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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 10-27 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/WORK SESSION OCTOBER 27, 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, 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 Ryan stated, with regard to Regular Agenda Item 9a, Special Use Permit for proposed fill in Centennial Park, repeated flooding on the softball fields has caused many difficulties, including the relocation of the 2014 Dudley Tournament to Evergreen Park. He added he would like the City Council to discuss the possibility of the permanent relocation of the Tournament to Evergreen Park, and to instruct City staff to review this issue. He noted there would be increased costs involved, but this may be an advantageous solution. Mr. Boganey stated he had reviewed this issue with Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. He agreed to forward Mr. Glasoe's response to the City Council. Councilmember Ryan stated he supports the construction of a berm along the creek in Centennial Park. He added it will be necessary to determine whether the elevation of the softball fields is adequate. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked, with regard to the Centennial Civic & Veterans Memorial Amphitheater Project, how long the bidding process will take. Mr. Boganey stated the bidding process will take 30-45 days depending upon requirements for plans and specifications. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested clarification with regard to Regular Agenda Item 6d, authorizing a grant application for community vehicles, at a total cost of$140,000. Mayor Willson stated the total amount includes sports equipment that will be available for use by members of the community. 10/27/14 -1- Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested clarification with regard to Regular Session Agenda Item 6e, approving a Union contract for Public Works Maintenance employees. Mr. Boganey stated the contract section relates specifically to health insurance benefits. MISCELLANEOUS Flyers on Parked Cars Councilmember Myszkowski asked whether advertisers are allowed to place flyers on cars in private driveways or parking lots. Mr. Boganey confirmed this. Liberia Trip Expenses Councilmember Myszkowski stated a report on Minnesota Radio regarding the Brooklyn Center Mayoral race implied that the recent Liberia trip was paid for with City funds. She stressed that the participants raised the money to travel to Liberia themselves,and no City funds were used. Mayoral Candidate Councilmember Myszkowski stated a report on Minnesota Public Radio referred to a third mayoral candidate. She added she notified MPR that that the third candidate did not make it through the primary election, and request that they change their information. Mayor Willson stated that the false information regarding the third candidate is still in circulation. Soil Contamination Mitigation Councilmember Ryan stated he met recently with a Brooklyn Center resident who lives near the 5800 block of Logan Avenue who is concerned about soil contamination at the former Pilgrim Dry Cleaners site. He stated he believed there was a grant program for homeowners to install a mitigation system if chemical traces are found in the soil on their property. He asked whether it is the homeowner's legal responsibility to have this testing done if they intend to sell their property. City Manager Curt Boganey stated a letter was sent to area property owners from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding this issue. Mayor Willson stated property owners would need to disclose the soil conditions in the event of a sale. Damaged Sod Replacement on Kyle Avenue North Mayor Willson stated the resident at 6154 Kyle Avenue North said sod was laid by the City's Public Works Department in front of his home after recent road construction on his street. He added the sod was not laid properly and the resident wants to have it replaced. Mr. Boganey agreed to follow up with the resident and the Public Works Department. Northport Park Shelter Councilmember Kleven requested clarification regarding proposed changes to the planned park shelter at Northport Park, and whether this will mean an increase in funding for the Centennial Park Amphitheater project. Mayor Willson stated the Financial Commission discussed this issue when the City Council met with them recently, and recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission review it and provide its recommendation as well. 10/27/14 -2- Diseased Tree Removal in Right-Of-Way Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if residents are responsible for removal of diseased trees that are located in the City right-of-way in front of their home. Mr. Boganey stated it is his understanding that the City pays 50%. Ebola Crisis and Action Mayor Willson stated he met recently with Pastor Arthur Cooper, Pilgrim Christian Center, 6030 Xerxes Avenue North, representing the Liberian Ministers Association (LMA), to discuss issues related to local residents who have travelled from West Africa. He added the possibility of a quarantine location was discussed. He noted it will be necessary to determine whether any City Ordinance or other regulatory issues would relate to this situation. Mr. Boganey stated the LMA was not requesting consideration of a specific location as this inquiry is in its early exploratory stages. He added the group is in the process of reviewing possible regulatory issues. Mayor Willson stated he met with members of the Hmong community recently, who are considering a similar request. Mr. Boganey stated they have indicated that they would require more than one location. Surly Brewing Darkness Day—October 25, 2014 Mr. Boganey stated Surly Brewing Company's Darkness Day was held October 25, 2014. He added all indications are that the event went smoothly and there were no problems. He noted the change in location does not appear to have had a negative impact. Public Nuisance—Rental Properties Councilmember Ryan stated many rental properties in Brooklyn Center are single-family homes that are not owner-occupied, and often the source of public nuisance and criminal activity. He asked what the City can do to encourage rental property owners to terminate the lease of a disruptive tenant. He referred to a specific rental home whose neighbors have reported numerous instances of public disturbance. Mayor Willson stated it is necessary to establish an effective enforcement policy. Councilmember Ryan asked whether legal action can be taken when single-family owner occupied property tenants engage in unlawful behavior. Mr. Boganey reviewed a rarely-used statute that pertains to public nuisance declaration for repeated and egregious criminal activity at rental properties. He added this statute is not used frequently, it is a difficult process, and a substantial amount of staff resources is required. He noted it would only be considered as a last resort solution. Mr. Boganey agreed to have City staff review the Police activity records for that particular address. Councilmember Ryan stated the property's current owner purchased it in November 2011. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS There were no items to discuss. 10/27/14 -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 6:47 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:49 p.m. 10/27/14 -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 October 27, 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 November 10, 2014, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 10/27/14 -5-