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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 10-28 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 OCTOBER 28, 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 M szkowski y , and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Mary Mullen, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Kleven requested the following change: in the Council's Work Session Agenda packet, Item 2, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel's memorandum from October 28, 2013, under "Background", line 8, "medication" should be changed to "modification." Councilmember Kleven stated, with regard to EDA meeting Agenda, Item 4a, the property at 6927 Brooklyn Boulevard was considered for purchase by Slim's Pizza at one time, but the owner was not ready to sell. She asked whether the owner of Slim's Pizza was now interested in buying the property. City Manager Boganey stated the current purchase price would probably not be attractive to the owner of Slim's Pizza. Ma y or Willson stated with regard to City Council meet i ng Agenda, Ite m 7b, awards be presented to community members including Linda Hanka, Superintendent Bonine, and School Board Member Cheryl Jechorek, who are attending a School Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. He added they would probably arrive late to the Council meeting so their presentation would be made when they arrived. Mayor Willson asked, with regard to Council meeting Agenda Item 9b, whether Discount Tire Store will be required to add fencing to the landscaped area. He added the owner has indicated in discussions before the Council that he would be willing to do that. Councilmember Lawrence- Anderson stated the specific area in question is the pedestrian walk-through. Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel stated a fencing requirement is not currently included in 10/28/13 4- the resolution, but it can be added. Mr. Boganey stated it should be added to the resolution if the Council wishes to make that a requirement. The Council agreed to make that a requirement. Mayor Willson stated the requirement could be added as Item 12 in the Resolution. Councilmember Ryan stated Item 12 should include a detailed list of landscaping requirements that are the same as the general landscaping guidelines for the Shingle Creek Crossing development. Mr. Boganey stated if the Council agrees, a list of requirements could be determined by the City Planner and Building Official. The Council agreed to make that a requirement. Mr. Eitel stated a fence could be required that is similar to the decorative, wrought iron-look fence at Holiday. He added that fence is four feet in height. He noted the landscape appearance should be consistent with the current theme and existing fencing along Xerxes Avenue and Bass Lake Road. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated a fence at that location might deter jaywalkers. Mr. Boganey stated the Traffic Committee is aware of the jaywalking problem in that area. Councilmember Ryan stated the landscaping plan in that area should provide a natural barrier and make jaywalking more difficult. Mr. Boganey agreed that jaywalking has been reduced because of the landscape plan, but jaywalking will continue to be a problem where there is landscape rock and no plantings. He added a creative solution might be necessary, and foot traffic patterns may change as the Shingle Creek Crossing develops to the east, creating more destinations. Mayor Willson stated clear fencing material might be a good solution, similar to the material used on one of the Highway 100 bridges. He added the clear material would not obstruct views. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding a physical barrier of some sort might be the answer. MISCELLANEOUS Staff Meeting with Invitation Homes,Inc. Councilmember Kleven requested further information regarding staff's recent meeting with Invitation Homes, a single-family homes rental organization, and their recent purchase of properties in Brooklyn Center. She expressed concern that there are currently 812 rental properties in the City, and the number continues to increase. Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning stated Invitation Homes plans to have approximately over 800 homes around the metro area, including 11 properties in Brooklyn Center. She added they will be providing a detailed list of their properties, which she agreed to forward to the Council. She noted Invitation Homes is an established rental company based in Chicago doing business in many states throughout the United States, but they have only recently entered the rental market in Minnesota. Ms. Schleuning stated the homes they purchase have multiple bids due to increased market activity. She added the company understands that their rentals will be subject to housing 10/28/13 -2- inspections and it will be necessary for them to meet the City's housing standards. She noted that many properties are currently in the rehabilitation process and therefore most has not submitted rental license applications. Mr. Boganey stated the ordinance requires that a rental property have a local manager or overseer that can be contacted by City staff to address any issues. He added that any information regarding Invitation Homes' business practices in other states would not provide much value if rental requirements are different. Ms. Schleuning stated the company representatives live locally and are familiar with local markets and requirements. Councilmember Myszkowski stated the company's website provides a lot of information, as well as an online application and"Peace of Mind Promise." Mayor Willson stated he appreciates the fact that City staff are meeting with Invitation Homes early in the process, before any problems arise. Mr. Boganey stated staff wanted to make the Council aware of Invitation Homes and their activities in the City. Former Mayor Phil Cohen—Health Update and Possible Recognition Councilmember Ryan stated former Mayor Phil Cohen has had recent health issues after breaking his hip during a recent fall. He added it would be appropriate to recognize former Mayor Cohen's long-term contributions to the City of Brooklyn Center. He noted a plaque or sign might be included in the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, for which a Spring 2014 groundbreaking is scheduled. Mayor Willson stated former Mayor Cohen broke his hip last Friday and is in a lot of pain, according to his family. He added that any action by the Council to recognize him should be done soon. Councilmember Myszkowski suggested consulting the family of former Mayor Cohen. Mayor Willson agreed to contact them. City Manager's Review Mr. Boganey stated the necessary forms for the annual City Manager's performance review were available for the Council to complete, which he would forward to them. Upcoming Trip to Voinjama,Liberia Mayor Willson stated that participants in the upcoming trip to Brooklyn Center's Sister City, Voinjama, Liberia, should begin making travel arrangements. Mr. Boganey stated City Clerk Knutson was doing some research on airfare and other arrangements, and staff will coordinate efforts with the trip participants. Mayor Willson stated he knows of a good travel agent in the Riverwood neighborhood that he would forward to the City Clerk. Mr. Boganey stated Monique Drier's 17-year-old son would be going to Voinjama with the contingent. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS COUNCIL REQUEST FOR RENTAL LICENSING STATISTICS 10/28/13 -3- Mr. Boganey stated the Council had requested information on the City's rental licensing program, including background and statistics. Ms. Schleuning reviewed the City's performance-based rental licensing program, including background, goals and objectives, as well as improvements and statistics. She added the program was initiated due to rental property concerns, including complaints from both residents and landlords. She noted initial analysis showed that approximately 20% of the rental properties in question were creating 80%of the problems. Ms. Schleuning stated improvements in property conditions and management have been accomplished since the program's initiation in 2010. She added City staff has increased communication with landlords and tenants through newsletters, document improvements and tracking, and mandatory Association for Responsible Management(ARM)meetings. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Willson closed the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Myszkowski seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:49 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL REQUEST FOR RENTAL LICENSING STATISTICS—CONTINUED Ms. Schleuning reviewed the distribution of active rental licenses in the City in 2012, 2013, and projected distribution. She stressed that the information provided by staff does not include new pending or expired licenses currently in the renewal process. She added that commercial development has increased in Brooklyn Center, which has meant an increased workload, but staff continues to review ways to encourage growth and development within the City's rental licensing program. Mayor Willson thanked Ms. Schleuning for the report, adding the data is helpful and staff should be commended for taking the time to compile it. He also thanked City Clerk Sharon Knutson and the Licensing Department staff. Councilmember Ryan stated staff's hard work on the rental licensing program is greatly appreciated. He added the City has seen a dramatic decline in rental licensing problems over the last several years, which has coincided with the inception of the rental program. He thanked City staff and the Police Department for their accomplishments in this area. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson declared the Study Session adjourned at 6:58 p.m. 10/28/13 -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 StudyAVork Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 28, 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 November 12,2013, Regular Session. uavt City Clerk Mayor 10/28/13 -5-