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Home My WebLink About2012 03-12 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 MARCH 12, 2012 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, Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Director of Community Activities Jim Glasoe, Police Chief Kevin Benner, 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 Councilmember Lasman requested discussion on Agenda Item 6c, Resolution Accepting Donations for the Centennial Memorial Amphitheater and Accepting Conditions, specifically that the language does not address excess contributions being used for ongoing maintenance of the structure. The consensus of the City Council was to remove Agenda Item 6c from the City Council's agenda and direct staff to update the resolution to include language indicating contributions would be returned should the amphitheater not be constructed and excess contributions would be used for ongoing maintenance of the structure. Councilmember Ryan requested the following correction to the Study Session minutes of February 27, 2012: Page 2, Seventh Paragraph: "Police Chief Benner indicated the Chief of Metropolitan Transit Police recently retired....with and informed the Metropolitan Transit Police of the City's standards..." It was the consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the February 27, 2012, Study Session minutes. Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Agenda Item 7a, Charter Commission Recommendation, in particular the impact the proposed Charter amendment would have on the City's ability to apply eminent domain for redevelopment. 03/12/12 -1- Mr. Boganey explained virtually everything proposed in the Charter amendment currently exists in State law with the exception of the last sentence in Section 9.04 indicating: "The City has a 60 day period from the initiation by the City Council of eminent domain to dismiss proceed_ings unless an extension is stipulated and agreed to by all parties." Mr. Boganey indicated this language is more restrictive than State law. The City Council discussed the proposed Charter amendment and questioned why it would be in the City's interest to restrict the discretion of future EDAs/City Councils on matters yet unforeseen when eminent domain may be a necessary tool to apply to a redevelopment project, such as the 57th and Logan project or Brookdale Ford project. Mr. Boganey agreed the State law change and proposed Charter amendment would eliminate the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and mitigating blight since the standards to determine blight were raised in the State law change. The City Council discussed the impact of the 60 day limitation, noting it may expose the City to unforeseen financial costs. Mr. Boganey indicated that City Attorney LeFevere had raised the issue that 60 days is a narrow timeframe to conclude eminent domain proceedings and should an award turn out to be much larger than anticipated, the City could have to suffer and pay substantially higher costs than it would have without the time constraint. The City Council noted the Charter Commission will present its recommendation during tonight's regular meeting and once the City Council receives the report, it is required to schedule a public hearing within 30 days. Following discussion of the Charter amendment process, support was expressed to obtain a legal opinion and additional staff input related to the pros/cons of the proposed Charter amendment. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Myszkowski requested an update on the police officer who was injured and the shootings that occurred last week. Police Chief Kevin Benner reported the officer received a sprained ankle and was recovering. He briefed the City Council on the shooting incident and that the Police Department believes it knows who was responsible. Councilmember Lasman expressed concern about a pending bill that may weaken the City's rental licensing program. Mr. Boganey stated he spoke to City Attorney LeFevere about this legislation and agreed it could have impact on the City's licensing program. The consensus of the City Council was to support Mr. Boganey's recommendation for staff to notify the City's legislative delegation so they are aware of the City's concerns. Councilmember Kleven announced the McKnight Foundation donation of $6 million to two school districts, one being District No. 286, that will be used over three years to increase student literacy. 03/12/12 -2- ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Kleven 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. MISCELLANEOUS—CONTINUED The City Council discussed several pending bills before the Legislature and asked Mr. Boganey to provide updates, as appropriate. Mayor Willson requested future updates on the following: 57th and Logan; Lifetime Fitness site; Howe Fertilize site; and, K-8 school at Palmer Lake Plaza. Mayor Willson announced that Della Young, Brooklyn Center's Commissioner to the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions, has been elected Vice Chair. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS CITY COUNCIL FACILITATED RETREAT UPDATE Mr. Boganey reviewed the consensus reached during the recent City Council facilitated retreat relating to strategic goals, desired outcomes, and success targets, and questions raised about those issues. He noted several objectives require further City Council discussion and direction. Goal#1: 1. Reduce violent crime by 10%or more each year. 2. Reduce property crime by 10%or more each year. Mr. Boganey noted the strategic goal is for a safe and secure community and the desired outcome is that citizens will be and feel safe in their neighborhoods. The specific success target is a 10% reduction in Part I crimes, both violent and property crimes, which is an aggressive reduction. Mr. Boganey presented a graph based upon an approach used by other communities to look at the crime index per 100,000 population rather than addressing a certain percentage of decrease each year. He asked the City Council to consider the level (percentage) it would consider as an indicator of success. Mr. Boganey presented several charts depicting Part I crimes in comparison with Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, and the State of Minnesota, with and without theft/larceny/reported shoplifting. It was noted that shoplifting may not be, in the minds of the general public, what makes them feel safe or secure. 03/12/12 -3- Discussion of this item continued and reached conclusion during the March 12, 2012, Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Myszkowski seconded to close the Study Session at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 03/12/12 -4- 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 March 12, 2012. 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 March 26, 2012, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 03/12/12 -5-