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Home My WebLink About2009 04-13 CCM Work SessionMINUTES 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 APRIL 13, 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 8:14 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, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. SURLY BREWING SALES REQUEST - CITY MANAGER Discussion continued on the Surly Brewing sales request. The majority consensus of the City Council was support of Brooklyn Center Liquor acting as the retailer for Surly Brewing Darkness growlers at the special fall event by leasing a space at the event site and opening a small retail location for the one-day event. Councilmember Yelich encouraged staff to look into an ongoing relationship with Surly Brewing in terms of Brooklyn Center Liquor retailing growlers. Mr. Boganey stated staff will continue investigating this issue, and will hopefully come back to the Council with the necessary resolutions for approval. STRATEGIC GOALS/DESIRED OUTCOMES - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the 2009 Ongoing Goals as revised based on the March 23, 2009, City Council Work Session discussion. There was discussion on the following in relation to the 2009 Ongoing Goals: Goal 1: Desired outcome of Goal 4 will become desired outcome #5 under Goal L 04/13/09 -1- Goal 2: The following are to be included as performance measures of the City's financial stability: 1) City's Al bond rating; 2) City's auditor report with no significant findings; and 3) City's receipt of the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. Goal desired outcome #2 under Goal 7 to become goal desired outcome #3. Goal desired outcome #3 under Goal 7 to become goal desired outcome #4. Goal 3: It was questioned if the purpose of this goal was to maintain or lower the total cost burden to residents or to primarily focus on property taxes. Mr. Boganey stated he believes this goal focuses on property taxes as opposed to fees. He stated the resident survey gave the indication that there is an indication in the community that property taxes are high, and historically there have been comments that property taxes are excessive and too high. In relation to fees, State law and Council policy state that fees should reflect no more than the cost of delivering the service. In order to reduce fees, the cost of delivering service would need to be reduced. There are other goals that speak to efficiency and delivering service in the most efficient manner. Goal 4: ■ Evidence of achieving this goal would be City employees reporting code enforcement issues they observe. ■ Incorporate Goal 4 into Goal 1. Goal 1 will be restated as follows: To continue to provide quality, cost effective services with limited resources. The desired outcome of Goal 4 will become desired outcome #5 under Goal 1. Goal 5 (New Goal 4): ■ Remove desired outcome #3 (may be a success indicator). ■ New desired outcome #3: The City will receive direct support for City needs from State, County, and Federal legislators. Goal 6 (New Goal 5): Amend as follows: To improve the City's image with citizens and others outside of the City's borders. Goal 7 (New Goal 6): ■ Incorporate Goal 7 into Goal 2. ■ Eliminate goal desired outcome #1. ■ Goal desired outcome #2 to become goal desired outcome #3 under Goal 2. ■ Goal desired outcome #3 to become goal desired outcome #4 under Goal 2 and amended as follows: The City will position itself for significant economic growth. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to revise the 2009 Ongoing Goals as discussed above. Mr. Boganey indicated that the Strategic Goals will be discussed at the next Council Work Session. 04/13/09 -2- 2009 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS - CITY MANAGER Mr. Boganey provided background information on the proposed 2009 budget adjustments. He explained that following the City Council Retreat each department went through their budgets line item by line item and was asked to find a way to reduce their budget by 10%. Based upon the information received from department heads, he and the Finance Director met with each department and tried to come up with the sets of adjustments which would have the least impact on service delivery and follow the general policy parameters that the Council established during the retreat. He stated he believes staff has come up with a reasonable set of adjustments that meet what they think is the worst case scenario for 2009 and still preserve quality service. Mr. Boganey provided an overview and answered questions of the City Council on the proposed 2009 budget adjustments. There was discussion on the following in relation to the proposed budget: Finance Department Fund transfers to the Utility Fund Police Department Defer family children services risk analysis - Deferment would be until January 1, 2010, when additional JAG funds will be available to the Police Department. Reduce station staffing (24 hour coverage) for 3/4 of year - Staff will look further into smoothing the transition of laying off the part-time employees. Parks Maintenance Goose removal reduced/eliminated - It was noted it may not be sustainable to eliminate this line item from the budget. Staff will look into the effect of this practice on the baseball fields at Evergreen Park. Mr. Boganey stated staff anticipates it would be feasible to carry forward the vast majority of the proposed adjustments into 2010. However, if there were to be an additional $700,000 in cuts. it will be a struggle to balance the 2010 budget. The majority consensus of the City Council was agreement with the proposed 2009 budget adjustments as presented. AMERICAN LEAGUE DONATION REQUEST-BCALL The Council reviewed the staff report regarding the request for a $300 donation to the American Little League. There was discussion that funding the donation request would set a precedent and that similar organizations would also expect the same funding. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct Mr. Boganey to draft a letter for the Mayor's signature to the Brooklyn Center American Little League informing them of the City Council's position against funding non-profits. 04/13/09 -3- LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Mr. Boganey informed the Council that he is not aware of any legislation pending at this time that would be of alarm to the Council. This item will be included on the next Work Session agenda. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman requested discussion on the topic of a freeze on Council salary wages due to the current condition of the economy. She stated her position that this action would be appropriate if it were to be taken prior to a recommendation by the Financial Commission. It was noted that this gesture may be symbolically important, but that it is somewhat of an empty gesture. It was noted that the policy of City Council salaries being reviewed by the Financial Commission was put in place in order for the review to be conducted by an independent group of qualified volunteers that receive no pay. There was discussion on foregoing attendance at the National League of Cities Conference as a cost savings measure. It was noted that Council participation in this type of conference upgrades the knowledge of the City Council. Mayor Willson informed the Council that there is currently legislation being considered that would allow cities to use funds from hotel taxes that are currently required to be allocated to a visitors bureau as they see fit. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Roche seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:13 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 1 04/13/09 -4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) 1 1 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 April 13, 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 April 27, 2009, Regular Session. City Clerk 04/13/09 Mayor -5-