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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 01-24 CCM Work 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 WORK SESSION JANUARY 24, 2005 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Work Session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 9:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness and Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present were Acting City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, and City Clerk Sharon Knutson. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER/DISCUSSION IMPAIRED WATERS POLICY Acting City Manager Curt Boganey explained that Councilmember Carmody had requested that the League of Minnesota Cities Policy SD -39 be placed on the City Council Work Session agenda to discuss its impact. Mr. Boganey explained that Councilmember Carmody's question was whether the policy would result in a fee on utilities that would be used to pay for other cities' improvements. Mr. Boganey explained that it is clear from the report that it would not result in any new fees for the City of Brooklyn Center, nor does it appear that fees would support other cities. Councilmember Carmody inquired about the cost of water quality testing and monitoring. Director of Public Works /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom responded that the State has a lot of testing requirements and annual monitoring for safe drinking water. There was discussion regarding whether the purpose of this policy was to get more money for the State for impaired waters, and Councilmember Carmody noted that she had read an article in a newspaper regarding a $30 per household per year charge and inquired if anyone had any information regarding that charge. No one was aware of the article. Mayor Kragness responded that she had talked with the City Manager, and this policy would not affect the City of Brooklyn Center. 01110105 -1- Mr. Boganey responded that the policy of the League is very broad and directed to the administration, the legislature, and other stakeholders and doesn't identify any specific source of funding. Mr. Blomstrom addressed the Council and informed that Brooklyn Center owns its own storm sewer system which is regulated under MPDES requirements. He stated that all small cities would also fall under the requirements of MPDES. He further explained that the State is in the development phase of identifying impaired waters. The City of Brooklyn Center has a Storm Water Management Plan to guide the City with addressing new development. SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATION TIF #3 Mr. Boganey reported that about a year ago the TIF District #3 Special Legislation had come before the Council to extend the period within which expenditures could be made by an additional three years. The legislation also addressed the 15% affordable housing requirement of TIF District #3 by allowing an expenditure towards the 15% requirement made within the "Opportunity Site" but outside of the boundaries of TIF District #3 would not be counted against the 25% expenditure limitation outside of the District as set forth in statute. He explained that although the bill successfully passed both the House and the Senate last year, it died because it never made it to the Governor for his signature. He informed the Council that this item is back for their review and direction on whether or not they would like to go ahead with requesting this special legislation again this year. There was discussion regarding whether there was time to get the bill in to the Legislature, in what bill it would be placed, and who would sponsor the bill. It was Council consensus to bring this item supporting the special legislation to the February 14, 2005, City Council meeting. COUNCIL MEMBER PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION CABLE TV Councilmember Niesen explained that she requested the broadcasting of other cities Council meetings and events to be played on the City's cable television channel to communicate with the residents of Brooklyn Center about other communities. She believes we may be underutilizing our resources and is unsure about the number of people who are watching the scrolling information. She also said that she would like to try something different since technology has changed since the City began using the message board. She further stated that if there were statistics that showed that people were watching the scrolling information, then she would be willing to continue its use. She suggested that this topic be placed on the Facilitated Council Retreat agenda with Carl Neu in February. 01/10/05 -2- Mayor Kragness responded she is open to discuss this issue. She indicated that she had spoken with the cable television representative who indicated that if you remove the scrolling, you will get all the other cities information on your Cable Channel 16. She agreed to this topic being placed on the Facilitated Council Retreat agenda with Mr. Neu. There was further discussion regarding the City message board on Cable Channel 16 and the pre- emption by the City, whether or not more information could be obtained from Northwest Community Television, what other cities do with their message board, and whether or not the City could do something innovative to communicate with its residents using Cable Channel 16. It was Council consensus to place this topic on the Facilitated Council Retreat agenda with Carl Neu in February. ADJOURNMENT The City Council Work Session adjourned at 10:35 p.m. City Clerk Mayor 01/10/05 -3-