Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 03-17 CCM Work Session with Commission Chairs 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 WITH COMMISSION CHAIRS COUNCIL /COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM MARCH 17, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a work session with the Commission Chairs at City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Bob Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager/Director of Operations Curt Boganey, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. Commission Members present were Financial Commission Vice -Chair Jay Hruska, Park and Recreation Commission Chair Bud Sorenson, Housing Commission Chair Mark Yelich, Planning Commission Chair Tim Willson, and Charter Commission Chair Robert Cambanes. INTRODUCTIONS BY THE MAYOR Mayor Kragness asked that everyone introduce himself or herself. All Commissioners and Council Members, along with City staff introduced themselves. Mayor Kragness suggested that each Commission Member discuss what their commissions have been doing and what their plans are for 2003. GENERAL DISCUSSION Tim Willson, Planning Commission Chair, discussed that the Planning Commission has no special projects at this time. He informed that the planning application process is slowing down and that they will continue to review planning applications as needed. Bud Sorenson, Park and Recreation Commission Chair, informed that the Park and Recreation Commission have been looking at some of the City's ordinances. He believes there are some inconsistencies with the signage regarding the hours that parks are open. The City's ordinance says one thing and the actual signs in the parks indicate something different. 03/17/03 -1- I The Park and Recreation Commission has made some recommendations regarding an aggressive skate park and believe that Grandview Park will be a location for a future skate park. They will look at what can be considered out of the Capital Plan at their meeting on March 18, 2003. Mayor Kragness informed Mr. Sorenson that she would be attending the meeting on March 18, 2003, since Councilmember Niesen would not be able to attend the meeting; and indicated that she would like to discuss the signage for dogs in park areas. Jay Hruska, Financial Commission Vice - Chair, discussed that the Financial Commission will have a challenging year if the Governor's proposal is approved. They will continue to assist with the Request for Proposals (RFP) for banking services; and continue to review to comply with State Mandates. Mark Yelich, Housing Commission Chair, discussed that the Housing Commission has been working on a number of issues that include driveways, vehicle parking, senior housing needs, long -term planning, and continues to work with the rental property issues. He wished to compliment City Manager Michael McCauley for the suggestion to review the rental property ordinance since Section 12 -911 in Chapter 12 had been an issue for some time. They are working on an ordinance amendment and would like to have the language revised to hold the rental property owner responsible and indicate that City staff be required to regulate rental properties. In doing this the Housing Commission hopes that the number of police calls would decrease. Mr. Yelich discussed that Brooklyn Center has a high crime rate and that he hopes that City Council will help make this issue a priority. Mayor Kragness discussed that she had attended a recent Association for Rental Managers (ARM) Meeting and that at the meeting there was a discussion regarding a central information place for rental property owners. She informed some of the roofs at Summerchase are being replaced and that Summerchase Apartments is considering a new name of Center Point Apartments. Robert Cambanes, Charter Commission Chair, informed that Charter Commission Members Sylvester Knapp, Carl Wolter, and Todd Paulson will no longer be on the Commission. They continue to work on the City Charter ordinance amendment that had been previously discussed with the City Council. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Kragness questioned how Brooklyn Center could be higher in crime ratings than the City of Minneapolis and asked if the Council could get a copy of the Hennepin County Report distributed relating to crime ratings. Mr. McCauley informed that he had just received the report and needs to review the materials. He indicated that he would provide the Council with a copy of the materials that he received. 03/17/03 -2- Mayor Kragness suggested that Mr. McCauley discuss the proposed budget numbers. Mr. McCauley informed that the Governor's proposed budget would cut the City revenues $1.17 million in 2003 and $2.22 million in 2004. The proposal would preclude local taxation to replace the $2.22 million loss in 2004 without an election to authorize an additional levy and there would be no ability to replace any lost funds in 2003. If the $2.22 million in 2004 is lost, the City will not be able to accomplish balancing the budget without major effects or services provided. He informed that Department Heads have been looking at programs and services and that a framework will be created for the City Council to review. If the $2.22 million is cut for the year 2004, the City will need to discontinue some programs and services. The City Council will be meeting with the Financial Commission in May and at that time consider the options and directions possible. Council and Commission Chairs continued discussions regarding the budget impacts the City would be facing in 2003 and 2004. Mr. McCauley informed that the next City Watch would have an article discussing the impacts the City will be facing in 2003 and 2004. Councilmember Lasman informed that the Sun Post recently had a short survey and suggested that persons complete the survey and/or contact local Legislators. Councilmember Peppe informed that he believes that the services absolutely necessary to those who live in Brooklyn Center need to be considered when creating the framework. Councilmember Niesen questioned the purpose of this meeting and if the Commissions are discussing what types of cuts can be made with the impacts the City will be facing in 2003 and 2004. Mayor Kragness informed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss what the Commissions are working on for the current year and to provide direction if needed. The financial issues being discussed this evening are not usually a topic at this annual meeting. Councilmember Niesen questioned if the Park and Recreation Commission had considered where else money could be saved besides closing hockey rinks. Mr. Sorenson discussed that the Park and Recreation Commission had in the past discussed raising the price of the Community Center admission to non - residents of Brooklyn Center and informed that the Park and Recreation Commission advises the Council and does not make decisions. Mayor Kragness reminded the Commission Chairs that the Commission Recognition Event would be held on April 21, 2003, and asked that they encourage all Commission Members to attend. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Lasman, seconded by Councilmember Carmody to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayo 03/17/03 -3-