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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 10-24 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 OCTOBER 24, 2011 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 Carol Kleven,' Kay Lasman, 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, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Clerk Sharon Knutson, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 6d, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 1 of the City Code of Ordinances Relating to Commercial Kennel Licenses and Potentially Dangerous and Dangerous Dog Registrations, specifically relating to whether language referencing kennel licenses should be eliminated since the City no longer issues kennel licenses. Mayor Willson noted kennel licenses are referenced in the title and Section 1, which alerts the reader there are regulations. Councilmember Lasman clarified that commercial kennel licenses are still issued for uses like veterinarians. Mayor Willson requested the following correction to the Work Session minutes of October 10, 2011: Page 2, paragraph prior to adjournment: "...consensus was reached to not move forward with driveway repair standards." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the October 10, 2011, Work Session minutes. MISCELLANEOUS 10/24/11 -1- Councilmember Kleven stated Wings Financial has removed the concrete steps and it looks wonderful. Councilmember Kleven asked for an update on placement of bicycle racks. Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug explained the bicycle racks from Minneapolis have not yet been received and placed so they will be installed next year. He indicated that some bicycle racks were put into the park as part of another project. Councilmember Lasman suggested staff be asked to prepare a resolution of appreciation for Centennial Celebration Committee members. The City Council supported this suggestion and directed staff to prepare the resolution for the City Council's adoption. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS GARBAGE HAULER ORGANIZED COLLECTION UPDATE Mr. Lillehaug provided a brief overview of organized garbage collection, noting the City Council had discussed this topic at its November, 2010, Work Session and asked staff to evaluate potential cost impacts /savings. He presented examples of garbage hauler service rates, noting that most studies and comparisons show an organized system's rates are less; however, it is difficult to obtain accurate comparisons of what Brooklyn Center would experience. Mr. Lillehaug noted the City of Maplewood looked at a city -wide savings of $500,000 assuming 9,000 households at a savings of $55 per household. Mayor Willson asked if staff time was factored into the savings. Mr. Lillehaug stated he has not analyzed costs for staff time but would estimate a one - quarter position at $25,000. Councilmember Lasman stated her impression that the current Brooklyn Center rates were lower than with an organized system. Mr. Lillehaug stated it is correct that some Brooklyn Center rates are lower than the averaged rates of organized systems. However, a larger study would be required to confirm that to be the case. He noted the City of Brooklyn Park did such a study and determined there were potential savings of 10 -30 %. City Manager Curt Boganey stated he has worked in cities with organized collection and found it would be difficult to have organized collection without lower rates, on average, because it costs less to deliver the service due to increased volume per block. With regard to staff costs, Mr. Boganey explained that once the system is organized and contracts signed, the ongoing administrative costs would be relatively insignificant as long as there is a good provider. However, if there is not a good provider, staff would receive and have to respond to many telephone calls of complaint. Mr. Lillehaug agreed the average rate would be lower with an organized system; however, some haulers offer special low rates for six months so it may be difficult to get an organized system lower than what the average resident is currently paying. 10/24/11 -2- Mr. Lillehaug presented an analysis of infrastructure impact costs, estimating organized hauling would result in an 8% reduction in total daily trucks trips, which would result in little if any cost savings in most original pavement designs but noted there may be a minor decrease in maintenance at the end of the roadway life. Mr. Lillehaug advised that Brooklyn Park decided, in September of 2011, to no longer pursue an organized system due to apparent lack of public support. Maplewood, in October of 2011, issued RFPs for a single organized provider for implementation in October of 2012 and is projecting a $500,000 rate savings. The primary advantages of an organized system are lower prices, reduced truck traffic, and community control over waste management decisions. The primary disadvantage is the inability for people to choose their own hauler. Mr. Lillehaug asked the City Council if it supported pursuing organization of a garbage collection system within Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson referenced a conversation with the Brooklyn Park Mayor Pro tem who indicated a core group of residents had supported organized collection but once the public became aware, they attended meetings to voice objection. Mr. Boganey stated that typically happens when haulers campaign against organized collection. Councilmember Kleven thanked staff for the informative and thorough report, noting Brooklyn Park did extensive research and its demographics are the same as Brooklyn Center's. She stated she understands people like the ability to choose their garbage hauler and does not support organized collection. Mayor Willson stated he does not support organized collection. Councilmember Ryan noted haulers send notices of rate specials so the amount saved is dependent on the customer's ability to shop for a competitive rate. He indicated his concern relates to up -front costs, resident pushback, negative reaction, and potential of staff time if there are problems with the hauler. He stated staff has indicated road infrastructure impacts from garbage trucks are not that severe. Councilmember Ryan indicated he does not support organized collection, noting the City can observe efforts of Maplewood and revisit the issue in the future, if desired. Councilmember Lasman stated she does not support changing what the City has and is glad to see road impacts are not significant when factoring in all truck traffic. She felt the City Council made enough decisions for its residents and as long as the current system is working well, residents have the opportunity to pick and choose haulers and can change companies if they are not happy with the service. Councilmember Kleven asked whether the City could determine to not license additional haulers beyond the current nine companies. Mayor Willson explained a moratorium would be required to change the ordinance and such an action would throttle free enterprise. 10/24/11 -3- Mayor Willson indicated the staff study contained excellent data and was very well done. He apologized for the staff time spent on this endeavor when there is a clear consensus by the City Council to not move forward. The unanimous consensus of the City Council was to not pursue an organization of garbage collection system within Brooklyn Center. SHINGLE CREEK TOWERS APARTMENTS Mr. Boganey introduced the item and explained that Shingle Creek Towers Apartments had been auctioned several months ago but the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ultimately rejected the successful bidder and decided to hold a new auction. The City was notified that the October 20, 2011, HUD foreclosure sale of Shingle Creek Towers Apartment located at 6221 Shingle Creek Parkway has been rescheduled to November 10, 2011. HUD has decided to restrict the eligible bidders to include only nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel presented two aerial photos of the subject property, noting it is adjacent to the City Hall parking lot /Centennial Park. He described the 122 -unit apartment building, noting it is centrally located to services, retail, and transportation. Mr. Eitel advised that the NSP account has about $1 million that would be eligible should the City Council choose to pursue purchase. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:48 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. SHINGLE CREEK TOWERS APARTMENTS — CONTINUED Mr. Eitel asked whether the City Council has any interest in the EDA pursuing acquisition of the property, making improvements, and then conveying the property. Mr. Boganey stated, based on Hennepin County feedback, if the EDA chooses not to act there will probably be nonprofit bidders that meet all specifications established by HUD in terms of how property will continue to be operated. Shingle Creek Towers Apartments would continue as affordable housing for families. Mr. Boganey stated he thinks the only reason the EDA might 10/24/11 -4- have an interest in being engaged in the process is if it felt a conversion from family to seniors, over time, would be an appropriate action to take. The City Council discussed the condition of the building, noting it had been remodeled in 2003 but remained an aging structure with small sized units, community room, and laundry. In addition, only a few apartments were handicapped accessible so extensive remodeling would be required to accommodate senior housing. It was the unanimous consensus of the City Council to not pursue the purchase of Shingle Creek Towers Apartments. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:58 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 10/24/11 -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 Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 24, 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 November 14, 2011, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 10/24/11 -6-