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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 11-15 CCM Special Work Session i i 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 NOVEMBER 15, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a special work session and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Dave Rosene, Barb Kalligher, and Kristen Mann. Councilmember Celia Scott was excused from tonight's meeting. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, Director of Community j Development Brad Hoffman, General Manager of the Earle Brown Heritage Center Judith Bergeland, representatives from Marquette Partners Steven Sherf and James Klas, and Council Secretary Kathy Stratton. Councilmember Mann requested clarification on the date for the Northeast Willow Lane neighborhood meeting which is tentatively scheduled for December 2nd, asked about the procedure for contacting students regarding their input for City activities, and requested at the end of the meeting to discuss the progress on the Humboldt Avenue proposed improvements. EARLE BROWN HERITAGE CENTER OPERATIONS AND MARKETING REVIEW STUDY The Director of Community Development introduced Steve Sherf and Jim Klas from Marquette Partners and explained they had conducted an operations and marketing review of the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Mr. Sherf gave a summary of the findings in the detailed report handed out to each Councilmember. He gave conclusions and recommendations regarding The Inn, The Convention Center, and the Office Space as listed in the report and then offered to answer any questions. He explained in light of the Council's goal to have the Earle Brown Heritage Center at least break even financially and hopefully become a money maker for the City, emphasis should be placed on building revenue rather than reducing expenses with some changes in the marketing of the facility. 11/15/93 - 1 - Because the facility is currently only 50% utilized, Councilmember Kalligher asked if corporate business is the number one area to target in marketing. Mr. Sherf said that is where the main focus should go with marketing funds diverted from The Inn to the Convention Center, using word -of -mouth as the most effective advertising, and using more of a direct sales approach as well as working on hosting several events that will bring in repeat business. He also commented a restaurant would be a good addition to bring in more people. In response to Councilmember Kalligher's question about the cost of changing the advertising focus, Mr. Sherf said a lot could be done for little cost, such as improving the signs about the Heritage Center on I -694. Mr. Sherf also commented since the catering and facility are operating as two separate entities, care should be taken to make it seem like one entity wherever possible. The City Manager agreed and explained that has been a problem that's already been noted and steps are being taken to correct it. Mayor Paulson asked the representatives from Marquette Partners if they had data on cost comparisons they made with other facilities. The reply from Mr. Sherf was they had called various facilities with the premise of holding a 75 person function and then compared prices, but they hadn't included that information in the report. Mr. Sherf said he would be happy to put such information together and provide it for the Councilmembers. There was discussion regarding the operation of the Center more on the basis of a business rather than a yearly budget item so that there could be a quicker time to review and make changes based on performance of the various parts of the operation of the Center. The Council agreed quarterly reports rather than yearly would be helpful. The City Manager explained at the current rate of growth in revenue, the Center is on schedule to be profitable in five years, which was the original goal of the Council. Councilmember Kalligher asked what could be done if in the near future the Center is not profitable and inquired if the Center could be sold by the City. The Finance Director explained because of the bond issue the Center could not be sold. Mr. Sherf commented convention centers take time to build up their clientele and encouraged the Council the Earle Brown Center is young and has got much room to grow. He also explained it is quite common for convention centers to need subsidizing. Councilmember Rosene commented he truly wants the Earle Brown Center to succeed, but if it does not the City cannot ask taxpayers to subsidize it and therefore changes must be made at that point. He also suggested the City could be charged when it uses the facility as another way to increase revenue. 11/15/93 -2- i Mayor Paulson explained there is no policy at this time on how City personnel and community members can use the Heritage Center, but there was a consensus that such a policy is needed. There was a recess called at 8:30 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 8:45 p.m. GENERAL DISCUSSION Even though this topic was not on the agenda, the City Manager asked Councilmembers their feelings on the snowplowing policy which has been amended but does not take affect until January. He said he would report to them whether there was a surplus in the fund by Monday. Councilmember Kalligher asked what time other Councilmembers had received their packets as hers had arrived very late. The City Manager said he would check into who is delivering them and see if there should be a change in the current procedure. EDA BUDGET The Director of Community Development gave a report on the Economic Development Authority Special Operating Fund 1994 Proposed Budget including explanation of increases and decreases from previous years. He explained his recommendation the $30,000 budgeted for the Rental -to -Owner plan be discontinued. He answered several questions from Councilmembers regarding what was referred to by certain budget items and why certain amounts were requested. In response to Councilmember Kalligher's comment that budget item 4413 on page b for dues and subscriptions seemed high, the City Manager said he would inform the Council exactly where those funds were going. Mayor Paulson asked what item 4411 was used and the Director of Community Development explained the NARO and EDAM conferences and a professional certification program through the National Development Council for both the Director of Community Development and the Community Development Specialist. Mayor Paulson suggested the $30,000 to be re- diverted from the Rental -to -Owner program be used for scattered site re- development. Councilmember Rosene suggested working with Habitat for Humanity on rehabilitation of properties. The City Manager explained current housing projects and the Director of Community Development said technical colleges and landscaping schools could be enlisted for help in rehabilitation. 11/15/93 -3- TRUTH IN TAXATION NOTICES The City Manager reviewed a memorandum from the City Assessor regarding Truth in Taxation Notices to be mailed in Hennepin County and explained the increases in rates as compared to increases in other cities. Mayor Paulson asked why Brooklyn Center's percent increase is so high, and learned it is due to the addition of two police officers and an added dispatcher. Councilmember Kalligher said she'd like to see both new officers start in January, and the City Manager said that was up to the Council. Mayor Paulson asked the City Manager if he could find a way to cut $200,000 out of the budget so there would be zero increase in the operating budget. The City Manager responded he would try to talk to all the department heads and provide possible suggestions for cuts, and Councilmember Kalligher asked if he could do so by November 29. He also explained December 20 is the last possible day on the schedule of meetings for finalizing the budget. The Finance Director commented it would be unlikely to find places to cut that much money without cutting jobs. Councilmember Mann expressed concern residents seem to think there has already been a recommendation made and proposed action taken regarding Humboldt Avenue. She asked for clarification on the progress of the issue. The City Manager explained the Building Block procedure is in process and nothing will be done about the problem until 1994. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Todd Paulson, Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Kathy Stratton Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 11/15/93 -4-