Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 01-11 CCM Regular 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 REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 11, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in regular session and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:14 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Dave Rosene, Barb Kalligher, and Kristen Mann. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Council Secretary Nancy Berg. OPENING CEREMONIES Mayor Paulson explained the Council meeting was delayed due to a medical emergency. Mrs. Elaine Bernards offered the invocation. Dr. Velma Terrell, Vice Principal at Sandburg Middle School, sang the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic." EMPLOYEE SERVICE RECOGNITION PROGRAM The City Manager indicated this is the 14th annual presentation by the City Council of service awards to City employees to recognize years of service to the City. The City Manager introduced Erland Shelley, Brooklyn Center City employee with twenty- five years of service, and Mayor Paulson presented Mr. Shelley with a plaque honoring him for his service to the City of Brooklyn Center. The City Manager introduced M. Robert Holmes, an employee with twenty-five years of service; and Joel Downer and Stephen McComb, employees with twenty years of service; and explained these employees were unable to attend the Council meeting due to prior commitments. The City Manager thanked all four employees for their invaluable contributions to the City of Brooklyn Center. 1/11/93 - 1 - OPEN FORUM Mayor Paulson noted the Council had received no requests to use the open forum session this evening. He inquired if there was anyone present who wished to address the Council. There being none, he continued with the regular agenda items. SELECT PRESIDING OFFICERS - MAYOR PRO TEM Mayor Paulson explained Section 2.06 of the City Charter requires the Council-to choose from its members a president pro tem who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Council and shall serve as president in the Mayor's absence and as Mayor in case of the Mayor's disability or absence from the City. There was a motion by Councilmember Mann and seconded by Councilmember Scott to select Councilmember Rosene as the Mayor pro tem of the City Council. The motion passed unanimously. ACTING MAYOR PRO TEM Mayor Paulson further explained the Council passed Resolution No. 92 -262 Establishing and Designating an Acting President Pro Tem of the City Council. There was motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Mann to confirm o rm Coun it c member Scott as the actin resident pro tem of the City Council. g P P ty The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Paulson n n y o announced the $50 recycling cY g award winners for the month of November 1992: Frank Markowski, Douglas Darnell, Gilbert Schleisner, and Arnold Simon. He also announced the $50 recycling award winners for the month of December 1992: Clinton Larson, Jerome Gillespie, Chester Haley, Dan Boyd, and James Sehm. He thanked the winners for their recycling contribution to the City of Brooklyn Center. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Paulson inquired if any Councilmembers requested any items be removed from the consent agenda. None were made. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER _28, 1992 - REGULAR SESSION There was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to approve the minutes f o December er 28 1992 regular session as printed. The motion passed unanimously. 1/11/93 -2- f RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 93 -01 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING AND INSPECTION FEES The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Dave Rosene, and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 93 -02 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES OF CITY FUNDS The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Dave Rosene, and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 93 -03 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Dave Rosene, and the motion passed unanimously. DESIGNATE COUNCIL LIAISONS TO COMMISSIONS Mayor Paulson stated at the first meeting of the City Council each year, Council liaisons are designated to commissions. He recommended appointing Councilmember Kalligher to the Housing Commission. Councilmember Mann stated she would like to represent the Council on the Park and Recreation e earion Commission. Councilmember Scott asked to represent the Council on the Drug Awareness Commission, Crime Prevention Fund, League of Minnesota Cities, and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. Councilmember Rosene stated he would like to be appointed as an official liaison to the Financial Commission; and he further stated he would like to also attend as many meetings as possible with the Human Rights and Resources Commission as an unofficial liaison. 1/11/93 - 3 - Mayor Paulson nominated Councilmember Mann to the Park and Recreation Commission; Councilmember Scott to the Drug Awareness Commission, Crime Prevention Fund, League of Minnesota Cities, and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities; Councilmember Rosene to the Financial Commission and the Human Rights and Resources Commission; and Councilmember Kalligher to the Housing Commission. Councilmember Kalligher stated she would also like to attend the Earle Brown Advisory Council. Councilmember Rosene explained this would not be a conflict as the Earle Brown Advisory Council is a subcommittee of the Housing Commission. The City Council concurred in the nominations. PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Paulson presented a Proclamation Declaring January 24, 1993, as POW/MIA National Day of Prayer. Member Celia Scott introduced the following proclamation and moved its adoption: PROCLAMATION DECLARING JANUARY 24, 1993 AS POW/MIA NATIONAL DAY OFPRAYER The motion for the adoption of the foregoing proclamation was duly seconded by member Dave Rosene, and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Paulson presented a Proclamation Declaring January 18, 1993, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Member Dave Rosene introduced the following proclamation and moved its adoption: PROCLAMATION DECLARING JANUARY 18, 1993, AS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing proclamation was duly seconded by member Celia Scott, and the motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING The City Manager presented a Resolution Authorizing Issuance of a Currency Exchange License to Cash Etc. to Operate at 6818 Humboldt Avenue North, Brooklyn Center. He explained the Department of Commerce had received an application from Cash Etc. to operate a currency exchange at 6818 Humboldt Avenue North, Brooklyn Center, and had forwarded a copy of the complete application to the City of Brooklyn Center for its approval. He further explained this application was for the renewal of its license to operate January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1993. 1/11/93 -4- Mayor Paulson asked if this application should be tabled until the next meeting duo to the medical emergency of the applicant. The City Manager suggested the Council proceed without the applicant due to the time constraints. He reminded Council Cash Etc. had submitted the appropriate fee, current fee schedule used for cashing checks, surety bond in the amount of $10,000, and the background investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to the Department of Commerce. He also stated the Brooklyn Center Police Department had no problem with issuing this license. The City Attorney explained if Council did not act on this application within 60 days of receipt, it would be automatically approved. Mayor Paulson opened the meeting for the purpose of a public hearing to consider the application for a currency exchange license at 7:32 p.m. He inquired if there was anyone present who wished to address the Council, no one appeared to speak, and he entertained a motion to close the public hearing. There was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to close the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Rosene stated Cash Etc. had been given a clean bill of health by all three investigation units involved. Mayor Paulson asked if the currency exchange license must be approved every year. The City Attorney answered yes, due to a new State regulation. RESOLUTION NO. 93 -04 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A CURRENCY EXCHANGE LICENSE TO CASH ETC. TO OPERATE AT 6818 HUMBOLDT AVENUE NORTH, BROOKLYN CENTER The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Dave Rosene, and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND MEETING SCHEDULE The City Manager presented the City Council work session and meeting schedule for approval by the Council. He explained the Council had approved the January 11 and January 25, 1993, City Council meeting dates and chose to allow the new council to approve the rest of the dates at the January 11, 1993, City Council meeting. Councilmembers Mann and Kalligher stated they approved of the schedule. 1/11/93 -5 - I Councilmember Scott informed Council she would be unable to attend the February 8 and 16 meetings due to an upcoming surgery. Councilmember Rosene r esented a Resolution Establishing p Meetings of the Committee of the Whole Prior to City Council Meetings. He explained the purpose of the resolution was to have the City Council meet on the Thursday prior to the City Council meetings to gather information from staff. He stated the Thursday meetings would be open to the public, but would not be on cable television. He further explained the Thursday meetings would enable Council to better grasp the information on upcoming matters and would shorten the Council meetings. He stated it was his opinion the citizens are expecting the Council to be as informed as possible, and the Thursday night meetings would be a benefit to the Councilmembers as well as the City. Councilmember Scott asked if this meant the Council would be sitting down on Thursday to discuss the agenda for the following Monday without having a chance to review it prior to the meeting. Councilmember Rosene answered he envisioned a meeting similar to the one staff already holds to discuss the upcoming items on the agenda. He further stated this would be an opportunity for Council to meet with the department heads who had items on the agenda for Council discussion or approval. Councilmember Rosene continued to explain this would enable staff to answer questions or concerns the Councilmembers might have about a particular item_ before the Council meeting, thus eliminating holding items over to the next Council meeting and possibly enabling staff to include more items on the consent agenda. He was concerned the Council meetings had become too long for citizens to attend or to watch on cable television. Shortening the Council meetings would also allow Council to spend more time on the EDA agendas. Member Dave Rosene introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PRIOR TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Due to the lack of a second, the adoption of the foregoing resolution failed. Councilmember Mann stated she understood Councilmember Rosene's objective, and if these meetings would replace the work session, she would be willing to try for one year. Mayor Paulson agreed establishing meetings of the Committee of the Whole prior to City Council meetings would shorten the Council meetings and would be worth investigating. He asked staff to provide a rough schedule of proposed meetings for the Council's review. i Councilmember Scott asked if the meetings of the Committee of the Whole would have to be televised and if these meetings would conflict with any commission meetings. The City 1/11/93 - 6 - I Manager answered he did not believe the meetings would have to be televised, but would have to be open to the public. He stated the Planning Commission was scheduled to meet on Thursday nights prior to the Council meetings. Councilmember Rosene suggested the Planning Commission could change their schedule to the first and third Thursdays, or the meetings of the Committee of the Whole could be held in the late afternoon prior to the Planning Commission meetings. Mayor Paulson proposed that staff work with the Council to prepare a schedule and proposed topics for the Council's review at the next Council meeting. Councilmember Rosene confirmed the Committee of the Whole would not take official action as a City Council as this would not be a formal meeting of the Council. Councilmember Scott suggested the Council wait on this resolution until the next City Council meeting to review the schedule to be provided by staff. There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the 1993 City Council meeting schedule excluding the 1993 City Council work session schedule. The motion passed unanimously. COMMUNITY ETHICS BOARD The City Manager presented the community ethics board discussion as requested by Mayor Paulson to discuss the feasibility of creating a Brooklyn Center community ethics board. Councilmember Scott asked staff provide the new Councilmembers with a copy of Resolution No. 92 -149: RESOLUTION DECLARING COMMITMENT TO THE BROOKLYN CENTER CITY CHARTER, PLEDGING FAIR TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES, DECLARING AGAINST CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND MISUSE OF POSITION. Mayor Paulson reported for the record on a matter that was discussed in the paper and assured the citizens he had paid back all to the MTC. He suggested establishing a community ethics board as a vehicle to ensure that public policy is the motivation and mission of the Council. He stated the community ethics board should be a separate independent body including a member of the clergy and the City Attorney. Councilmember Rosene asked if such an ethics board would be available to review all Council actions. Mayor Paulson answered yes, as a way to determine if there was a conflict of interest. Councilmember Rosene asked Mayor Paulson if he envisioned the ethics board as having any powers other than to issue a decision. Mayor Paulson answered no, the Council would have that power. 1/11/93 -7- Councilmember Scott asked Mayor Paulson if he was talking about a board that would be established just to meet when a problem arises, or a board that would meet on a regular basis without anything in particular to discuss. Mayor Paulson suggested the board would meet initially to set up procedures and a meeting schedule. Councilmember Scott agreed with the concept but disagreed with creating a commission and asking people to meet when they have nothing to talk about. She suggested the ethics board be set up to meet only when the need arises. Mayor Paulson agreed once the board is established, it would meet only on an as- needed basis. Councilmember Mann stated she believes Resolution No. 92 -149 covered the ethics issue. She further stated the City has an ethics board called the voters. She opposed the establishment of an ethics board. Councilmember Rosene supported the concept of an ethics board explaining if he had violated ethics in anyway, he expected he would need to go before some sort of board and not wait until the next election. He explained he would want the matter resolved as soon as possible. He suggested if such an ethics board is established, it should be made up of impartial citizens who have no political affiliations. Mayor Paulson suggested a motion directing staff to work with the Council and the Mayor to put together suggestions for an ethics board. There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Kalligher to direct staff to work with the Council and the Mayor to put together suggestions for an ethics board. Councilmember Rosene expressed concern with Councilmember Mann's objection to the formation of an ethics board. He asked Councilmember Mann if there was some way to make her more comfortable with the idea. Councilmember Mann answered she had no problem with ethics. The motion passed unanimously. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEM The City Manager presented the performance appraisal system. He explained there exists an appraisal system for all employees with the exception of the city manager. Mayor Paulson stated he would like to develop a performance appraisal system for the City Manager as a way to increase communication between the Council and the City Manager and to heighten performance. Councilmember Scott offered to assist with the development of a performance appraisal system. 1/11/93 -8- Councilmember Rosene assured the City Manager the development of such an appraisal system does not in any way indicate his performance was unacceptable. He stated the City Manager e is doing on a good 'ob g g g job, it is important for each person to have his P s appraised. P P There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Mann to direct staff to work with Councilmember Scott and Mayor Paulson to create an appraisal system. The motion passed unanimously. CUSTOMER RESPONSE /COMPLAINT SYSTEM The City Manager presented the status of the customer response /complaint system currently used in Brooklyn Center. The City Manager asked the Council for direction on what type of information they would like to receive from such a system. Mayor Paulson stated he would like a tickler system to track if complaints have been handled and to remind staff what action needs to be taken. The City Manager explained right now the complaints come to many different departments, and the electronic system at the City right now does not reach all of these sources. He stated an electronic network must be available to all departments in order to implement such a tracking system. Councilmember Scott stated there are some systems available that red -flag a complaint until it is resolved. There was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to direct staff to work with the Council and the Mayor to prepare a recommendation for a customer response /complaint system and bring back to the next Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously. LICENSES There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the following list of licenses: BOWLING ALLEY Beacon Bowl 6525 Lyndale Ave. N. COURTESY BENCH U.S. Bench Corporation 3300 Snelling Ave. GASOLINE SERVICE STATION Davies Water Equipment Co. 4010 Lakebreeze Ave. N. Duke's Amoco 6501 Humboldt Ave. N. Neil's Total 1505 69th Ave. N. Total Petroleum Inc. 6830 Brooklyn Blvd. 1/11/93 -9- MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERSHIP - Brookdale Dodge 6800 Brooklyn Blvd. RENTAL DWELLINGS Initial: Joseph Brauer 6315 Brooklyn Blvd. Renewal: John/Diane Stephens 3824 Burquest Lane Judd/Deb Smith 5837 June Ave. N. TOBACCO RELATED PRODUCT K -Mart 5930 Earle Brown Drive Neil's Total 1505 69th Ave. N. Park Inn International 1501 65th Ave. N. Total Petroleum, Inc. 6830 Brooklyn Blvd. The motion passed unanimously. I ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Scott, and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Todd Paulson, Mayor i Recorded and transcribed by: Nancy Berg TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 1/11/93 10-