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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 04-07 CCM Work Session r MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 7, 2003 COUNCIL /COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in a work 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, Diane Niesen, and Bob Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. UPDATE OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS City Manager Michael McCauley informed the Council that two hotel proposals had been received for the land adjacent to the Earle Brown Heritage Center and suggested that Community Development Director Brad Hoffman outline the proposals. Mr. Hoffman discussed the first proposal would be a 143 -room hotel with some meeting space and a market value of approximately $8 or $9 Million. The second proposal would be for a full service 200 -room complex with a restaurant and a 28,000 square foot water park. The market value of this proposal would be approximately $20 Million. Councilmember Niesen questioned if this land was in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Mr. Hoffman responded that the land was in a TIF District; however, the developer would not receive any TIF. Mr. Hoffman informed that staff will continue to review the two proposals and that these proposals will come back to the Council in June, with construction anticipated for Spring 2004. Mr. Hoffman discussed that since the grant had been received for the Little Asia project, the feasibility study and site planning had been started. The rough draft of the market value will be finalized shortly and it has been indicated that there was a strong market for what is proposed. He informed that the dilemma now was that the site originally planned for this project may be too small. 04/07/03 4- I The options for the project would be to downsize or relocate the project. Mr. Hoffinan discussed that the relocation for the project being considered was in the Opportunity Site. He noted that there was a 70,000 square foot commercial building looking to relocate and that if the Little Asia project were to relocate this would be something to keep in mind. He expressed that this is all premature at this point in time. Mr. McCauley informed that the Council would need to look at many details before anything was finalized and that the options for both sites will be considered in the planning process. Council discussed the two locations being considered. Councilmember Carmody questioned if the Opportunity Site were chosen, would the Brooklyn Center School District be impacted. Mr. McCauley discussed the TIF and the impacts that would be created if this site were chosen. Mr. McCauley discussed the housing issue that had been dropped when this project was first presented will be considered again. Councilmember Niesen questioned if the City of Brooklyn Center had enough senior housing. Mr. Hoffman responded that there was not enough senior housing in Brooklyn Center and discussed the different types of senior housing. Councilmember Lasman questioned if staff was comfortable with consideration of the Opportunity Site and if this would be practical. Mr. Hoffman responded that with the point of market study looking positive, he would say he was comfortable with this consideration. Mr. McCauley discussed that if this project was considered it would not only clean up the area; it would create a regional draw to Brooklyn Center. All financial and management issues need to be considered for both sites and the City's Comprehensive Plan and criteria for housing needs to be reviewed. Councilmember Peppe expressed that this project needs to be considered in the Opportunity Site. If the developers are interested the City needs to examine this consideration and not wait for the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Carmody expressed that she would like to see a better future layout. Councilmember Lasman expressed that Brooklyn Center needs to provide more housing in Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Niesen asked if the property owners involved have been in any discussions regarding the taking of their property for the Opportunity Site. Mr. Hoffman informed that some of the property owners have been in some discussions regarding the Opportunity Site in the past. Mayor Kragness suggested that discussions continue with both sites. 04/07/03 -2- i TRANSIT HUB Mr. McCauley informed that he and Mayor Kragness attended the Legislative Hearings and that the Bills had passed out of their first committees to help Brooklyn Center with a transit hub. Metropolitan Transit is now focusing on the site of the Old Norwest Bank and JoAnn Fabrics buildings for a permanent transit hub. Mr. McCauley informed that this location would be the fastest approach to getting the buses to a permanent location and the least impact on development and redevelopment potential around Brookdale. Councilmember Lasman questioned if eminent domain would be used. Mr. McCauley discussed that there will be negotiating first and then at some point eminent domain may be needed. Councilmember Peppe questioned if the owners of Jerry's have been informed of this location and expressed if not, he would like to see what their comments are regarding this location. Mr. McCauley informed that he was not aware of Jerry's knowing about this proposed location. Council further discussed the location and costs associated with this location. Mr. McCauley suggested that staff come up with a proposal and present it to Representative Hilstrom and Senator Scheid. The Council took a recess at 7:37 p.m. and reconvened at 7:42 p.m. PROCESS TO BALANCE BUDGET Mr. McCauley distributed a sheet that outlined potential and implemented budget reductions and transfers and requested direction from the Council whether to proceed with these amounts to help balance the budget for 2003. He believes that having a plan in place and holding off on a franchise fee for 2003 would be beneficial until the final legislation has been adopted. Councilmember Niesen questioned the subject of franchise fees and asked why it had not come up before, or if it had. Mr. McCauley discussed that a franchise fee was a fee that is a percent of a bill or a per month connection fee paid by residents. Other cities have implemented a franchise fee and he would like to hold off on doing this until after the City Council and Financial Commission have met to discuss the issue and specific needs and uses for funds have been developed. Councilmember Niesen expressed that she believes it is premature to discuss franchise fees and suggested looking at where the City is spending money. Mr. McCauley asked the Council if it would be okay for him to outline some of the materials that Councilmember Niesen missed at the March 24, 2003, meeting, to get her up to speed on the impact the City is facing. It was the consensus of the Council for Mr. McCauley to outline some of the materials presented at the March 24, 2003, meeting. 04/07/03 -3- Councilmember Carmody questioned if this request would impact the current street improvement projects. Mr. McCauley responded that these numbers should not impact this year's street improvement projects but future ear's project funding is unknown. She expressed concern about p p J year's J g p cutting the parks too much and what it might do for the kids in Brooklyn Center. Mr. McCauley discussed that this plan is consistent with seeking the maximum flexibility. Councilmember Lasman questioned the net of ($157,327). Mr. McCauley discussed that there is more capital and that the Police and Fire will be making suggestions. Councilmember Niesen shared some comments regarding liquor operations in Brooklyn Center and that she was not in favor of early retirement incentives or Council meetings once a month. Councilmember Lasman questioned where the savings would come from with the four -day workweek. Mr. McCauley discussed that there would not only be savings on salaries, but the cost to operate City Hall and the Community Center one less day a week. He did not feel the decrease in service would be warranted by cost savings at this time. There was no action suggested on this item. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Niesen informed that she had some issues with Chapter 12 of the City's Ordinance and questioned how the Council would like her to address her issues. Councilmember Carmody responded that the City Council discussed Chapter 12 at the April 2, 2003, joint meeting with the Housing Commission. Councilmember Niesen was questioned why she did not attend the meeting. Councilmember Niesen informed that she had just gotten back from vacation and was not able to make the meeting. Mayor Kragness informed that she should have called her or the City Manager and that she will be marked unexcused; and suggested that she wait for the minutes and then discuss her issues with the City Manager. ADJOURNMENT A motion b Councilmember Lasman seconded b Councilmember Pe e to adjourn the work Y � Y pp J session at 8:56 p.m. im e_� City Clerk a Pro Tern 04/07/03 -4-