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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 08-23 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 AUGUST 23, 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 (arrived at 6:44 p.m.), Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also resent were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal and Y p Y g Support Services Dan Jordet, 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 Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on Item 6e, Resolution Electing to Continue Participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program Under the Metropolitan Living Communities Act for Calendar Years 2011 through 2020. He stated he has no objection to the intent of that resolution but is concerned with the stated goals for affordable and life -cycle housing. He noted the proposed participation requirements identify absolute numeric numbers that the City needs to obtain and pointed out that year after year the City has demonstrated that it has the most affordable housing in the metro area. City Manager Curt Boganey explained that as the legislation exists today, these goals have very little consequence for or against the City since the Metropolitan Council does not have the ability of enforcement. However, by adopting the resolution, the City is able to take advantage of grants offered through the Metropolitan Council and in the past has received such grants. In addition, the densities the City would build to would be those established in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Ryan referenced housing goal percentages and asked whether the property valuation figure is a "moving target" as the real estate market moves. Mr. Boganey concurred that is the case and advised these goals relate specifically to new construction so it is fair to say that a good portion of new housing built in the City would qualify. The Council discussed the past debate regarding the Metropolitan Council's goals for Brooklyn Center and attempt to dictate density, which was not supported by the City Council. It was noted that a former Brooklyn Center Mayor had been appointed to the Metropolitan Council and assisted the City with getting its Comprehensive Plan approved. 08/23/10 -1- Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel advised that the Metropolitan Council has adopted a guide for the metropolitan area that considers anticipated metro area growth that will occur within the next ten -year period and allocates that share of growth throughout the metro area. For Brooklyn Center, the Metropolitan Council considered potential redevelopment and stated activities within the adopted Comprehensive Plan and calculated a potential for 100 additional housing units. Mr. Eitel noted the Opportunity site shows 1,000+ units which would address the life -cycle housing goal. Mr. Boganey agreed that very few communities have a proportionate level of affordable housing as provided by Brooklyn Center, and the City has fewer opportunities for new housing development when compared to outlying communities. The Council and staff discussed the difference between affordable housing and life -cycle housing. Mr. Eitel stated affordable housing is for a family of four and considers income and a mort e costs. Most of the City's homes et to that threshold. He noted that life-cycle housing mortg g Y g provides housing other than traditional single- family housing, alternatives like townhomes and condos with higher density. Councilmember Lasman asked whether the resolution should be amended to incorporate language used in a past resolution indicating the City meets or exceeds all benchmark percentages in the Housing Goals Agreement as established by the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Eitel explained that language would be included in a future resolution related to approving a Housing Goals Agreement. He assured the City Council that the Metropolitan Council is well aware that Brooklyn Center has met affordable housing goals and that creating new urbanism is more costly than the market can afford. Councilmember Lasman requested the following correction to the Regular Session minutes of August 9, 2010: Page Para ra h3: g �� Chief Benner thanked Sheriff Stanek for their work with the City and advised that there are 205 Neighborhood Watch Groups in the City Councilmember Lasman requested the following correction to the Joint Work Session minutes of July 16, 2010: Page 1, Paragrgph 4: "Total expenditure of $16,778,664, an expenditure growth..." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the August 9 and July 16, 2010, meeting minutes as indicated above. Councilmember Ryan requested discussion of Item 6g, Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Proposed Special Assessments for Delinquent Public Utility Service Accounts, and asked about cash flow impacts to the Public Service Utility Account. 08/23/10 -2- Councilmember Lasman asked whether any accounts had made payment. Mr. Boganey explained the action before the Council tonight is to call the public hearing and each will receive notice of that hearing. Mayor Willson reviewed several businesses that are included on the delinquency list, noting one is a restaurant that was just recently approved and opened. He suggested the topic of delinquent utility billing be discussed at a future Work Session. Mr. Boganey advised that this issue has been referred to the Financial Commission for review and recommendation, and to determine if the process can be improved, which will be considered by the Council. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lasman commented that the contractor is doing a good job on the Woodbine patching project. She asked whether the City of Brooklyn Park will partner in the project, as they have in the past with abutting street projects, or if it is a good will effort by Brooklyn Center. Mr. Lillehaug stated he will look into that option, talk with Brooklyn Park, and report those findings to the City Manager. Councilmember Yelich referenced the e -mails received regarding Firehouse Park and requested an update. Mr. Boganey explained that the City has received four complaints over the last 30 -60 days and staff believes the spike in activity this past Saturday was an anomaly. He explained that a resident applied for a permit to use the Firehouse Park shelter for a 5- year -old's birthday party with 25 participants. However, it appears that either more people attended the party than indicated or there were other users at the park. Councilmember Lasman noted the complaint about cars driving on park property. Mr. Boganey advised that park signage indicates driving on the park is not allowed, but it occurred anyway. He stated he was not sure whether the CSO was called in time to deal with that issue but they responded immediately and resolved the noise complaint. Mr. Boganey stated one e -mail had suggested the City review signage to see if it can be improved. Councilmember Ryan referenced correspondence from the attorney representing Mr. Roder, owner of Sterling Square Apartments regarding the Council's one -year revocation action in April of 2010 due to nonpayment of taxes. He asked whether the Council would consider an adjustment to the revocation period since the issue of tax delinquency has been remedied and Mr. Roder may take legal action. Following discussion, majority Council consensus was reached to take no action at this time. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS 08/23/10 -3- REAL ESTATE RECYCLING — HOWE FERTILIZER UPDATE Mr. Boganey advised there has been recent and significant movement by the Department of Agriculture so staff has prepared an update regarding the former Howe Fertilizer site. Councilmember Roche arrived at 6:44 p.m. 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 6:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. REAL ESTATE RECYCLING — HOWE FERTILIZER UPDATE (CONTINUED) The discussion continued on the Howe Fertilizer update. Mr. Eitel advised that the City received a memo from Real Estate Recycling (RER) that the Department of Agriculture has provided direction on how to a are re Development Response Action Plan that will allow Real Estate p p p p Recycling to apply for Environmental Clean Up Grants and proceed with their plans for the industrial redevelopment of this site. He reviewed the estimated costs involved for this process and intention to proceed with a spring application, award of bids to occur in July, and the development to occur early to mid - summer of 2011. Mr. Eitel explained that the Department of Agriculture has held firm that there are other responsible parties and included ConAgra and another party identified early in the process as part of the application. He indicated staff is optimistic that things are moving in the right direction and updates will be provided as new information comes forward. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to close the Study Session at 6:59 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 08/23/10 -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 August 23, 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 September 13, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 08/23/10 -5-