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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 07-01 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 JULY 1, 1996 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special work session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, Kristen Mann, and Charles F. Nichols, Sr. Also present were City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Human Rights and Resources Commission Members Char Nesseth and Nancy Doucette, and Council Secretary Lori Ende. JOINT SESSION WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESOURCES COMMISSION The City Council met in joint session with the Human Rights and Resources Commission to discuss the Bias/Hate Crime Response Plan. Char Nesseth, Human Rights and Resources Commission Vice Chair, gave an overview of the various drafts the Commission has written in regard to the bias/hate crime response plan and asked for recommendation for what the Commission now believes is a viable plan for approval by the Council. The Council expressed concern regarding language in the final draft of the plan and suggested the need to rework a few sections. The City Attorney recommended the word "liaison" used in the contract under the first heading, first paragraph of the plan, be changed to read as follows: "Provide initial and ongoing referrals to create linkages between victims and network partners." The City Attorney also suggested the Commission add to Page 2 under the heading "Review Response", point 4 to read as follows: The City Manager shall inform the Council as to the outcome." The City Manager noted concern about this plan. There should be coordination between the Commission, the network partners, staff, Council, and community groups. School districts may want to be involved in both response and education when dealing with bias response. A bias response plan should be a community plan where the City is involved as needed for its services. 07/01 /96 _ 1 _ Councilmember Hilstrom raised the issue of how the response plan would incorporate the existing programs and services provided through the Police Department and First Call for Help and other agencies. Commission Member Doucette stated the Commission received copies of several other city's bias/hate crime plans, and the Commission followed those examples as a guideline in creating this plan for the City of Brooklyn Center. The committee members serving this Commission will be group - trained in how to respond. She made it clear the Commission will not be holding press conferences or giving legal advice, but instead be providing human support. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned if new volunteers or Commission members who were not involved in creating the plan could respond by following this plan. The City Manager stated the need for the Commission to develop suggested thoughts or approaches on how the City should respond on a community -wide basis. The City Attorney suggested creating a clear model which identifies what each individual does, should an incident occur, who the contacts are, and what resources are available for the victim. Councilmember Hilstrom asked for a legal opinion from our City Attorney regarding writing letters to the editor on issues involving opposition of hate/bias crimes. The City Attorney stated he would not advise any group to speak on behalf of the City. The City Attorney suggested the Commission work with the' City staff and other community resources to develop suggested approaches in dealing as a community with bias/hate crimes by reviewing situations involving other cities and what those cities did to prevent future recurrences, as well as what responses worked and what did not. The City Manager suggested that once the plan is approved the Commission work with staff to develop the community -wide response system so the whole community is leveraged. RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION Mayor Kragness called the regular City Council work session to order at 8:36 p.m. DISCUSSION OF STREET LAYOUT AROUND BROOKDALE Councilmember Nichols discussed ideas regarding a new street development plan which would increase business at Brookdale Center. He mentioned the proposed mall in Maple Grove and questioned how it would affect Brookdale Center. Councilmember Nichols pointed out the reasons why the other malls, Southdale, Rosedale, Ridgedale, etc. are doing so well is because of the businesses surrounding the mall. He suggested' plans to bring new businesses into and around the mall area. 07/01/96 -2- Councilmember Nichols proposed the Council provide the initiative to move ahead with redevelopment of Brookdale Center, and described the possibility of plan using diagrams and aerial photos of the current mall. Discussion continued regarding the roads surrounding Brookdale Center. The City Manager explained staff has looked into a similar concept, but more reactive than proactive, in that they have relied on a redevelopment of Brookdale Center. He described various conceptualized ideas and noted the need to have a developer at hand to work with trying to assemble the property in order to afford a project such as this. It was important to convey flexibility in responding to development proposals. Councilmember Nichols inquired as to the Council's role in moving this plan forward. The City Manager suggested a design person articulate what may or may not be possible. He noted that the plan will have to be set aside until a developer comes in with a redevelopment plan before the City will look at this issue closer. HISTORICAL SOCIETY REQUEST FOR USE OF WELL HOUSE The City Manager used a diagram to show the water tower, where the well house is located, and explained the Historical Society's request to move its storage into that well house. The Council discussed the possibility of the Historical Society looking at donation funding to purchase facilities or donated facility to-use for storage so they are no longer be dependant on using City facilities. Council consensus was reached that they all look at requested site before making any recommendations regarding this issue. CITY COUNCIL SALARY RECOMMENDATION FROM FINANCIAL COMMISSION The City Manager discussed compensation recommendations for Mayor and Councilmembers and noted the Financial Commission's recommendation to the Council. Councilmember Nichols noted he will support the ordinance because if the Council doesn't increase it now, it will get to where they eventually have to and the increase would be astronomical. Council consensus was reached to request staff to prepare an ordinance to increase salaries by three hundred dollars for 1997 and 2.75% for 1998. GRANTS IN GENERAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS The City Manager explained the need for many grants to be brought before Council before they are approved and explained, in general, how the grant system works. 1 Discussion followed regarding federal program grants. 07/01/96 _ ; _ The City Manager noted staff is not planning to apply for any federal grants and have not applied for grants for police officers, except for overtime police personnel doing warrants or special projects. The City Manager warned the Council of potential political pressure regarding the need for more police in Brooklyn Center based on grant funds. POLICY ON EMPLOYEES SERVING IN CITY COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMISSIONS The City Manager explained the current policy relating to employees serving on commissions. The Council agreed that no City employee should be allowed to apply or be elected to serve on a commission. PARK COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON RE- NAMING TWIN BEACH PARK The City Manager referred the Council to the recommendations from the Park and Recreation Commission that the name "Twin Beach Park" infers that there is a beach facility available to the public. He explained at one time this was a City- operated beach, however, at present it is not. Discussion continued regarding the beach front area and whether it was developable. The City Manager requested they assess the possibility of development further. Council consensus was reached to recommend renaming Twin Beach Park to Twin Lake Park. REVIEW OF 53RD STREET POTENTIAL PROJECT The City Manager distributed a map of the proposed 53rd Street Project and described the proposed development of that project. Discussion followed regarding park access issues in the 53rd Street neighborhood and park and housing design. The City Manager explained the finances and timeliness involved in moving ahead with the project. The Council concurred this project is reasonable and they look forward to the completion of the project as it stands. The Council indicated a desire to have a sidewalk or path linkage from 53rd to Bellvue Park. BUDGET - REQUESTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS The City Manager asked for Council direction as to who should review the requests for contributions for funding. In the past, the Human Rights and Resources Commission reviewed these requests. It was Council consensus that the Council will review the requests for funding. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Mann and seconded by Councilmember Hilstrom to adjourn the meeting at 11 p.m. passed unanimously. City Clerk Mai r 07/01/96 -4-