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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 04-02 CCM Work 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 GENERAL WORK SESSION APRIL 2, 2001 CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a general work session at Brooklyn Center City Hall in Conference Room B and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 6:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Ed Nelson, and Bob Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Assistant City Manager Jane Chambers, Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. Others present were Housing Commission Chair Ernie Erickson. HOUSING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (COUNCILMEMBER NELSON) City Manager Michael McCauley discussed that the Housing Commission had been studying certain ordinance revisions and that the Housing Commission Chair Ernie Erickson was present to discuss and answer any questions before developing a formal recommendation to the City Council. Chair Erickson reported that the Housing Commission has been working on changes to improve surfaces on driveways, fence construction and maintenance, and limiting the number of collector cars. The Housing Commission is recommending the following at this time to determine if the City Council wishes to further pursue all or any of the Housing Commission's recommendations: Requiring Improved Surfaces on Driveways (one and two family residences): • Require that driveways on one and two family residential lots be paved. The ordinance should specify the driveway should be a solid surface with materials used either, asphalt, concrete, or brick. • The existing policy of paving no more than 50 percent of the front yard should still be the maximum paved area. 04/02/01 -1- I • Households should not be required to pave parking areas on the side lot areas next to the house or garage or backyard areas but if these areas of the yard are paved, the paving should be limited to an amount to be determined by the City's Engineering Department, taking into account water runoff issues etc. • Curb cuts should be limited to two per residential property and the second curb cut should be limited to 12 feet in width. • Financial incentives should not be implemented to assist property owners with paving driveways. • Building permits for installation of driveways should not be required. • The time line for requiring paved driveways should be three years for paving driveways, excluding the boulevard/apron areas which would be addressed by a future street improvement project. Limit on Number of Collector Cars: • Recommends no more than five collector cars to be allowed on any residential lot. Fence Construction and Maintenance: • Recommends that fences be constructed of materials designed or reasonably suited to the purpose for which the fence is proposed to be used, no previously used materials could be used for fence construction and the finished side of the fence should face the abutting property. The Commission noted that it would be helpful to have the fence requirements contained in the various City ordinances, such as height permitted, etc. to be included in one area of the ordinance for convenience. Mr. McCauley questioned if the Housing Commission had discussed parking of recreational vehicles. Chair Erickson informed the Council that the Housing Commission has in the past discussed the ordinance regarding parking of recreational vehicles but at this time is not considering making any recommendations for City Council consideration. Councilmember Peppe raised the question of having a survey submitted in the next City newsletter to hear input from the residents of Brooklyn Center regarding their thoughts on requiring hard surfaced driveways. Mr. McCauley suggested that the Housing Commission provide more specifics on the ordinance changes and then present them to the Planning Commission before submitting to the City newsletter. Chair Erickson stated that the Housing Commission could study the parking of recreational vehicles and submit that also to the Planning Commission during this process. 04/02/01 -2- It was the consensus of the Council to have the Housing Commission prepare materials regarding the revisions suggested in more detail for the Planning Commission to review, including the parking of recreational vehicles. MASSAGE ORDINANCE Dennis Opitz, 710 M h Avenue North, addressed the Council to request changes to the City's current massage ordinance, submitted materials to the Council regarding massage, and discussed that he would like the opportunity to provide massage to Brooklyn Center residents. He had started massage as a hobby and continued to pursue massage by helping his wife, who was present and spoke to the Council on how much he helped her condition due to a car accident. Mr. Optiz informed the Council that he would like to provide massage in a tanning salon and out of his home. At the present time he is providing massage at a Chiropractic office in Brooklyn Park and deals with providing relief to the muscles. He is certified through insurance or accreditation and has 500 plus hours of schooling. Mr. McCauley discussed that the City Attorney, Chief of Police, and Community Development Director provided materials regarding the request of Mr. Opitz. Staff is comfortable with having the City Attorney draft a revision amending the ordinance to expand the locations for massage. The staff had concerns about expanding home occupations. Any ordinance change should contain requirements for a minimum of 500 hours of training through a nationally accredited institution. The Council consensus was to proceed with development of an ordinance to allow therapeutic massage in commercial areas upon proof of accredited training. REGIONAL AMENITIES: STADIUMS (COUNCILMEMBER PEPPE) Council moved ahead to discuss the Historical Society books before discussion on this issue. HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOOKS Council discussed the contribution made to the Historical Society to assist in the Brooklyn Historical Society in publishing its book and whether or not staff should purchase more than the three copies ordered. Councilmember Lasman suggested that the City should have more than the three copies for departmental use within the City and on hand for sale if any person wanted to purchase a book. She believes the book is a valuable resource. It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to purchase 12 more copies of the book. 04/02/01 -3- REGIONAL AMENITIES: STADIUMS (COUNCILMEMBER PEPPE) Councilmember Peppe requested that the Council consider pursuing regional amenities such as stadiums or other regional amenities to help address the tax burdens in Brooklyn Center. Council discussed the request and the upcoming focus group meetings with Calthorp that will take place in June 2001 and help for the future planning of regional amenities. ANIMAL ORDINANCE CHANGES Mr. McCauley discussed that the Council had previously discussed the changes drafted to the animal ordinance at a City Council meeting and continued the discussion because of the absence of a Council Member. This item is on the agenda for Council discussion and direction to staff for formal consideration regarding the changes drafted for the animal ordinance. Council discussed the issue of limiting the number of animals and discontinuing the licensing of private kennel licenses. Mayor Kragness shared her concern about the tough decisions the Council is presented with on issues of approving or denying private kennel licenses. She believes that the City Council needs to make a decision on whether to limit the number of animals. Councilmembers Peppe and Lasman raised the question about the persons who presently have private kennel licenses and what will happen to those licenses. Mr. McCauley responded that the current private kennel license holders would be grandfathered into the ordinance and that the language in the ordinance would include the grandfathering of those licenses. Councilmember Nelson asked the Council if they would be comfortable with the limit of two cats and /or two dogs, a total of four animals. It was the consensus of the Council to have the ordinance changed to indicate no more than two cats and/or two dogs, a total of four animals. Mr. McCauley discussed that the second part of the animal ordinance changes was to better define the types of animals and requested direction from the Council on proposed changes. It was the consensus of the Council to have the ordinance amended to include the better definition of animal types. The third portion of the animal ordinance discussion is whether or not to continue licensing dogs in the City of Brooklyn Center. Police Chief Joel Downer suggest dealing away with the licensing of dogs and that the City just require rabies vaccinations. Councilmember Lasman discussed that the need for rabies vaccinations would need to be promoted and suggested that the City may want to sponsor low -cost clinics to help market this issue. 04/02/01 -4- Lynn Amacher -Malm, 5420 Fremont Avenue North, addressed the Council to discuss the issue of private kennel licenses and to share information about rabies vaccinations and other shots that are required when having a dog licensed. Ms. Amacher -Maim informed the Council that she believes she is a responsible pet owner and will be sad if the City Council considers approving the change to limiting the number of animals. She requested that the City Council think about the limiting of animals before making their final decision. Denise Mueller, 1601 70' Avenue North, addressed the Council to discuss her feelings about the proposed change to limiting the number of animals and that she did not understand the reason behind the three -year process of licensing. Mr. McCauley discussed the three -year process was a timeframe given to persons to come in compliance with the ordinance of having no more than two dogs or three cats. A private kennel license would allow the person having more than two dogs or three cats to be able to keep the animal until a location was found for the animal. Council further discussed the issue and the option of keeping private kennel licenses with strict restrictions and/or the possibility of grandfathering in the current private kennel licenses and allowing them to keep their animals until a home is found or they have died, provided that no complaints are received. Mr. McCauley suggested that the Council direct staff to have the City Attorney prepare language changes in the ordinance to indicate that the current private kennel license holders are grand fathered in the ordinance and that they may keep the current animals they have, with no additions, provided that no complaints are received. It was the consensus of the Council to have the City Attorney draft language to incorporate the limit of keeping animals to two cats and/or two dogs, a total of four animals, and to have the current private kennel license holders grandfathered in and to allow them to keep their current animals, with no additions, and provided that no complaints are received upon payment of an annual fee and proof of rabies vaccination. Ms. Mueller wanted it noted that this solves her problem but feels badly about the other persons in the City of Brooklyn Center. REPORT ON CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES Mr. McCauley discussed that the Council requested having the civil legal services reviewed after one year of service from reappointment last year. Provided in the materials were the survey results from department heads regarding Kennedy and Graven. 04/02/01 -5- Council discussed the results of the survey and whether or not a Request for Proposals should be considered. Mr. McCauley suggested that the Council consider having the survey done again more towards the end of the year and that the Council revisit the issue again in six months. The Council indicated that plan was satisfactory. APARTMENT SEWER BILLING Mr. McCauley discussed that the billing for several years for sewer charges at the Earle Brown Apartments is being reviewed by the City Attorney's office. Assistant City Manager Jane Chambers informed the Council that this issue was brought to the attention by a staff member in the Finance Department and that when the property was purchased it was not added in the computer once the property was purchased. INN ON THE FARM Council discussed the possibility of having the Inn on the Farm rented only as a facility use and not renting to individual use and was comfortable with proceeding in that manner. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. McCauley discussed that the Civic Center improvement planning continues and that cost estimates are the issue at this time. Council discussed the planning proposed and the options that the City would have to help funding for the Civic Center improvements. Councilmember Nelson asked when the Centerbrook Pond Dedication would be held. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that the dedication will be on April 20, 2001, and that City Clerk Sharon Knutson will be sending out information on this event. Councilmember Lasman asked the City Manager if the Manager of St. Al's had contacted him regarding senior housing. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that at this time he had no contacts regarding senior housing from St. Al's. Councilmember Lasman requested to have the transportation that is provided from Five Cities Senior Transportation for the Game Day and Leisure Time events researched to see what type of events these seniors are being transported. Mr. McCauley will check into this issue. Councilmember Nelson raised the issue of the City Limit signage in the area of 7240 Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that Brooklyn Boulevard is a County Road and that the County may have rules regarding the signage. He will check into this and report back to the Council. 04/02/01 -6- Mayor Kra ness reported population that the new ulation si n at Count Road 10 is incorrect. g p pP g Y I Councilmember Nelson asked if any new information was available regarding the American Legion Post 630. Mr. McCauley reported that a report would be provided at a later date. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Lasman, seconded by Councilmember Peppe to adjourn the work session at 9:04 p.m. City Clerk Mayor 04/02/01 -7-