Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 02-23 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 FEBRUARY 23, 2015 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Stud Session called to order by Tim Willsonson at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers April Graves, Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Brittney Berndt, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS -None. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Ryan stated that he will be absent for the next City Council meeting, March 9, 2015, representing Brooklyn Center at the National League of Cities Conference that will be held in Washington, DC. Blue Line Light Rail Mayor Willson explained to the City Council that he attended a meeting along with other cities including Robbinsdale, Coon Rapids, and Crystal in which they are now opposing the construction of the Blue Line Light Rail. The group of cities is requesting an environmental study to be completed before any construction of the light rail can occur in their communities. He explained that with the group of cities requesting the study that this might be an opportunity for Brooklyn Center to make a suggestion on possibly moving the tracks to mirror Highway 252. Councilmember Graves questioned what were the motives behind the other cities now possibly blocking the construction of the light rail. Mayor Willson responded that Robbinsdale has three railroad crossings that currently cut their city in half and with the increase of rail traffic, this would mean longer commute times as well as longer response from emergency personnel. He added that there are two main rail companies, BNSF and Canadian Pacific, which are looking to merge and use tracks that would be constructed with the light rail to haul extra freight. 02/23/15 -1- Councilmember Graves explained that from what she knows about the project, the Blue Line would be an asset to every community because of the benefits to their citizens for transportation. She also added that she could see why the communities would request the environmental study before construction could take place. Mayor Willson explained the Blue Line is currently in the planning stage and with the group of cities requesting the environmental study, he is concerned this could potentially stop the process. If that occurred, it would hurt not only the citizens of the other cities but the citizens of Brooklyn Center as well. City Manager Curt Boganey stated he had heard the cities were going to be opposed to the connector line, which would support the two major rail companies, but the cities were not opposed to the Blue Line. Mayor Willson explained that the connector line is tied into the Blue Line, so it will be an either all or nothing situation. Mr. Boganey explained that the connector line must have been tied to the deal at the last minute because in earlier conversations, it had not been tied together. Mayor Willson and Councilmember Graves concurred but wondered why the two rails are connected. Councilmember Ryan agreed that if the two major rail companies merge and use the connector station, some of these cities would have rail traffic that caused major delays. He understands why, if these two rails are tied together, cities would be requesting the environmental studies to slow the construction process down. Mayor Willson concurred and added that it could possibly be tied because both the freight rails and the light rails would share the same right-of-way in the cities. Mr. Boganey stated he will gather more information from the other cities regarding the Blue Line and the construction process. Councilmember Ryan agreed with Mr. Boganey that more facts were needed in order to hypothesize why the cities are opposed to the Blue Line construction. Brooklyn Center University Mr. Boganey shared an update regarding Brooklyn Center University and the proposed agenda for the class. He shared that nine students are signed up for the course and each will receive a binder, which they will fill with information after each class until the binder is full. Each week the students will share a two-hour segment with a different department within the City learning how they operate and function. He has requested that each department make its presentation interactive and engaging for the students. Mr. Boganey explained that the first meeting would include introductions of the City Councilmembers and students, class expectations, overview of the course, and possibly a case study. Councilmember Ryan volunteered to share one of the sections with the students but asked if including a public hearing within the first meeting may be overwhelming to the students. Councilmember Myszkowski agreed that the students could possibly only want to check things out and not participate at a level that would be needed for a case study. She also added that the 02/23/15 -2- agenda looks very ambitious for two hours and suggested trying to condense the information. Councilmember Graves suggested that rather than holding a public hearing, they break into small groups, look at the case, and identify different aspects of government. She felt this would eliminate the pressure students would feel. Mayor Willson concurred that with only nine people, participation could be lacking. Mr. Boganey supported all of the ideas that the Councilmembers presented and added that maybe the Councilmembers could share personal stories regarding aspects of government rather than giving a lecture. The Councilmembers concurred with this idea. Mr. Boganey and the Councilmembers divided the agenda accordingly and it was consensus that the Water Treatment Plant could serve as the case study. Summer Jobs Program Councilmember Graves had questions regarding the summer Jobs program that is partnered with Step Up and how many youth are going to be employed. Mr. Boganey explained that the program is under the authority of the Brooklyns Alliance for Youth, so the City does not have all of the information regarding the program. Mayor Willson invited Councilmember Graves to an Alliance meeting with the Director scheduled for Thursday. He added that this program will eventually become a spin off-program, which will be housed by a different service provider, potentially ProUSA. Councilmember Graves stated she understands the Step Up Program from past experience and had questions regarding the youth that were being placed. She had a few ideas to help employ the youth while helping other service organizations such as HomeLine. Mr. Boganey explained that Rebecca Gilgen, who is the Director of the Alliance, would be giving an update to the City Council at a future meeting. This would be an opportunity to learn more about the employment program. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Graves seconded to close the Study Session at 6:48 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 02/23/15 -3- 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 February 23, 2015. 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 March 9, 2015, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 02/23/15 -4-