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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 02-28 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 28, 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 10:12 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 LASMAN: COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIPS, QUALIFICATION FOR FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIPS City Manager/Executive Director Michael McCauley said that Director of Community Activities, Recreation, and Services Jim Glasoe had provided him with some additional materials regarding types of memberships at other facilities. He stated that Mr. Glasoe had checked with Northwest Athletic Club, Life Time Fitness, along with the City of Shoreview regarding types of memberships. He said that Northwest Athletic Club offers a couple membership available to two adults who are married or both reside at the same address; and the City of Shoreview offers a dual membership. Councilmember Lasman said she requested this item for discussion as a follow up to the letter that was written last year regarding the definition of family memberships. She said she attended a town meeting hosted by Senator Scheid and Representatives Hilstrom and Nelson and was approached by a woman who discussed the types of memberships available at the Community Center. She said that working in a school there are many types of family units, and that the rules defining family may have been written when family was more narrowly defined. She raised the question whether the Council would want to reconsider household memberships at the Community Center. Councilmember Lasman stated that the City Ordinances defined the term family as including gratuitous guests in Section 12 -201 and includes temporary guests in Section 12 -803. She further explained that the Council may want to look at a definition for the family membership at the Community Center based on the same guidelines used in the Ordinance. She suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission may want to study this issue. 02/28/05 -1- There was discussion regarding whether to limit the number of persons per family/household membership as well as restructuring the membership fees at the Community Center. Council consensus was to refer this issue to the Park and Recreation Commission for its review. COUNCILMEMBER NIESEN: TRAIN BLOCKING CROSSING ON AZELIA Councilmember Niesen said she had commented on this issue in Council Reports at the City Council meeting and said that $300 could be collected each time a train is in violation by blocking the crossing. She stated that she talked with Laura Baenen with Canadian Pacific Rail and explained that it is unacceptable for trains to block the crossing. COUNCILMEMBER NIESEN: DISCUSSION OF TAX AND AID STATISTICS Councilmember Niesen discussed the statistics that Council Members received with regard to tax and aid. She noted that in a ten -year period from 1995 to 2005 the State aid had dropped from 36% to only 10% of the revenue. She further stated that Brooklyn Center taxpayers are paying 90 %. Mr. McCauley responded that the report only references two sources of revenue not the total revenue, however the ratio between the two sources is correct. He further stated that building permit fees, license fees, and recreation fees are not included in the revenues in this report. Councilmember Niesen said the State is not kicking in its portion and that is why Brooklyn Center taxpayers are suffering, as people are not able to afford their taxes. DATE OF FALL CITY COUNCIL RETREAT DISCUSSION There was discussion regarding the date for the Facilitated Council Retreat with Mr. Neu. Councilmember Carmody raised the question of whether to continue with Mr. Neu since he is from Colorado and the City pays to bring him here. Councilmember Niesen responded that she likes his leadership and would prefer not to switch. There was no further discussion regarding changing facilitators. Council reviewed the available dates provided by Mr. Neu, and it was Council consensus to schedule the Facilitated Council Retreat for Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. DISCUSSION OF PROSECUTION SERVICES SCHEDULE OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS Mr. McCauley said that prosecution services would be up for review for the period 2006 -2009. He further stated that the Council had determined not to seek requests for proposal for the period 2002 - 2005. He further stated that the matter is on the agenda for Council direction on whether the Council wishes to request proposals for prosecution services for the period 2006 -2009. The Council discussed its satisfaction with the prosecution services currently provided by Carson and Clelland, and it was Council consensus not to seek requests for proposals for prosecution services. 02/28/05 -2- REVIEW OF DRAFT CITY WATCH ARTICLE ON COUNCIL RETREAT Mr. McCauley said that he had drafted a City Watch article which would provide an overview of the City Council Retreat. He said after reviewing Mr. Neu's materials, he would suggest including mention of the Northbrook Shopping Center and Brookdale redevelopment. There was discussion regarding the Northbrook Shopping Center, and Councilmember Niesen inquired what the City will do when it acquires the property. Mr. McCauley responded that the buildings would be demolished, the dry cleaning solvents would be remediated and it would either be developed with the proposed plan or requests for proposals would be developed. Councilmember Lasman raised the question of the pending lawsuit with regard to eminent domain proceedings and if the City should lose in court. Mr. McCauley responded that the City would then not be able to acquire the property and code enforcement would need to issue compliance orders on the property that are being withheld based on the pending eminent domain action. Discussion ensued regarding TIF District #3 funding, and Mr. McCauley said that in TIF District #3 monies have been spent on soil corrections in two areas, the 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard area, and Storm Water Ponds at Centerbrook. Councilmember Niesen suggested closing TIF District #3 and opening a new TIF District. REVIEW OF CARL NEU'S DRAFT COUNCIL RETREAT REPORT It was Council consensus that Carl Neu's draft Council report was acceptable as drafted. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Carmody said she drafted a letter to the Watershed Commission requesting that the meetings be held at a different location as well as a different time so that lunch would not need to be included. Councilmember Niesen said this issue had previously been suggested to the Watershed Commission and that she had suggested that the meetings be held in the evening. It was Council consensus that Councilmember Carmody send the letter to the Watershed Commission with support of the City Council. Councilmember Lasman referred to the spring edition of City Watch and inquired about Elder Express Transportation and whether the City was double funding or if Elder Express was funding itself. Mr. McCauley responded that Elder Express is PRISM. Councilmember O'Connor said that she had received a phone call from a resident who mentioned there were not enough tread mills at the Community Center and there was also one that was broken. She stated the resident asked if the Community Center could purchase more tread mills or repair the broken one. Mr. McCauley said he would talk to Mr. Glasoe to fix the broken one. There was a motion by Councilmember Niesen, seconded by Councilmember O'Connor to extend the Work Session beyond 11:00 p.m. Voting in favor: Councilmember Niesen and Councilmember O'Connor. Voting against: Mayor Kragness, Councilmember Carmody, and Councilmember Lasman. Motion failed. 02/28/05 -3- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember /Commissioner Carmody, seconded by Councilmember/ Commissioner Lasman to adjourn the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 11:01 p.m. v Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor/ resigent 02/28/05 -4-