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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 01-23 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 23, 2006 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session and was called to order by Mayor Pro Tern Kathleen Carmody at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tern Kathleen Carmody and Councilmembers Diane Niesen and Mary O'Connor. Y Y Mayor Myrna Kragness and Councilmember Kay Lasman were absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Deputy City Clerk Camille Yungerberg. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Pro Tern Carmody submitted the following change to the minutes of the January 9, 2006 — Regular Session: Page 10 Councilmember Carmody stated if the City Council had decided to develop a training library prior to hef Councilmember Niesen's attendance at the conference, she would have been in favor of reimbursement. Councilmember O'Connor submitted the following changes to the minutes of the January 9, 2006 — Regular Session: Page 8 Councilmember O'Connor stated, she would like to postpone the commission appointments until January 31, 2006, so that other more suite parties can apply. P age 9 Councilmember O'Connor asked if Councilmember Lasman had been the "zing Mayor Pro Tern in the past and suggested someone new be given a chance. 01/23/06 - 1 - Councilmember O'Connor submitted the following change to the minutes of the January 9, 2006 - Work Session: Pie 2 For understanding. Councilmember /Commissioner O'Connor questioned stated Gene � with the advertisement for the request for bids for the lighting of the ball field that required a bid bond. Councilmember Niesen submitted the following changes to the minutes of the January 9, 2006 - Regular Session: Page 10 She stM e thi-, I was the first ye -t r- eeer-d dings a cna, riominaarc She e*p1ained -that s:� fling sem to A of t h e °lases i „r t h e ('CT's w east $2 , 300 °., ng a i -F °. She stated this was the second vear that seminar recordings were available on CD -ROM vs. cassette tape. She explained that sendine someone to all of the sessions presented on the CD -ROMs (2004, 2005) would cost approximately $2,300 per vear, or about $4.500 for classes from both vears. Page 10 Councilmember Lasman stated agreement with Mayor Kragness and Councilmember Carmody and added that a library of i f ,- atior f s -nn- ars v: money i n th 1,,,, run d ue to ohanges in laws that make infefmation ettffePA for en4y sheA time would be a waste of City monev since things change so much from vear to vear and so didn't see the value and was concerned that a lot of Citv resources would be tied up in that. Pate 11 She stated the City is missing out and she saved the City $400.00 some monev by providing her own transportation to the airport and not eating meals at City expense for a day. Mayor Pro Tem Carmody suggested tabling the approval of the minutes of the January 9, 2006 - Regular Session until Councilmember Lasman was in attendance. Councilmember Niesen stated disagreement with the manner in which the information she presented was recorded. Mr. McCauley responded that the Deputy City Clerk creates a summary, not a transcription, of the meeting. He stated the City Clerk then reviews the minutes and they are then forwarded to the City Manager for finalization. He stated the Deputy City Clerk reviews the audio tape only if clarification is needed. Councilmember Niesen stated she would like the approval of the minutes postponed until she is able to review the tape with the City Manager. She discussed the areas of the minutes in which she disagreed with and stated she felt the minutes portrayed her in an unprofessional manner and some of the information is inaccurate. 01/23/06 -2- Mr. McCauley explained that Staff attempts to create a summary of the general direction of the meeting and a policy has been adopted that states if a Councilmember wishes to amend the minutes, a proposal should be submitted and the ultimate decision is left to the City Council. Councilmember Niesen responded the information presented in the minutes is not true and therefore she will provide a transcription of the presentation she gave at the January 9, 2006, City Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Carmody stated the minutes should be a summation rather than a transcription and if the information is incorrect, a Councilmember has the opportunity to submit desired amendments. She stated the minutes reflect what the City Council wants to be said, not what one Councilmember would like them to say. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS COUNCIL MEMBER NIESEN: DISCUSSION OF A RESIDENT REQUEST TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ASKING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD TO PUT ANY STADIUM FUNDING PLAN TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE Councilmember /Commissioner Niesen stated she was called by a resident who inquired about her position on the Stadium Funding Plan proposed by Hennepin County. She stated that she responded to him by saying that she is in favor of putting it to the people for a vote. She stated he agreed and requested that the City Council make a resolution and then forwards it to Hennepin County. Councilmember /Commissioner O'Connor stated agreement with Councilmember /Commissioner Niesen. She stated Hennepin County is asking the State of Minnesota to waive the law that says they need to ask the people if they want their taxes raised. She stated she does not know why the State would break its own law. She stated she would hope that it does not pass and if they want a stadium, a referendum is needed to poll the residents. She stated agreement that this item should be placed on the agenda for a vote on the February 13, 2006, City Council meeting. Mayor /President Pro Tern Carmody suggested that Councilmember /Commissioner Niesen draft a resolution asking the Hennepin County Board to put any Stadium Funding Plan to a vote of the people. COUNCIL MEMBER O'CONNOR: DISCUSSION OF TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY Councilmember /Commissioner O'Connor stated she received a map of the tax exempt parcels of Brooklyn Center and requested that City land be sold for houses or apartments. The City Council /Commission discussed possible pieces of land in the City that could be developed. Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom clarified which of the possible parcels that contain wells or are earmarked for a water treatment plant. The City Council /Commission and Staff discussed the need for a water treatment plant. Councilmember /Commissioner O'Connor suggested making more land taxable to reduce the taxes paid by residents. She stated a third row of houses could be added north of the existing 01/23/06 -3- houses on the gg olf course. She suggested housing or an apartment building along the street, g north of the parking lot. Mr. McCauley discussed the open area of the golf course and stated any houses constructed on the property would encroach on the golf course. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Niesen moved and Councilmember O'Connor seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. tint..✓ City Clerk May r 01/23/06 -4-