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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 04-03 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 3, 2000 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a general work session at Brooklyn Center City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 6:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Debra Hilstrom, Kay Lasman, and Robert Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, MIS /Technology Coordinator Patty Hartwig, and Recording Secretary Maria Rosenbaum. Councilmember Ed Nelson arrived at 6:23 p.m. DISCUSSION OF JOINT MEETING WITH CHARTER COMMISSION: JUNE 28, 2000, AS POSSIBLE DATE City Manager Michael McCauley asked if June 28, 2000, would be a feasible date for a joint meeting with the Charter Commission. Council discussed and it was the consensus of the Council for Mr. McCauley to explore another date. Mr. McCauley will explore another date and get back to the Council. DISCUSSION OF CIVIC CENTER BUILDING OPTIONS Mr. McCauley discussed the process staff had been using for continued efforts to study civic center building options and that cost estimates prepared by a person in the development field and a different architect have indicated much higher costs for the concept that was selected for further study. The costs studied exceed available resources and present a wide a gap between remodeling and a new building. It is anticipated that the new building concept will be abandoned and the concept of exploring remodeling will be the recommendation to the Council. 04/03/00 -1- Councilmember Nelson is now present. Councilmember Hilstrom requested that the highest priorities be discussed if the concept of remodeling would be the direction for the study of civic center building options. Mr. McCauley indicated that the accessability, south Community Center wall repair, wading pool, and HVAC system would be the highest priority items to be dealt with first. Remodeling the Community Center to make it more functional and attractive would be the next priority and remodeling the first floor of City Hall would be the next . riorit P Y Mr. McCauley requested direction from the Council on how to proceed in presenting the results of the studies that had been undertaken. It was the consensus of the Council to have staff go forward with seeking a new architect to explore the remodeling concept and that information be provided to the Park and Recreation and Financial Commissions. TRAINING ON E -MAIL AND VOICE MAIL SYSTEMS MIS /Technology Coordinator Patty Hartwig informed the Council that their e -mail will be active on Monday, April 10, 2000, before training the Council on how to use and access the e -mail system. Ms. Hartwig proceeded to train the Council on the process and prompts to be used with the e -mail system. Mayor Kragness requested to have a card prepared for each Council Member on use of the e -mail system. Ms. Hartwig will provide to the Council a card by Monday, April 10, 2000, Mayor Kragness asked when the Council's numbers would be publicized. Mr. McCauley responded that the numbers will be published in the City Watch that will be delivered next week. The Council proceeded to the Council Chambers for training on e -mail where Ms. Hartwig explained the process to be used. FINALIZE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOCK CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH BROOKLYN CENTER SCHOOLS Council discussed the arrangements for the mock City Council meetings which will be held at City Hall and if Councilmember Nelson would be interested in participating on April 18, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. Councilmember Nelson indicated that he would be interested in participating on April 18, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. 04/03/00 -2- Councilmember Lasman asked if any news stations had been contacted on this type of event. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that he was not aware of any contacts. COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON: PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION ITEMS Mr. McCauley informed the Council that this item was on the agenda for the Council to discuss the items that Councilmember Nelson submitted to the Park and Recreation Commission. Mayor Kragness expressed concern about Councilmember Nelson submitting information to the Park and Recreation Commission before discussing items with the Council. Councilmember Nelson informed the Council that he had not submitted requests to the Park and Recreation Commission and that there must have been a misunderstanding. REIMBURSEMENT FOR MATERIALS: COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON Mr. McCauley discussed that Councilmember Nelson purchased $120 worth of session tapes while at the National League of Cities Conference and that he would like to have direction from the Council as to what should be reimbursed for conference materials. In the past the Council had purchased items, but generally items purchased were $50 or less. Council discussed and it was the consensus of the Council to set a policy that would indicate a $50 limit for purchasing materials at conferences would be reimbursed and that anything over $50 would need to be paid out of pocket. REPORT ON MEETING WITH SHARING AND CARING HANDS Mayor Kragness reported that she and Mr. McCauley had met with Mary Jo and Dick Copeland to discuss the Copeland's proposal for an orphanage in the City of Brooklyn Center. At the meeting a facility on Earle Brown Drive behind the Earle Brown Heritage Center was discussed by the Copelands. Mayor Kragness and Mr. McCauley attempted to explore the suitability of other sites such as the vacant land adjacent to St. Alphonsus since the property the Copelands are interested in is zoned C1 -A and would not be allowed unless there were a change in zoning or some other zoning mechanism was approved. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that the Copelands were invited to attend the meeting tonight to discuss their concepts and planning; however, they canceled because they had been advised not to meet with the City Council prior to submitting a formal application. 04/03/00 -3- The Copelands were also invited to attend the Planning Commission meeting on April 17, 2000, and will not be attending due to the advice provided that they should not attend either meeting before submitting a formal application. Council discussed the issue of having an orphanage in the location requested by the Copelands and the other possible sites that the City is willing to explore. After the discussion it was the consensus of the Council to have Mr. McCauley draft a letter on behalf of the Mayor to indicate the City's willingness to work with the Copelands. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Peppe. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor 04/03/00 -4-