HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 10-05 CCM Special Session Minutes of the Proceedings of the City
Council of the City of Brooklyn Center
In the County of Hennepin and State of
Minnesota
October 5, 1971
The City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor
Pro -tem Howard Heck at 8:15 P.M.
Roll Call: Mayor Pro -tem Howard Heck, Councilmen Leary and Willard
Staff members present w- e: City Manager Donald Poss, Director of Public Works
James Merila, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund and Administrative Assistant
Blair Tremere.
Motion by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Willard to
reconvene the 1972 budget hearing. Voting in favor were: Mayo Pro -tem Iward
.Heck, Councilmen Leary and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion cat
unanimously.
The City Manager reviewed the recommended appropriations for Civil Defense
and noted that the proposal represents a continuation of the 1971 activity level.
He commented that a
portion of the Civil Defense budget is reimbursed by the
federal government.
The City Manager commented on the animal control budget stating that the
Proposal recommends a continuation of the present contract system at the existing
level of activity. A brief discussion ensued regarding the quality of animal cor of
services in the City.
Mayor Cohen arrived at 8:35 P.M.
The next item reviewed was the Engineering Department. It was noted that
the 1972 proposal does not comprehend any staffing changes in the division. It
was stated that the level of activity will be similar to 1971 with a: change in work
emphasis.
Councilman Ausen arrived at 8:45 P.M.
With regard -to the Street Maintenance portion of the proposed bud%ol,, the
City Manager stated that during 1971 the street division completed its evvAvment
away from new construction activities and commencing in 1972 will likely be per-
forming a maintenance function exclusively. He stated a degree of success has
been achieved in using street maintenance and park maintenance personnel to
supplement one another during those periods of high activity which do not occur
concurrently. It is intended during 1972 to take further advantage of the operating
efficiencies available by this technique.
He further noted that a major City Council policy determination regarding
City responsibility for the maintenance for sidewalks prompted the necessity to
recommend an additional full -time position. The capital outlay portion of the
account similarly reflects the need to acquire equipment to support the policy
determination,
The City Manager said with reference to the sidewalk maintenance program
that there is no anticipation in the proposed budget for the loading and hauling of
snow. He noted, however, that snow hauling is probably necessary to the total
success of the sidewalk network program.
After a brief discussion of the manpower requirements listed in the Street
Department budget it was the consensus of the Council that the recommended amount
for seasonal part -time labor be reduced from $10,000 to $8,000. Further discussion
ensued concerning the capital outlay pof°tion of the Street Department budget.
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The City Manager next reviewed that portion relating to Street Lighting
and Signals. He noted the significant change in this account reflected an increase
in street lighting fixtures and anticipated traffic signals as well as reflecting a
rate increase recently announced by Northern States Power Co. A brief discussion
ensued concerning the feasibility of mid -block lighting as well as the anticipated
completion dates of current street lighting projects.
The meeting recessed at 9 :55 P.M. and resumed at 10:10 P.M.,"
The City Manager reviewed for the Council those appropriations not subject
to tax levy limitations. With reference to the Fire Relief Association pension, he
quoted from an updated actuarial report and advised the Council that the Association
was in process of requesting an improvement of the benefit level.
He also stated that according to recent data relative to revenue from the
state sales tax, the City would receive $273,998 a s. opposed to the $255,000
published in the 1972 budget e
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A discussion ensued concerning the possibility of funding a park facilities
master plan and the $2,000 recommenced appropriation in the Park and Recreation
Account for a study of the Shingle Creek greenstrip, The Mayor polled the Council
as to whether the study should remain as recommended in the budget. Those in
favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary and Willard. Those not in favor of
the recommended appropriation were: Councilmen Heck and Ausen. There was a
brief discussion of supplementing the Mayor and Council Contingency Fund to
provide for possible financing of professional assistance in developing a conceptual
Park facilities plan.
Councilman Willard suggested the elimination of the recommended
appropriation for microfilming equipment in the Administrative Office Account.
It was next determined to increase the contingency fund to $40, 000, Council-
man Heck t kiar OXCepti thereto stating ha felt the aLOUnt WE the 0014ingency fund
Should re=. -_a.fn ?.t last year's aunt ale
Motion by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Ausen to adjourn
the 1972 budget hearings. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Heck,
Leary, Willard and Ausen. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Cohen stated that with regard to the proposed ice arena that the
issue was apparently one of a six month ice facility or a twelve month multi-
purpose facility.. He stated that further information was needed to adequately .
deliberate the two options. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by
Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Leary to direct the staff to review
the ice arena situation with the architect and to develop a program based upon a
six month operation, and to present the results of the meeting and the program to
the Council at the October 18th meeting. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen,
Councilmen Leary, Beck, Willard and Ausen. Voting against: none. Motion
carried unanimously.
Mayor Cohen announced that he had completed his review of the Charter
Commission vacancies and had concluded that the City Council should make the
appointments. Names of prospective appointees including Mr. Ralph McCartney,
Mr. Lowell Malcolm, Mrs. Mildred Henricks, Mrs.. Ernee McArthur, Mr. James
Denn, Mr. Ed Theisen, Mr. Robert Harvey, nd Mr. Cordon Erick w
Y, son were sub-
mitted for balloting. Upon completion of the balloting, it was determined that
Mr. Gordon Erickson and Mrs. Ernee McArthur were the majority selections.
Motion by Councilman Leary and seconded by Councilman Ausen to appoint
Mr. Gordon Erickson and Mrs. Ernee McArthur to the Brooklyn Center Charter
Commission. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Heck, Ausen
and Willard. Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously.
Member Theodore Willard introduced the following resolution and moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 71 -192
RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO SUBDIVISION BOND FC R THOMAS CONSTRUCTION
CO. 2ND ADDITION PERTAINING TO LOTS 3 4 & 5 OF &QCK 2
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The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution wag duly seconded by
member John Leary, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor
thereof: Philip Cohen, John Leary, Vernon Ausen, Howard Heck and Theodore
Vuillard; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution
was declared duly passed and adopted.
The City Manager reviewed the proposed improvements to the existing bath
house building at Twin Lake Park. He estimated that the cost of the improvements
would amount to approximately $10,000 on the basis of the City acting as its own
general contractor by hiring trades personnel on the City payroll on a temporary
ba sis ,
Motion by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Ausen to authorize
the City Manager to hire the necessary personnel on a temporary basis and to
Purchase the necessary materials and equipment to proceed with the proposed
improvement of the building at Twin Lake Park. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen,
Councilmen Heck, Leary, Vuillard and Ausen. Voting against: none. Motion
carried unanimously,
Motion by Councilman Ausen and seconded by Councilman Leary to adjourn
the meeting. Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Heck, Ausen
and Vuillard. Voting against: n st:
�9 9 none. Motion carried unanimously. The City Council
meetin g ) ned at 11:40 .40 P.M.
Clerk Mayor
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