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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 04-23 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 APRIL 23, 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, 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 Ryan requested discussion of Item 6d, Resolution Amending Funding Sources, Improvement Project No. 2010-16, Contract 2010-1, Shingle Creek Restoration Improvement, specifically relating to the discrepancy with the Shingle Creek Watershed Commission's funding commitment to the project. He noted the total cost of the project was significantly reduced due to aggressive bids and the Watershed reduced its commitment from $127,500 to $85,406.59 based on its policy to cap financing at 25%. City Manager Curt Boganey explained the Watershed's 25% maximum rule was not included in the original documents staff reviewed. Staff has asked the Watershed to inform the City in advance to assure there is no future miscommunication. Mr. Boganey advised this was a consistent policy of the Watershed for other jurisdictions and he believed the City would not be at a disadvantage going forward. Mayor Willson asked how much the City has paid the Watershed, noting it appears to be a 50% increase in the negotiated fee. Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug advised the City will need to transfer funds internally from TIF to cover this cost difference of$96,000. He referenced the funding breakdown as detailed in the draft resolution, noting the City's cost is well under the estimated cost for this project. Mayor Willson stated he can support the resolution if there was just a miscommunication; however, he remained concerned that a price was set and then changed by the Watershed. Mr. Boganey concurred and advised that staff negotiated vigorously but it came down to the 25% cap on the Watershed's share, which was not communicated in advance. 04/23/12 -1- Councilmember Myszkowski stated she shared the same concern and thanked staff for resolving this issue. Councilmember Lasman asked if there is now a written policy. Mr. Boganey answered if it is not yet in a written form, it is being developed. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Ryan referenced the City Council Code of Policies, Section 2, General Policies, and requested consensus to schedule a Work Session topic to review the schedule for professional services policy for review of the RFP for financial advisor. He described the recent review of this RFP, which was done every six years, and belief the review process for this specific RFP should be revised, thinking the City Manager should select the financial advisor in which he has the most confidence because if the vendor does not do the job for the City Manager, it would reflect on the performance of a given project. Mayor Willson asked about Charter language and noted it gives responsibility to the Mayor to review the financial perspective of the City. He indicated he wants to assure the Mayor is involved with the consideration of bringing in a financial advisor so it is not solely the decision of the City Manager. Councilmember Lasman concurred as long as the City Manager and Finance Director are a key part of the committee. She noted this policy was probably written in this way because an earlier Council put considerable thought into what would give the best results. Councilmember Lasman expressed concern that toning down the policy would not strengthen the City's ability to perform financial decisions. Mayor Willson agreed the meeting referenced by Councilmember Ryan was not comfortable because the City Manager and Finance Director had differing opinions based on the experience each had. However, that does not warrant a language change in the Charter or Policy. Mayor Willson noted the Finance Director falls under the prevue of the City Manager. Councilmember Ryan stated he brought this forward because he had interpreted that meeting as the City Council getting involved with an internal staff issue. Councilmembers Kleven and Myszkowski thanked Councilmember Ryan for bringing forward this topic. Councilmember Ryan stated his appreciation for consideration that the City Council may give to this matter and thanked each for their input. The consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to review Charter and Council Policy language to determine whether it merits further discussion. Councilmember Ryan can then bring it forward if he felt there was merit. Councilmember Kleven asked when the community garden will be considered by the City Council. Mr. Boganey indicated it is the intent of the Park and Recreation Commission and Housing Commission to hold a joint meeting as a follow up to the Happy Hollow Park meeting to discuss the results and forward a recommendation to the City Council. 04/23/12 -2- DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS HIGHWAY 252 UPDATE Mr. Boganey introduced the item and the City Council's past consideration. Mr. Lillehaug presented a brief overview of TH252 corridor issues, staff evaluation and strategy that laid out the different elements to identify and address the multiple transportation issues, both short-term and long-term, surrounding this corridor within Brooklyn Center and potentially through the entire corridor from I-694 to TH610. Mr. Lillehaug presented the following phased approach: Phase 1-Feasibility Study; Phase 2-Implement Interim Solutions; and, Phase 3- Ultimate Plan. It is estimated the feasibility study(Phase 1) would cost $60,000. Mr. Lillehaug explained that Brooklyn Park has indicated it is not interested in dedicating any funds for a feasibility study. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) indicated it had not programmed funding for such a study but continues to update its technical plan and conducts studies within this corridor. Mr. Lillehaug indicated staff may need to be more proactive with Mn/DOT to pursue a partnership. He described the plan of Mn/DOT to eliminate a right turn movement; however, staff did not feel it had a great cost benefit to the City to eliminate accidents. Mn/DOT agreed it may not be a great interim solution for the City and decided to delay that project until a better plan was developed. Mr. Lillehaug advised that out of 8,000 plus interchanges on Mn/DOT's system, the southerly intersection is ranked #3 in the State when looking at the annual crash costs assigned to intersections. There have been 61 crashes in a three-year period at this intersection. Mr. Lillehaug referenced the location of fatalities that had occurred and emphasized that something needs to be done collectively to reduce the number of crashes at the southerly intersection and even through the corridor into Brooklyn Park. Mr. Lillehaug asked if the City Council desired to pursue Phase 1, Phase 2, and/or Phase 3 planning. Councilmember Lasman agreed that the southerly intersection warranted something being done to address the number of crashes. She asked whether Mn/DOT would consider using the funds it had appropriated for the "band aid" approach toward the cost of a feasibility study (Phase 1) to unveil a solution that would benefit all. Mr. Lillehaug stated the issue of using earmarked project money for the feasibility study was not raised because it was federal money. However, staff will raise that scenario and do its best to get money allocated towards this project. Councilmember Ryan supported the City conducting a feasibility study so the City's issues can be identified and raised with the State. Mr. Lillehaug agreed that is another reason for conducting the study. Councilmember Ryan asked if there is more to be done with the completion of 610. Mr. Lillehaug advised the 610 will eventually be connected to I94. Councilmember Ryan indicated that will create even higher traffic volumes. Mr. Lillehaug concurred, noting the number of accidents will also increase. Discussion of TH252 continued at the April 23, 2012, Work Session. 04/23/12 -3- ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 04/23/12 -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 April 23, 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 24, 2012, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 04/23/12 -5-