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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 12-12 CCM Work 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 DECEMBER 12, 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, Information Technology Director Patty Hartwig, Planning and Zoning Specialist Tim Benetti, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM Councilmember Lasman asked whether the video system would include surveillance of the community center and exercise, area. Information Technology Director Patty Hartwig explained the positioning and orientation of the video cameras to record the entrance door into the exercise room and emergency access door. She indicated the cameras will be geared toward the exercise area and the receptionistibuilding manager will have the ability to view the areas at any time. Councilmember Lasman asked about the potential liability for the City should someone underage , be in the exercise area. City Manager Curt Boganey indicated it is difficult to speculate on the potential risk or level of liability, but the general rule is that the City would have small liability unless it is deemed to be negligent. Councilmember Ryan commented on the liquor store surveillance system and noted the higher video resolution would help identify the perpetrator, should there be a theft. Ms. Hartwig indicated this is correct and advised of the key locations that will be upgraded with higher resolution cameras. Councilmember Kleven thanked staff for its recommendation to place cameras in the exercise area to enhance security for those using the exercise area. Ms. Hartwig explained the cameras will be networked to a core system so it is cost effective to expand, if desired. 12/12/11 -1- Councilmember Lasman requested the following correction to the Work Session minutes of November 28, 2011: Paae 3, 11� bullet "Elected officials can acknowledge people for their random acts of kindness." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the November 28, 2011, Work Session minutes. Councilmember Lasman requested discussion of Item 7a, Resolution Expressing Recognition of and Appreciation for the Dedicated Public Service of the Brooklyn Center Centennial Celebration Committee. She requested the resolution be revised to include an additional WHEREAS paragraph that specifically acknowledged the contribution of Keith Lester for chairing the Committee, as follows: "WHEREAS, the leadership of the chair of the Brooklyn Center Centennial Committee, Keith Lester, is to be commended and congratulated on the great success of the events during the Centennial Year; and" It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept this resolution revision to add the above language as the eighth WHEREAS. Mr. Boganey requested the addition of the December 8, 2011, Special Session minutes to the Consent Agenda as Item 6a6. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept this addition to the regular meeting agenda. Mr. Boganey requested the removal of Consent Agenda Item 6i, Approval of Site Performance Guarantee Reduction for Shingle Creek Crossing Subdivision Agreement/Planning Application No. 2011 -008 and 009, to allow time for staff to review the request for a reduction to the letter of credit prior to Council action. He also requested the removal of Consent Agenda item 6k, Resolution Ordering the Abatement of Conditions Creating a Hazardous Property at 3119 62 °d Avenue North, since the hazardous condition has been removed from the subject property. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept these regular session agenda revisions. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Willson commented on two recent articles in the Sunday edition of the StarTribune that were favorable to Brooklyn Center. One article pertained to the joint work of the Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park Police Departments with New Americans Academy and the second article cited Brooklyn Center as having one of the lowest tax rates in the metropolitan area. Councilmember Ryan advised there was also a StarTribune article on December 7, 2011, relating to the daylighting of Shingle Creek, a feature of Shingle Creek Crossing, that included an interview with Planning and Zoning Specialist Tim Benetti. 12/12/11 -2- Councilmember Lasman asked staff to provide her with information on the program starting in January to provide technical assistance grants for small businesses. Councilmember Ryan apologized for being unable to attend the December 15, 2011, Financial Commission meeting due to a family commitment. Councilmember Kleven asked what could be done to help someone who is living in his/her car. Mr. Boganey recommended they be referred to Hennepin County for assistance. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGNATIONS Mr. Boganey introduced the item and stated it was initiated at the staff level more than a year ago to promote consistent communication amongst staff and the community to identify neighborhoods and boundaries. The action, if desired, to formally designate neighborhoods is a way to confirm these are reasonable descriptions. After that, the City can do as little or much as it wishes and it is not being proposed to consider neighborhood signs or organizations. Assistant City Manager /Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning described the process used by staff to define neighborhood designations and research conducted of other cities. Staff found there was not one particular model but found in all cases the neighborhood identification was useful for internal and external communications. Ms. Schleuning presented a map of proposed neighborhoods that used the name of a local park to identify the neighborhood. She reviewed policy issues with establishing such designations and requested City Council feedback. Councilmember Kleven thanked staff for its research and stated support for using the park name since residents identify with their neighborhood park. Councilmember Ryan concurred and asked if consideration was given to the Police Department's designated boundaries for patrol sectors. Ms. Schleuning advised the Police Department was instrumental in creating these proposed boundaries so the boundaries are close if not the same, and the next step would be to verify the locations. Mr. Boganey explained that operationally the City creates boundaries to determine the most effective and efficient division of resources to serve the public; however, it may not be wise to make the neighborhood boundaries fit the operational needs of the City because they will change. The Council expressed its support to consider creating neighborhood boundaries and to use the names of parks since residents feel an attachment to their neighborhood park. It was noted that neighborhood boundaries may also be useful in the future should City -wide representation be desired to serve on a committee or task force. 12/12/11 -3- RECESS STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Kleven seconded to recess 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 6:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGNATIONS — CONTINUED The discussion continued on whether to create neighborhood designations. Mayor Willson suggested this matter be presented to the Housing Commission and Park and Recreation Commission for their feedback. Then the City Council can consider their comments before making a further determination. The majority consensus of the City Council was to support the identification of neighborhoods and direct staff to obtain feedback from the Housing Commission and Park and Recreation Commission. OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE 6031 BROOKLYN BOULEVARD AS PART OF THE REIMAGING OF THE BROOKLYN BOULEVARD CORRIDOR Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel informed the City Council of the opportunity to acquire the home at 6031 Brooklyn Boulevard. He noted it is a single- family residence acquired by Rockwell Investment LLC on September 29, 2009, for $63,000. The owner pulled building permits, proceeded with rehabbing the home, obtained an $89,000 mortgage, and a rental license was issued in May of 2010. On November 16, 2011, there was a house fire at this residence and the property is currently vacant. The property owner is offering the property, as is, for $100,000. Mr. Eitel used a map to point out two lots to the north and one to the south of the subject parcel that the EDA already owns. He displayed pictures of the house and asked whether the Council thinks the purchase of this property and removal of the single family residence will have a positive effect on improving the image of Brooklyn Boulevard and if it is in the public interest to direct staff to pursue negotiations for purchase. Mr. Eitel advised this is not a foreclosed property and the dollar amount exceeds the limits directed by the Council. The Council indicated its support to move in a direction to negotiate purchase of the property due to its strategic location; however, the Council did not support purchase at the asking price. It was pointed out that the house was fire damaged so the property owner may have received an 12/12/11 -4- insurance payment. Mr. Eitel stated his understanding it was not a major fire and the structure can be repaired. Mr. Boganey clarified staff is not proposing a purchase price. If the Council supports proceeding, staff will negotiate in a manner to get the best price possible. The final decision whether to purchase the property will be with the EDA. The Council acknowledged the purchase of this property was within the long -range plan to remove single - family residences from Brooklyn Boulevard. Mayor Willson indicated he would need to know what the property owner received as an insurance payment and if that is not disclosed he may not support its purchase. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to direct staff to proceed with the negotiation for acquisition of 6031 Brooklyn Boulevard as part of the reimaging of the Brooklyn Boulevard corridor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:59 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 12/12/11 -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 December 12, 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 January 9, 2012, Regular Session. jn"� City Clerk Mayor 12/12/11 -6-