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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 03-22 CCM Study 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 STUDY SESSION MARCH 22, 2010 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:17 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim, Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Fire Chief Lee Gatlin, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Also present: Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat and State Representative Debra Hilstrom. WELCOME BY MAYOR WILLSON Mayor Willson welcomed Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat to the meeting. It was noted that Senator Scheid was unable to attend and Representative Hilstrom would arrive late as the Legislature was in session. GENERAL DISCUSSION Mayor Willson addressed the issue of funding shortfalls and funding available through the Recovery Act Bonds. He stated a developer is working on an FBI building so the City will lobby for that project. City Manager Curt Boganey explained the County's allocation is $40 million and the developer is lobbying for $25 million. Commissioner Opat explained they are still learning about the allocation and the County's role. Hennepin County is aware of this project but unclear whether bonds can be used when the federal government is a tenant. The Council discussed the history of the FBI building project and renegotiation due to difficulty in obtaining funding. Commissioner Opat stated he will advocate for FBI building project funding as much as he can and asked Mr. Boganey to forward project information to him. Commissioner Opat acknowledged the success of the Joint Community Police Partnership and that all sides are thrilled with the program. He stated funding is in place through this year and he 03/22/10 -1- will support it to continue; however, some of his colleagues consider it to be a municipal program. Commissioner Opat stated there is some roadside enhancement money for Bass Lake Road. Councilmember Roche stated his support for this project since it dovetails infrastructure and suggested it be extended beyond Highway 100 to Logan and 57 Avenue. He also felt enhancements were needed on Humboldt Avenue from 53` to 57 Avenues, and Brooklyn Boulevard from I -94 to Highway 100. Commissioner Opat indicated that extending Bass Lake Road to Logan is an interesting proposition. Mr. Boganey stated the City needs to identify funding for cost sharing and will then approach the County about this option. Commissioner Opat noted that Humboldt Avenue was an ambitious project, many meetings were held and it was clear that Brooklyn Center was not interested in participating. That decision had been made when "times were good" and he doubted the County would support a new project at this time. Commissioner Opat stated with Brooklyn Boulevard, roadside enhancements were completed in some areas through a partnership. He indicated there are not a lot of roadside enhancement funds available but this is what the inner ring needs so he may be able to make ground with that project. Councilmember Lasman stressed the importance of fixing the washboard section of Brooklyn Boulevard, which is an important corridor. She stated when she ran for office, people told her that they cannot afford to wait and while some progress has been made, she felt the County now needs to finish it. Commissioner Opat and the Council discussed the Brooklyn Boulevard area north of 69 Avenue. Mayor Willson stated the City has purchased homes in that corridor and the overlay has always identified the homes being removed and creating a business corridor instead of mixed Y g g residential/business as currently exists. Commissioner Opat stated the County can help with a roadside enhancement project and in the near future maybe such a project can be considered if the boundaries and matching funds can be identified. Councilmember Ryan stated that tonight the Council will consider adopting the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and those studies are mentioned in that Plan. He stated the Council will discuss with the City Manager that there may be some qualitative differences, businesses have closed, and will take those things into account when determining the overall objectives. Commission Opat stated he would welcome that discussion. Commissioner Opat provided an update on County's actions with the Shingle Creek Daylighting Study and Joint Creek Enhancement Study and questioned the status of Brookdale Center. Mr. Boganey agreed that what happens with Brookdale Center will significantly influence what happens with other properties. He stated the City will know more in the next 30 to 45 days. Councilmember Roche raised the issue of appointment to the Library Board and stated his support to appoint an advocate from Brooklyn Center to represent District 1. He stated Brooklyn Center has a regional library and he would support a local library at 69 and Zane Avenues. Commissioner Opat pointed out that not many places have a regional library but Brooklyn 03/22/10 -2- Center has one. He stated there may be a new library across the street from North Hennepin, a location in a walkable community and, hopefully, along an LRT line. He stated the County supports diverse representation and suggested the Council encourage its residents to make application for the Library Board, since not many apply from Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Opat and the Council discussed the need to form a network for group home operators to assure adequate maintenance of those properties. They also discussed how to prevent foreclosure of properties. Commissioner Opat commented on the need to support joint legislation to allow a small levy to establish a watershed district to undertake small capital projects to improve the water quality of Twin Lake and Crystal Lake. Commissioner Opat stated the second round of applications for Youth Sports Funds is due on March 29, 2010. The School District had made some requests; however, they did not fit the criteria. He encouraged the City to work with the School District to submit a grant to improve youth and amateur sports facilities. State Representative Debra Hilstrom apologized for her late arrival and provided an update on the Legislature's debate and actions to reduce the budget, attempt to hold education harmless, and shift unallotments. Mayor Willson and the Council thanked Commissioner Opat and Representative Hilstrom for their representation of Brooklyn Center and attending tonight's Study Session. Representative Hilstrom advised she is carrying a homeowner lender mediation bill that would require mediation prior to a property being foreclosed. Councilmember Ryan stated his thanks to Representative Hilstrom for addressing this issue, which has devastated areas of Brooklyn Center. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson closed the Study Session at 7:05 p.m. 03/22/10 -3- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on March 22, 2010. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its April 12, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 03/22/10 -4-