HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 10-14 CCM Study/Work 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/WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 14, 2013
CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study/Work 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, 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 and Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS
Councilmember Ryan requested discussion regarding Item 9a, Planning Commission Application
No. 2013-018, in particular pages 6-7 of the Planning Commission report. He asked for
clarification regarding the size modification of Building D, which was originally planned for
8,400 sq. ft. but has expanded to 11,200 sq. ft. in the PUD. He added this is the same size as
Building L.
City Manager Curt Boganey stated the developer has not been able to attract the kind of use that
was anticipated for Building L.
Councilmember Ryan stated Phase 2 of the original Development Agreement stipulated that the
developer is required to produce a certain square footage of development. He added the size
adjustments may be for a good reason, but the square footage size requirements remain.
Mr. Boganey stated the amendments do not affect the basic requirements of the PUD.
Director of Business and Development Eitel explained that to be eligible for the forgivable loan,
the 249,000 square feet is required.
Councilmember Ryan commended the developer on their progress despite the challenges that the
development has faced.
MISCELLANEOUS
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Councilmember Myszkowski stated she would be out of town October 17-20, 2013.
Councilmember Kleven stated the two Salvation Army donation bins have been picked up from
both fire stations.
Councilmember Kleven stated a thief that has been active in her neighborhood has been caught.
Councilmember Kleven stated she participated in International Walk to School Day on October 9
at Evergreen Park School. She added that she missed the water plant open house, and requested
an additional opportunity for the City Council to tour the plant. The Council agreed. Mr.
Boganey stated staff would schedule a tour for the Council.
Wood Smoke and Burning of Trash
Councilmember Kleven reviewed a letter she received regarding burning of yard waste in her
neighborhood, which can cause difficulty breathing and raises health concerns. She reviewed
documentation regarding this issue from various agencies, including the Wisconsin Department
of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the American Lung Association. She added
that public facilities are smoke-free and she believes neighborhood air should be smoke-free as
well. She requested that this issue be included on a future Council Work Session agenda.
Mayor Willson agreed, stating there have been numerous studies showing wood smoke and other
environmental smoke can be hazardous. He reviewed a City ordinance that requires the Fire
Department to take action when they receive a related complaint, noting that burning garbage is
an illegal activity. He requested that City staff review the specific situation referenced by
Councilmember Kleven.
Councilmember Myszkowski agreed, referencing documentation from many agencies regarding
the environmental risks of burning clean wood. She added the Council should review this issue
more closely with a focus on scientific evidence.
Mr. Boganey agreed to provide documentation to the Council regarding the City's interaction
with the specific property owner referenced by Councilmember Kleven.
The Council asked staff to refer this information to the Police Department and Fire Department
for review and inspection and asked staff to conduct due diligence on its ordinances relating to
this issue.
Single Hauler Trash Contract
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she received an email from a resident requesting that
the Council review the possibility of moving to single hauler trash collection for the entire City.
She added the resident indicated that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency could make a
presentation at a future Council meeting.
Mayor Willson stated he is not in favor of single hauler trash collection as the majority of
citizens have indicated that they do not support it, but it can be reviewed if supported by a
majority of the Council.
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Councilmember Kleven stated there are many concerns related to this issue, including pollution,
heavy trucks, and damage to roads.
Councilmember Ryan stated at a Metro Cities meeting, a presentation was made relating to
Maplewood's use of a single hauler contractor. He agreed that some claim there are advantages;
however, in Brooklyn Center the majority of residents who were surveyed opposed changing
from an open market system.
Mr. Boganey stated there was a recent amendment to State Law to make it easier for the City to
implement a single hauler contractor.
It was the consensus of the City Council to revisit the topic of having a single hauler garbage
contractor and asked staff to invite the PCA to make a presentation at a future Work Session.
Addition to Regular Council Agenda
The Council agreed with the suggestion of Mayor Willson to add the following to the agenda, as
presented by Councilmember Kleven:
7c. Resolution No. 2013-123 Declaring October 9, 2013, as International Walk to School
Day
Visit to Sister City Voinjama, Liberia
Mr. Boganey asked whether Mayor Willson and Councilmember Myszkowski had received
communication regarding potential dates for their upcoming trip to Voinjama, Brooklyn Center's
Sister City in Liberia. Mayor Willson confirmed that possible dates had been communicated to
them.
The Council asked staff to make those dates known and that it will be self financed without use
of public funds.
DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS
STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 2012
Mr. Boganey presented the Strategic Plan Annual Report for year ending 2012 and achievement
results. He noted even at the time the targets were adopted, it was recognized that the targets
pushed the envelope with "stretch goals" and in some cases to the point of being unachievable
but doing so would drive innovation, creativity, and effort to achieve the target. Mr. Boganey
reported 27 targets were met, 33 were not met, and 25 targets were not able to determine the
result or they are multiyear targets and in progress. Mr. Boganey stated the report indicates staff
has worked diligently towards achieving those ends. He offered to answer questions and
requested Council direction regarding next steps.
The City Council discussed the report, indicating they see no negative aspect if a target is not hit
because the goal is to see the issues are being worked on and there is a quantifiable resource.
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Councilmember Ryan stated excellent progress has been achieved by City staff, as noted on page
39 of the staff report, which identified ongoing goals in 2012: 86% of residents surveyed
provided a favorable rating for City staff as compared to 55% in 2008, and 91% of residents
surveyed said City services were easy to obtain compared with 80% in 2008. He commended
City staff and urged them to keep up the good work.
Councilmember Myszkowski agreed, adding she initially thought the goals were overly
ambitious and expressed the importance of making such a document available for public
viewing. She thanked City staff for their efforts.
Councilmember Kleven stated her agreement.
Mayor Willson added his thanks to City staff, stating the excellent work environment and
positive attitude exhibited by City staff is recognized by the Council and the general community.
Mr. Boganey thanked the Council for their comments, adding they deserve considerable credit
for the positive morale and initiative of City staff.
Councilmember Ryan stated, as a final comment, that positive collaboration between the Council
and City staff has resulted in positive, proactive results.
ADJOURN STUDYIWORK SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM
WITH CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to close the
Study/Work Session at 6:44 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
RECONVENE STUDYIWORK SESSION
Councilmember Kleven moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the
Study/Work Session at 6:50 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 2012—CONTINUED
The City Council agreed staff has done well in compiling the data and is on the right track.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Myszkowski moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the
Study/Work Session at 6:51 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
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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 October
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 October 28, 2013, Regular Session.
City Clerk Mayor
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