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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 04-14 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 APRIL 14, 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, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, Police Commander Tim Gannon, and Mary Mullen, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Also present were Youth in Government Day participants Mayor Molubah Seley, Brooklyn Center High School; and Councilmembers Craig Kaizer, Park Center High School; Thien Le, Park Center High School; Ernest Luckett, Park Center High School; and Mahad Olad, Brooklyn Center High School. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Luckett, on behalf of Councilmember Kleven, requested the following correction to the March 24, 2014, Study Session minutes: Page 4, second paragraph, second line: Replace"at 5:30 p.m."with"from 4-5:30 p.m." Councilmember Myszkowski requested the following correction to the March 24, 2014, Study Session minutes: Page 3,third paragraph from the bottom: Replace"Trey"with"Treigh" It was the consensus of the City Council to accept the correction the March 24, 2014 Study Session minutes. Councilmember Luckett, on behalf of Councilmember Kleven, stated the Staff memo included in the City Council packet pertaining to Regular Session Agenda Item 6c refers to a General Fund 04/14/14 -1- meeting on August 4, 2014. He added that is also the date of the National Night Out Kick Off event. City Manager Curt Boganey stated the budget meeting in question would be removed from the schedule and City staff would provide a replacement date at the City Council's next meeting. Councilmember Olad,on behalf of Councilmember Myszkowski, stated the Staff memo included in the City Council packet pertaining to Work Session Agenda Item 1, E-Cigarettes Discussion, second page, first paragraph,the word"two" should be changed to "to." Mr. Boganey stated a revised resolution has been added to the City Council packet pertaining to Regular Session Agenda Item 10g, Review of Assessing Department Transitional Plan. He added the following correction in the Resolution Authorizing Transitional Plan for Assessing Department should be noted by the City Council: page 1, fourth paragraph, replace "September 30, 2014"with"October 1, 2014." Councilmember Luckett asked, on behalf of Councilmember Kleven, with regard to Regular Session Agenda Item 10e pertaining to contract bids for storm damage repairs to City buildings, how the bid process works, and whether the City always awards the lowest bidder. He asked whether other factors, such as performance and quality of service, are taken into consideration. Mr. Boganey stated the City is legally required to accept the lowest bid from any qualified bidder. Mayor Willson stated the City could determine to take the higher bidder if the low bidder has done work for the City in the past that was not acceptable. Mr. Boganey stated the low bidder would have to be deemed unqualified. Councilmember Luckett stated, on behalf of Councilmember Kleven, with regard to Regular Session Agenda Item l Ob, Tree City USA designation,that this recognition is a pleasant surprise. He asked whether other cities are recognized, where the designation comes from, and what the City of Brooklyn Center did to earn this recognition. Mr. Boganey stated these questions would be addressed in a staff presentation on this agenda item during the Regular Session meeting. MISCELLANEOUS Turf Damage due to Snow Removal Councilmember Ryan stated he forwarded an email to City staff from a resident on France Place regarding damage to turf that was incurred by City snowplows. He added he noticed that this issue was included in Friday's City Council update. Mr. Boganey stated the resident was contacted by City staff. Councilmember Ryan thanked Mr. Boganey for his attention to this issue. Councilmember Myszkowski stated that the City Council had toured the City garage earlier that day in conjunction with Youth in Government Day, and she and Councilmember Olad overheard Deputy Director of Public Works John Harlow say that City staff intends to embark on repairs to turf damage right away. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding this issue has caused City staff to review the snow removal process and consider possible changes that might mitigate turf damage in the future. 04/14/14 -2- July 21,2014,General Fund Meeting Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she might be unavailable for a General Fund meeting on July 21, 2014, as she is participating in the FBI Citizens Academy and a trip to Quantico may be planned for that time period. She added she would keep the City Council updated. Councilmember Kaizer asked whether the FBI building is open to the public. Mayor Willson confirmed this, adding there are requirements such as a background check and sponsorship. He added Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson is participating in the FBI Citizen's Academy, which is a training opportunity for citizens who are interested in learning more about the FBI. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated a trip to FBI headquarters at Quantico in Virginia may be planned as part of the Citizen's Academy graduation events. She added a tour of the White House is also planned. Community Prayer Breakfast on May 3,2014—City Council Attendance Mayor Willson stated a Community Prayer Breakfast is planned for May 3, 2014, at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. He added he has a table reserved,and if any City Councilmembers are interested in attending,they should see him after the meeting. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS &CIGARETTES DISCUSSION Mr. Boganey presented this item adding this discussion was requested by the City Council due to the presence of Youth in Government participants, who might provide valuable feedback on the issue of e-cigarettes. Mr. Boganey reviewed an article in the StarTribune, "Congressional report outlines a-cig concerns, urges regulation," (April 14, 2014). He stated the article indicates that regulatory efforts at the State level are required. He added potential regulation is being considered, as there are many unknown factors with regard to e-cigarettes and their potential health effects. He noted that e-cigarette marketing is directed at youth, as discussed previously by the City Council. He expressed his interest in the opinions and comments of the Youth in Government Day City Councilmembers. He introduced Police Commander Tim Gannon and invited him to address the City Council Police Commander Tim Gannon stated he has gathered information from other cities who are also addressing this important issue, and also from the Association for Non-Smokers Minnesota. He added he has not obtained extensive input from community youth who may be exposed to e- cigarettes, and hopes to get their feedback on potential ways to prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine through the use of e-cigarettes. Mr. Boganey stated, for the benefit of the Youth in Government participants, that the City Council has already taken steps to address this issue through the modification of licensing regulations, which gives the City greater regulatory authority over the sale of e-cigarettes. He added the City has not addressed use in public places nor limited the sale of e-cigarettes. He 04/14/14 -3- noted the City is waiting to see whether the State legislature takes action with regard to regulating the use and sale of e-cigarettes. Mr. Boganey asked the Youth in Government participants whether they have any thoughts or concerns with regard to the growing demand for e-cigarettes and whether they feel the City should take action on this issue. Councilmember Olad stated he has heard from high school friends that e-cigarettes are not harmful, and they come in lots of different flavors. He added he believes that is why they are attractive to young people. Councilmember Kaizer stated he knows it is illegal to use e-cigarettes if you are under 18 years of age, but he sees a lot of under-age kids using them. He added he thinks the City Council should be most concerned about trying to stop the growing use by young people. Councilmember Luckett stated the use of e-cigarettes is growing and the problem should be addressed. He added he has friends in high school and middle school who are using e-cigarettes, and their parents do not know or do not do anything to sto it. He noted there should be a law or p p ordinance to restrict the age at which kids can use e-cigarettes. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Myszkowski moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to adjourn the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Mayor Willson reconvened the Study Session at 6:54 p.m. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to adjourn for the Regular Session meeting. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:55 p.m. 04/14/14 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 April 14, 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 28, 2014, Regular Session. joat City Clerk Mayor 04/14/14 -5-