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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 03-21 CCM Special Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENkPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL WORK SESSION MARCH 21, 1996 CONFERENCE ROOM B 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 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Counelmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, and Kristen Mann. Also present were City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman, Charter Commission Chairperson Tim Willson, and Charter Commission Members Sy Knapp, Eileen Oslund, Rod Snyder, Carl Wolter, and Tony Kuefler. CHARTER COMMISSION PRESENTATION Charter Commission Chair Tim Willson addressed the Council expressing the commission's desire for the Council to address the working relationship between the City Council and the City Manager. The Charter Commission presented its recommendations for Council consideration. There was a general discussion of those present regarding establishing community goals and having an annual performance evaluation of the City Manager by the Council. The Council took the matter under advisement and will consider the issues at its April 27, 1996, workshop. Following the workshop, the Council will report the conclusion. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS The City Manager introduced the next topic by updating the Council on a number of development projects that would be before the Council on Monday, March 25, 1996, for approval. He noted there were a number of items on Monday's agenda that were interrelated. The City Manager reviewed the Carlson Development, the sale of the Holiday Inn, and an office warehouse development adjacent to the Holiday Inn. The Community Development Director reviewed the development agreement with Sunlite Properties for the office warehouse. A brief discussion followed. COUNCIL POLICY ON OPEN FORUM Mayor Kragness led a discussion about open forum at City Council meetings and her concern about its potential abuse. A discussion followed about limiting an individual's time to speak to the Council. The Council will consider a policy if a problem should become routine. 03/21/96 _1_ INVOCATION PROTOCOL Councilmember Hilstrom introduced a discussion on the invocation at City Council meetings and her desire to preserve the moment for its intent. Following a brief discussion, the City Manager indicated he would send a letter to the Brooklyn Center Prayer Breakfast Committee to better coordinate with them. SEWER ASSESSMENT OPTIONS The City Manager discussed several sewer assessment options with the Council. Following a Council discussion, the City Manager agreed to bring an assessment plan back to the Council in the $625 to $750 range. NEXT WORK SESSION The City Manager inquired of the Council about possible dates for the next work session. The topic will include T.I.F. and CDBG funds. It was agreed the meeting would be held April 29. COUNCIL TRAINING BUDGET The Council discussed its training budget and agreed that each member would have $600 to use for the remainder of this year. A more formal policy will be developed out of the 1997 budget process. CRYSTAL AIRPORT SAFETY COMMITTEE The City Manager led a brief discussion about appointing someone to the Crystal Airport Safety Committee. It was agreed the matter would be tabled until after the special election. GENERAL DISCUSSION The City Manager briefly reviewed a number of development activities and expressed a need to put off the redevelopment of 69th Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard until 1998. He reviewed current assets against the potential fiscal demands of all of the projects. The Council concurred with putting off Brooklyn Boulevard until 1998. The City Manager opened a discussion on bid specifications. He recommended eliminating City Council approval of specifications. Following a discussion by the Council, it was agreed the Council did not need to approve bid specifications unless required by law. The City Manager noted the Council would be asked to extend the moratorium on adult book stores at its Monday, March 25, 1996, meeting. The City Manager reviewed his budget priorities for cutting should the State place a freeze on municipalities. The last place he wants to cut will be full -time employees. His proposal will look first at postponing projects and funding others such as the North Metro Mayors Association. Councilmember Mann expressed some concerns about commissions taking on the Council authority. A general discussion followed with Councilmembers indicating they were not receiving minutes from the commissions. Commission activities were also discussed relative to the fund raising 03/21/96 -2- efforts. The City Manager will see that the Council receives the Commission minutes and bring a draft policy for Council consideration relative to Commission limits on fund raising and employee membership on Commissions. Councilmember Mann introduced a discussion about the Crime Prevention Program's desire for a town meeting to discuss crime issues. It was agreed that it would be better handled at a neighborhood level. The City Manager will discuss the matter with Police Chief Kline. The City Manager briefly reviewed staff s plans for code enforcement this spring. The City Council wants staff to develop a list of the ten most common violations. The Council discussed how the City would inform the public about the program. The City Manager informed the Council he would be going to Boston in April, at Hennepin County's expense, to meet with the Hennepin Community Works Program planners. He intends to encourage them to provide us with ideas that would be affordable to the City. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:22 p.m. City Clerk ayor 03/21/96 -3-