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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 04-25 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL /ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY /WORK SESSION APRIL 25, 2011 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Study /Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 7:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Carol Kleven, Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, and Dan Ryan. 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, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. NORTH METRO MAYOR'S ASSOCIATION DOCUMENT Mayor/President Willson presented the North Metro Mayor's Association report relating to per capita taxes, physical disparity results, and tax capacity. He noted that Brooklyn Center has an actual tax capacity of $477 per capita, one of the lowest in all the Twin City's suburbs. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUND DISTRIBUTION To address a reduction in CDBG funding, Mayor /President Willson presented his recommendation to adjust CDBG allotments as follows: Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly $ 14,000 to $ 16,000 CEAP Senior Services $ 10,000 to $ 14,000 HOME Line Tenant Advocacy Services remain at $ 6,500 Neighborhood Stabilization/Code Enforcement $150,000 to $134,000 Home Rehab (Rehab of Private Property) $ 23,088 to $ 0 Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman stated she appreciated the Mayor's consideration; however, would prefer an across - the -board reduction by 16% (the amount of allotment reduction). She stated support to fund Home Rehab, which provided low- interest loans for emergency repairs, and noted an across - the -board reduction would allow the City to stay in the same supporting roles. City Manager Curt Boganey advised there are limiting regulations relating to the percentage of CDBG money that can go to public services, which impacts the ability to adjust those amounts. The amount for public services cannot exceed 15% of the final CDBG grant amount. Because 04/25/11 4- the original budget adhered to that regulation, public service distributions would have to be cut by 16% if the CDBG allotment is reduced by that amount. Mr. Boganey advised there will be a future cut so it may be premature to determine the funding levels at this point. Mayor/President Willson stated he was not opposed to moving funds to Neighborhood Stabilization/Code Enforcement but would hate to see CEAP Senior Services reduced because that service is needed in Brooklyn Center. Councilmember /Commissioner Roche commented on the importance of maintaining the City's neighborhoods and resident's quality of life. Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan stated support for staff's recommendation. Councilmember /Commissioner Kleven indicated this is a difficult decision but she believes some funding is needed for Home Rehab. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to direct staff to provide a recommendation for the City Council/EDA's consideration once the final CDBG allotment is determined. SHINGLE CREEK CROSSING UPDATE Councilmember /Commissioner Roche asked when Brookdale will be demolished. Mr. Boganey estimated that will occur in June. Councilmember /Commissioner Roche suggested planning a wrecking ball media event, possibly including it as a Centennial event. With regard to the issue of pay rate for workers, Mr. Boganey advised that staff had provided language in the development agreement but not yet received a response. The language requires prevailing wages for all of the developer's activities. Language was not included to hire locally because it would be complicated to monitor and staff believed requiring prevailing wages would address that issue. Following discussion, the majority consensus of the City Council /EDA was to support the philosophy of local hiring for the construction of Shingle Creek Crossing; however, it did not want to minimize the requirement for prevailing wages or be an impediment to progress. It supported drafting verbiage to encourage local hiring, rather than require local hiring so it would not stand in the way of progress. DAYLIGHTING OF SHINGLE CREEK Councilmember /Commissioner Roche requested an update on Hennepin County's project to daylight Shingle Creek. Mr. Boganey stated the City has received drafts of the project and cost estimates but is waiting to hear what the County's commitment to the project will be. It was noted the estimated cost for full da li htin would be at least $4 million which would eliminate Y g g the culvert overflow but require the developer to give up some developable land. 04/25/11 -2- IN- STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGN TRAFFIC POLICY Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug displayed a picture of the in- street pedestrian crossing sign approved by the State of Minnesota as a traffic control device and presented the draft policy that adheres to State requirements. He then displayed a map of 40 qualified sites, noting staff is recommending the purchase of only ten signs to avoid over use and maintain effectiveness. The cost is $300 per sign and would be installed by the City for use on City streets. The City Council/EDA discussed its concern relating to the cost of $3,000 for ten signs, high level of vandalism and need for replacement due to frequency of vehicles running over the signs, and estimated soft costs, which may approach $12,000. With regard to snow plowing, Mr. Lillehaug explained the signs would be used seasonally and not in place during winter conditions. He indicated the signs contain no electronics and described how the signs would be g g pinned to the pavement. The City Council/EDA asked whether there had been a lot of pedestrian safety incidents at the recommended locations. Mr. Lillehaug indicated he was not aware of incidents where a person was hit by a vehicle, and the intent was to create a perception to make drivers aware of and yield right -of -way to pedestrians if they are in the crosswalk. The City Council /EDA discussed the danger of creating a false perception of pedestrian safety by placement of the signs. Mr. Lillehaug stated there is a lot of truth to that concern and, in this case, staff has identified areas of higher speeds and the signs would raise driver awareness. He noted staff is only recommending this signage at four locations to assure the signs would not be overused. Seven signs would be installed and three signs would be held in inventory. Councilmember /Commissioner Roche advocated for staff's recommendations in an effort to provide a safe and secure community and attract young families. He believed this program would change the image of Humboldt Square and that making such improvements, over time, will create the reality the Council strives for the City. Mayor/President Willson raised the need for due diligence relating to the cost and what the Council would be committing to. He indicated he is not necessarily opposed but needs to know the costs involved. Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan stated he tends to defer to City staff's expertise and asked if this is an experiment. Mr. - Lillehaug stated it is not an experiment but would allow use of in- street signs to help raise awareness and supplement other traffic control. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman indicated a willingness to try the signage but remained concerned with the high cost for six months of use. Councilmember /Commissioner Kleven asked if Humboldt Avenue is a recommended location. Mr. Lillehaug answered in the affirmative, noting the location is at Humboldt Avenue and 67` Avenue, across from the police station. 04/25/11 -3- Mayor /President Willson asked staff to research the use of stop signs with solar panels to power lights at night, which may be another option for Humboldt Avenue. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to support the In- Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign Traffic Policy and purchase of ten signs, as recommended, and to direct staff to draft a Policy for the Council's action at a future meeting. BUDGETING FOR AND USE OF STATE AID FUNDS Director of Fiscal and Support Services Dan Jordet presented the study and recommendation of the Financial Commission that State Aid funds in the form of Local Government Aid (LGA) and Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) should be applied to costs or projects that are not a part of regular operations but require funding in or after that fiscal year. Examples would include building maintenance, street reconstruction, park maintenance, equipment replacement or technology improvements. MVHC should stay in the General Fund as a supplement to annual operations. Mr. Jordet reviewed the discussion of the Legislature related to budget shortfalls, homestead credit, and resulting impact to the City's budget. In addition, it has been discussed whether fiscal disparities should continue, which currently benefits the City of about $5 million in capacity. The City Council /EDA discussed following the same process used in 2010 to budget a small amount of LGA, which can .be back filled if LGA is reduced. Mr. Boganey recommended the City Council/EDA keep in mind that the 2011 adopted budget anticipated elimination of one or two positions so the City would be in a better financial position starting in 2412. He noted that even with the 4.5% budgeted (representing about $750,000), it was necessary to do further operational reductions. Mr. Boganey indicated it is a significant but manageable risk. The City Council/EDA discussed whether State Aid funds should be completely phased out. Mr. Jordet stated that option was discussed by the Financial Commission and resulted" in a gamut of opinion without reaching consensus. It was noted that elimination of all State Aid funds may not be realistic but could be considered over a two -year phased period. Mr. Boganey clarified the recommendation is to eliminate budgeting State Aid funds from normal day -to -day operations but does not suggest State Aid funds are not needed or should be eliminated completely. If the recommendation is supported, LGA funds would not be placed in the operating budget but, as the City looks at capital needs for the organization, it can identify projects for LGA that is received. Mr. Boganey stated the City can make the argument with the Legislature that it needs LGA. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to support the recommendation of the Financial Commission and entertain further consideration during upcoming budget discussions. 04/25/11 -4- SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT PROJECT The Council addressed the comments raised during Informal Open Forum. Mr. Boganey stated he believed it was possible to accomplish the overall goals of the project in a flexible manner, to take less yard area than originally proposed, reduce height of vegetation, provide pathways to provide property owners with Creek access, preserve integrity of the project, protect the Creek, and lower impact on homeowners. He recommended staff schedule a meeting with all property owners along Shingle Creek in this project area so all hear the same information to gain the same understanding. Mr. Boganey noted property owners support the concept of returning the Creek bed to a more natural state and with reasonable compromise, the project can be modified to satisfy most. The City Council/EDA noted the property owners had voiced several other concerns (size of buffer, size and placement of boulders). The Council/EDA supported the goal of the project to return the Creek bed to a more natural state and the creation of delineation. Staff was asked to consider whether the buffer can be reduced to 20 feet. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to authorize staff to schedule an evening meeting with the six property owners along Shingle Creek, as suggested, and provide the Council with an update on the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:04 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 04/25/11 -5- 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on April 25, 2011. 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 May 9, 2011, Regular Session. h City Clerk Mayor 04/25/11 -6-