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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 03-11 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 11, 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, and Lin Myszkowski. Absent and excused was Councilmember Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, 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 Kleven referenced Item 7a, Proclamation Declaring March 23, 2013, at 8:30 p.m. as Earth Hour in Brooklyn Center, and said she would like to make comment during the Council meeting prior to adoption. Councilmember Myszkowski requested discussion on Item 6c, Resolution Accepting Bid and Authorizing Award of Contract, Improvement Project No. 2013-09, Contract 13-F, 2013 Street Seal Coating, in particular how long the Joint Powers Agreement has been in effect for the seal coating, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug stated more than four years, as it predates his time with the City. City Manager Curt Boganey stated it also predates his time with the City, which means more than ten years. With regard to Item 8a, Proposed Special Assessments for Diseased Tree Removal Costs and Weed Removal Costs, Mr. Boganey advised that additional assessments have been paid so the City Council will receive an updated assessment roll. MISCELLANEOUS Brooklyn Bridge Alliance Councilmember Kleven requested an update on the contingent of City employees who went to Baltimore for the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance. Mr. Boganey stated from Brooklyn Center only Director of Community Activities, Recreation and Services Jim Glasoe attended and was accompanied by two City of Brooklyn Park employees, the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance Executive 03/11/13 -1- Director, and Brooklyn Park Mayor Lunde. The feedback is that it was a worthwhile effort and confirmed the work already done with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance is on tract and in some ways further along than similar sized communities. He advised there will be a follow-up conference call to talk about next steps. Mr. Boganey stated the City paid for transportation for Mr. Glasoe and all other costs (registration/hotel) were covered by a grant. Councilmember Kleven asked what the salary is of the Brooklyn Bridge Executive Director. Mr. Boganey stated it was close to the beginning salary range and he will include that information in the Friday update. Mayor Willson indicated the Executive Director will be instrumental in moving this effort forward, noting she is very dedicated. Property Damage Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she was contacted by a resident who had a car drive into her home two different times. She distributed pictures of the home, car, and resulting damage. In addition, the neighbor's house was also driven into last year. She described other locations where signs are posted to alert drivers that the road ends. Councilmember Lawrence- Anderson stated in this case, she thinks drivers believe the road goes through, but it does not. She stated this resident may address this issue during tonight's Informal Open Forum. Mr. Boganey asked if these incidents had been reported to the City or if residents requested signage. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated they may have only submitted a police report. She noted this location is near a school and, fortunately, no one had been injured. Mr. Boganey recommended this matter be referred to the Administrative Traffic Committee for investigation and recommendation. He stated a sign may or may not be the solution and the best course of action should be assessed. The consensus of the City Council was to refer this matter to the Administrative Traffic Committee. Housing Market Initiative Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson referenced the March 8, 2013, update relating to a staff meeting with a housing market professional and asked if this will be going before the Housing Commission. Mr. Boganey explained one item in the study adopted by the City Council included housing redevelopment for that area and the purpose of the market analysis is to determine if the timing is right and if there is anything the EDA can do to incent that development. He indicated the final report and recommendation will first be presented to the City Council for consideration and determination if it should be referred to the Housing Commission. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS ROSEVILLE "U" CONCEPT (CITIZENS ACADEMY) 03/11/13 -2- COUNCILMEMBER MYSZKOWSKI It was noted the Roseville "U" provides citizens with a strong foundation of understanding and factual information about the way local government operates. Councilmember Myszkowski described how she learned of the Roseville "U" program. She noted that engagement in the community is difficult because of the vast diversity, but the City Council is "thirsty" to have more input from a broader array. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she looks forward to learning what the Cities of Roseville and Hopkins have done with citizen academies and suggested a"snappy name"be created. Mayor Willson asked if this would augment or extend what the City is already doing with the New Americans Academy. Mr. Boganey stated staff thinks the New Americans Academy is unique and focused on a different audience and set of objectives, being more narrowly defined towards new Americans. Mr. Boganey stated this option would be unique and different than the New Americans Academy so if supported, staff recommends retaining both. The City Council discussed the use of staff resources required to initiate a "U" program. Mr. Boganey agreed with the need to be cognizant of staff resources required but timing is another important consideration. He stated if there is a desire to move forward with a launch next spring, it would provide sufficient time to be prepared. Mr. Boganey raised the option of either expanding the neighborhood park meeting initiative or to add this program, noting supporting both would be a substantial burden on staff. The City Council indicated support for neighborhood park meetings that are held during summer months and raised the option of scheduling the "U" program during winter months, which would create the opportunity for engagement throughout the year and not overburden staff. Mr. Boganey stated in the beginning, the City Council may want to consider more strict requirements for involvement, during the time there is highest interest, and then loosen the requirements in following years. Mr. Boganey reviewed the schedule of the Roseville "U" offering and how it was fine-tuned. He stated if supported, staff would welcome name suggestions, such as Brooklyn Center University (BCU) as suggested by Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson. The City Council discussed whether enrollment should be limited, considering the room size and desire to engage all enrolled. The consensus of the City Council was to support further research of this program and to direct staff to draft a plan of action for City Council review and consideration. 03/11/13 -3- INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT Mr. Boganey noted the Council's fourth Strategic Goal states the City will value and benefit from the community's demographic makeup and cultural diversity. Toward the achievement of this goal, the City has engaged the services of InclusionINC to conduct an organization assessment and determine the current state of the organization as it relates to having an inclusive culture and environment. Mr. Boganey stated staff will be meeting with the top managers to go over the results, gain feedback, and prepare an action plan. Mr. Boganey stated inclusion and diversity should not be an adjunct separate from special program that is brought into the workforce but it needs to become part of the organization's "DNA" and part of the business strategy of the organization. He stated there is a lot of research supporting the notion that organizations that are high performing and the most effective in getting results for customers are those that have an engaged workforce where employees throughout the organization are listened to, empowered, and given the necessary tools to become creative/innovative. There is also a lot of evidence to support the notion that people with different experiences bring strength and creativity to solutions. Finally, when talking about serving customers, which are becoming increasingly diverse, you need to bring to the table ideas from people who understand your customers as well Mr. Boganey stated the highlights are on Pages 12-13. He suggested focusing on the three areas that are identified in the color blue: language, training/cultural awareness, and management/setting an example. He stated teams of employees will develop specific action steps and strategies to begin this journey. Discussion on this item continued and reached conclusion during the March 11, 2013, Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Kleven seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 03/11/13 -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/Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on March 11, 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 25, 2013, Regular Session. Dow City Clerk Mayor 03/11/13 -5-