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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 03-30 CCM Special 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 SESSION MARCH 30, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Jerry Pedlar, Dave Rosene, and Philip Cohen. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, and Council Secretary Carla Wirth. OPENING CEREMONIES The invocation was observed with a moment of silence. 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. COUNCIL REPORTS There were no Council reports. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Paulson inquired if any Councilmembers requested any items be removed from the agenda. No requests were made. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF BROOKLYN CENTER LOCAL LIQUOR AND RESTAURANT TAX The City Manager explained Representative Carruthers contacted him indicating he had an insertion into the House Tax Bill which would allow cities to place a local liquor and restaurant tax. He was not able to insert it as a state -wide bill but rather as a city bill. If approved, it would provide a local option that could be implemented by the Council according to State law. 3/30/92 _ 1 _ Councilmember Cohen stated one of Representative Carruthers' concerns in addressing this issue was the City's ability to deal with apartment problems. He added Representative Carruthers was sensitive to Brooklyn Center's needs and trying to provide revenue options. In response to Mayor Paulson's questions, the City Manager reviewed the procedure for adoption. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -64 Member Celia Scott introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BROOKLYN CENTER LOCAL LIQUOR AND RESTAURANT TAX The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Jerry Pedlar and the motion passed unanimously. REVIEW OF CIVIC CENTER EXPANSION NEEDS The City Manager indicated this matter had been tabled at the March 23, 1992, Council meeting to allow adequate time for discussion. He then reviewed, with the use of an overhead, the detailed study of physical facility needs which was completed approximately three years ago. The City Manager also reviewed site constraints due to areas of unsuitable soils. It was felt long range alternatives would require a bond issue referendum to finance construction. Short range (interim) options were reviewed which included leasing space for certain departments and /or moving the Council Chambers to an alternate location to allow for relocation of certain police functions into the existing Chambers. Another option would be to build a two -story addition to the south side of the City Hall building along with some remodeling work. I Councilmember Rosene asked if the Council Chambers could be remodeled to provide two floors of space. The City Manager indicated this alternative would be quite expensive due to accessibility requirements and the need for additional support structures. i Councilmember Pedlar indicated the survey conducted in 1989 showed 50% of those surveyed supported spending additional dollars to make improvements at City Hall for a Senior Citizen Center and expansion of the Police Department. He agreed the economy had changed since then, especially as it relates to government aid, but he felt the Council needed to do something to accommodate existing space needs. Councilmember Pedlar had concerns with the option of moving the Council Chambers to Constitution Hall or the Heritage Center but would agree to it (in concept) in order to accommodate the current space needs of the Police Department. He suggested staff develop a plan indicating how the Council Chambers could be used and impact to Police Department needs. He pointed out voters were more cost conscience today due to the recession. 3/30/92 -2- There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to approve, in concept, the expansion of the Police Department into the existing Council Chambers pending final approval by the Council and submission of plans that indicate what would be impacted in the downstairs area, how the Chambers would be modified, soundproofing treatment addressing water slide use, and how the Council and Planning Commission's use would impact Constitution Hall usage by other organizations. Councilmember Scott indicated she understood the Police Department was crowded, but the Council Chambers was not large enough to accommodate all of their needs. Also, Council just spent money updating the lighting for cablecasting. She felt the Financial Task Force should look at space needs and make recommendations for a long range solution. Councilmember Scott indicated support of a two -story addition to house the Police Department and Fire Chief since it would also provide room to meet future needs. She requested staff provide a rough cost estimate for the use of Constitution Hall on a regular basis, including the cost for a public address system and lighting adequate for cablecasting. The City Manager indicated staff could provide recommendations and cost estimates for an interim solution and then research a more permanent solution, or the Council could appoint a separate task force to research those options. Councilmember Pedlar indicated discussions of the Financial Task Force revolve around program functions and staffing. He felt the Council needed to be careful about asking them to also address space needs. Councilmember Pedlar reviewed discussions held at two meetings he attended with Police Department representatives regarding their needs as well as productivity issues. He pointed out the Council needs to keep in mind that the staffing organizational chart may change in the near future. Councilmember Pedlar indicated he does not feel use of Constitution Hall by the Council was a permanent solution, but supported having staff research use of the G Barn as one option. Councilmember Cohen indicated staff reductions had not been part of the original discussion. He provided staff with a copy of an editorial from the St. Paul Dispatch newspaper which predicted large budget shortfalls in the next biennium. Mayor Paulson agreed the Police Department was crowded and in need of more space. He indicated he was not sure use of the Tack Room or Constitution Hall was a good long term solution for the Council Chambers and suggested staff also investigate the option of the G Barn reconstruction for use as the Council Chambers. Mayor Paulson stated he would favor an addition onto City Hall for administrative space and going with a referendum for expanding the Police Department and /or Senior Center. He also supported researching the possibility of adding to the Heritage Center, not just for Council space, but as part of the conference center. Councilmember Rosene stated he toured the Police Department area and agreed they have space needs for storage of equipment, uniforms, files, etc., as well as a bathroom, conference 3/30/92 -3- room and space for investigators. He supported their use of the existing Council Chambers as an interim solution but felt the long range solution would include construction of additional space. He supported researching a two or three story addition in the area where the heating/cooling equipment was currently located. If this was done, the Police Department would have adequate space and Council Chambers could also be housed in the addition. Councilmember Pedlar pointed out rental space at the Heritage Center provided revenue for the City and he felt the Council needed to look at the larger financial picture including all options. He added the motion on the floor was for concept approval and addresses the needs of only one department. Councilmember Cohen concurred and suggested the Council act on the motion on the floor and then discuss long term possibilities. He agreed with Councilmember Rosene's point that a permanent Police Department expansion was still needed even if the G Barn was constructed for use as a Council Chambers. Councilmember Rosene pointed out having the Council Chambers in close proximity to City Hall allowed staff to work on various projects while waiting for their agenda item to be discussed. Moving the Council Chambers off -site would result in the loss of some of this productivity. Mayor Paulson reviewed a section from the book Strong Democracy_ which indicated how important "talk" was in a democracy and the importance of neighborhood assemblies to assure accountability of elected officials, press, etc. He stated he felt the Council needed a physical presence in neighborhoods where meetings could be held and issues debated. Mayor Paulson felt residents would support a referendum for a Police Department expansion, but he had concerns about attaching the stigma of the Council Chambers to the referendum. Rather, he felt the City could generate the needed revenue from the Heritage Center by using the G Barn as the Council Chambers as well as for other conferences, etc. Councilmember Pedlar indicated he felt the referendum in a neighboring community failed because an addition to the City Hall was included. He explained he does not want to create a "smoke screen" before the residents about the City's needs. Councilmember Pedlar pointed out some residents may feel installing $3,000 of lighting into the Council Chambers may not have been prudent if the Council was consider relocating, but he felt most of the cost was for the lights themselves which could be reused. Councilmember Pedlar indicated he was willing to work with any member of the Council to determine what would be in the best interest of the community, but felt the stigma of the State of the City address was causing conflict that needed to be resolved. He expressed concern with the Post Newspaper article regarding the Mayor's address and indicated he was willing to work side by side with anyone on the Council as long as they respect the fact that he may disagree with them on an issue. 3/30/92 -4- Councilmember Cohen requested the Mayor call the question. Mayor Paulson stated he had asked to discuss these issues for one and one -half years. He indicated he does not feel the Council was serving citizens by allowing staff to put the Council Chambers in the basement of the Heritage Center, and the G Barn could be used for other purposes such as providing a forum for artistic events. He felt the Council needed to look at other options. Councilmember Cohen again requested the Mayor call the question. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion then turned to possible long range solutions with Councilmember Cohen indicating the use of the G Barn for the Council Chambers was not really getting the "City out to the citizens ". He pointed out in the past the Council had conducted meetings at the schools and churches as a way of bringing the government out to the people. Councilmember Cohen stated he supported doing this as a way of getting citizens involved. He also supported having staff research all options, including building the G Barn and adding onto City Hall. Councilmember Rosene suggested the Councilmember's voice mail box phone numbers be publicized and citizens encouraged to call with comments or concerns. He felt this would provide better communication. Councilmember Scott reviewed her past work with various advisory boards, commissions and serving on the Council. She explained in the past the City had neighborhood advisory commissions which provided an excellent method for residents to voice their concerns in an unimposing setting. The Council also had a breakfast several times each year which was publicized and residents encouraged to attend and voice concerns or ask questions. She agreed with Councilmember Cohen the Council needed to go into the neighborhoods to meet people and establish better communication. Councilmember Scott suggested the Council consider reviving these neighborhood groups. Mayor Paulson felt this was an excellent suggestion and supported reinstating this program. He agreed a one -on -one basis was the best way to obtain feedback and response from citizens. Mayor Paulson indicated he had received many calls this last week and found it was very uplifting to receive that kind of support. Councilmember Rosene concurred with Councilmember Scott's suggestion. He then questioned Mayor Paulson's earlier reference to using the G Barn for artistic events and asked if Constitution Hall or the future addition to City Hall could not be used for this purpose. Mayor Paulson stated he was unsure of the equipment at Constitution Hall but felt there was a need for adequate facilities for artistic events and performances that could be scheduled to provide identity for Brooklyn Center. He pointed out the existing Council Chamber's equipment was not conducive to live musical performances. 3/30/92 -5- Councilmember Cohen reviewed the process used when the City Hall was constructed. He indicated support of designating a Task Force to address these issues and provide for public input. He asked staff to also research potential construction cost, operational cost and lost revenue to the City if the G Barn was converted for public purposes instead of being rented to private enterprise. This information would allow the Council to determine what would be more cost effective. Councilmember Cohen suggested staff also contact other communities about a "City Hall on Wheels" program where a recreational vehicle goes into neighborhoods to provide services like licensing, voter registration, etc. He felt this type of program had potential since the City's population was growing older and living longer. Mayor Paulson asked how the G Barn could result in lost revenue for the City. Councilmember Cohen responded the G Barn could be rented as office space. Mayor Paulson stated he had a level of discomfort about using public money to construct a building that ends up being used for private purposes. Councilmember Rosene expressed support of further research for a "City Hall on Wheels" program. He pointed out there was also a need to assure the City Hall was included in transit routes. There was a motion by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to direct staff to prepare a resolution that would outline various options for lon g term solutions including a cost estimate for an addition to City Hall; cost estimate for building a facility at the Heritage Center; information on cost effectiveness of having the Council Chambers relocated off the City campus; potential for increased revenue or loss of revenue that could be incurred if the Council Chambers was located as part of the Heritage Center; operating cost impact for various alternatives; procedure used for citizen input and involvement with the original Capital Improvement project; and, possible options for a "City Hall on Wheels ". The motion passed unanimously. NORTH HENNEPIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE BOARD DINNER MEETING Councilmember Rosene stated he spoke with Mary Welsh who indicated she still had not heard whether several Councilmembers were going to attend the May 11 dinner hosted by the North Hennepin Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. This catered meal would be held at 5 p.m. at Constitution Hall and followed by a Council meeting. In response to Councilmember Cohen 's request, the City Manager stated he would check on procedure needed to be followed regarding the open meeting law. PROCEDURE FOR MINUTE CORRECTION Councilmember Rosene questioned the proper procedure for making minor grammatical corrections to the minutes. Councilmember Scott suggested members inform staff prior to the meeting. The minutes could then be approved with the grammatical corrections in place. Mayor Paulson invited people to contact him about the State of the City address and indicated he would appreciate the input. 3/30/92 -6- 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 9:02 p.m. Deputy City Clerk U Todd Paulson, Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth Northern Counties Secretarial Services 3/30/92 -7-