Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 10-25 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 OCTOBER 25, 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 6:02 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, Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Clerk Sharon Knutson, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS With regard to Item 6c Resolution Accepting Work Performed and Authorizing Final Payment, Improvement Project Nos. 2009 -01, 02, 03, 04, 09, 11, and 12, 2009 Neighborhood Street and Utility Improvements (Aldrich Area), James Circle Watermain Relocation, Centerbrook Golf Course Watermain Improvements and Emergency Bypass for Lift Station No. 6, City Manager Curt Boganey stated in response to an inquiry from Councilmember Ryan, the Council may want to consider establishing a policy addressing liquidated damages; however, he would caution that if the policy is too rigid, contractors may start to build the policy into their pricing. He explained that staff met to discuss the amount of liquidated damages and agreed that $50,000 was consistent with the contract, fair to all concerned, and an amount that would avoid a protracted litigation that would follow if the amount was higher. Mr. Boganey felt this level of liquidated damages would send the correct message to this contractor and other contractors that the City takes this matter seriously. The Council thanked Mr. Boganey for providing additional information on this matter. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Roche reported that about 200 feet of the bicycle trail, between Bass Lake Road and the marsh on Shingle Creek Parkway, is in very poor condition. He asked when signage will be installed. Mr. Boganey will check and report back on timing. 10/25/10 -1- Councilmember Roche stated it looks like there is room for a shelter on Shingle Creek Parkway, 50 feet north of Bass Lake Road. Councilmember Roche described the "Yield to Pedestrian" signage being used by other municipalities and suggested staff look into the select placement of this type of signage in locations where vehicles do not yield, such as by Shingle Creek and Evergreen Park. The Council agreed to direct staff to look into the use of "Yield to Pedestrian" signage and report back. Mayor Willson asked about the incident with a pedestrian in a crosswalk at Highway 252 and 65 Avenue. Mr. Boganey stated he had received no response so he will follow up. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS FIREHOUSE PARK UPDATE Due to absence of Police Commander Tim Gannon to attend a funeral, Mr. Boganey noted this item will be presented at the next meeting. GRADUATED SANITARY UTILITY RATE STUDY Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet explained that interest was expressed in developing a consumption based sanitary sewer rate that can address the differentiation between lower occupancy residential properties and higher occupancy properties. He described water rate structures used by other cities, noting a consumption charge was based on an average of water usage during non -lawn watering months. Mr. Jordet presented a chart containing examples of different household size scenarios, water usage per quarter, and explained how to calculate an average water usage that could be the basis for sewer usage. Mr. Jordet explained that by using the more reliable readings of water consumption generated by the new meter reading system installed in 2009, it is now possible to develop a consumption based sanitary sewer rate that can address the differentiation between lower occupancy residential properties and higher occupancy properties. Mr. Jordet reviewed fixed charges including personnel, operations, Metropolitan Council charges, depreciation, debt and capital, and explained how to use personnel plus operations plus actual or average capital to determine the fixed charge. Councilmember Yelich noted the sewer billing would be based on last year's data. Mr. Jordet stated that is correct and the only other way is to install a separate metered service for outside water usage. He reviewed the lawn watering calculations distinction for different scenarios and explained that if the home had been vacant the previous year, a minimum charge would be used. Councilmember Ryan asked if there are fixed costs per unit of waste water treated by the Met Council. Mr. Jordet stated that is not a fixed charge, it is a rate charged against a variable flow. 10/25/10 -2- A fixed charge is for costs incurred even if the system is not being used. Councilmember Ryan stated his concern is that the administrative costs are not too high to create a more nuanced billing system. Mr. Jordet stated staff will have to determine the capabilities of the billing software. Councilmember Roche asked if a graduated sanitary sewer billing is an evolution of the process to improve tracking of water usage. Mr. Jordet explained that an advantage of the new meters was to get more regular and accurate readings so if the City wanted to base the sanitary sewer charge on water usage, it would be more accurate. A graduated sanitary sewer billing was one of the ideas to pursue when the new water meters were being considered. Councilmember Lasman stated this has been talked about for a long time and the new metering system now provides a more accurate reading on water usage so the City also has a better reading on sanitary sewer usage. She felt this was a natural next step in that process and believes it is equitable and fair because it is a user fee. She stated the City will need to determine how to implement, noting this is not intended to be a new revenue stream but would shift the cost among users. Mayor Willson asked if this is enough data to plan out 15 years. Mr. Jordet stated staff can do projections out 15 years but anything beyond 3 years will need to be updated each year. Mayor Willson noted that the availability of better data allows for better projections. He stated his agreement with Councilmember Lasman that user based fees are equitable. Councilmember Roche concurred and noted this is a natural evolution. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to close the Study Session at 6:43 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:53 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. GRADUATED SANITARY UTILITY RATE STUDY — CONTINUED Discussion continued on the graduated sanitary utility rate study. Mr. Boganey explained this item was originally discussed as a matter of fairness and equity. He noted the Metropolitan Council charges represent a dramatic cost to the system and are based on the flow of water so an argument can be made that it is a reasonable approach for the City to also use a fee that is based on the flow of water. 10/25/10 -3- The Council noted that considering graduated sewer utility rates will create another incentive for water conservation, which will also meet the State's mandate to encourage conservation. Mr. Jordet presented the summary of impacts, noting a minimum charge would be established. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:58 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 10/25/10 -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 Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 25, 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 November 8, 2010, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 10/25/10 -5-