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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 03-24 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 MARCH 24, 2014 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 Nate Reinhardt, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Director of Community Activities Jim Glasoe, 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 Lawrence-Anderson requested clarification regarding Regular Session Agenda Item 6j, which relates to a modification of retirement benefits for City employees. City Manager Curt Boganey stated a City Police Department employee had asked whether some employees could receive their retirement benefit in a lump sum in lieu of payments. He added recent legislature was passed modifying retirement programs for police officers. Mr. Boganey stated City staff reviewed this issue and discovered'this option is available to certain employees under IRS rules with no risk or additional liability to the City. Mayor Willson asked this seems to be a positive situation for both the City and eligible retiring employees. He asked where funding for lump sum payments would be generated. Mr. Boganey stated the City is legally required to fund the liability associated with retirement benefits, and funding is therefore currently available for this use. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson thanked Mr. Boganey for this clarification. Councilmember Ryan stated he agreed this proposed option contributes to a positive work environment for City staff. Mayor Willson stressed the importance of supporting City staff and showing appreciation for the value of the work they do for the residents of Brooklyn Center. 03/24/14 -1- Mr. Boganey stated he met with a post-retirement fund program specialist, who indicated that employees who take advantage of the lump-sum contribution will receive the benefit of tax-free investments. He added this option would provide value, potential and flexibility for eligible City employees. Councilmember Ryan asked whether the amended ordinance for Item 6j received by the City Council should replace the copy included in the meeting packet. Mr. Boganey confirmed this, and added that the City Council might wish to discuss this issue further. He recommended that this agenda item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered on the Regular Agenda. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to consider Consent Agenda Item 6j as Regular Session Agenda Item IOd. MISCELLANEOUS City Council Work Session with Auditor,June 2014—Date Change Mayor Willson stated he is unable to attend the City Council Work Session with the Auditor and Financial 'Commission scheduled for June 2, 2014. He requested that the Work Session be rescheduled for June 3, 2014. Mr. Boganey agreed to confirm that date with the auditors and Financial Commissioners. It was the majority'consensus of the City Council to move the Work Session with Auditor and Financial Commission to June 3, 2014, if that date is acceptable to the other attendees. Annual Councilmember's Retreat Mayor Willson stated the City Council usually has an annual retreat, and a possible date should be considered for this event. He added it could probably wait until January 2015, after a new Councilmember is elected. Mr. Boganey agreed, and stressed the importance of having strategic priorities in place for a few years. He added a January 2015 date would give City staff time to prepare updates related to items that were identified at the last Councilmember annual retreat. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to schedule the Councilmembers annual retreat in January 2015. Housing Commission-Request for Multiple Languages Brochure Councilmember Kleven stated she attended the Housing Commission meeting on March 18, 2014. She added the Commission has requested the City Council's review of possible funding sources to support a housing brochure to be translated into multiple languages. She noted this brochure would be included in the welcome packet that is distributed to new residents of Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson stated a multi-language housing brochure would be in the best interests of the City's diverse cultural community. Mr. Boganey stated inclusion and diversity are direct strategic priorities of the City Council, and it would probably be unnecessary to research funding opportunities. Mr. Boganey stated that the Housing Commission could be asked to identify specific pieces of information that they think are most critical to new residents. He added a language 03/24/14 -2- subcommittee identified five key languages that are prevalent in Brooklyn Center. He noted that some information in the welcome packet might overlap with documents already being produced by City staff. Mayor Willson requested that Councilmember Kleven contact the Housing Commission and ask them to provide information that they think is important for new residents, to be forwarded to City staff. Councilmember Myszkowski thanked Councilmember Kleven for bringing this important issue to the City Council's attention. Vaping Devices Councilmember Myszkowski stated a recent New York Times article entitled "Selling a Poison by the Barrel: Liquid Nicotine for E-Cigarettes," (March 23, 2014) reviewed the effects of liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes. She added it was the most frequently emailed New York Times article. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she would be out of town from March 30-April 2, 2014. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she is pleased that the City is being proactive in reviewing the issue of vaping devices, to avoid confusion and difficult situations in the future. She asked whether the City Council would consider further restrictions on vaping in public places. She added she has seen people vaping in retail stores and other indoor public places, and the City Council has not considered introducing an ordinance amendment to restrict that use. Councilmember Ryan stated it would be easier for the City to enact stricter legislation on this issue after the State Legislature provides clarification on certain language in the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. Mayor Willson stated the City ordinance can be more strict than the State, but more difficult to enforce. Mayor Willson stated this issue is currently being discussed in the State Legislature and in other communities across the country. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated residents should contact their legislators to express their opinion. Liberia'Trip Delegation Mayor Willson stated the Liberia trip delegation meeting'will 'be postponed, as Monique and Treigh Drier are not available on March 25 2014. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT DAY PLANNING Mr. Boganey introduced Director of Community Activities Jim Glasoe and invited him to address the City Council on this issue. Mr. Glasoe stated the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance seeks to provide educational opportunities for local youth, including activities and programs related to the workings of local government. He added that the Youth in Government Day, originally planned for March 24, 2014, has been 03/24/14 -3- rescheduled to April 14, 2014. He added the number of participants and availability are still being determined. He noted the Alliance plans to recruit five local young people to participate in this event. He presented the proposed activities for the event as well as roles and responsibilities of the participants. Mr. Glasoe stated one of the day's proposed events would be an informational session with the City Council as well as a tour of the City facilities from 4-5:30 p.m., as well as participation in a City Council meeting. He added he hopes that the City Council will consider answering questions and talking about their roles as elected officials,as well as provide ideas for ways that youth can become active in local government. He noted the discussion could include issues that are currently being faced by the City Council and the residents of Brooklyn Center. He requested the City Council's availability and input on the proposed agenda and itinerary. Councilmember Myszkowski asked whether a bus would be used for the facilities tour. Mr. Glasoe stated that has not been determined. He added the final itinerary has not been finalized either. Councilmember Myszkowski asked whether the five young people and five Councilmembers will all sit at the Council table. Mr. Glasoe stated the details have not been finalized,but this format was used in Brooklyn Park recently, and it seemed to go relatively well. Councilmember Ryan asked what criteria are being used to select youth participants. Mr.Glasoe stated participants are being chosen based on their active involvement in community life and events. Councilmember Kleven stated their families will want to come and see them in action, and the events should be visible. Mr. Boganey stated City staff has been given the task of identifying specific work session related discussion items that would be of particular interest to the City Council. He added he hopes to provide conversation and discussion for the young people that will give them the most realistic experience they could have. He noted the City Council may want to ask questions and request feedback and fresh perspective regarding issues on which they would like to receive direct input, and which might inform their judgment on some future decision. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked whether the youth participants could be polled ahead of time, to determine if there are any issues that are of particular interest to them. She added they might have some ideas about topics they would like to discuss that may be of future benefit to them as well as to the City Council. Councilmember Myszkowski agreed, adding she would like to get feedback and comments on the issue of raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 years of age. She added the City Attorney is currently researching that issue, and a discussion with the Youth in Government group would probably be helpful. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked whether the City Councilmembers would be welcome to go along on the tour of City facilities. Mayor Willson confirmed this. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Work Session meeting at 6:44 p.m. 03/24/14 4- ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:45 p.m. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Mayor Willson reconvened the Study Session at 6:48 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:50 p.m. 03/24/14 -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 March 24, 2014. 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 April 14, 2014, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 03/24/14 -6-