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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 11-28 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 WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 28, 2011 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:24 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Carol Kleven, Kay Lasman, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. RENTAL LICENSE — REVOCATION PROCESS — CONTINUED City Manager Curt Boganey stated the Council can consider a separate action on the revocation process, if desired. The Council discussed the option of shortening the revocation process; however, concern was expressed that such an action would also apply to the previous owner if they cured the default. Should that occur, it may be problematic for the City to refuse since revocation is with the property, not the property owner. City Attorney LeFevere concurred that could be the case. He stated if the Council is interested in this option, staff could draft an ordinance amendment that lists criteria the Council would consider in whether to accept an application early. The criteria could include proof that the new owner is unrelated to previous owner, meeting all code requirements, presentation plan for changes to be made in management, a physical plan, and/or proof of financial ability to make the changes in the form of a bank loan. Mr. LeFevere noted the Council would base its decision on whether it is or is not in the public's interest and balancing the punishment/sanction side against the other side of taking rental housing out of the market and making it more difficult for the landowner to raise money through rentals to improve the property. He noted the Council may want a process available under the ordinance whereby it could consider an early application if faced with the situation where someone wants to come in who has a proven track record, management record, and financial resources. Mr. Boganey noted the first reading approved tonight addresses the process for someone coming in early to apply but does not address someone asking for a shorter revocation. 11728/11 -1- Mr. LeFevere concurred and raised the option of establishing a time when a request can be made, such as three or six months before expiration of revocation. He noted it may help the property owner with bank approvals if a process is in place so when all conditions are met, they could get a rental license earlier than after the revocation term has expired. Or, the Council may want the property to suffer a 12 -month revocation and the owner to pay that price by waiting or having a reduced property value. Mr. LeFevere noted this is a tough public policy decision but the new scheme of regulation and use of staff resources to clean up the City's rental property has paid off and it seems to be a very effective program. He indicated staff would need direction to develop guidelines if the Council wants the ability to consider shortening revocation terms. However, if the Council supports the current language as being good policy, staff would not need to go through that effort. The Council acknowledged it had received a number of requests in the past but not considered 'a reduction in the revocation period. Consensus was reached that it would be a slippery slope to consider shortening the revocation term; however, the Council does deliberate the appropriate sanction before approving the term. It was noted the ordinance amendment given first reading tonight, if approved, will provide some flexibility in being able to complete the rental license application prior to the expiration of the revocation term. Mr. Boganey stated the Council has been consistent and firm when making its decision to revoke and stood by that term. This has allowed staff to communicate a very consistent and clear message to the rental community that a 12 -month revocation means 12 months. He felt this strict policy had served the City's interest by communicating that message. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to implement the ordinance language given first reading tonight and not consider shortening the revocation period. NEW DIGITAL SIGNAGE SYSTEM — NWCT CHANNEL 16 Assistant City Manager /Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning presented a preview of the new digital signage system from Tightrope Media Systems that will replace the current digital signage system. She advised it is expected to launch on November 29 2011, and will play on Cable Channel 16 when Council meetings or other community videos are not playing. The City Council/EDA suggested the site accommodate live communication should there be an emergency situation. Mr. Boganey stated staff will examine the applicability of using the system for that purpose. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Mr. Boganey introduced the item and reviewed that on September 26, 2011, Roger Kloster addressed the City Council about the Random Acts of Kindness Awards Program and expressed concern about the quality or value of some acts being honored and repetitive recognition of acts and recipients. He asked the Council to first address what it likes the most about the current Program. 11/28/11 -2- The Council identified the following positive aspects of the Program: • It is a long - standing Program • Recognition of people, schools, and businesses for doing the right thing • Engagement of the community • Brings people into City Hall • Acknowledges selfless acts, reinforces those acts, and gets others to notice • Builds community • Awards presentation is televised • Promotes a positive image of the City • Creates opportunity for positive press as reflected in the StarTribune article • Allows Councilmembers to make presentations at a Council meeting • Elected officials can acknowledge people for their random acts of kindness. • Recipient receives a certificate, something of limited value they can show friends or display at home • Creates tradition for residents to anticipate and watch the awards ceremony • Promotes residents to watch for behavior worthy of nomination • Promotes a positive outlook about City government • Introduces people to each other when recognition is given 4 Enhances "Small Town Americana" atmosphere • Builds on the Council's goals for maintaining the City's housing stock • Acknowledges the Council thinks it is important The Council identified the following negative aspects of the Program: • The idea list of random acts of kindness examples is too long and should be simplified or eliminated • The criteria for random acts of kindness is too liberal • The idea list of random acts of kindness includes examples that are not" "random," diminishing the importance of being nominated • The Program is being manipulated by a few, nominating a large number • Nominations should be better focused on more appropriate acts • Dependency on the good faith and judgment of residents making the nominations • There is no limit on the number of nominations a resident can make • Criteria of standards/bouridaries are not set • The goal has been to fill the Chambers • The Program has recognized acts of kindness that are not "random" • The Program has recognized acts that are not meaningful, moving, or inspiring • The Program has used a high level of staff resources • The Program has lost a lot of its meaning • The Program awards several certificates to the same nominee • Award certificates list one recognition when several could be included • Recognition of the same citizens for the same act year after year • Recognition of businesses for contributions and promotions that that are not random acts of kindness 11/28/11 -3- Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman explained that "Random Acts of Kindness" is a company and described how the Program was started in Brooklyn Center. She stated she wants the Program to continue, noting the StarTribune had run an article about the longevity of this Program in Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson felt the acts currently being nominated are not "random" or meaningful and he - believed the Program had lost sight of both. Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan supported creating a threshold so acts have significance, as the Program was intended to recognize. The City Council /EDA agreed to revise the Program information to include the definition for a Random Act of Kindness and institute a limit of five nominations. Mayor Willson stated he remained concerned about what is being submitted as random acts of kindness and suggested he review the nominations submitted to determine what qualifies for consideration. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman suggested the Program be revised as discussed and if that does not address the concerns, then the Mayor review the nominations. The City Council /EDA discussed whether an award program should be created for businesses to recognize contributions, possibly an honorable mention continuum if recognized over multiple years. Concern was expressed that it would not be in the City's best interest to start another awards program because of the staff resources it would consume. However, the current Program could include recognition for businesses, such as reading a list of nominated businesses that have made contributions to the community. Mr. Boganey stated staff will capsulate the information provided tonight for the Council's future consideration and debate in how to implement change. Mayor Willson asked whether the word "random" should be removed from the Program so it would then recognize all acts of kindness. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman indicated she does not support removing "random" from the Program name because the City has been recognized for this Program. Mr. Boganey referenced the instructions for the program, noting the word "random" is not used in the last sentence so it may be assumed that any act of kindness can be nominated. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman stated she did not want to lose the branding of what "random" means and suggested revising the last sentence to include the word "random." She asked if the City Council/EDA would like to address the list of ideas. 11/28/11 -4- Mayor Willson stated the City Council /EDA has discussed eliminating the idea list, reducing the idea list, or citing different examples. He suggested the Council review staff's summary of tonight's discussion prior to making a decision on the idea list. Mr. Boganey clarified staff's intent is not to change the Program but to report back on the City Council/EDA's discussion in a concise manner so it can be reviewed and the City Council/EDA can decide logistically how to make some of these ideas work. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was that each Member would review the idea list of examples and be prepared to make suggestions at the next Work Session in an effort to "raise the bar" for this Program. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:54 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan seconded to reconvene the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:54 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Roger Kloster, 7223 Lee Avenue N., stated he hopes the Random Acts of Kindness program is designed to promote good citizenship and encourage random acts of kindness. He supported the City establishing guidelines as to what is a random act of kindness as opposed to an act of kindness. When awards are presented, he believed it was more appropriate to present one award per nominee and list the acts if there are more than one. Mr. Kloster stated this matter is not a high priority and while he respects the Council for considering his concern, he does not want to circumvent other important issues. ADJOURNMENT Mayor /President Willson moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:57 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/28/11 -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 November 28, 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 December 12, 2011, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 11/28/11 -6-