HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 05-24 CCM Study 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
STUDY SESSION
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAY 24, 2004
CALL TO ORDER STUDY SESSION
The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna
Kragness at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, and Bob Peppe.
Councilmember Diane Niesen was absent. Also present were City Manager Michael McCauley,
Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer
Todd Blomstrom, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum.
Councilmember Diane Niesen arrived at 6:10 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS
Council discussed agenda items 9a, An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Storm Sewer Easement
Within Lot 20, Block 1, BOBENDRIERS 4 TH ADDITION, 7006 Halifax Avenue North; 10a,
Planning Commission Application No. 2004 -007 Submitted by Frauenshuh Companies Requesting
for a Planned Unit Development Amendment to Construct a 4,195 Square Foot Dairy Queen Grill
and Chill in the North Parking Lot of Brookdale Center; l If, An Ordinance Relating to the Licensing
of Taxicabs; Amending Brooklyn Center City Code Sections 23 -702, 23 -703, and 23 -704 and
Adding New Sections 23 -706, 23 -708, 23 -709, 23 -710, 23 -711 and 23 -712; 7d, Resolution
Approving Change Order No. 2, Improvement Project Nos. 2003 -01, 02, 03, and 04, Contract 2003 -
A, Happy Hollow Street and Utility Improvements; Ild, Resolution Accepting Proposal and
Awarding Contract, Improvement Project No. 2004 -12, Lift Station Nos. 5 and 6 Control Cabinet
Replacement; 11 e, Resolution Authorizing Aware of Contract, Brooklyn Center Improvement
Project No. 2004 -06, 73` Avenue North Street, Storm Drainage and Utility Improvements; and 7b,
Licenses.
Councilmember Carmody asked that the Study and Regular Session minutes from May 10, 2004, be
amended to read the following with regard to the Police Sergeants budget authorization for 2004:
• Study Session Minutes: Councilmember Peppe and Councilmember Carmody expressed that
they would like more information and time to discuss the matter of amending the 2004
budget authorization for Police Sergeants.
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• Regular Session Minutes: Council discussed the issue, the manageable risks involved, and
the suggested solution. Councilmember Carmody expressed that she had some reservations
regarding this matter. Councilmember Peppe expressed that he would like to have more
information on the position responsibilities and would like to look at the Police Department
as a whole. Councilmember Niesen suggested job descriptions be provided so that she can
understand the responsibilities.
Councilmember Lasman asked that the Work Session minutes from May 10, 2004, be amended to
read the following with regards to the rental housing matter:
• Councilmember Lasman expressed she believes with the trend of rental housing in the City
something needs to be done to maintain the quality of our housing and neighborhoods.
It was the consensus of the Council to approve the minutes as amended.
MISCELLANEOUS
There were no miscellaneous items discussed.
DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS
DISCUSSION OF WHO REVIEWS/RECOMMENDS COUNCIL SALARIES; WHO
REVIEWS/RECOMMENDS CITY MANAGER SALARY; AND THE SALARY
SETTING PROCESSES PAST AND FUTURE
Councilmember Niesen asked if these were the normal procedures used for setting Council salaries
and how the cities listed in the salary report are chosen to be comparable cities. Mayor Kragness
responded that this has been the procedure used for many years. City Manager Michael McCauley
discussed that the Financial Commission had selected the comparable cities for the salary report and
that the City Clerk completes the survey that he uses to develop a report for the Financial
Commission's review. Councilmember Carmody discussed that the comparable cities are those that
are populated within approximately 10,000 less or 10,000 more.
Councilmember Niesen informed that she would like to have more cities added to the list of
comparable cities for the salary report; and expressed her concern with the zero percent salary
increase for the Brooklyn Center City Council as felt it showed a vote of no confidence. She
believes that if the Council received a zero percent increase, then City staff should also not receive
an increase in 2005.
Mayor Kragness outlined the average /median ranges from the salary report and expressed that she
believes the Financial Commission is in order to keep the Council's salaries competitive.
Councilmember Carmody expressed that the need to be competitive with City staff salaries is
necessary in order to keep good staff.
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Mayor Kragness asked Councilmember Niesen what cities she would like added to the comparable
list for the salary report. Councilmember Niesen asked that Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights,
Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, and Maple Grove be considered.
Councilmember Carmody suggested that she discuss this matter with the Financial Commission and
inform them of the request for the additional cities for the salary report.
It was the consensus of the Council to have Councilmember Carmody discuss this matter with the
Financial Commission.
COUNCIL DIRECTION ON SALARY RECOMMENDATION FROM FINANCIAL
COMMISSION
Mr. McCauley requested direction from the Council on the recommendation for Council salaries.
Councilmember Carmody, Councilmember Lasman, and Mayor Kragness suggested moving forward
with the Financial Commissions recommendation.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion by Councilmember Carmody, seconded by Councilmember Lasman to adjourn the Study
Session at 6:45 p.m.
J"*h�kt j �
City Clerk Mayor
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