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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 06-14 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 JUNE 14, 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 8:24 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, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver'Off Site Secretarial, Inc. RECONVENE WORK SESSION Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to reconvene the Work Session at 8:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. ZONING CONSIDERATION RELATING TO FARMER'S MARKETS - CONTINUED Discussion continued related to the policy issues put forward by the Planning Commission as follows: 4. Does the City Council find the list of products which may be offered for sale at a farmers market acceptable? Seven categories were listed and an indicator that "nothing may be sold which is prohibited under local, state, or federal law or rules." The Council addressed the likelihood of people selling live animals and whether it would be considered acceptable by residents. Mr. Eitel stated the topic of animal sales was not addressed by the Planning Commission. Mr. Boganey stated that language can be added to prohibit the sale of live animals at a farmers market.. Mr. Eitel reviewed that the intent is to consider the changes to the administrative permit process to allow the operation of a farmers market to sell fresh and organic produce, not to create a process to operate a flea market or fair. 06/14/10 -1- The Council noted item 3 under question 4 relates to the sale of "meat, poultry, or fish" and questioned the need for portable generators to provide refrigeration. Mr. Eitel explained it is assumed the items for sale would not need refrigeration and the market would be more like a produce stand. Mr. Boganey stated staff is not intending to make the City the regulator for any of these activities. Rather, the zoning ordinance amendment would provide an opportunity but the City would not become the regulator of that opportunity. Mr. Eitel explained that the farmers market would not include the sale of consumable foods, which would require a different type of permit. The Council indicated support of this policy question and the proposed zoning ordinance amendment as long as the language clearly defines all regulations, that applicant is responsible for the operation of the market, and to assure unsold produce and litter is not left on the site. Mr. Eitel advised that the Planning Commission indicated interest in reviewing the site plan for 30 -week permit applications and making a recommendation to the City Council. He indicated that this ordinance amendment will be presented to the Council by the end of July, following the Planning Commission public hearing. RECORDING OF WORK SESSIONS — COUNCILMEMBER YELICH Councilmember Yelich presented the inquiry he received to record and broadcast Work Sessions and suggested doing so may improve communications with residents and transparency in decision making. He referenced staff's cost estimate of $2,000 per year and stated the intent is to provide better communication and inform citizens about what items are coming up on future agendas. The Council noted that Work Session items are oftentimes discussed during the Study Session. Mr. Boganey advised that recording the Study Session may alter the cost estimate. In addition, the cable representative indicated including the Study Session, which starts at 6 p.m., may create some issues with staffing. During discussion, each Council Member stated their position regarding this request. Councilmember Lasman noted this is not the first time such a request has been made. She pointed out that once Study Session and miscellaneous items are completed, Work Session items are discussed prior to the regular Council meeting, which makes effective use of the Councilmember's time and is considerate of those who have full -time jobs. It is her preference to not record Work Sessions so the meeting format can remain informal with less regard for decorum and the Members can freely offer comments, ask questions, brainstorm, and discuss what comes to mind. In addition, recording the Study Sessions and Work Sessions would impact the City's budget. Councilmember Roche stated he does not support recording Work Sessions, which he finds to be the most rewarding and educational because that is when he can ask questions of staff and formulate his position. He noted he is newly elected and as such, casually formatted Work 06/14/10 -2- Sessions allow him to ask questions, make mistakes, and feel part of the team. He questioned the number of people making this inquiry and noted the Work Sessions are open to the public. Councilmember Roche stated his focus is that the Council has a town to run and he wants broadcast meetings to reinforce the Council's sense of organization and ability to deliver, not necessarily the debate on how the Council got to that point. Councilmember Ryan expressed concern that comments made on Work Session items during an unrecorded Study Session may be being taken out of context. He noted that comments, questions, and answers made during Work Session debates may not be entirely factual and corrected once researched. However, this would not be apparent to the viewer of a Work Session broadcast. He stated he does not support the broadcast of Work Sessions because he would be reluctant to raise some questions if he was not entirely sure he was citing the exact language or State Statute. He stated he does support open communication and transparency and the public is always welcome to attend. In addition, broadcasting Work Sessions would increase costs and the budget is already challenged. Mayor Willson presented a mock agenda that would start the regular Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. and reorder discussion of all Work Session items to follow the regular Council meeting, noting this would assure flow of the broadcast. He indicated there is a misperception that the Council makes its decisions during Work Sessions and only takes the final vote at the regular meeting, so broadcasting Work Sessions would address that perception. Mr. Boganey advised there is no legal requirement to broadcast meetings, but it was the policy decision of the Council to do so. He noted that decisions made at the regular Council meeting are based on vetted information; however, that may not be the case during Work Session discussions. Councilmember Yelich questioned why Members would be less candid if the meeting is broadcast since all meetings are open to the public. He was unsure that was a reasonable argument a against broadcasting Work Sessions. g g The Council discussed that at 6:00 p.m. Study Sessions were initiated to provide newly elected Members with additional information and the ability to ask questions off camera. The meeting procedure has now evolved to hold a Study Session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss items on that night's agenda and miscellaneous items and a Work Session following the Council meeting. The Council and staff discussed when the Work Session agenda was completed and timing to make it available to the public. Mr. Boganey stated staff could prepare the Work Session agenda by the Wednesday before the meeting date and broadcast it on Government Access Channel 16 so it is easily and readily available to residents. It was pointed out that this procedure provides advanced notification and transparency without added expense. To alert residents of this advanced posting, it was suggested that Mayor Willson make an announcement at the close of the regular meetings and that an article be included in the City's newsletter. Mayor Willson polled the Council. Councilmembers Lasman, Roche, and Ryan indicated they did not support a change in policy to broadcast Work Session meetings. 06/14/10 -3- Councilmember Yelich indicated that while residents may still want Work Sessions broadcast, he believes this is a step in the right direction to provide advanced notice and transparency. The consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to post upcoming Work Session agendas on Government Access Channel 16. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 06/14/10 -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 June 14, 2010. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn n Center City Hall. Y Y 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its June 28, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 06/14/10 -5-