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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 11-22 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 NOVEMBER 22, 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 and unexcused. Also present were City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. Councilmember Diane Niesen arrived at 6:10 p.m. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS City Manager Michael McCauley informed that the City Council Agenda had been revised to add Council Consideration Item 9f, Resolution Appointing Hearing Examiner. This item was being added due to a time issue to conduct a hearing before Deputy Chief Goodman would be on a medical leave. This item authorizes and directs the City Manager to retain the services of Karen Marty as hearing officer to conduct a hearing on the liquor violation of Value Foods. Mayor Kragness questioned who Karen Marty was. Mr. McCauley responded that Karen Marty is an attorney who conducts these types of hearings and was recommended by the City Attorney. Councilmember Carmody questioned if the costs had been spoken of before the project started with regards to Consent Item 7d, Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to Cooperative Construction Agreement No. 83298 with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation for Improvement Project No. 2002 -04, France Avenue Reconstruction. Mr. McCauley discussed that the project is consistent with the State Contract. Councilmember Carmody inquired about the streetlights as part of the project. Director of Public Works /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom discussed that the streetlights are leased by Xcel and the costs associated with the project are for installation purposes only. Councilmember Carmody questioned if the ten properties where outside faucets were not available or not connected to the City's water distribution system would be assessed with regards to Consent Item 7e, Resolution Approving Change Order No. 2, Improvement Project Nos. 2004 -01, 02, 03, and 04, Contract 2004 -A, Northport Area Neighborhood Street and Utility Improvements. 11/22/04 -1- Mr. McCauley discussed that would be a different issue and that the use of wells for these ten properties was to water outside lawns. The ten properties are connected to City sewer and water and are regular water customers of the City. Councilmember Lasman inquired if the group day care facility with regards to Planning Commission Item 8a, Planning Commission Application No. 2004 -013 Submitted by Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP), is a two or three story building. It was written as two story and three story in the materials and she would like to know for clarification. Mr. McCauley informed that the facility would be a three story building. Councilmember Diane Niesen arrived at 6:10 p.m. Councilmember Peppe questioned what the City would be accomplishing with regards to Council Consideration Item 9e, Resolution Adopting the Vantagecare Retirement Health Saving (RHS) Program. Mr. McCauley discussed that the resolution would result in the elimination of a post retirement health care premium benefit for persons hired after January 1, 1992. This would limit the City's exposure to a potentially unaffordable post retirement benefit. The resolution would create a replacement vehicle to allow employees to save money tax -free for post employment health costs. The City will have to bargain with employee groups regarding the exact means of funding in the retirement health care savings account. With the elimination of the post retirement insurance premium benefit for most employees, the City may be in a position to use some of those savings to put toward retiring employees' health savings account. Councilmember Peppe asked if this would be fitting into the existing budget. Mr. McCauley responded that this would fit in the existing budget. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Kragness introduced those who were visiting from the City of Paynesville as part of the Walk A Mile Event: Jeff Thompson, Mayor; Steve Helget, City Administrator; Jean Soine, Councilmember; Ron Mergen, Public Works Director; and Kent Kortlever, Police Chief. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS No time permitted for Work Session agenda items. MISCELLANEOUS Council discussed the letter that had been received with regards to the recent approval of the acquisition of the Hmong Shopping Center. Councilmember Niesen asked if there was a threshold amount of tax - exempt property that would be too much. Mr. McCauley replied that the City cannot directly limit tax- exempt uses. For example, land zoned for office use can be used by a non - profit office operation. Councilmember Niesen informed that she would like to have an item placed on a Work Session agenda regarding Tax Increment Financing (TIF) alternatives and community loans; and indicated that she would look for the article regarding community loans in the Star and Tribune. 11/22/04 -2- Councilmember Niesen expressed that she would like feedback from citizens regarding the scrolling mechanism and to discuss having other city council meetings broadcast on the City's cable access channel. Mayor Kragness reminded that the Council had previously discussed this matter and was in consensus to leave the channel as it was. Councilmember Carmody discussed that she believes enough time was spent on this issue previously; however, she would be interested in finding out how often the scrolling language is reviewed and the level of difficulty for this process. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Lasman, seconded by Councilmember Carmody to adj ourn the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor 11/22/04 -3-