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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 04-26 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL /ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION APRIL 26, 2010 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council /Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor /President Tim Willson at 9:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF THE NORTHBROOK APARTMENTS 6037 BROOKLYN BOULEVARD This item was addressed at the Study Session. UPDATE ON THE COMMUNITY GARDENING PROGRAM AND ESTABLISHING A GARDEN PLOT RENTAL FEE Mr. Eitel presented staff's recommendation that the Council consider establishing a Community Garden Program. He advised that it would cost about $8,000 to provide a metered irrigation system. Should that cost be amortized over three to five years, it would require no fewer than 100 rental plots at an annual rental rate of $50 each. Staff also considered the option of a 300 to 500 gallon water storage tank, estimated at $450 to $650 depending on the size. It is felt that a fee of $25 per year would cover the City's out -of- pocket costs. The water storage tank would be portable and can be reused in the event the gardening program is not continued. Mr. Eitel requested City Council input on the following policy issues: 1. Option of providing a community garden program with a temporary water source and without a City water source; 2. Establishing a garden plot rental fee of $25 for the 2010 program; and 3. Direction on pursuing options and potential investments that would enable expansion of the community garden program at this location. The Council discussed whether the City should initiate a garden plot program to determine the level of participation. It was noted this program would meet the Council's goal to engage 04/26/10 -1- residents that are not normally engaged. Mr. Eitel advised that if initiated with a portable water tank, the City may receive additional requests. Mayor Willson noted that the Council originally thought a civic group would be involved with the garden plot program. He expressed concern with how this program would be administered, the aesthetics of a portable water tank, and lack of input from citizens within the community. Mr. Eitel stated if so directed by the Council, staff will accept plot applications, measure out garden plots, and coordinate with the Public Works Department to provide water. Councilmember Roche expressed his strong support for the garden plot program and suggested it would be an economic development ingredient for the 57th and Logan Avenues areas, the most distressed area of the community. He suggested, for the record, that staff research the option of shared services with Brooklyn Park. Councilmember Ryan noted a number of residents are very interested in community gardens and indicated he would support moving forward with a minimum commitment and a plot fee of $25. He suggested that the number of applications received will determine the size of the portable water tank. Councilmember Lasman noted that a fee of $25 per plot for 40 plots would cover the cost for the water tank. She felt people were becoming more interested in gardening and that the costs involved did not present a big risk. She stated the City needs to advertise that it is looking for someone to eventually adopt the program. The Council discussed the operation at the southwest corner of Brooklyn Boulevard and Bass Lake Road that received a grant and expanding its operation. It was noted that Mr. Fern's property was not zoned commercial because it does not have access, and Mr. Fern is aware of that situation. Mr. Eitel advised that the Planning Commission will be discussing administrative use permits and 2010 open market activities. He explained there is a potential for two farmers markets. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to move forward with a garden plot program with a $25 annual fee, use of a portable water tank sized based on participation, and to include a noise prohibition in the contract. Staff will assess its success at the end of the season. 2010 BUDGET AMENDMENT City Manager Curt Boganey advised of staff efforts to formulate a budget response based on the State's budget and indication that $1,069,310 of LGA was unalloted, leaving $411,554. He explained that if no action is taken, the 2010 adopted budget will have a $411,554 gap. Each department was asked to identify 6% of reductions, consider the implications of potential cuts, and minimize the impact on strategic goals of the Council as much as possible. Mr. Boganey explained the net result of those discussions is over $300,000 of budget adjustments of which $162,000 involve funding shifts that can be justified. The remaining $150,000 would be budget 04/26/10 -2- reductions. He stated this level should be sustainable in the 2011 budget but cautioned that cutting more than this amount would directly impact services or needed staffing position. Mr. Boganey presented the recommended 2010 budget amendments: $325,000 in expenditure /revenue changes; $100,000 in vacant personnel savings; and, $100,000 in use of contingency for a total of $525,000. Mr. Boganey stated the audit will show the City ended last year with a "surplus" of over $700,000, which is significantly more than budgeted. Mr. Boganey advised that revenue surplus could be used to balance the 2010 budget, if need be. Mayor Willson noted the gardening plot program would use almost a full -time position and expressed concern that future State unallotments would result in the City having to cut programs and services and potential layoffs. Mr. Boganey advised the vacant staff positions cannot remain vacant for the remainder of the year without having an impact on the Council's goals. Councilmember Roche pointed out that shared services for the garden plot program will dissipate the concern of staff time and the City needs to be clear it is to be a volunteer effort or the program will not continue. He commended staff for identifying $325,000 in budget amendments and noted the City may shortly receive tax revenue from Brookdale. Mr. Boganey advised that budget adjustments can be made this year but if there are further LGA cuts in 2011, the Council will have to decide between more taxes or cuts in 2011. Councilmember Yelich challenged the assumption that it is a choice between raising taxes or cutting services. He suggested the Council look at how the City can do things differently to accomplish goals more cost effectively. He stated he will be pushing for creative solutions, noting there is an unending source of human creativity. Mr. Boganey stated he will attend a meeting in the next two weeks with ten other cities to discuss shared services. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to present a budget amendment for Council's consideration. JOINT COMMISSION MEETING FOLLOW UP Mr. Boganey stated at the April 6, 2010, joint meeting, some Commissions requested a response to their proposal or further direction. The Council discussed the activities of the Housing Commission, its desire to play a constructive role, and intention to solicit funds. The consensus of the City Council was that the Housing Commission should not solicit funds for the City. It was suggested the Housing Commission should address the issue of property maintenance and valuations. 04/26/10 -3- The Council then discussed the wide disparity within neighborhoods with regard to property maintenance and whether the City is doing all it can to assure its housing stock. Mr. Boganey explained that the City is limited in its authority so it can only enforce minimum standards. It was suggested the Housing Commission may be interested in organizing a City -wide volunteer effort to identify such areas of need. The Council agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Boganey that the Housing Commission be asked to promote efforts to maintain and improve neighborhoods, which would get to the next level beyond City enforcement and promote what citizens are willing to do on a private basis. It was Y Y p g p noted that senior housing is a long -term effort and not progressing at this point. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:52 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 04/26/10 -4- 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on April 26, 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 May 10, 2010, Regular Session. d City Clerk Mayor 04/26/10 -5-