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Home My WebLink About2014 08-11 CCM Study/Work 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/WORK SESSION AUGUST 11, 2014 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study/Work 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, 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 correction to the Regular Session minutes of July 28,2014: Page 5,third paragraph, first line: Replace"Lila"with"Lyla" Mayor Willson requested the following correction to the Regular Session minutes of July 28, 2014: Page 1, fourth paragraph, last line: Replace"contagious"with"infectious" Councilmember Myszkowski requested the following correction to the Work Session minutes of July 28, 2014: Page 3,ninth paragraph, first line: Replace"Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski"with"Mayor/President Willson" Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested the following correction to the Work Session minutes of July 28,2014: Page 3,tenth paragraph,fourth line: Replace"provide recommendations for possible changes"with"go entirely paperless" 08/11/14 -1- Councilmember Ryan requested clarification regarding Regular Session Agenda Item 6g, Joint Powers Agreement for the collection of utility charges. City Manager Curt Boganey stated that Minnesota statute related to collection of utility charges requires the adoption of a Joint Powers Agreement between Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. MISCELLANEOUS Sign Ordinance Discussion Mr. Boganey reviewed a request to consider modifying the current Ordinance governing signage. He stated a resident, Mr. Bumgarner, spoke at a recent Informal Open Forum, and requested that the Ordinance language related to campaign signs be changed to read "Including the State primary in a general election year." He noted Mr. Bumgarner believes the current language is unclear. Mayor Willson stated the City Ordinance clearly states that signs can be put up 60 days before an election, and the State primary is an election. He added he believes the language is clear, and the ordinance should not be changed. It was the majority consensus of the City Council that the Ordinance language pertaining to election signage should not be changed. Budget Work Session Dates Mr. Boganey stated the Budget Work Session on August 6, 2014,was cancelled due to the Ebola public meeting, and on August 18, 2014, Councilmember Myszkowski has a scheduling conflict. He added the meetings can be rescheduled for August 26 or 27, or September 3, 2014. He added the two remaining meetings must be held and the budget adopted before September 15,2014. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to schedule Budget Work Session meetings on August 27 and September 3, 2014. Inclusion,Inc.,Presentation-August 25,2014 Mr. Boganey stated the City Council is invited to attend a one-hour overview of the City's Inclusion and Diversity initiative. He added this presentation,to be given by Inclusion, Inc., will take place prior to the City Council's Study Session on August 25,2014. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to attend Inclusion, Inc.'s presentation at 5:30 p.m. on August 25, 2014,prior to the City Council's Study Session meeting. Councilmember Ryan asked whether the September 3, 2014, City Council Budget Work Session meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Boganey stated City staff would provide confirmation of meeting times. Councilmember Myszkowski stated she is unavailable August 16-21 and August 29- September 1,2014. 08/11/14 -2- Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated the City Council received an email from a resident who has a conflict with his neighbor on Colfax Avenue North. She added it did not appear that the email went to City staff. Mr. Boganey stated he did receive the email, and City staff is reviewing the situation and action is under consideration. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS BC UNIVERSITY Mr. Boganey reviewed the BC University, an educational program for residents to be held in Spring 2015. He added programs like BC University are an effective educational tool through which citizens can become acquainted with local government, visit facilities, and understand the City's goals and plans. He noted there are many benefits to such programs, including citizen engagement,civic education,and community building. Mr. Boganey stated the City will accept applications from residents with a deadline of February 14, 2015. He added only 20 applications will be accepted. He noted specific details of BC University are still being developed. He requested feedback from the City Council with regard to the Council's expectations for the program, selection of participants, and possible participation fees. He stated a $25 tuition fee is recommended by City staff, which would offset program costs, but could be a barrier for some residents. Mayor Willson stated some residents might not be able to afford the fee, but a fee represents a commitment from participants that they will attend. Councilmember Kleven stated$25 is a fair price, and serves as an incentive for people to attend. Councilmember Myszkowski stated $25 is reasonable, and scholarships might be made available. Councilmember Ryan stated he likes the program concept, as it will promote citizen engagement, provide information for residents, and help them understand the functions of City government. He added an expert on Political Science, such as a representative from the Humphrey Institute, could be engaged to address the participants. Mayor Willson stated he likes the program format, with participants moving between different sites in the City. Councilmember Myszkowski stated the tag lines are catchy. Mr. Boganey stated he has the application form ready to be posted on the City's website. Mayor Willson asked how candidates will be selected. Mr. Boganey stated the application forth is not lengthy or complicated, and applicants can be selected by the City Council. He added possibly each Councilmember could select their top candidates. 08/11/14 -3- Councilmember Myszkowski cautioned that the application process should not be exclusionary. She added some residents may not be able to complete the application, either in writing or online, or express their interest in City government. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding the application indicates that all members of the diverse community are welcome to apply. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked whether a fee amount will go on the application form. She also asked whether Councilmembers can apply. Mr. Boganey stated the application fee will be specified on the application. He added Councilmembers will not be excluded. It was the majority consensus of the City Council to move forward with plans for BC University. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated a feedback survey could be provided for participants to complete after the BC University is over. ADJOURN TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Willson adjourned the Study/Work Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:45 p.m. RECONVENE Mayor Willson reconvened the Study/Work Session at 6:46 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study/Work Session at 6:47 p.m. 08/11/14 -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 August 11, 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 25, 2014,Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 08/11/14 -5-