HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 04-08 CCM Joint Session with Commissions MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY
OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
RECEPTION AND JOINT WORK SESSION WITH CITY COMMISSIONS
APRIL 8, 2015
COMMUNITY CENTER—CONSTITUTION HALL
RECEPTION
A reception and general conversation period was held in Constitution Hall from 6:00 p.m. until
6:10 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Joint Work Session with the Charter, Housing,
Financial, Park and Recreation, and Planning Commissions and was called to order by Mayor
Tim Willson at 6:10 p.m.
INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor Willson welcomed the commissioners and stated appreciation for staff and
commissioners. City Manager Curt Boganey welcomed all those in attendance. He stated he
appreciated all their work and guidance. He explained he needed to be excused from the meeting
early so Assistant City Manager Vickie Schleuning would assist with the meeting.
IN ATTENDANCE
Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Lin
Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan.
City Staff present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Assistant City Manager/Director of
Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, Police Chief Kevin Benner, Fire Chief
Lee Gatlin, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Planning and Zoning Specialist
Tim Benetti, and Finance Director Nate Reinhardt.
Commissioners present were Charter Commissioner Mark Goodell (also Housing); Housing
Commissioners Dave Johnson and Kathie Amdahl; Planning Commissioners Randall
Christensen and Rochelle Sweeney; Financial Commissioners Dean Van Der Werf, Steve
Landis, Rex Newman, Jim Schulz, Teneshia Kragness, Dan Schueller,and Anna Burke; and Park
and Recreation Commissioners Jerry Witalka, John Russell, Jill Dalton, Tom Shinnick, and Bud
Sorenson.
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PRESENTATIONS BY CITY COMMISSIONS
Charter Commission: Charter Commission Chair Mark Goodell explained the Home Rule City
and Charter requirements. He also provided an overview of the Commission. In 2014, the
Commission recommended some changes to the election guidelines to be consistent with State
Law. They also made changes to the charter for hiring of the Fire Chief. These changes go into
effect July 1, 2015. The Commission will be considering changes to Write-In requirements for
elections this year:
Financial Commission: Finance Commission Chair Rex Newman provided an overview of the
Commission activities. The primary goal is to work on the budget. The Commission worked with
Nate Reinhardt, the new staff liasian. The Commission reviewed the Golf Course's financial
condition and will review the condition again this year to determine if any changes are needed.
A few comments were made about the NW Suburbs Cable Commission. Time Warner and
Comcast are looking at merging. A ten-year renewal agreement was signed with Comcast.
Century Link is looking to join the market.
Housing Commission: Housing Commission Chair Dave Johnson provided a PowerPoint
overview of the Housing Commission activities. He recognized the members, liaisons, and
passing of long-time commissioner Peggy Lynn. Updates were provided about the New
Neighbor Welcome Program, review of porch setback regulations, and rental recognition
program. Future activities include review of community cleanup, senior housing, rental
recognition, and continued neighbor welcome program. In addition to enforcement activities, it
is important to recognize those rental properties that make a positive contribution.
Park and Recreation Commission: Park and Recreation Commission Chair Bud Sorenson
provided a PowerPoint overview of Park and Recreation Commission activities. The
Commission participated in several activities including reviewing capital improvements, park
tours in conjunction with neighborhood meetings, and continued community garden promotion.
The Commission worked with Public Works for new recycling containers in some of the parks,
with more planned in 2015. Signs are being changed out in the parks to instruct no tobacco use
when youth are present, and use of fields are under review to determine best -use, such as
conversion of softball to soccer. Construction of a new amphitheater will begin soon, with the
groundbreaking ceremony held April 7,2105.
Planning Commission: Planning Commission Chair Randy Christensen provided a PowerPoint
overview of the Commission activities. The Commission is looking for additional members in
order to make sure there is a quorum for meetings. Several projects were reviewed in 2014
including 16 land use applications. Shingle Creek Crossing development is well under
construction, along with additional Luther Auto dealerships and construction of a new water
treatment plant. A map with past, current, and potential development and projects was
distributed.
After the Commission reports, the floor was opened for comments. Some commissioners stated
they would like updates about other commissions throughout the year. Several expressed they
liked receiving the email notifications for business grand opening/ribbon cutting events.
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Comments were suggested to have all the commission minutes available for public viewing. It
was indicated that only approved minutes are posted to the website to avoid miscommunications.
All commission minutes can be found under the Laserfiche system linked through the website.
Commissioners may also sign up for meeting notifications through Be Notified on the website.
Meeting notification and agendas are typically sent out three days prior to the meetings by text or
email.
Councilmember Ryan referenced a positive article about the Amphitheater in the Star Tribune.
Chief Benner mentioned the Police Awards Ceremony on April 21, 2015 at 7 pm. Chief Gatlin
stated the Fire Department Open House is September 13, 2015, and the Pancake Breakfast is
Sunday at 6 am at the East Fire Station and it is free.
Assistant City Manager Vickie Schleuning asked for any additional feedback about how staff or
policies could be more helpful to the commissions. The Housing Commission asked if anyone
was interested in helping deliver bags for the New Neighbor Program. Vickie stated a survey
would be sent to Commissioners to obtain additional feedback about the meeting. She expressed
thanks for all the work of the Commissions, Council, and staff.
The Mayor presented Certificates of Perfect Attendance to commissioners who attended all their
Commission meetings in 2014. Recipients included Charter — Mark Goodell, Myrna Kragness
Kauth, Robert Marvin; Park and Recreation — Travis Bonovsky, Jerry Witalka; and Planning —
Stephen Schonning, Rochelle Sweeney. For those commissioners who were not able to attend,
the certificates were given to the Commission Chairs for distribution.
Mayor Willson thanked everyone for their dedication and attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Willson at 7:15 p.m.
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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 the of the
City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center Joint Work Session with Commissions held
on April 8, 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 April 27, 2015,Regular Session.
41W
City Clerk Mayor
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