Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-28 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 JULY 28, 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, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Police Chief Kevin Benner, Police Commander Tim Gannon,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 a rental license for 5713 Humboldt Avenue N,which is listed twice on the July 28, 2014, Regular Session Agenda. City Manager Curt Boganey stated the rental license for 5713 Humboldt Avenue N is listed twice as approval is required for two separate time periods. Mayor Willson requested the following correction to the July 14, 2014,EDA meeting minutes: Page 3,4a'paragraph, 1St line: Insert"/Commissioner"after"Councilmember" MISCELLANEOUS Fire Department Letter City Manager Curt Boganey stated that the City Council had recently received copies of an unsigned letter. He added City staff felt it was appropriate to address the issues raised by the letter's anonymous writer to satisfy any questions or concerns it may have raised. Mr. Boganey stated the letter raised the question of whether the Fire Chief is planning to propose the hiring of a full-time Deputy Fire Chief, to be included in the City's 2015 budget. He added he has encouraged the Fire Chief to recruit a Deputy Fire Chief, a staff position that was not re- filled with a day available employee after the former Deputy Fire Chief retired in 2008. He noted the Fire Chief fulfills the role of Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City, which 07/28/14 -1- was previously handled by the Police Chief. Mr. Boganey stated, given the current demands of the Fire Chief s position as well as the Fire Department as a whole, he has supported the recruitment of a Deputy Fire Chief. He added this issue should be discussed during the 2015 budget process. Mr. Boganey stated the second issue raised in the anonymous letter is whether an outside expert should be hired to evaluate the Fire Department. He added the Fire Chief has indicated he is interested in having a third-party assessment. He noted he would also be supportive of that recommendation. Mr. Boganey stated the third issue raised in the anonymous letter is whether City funds are used in the pension plan for the City's paid, on-call firefighters. He added the pension plan payments are derived from investment earnings as well as contributions from the State of Minnesota. He noted there is no direct relationship between the City's general fund and the needs of the pension plan. Mr. Boganey stated the fourth issue raised in the anonymous letter is whether the Fire Department should have a daytime duty crew. He confirmed this, adding the Fire Chief supports the formation of a daytime duty crew. He added it is difficult to attract qualified daytime firefighters unless they can be hired from other cities, which can prove problematic. He stressed the importance of finding a way to form a daytime crew if the Fire Chief supports it. Mayor Willson stated he appreciates the efforts of City staff in reviewing these issues, although he usually would not put much stock in an anonymous letter. He thanked Mr. Boganey for his comments. Highway 252—Traffic Injury Councilmember Kleven stated a serious accident happened recently on Highway 252, when a local teen was hit from behind while waiting to take a left-hand turn at a stop light. She added she is unsure of his status. Recent Incident in Church Parking Lot Councilmember Kleven requested information regarding a commotion at Brooklyn United Methodist Church over the weekend. She added she understood that gunshots were heard. Police Commander Tim Gannon stated he was collecting books at the church at the time, along with other officers. He added the driver of a stolen vehicle was apprehended and taken into custody by State Patrol and Brooklyn Park officers,but no shots were fired. Parking at Northport School Councilmember Ryan stated, with regard to the Northport School encroachment issue addressed under Regular Session Agenda Item 6e, residents in that area are concerned that there is insufficient parking spaces for school staff and visitors. He added this has been discussed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, and should be included in the capital planning process. 07/28/14 -2- Mr. Boganey stated the additional parking will be for school use, but the School District has indicated that it can also be used for other purposes if necessary. He added the proposed expansion would help alleviate the parking congestion described by residents. Mayor Willson stated, with regard to Regular Session Agenda Item 6h, he selected a suitable candidate for the Financial Commission after close review with Finance Director Nate Reinhardt. He is recommending appointment of Councilmember Ryan, himself, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Financial Commission. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS TOBACCO USE OPTIONS Mr. Boganey presented this issue. He introduced Police Commander Tim Gannon and invited him to address the City Council. Commander Gannon stated, regarding the City's new tobacco related products ordinance, three issues are being considered by City staff. the impact of an increased minimum age to purchase tobacco related products; the possible prohibition of e-cigarettes in City parks; and the impact of new State Legislation, effective July 1,2014, on the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Commander Gannon stated the minimum age to purchase tobacco ranges from 18-21 years of age depending upon the state, while the majority have a minimum age of 18 years. He added that 4 states, as well as a number of cities and counties, have adopted a minimum age of 19 years of age. He noted that New York City, as well a number of cities around Boston, have adopted a minimum age of 21 years of age. Commander Gannon stated studies have shown that experimentation with tobacco at a young age leads to lifelong addiction. He added the Tobacco Control Act convenes a panel of experts to study the health implications of raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products. Commander Gannon stated that according to tobacco businesses representatives a change in the tobacco sales ordinance could drive consumers to other cities to buy their tobacco products, which would be economically devastating to local businesses. He added a local retailer noted that customers who want to purchase single little cigars are deterred by the increased price point. Councilmember Myszkowski stated other communities have increased the minimum age, which has resulted in decreased youth smoking rates as well as the decreased incidence of smoking- related cancer. She thanked Commander Gannon and Mr. Boganey for putting the information together for the City Council's review. Discussion of this item continued and reached conclusion at the July 28,2014, Work Session. 07/28/14 -3- 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 6:58 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:59 p.m. 07/28/14 -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 July 28, 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 August 11, 2014, Regular Session. JWAk �AU-�W- -- aZ�vv City Clerk Mayor 07/28/14 -5-