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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 11-26 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 NOVEMBER 26, 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, Finance Director 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, and Carla Wirth, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Kleven requested discussion on Item 6h, Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding a Contract, Improvement Project No. 2012-03, 2012 Pond Sediment Removal and Pond Improvements, in particular whether it was funded from a grant. City Manager Curt Boganey indicated it is funded by the Storm Sewer Fund and considered routine maintenance. Councilmember Myszkowski requested discussion on Item 6d, Resolution Setting 2013 Employer Benefits Contribution for Full-Time Non-Union Employees, in particular the $140/month incentive to participate in the high deductible plan. She asked if those contributions go into the employee's Health Savings Account. Mr. Boganey explained the options available to employees. Councilmember Myszkowski asked whether employees feel they understand the options. Mr. Boganey stated meetings are held with individual employees and there is an open enrollment period with the opportunity to discuss what is available. Councilmember Myszkowski asked how it is known users of the high deductible option are better health care consumers. Mr. Boganey explained the City works with a company that tracks the data on an aggregate basis and a committee of employees meets quarterly to review utilization of the system and discuss how to create a healthier work force. Reports from the consultant indicate those with a high deductible have a lower utilization and claims are abating. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she is worried that lower utilization comes from people hesitating or being afraid so she wants to assure they understand their options. Mr. Boganey indicated there is communication between the employees and committee and it has been shared with him that employees who use the high deductible plan incur less cost to the system, on average. 11/26/12 -1- Mayor Willson stated there was an informational campaign prior to offering the high deductible option and it was the determination of the employees to support it. Mr. Boganey indicated employees have learned they are able to build up the necessary account balance to cover out-of-pocket costs. The percentage of employees who use the co-pay plan (non-high deductible) is approximately 15%. Mayor Willson noted there have also been demographic changes with retirements and new employees joining staff. Mr. Boganey stated it is most often the new employee who does not understand and opts for the co-pay, low deductible plan and requires education and time to realize that the high-deductible plan is not as big of a risk as it immediately seems. Councilmember Lasman stated she liked using a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA) account because it could be used towards dental and eye care costs. Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 6h, Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding a Contract, Improvement Project no. 2012-03, 2012 Pond Sediment Removal and Pond Improvements, in particular that the City will be funding the pond project out of the Storm Sewer Fund but the Third Generation Plan addresses how future projects would be funded. Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug explained the City is paying for the pond sediment removal because it is a maintenance project to remove accumulated sediment from City grounds. The Watershed Commission pays for projects that partner with the City for an overall benefit to the entire watershed, projects that cross borders, or projects not specifically caused/contributed to by the City. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Kleven asked about Walmart hiring extra security during "Black Friday" to address shoplifting. Mr. Boganey stated he spoke with the Police Chief several times today and that topic was not raised. Councilmember Kleven distributed pictures of the gymnasium that is now available for use. Councilmember Ryan asked why Oak City Sports Tavern closed. Mr. Boganey stated the City has no direct explanation or information except that the owners may sell the business back to the previous owners. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS THIRD GENERATION WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Mr. Lillehaug provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission's (SCWMWMC) Third Generation Watershed Management Plan, a 10-year plan. This plan is currently under a 60-day review and comment period, which will be prepared based on tonight's comments and submitted to the SCWMWMC. 11/26/12 -2- Councilmember Lasman explained that Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) include salts from roads and parking lots. Mr. Lillehaug indicated that is correct and when such a pollutant is found, a TMDL Plan is created that addresses how to abate and bring down levels of the pollutant. Mayor Willson indicated that new federal rules are expected. Mr. Lillehaug stated Brooklyn Center is a good steward of the environment and already improves the watershed by installing rain gardens, pervious pavers, and has a rain garden program. He noted when new requirements trickle down, the City will be able to take credit for those types of environmentally friendly improvements. Discussion on this item continued at the November 26, 2012, Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kleven moved and Councilmember Lasman seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/26/12 -3- 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/Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on November 26, 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 December 10, 2012, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 11/26/12 -4-