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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-14 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION JULY 14,2014 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:41 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners 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, and Mary Mullen,TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. WATER TREATMENT PLANT— ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OPTIONS UPDATE (Continued from Study Session) Mayor/President Willson stated he supports the efforts of City staff to provide environmental stability options for the new water treatment plant. water treatment plant will be able to Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated the proposed p accommodate future sustainability measures, such as solar power. Mr. Boganey agreed. Mayor/President Willson stated he would like to review the option of solar energy for the site before the building is completed. He added that a recent online search revealed a Department of Commerce grant program for which the City is eligible, as well as the concept of "energy cooperatives". He added he would like to determine whether there are any programs that would increase affordability of solar energy on new construction. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he supports moving ahead with the water treatment plant construction in a timely manner. He added he agrees that solar energy is a good option if a source of available funding assistance can be found. He added City staff has confirmed that the proposed water treatment plant can accommodate solar energy measures now or in the future. Mayor/President Willson stated solar energy could be included in the plans before construction begins if there are funding programs available to the City. He added information is available on funding programs from State legislative staff. Mr. Boganey stated the City has limited staff to dedicate to providing a full review at this time. He requested clarification regarding an acceptable payback time frame, as well as sufficient subsidization. 07/14/14 -1- Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he does not support delaying the construction process to allow time to review payback and subsidization. Mayor/President Willson stated the City Council has determined that environmental sustainability measures are a goal for the City. He stressed the importance of pursuing all possible options for sustainability to avoid missing out on an opportunity to include them in the water treatment plant design. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated the timeline for the water treatment plant should allow for construction to be completed before the winter months. Mayor/President Willson stated the water treatment plant can be constructed with future sustainability measures in mind. He asked whether the addition of a green roof would cause problems for solar energy equipment location and installation. Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug stated the roof of the water treatment area would be appropriate for solar panels, while a possible green roof would be located over the office area. Mayor/President Willson asked whether any other areas could accommodate the additional weight of a green roof. Mr. Lillehaug stated only certain areas of the roof would be acceptable for solar panels in terms of available sunlight exposure. He added there are significant energy requirements for solar roof panels,which would be costly for the City. Mayor/President Willson requested clarification regarding a 39-year payback on a possible green roof. Mr. Lillehaug stated that estimate is based on estimated annual maintenance costs. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan reiterated his concern regarding the weight of a green roof that could cause problems in the future. He stated environmental sustainability measures can encourage future green investments even with limited payback. He added he would not want to pursue solar power if it will impede the progress and completion of the project. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated sustainability measures are not necessarily about the cost or the payback, but rather about the awareness of various benefits that they provide. She stressed the importance of sustainability for its own sake and not for public image. She added she does not think a green roof is a worthwhile goal, and the payback on solar power is negligible. Mr. Lillehaug stated it will not be possible to take people on tours of the water treatment plant roof, and possible use for public access and viewing would not be a good enough reason to pursue the green roof concept. Councilmember/Commissioner Kleven stated she no longer believes the green roof is a desirable feature for the water treatment plant. 07/14/14 -2- Mr. Boganey stated City staff will attempt to investigate the availability of subsidies that would make the option of solar power more cost effective. He stressed the importance of not causing a delay in the construction process, which would prevent the water treatment plant from opening before next season. Mr. Boganey stated, with regard to a green roof option, it could be a relatively small investment with community benefits. He added it encourages green initiatives in general, and highlights the City's efforts and desire to protect the environment. He noted, however, a green roof will not provide any significant payback. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she likes the idea of solar power, and supports modifying the water treatment plans to include the necessary adjustments. She added the City needs to look aggressively at ways to reduce costs. She stressed the importance of showing residents that the City is serious about including green aspects in big projects. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated Evergreen Park Elementary School received a grant from Hennepin County to develop a large community garden, and they will be planting fruit trees in raised beds. She added a ground-level garden at the water treatment plant is a good option. Mr. Lillehaug stated the landscaped area at the front of the building will be heavily-planted infiltration rain gardens. He added the water treatment plant will not be conducive to public tours and community garden maintenance, as security would be an issue. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated solar energy on the proposed structure could be a possibility if appropriate funding can be found and obtained. It was the majority consensus of the City Council/Economic Development Authority to pursue available funding options for solar power and wind energy for the proposed water treatment plant. It was agreed that the City Council/Economic Development Authority would not pursue the green roof concept for this site. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 07/14/14 -3- 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on July 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 July 28, 2014, Regular Session. hh City Clerk Mayor 07/14/14 -4-