HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 08-25 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
AUGUST 25,2014
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 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kris Lawrence-Anderson,
Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember/Commissioner Kleven was absent and
excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Business and Development
Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie
Schleuning, and Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY PRESENTATION
City Manager Curt Boganey introduced Shirley Engelmeier, Founder and CEO of Inclusion, Inc.
He stated the City of Brooklyn Center has engaged this organization to provide guidance and
assistance in the formation of policy goals and objectives related to diversity and inclusion. Ms.
Engelmeier showed a short video, "Dive-In", an Inclusion, Inc., production, outlining key
differences and similarities between diversity and inclusion.
Ms. Engelmeier stated the City of Brooklyn Center is in the unique position of being a"majority
minority" community. She stressed the importance of creating a culture of inclusion by
engaging the community at large. She added City staff has participated in an initial information
gathering and assessment process.
Ms. Engelmeier engaged the City Council in an interactive survey using hand-held remote
control devices to gauge audience response. The survey demonstrated that positive and negative
perceptions of other people are often based on pre-conceived ideas and judgments about race,
gender,age, and other characteristics.
Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated she often asks residents and neighbors where
they come from, which opens up many opportunities to be inclusive, and shows interest and
respect to people from all over the world that live in Brooklyn Center.
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Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated that the presence of City Councilmembers at
local cultural festivals and events help to increase awareness and make a connection, and provide
an understanding of the diverse community and its residents.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he recently explained the art mural near Earle Brown
School to an elderly resident who lives nearby. He added he hoped to bridge the gap between
their perception of the mural and the aesthetic purpose of the mural project.
Ms. Engelmeier presented a short video and requested the City Council's comments on
appropriate competencies. She distributed a personal survey for the City
Councilmembers/Commissioners to rate themselves in terms of diversity. Mr. Boganey thanked
Ms. Engelmeier for her presentation, and for bringing new ideas to the City
Councilmembers/Commissioners as they strive to be effective leaders in a diverse community.
ADJOURN WORK SESSION
Mayor/President Willson adjourned the Work Session at 6:30 p.m.
RECONVENE WORK SESSION
Mayor/President Willson reconvened the Work Session at 9:25 p.m.
FUNDING FOR BBA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Mr. Boganey invited Mayor/President Willson to introduce this issue. Mayor/President Willson
explained that the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth is partnering with Youthprise to raise
funds for the creation of a youth employment program. He added the Alliance is raising
$100,000 to be matched by Youthprise if the goal is reached by September 30, 2014. He noted
he hopes that the City Council will support a donation $10,000 towards the matching grant from
the City of Brooklyn Center.
Mr. Boganey stated a source of funding can be identified to.meet the matching funds if the City
Council agrees to the donation amount of$10,000.
It was the majority consensus of the City Council to support a donation of $10,000 to the
Brooklyns Youth Alliance.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-
Anderson seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work
Session at 9:33 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
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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 August 25, 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 September 8, 2014, Regular Session.
City Clerk Mayor
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