Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 03-04 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 4, 1991 CITY HALL Mayor Paulson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Brooklyn Center City Council Chambers. Present at roll call were: Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Jerry Pedlar, Dave Rosene and Phil Cohen. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Joe Strauss of the North Metro Mayors Association, Mike Rothman from Senator Luther's office and arriving at approximately 7:45 p.m. was Representative Carruthers. The City Manager and Mr. Strauss made a presentation on the impacts of Governor Carlson's recent budget proposal. They explained this proposal had significant property tax implications and involved a more than 100% increase in property taxes for residential homesteads under $70,000 should it become enacted. The City Council and those present discussed methods and ways of communicating the adverse affects of this proposal and directed the City Manager to prepare an informational flier for distribution to the community. The City Manager presented the Council with the final wording of the draft bill authorizing the modification of the HRA levy to enhance the ability of the City to implement its housing program. The Council briefly discussed the language and Representative Carruthers expressed the need for developing a presentation to the legislature justifying modification. The City Council directed the City Manager to proceed with seeking the modification as presented. The City Manager presented a rough draft of a proposal from the cities of New Hope and Crystal which would authorize School District 281 to seek legislation in conjunction with the cities in the district to finance a school liaison program in the middle schools and high schools of the district. The City Manager stated the district and other cities were requesting the City Council's to give concept approval to the program. The program as proposed would divide the cost of the program among the cities based on population of each city within the school district or school population within each city of the school district. Property taxes would be levied by the school district and would be implemented through a joint powers agreement among the cities and would have to have the approval of all the cities. The City Manager also stated 3/4/91 -1- he would like to have authorization to modify the existing D.A.R.E. and Drug Task Force levy legislation to include all of the expenses of the program not just a per capita limit in the current law which only allows a levy of less than half the cost of the D.A.R.E. and Drug Task Force. After discussion, there was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to give concept approval to the School Liaison Proposal and instructing the City Manager to seek modification of the D.A.R.E. /Drug Task Force levy to allow for recovery of the full costs of both programs. The motion passed all aye votes. The City Manager presented materials and information relating to gambling proposals involving employer sponsored casino nights with play money and prizes and the use of casino night gambling for charitable purposes. After discussion the City Council instructed the City Manager to use minimal effort to seek possible modification to gambling laws to make charitable casino gambling legal and accepted the City Attorney's ruling on casino nights which involve an exchange of money and no consideration or other elements of gambling are involved. The City Council reviewed a proposal from Boland and Associates for $5,000 to provide lobbying assistance with state agencies and legislature for 1991 as it relates to group home siting and regulation process. There was a motion by Councilmember Scott and seconded by Councilmember Pedlar to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign an extension of the existing contract. The motion passed all aye votes. The City Manager updated the City Council on his efforts in conjunction with the North Metro Mayors Association in cooperating with the Tri -City Housing legislative efforts to extend the opportunity for inner ring suburbs to use the programs and funding sources currently available to Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis. The City Council encouraged the City Manager and North Metro Mayors Association to continue to aggressively pursue this effort. Mayor Paulson inquired as to the feasibility of using Minnesota State Aid monies off the state aid system on residential roads to help finance reconstruction of the city's residential streets. He stated currently some of the residential streets were in worse shape than many of our state aid streets. If we reach a point in time when money is available for only state aid streets and they are all well maintained he would be interested in seeking the use of these monies off the state system. The City Manager explained to Mr. Rothman and Mr. Carruthers one of the problems communities 3/4/91 -2- have with rebuilding streets is the current special assessment law requirements which indicate before a city can assess benefit they must prove the dollar amount of the assessment must equal the increase in the value of the assessed property in the same amount. The only way you can effectively prove this type of benefit is for the city to let the road deteriorate to a point of impassable so it has a dramatic affect on property values and then come in with an improvement assessment. This type of situation is unacceptable. Mr. Rothman and Mr. Carruthers stated they would be interested in following through on this situation and Mr. Carruthers stated it might well be better to modify the special assessment regulations in some fashion and would be happy to cooperate. It was agreed the City Manager would work with our legislators to achieve some modification of regulations to address this situation. There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Pedlar to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 9:35 p.m. PA Deputy City Clerk Svott', Pro tem I 3/4/91 -3-