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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 11-22 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 NOVEMBER 22, 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, 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, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Roche requested discussion on Item 6e, Resolution Providing a Nine Month Extension to the Time Period for Submittal of the Northwest Family Service Center Final Plat, specifically whether staff can explore the opportunity for traffic mitigation on Willow Lane or 71 Avenue, such as a rain garden, during the requested extension period. He noted that some residents had expressed concern with the traffic from this use. City Manager Curt Boganey stated this preliminary plat has already been approved and the action before the Council is a nine -month extension for final plat approval. He advised that the matter of traffic calming is unrelated to this agenda item and it is up to the Council to determine if there is interest in addressing traffic mitigation options. Councilmember Yelich stated one of the alternatives discussed in terms of mitigating traffic impact to that neighborhood was a cul -de -sac at the end of 71 Avenue. He asked if the final plat allows for that potentiality if traffic numbers are higher than expected. Mr. Boganey stated the timeframe for a possible cul -de -sac was after the roadway was built, if traffic justified a change in design. However, that may require a replat. Mayor Willson stated the Council determined there would not be a cul -de -sac at this time but it was an option for the future if the Council determined it was needed. Councilmember Lasman stated that was decided due to the extraordinary cost. She noted the area of construction is only the immediate area of the 71 st Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard intersection to create flow into the parking lot. She indicated she was not convinced a rain garden would result in traffic calming any more than the turn lane provides and asked where a 11/22/10 -1- rain garden would be considered since there would not be roadwork past the point of the entrance. Councilmember Roche suggested the northwest corner where the house is being removed. He wondered if that new node could hold a rain garden to narrow the road. Councilmember Roche stated this was done successfully on Dupont Avenue and he wondered if it would work in this location and soothe resident's anxiety. Mayor Willson noted the location where the house was removed to accommodate the roadway is not part of the plat under consideration at tonight's meeting. However, placing a rain garden on that corner could be debated at a future work session. Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug stated the cul -de -sac at Perry and 71" Avenues would not impact this final plat but may, in the future, impact road right -of -way and property lines. He explained that no condition was tied to this developer related to the northwest quadrant where the house will be removed. Mr. Lillehaug indicated that is not an ideal location for traffic calming efforts, noting a right turn lane will be added in that quadrant. He stated there may be some traffic volume changes so staff will continue to evaluate after development. Councilmember Yelich asked if the City has enough right -of -way in the future to construct the cul -de -sac or if the proposed platting will prohibit that from occurring. Mr. Lillehaug stated a cul -de -sac could be accommodated in the subject plat but was not proposed for that location so it can be addressed at a future date, if needed. Mr. Boganey stated the previous direction of the Council was that once the project is built the City would assess traffic flow and if there was a need for additional restrictions or traffic calming, at that time, staff would provide a recommendation and alternatives. The Council indicated that staff direction remains in place. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion of Item 10a, Consideration of Type IV 6 -Month Provisional Rental License for 5603 Bryant Avenue North, and asked if this program has been a useful tool for staff. Mr. Boganey stated the general reaction among staff is that this tool is having the affect the Council wanted, specifically it is a way to identify early on those landlords who need direction and incentive to improve their screening process, contracts, and education. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion of Item 10b.2., Resolution Adopting 2011 Sewer Utility Rates, Fees, and Charges. He noted that several years ago the Council authorized replacement of meters to provide the ability for sanitary sewer rates based on water consumption. He stated he anticipates that will move forward; however, tonight the Council is being asked to approve an increase to the flat sanitary sewer rate for 2011. Councilmember Yelich stated residents are looking forward to consumption based sanitary sewer rates and may take exception to an increase in a flat rate system. He asked the Council to consider maintaining the current flat rate until the consumption rate issue is resolved. Mr. Boganey stated the rationale for a three percent increase taking effect January 1, 2011, is to assure necessary revenue is generated to cover next year's operating and capital costs. He stated 11/22/10 -2- if the Council moves forward with the adjusted rate, it will take several quarters to implement. The objective is to come back to the Council after the first of the year, January or February, with a proposed new schedule for adoption by the end of the first quarter and then implementation will begin. Mr. Boganey estimated it will be the second half of 2011 when property owners see the adjusted rate on their bills. Councilmember Lasman recalled discussion that the implementation would not be a new revenue stream but provide the same amount of dollars. The proposed three percent increase was needed for the revenue stream. She noted the recommendation was to budget for one percent higher but it was adjusted down to three percent. She stated support for the recommended three percent increase. Mr. Boganey explained a disadvantage of freezing the current rate until the new rates go into effect the second half of 2011, is that the City will either give up the revenue that would have been gathered the first half of 2011 or rates would have to be increased even higher to make up what was lost the first half of 2011. Councilmember Ryan stated the senior citizen rate is built into the three percent increase as well as doubling the street and utility projects in 2011 to realize lower construction costs, which also necessitates a better cash balance. Mayor Willson noted the Council had discussed increasing the rate by four percent but then it was reduced to three percent. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Roche suggested the Council formally invite staff to attend the City's Centennial Birthday Party, possibly sponsoring a departmental table. Councilmember Lasman supported the suggestion and indicated she will bring it to the Committee. Mayor Willson stated if employees would like to attend, those arrangements can be made but the purchase of tickets would not come from City funds. Councilmember Roche suggested that when the Visit Minneapolis North's (VMN) lease ends, the City explore having them rent space at the Earle Brown Farm. Mayor Willson stated the VMN lease expires next year and a new location is being explored because there is a lot of office space on the market. Mr. Boganey stated when staff became aware that VMN was considering new lease space, it offered the alternative of the Earle Brown location. Councilmember Roche stated he attended the Brooklyn Center Youth Football Banquet that was held in Brooklyn Park and suggested the Council make a formal request it be held in Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson asked if the youth athletic program is City sponsored. Mr. Boganey clarified that the City facilitates use of its fields but the organization running the program is independent of the City. The Council agreed that while it would be nice if this banquet was held in Brooklyn Center, it was not a City - planned event. ADJOURNMENT 11/22/10 -3- Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Roche seconded to close the Study Session at 6:44 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/22/10 -4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, i the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn g , being y qua pp y Y n Y 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 November 22, 2010. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereo f and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its December 13, 2010, Regular Session. N City Clerk Mayor 11/22/10 -5-