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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 06-24 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 JUNE 24, 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 6:03 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 Lawrence-Anderson requested the following correction to the Regular Session minutes of June 10, 2013. Page 7, last paragraph,to indicate: June 5, 2013, Odyssey Academy Award Board Meeting_ June 5, 2013, Park Brooklyn Center Senior High School Graduation It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the corrections the June 10, 2013, Regular Session minutes. Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 6d., Resolution Authorizing Proposed Use of Auto Theft Prevention Grant, in particular the grant language indicating it will fund one full-time officer. He asked whether this means an officer will be added to the Police force or it will fund a current officer. City Manager Curt Boganey stated it is his understanding the grant will fund an existing position. Councilmember Ryan stated his support for this program as auto theft is a concern of the community. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested discussion on Work Session Item 1, in particular who is BCS. Mr. Boganey stated it stands for Building and Community Standards. 06/24/13 4- MISCELLANEOUS Clearing Storm Debris Councilmember Kleven stated she received a call from a resident of 55th and James Avenues asking whether the City will provide curbside pickup of storm debris. Mayor Willson noted that information is addressed in the memorandum from the City Manager. He indicated that due to its timeliness, this topic will be added to tonight's Work Session agenda. Veterans Memorial Amphitheater Funding Councilmember Ryan referenced an e-mail from former Councilmember Lasman relating to the proposed Brooklyn Center Veterans Memorial Amphitheater and encouraged the City Council to make its intentions clearly stated relating to the potential of partial City funding. Mayor Willson stated the funding is being vetted through the budget cycle and not yet been approved by the City Council. Park& Recreation Commission Update Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated the Park & Recreation Commissioners want to make certain the City Council knows it would be $70,000 to 80,000 to replace the Show Mobile. The Commission supported the Complete Street Policy, on a vote of 5 to 1, but wants to make certain the neighborhood is engaged, provides input on the final outcome, and the City Council considers unintended consequences of the Compete Street Policy. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated there had been vandalism to the West Fire House Park picnic tables so the Park & Recreation Commission is requesting the City Council considering signage and the option of installing a surveillance camera to address continued vandalism. Mayor Travel Schedule Mayor Willson advised of his travel schedule and meetings that would be chaired by Mayor Pro Tern Ryan. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS CONDUIT BOND SALE—ODYSSEY SCHOOL Finance Director Dan Jordet provided an overview of the internally developed administrative guidelines for conduit bond issuance to assure a consistent and objective based decision-making process. He noted the three guidelines are: criteria, procedures, and administration. Mr. Jordet stated he expects Odyssey School will request the City Council to call for and hold a public hearing at tonight's meeting so official notice can be made. Councilmember Ryan asked if the City Council needs to act on July 8, 2013, to call for the public hearing and two weeks following publication that public hearing can then be held. Mr. Jordet explained the publication must be made two weeks prior to the public hearing being held. Should the City Council decide to not hold a public hearing, then the notice would be invalid. 06/24/13 -2- Mr. Boganey stated this is what the proposers are requesting, it is not required by the City or by law. If approved, it will allow Odyssey Academy to meet their anticipated time schedule. Mayor Willson stated he would rather the City Council come to consensus tonight whether or not to publish notice in the SunPost. Mr. Jordet explained the process involves a financial review to assure the security and solidity of the bonds. However, Odyssey Academy does not intend to get a credit rating so the guidelines detail what the City would ask for instead. Councilmember Ryan stated it seems this is a mechanism where if the City does its job to review the request, those who buy the bonds may have a higher degree of comfort in purchasing them since they include the City's name. He asked why they would buy the bonds if the City does not guarantee the performance of the bond. Councilmember Ryan noted the School gains the advantage of lower borrowing costs as it is tax exempt with a lower interest rate. Mr. Jordet stated the bond purchaser may be interested because the bonds are tax exempt. Mayor Willson stated the City is still under some liability because its name is good for the bond issuance and the City Council should consider its exposure should the bond issue fall apart. Mr. Jordet advised that a default or postponement payment on a conduit issuance will not affect the City's bond rating. Mr. Boganey indicated that even though the City has no financial risk or moral obligation with the bonds, there is an expectation that the municipality will perform some level of due diligence prior to issuance. He noted this type of tax-exempt bonds is only available if sold through a municipality and the other issue is whether it involved public purpose. Mayor Willson stated the information provided 'indicates the majority of students in the Academy do not reside in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Jordet stated that information was included in the information provided by the Academy. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she is a volunteer Board Member of this facility but her children are no longer students. Mayor Willson stated this is a short timeframe, noting a number of other companies are also named but not familiar to the City Council. He indicated there is need for additional information on this request and the companies involved to assure due diligence is satisfied including providing collateral as a backing. Mr. Jordet stated Procedures, Page 3, indicates the staff will make a recommendation to the City Council within 60 business days of receiving the application. He explained staff has already conducted a large amount of due diligence but would like to complete more. Mr. Jordet stated the City Council has the right to refuse this request at any point and/or may waive any provision if it is in the best interest of the City. 06/24/13 -3- ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Kleven moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Myszkowski seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:46 p.m. Motion .assed unanimously. Y CONDUIT BOND SALE—ODYSSEY SCHOOL—CONTINUED Mayor Willson stated Odyssey Academy does an excellent job with education but it is in direct competition with public schools and they do not have the wherewithal to put this together so outside entities have become involved and will make money through its fees. He stated he wants to assure this process is beneficial and reach fruition. Councilmember Myszkowski stated Charter Schools are public schools and there is no cost to families of children who attend. She stated she hesitates to talk about how State and Federal governments assess achievement but did compare Odyssey Academy with other schools and found Evergreen Elementary is above Odyssey's outcomes. Councilmember Myszkowski presented the rankings of schools when compared to Odyssey, noting she will also be considering this information. Councilmember Myszkowski disclosed that she served for five years on the Osseo School Board's Property Committee. Councilmember Ryan stated he has a lot to learn about this request and thinks this issuance would serve a public purpose but would like discussion on alternatives for ASG Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated when she was at the Brooklyn Center High School in April to talk with a 9h grade social class, that teacher wanted to know what Odyssey was doing because their students perform so well. Mayor Willson stated the City will receive a fee of about $25,000 but that is not a substantial number when considering the size of the City's budget so it is not a consideration in his analysis. Discussion on this item continued and reached conclusion during the June 24, 2013, Work Session. 06/24/13 -4- ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 06/24/13 -5- 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 June 24, 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 July 8, 2013, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 06/24/13 -6-