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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 11-02 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 November 2, 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, Kris Lawrence-Anderson Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan were present. Also present: City Manager Curt Boganey, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, CARS Director Jim Glasoe, Centerbrook Golf Course Superintendent Steve Makowske, Earle Brown Heritage Center Manager Bruce Ballanger, Liquor Stores Operations Manager Tom Agnes, and Deputy City Clerk Rozlyn Tousignant. Others present were Financial Commissioners Anna Burke, Rex Newman, Dan Schueller, Dean Van Der Werf, and Teneshia Kragnes. Financial Commissioner James Schulz was absent. II.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. III. ENTERPRISE FUNDS Following the presentation on the Earle Brown Heritage Center (EBHC), Mr. Newman inquired about the driving factors of employee turnover. Mr. Ballanger replied that two employees left for different jobs, one no longer wished to work full-time and one accepted a promotion. Mr. Newman then followed up by asking if compensation for positions is competitive. Mr. Ballanger referred to an industry study and stated that excluding one position, all compensation is competitive. Mr. Glasoe reaffirmed Mr. Ballanger' s point by mentioning that positions from the private sector offer salary and commission, and that the commission is attractive to potential employees. Mr. Boganey mentioned that EBHC has had very good standing with long-term employee retention. Councilmember Graves asked about the portable bars from Coca-Cola: whether they requested them back or if it would be possible for the City to sell them. Mr. Ballanger responded by saying that at Coca-Cola's request, 'canister-style' bars will no longer be an option and that the bars would be sent back to Coca-Cola. Mr. Newman inquired about the new chipped credit cards and whether or not the Center would 11/02/15 -1- be able to accommodate those. Mr. Ballanger responded that the new cards should be able to work; EBHC simply needs to replace the card readers. Mr. Reinhardt added that the new processor the Finance Department found is more affordable than the current processor used. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested more information about the Chef Experience events. Mr. Ballanger discussed the November I I th event which is from 6:30-8 p.m. and $35 a person (there is a veteran's admission special). Mr. Ballanger mentioned that small sample plates will be handed out at different stations around the room. Mr. Ballanger stated that the last event resulted in several new clients. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if spaces needed to be reserved. Mr. Ballanger replied that calling ahead was preferred but the Center will not turn people away for the event. Councilmember Graves asked about partnerships with local hotels and businesses, specifically in regards to packages with the Golf Course. Mr. Ballanger discussed that the hotels do a better job of presenting different options as guests are staying overnight. He also mentioned that EBHC is working in partnership with hotels to raise awareness about the shuttles to the Center. Following the presentation on the Centerbrook Golf Course, Mr. Newman inquired about the decrease in maintenance costs. Mr. Makowske responded that a combination of using different practices and new equipment have driven costs down without sacrificing quality. Mr. Newman asked about a cash flow comparison to previous years. Mr. Boganey highlighted the chart on page 14 of the packet. Mr. Boganey went on to say that while there are uncertainties in foreseeing a break-even result, which is the ultimate goal, it is a possibility that a subsidy will continue. Mr. Boganey also stated that things are moving in the right direction. Mr. Glasoe mentioned that revenue improvements with the Golf Course are very great and that the Department is working hard to continue to increase revenue. Mayor Willson inquired about any contact with the Little League. Mr. Boganey replied there have been conversations with the Little League and the City is beginning to look at grants and that may result in opportunities for the golf course in 2018. Councilmember Graves brought up youth focus and ideas for outreach, such as school field trips to the golf course or youth caddy programs. Mr. Makowske explained the SNAG program as well as hopes to bring the program to the schools during winter. Mr. Makowske also stated that transportation is the biggest barrier in getting youth involved in golf programs. Councilmember Myszkowski noted that she recently drove past the Course and the grounds look great. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked about Centerbrook' s involvement for Earle Brown Days. Mr. Makowske replied that the Golf Course would like to market the event as a "golf festival" as opposed to a tournament, due to the fact that people may feel a tournament is too professional or challenging. The Course is hoping to have 3-hole rounds, as well as the potential for highlighting cultural food at each tee. Other events that were discussed at this time were the fling golf demonstrations at National Night Out and the Skeleton Scramble which sold out for 11/02/15 -2- the second year in a row. Following the BC Liquor presentation, Mr. Boganey brought up the subject of loss of inventory. Mr. Agnes stated that loss for the liquor stores is around 3/10 of a percent. Mr. Newman asked about the new buyer and store manager positions and how they are being redefined. Mr. Agnes explained that the manager who receives the promotion to the buyer position would need to relinquish their managerial roles. Mr. Newman suggested that the manager position have some autonomy to encourage pride in the work done. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if there would be a buyer position for each Store. Mr. Agnes stated that there will be one buyer position for both Stores and that individual will float between both locations. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted that the signage in the front window of the Liquor Stores obstructs the view and could be a potential safety hazard for the Store. Mr. Agnes responded that the coolers are behind the signs and that the view is obstructed regardless. Mr. Agnes mentioned that the Stores have been giving some thought to the visibility and potential ways to decrease risk, such as lowering shelving from 5' to 4'. Mr. Agnes also stated that the Stores have reached out to the Police Department for safety and loss prevention advice. Councilmember Ryan brought attention to the concern of mini-bottle litter outside of the Stores. Mr. Agnes replied that customer demand drives the sales of mini-bottles due to their affordability. Councilmember Ryan then asked about the sale of expensive wines with the makeup of lower income residents. Mr. Agnes stated that the Stores continue to sell higher-end wines to increase variety and make it available to customers who want it. Mr. Agnes also explained that when the economy declined, that people had switched to more affordable wines, and by the time the economy started to climb again, those people were satisfied with inexpensive wines and for the most part did not revert to consuming expensive wines. Councilmember Graves inquired as to whether or not the part-time employees had set schedules, stating her concern over employees' abilities to balance two part-time schedules. Mr. Agnes stated that their schedules go out two weeks in advance but they are not consistent schedules. Mr. Agnes also mentioned that thus far the Liquor Stores have been able to accommodate schedule needs for employees. Councilmember Graves noted that the customer service in Store 1 is excellent and the Store has a very welcoming environment. IV. FUTURE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS/CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS City Council Meetings 1)Utility Rates Adopted November 23, 2015 2)Public Hearing & Budget Adoption December 7, 2015 V. ADJOURNMENT 11/02/15 -3- Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Graves seconded to adjourn the Work Session at 8:11 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/02/15 -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 the City Council from the City of Brooklyn Center Joint Work Session with Financial Commission held on November 2, 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 23, 2015, Regular Session. 1W&4N- City Clerk Mayor 11/02/15 -5-