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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 02-13 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 FEBRUARY 13, 2006 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council /Economic Development Authority met in Work Session and was called to order by Mayor/President Myrna Kragness at 8:37 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Myrna Kragness and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present were City Manager/Executive Director Michael McCauley, and Deputy City Clerk Camille Yungerberg. INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSAL TO CREATE A CODE OF CITY COUNCIL POLICIES City Manger McCauley outlined the proposed Code of City Policies that would provide a compilation of City Council policies with a table of contents to facilitate reference to the policies. Currently, there is not such compilation. Adoption of the Code would provide a fresh starting point and the ability to find City Council policies. Council Member Niesen asked about the repeal of all former policies. Mr. McCauley affirmed that undoubtedly there were policy type resolutions since the incorporation of the Village 95 years earlier of which no one is currently aware. The proposal was designed to address this issue prospectively since new policies would be codified and revisions and deletions would similarly be treated. The proposal was for the City Council to review the policies to determine if there were any that should be deleted. It was proposed that a Code be adopted so that a starting point would be established. Subsequently, the City Council could propose new policies and adequate time undertaken to discuss and review such proposals. The City Council was to provide proposed deletions to the City Manager before the March 13 meeting. The City Manager would collate all of the City Council suggestions and place them on the March 13 Work Session with a goal of identifying a proposed Code of City Council Policies for adoption at the March 27 meeting. 2/13/06 -1- COUNCIL MEMBER NIESEN: CABLE MESSAGE BOARD Councilmember Niesen stated the message board should display the purpose of the board and when it is going to be updated. Councilmember Carmody responded she has never heard a complaint regarding the message board. Mayor Kragness stated it is irritating when the events listed on the message board are outdated. Mr. McCauley explained that the technology is outdated and not easy to use. He explained that a computer based technology would be better manageable and would cost $6,000 to $7,000 to fix the problem. He stated money was not budgeted for these upgrades; however the City collects sufficient monies from cable franchise fees to cover this type of expenditure. Councilmember Niesen stated she would like to see the system upgraded. She requested that all money from cable go to communications purposes. It was the consensus of the City Council to go forward with replacing the cable message generator. COUNCIL MEMBER O'CONNOR: DISCUSSION OF LIST OF VENDORS OVER $10,000 Councilmember O'Connor stated the City spent $22,451,672.00 on vendors in 2005. She stated this does not include wages of $7,615,098. Councilmember O'Connor and Mr. McCauley discussed the amount spent on wages and benefits. MAYOR KRAGNESS: DISCUSSION OF CRITERIA FOR CITY BANKING SERVICES Mayor Kragness stated concern that local banks who contribute more to the community than others are not the ones getting the City's banking business. Mr. McCauley stated there are certain requirements of community reinvestments, however relates to loans and not social services. Mayor Kragness responded Bremer Bank is always providing funding for various community events and the other major bank holds the City's checking accounts. She explained that last year, the money promised by the major bank was not contributed. She stated if a bank contributes like some do, we should do business with them. Mr. McCauley stated it is not a criteria that the City can use. He explained that when the City requests banking services, it has to determine which banks is the best total cost for services. He stated the City can not give business to a bank in order to get contributions. Councilmember Carmody stated Kathy Ballet has won awards associated with Earle Brown Days and is associated with Wells Fargo. Councilmember Lasman stated if the services are comparable; the City should give the business to Bremer Bank because they contribute to the community. 2/13/06 -2- COUNCIL MEMBER CARMODY: CITY COUNCIL RETREAT Councilmember Carmody stated she is not interested in having a retreat. Mayor Kragness stated a retreat is not necessary this spring. She stated the previous retreats have not been beneficial to the City Council. Councilmember Lasman stated the retreats are valuable only if those attending want to be present. Councilmember O'Connor stated she does not mind if there is no retreat this spring. Councilmember Niesen stated she does not mind if there is no retreat, however believes that there are things that could be improved and the retreats are beneficial. COUNCIL MEMBER O'CONNOR: REVIEW OF 69 & BROOKLYN BLVD. LIQUOR STORE RESULTS Councilmember O'Connor stated she would like to review the total revenue from both liquor stores. She stated the full administrative service fee was not transferred. She suggested discussing this at the joint meeting with the Financial Commission in March. She stated it might be a good time to sell both liquor stores. Mayor Kragness asked Councilmember O'Connor where the profits gained from the liquor stores, totaling over $100,000 would come from. Councilmember O'Connor responded by selling the liquor stores, a reduction in staff could take place. Councilmember Niesen stated the matter could be discussed at the joint meeting with the Financial Commission in March. Councilmember Carmody stated concern with the present lease agreement for the facilities. Mr. McCauley responded if the municipal liquor was abolished, the lease at the Cub Foods site could be terminated. Mayor Kragness responded the citizens voted for municipal liquors and the City would lose money if they were to close. Councilmember O'Connor suggested that the matter be discussed at the March 6, 2006, Work Session. Councilmember Niesen agreed with Councilmember O'Connor. Mayor Kragness and Councilmembers Carmody, Lasman, and Niesen disagreed that the matter should be discussed at the March 6, 2006, Work Session 2/13/06 -3- COUNCIL MEMBER NIESEN: PROPOSED REVIEW /CHANGES TO CHAPTER 12 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY Councilmember Niesen stated she is presenting the following items: terms, mother -in -law apartments, penalties and remedies, and ordinance organization in regard to Chapter 12 of the City Code relating to Building Maintenance and Occupancy. She stated she would like the Housing Commission to review these and return with recommendations. The City Council discussed the difference between homesteaded and rental property. Mayor Kragness stated comments from the Housing Commission would be reasonable. Councilmember O'Connor agreed with Mayor Kragness. COUNCIL MEMBER NIESEN: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION EFFORTS WITH THE COMMUNITY Councilmember Niesen would like the City's Website designed so that people do not have to look so hard for the City Council agenda. It was the consensus of the City Council to postpone discussion on this item. CITY MANAGER EVALUATION WITH MR. LEFEVERE The Council discussed the City Manager evaluation form and arrived at the majority evaluation for each of the evaluation areas. Mr. LeFevere recorded the ratings and will prepare an evaluation form reflecting the City Council majority consensus. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Carmody seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 11:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. /W44__ City Clerk Mayor /Presi ent 2/13/06 4-