HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 02-25 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
FEBRUARY 25, 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, 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 6d, Resolution Approving Projected Use of
Funds for 2013 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program,
Authorizing Signature of Subrecipient Agreement with Hennepin County and Any Third Party
Agreements, in particular Attachment I, Funding History. She pointed out the resolution adopted
in 2007 should be corrected to indicate Resolution 2007-27 (not Resolution 2008-27).
Councilmember Kleven requested the following correction to the Regular Session minutes of
February 11, 2013:
Page 7, Para rg aph 8:
Councilmember Kleven voiced support for Option 3 and reallocating funding to add the
requests for job Readiness and Computef Tfaixing and Early Childhood Education
Improvements under Non-Public Services. In so doing everyone's requests could be
accomplished."
It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction the February 11, 2013,
Regular Session minutes.
Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 6h, Resolution Authorizing the Execution of
a Cooperative Construction Agreement for Bridge No. 27041 Located at TH No. 100 at Bass
Lake Road (C.S.A.H. 10) / 57th Avenue North (C.S.A.H. 57) Between the State of Minnesota
(MnDOT), Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District, and the City of Brooklyn Center, in
particular the cost to the City, which he found to be greater than expected. City Manager Curt
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Boganey explained this particular case goes back to when the City Council authorized the Bass
Lake Road project and bond sales approved at that time. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Steve Lillehaug explained this is a 2013 CIP project and designated to be paid from bond
proceeds from TIF 2. The Bass Lake Road project was funded from TIF 3.
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested discussion on Item 6f, Resolution Opting Not to
Waive Limited Tort Liability for 2013, in particular the additional tort liability insurance
exceeding $9,000 per year in premiums but in EDA Item 4a, it shows the additional tort liability
insurance exceeding $3,000 per year in premiums. Mr. Boganey stated he had asked the Finance
Director to determine how much additional insurance could be purchased by the additional costs.
He indicated the difference in premiums is probably related to additional potential exposure and
staff will provide additional information in regard to this matter.
Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 10a, Consideration of Type IV 6-Month
Provisional Rental License for 5725 Emerson Avenue North, and Item 10g, Consideration of
Type IV 6-Month Provisional Rental License for 5715 Emerson Avenue North, in particular
relating to the number of complaints received on those two properties. He asked whether the
staff report included up-to-date police report and resident complaint information. Mr. Boganey
clarified that the licensing procedure does not require consideration of neighborhood complaints
or domestic abuse-related calls, but only those qualified and verified police calls. He indicated
that information is current and up-to-date in the staff report and under consideration for rental
license approval.
Mayor Willson noted the Type IV Rental License Mitigation Plans for Items 10a (5725 Emerson
Avenue N.), 10c (5000 Howe Lane), and 10d (5600 Lilac Drive N.), do not have a checked box
for the Phase II Security Assessment. He asked whether that Security Assessment had been
completed for these three rental properties. Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and
Community Standards Vickie Schleuning explained the property owner may not have properly
completed the form but the Security Assessment has to be completed by the dates indicated. She
assured the City Council that the property owner is committed to the dates indicated and that is
what staff will follow. Mr. Boganey stated it can be assumed that the Security Assessments and
improvements are expected to be completed by the dates specified.
Mayor Willson noted this is the second time around for the majority of rental licenses under
consideration tonight. Based on the volume of requests, he asked whether the ordinance or
process should be tweaked so rental property owners gain compliance the first time application is
made. Ms. Schleuning noted a Type IV category requires additional monitoring as well as other
built in enforcement techniques and penalties. In addition with a third mitigation plan, staff
requires an administrative conference that has been found to be very effective and resulted
actions such as addressing problem tenants and/or using a different management company. She
explained that in most cases, the second and/or third renewal takes less staff time to complete but
the renewal fees and inspection fees remain the same so the City is recovering its costs.
Mayor Willson asked whether there is enough education for property owners so they don't need
to continue with Type IV licenses. Ms. Schleuning stated the City is always looking to improve
communications and noted the majority of rental licenses are in higher categories. She explained
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I
that sometimes education is through re-inspection fees and Type IV monitoring, noting the steps
required result in the property being maintained at a higher level than without the system.
Mr. Boganey stated staff has discussed whether repeat Type IV licensure is a systemic issue or
problem with a small set of owners. He explained that situations vary from owner to owner and
in some cases it is an absentee property owner but the process has been able to get their attention.
Mr. Boganey stated staff is comfortable with the process at this point and knows that the City's
costs are covered for repeat Type IV licenses.
Ms. Schleuning noted the City's program is performance based, which addresses how well the
property owner maintains the property.
Councilmember Ryan stated he would like to bring information on the City's rental licensing
program to the upcoming National League of Cities Conference so he can promote its success.
The City Council indicated it is also comfortable and confident with the rental license process
and thanked staff for their work in that regard.
With regard to consideration of Type IV Provisional Rental Licenses, Mr. Boganey asked
whether staff should summarize its presentation during the City Council meetings.
Mayor Willson agreed it is not the best use of the City Council's time for the staff report to be
presented in full when the property owner is not in attendance, noting the City Council has
already read the staff report. He indicated he would support a change in procedure to waive
presentation of the staff report and hearing if the property owner is not in attendance. In that
effort, Mayor Willson stated at the beginning of each licensure consideration he will poll the
audience and if no one came forward to provide comment, he would call for a motion.
The consensus of the City Council was to support the new meeting procedure for provisional
rental licenses.
MISCELLANEOUS
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND EARTH HOUR
Mayor Willson referenced the information from John Gauthier and asked whether the City
Council was interested in entertaining the World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour on March 23" at 8:30
p.m. He expressed concern relating to resulting liability and/or additional costs if lights at City
Hall or other municipally-controlled lights are turned off.
The City Council discussed this event, noting it would work well with one of its strategic goals
relating to environmental sustainability and could be used as a low-cost and symbolic
opportunity to identify positive actions the City is already doing. However, concern was
expressed related to the potential for vandalism during Earth Hour if lights were shut off in
certain areas.
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Mr. Boganey stated if the City Council supports this event, staff will provide information
highlighting issues for City participation. To eliminate concern related to potential liability, Mr.
Boganey indicated this event would be promoted on a voluntary basis.
Following discussion, there was City Council consensus to direct staff to draft a resolution or
proclamation supporting Earth Hour with language indicating it is a voluntary consideration.
ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:45 p.m.
RECONVENE STUDY SESSION
Mayor Willson reconvened the Study Session at 6:54 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS—CONTINUED
COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM
Mayor Willson noted all of the garden plots have sold and asked if the City Council would like
to consider adding more plots. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reported that the Park and
Recreation Commissioners indicated that perhaps City staff is already looking at options to
expand that program. Mr. Boganey indicated staff knows land is available that could be added
and will continue with that exploration. The Council discussed the price for garden plots, noting
it would be increased in 2014, and thanked Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson and staff for
their work to assure this program came to fruition.
RECREATIONAL CENTER GRANT
Councilmember Kleven asked about the $3,000 grant received for a retractable movie screen at
the Recreational Center. Mr. Boganey stated he will look into that matter and provide
information in the next update.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:57 p.m.
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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 February
25, 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 March 11, 2013, Regular Session.
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City Clerk Mayor
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