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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 10-10 CCM Work Session i 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 E I WORKS SESSION O OCTOBER 10 2005 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 8:13 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, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, and City Clerk Sharon Knutson. COUNCIL MEMBER CARMODY: DISCUSSION OF WATERSHED COMMISSION APPOINTMENT FOR JANUARY 2006 Councilmember Carmody said that since the watershed is considering ad valorem taxes across the Shingle Creek Watershed and perhaps, in the future, the West Mississippi Watershed, she would recommend a Council Member serve as the City representative on the watershed commissions rather than a resident. She stated that someone needs to be held accountable for such decisions, and she doesn't think it is fair to put the current commissioner, Grady Boeck, in that position. Councilmember Niesen said she is not in favor of having a Council Member be the representative for the watershed commissions. She stated the whole idea of the body is to do what's best for water quality issues. Grady Boeck, Brooklyn Center's Watershed Commission Representative, addressed the Council and said the watershed commission cannot levy a tax, only request the money. He further stated Hennepin County or the City would have to authorize the tax. He indicated he would not have a problem not serving as the representative. Councilmember Niesen discussed Mr. Boeck's engineering background and said she believes that is an important qualification for serving on the commission. Mr. Boeck stated that other communities have the City Engineer attend alongside the representative for advisement, and the City Engineer is usually a member of the watershed Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). 10 /10/05 -1- Councilmember Carmody said she disagreed with the representative needing a technical background, and that is the basis for the TAC. She said there are issues discussed by the watershed, and they are not taking into consideration the City's position, or the City's position is not being communicated to the watershed commissions. Councilmember Niesen said she had talked with someone in Minneapolis regarding its watershed district and reviewed some of the ideas associated with that type of structure. Councilmember Carmody stated that Brooklyn Center is mostly developed, so there are fewer watershed issues than other growing communities. She raised the issue of whether the City would save money by paying $1,000 for permit review rather than sharing in the total cost overall. Mr. McCauley responded that if the City were to capture the same amount of money, it could pay more using the formula. There was discussion regarding the watershed management organizations, including the structure, dues and fees, meeting expenses, and meeting times. Councilmember Niesen explained some of the differences with a watershed district structure, most notably that it is led by an independent staff person rather than an attorney or engineering firm. She suggested drafting a letter to the watershed commissions with a list of suggestions or ideas to effect a change to lower costs overall and presenting copies at a watershed meeting. Councilmember Niesen raised the issue of how the area for a watershed district is drawn. Mr. McCauley responded it is determined by hydrology, the natural flow of the watershed. Councilmember Lasman asked if, rather than rehabilitate or change the organization, Councilmember Carmody would be willing to get the watershed agenda and discuss it with the Council and then communicate the voting consensus of the Council to the City's watershed representative. She said that trying to change the organization is a pretty large task. Councilmember Carmody stated that the watershed meeting packets are not available until the Friday prior to the meeting. She said this left her with only three days to read it and the Council meeting packet and provide input. She did not feel she could always accomplish that prior to the meeting. Mr. McCauley said there were two situations, the first was the City representative on the commission, and the second was the structural organization of the watershed. He reviewed the current model for City representation on the watershed commission, which was a citizen representative nominated by the Mayor. He said changing the structure of the watershed could be very political. Councilmember Niesen offered to put together some information for the Council to review regarding watershed districts. 10/10/05 -2- COUNCIL MEMBER O'CONNOR: HOUSING COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PARKING AND DRIVEWAYS This item was discussed at the Study Session. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Niesen inquired if anyone from the Housing Commission had contacted the City Manager to discuss the direction of the Commission. Mr. McCauley responded that a meeting was scheduled with the Assistant City Manager, Mayor, and Housing Commission Chair on Wednesday, October 12. Councilmember O'Connor asked if there would be a rescheduled budget Work Session to review the enterprise funds. Mr. McCauley responded it would be combined with the budget Work Session scheduled for November 21. Councilmember O'Connor raised the issue of why smoke detectors for single family rental dwellings were required to be hard wired, but not for each unit of a multi - family rental dwelling. She believes it is wrong to have two different standards. Councilmember Carmody said the reason that smoke detectors need to be hard wired is that the tenants remove the batteries. She requested information on why the ordinance is written that way. Mr. McCauley said he would report back to the Council. Councilmember O'Connor inquired if there was a response to a letter received by Carolynne Darling in which she expressed appreciation for the work of the City crews in the storm clean-up. Mr. McCauley responded affirmatively. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/ Commissioner Carmody adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor /Pre ident 10110105 -3-