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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 01-14 CCM Study Session01/14/13 -1- 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 JANUARY 14, 2013 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, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, 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, 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 Councilmember Kleven requested discussion on Item 6c, Resolution Designating Official Newspaper, in particular to thank City Clerk Sharon Knutson for providing this information and telephone number so she could ask whether the City would receive a reduction in price if there were subsequent notices and about circulation numbers. She noticed that the 55429 zip code includes a large portion of Crystal . Councilmember Kleven indicated it is good for the City to have choices and after additional checking she found more reasons to use the Sun Post. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she spoke to City Manager Boganey and learned the cost per column inch is four times more expensive with the StarTribune, making it cost prohibitive. She stated she wished the Sun Post got to more homes and suggested lobbying the Legislature to include posting on line as part of the notification process, which would provide additional access. Councilmember Myszkowski noted it has been previously mentioned by other elected officials that many older residents do not have internet access or are not comfortable with electronic access. City Manager Curt Boganey indicated on-line notification has been previously lobbied before the Legislature but the newspaper industry also has a strong lobbying effort. He noted many cities post on line but it does not substitute for the Statutory requirement that notice also be published in an official newspaper. MISCELLANEOUS 01/14/13 -2- Councilmember Kleven asked whether the City received the LGA payment by the end of December in the amount expected. Finance Director Daniel Jordet answered in the affirmative. Councilmember Kleven asked whether people entering the Brooklyn Center court room pass through a metal detector to determine whether they are carrying guns. Mayor Willson noted that procedure is under the jurisdiction of the court system, but the City could write a letter to make that suggestion, if the City Council so desired. City Manager Boganey stated he will ask Police Chief Benner for an update on that issue since he serves on a committee that is addressing security measures. Councilmember Ryan asked what the other buildings currently under construction in Shingle Creek Crossing look like, besides the LA Fitness building, who are the other tenants, and if one is a Panda Express Restaurant. Mr. Boganey advised the Panda Express Restaurant will be a stand-alone building, but it is not yet under construction. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel stated three buildings are under construction at this time. With regard to tenants, the City is aware of Pro Cuts, AT&T, and Qdoba Mexican Grill. The LA Fitness site plan has been approved and is in the final stages of building application review. Councilmember Ryan announced he will be attending the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference to participate in their outstanding training for the local elected. Mayor Willson reported he had attended the Midwest Summit on Gun Laws in Minneapolis along with other mayors and many in law enforcement including Police Chief Benner. He stated he will be joining Mayor’s Against Gun Violence and had been asked to go to Washington for a symposium; however, he was not able to attend. Mayor Willson explained this organization had offered to pay for his flight to and from Washington and asked staff to research and determine the legality of an elected official accepting such an offer. Mayor Willson referenced an e-mail from the Planning Commission Chair and noted the Planning Commission did not have a quorum to meet on October 24 when the Gatlin project was on the agenda. He indicated he made a determination to not reappoint one Planning Commissioner based on low attendance. Mayor Willson referenced a legislative report to the House of Representatives on the Minnesota Open Meeting Law that he had provided to the City Council, noting the information on Page 4 relating to being cautions in using e-mails or other communication methods. Mayor Willson stated it has been the City Council’s policy to send communications to Mr. Boganey for dissemination to the City Council. Councilmember Myszkowski noted she and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson will also receive this information during the new member orientation with the League of Minnesota Cities in February. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGNS WITHIN PUBLIC AND SEMI PUBLIC PLACES 01/14/13 -3- Mr. Eitel introduced the item, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and asked the City Council to provide direction on whether it believes there is a need to consider Sign Ordinance reforms to allow dynamic message signs for Public and Semi-Public Places in all districts. He asked the City Council to provide response to the following questions: Question 1: Does the City Council wish to consider an amendment to the Sign Ordinance that would allow Dynamic Message Signs at Public and Semi-Public Places? Question 2: Does the City Council wish to have the Planning Commission review the Dynamic Message Sign Standards and its limited use to only the C-2, I-1, and I-2 Districts? Councilmember Ryan stated support to amend the Sign Ordinance as described to allow contemporary technology for advertising that is not intrusive. He stated that based on the spirit of the ordinance and considerable work by previous City Councils in developing Section 34, he would answer “no” to Question 2 and would not consider any reversal of prohibition of flashing or rotating signs because of the potential impact to safety and other considerations. Mr. Boganey noted the intent of Question 2 is not to suggest changing the standards that currently exist for dynamic signs but to address placement of the signs. Currently this type of sign is only allowed in C-2, I-1, and I-2 Districts. The question is whether those same types of signs should be allowed in other zoning districts. Councilmember Myszkowski asked how neighbors across the street (single-family residential) would be impacted by a sign placed close to their homes. Mr. Eitel explained the signs at Evergreen Park Community School already exist with changeable copy so the question is whether it should be lit. Councilmember Myszkowski asked how many lumens the sign would use and if it would stay lit during the night. Mr. Eitel explained the signs can be timed but there is currently no such regulation in Code. He indicated that electronic signs for schools tend to be on 24 hours a day and in most cases schools and churches tend to be good neighbors. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she is concerned with the potential impact on the neighbors. Mayor Willson stated with regard to Question 1, which he favors, staff will need to fully define “Public and Semi-Public Places.” He indicated he also has no objection to referring Question 2 to the Planning Commission because LED technology is very inexpensive to operate and lower intensity but he would not want to see a flashing sign. Mayor Willson noted the Ordinance addresses issues relating to light pollution, level of lumens, and light spill into neighborhoods. Mr. Boganey stated since the current Ordinance went into effect 2003 there are probably some legal non-conforming uses in some areas. Mr. Eitel confirmed that is correct. Mayor Willson noted this change would then result in more conformity with what exists and allow businesses to use newer and inexpensive technology to get their message out. He stated he 01/14/13 -4- does not like the light on 694 going east, which changes every two seconds but immediately draws the eye. Councilmember Ryan stated he appreciates the clarification and would support asking the Planning Commission to review Question 2. The City Council discussed the opportunity to tie this type of signage into an advance storm warning system or Amber Alerts, possibly in cooperation with the school to broaden the City’s ability to get out the message. Councilmember Kleven asked if the message letters on the Evergreen Park Community School sign are going in and out. Mr. Eitel stated multiple colored messages are not allowed and the message needs to be of constant color and intensity. With regard to signs on single-family property announcing life events, Mr. Eitel clarified the signs under discussion relate to stationary signs. Mr. Boganey indicated the City cannot and does not regulate sign content. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if the Planning Commission will seek public input. Mayor Willson indicated the Planning Commission has the ability and authority to do so. The consensus of the City Council was to support both questions and ask the Planning Commission to provide review and comment on Question 2. STRATEGIC PLANNING – TEAM BUILDING RETREAT Mr. Boganey introduced the item and asked the City Council to provide direction regarding the proposed RFP to select a facilitator for the anticipated strategic planning and team building retreat. He cautioned there may be “sticker shock” associated with a new proposal but he finds it would be money well spent. The City Council expressed support for the RFP as drafted. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Myszkowski seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 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: I. 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 January 14, 2013. 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 28,2013, Regular Session. I ' F p. City Clerk Mayor 01/14/13 -5-