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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 10-19 CCM Joint Work Session with Financial CommissionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT WORK SESSION WITH FINANCIAL COMMISSION October 19, 2015 City Hall - Council Chambers I.CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Joint Work Session with the Financial Commission and the session was called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:31 p.m. Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers April Graves, Lin Myszkowski, and Kris Lawrence- Anderson. Councilmember Dan Ryan was absent and excused. Also present: City Manager Curt Boganey, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, Public Works Director Steve Lillehaug, Deputy City Clerk Rozlyn Tousignant, and Denise Bosch, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Others present were Financial Commissioners Anna Burke, Rex Newman, Dan Schueller, and Dean Van Der Werf. Financial Commissioners Teneshia Kragness and James Schulz were absent. II.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Myszkowski moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. III. UTILITY FUNDS Mayor Willson asked how much of the current staff's time would be taken with the water treatment plant operation. Public Works Director Steve Lillehaug replied that 25 to 50 percent of a full-time workday would be needed. Discussion took place regarding security and monitoring of the new water treatment plant. There is a monitoring system currently in place and that will be expanded to the water treatment facility. The plant will be monitored from two stations at the water treatment plant; two stations at the public works garage facility; and staff will be monitoring it on tablets. City staff is on call 24/7 on a rotating basis and the tablets may enable staff to trouble shoot issues from home. Mr. Lillehaug will be scheduling a tour for City Council members soon. Councilmember Graves asked how the treatment plant will be changing the quality of water. Mr. Lillehaug replied that it will be filtering manganese and iron and will be continuing typical chemical treatment so the aesthetics of the water will improve. He also stated that the City did 10/19/15 -1- not opt to install softening because of cost so the water will need to be softened by residents. There was discussion in regards to the Streetlight Utility Fund. Councilmember Lawrence- Anderson inquired about the process to add streetlights in the City limits. City Manager Curt Boganey referred to a Council policy that determines streetlight placement and distance between streetlights which was designed for road safety, not necessarily neighborhood safety. Commissioner Rex Newman noted that both Xerxes Ave and Shingle Creek Parkway have many dark spots; he mentioned the potential concern for safety for those that walk to the Transit Center. Mr. Lillehaug explained that the policy requires street lights at intersections and every block, in the case that a very long block did not have a streetlight a request could be made for the City to install one. Mr. Lillehaug estimated that the City should meet about 98% of the policy requirements. Mr. Boganey inquired as to whether the streetlights put in as a result of petition would be of no cost to residents. Mr. Lillehaug replied that depending on the circumstances, residents may need to pay a fee. Mr. Lillehaug went on to detail the differing circumstances that would establish whether or not residents would be charged, as well as the process to approve a petition. Commissioner Anna Burke stated that her roommate had recently had their car broken into; the lack of bright street lighting may have increased the risk. There was discussion in regards to the Recycling Utility Fund. Councilmember Graves initiated discussion regarding the Recycling Fund, inquiring if it was going to continue to increase as the pattern from the graph had shown, as well as whether there are specific plans set in place for the fund. Mr. Boganey explained the fund's history and the rate increase had been due to the need to cover the cost of overhead. Mr. Boganey also explained that the City can reduce the rate but it has been set up to protect against increases in contract cost. Councilmember Graves inquired as to whether the Recycling Fund could potentially go toward a recycling initiative to help with other projects. Councilmember Graves gave an example of using the fund to help cover expenses to clean up City parks. Mr. Boganey replied that the City has been able to secure funding through different types of aid but that a recycling initiative would be an appropriate use of the fund. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson had a question in regards to businesses, such as gas stations, that didn't appear to recycle and whether there was any action that could be taken. Mr. Boganey stated that the City staff will give some thought as to what the City can do to create incentives for private businesses to recycle. 10/19/15 -2- IV.UPDATE ON PREVIOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS None V.FUTURE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS/CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Work Sessions 1) Enterprise Funds November 2, 2015 City Council Meetings 1)Utility Rates Adopted November 23, 2015 2)Public Hearing & Budget Adoption December 7, 2015 VI. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to adjourn the Work Session at 7:19 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 10/19/15 -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 the City Council from the City of Brooklyn Center Joint Work Session with Financial Commission held on October 19, 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 November 9, 2015, Regular Session. 4Wt^(4A)A- City Clerk Mayor 10/19/15 -4-