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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 01-25 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 JANUARY 25. 2010 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 8:57 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Marl: Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel. Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Corrine Heine, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. GATEWAY COMMONS - REVOKED RENTAL LICENSE Discussion continued on the Gateway Commons revoked rental license and improvements made to the property. Mr. - Brummer answered questions of the City Council on the property improvements and security measures taken at the property. Improvements on the first 12 buildings are underway. An approximate completion date of all 21 buildings is anticipated to be Spring of 2011. Mr. Brummer stated that the on -site security will remain as long as the need continues. Section 42 and Section 8 housing vouchers will not be accepted. Councilmembers Lasman, Roche, and Yelich indicated that they have visited the property and stated their support of the improvements to the property. Councilmember Yelich indicated there are a few safety concerns relating to the building code that he will be addressing to the Building Inspector. City Manager Curt Boganey stated Mr. Brummer attempted to submit a rental application and was advised by staff that an application would not be appropriate at this stage in the process as it cannot be considered prior to April 10, 2010. Mr. Boganey explained that the application process would allow a license for the entire property once the minimum standards have been met. What Mr. Brummer would like to do is substantially improve the units beyond the minimum standards of the City ordinance. Also, his desire is not to rent out units that have not been substantially renovated. He advised that these two approaches are to some degree in conflict with each other. Mr. Boganey stated the City Attorney has advised that if the City Council supports lifting the revocation and considering Mr. Brummer's request, they may want to issue the license on a building by building or section by section basis through some type of restricted occupancy. Mr. Boganey indicated that there is a concern at the staff level about 01/25/10 -1- whether or not a portion of buildings should be occupied. Staff's view is that it would be preferable if there is a way to make sure that all units in a building were brought up to standard in order to obtain the occupancy authority. Beyond that he does not believe there is a concern at the staff level about a building by building, section by section occupancy right under a single license. Mayor Willson stated his position that while he has extreme reservations and concerns with the property, it appears that Mr. Brummer has made good progress and he would like to visit the property. Mr. Boganey stated if the Council is willing to consider lifting the license revocation, it is recommended that staff be directed to meet with the owner and try to reach an agreed upon method to go forward in a way that would work for Mr. Brummer and for the City in terms of managing the process. Staff would come back with a recommendation that has been agreed upon at the next City Council meeting. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed as outlined above by Mr. Boganey. Councilmember Yelich stressed that the license agreement that is agreed upon is to be a phased in approach, and that he would not support a complete property license at this point. HENNEPIN COUNTY ACTIVE LIVING PROGRAM PRESENTATION Ms. Karen Nikolai, Project Manager for Hennepin County Active Living, provided a presentation on the Hennepin County Active Living Program and answered questions of the City Council. The presentation and discussion focused on the following: • History of Active Living Hennepin Communities • Partners of Active Living • Targeted workshops • Challenges for pedestrians /bikers • Designs for pedestrians /bikers • Vision and mission statements • Guiding principles • Key policies and resolutions to date • Work of the Active Living Program • Active Living "Umbrella" There was discussion on "complete streets ". It was noted that the City Engineer has expressed concern that there should not be a one size ,fits all method applied to "complete street" implementations. Ms. Nikolai stated that "complete streets" is a portion of the Active Living Program and is not one size fits all. The Complete Streets Policy was adopted by Hennepin County for county roads; it is not being imposed on any of the cities. She stated that partner cities are being asked to adopt a Complete Street Resolution to show MnDOT that there is support. 01/25/10 -2- Ms. Nikolai thanked the City for the invitation to attend the Work Session. She stated there is currently $5,000 in funding available to one additional city to join Active Living Hennepin Communities. There is also a pot of $10,000 available for communities that would like to join the mentorin program, rather than becoming full member. gP g g a f The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the Hennepin County Active Living Program, to obtain further information about the commitment that would be required from the City, as well as the potential benefits, and to report back to the City Council on the pros, cons, and options available. GROUP HOME REPORT Mr. Boganey provided background information on the item and the Council direction that staff complete an inventory of group homes in the City. Council and staff reviewed the Group Homes Report dated 1/20/2010 outlining the following information: number of group homes; location; type of facilities; status of taxable or tax - exempt; calls for service including code enforcement and other police calls. Mr. Boganey stated that the evidence suggests that the group homes generate more p olice calls but predominately for medical reasons, and that these homes are comparable to other rental units as far as nuisance calls. However, the study also shows neighborhoods with high concentrations of group homes, with those numbers growing. He stated the North Metro Mayors Association has promoted a policy that would allow for distance between group homes; it is likely that policy will be presented at the State Legislature again. This is an issue that Representative Hilstrom has expressed interest m would not support From staff s perspective there is no reason that the City o this legislation. Beyond this, in the absence of a very compelling argument that the homes are hurting the community, getting legislative support will be an uphill battle. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to provide further information/clarification on the types of group homes that exist in the City, to send a letter to the State Legislature informing them of the City Council's interest and concern about growth in the } number of group homes in the City, and to ensure that the North Metro Mayors Association is still addressing concerns on behalf of municipalities regarding group homes. COMMUNITY GARDENS Mr. Boganey reviewed the history of the item. He stated staff is requesting Council direction on the development of a community garden site within the Xcel Energy Transmission Corridor and a neighborhood garden site at 5301 James Avenue. He indicated that ideally there would be a volunteer or others to manage this for the City going forward; however, it can likely be started with a limited amount of staff time. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel provided an overview of the staff recommendation on community gardens and answered questions of the City Council. O1 /25 /10 -�- Mayor Willson noted that Allan Hancock and Diane Sannes have an interest in working with community gardens. It was noted that community gardens will likely provide an opportunity to engage diverse and new residents in the community. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed with a community garden program within the Xcel Energy Transmission Corridor at Colfax Avenue and with establishment of neighborhood garden plots at 5301 James Avenue in accordance with the January 20, 2010, staff report, and to report back to Council with further information. MEETINGS WITH COMMISSIONS Mr. Boganey reviewed the history of the item. At the November 9, 2009, City Council Study Session it was discussed that perhaps there should be a meeting put together with various City boards and commissions. It was undefined as to the meeting format and objectives. Mr. Boganey requested further feedback and direction from the City Council. Discussion ensued on possible formats for meetings with the advisory commissions. Mr. Boganey suggested that a small portion of the meeting include a discussion on specific strategic goals identified at the City Council Retreat. The majority consensus of the City Council was to invite the following advisory commissions to attend a meeting with reception -type format, with each commission to provide a brief presentation: 1) Charter Commission; 2) Financial Commission; 3) Housing Commission; 4) Park and Recreation Commission; and 5) Planning Commission. Further refinement on the format and agenda will be discussed at the February 8, 2010, City Council Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:55 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 Work 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-