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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 03-08 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 8, 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 9:27 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Excused Absence: Councilmember /Commissioner Kay Lasman. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. UTILITY CONSERVATION RATE — IRRIGATION SYSTEMS City Manager Curt Boganey introduced the item. Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet reviewed the background and presented staff s recommended water rates for high water consumption and irrigation meters under the current water conservation rate. It was noted that based on these rates, the Water Fund base revenues would increase less than $5,000. Mr. Boganey explained staff is looking for consistency so all are treated in a similar fashion. He noted that Option 1 is intended to discourage irrigation because it makes the argument of trying to conserve water. Option 2 does not treat irrigation unfavorably or better than water being used for other purposes. Mayor Willson noted the City requires irrigation for new building sites so that needs to be taken into consideration. He indicated support for Option 2. Councilmember Ryan concurred and stated that Option 2 is consistent with policy. He noted the City cannot have prohibitive irrigation water rates since it has required, through the Planning Commission, that landscaping be irrigated. 03/08/10 -1- Councilmember Yelich stated he did not know that an irrigation meter was an option. Mr. Jordet stated irrigation meters are usually used on commercial properties so while they are charged for irrigation water, that water consumption is not included in the sewer fee. Council discussion ensued regarding types of irrigation systems that provide more efficient water delivery to landscaping. Councilmember Yelich supported encouraging conservation practices and the conservation rate would be an incentive to discourage wasteful water use. He noted that if the property is of a large size, even if using all the best practices, they would still pay the highest rate. Mr. Jordet stated that is correct and once the consumption is known after several months, staff can look at that data and make a recommendation whether to base sewer charges on water consumption. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to place this item on the next Council agenda. TIF DISTRICT NO.2 — USE OF TAX INCREMENT Mr. Boganey introduced the item and stated staff would like feedback and direction from Council on the possible use of Tax Increment District 2 funds and necessary budget amendment. He said staff does not have a specific recommendation in how to use the current $1.9 million and $1.7 million that will become available over the next two years. It was noted the project decertifies on December 31, 2011, and funds have to be expended before that date. Mr. Boganey listed several projects that could be financed through these funds. Councilmember Yelich stated his preference to approach redevelopment by putting these funds into public infrastructure to increase attractiveness of commercial corridors as opposed to acquiring more property that may or may not get redeveloped. He noted the City has more control over public infrastructure; it is very visible evidence and a symbol to the public that the Council cares about its City and wants it attractive for commercial investment. Mr. Boganey advised that public infrastructure would be an eligible use and noted that Brooklyn Boulevard, a gateway into the City, could be considered for such improvements. He noted that in six months, staff will have a good idea what will happen with Brookdale Center and the Opportunity Site. Mayor Willson felt it would be beneficial to use these dollars to increase the local economy to bring in jobs and increase the City's tax base. He stated the Council has about one year to make this decision and can lobby hard for contingency funds focused towards redevelopment, bringing in jobs, and raising the tax base. Mayor Willson stated he does not support beautification projects unless there are no other redevelopment projects available. Councilmember Ryan indicated he would not be opposed to public infrastructure improvements. He noted the City did the Bass Lake Road project because additional funding was available so the City could leverage its funds to gain additional funds. He stated he would favor delaying a decision until staff identifies key opportunities. Councilmember Ryan stated he wants to have an 03/08/10 -2- open mind about what will give the City the most leverage with its limited dollars, especially considering the ' g e State s budget shortfalls. Councilmember Roche stated the last thing the City would do is to give the money back, so that is not an option. Also, the money cannot be put into the General Fund. He asked whether these funds can be leveraged to extend the Bass Lake Road project over Highway 100 and up to Logan Avenue. Mr. Boganey explained staff is analyzing whether the City has funds available for that project extension. Councilmember Roche asked how the City prepares to roll out the infrastructure for the FBI site, noting the prep work needs to be completed to enhance that area including Humboldt Avenue. He stated his support to make something happen sooner rather than later. Mr. Boganey stated if Bass Lake Road is to be extended, it would be the most cost effective to do it this year as part of the current project. He noted the FBI project won't be completed until December of 2011 so any Humboldt Avenue improvements could follow that project. He noted this may be the last large pool of money the City will have in a long time to make an impact on development. Councilmember Roche stated support to use the funding for infrastructure or as a catalyst for development. Councilmember Yelich noted the Council will be meetin g legislators islators and can ask whether g there is an opportunity for matching or multiple funding streams for a Humboldt Avenue or Brooklyn Boulevard project. Councilmember Ryan concurred with the need to keep as many options open as possible. Councilmember Yelich felt it was clear that City improvement projects create a psychological impetus for property owners to make improvements, which generate jobs and promotes interest in the community. Councilmember Roche suggested the Council revisit this issue after the meeting with State legislators. The Council discussed the available funds in each of the TIF Districts and Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel provided an update on TIF fund balances. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Mr. Boganey presented a draft agenda for the March 22, 2010, meeting with legislators and requested the Council's input. Councilmember Ryan commented on the importance of citizens being informed about what happened with Brookdale Center that caused it to fail. 03/08/10 -3- Councilmember Roche stated the City does not have proper representation in the Hennepin County Library System. He noted that rules for appointment require geographical appointments and suggested this be added to the topic list. Mr. Boganey suggested that each Councilmember be allowed to raise their specific comment or speak to their issue of concern during the meeting. Councilmember Yelich stated he spoke with County Commissioner Mike Opat, who indicated an interest in learning of the Council's priorities. Councilmember Ryan stated his support for having members make individual comment. He stated an important issue to him is not cutting back on key essential services and to ask legislators whether the City will get back to some reasonable level of support. Councilmember Ryan stated Brooklyn Center has a lot of homeowners at the lower level of income so he would like to hold the line on property taxes. He asked staff to include that item in the topic list. Mr. Boganey stated he will update the memorandum and provide it to staff prior to sending it to the legislators. Councilmember Yelich stated he will not be available to attend meetings from March 22 -April 12, 2010, so he will respond to the Legislator's meeting in writing. The majority consensus of the City Council was that Mayor Willson will conduct introductions and opening remarks, each Council Member will then have the opportunity to speak to one or two concerns, legislators can address individual concerns or more global issues. Consensus was also reached that the list of issues contained in staffs memorandum will be provided to the legislators prior to the meeting date. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Roche seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 03/08/10 -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 March 8, 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 March 22, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 03/08/10 -5-