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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 10-19 CCM Special 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 SPECIAL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 19, 1998 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a Work Session at Brooklyn Center City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Kay Lasman at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman and Robert Peppe. Mayor Myrna Kragness arrived at 7:10 p.m., and Councilmember Debra Hilstrom arrived at 7:14 p.m. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, and Recording Secretary Maria Rosenbaum. City Manager Michael McCauley asked to start the Work Session with Item 5, Metro Transit Plans and Options, and then go back to Item 1, Liquor Budget. METRO TRANSIT PLANS AND OPTIONS Mr. Michael McCauley discussed that the Met Council is requesting a potential location for transit operations near Brookdale and that a meeting has been scheduled with the developer of the Cub site, Talisman, and City Staff to review options and concepts that would be more permanent and acceptable. The Council discussed options and impacts on Brooklyn Center of tax exempt facilities already in the City. LIQUOR BUDGET Mr. McCauley discussed this budget reflects a continuation of the present configuration that would meet the financial goals previously set by the Council, and that a five -year projection of capital needs is included with the agenda materials. The discussion this evening would be what direction, if any, the Council would like to take. Finance Director Charlie Hansen discussed that with removing the boulevard liquor store, some costs were capitalized and he recommends a benchmark for the Liquor Fund which is that cash, minus accounts payable, should be at least 50 percent of accumulated depreciation. 10/19/98 -1- Councilmember Hilstrom raised a question regarding the liquor store number 2 summary. She wanted to know if the summary included all the stores salaries. Mr. McCauley responded that all , liquor store employee salaries are accounted for in the Liquor Fund. A portion of Finance f department salaries are reimbursed through administrative fees paid by the Liquor Fund. The Council discussed the issue of the loss of the boulevard store building and land. The Council consensus was to defer any decisions on the future long term direction of the liquor stores until 1999, as previously agreed. Mayor Kragness reported that she had some calls regarding not being able to see the new liquor store entrance and asked if some new signing could be used. The Council suggested that a temporary sign permit be investigated. GOLF COURSE BUDGET Mr. McCauley discussed this budget reflects a continuation of present operations and projects an increased net revenue. The proposal for replacing lost storage /work space has been refined and the scope and cost reduced substantially. The budget proposal contains $8,000 to improve the garage to allow for some minor heated work. Major work will be moved to the garage after removal of the shelter building at Lion's Park. At this point the golf course projects a positive net cash flow. The golf course did have reduced revenues due to the storm water pond construction. Unless the final results for year end come in lower, staff was not requesting compensation to the fund for the lost revenue. EARLE BROWN HERITAGE CENTER BUDGET Mr. McCauley recommended to defer discussion of the Earle Brown Heritage Center Budget until the work session on November 16, 1998. Adjustments need to be made and more staff and department head time is needed for review. CO -OP NORTHWEST Mr. McCauley discussed that a separate Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) is being formed. The federal government has pressured to have the CHDO removed from CO -OP Northwest because it is too tied to governmental units in its board. CO -OP Northwest is re- evaluating its mission in light of the separation of the CHDO. The City has not used CHDO. CHDO works exclusively on low -and moderate - income projects. The City is addressing all income levels with the Housing Resources Center. Mr. McCauley indicated that staff was not inclined to recommend to the Council that the City participate in a fee standing CHDO and pay for such operations. It was the consensus of the Council not to participate. 10/19/98 -2- DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM I Mr. McCauley asked the Council for clarification on the direction of the deferred loan program. The Council adopted the budget, with the understanding that the budget could be modified at a later point. The Council also, by motion put a freeze on fiscal 1998 use of the deferred loan program. Councilmember Hilstrom asked if any money had been used. Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz discussed that technically no money has been used. The current status was that Hennepin County was in the process of finishing four grant applications. No new applications have been taken for some time since there is a long waiting list. There was additional discussion on how CDBG monies could be used and the various restrictions on it. Council and staff discussed those options, including using CDBG monies to fund eligible operating expenditures such as senior transportation or Northwest Hennepin Human Services. If CDBG funds were used for operating monies, this would be a change in previous Council policy. The Council policy has been to use CDBG monies for building projects only. The Council had specifically determined in the past not to use CDBG funds for operating expenditures. If the Council should change its policy and use CDBG funds for operating expenditures, the City could consider using current funds from the General Fund that were used for those operating expenses for unrestricted project monies in targeted areas. The Council discussed an interest in targeting neighborhoods in a rotating basis to encourage projects such as re- roofing. This approach would leverage the City's money by finding economies of scale for projects in neighborhoods that would be targeted. As a result of the discussion, staff will instruct Hennepin County to finish processing the four applications that are in progress, but to forego any new application processing from the waiting list. Staff will report back to the Council with options that may be available using CDBG funds for operating expenses to free up General Fund monies and whether there would be any CDBG eligible ways to approach targeted rehabilitation. CITY COUNCIL 1999 GOALS The 1999 goals were included in the agenda material for the Council to review. If there were no changes this goals would be considered at the October 26, 1998, City Council meeting. The Council had no changes from the materials. DISCUSSION OF SETTING NOVEMBER 30,1998, AS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Mr. McCauley requested Council consideration to set November 30, 1998, as a City Council Work Session to discuss the General Fund. It was the consensus of the Council to add to the next Regular Session Agenda to set November 30, 1998, as a Work Session. 10/19/98 -3- MISCELLANEOUS Senator Rod Grams or a representative from his office would like to present the City with an award for participation in National Night Out. Councilmember Hilstrom reported she received a call from a Brooklyn Center senior citizen regarding transportation from (Five Cities or PRISM). This transportation service was not able to provide her transportation to the requested location. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Carmody. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Mayor 10/19/98 -4-