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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 07-26 CCM Special Session-City Council Subcommittee MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION JULY 26, 1977 CITY HALL Call to Order A Subcommittee of the Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order at 8 :03 p.m. Roll Call Councilman Kuefler and Councilman Lhotka. Also present were Administrative Assistants Brad Hoffman and Ronald Warren. Deliberation of Open Councilman Lhotka stated that this Subcommittee meeting Forum Format was called to discuss the possibility of instituting an open forum concept whereby citizens would be given the opportunity to address the City Council about matters concerning them. He explained that five written responses regarding the subject of an open forum have been submitted thus far from Mayor Cohen, Councilman Britts, Councilman Fignar, the League of Women Voters and Phyllis Papke. He further explained that it was his and Councilman Kuefler's intention to solicit public input on the subject this evening, to consider further input in the form of other written responses and then hold another Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, August 17, 1977 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to further discuss the matter and possibly develop a proposal to be considered by the entire City Council. He next reviewed the procedures to be utilized this evening for soliciting public input which include: that persons give their name and address for purposes of the record; that everyone would be given an opportunity to speak before recognizing someone a second time; and also that comments be specifically related to the open forum concept. Public Hearing Councilman Lhotka recognized Jerry Pedlar, 6113 Quail Avenue North, who stated that there seems to be a great deal of apathy among the citizens of Brooklyn Center and that possibly much of this apathy can be attributed to the City Council. He stated that it is important that the City Council, as well as the administration of the City, be available to the citizens of Brooklyn Center and that citizen input is sought out. He stated that he favored instituting an open forum concept. Dolores Hastings, 5813 Aldrich Avenue North, stated that she supports the League of Women Voters' points relating to the institution of an open forum concept. She further stated that the open forum should be held on the same night that a City Council meeting is held and should also be conducted prior to the time the City Council breaks for coffee during the meeting. She added that it would be worthwhile to have a person not associated with City government act as a moderator for the open forum which, in her opinion, would make people feel freer to comment. She noted that the League of Women Voters has offered its services as moderator for an open forum.and suggested that other organizations might be willing to donate their time to serve as moderators for an open forum. -1- 7 -26 -77 Vern Ausen, 2907 O'Henry Road, a former City Councilman, stated that he had suggested such a concept in his first year on the City Council but that there was not much interest in institutin such a concept at that time. He explained that he has been involved in some development work in Scott County and that because of that -he has appeared before the Shakopee City Council on a number of occasions. He explained that in that community approximately 20 minutes is set aside for residents to speak on any subject that they feel is within the prerogatives of their City Council. He added that there are never less than 15 or 20 people in attendance at Council meetings, and that there seems to be much interest and a feeling of participation on the part of the citizens in that community. He added that he does not favor having a separate City Council meeting for an open forum, instead the concept should be instituted during a regular City Council meeting if it is to achieve the purpose of allowing citizens to say what is on their mind. He concluded by stating that even if the open forum is limited to 20 minutes, it would be beneficial to those wishing to address the City Council. Fred Albright, 5344 Irving Avenue North, stated that he and his neighbor were having a lot of problems with juveniles in their neighborhood and that the police department has been unable to solve their problems. He explained that when he has called the police he has received no real response. Councilman Lhotka stated that the purpose of this evening's meeting is to solicit comments on the concept of instituting an open forum. He stated that he was aware of Mr. Albright's problem and that hopefully the problem would be rectified. He inquired of Mr. Albright if he had an opinion regarding the institution of an open forum. Mr. Albright stated that he favors such a concept. Dolores Hastings , 5 813 Aldrich Avenue North, inquired of the Councilmen as to the nature of the written responses received thus far regarding the open forum. Councilman Lhotka responded by reviewing the letters, received. He stated that some of the suggestions estions include having an open forum on a day other than when a City Council meeting is scheduled such as a Saturday morning; the suggestion that the open forum be conducted either prior to a City Council meeting or during a City Council meeting; that there be time limits both for the individual addressing the City Council and the total time allotted for the open forum; that there be a sign -up sheet and that people be given the opportunity to make comments relative to agenda items. Councilman Kuefler stated that it has also been suggested that the open forum concept be formulated in such a- vvay so that it would not require the City Council to make a decision regarding a citizen complaint or suggestion that would be brought to the Council's attention during the open forum. Donald Poss , 3212 65th Avenue North, the former city manager, inquired as to the number of written responses received regarding the open forum concept. Councilman Lhotka responded that there were five written responses. Mr. Poss stated that based on the number of written responses and the number of persons in attendance at this evening's meeting it seems that this is an issue of much to do about nothing. He explained that based on the number of taxpayers and registered .voters in Brooklyn Center, the response to the 7 -26 -77 -2- to the open forum concept is very little. He further explained that the Subcommittee was in essence considering the institu- tion of a concept that would have a major impact but which is really a minor issue. He further stated that citizens have always had an opportunity to express their opinions,- concerns, or complaints regarding City government by contacting City Councilmen or City Hall, and that this is an accepted practice. He pointed out that a City Council meeting should be for the purpose of conducting the City's business and to the extent that special interests would use an open forum for whatever Purpose it would become an intrusion on the City Council's method for conducting City business. He added that based on his experience, an open forum would be used primarily by special interests and that the "silent majority", which makes up the great portion of taxpayers and voters in the City, would not use such a forum for expressing their problems. He stated that an open forum would be utilized by the "mouthy minority or special interest groups and such a concept would not be fair to persons that are on the Council's scheduled agenda because they might well be pre - empted or delayed because of it. He also pointed out that the topics discussed during such time could range from international problems to local problems and that nothing really would be gained that could not be gained through the normal communications channels of contacting City officials. He further stated that as city manager he had recently, at the request of the City Council,, conducted a survey regarding the use of the open forum type, concept by other municipalities, and that the results for the most part, were that they were either abused or unused and were often a sham. He concluded by stating he doesn't think the City Council should interrupt its good way of conducting the City's business for the "mouthy minority" or special interests. Mr. Anderson, 5351 Humboldt Avenue North, inquired if citizens are allowed to come in off the street and make comments at regular City Council meetings. Councilman Lhotka responded that under the present format citizens are not generally permitted to address the Council unless they are on the agenda. He added that exceptions to this have to do with public hearings for various Planning Commission items, assessment hearings, public hearings for ordinances, or in cases where the Council opens the meeting for purposes of public inquiry. Vern Ausen, 2907 O'Henry Road, stated that he agrees with some of the observations made by Mr. Poss earlier but that he thinks an open forum, as he has experienced it in some other communities is germane to City Council business. He further stated that private citizens do have a number of concerns and other things that should be expressed directly to the City Council. He added that if no one utilizes the open forum, no time would be lost. He explained that there are things other than personal or special interests that could be brought to the City'Council's attention utilizing such a concept and added that even a short period of time is better than nothing at all, and that he feels it would be productive and should be given a chance even on a test basis. He noted also that it is possible that an open forum could get out of hand and must be conducted properly. Jerry Pedlar, 6113 Quail Avenue North, stated that he agreed with a number of points made by Mr. Poss particularly the one relating to the lack of attendance at public meetings such as this. He pointed out that the lack of people in attendance at this meeting is indicative of citizen apathy in Brc oklyn Center _3_ 7 -26-77 He added that he also agrees with a number of points made by Mr. Ausen and stated that ,ihe open forum should be given a try. He further stated that the institution of an open forum should not interfere in any way with the conduct of City business as this should be given paramount consideration at a City Council meeting He spoke further in support of the institution of an open forum. Fred Albright, 5344 Irving Avenue North, stated that perhaps a majority of the people in Brooklyn Center are not aware of what an agenda is or how to get on it. He added that many citizens are also not aware of how to make their views known to elected officials and suggested that there be an education process on how to get on an agenda or to have an open format so that citizens can express their problems or concerns to the City Council. He further stated that he felt he as a citizen of Brooklyn Center, was the City's business and that the City Council should be concerned about his problems and opinions. He noted the comments relating to citizen apathy and stated that politicians are apathetic as well and that what has been described as citizen apathy might not be apathy but rather ignorance. He concluded by stating that an open forum would be a good educational thing for the community. Dean DeSmith, 2701 - 65th Avenue North, expressed the opinion that the method for notifying people of various meetings is not very good and that many perhaps do not know what is going on. He stated that if an open forum concept is instituted, specific rules should be developed for conducting it. Dolores Hastings, 5813 Aldrich Avenue North, stated that she has been on the Council agenda but complained that her topic usually is at the end of the agenda which could be very late on a Monday evening. She stated that she is in favor of the open forum and suggested that people call in ahead of time so that they can speak at the open forum and that the open forum be conducted early in the City Council meeting or at a specific time. She also suggested that there be a sign -up sheet available at the City Hall prior to the Council meeting so that persons could sign up to speak at the open forum. She added that a priority should be established whereby ; persons calling in advance requesting to be on the open forum be given first chance to address the Council before persons signing up the evening of the Council meeting. She further stated that it would not be necessary that the City Council respond or reply to various concerns or opinions expressed during the open forum. She concluded her remarks by stating that people are often afraid. to call up City Hall or to call City Councilmen individually and that the open forum would give these. people an opportunity to address the City Council. Donald Poss, 3212 - 65th Avenue North, assured Mrs. Hastings' that there are people who aren't afraid to call City Hall. He stated that those that are afraid in all likelihood would not come to City Council meetings to utilize the open forum and express their problems, opinions, or concerns before a tribunal. He added that while he was city -manager typically people calling in advance requesting to be on the agenda to make various announcements, etc. would be placed on the agenda at an early time. He further stated that the institution of an open forum should in no way interfere or interrupt the City's regularly scheduled business that must be conducted. on the evening of a City Council meeting. He commented that he feels there 'is no real problem for people to communicate 7 -26 -77 -4- with City officials or for people to get placed on the Council agenda if they have legitimate business .and, therefore, he sees no pressing need for an open forum. He added that if an open forum is utilized by the City Council, it should be done at a time prior to the regular starting time for the City Council meeting and not during a regular scheduled meeting or perhaps on a day when the City Council i's not scheduled for a regular Council meeting such as a Saturday which would give more citizens an opportunity to address their City Council. Vincent Tubman, 6425 Girard Avenue North, stated that people need the opportunity to express themselves not only to individ- ual Councilmen but to the City Council as a whole. He commented that he felt Councilmen would like to get citizen opinions especially if a hot issue is before the City Council. He noted that an open forum would provide such an opportunity to the City Council. He added that if there are no hot issues or items before the Council, there would probably not be many people in attendance to utilize the open forum. He stated that he does not favor having an open forum on a day other than when a City Council meeting is scheduled and added that he does not favor requiring people to call in advance stating what it is they wish to say during an open forum because this would give an unfair advantage to the City Council or the City administration to rebut things that might be brought up at the open forum. He stated that there would be no reason why the City Council would have to respond to an individual's concern or problem at the open forum. Mr. Tubman stated that a number of points have been made regard- ing an open forum being an interruption of City business. He noted that the Council regularly has a break midway through its regular meeting and that this too is an interruption of City business which is no worse than what an open forum would be. He concluded his remarks by stating that the issue is really one of "democracy vs. efficiency" and commented that efficiency is nice but so is democracy. Mr. Anderson, 5351 Humboldt Avenue North, stated that he understands the concerns for not interrupting City business but added that a great deal of City business is routine business. He further stated that he favors allocating one -half hour to an open fourm which would give citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding any new, nonroutine, business. Councilman Lhotka inquired if anyone else wished to be heard. There being none the public hearing was closed. Councilman Lhotka reported that both he and Councilman Kuefler would continue to accept both oral and written comments regarding the possible institution of an open forum between now and the August 17 meeting. He explained that comments could be directed to either himself or Councilman Kuefler at their homes or at City Hall. Adjournment The special City Council Subcommittee meeting adjourned at 8:58 P.M. Secretary . -5- 7 -26 -77