HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 12-08 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
DECEMBER 8, 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 9:04 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, Assistant City
Manager/Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney
Charlie LeFevere, and Megan Pace, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
FROZEN PRIVATE WATER SERVICES EVALUATION
(Continued from Study Session)
Mr. Lillehaug reviewed the actions of City staff in 2013 with regard to providing assistance to
residents with frozen water service lines. He added the portion of pipe that generally freezes is
under the street, and owned by the City. He noted when water lines freeze, it is generally not the
fault of the resident, and it is appropriate for the City to provide assistance.
Mr. Lillehaug presented a few different options for the City Council's review, including taking
no action, which is not preferable in his opinion. He added the City can maintain its current
policy of providing technical assistance to residents for access to temporary water, and continue
the rebate program.
Mr. Lillehaug stated the City could purchase a Magikist De-Icer, a machine which many
communities use to thaw water lines. He added City staff would need to go into the homes of
residents. He stressed the importance of the completion of a liability waiver for City staff
entering a resident's home.
Mr. Lillehaug stated another option is the application of electric currents to thaw pipes. He
added this method is effective, but can be dangerous as it is difficult to control electric currents.
Mr. Lillehaug stated another option is a program to systematically reconstruct pipes that are
prone to freezing. He added that approximately 100 properties in the City have been identified,
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and repairs have been conducted on 23 of these properties. He added the introduction of a
capital improvement project is a possibility, but it would be a costly solution.
Mr. Lillehaug stated he recommends that City staff continue to provide assistance through access
to temporary water service. He added he also recommends the purchase of a Magikist De-Icer to
be used by City staff in a resident's home.
Mr. Boganey thanked Mr. Lillehaug for his comprehensive report. He added he believes the
provision of this service to residents is consistent with the City Council's focus on the"customer
intimate" value proposition. He added it is not unreasonable to use City staff time and resources
for this service rather than ancillary services.
Mayor/President Willson stated he agrees it is important for the City and its employees, as well
as the City Council, to be customer-oriented. He requested clarification regarding the cost and
capacity of the Magikist De-Icer. He added he supports keeping the current temporary water
service assistance in place, and have City staff provide pipe-thawing services, using the Magikist
De-Icer.
Mayor/President Willson stated, with regard to undertaking permanent repairs, an ongoing
program could be considered on a case-by-case basis to allow the City to take more ownership of
residential water lines in need of repair.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated corrections can be incorporated into street
improvement projects as they are completed. He added he supports the provision of a thawing
service as it can be a frustrating problem for residents to be without water. He stressed the
importance of making the effort to show residents that the City is willing to address the problem
of frozen pipes.
Mr. Boganey stated that Mr. Lillehaug had referred to the use of a liability waiver for City staff
entering the homes of residents. He re-iterated the importance of this component.
Mayor/President Willson agreed, adding such waivers have become commonplace, and should
not be a problem.
Mayor/President Willson asked whether City staff makes an effort to insulate pipes that have
been known to freeze in the past. Mr. Lillehaug stated City staff sends a letter to homes where
the water lines have frozen in the past, advising residents to run their water regularly.
Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she supports a combination of the
current practice of providing assistance with access to temporary water, as well the acquisition of
the Magikist machine. She added it will be perceived as a good-will gesture, especially since
water rates were just increased at tonight's meeting. She stressed the importance of helping
residents rather than expecting them to mitigate their frozen pipes on their own.
Councilmember/Commissioner Kleven asked whether residents can get help when their pipes
freeze on the weekend. Mr. Lillehaug stated there is always a Utilities staff member on call to
provide assistance.
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Mr. Boganey stated he would support completion of pipe thawing once City staff has entered the
home, regardless of where the pipes are frozen. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-
Anderson agreed, adding it could be considered a one-time courtesy provided by City staff.
Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski expressed her appreciation that this issue was
brought to the City Council for their review. She stated she cannot imagine the desperation that
a family would feel when they have no water, and no money for a hotel. She added she supports
the provision of assistance for temporary water service, and the purchase of a Magikist machine.
The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to authorize City staff to move forward
with the purchase of a Magikist De-Icer.
PLANNING FOR ANNUAL RETREAT
City Manager Curt Boganey stated City staff is planning the Annual City Council Retreat, and
hopes to invite the same facilitator. He added the speaker, Craig Rapp, has been out of town but
will be available in February or early March, and City staff can make the necessary arrangements
for the facilitator to attend the Retreat. He added the Retreat will be finalized in early January
2015.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski
seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at
9:38 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 December 8, 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 January 12, 2015, Regular Session.
City Clerk Mayor
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