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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 09-20 CCM Regular Session minutes of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center In the County of Hennepin and State of Minnesota September 20, 1971 The City Council met in regular session and was called to order by Mayor Phi lip Cohen at 7-.40 P. M. Roll Call: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard.. Also present were: City Manager Donald Poss, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, City Attorney Richard Schaeffer, Chief of Police Thomas O'Hehir, Assistant City Engineer Gerald Butcher, Director of Park and Recreation Eugene Hagel and Administrative Assistants Tom Loucks and Blair Tremere, Motion by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Ausen to approve the minutes of the September 13, 1971 Council meeting as corrected, Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting a • t against: n 9 9 one,. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Leary to approve the minutes of the special session of September 14, 1971 as submitted. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. The City Manager introduced for first reading an ordinance intended to implement the recent City Council determination relative to Planning Commission Application No, 71028. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Willard to declare a first reading on the following. ordinance: AN ORDINANCE VACATING THAT PORTION OF ORCHARD AVENUE NORTH EET 67th AVENUE NORTH AND 68th AVENUE NORTH Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. g The City Manager next presented to the Coundil for first reading an ordinance relating to the rezoning of property in the vicinity of 53rd and Russell Avenues North, He noted that a first reading ad. been held on June 28 1971 and g 3 had been published on July 8, 1971, but that the legal description had been incorrect and consequently the present ordinance contalning the correct property description and other corrections was submitted for Council consideration. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Leary to declare a first reading on the following ordinance: . AN OR MANCE QTNDiN CKAM 3§ OF THE CNX ORDNANCE Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen,, Councilmen beery,.. Deck., and Willard; Voting against: none. (Councilman Ausen abstained). Motion carried. The City Manager next stated that the bond obligations at North -Lynn Apartments located on the west side of Humboldt Avenue and north of 65th Avenue have been completed and he recommended that the performance bond in the amount of $10,000 be released. Motion by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Ausen to authorize the release of the performance bond in the amount of $10,,000 held for the North - Lynn Apartments. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary,, Ausen,, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none, iViotion carried unanimously, The City Manager presented a letter from the Brooklyn Center Fire Department Relief Association seeking authorization for the purchase of $35,000 of Chrysler Financial Corp, debentures, an investment which had been. approved on September 7, p 1971 by the Relief Association, q : After a brief discussion a motion was made by Councilman Ausen and seconded by Councilman Willard to authorize the Brooklyn Center Fire Department Relief Association to purchase $35,000 of Chrysler Financial Corp. debentures which have an interest rate of 8.35% and which will mature September 1, 1991, Voting in favor were. Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Lary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. The City Manager informed the Council that the Youth Advisory Commission Intends to act as a coordinating body for a "Meet the Candidates Night" wherein Brooklyn Center youth old enough to vote would have an opportunity to meet the candidates in the upcoming local election. The Council acknowledged the intent of the Youth Advisory Commission to coordinate such an event. Councilman Willard stated that the Park and Recreation Commission at its September 8, 1971 meeting had passed a resolution recommending to the City Council that an ordinance be passed prohibiting the use of all motorized vehicles, except for maintenance and emergency, in all City parks. He also noted that the Commission had adopted a motion requesting that the City Council meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to the adoption of the 1972 budget. Mayor Cohen sug- gested that the Council meet with the Park and Recreation Commission on September 30, 1971 at 7:30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing the Park and Recrea- tion portion of the proposed budget. It was also concluded that the issue of banning motorized vehicles from City parks would be placed on a near future City Council agenda. Councilman Ausen stated that the Park and Recreation Commission had also asked that consideration be given to allow expenses for the members of the Commission to attend the Minnesota State Recreation and Park Association Conference in Rochester, Minnesota later this fall, The City Manager noted that such an expenditure would have to be approved by the Council since no money is expressly budgeted for such uses by the advisory commissions. Councilman Willard stated that the Commission should make a written specific request for such funds including a detailed account of proposed expenses. Councilman Ausen asked that this item be placed on a future City Council agenda as well. The City Manager informed the Council that the Ice Arena Program Development Committee had concluded its deliberations and was prepared to make a recommendation, Mayor Cohen called upon Councilman Heck who served as Chairman of the Committee for his comments relative to the Committee's work, Councilman Heck commented that the other members of the Committee included Paul Bouchard, Bob Grosshans, Earl Larson, Bruce Morrow, Ernie Meyer, Tom Peterson, Tom Stover, and Ed Theisen. He said the Committee worked closely with Bob Pierce of the architectural firm of Cerny Associates, Inc, in developing a program. The City Manager then reviewed the various functional elements outlined in the program and he noted that the estimated size of the facility was approxi- mately 32,680 sq. ft. He further stated that the possible uses of such a facility besides ice skating, could include roller skating and activities which require auditorium -like space such as expositions or large gatherings. As discussion ensued relative to the intended use of the proposed facility. Councilman Willard stated that the program should be explicit so that the voters would know whether the arena was intended to be a multi -use building or exclu- sively an ice arena. The City Manager stated that the estimated total cost, including archi- tectural and other fees, for each of the various seating capacities were as follows; 500 seat facility, $879,, 990; 750 seat capacity, $926, 810; 1500 seat capacity.. $1, 069, 335. He noted that in the 1968 bond election approximately $80, 004 had been earmarked for a covered ice facility and this money could be used to reduce the bonding requirements for a new arena. ..2� Councilman Ausen commented to the area and land requirements and the land development costs, nesting that there would be substantival differences depending on which capacity was selected. He also inquired as to the probable displacement of high rise residential properties, in that the area south of the Civic Center is zoned for such a use. A discussion ensued. relative to the amount of money available from the 1968 referendum. Councilman Heck stated that approximately $80,000 was definitely intended for a covered ice facility and that intent should be considered as a commitment. Councilman Ausen stated that money could be productively used for other park and recreation capital needs, Councilman Leary stated that the funds earmarked from the 1968 referendum should be credited against the total cost of the proposed ice arena. Mayor Cohen asked Councilman Heck what recommendation the Committee had made as to seating capacity. Councilman Heck commented that considering total cost, the needs of the community, and the proposed uses of such a facility the Committee had centered its attention on a 500 seat arena:. A discussion ensued relative to the increased building costs and the operating costs as they related to larger capacity facilities. The City Manager suggested that the 500 seat designation would probably translate into a total spectator capacity of nearly 1,000 people, both standing and closely seated. The City Manager reminded the Council that if the ice facility issue is to come before the voters at the November 2, 1971 election a final policy decision and program approval must be made by October 4, 1971 to meet various statutory election requirements. In that regard Mayor Cohen suggested that the Council determine the issue before the first of October. Following further discussion a motion was made by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Ausen to commend the Ice Arena Program Development Committee as well as the City Manager for their efforts in developing a compre- hensive proposal for such a facility. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Council- men Leary, Ausen, Heck and Vuillard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. { The City Council recessed at 9 :40 P. M. and reconvened at 10 :00 P. M. The City Manager reviewed Planning Commission Application No. 71030 submitted by F. Nendza requesting a special use permit. He indicated the applicant is requesting a special use permit for a special home occupation con- sisting of the sale of imported tapestry on a property located at 5144 Drew Avenue North. He stated that the operation would consist of taking telephone orders with limited on- premise direct sales and that the product would not be stored, but rm iled directly from the manufacturer to the customer. Following a brief discussion a motion was made by Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Leary to approve Planning Commission Application No. 71030 submitted by F. Nendza. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. The City Manager next presented a brief review of the special assessment projects for which assessment hearings have been scheduled on September 27th. A discussion ensued during which the Assistant City Engineer answered questions concerning the items listed as special assessments. Motion by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Ausen to reconvene the 1972 budget hearing. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Beck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unani- mously. A discussion ensued relative to alternatives available to keep the tax rate near the present level. It was generally agreed that due to the absence of a surplus windfall similar to that applied to the 1971 budget, substantial servi,Ce,, reductions including the reduction of personnel would be necessary to avoid Up tax rate increase. -3- The City Manager reviewed for the Council those proposed expenditures not subject to tax levy limitation and, for the most part, not subject to funding discretion. Discussion ensued regarding the recommendation appropriations and the specific features of the policemen's pension and the firemen's pension. It was also pointed out that the recommended appropriation for PERA and social security would subsequently be modified upward as a function of any salary Increments granted. The City Manager next reviewed the recommended appropriation for the General Fund pointing out that with the exception of a reserve for salary increases, the recommended appropriations for General Fund purposes are approximately $40,000 less than in 1971, The review proceeded through the Mayor and .Council Account, the City Manager noting that a $35,000 contingency appropriation amounting to approxi- mately 1.7% of the total General Fund budget is recommended. For purposes of perspective, it was pointed out that nearly one third of the 1971 contingency appropriation will be consumed by an emergency storm sewer repair. In reviewing the Elections and Registrations Account it was pointed out that the recommended appropriation comprehends a general realignment of voting precinct boundaries which will entail printing, publishing, and postage expenditures. A review of the Administrative Office Account generated a discussion relative to the possibility of publishing a communit calendar of civic events which would be distributed to the citizenry. In addition, the City Manager described the desirability of securing recommended microfilming equipment to relieve the file storage build up inherent in governmental activities. After a brief discussion of the recommended appropriations for the Administrative Office there was a motion by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Willard to adjourn the 1972 budget hearing until the September 27th meeting. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. The City Manager next presented to the Council a letter from the Metropolitan Transit Commission confirming an extension of financial aid for the operation of the Brooklyn Center Bus, through December 31, 1971. The aid was In an amount of $2,500 with the stipulation that the City must agree to keep the bus running through the 31st of December and must agree to meet the balance of the cost of that operation. Councilman Willard then discussed a projection of the Brooklyn Center bus operation costs. A discussion ensued concerning the amount which would be necessary to continue the operation and whether the operation should be continued at all. Motion by Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Heck to direct the staff to prepare a resolution stating that the City of Brooklyn Center agreed to continue the Brooklyn Center Bus operation through December 31, 1971; acknowledged the financial assistance of up to $2500 provided by the _Metropolitan Transit Commission; and agreed to meet the balance of the cost of the operation through December 31, 1971. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unani. mously. Motion by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Leary to adjourn the meeting. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Noting against: none. Motion carried unanimously. The Council meeting adjourned at 11 :40 P.M. M vor _4-