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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 07-12 CCM Study 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 STUDY SESSION JULY 12, 2010 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Interim Chief of Police Kevin Benner; Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, and Carla Wirth, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Willson requested the following correction to the Regular Session minutes of the June 28, 2010: Page 11, second bullet: change the word "part" to "party" It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the June 28, 2010, Regular Session minutes. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman requested an update on road repairs in the Woodbine neighborhood. Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug stated staff is aware of the need for road repairs to the Woodbine neighborhood as well as other locations. He explained that in some areas, road patching is appropriate but other areas have deteriorated to the point that staff is considering a full width mill and overlay. He advised that staff is stepping up its repair efforts and marking streets to determine where repairs are warranted. The City has purchased a wider milling machine, double in width, and staff is working with Mn/DOT to determine why pavements are excessively failing to assure future sealcoating projects are successful. Mr. Lillehaug noted pavement failure is also occurring in other municipalities so they are researching whether there has been an interaction between the sealcoat product and pavement that resulted in excessive deterioration. Until the problem is pinpointed, staff recommends the sealcoating program be delayed. This will also free up operating funds so pothole repair can proceed. Mr. Lillehaug stated they hope to have a plan in place within the next two weeks. 07/12/10 -1- Councilmember Ryan questioned the timing for the 58 and Knox area road and utility project. It was noted the project schedule is available on line and staff will provide the information requested to Councilmember Ryan. Councilmember Roche expressed his disappointment at the lack of maintenance at Brookdale Mall, noting the parking lot contains weeds, large potholes, and dying trees. He suggested that pressure be placed on the mall owners to assure it is up to the City's established standards. City Manager Curt Boganey advised that staff is aware of this situation and been in contact with the new mall owner about the conditions around the mall and lack of maintenance. He indicated staff will provide a report to the Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Roche expressed concern that the Riverwood Neighborhood Watch inform all neighborhood residents when a recent crime occurs. Interim Chief of Police Kevin Benner stated he is aware of the situation and a mediation meeting has been scheduled with the two parties involved to discuss their differences. Councilmember Yelich referenced the Bass Lake Road Project, and asked about a curb cut at the intersection of Northway Drive. Mr. Lillehaug stated there is a bus stop so that configuration was intentional. Councilmember Roche asked for an update on the banners. Mr. Boganey advised that staff is working on the matter and it is assumed there will be no additional cost because the correct information had been provided. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS WEST MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION'S 2011 OPERATING BUDGET City Manager Curt Boganey introduced the item and asked the Council to provide direction to staff regarding the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission's 2011 operating budget. It was noted the most recent Joint Powers JPA Agreement for this commission set an g ( ) m assessment cap on the administrative budget, requiring City Council app rovals by a � y of member cities to assess above that cap. The proposed assessment does not exceed the cap. The proposed Brooklyn Center 2011 assessment is $13,821.82. The total operating budget for 2011 is $182,600, which is a decrease from $189,510 in 2010. Mr. Lillehaug explained that the budget would be "business as usual" with the exception of doing the required update to the Water Management Plan. In the case of the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission, its operating budget is the same as last year and it has enough budget reserves to pay for the Plan update. He noted that the amount charged by the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission to Brooklyn Center is based on cost allocation (tax capacity and area) and paid from the City's Storm Water Utility Fund. He recommended the budget be accepted and to direct staff to send a letter of support. 07/12/10 -2- The Council indicated that water quality is an important issue to all suburbs and it supported the efforts of the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission to "hold the line" on fees. Mr. Lillehaug answered questions of the Council regarding how West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission CIP projects are funded through an assessment against benefited property within the West Mississippi watershed area, not through the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission operating budget. The Council asked whether resident appointees have input on the budget. Mr. Lillehaug stated Della Young, the City's resident appointee, was not at the operating budget hearing but the alternate was in attendance and he voted to support the budget. Ms. Young had submitted a memorandum indicating no objection. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to make no comment on the West Mississippi Watershed Management 2011 budget. SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION'S 2011 OPERATING BUDGET It was noted the Council is asked to provide direction to staff regarding the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission's 2011 operating budget. The most recent Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for this commission set an "assessment cap" on the administrative budget, requiring City Council approvals by a majority of member cities to assess above that cap. The proposed assessment exceeds the cap by $42,000; $5,040 of which the City would be responsible to pay. The proposed Brooklyn Center 2011 assessment is $42,411, an increase from the 2010 assessment of $37,100. The total operating budget for 2011 is $449,260, which is an increase from $413,400 in 2010. Mr. Lillehaug advised that the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission does not have a budget reserve to pay for the required Water Management Plan update. To pay for that update, the 2011 operating budget exceeds the JPA cap by $42,000 and $5,040 is the responsibility of Brooklyn Center. He noted that if the Plan update costs are removed from the operating budget, the cap would not be exceeded. To approve the operating budget and pay for the Third Generation Plan update, the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission is required to obtain, by September 1, 2010, supporting resolutions from member cities to exceed the cap. Mr. Lillehaug advised that as a TAC member and City Engineer, he supports exceeding the assessment cap; however, agrees the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission should have planned better to assure funds were in reserve for the Plan update since it is required every ten years. It was noted that an updated Plan is required to qualify to pursue grants for projects. Mr. Lillehaug explained that reducing the operating budget by $42,000, it would be a significant cut of 16% and indirectly affect the City since it would then have to fulfill requirements the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission is not able to fund such as education, water quality monitoring, and other required items. He pointed out that the CIP contains $1 -$2 million for CIP projects and Brooklyn Center is being asked to pay an increase of a little over $5,000 for 2011. Mr. Lillehaug stated that at both the Commission and TAC levels, he will push the 07/12/10 -3- Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission to include funding for the next plan update in the operating budget. The Council discussed the need for better budget planning to assure the next Plan update is adequately funded through reserves so the assessment cap is not exceeded. It was agreed that the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission needs to take responsibility for its poor financial planning and while the Council may support exceeding the assessment cap in this case to fund the required Plan update, it would not consider future requests to exceed the cap. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION'S 2011 OPERATING BUDGET - CONTINUED Discussion continued on the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission's 2011 operating budget. Mr. Boganey asked if staff should prepare a resolution that contains explicit statements to insist on better financial planning in the future for the next generation Plan update and that the Brooklyn Center Council will not be inclined to exceed the assessment cap in any future years. He noted the reality is that mandates come down to the cities and Brooklyn Center jointly agreed with other communities to create the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission to help carry out its responsibilities. If the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission does not have adequate funding to meet the mandates, it falls back to the City. Mr. Lillehaug advised that one member city is represented by a councilmember and that city indicated it does not support the assessment cap increase. It was noted that if more cities pull out of the JPA, then the organization will fold and the City will have to assume the responsibility. Mr. Boganey explained that if the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission does not receive approval from member cities, it would have to revise its budget and determine where to make cuts to operate within the cap. Mr. Lillehaug stated this has not yet been discussed, but the budget is already conservative so core services would be cut, which would then become the responsibility of the City. 07/12/10 -4- The Council further discussed the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission's budget process, indicated it did not want to establish a precedent for future increases, and requested staff to draft a resolution for the Council's consideration. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to close the Study Session at 6:59 P .m. Motion passed unanimously. 07/12/10 -5- 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 Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on July 12, 2010. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its July 26, 2010, Regular Session. a` City Clerk Mayor 07/12/10 -6-