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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 06-15 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 WORK SESSION JUNE 15, 1998 CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in a special work session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, Kay Lasman, and Robert Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Assistant City Manager Jane Chambers, and Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan. Councilmember Carmody raised a question regarding a recent Planning Commission meeting regarding the 53rd Avenue Project that Councilmember Hilstrom attended. Councilmember Carmody expressed her opinions regarding the validity of surveys conducted in the Riverwood neighborhood regarding a senior housing proposal. PRESENTATION OF SURVEY RESUI T.5, FROM SURVEY CONDUCTED BY RIVERWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Tom Kouri, Jerry Blamey and Rod Snyder representing the Riverwood Neighborhood Association were present to review the outcome of the survey. Mr. Kouri presented a detailed history of the area and challenges that the City faces with development of the area. At the conclusion of this presentation, another member of the Riverwood Neighborhood Association presented survey results. 195 surveys were sent to residents and 64 responses to the survey from 33 different households were received. Mr. Kouri and Mr. Snyder reviewed the survey results with the Council and suggested a brainstorming session to look at the pros and cons of the Stinski Proposal. A brainstorming session was conducted to list the pros and cons of the development. The pros of the development appeared to be a senior housing goal accomplished, increased tax rolls for the area, and a completion of a senior high rise facility. The cons appear to be that the proposal was a denser development only developing one half of the site, and there were concerns about the purchase agreements that would be necessary to purchase units in the property proposed. There was a general discussion amongst the Council and the residents about the various pros and cons of the proposal. At approximately 8:10 p.m., the Council thanked the representatives for their presentation. 06/15/98 -1- TIME LINE FOR COUNCIL REVIEW OF SOCIAL SERVICE REOUESTS A question was raised whether or not the Heritage Festival had received an application for the 1999 Social Services Funding. Mr. McCauley indicated that a review will be made of the matter and an application sent to the Heritage Festival, if one had not already been sent. It was agreed after discussion that the Council will consider all social service requests at a regular Work Session. There will be no interviews of individual agencies making requests. EARLE BROWN HERITAGE CENTER Mr. McCauley reviewed various materials distributed to the Council regarding the Earle Brown Heritage Center and the Marquette Study. He stated that most of the recommendations had been implemented, except the change of the name of the center recommended by the Marquette study. Mr. McCauley indicated that there had been a clarification in the center's stationery and other materials which adds "Conference and Events Center ". This change has been made in materials without the necessity for changing the name of the center. Mr. McCauley then reviewed the current financial status of the center. He indicated that the center is behind where staff had wanted it to be at this point in the year due to some extraordinary cost and delays in projected revenues from a new facility. The center is close to meeting its operating expenses, but will not be able to meet expected capital improvement expenses. A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has been developed by staff for the center that addresses costs, but not revenues yet. Mr. McCauley indicated that the Council needs to discuss capital expenditures for the center, especially with the change in TIF revenues as a result of the changing class rates for taxation. Mr. McCauley indicated that Judith Bergeland proposed closing of Earle's Restaurant when it shuts down for the summer. He explained that the core business and mission of the center is in producing events rather than operating a restaurant. The concept of the restaurant had been added on to the original concept of the convention/event center. Mr. McCauley stated that if Earle's was closed the staff at the center could concentrate on specific events and using Earle's for some of those events rather than an attempt to schedule for the restaurant. He stated that use of staff time and energy would be better in the promotion of events rather than attempting to keep the restaurant going. After discussion the Council's consensus was that Earle's should be closed permanently when it is closed for the summer. Councilmember Lasman stated that although she did not have an objection to closing of the restaurant, she will miss Earle's Restaurant and felt bad about it having to close. Mr. McCauley then reviewed with the Council the pending parking lot and meeting room improvements. He stated that City staff needed to focus on getting these improvements made. He then individually addressed specific recommendations in the Marquette Study. 06/15/98 -2- He also went through item number 8 which was to increase the accountability to meet budget goals and year to date budgeting, and number 9, which suggested a joint EDA/Management Workshop. Mr. McCauley noted that the Council had spent time on the center with Carl Neu during its annual retreat and had determined that the center was to cash flow operations, but could not generate sufficiant revenues for capital replacement. Councilmember Carmody noted that the time spent with Carl Neu had also discussed that the Council would put money into a capital plan. Mr. McCauley reviewed the CIP that had been developed. He stated that additional information needs to be gathered for the plan including identifying revenue sources from the general fund lodging tax and TIF. He stated that the CIP has a 20 year matrix and will need to add the life expectancy of the new buildings and parking lot to be constructed. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned if the City is obligated to repay to the State of Minnesota the $2.5 million grant that will be used for pavement of the parking lot and building of the new G Barn. Mr. McCauley responded that if the operations for which funding were received were used for a different purpose, the grant monies would need to be repaid to the State. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. McCauley informed the Council that Captain McComb had been slightly injured in an accident which had occurred June 15, 1998. Mr. McCauley informed the City Council that the final plat for the June/Indiana Project had been received by City staff. The Council also discussed the presentation of the plaque for Earle Brown Heritage Center which will be held on June 27, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. Councilmember Carmody requested that the Councilmembers begin to receive the Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. She made this request of Janis Blumental who was present at the meeting. Councilmember Lasman asked how the City Auction had gone and also requested to know when the Woodbine survey would be returned. Councilmember Carmody and Councilmember Lasman reported that they had gone to the recent meeting of the Historical Society. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that the previously scheduled meeting for June 29, 1998 with Jim Schlesinger had been canceled and is hoping to reschedule the meeting to July 6, 1998. Mr. McCauley informed the Council that at the meeting of June 22, 1998, it will receive information back regarding weed spraying on Middle Twin Lake. 06/15/98 -3- Mr. McCauley informed the Council that the Told Development may go in for planning review in July. Mr. McCauley discussed with the Council an update on the Brookdale Redevelopment. ADJOURNII= The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 1 " J AUAe City Clerk Vayor Dictated by Jane Chambers - Transcribed by Maria Carlson 06/15/98 -4-