsider the license revocation for the property at 2900 Northway Drive, formerly known as Center Pointe Apartments. Mr. Brummer reviewed the improvements that have been completed on the property located at 2900 Northway Drive since he purchased the property in October of 2009. The improvements are outlined in the letter addressed to City Manager Curt Boganey dated January 5, 2010. Mr. Brummer answered questions of the City Council regarding the property improvements and security measures taken at the property. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Yelich seconded to close the Study Session at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 01/25/10 -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 January 25, 2010. 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 February 8, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 01/25/10 -5-