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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 01-12 CCM Study SessionMINUTES 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 JANUARY 12, 2009 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Fiscal & Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, Fire Chief Lee Gatlin, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, City Clerk Sharon Knutson, and Carol Hamer, Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Lasman requested discussion on agenda item 6b, specifically in relation to property address 6807 Humboldt Avenue North. She inquired about the number of single-family units listed for approval of a rental license and whether the tenants with problems relating to drugs still reside at the property. Mr. Boganey explained there are four units listed for license approval at this address because the building is a quad, which is not considered multi-family. The requested information regarding the tenants can be provided at the next Council meeting. Councilmember Roche arrived at 6:05 p.m. Councilmember Lasman requested that the resolution under agenda item l Od be read for the public to clarify the situation. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on agenda item 10m, specifically in relation to whether there is a plan to address 2009 budget adjustments. Mr. Boganey replied he has requested departments to defer certain expenditures over a certain dollar amount at least for the next several months to get a better handle on what the legislature may be doing. In addition, a process has been set up of revisiting all vacancies that occur in the City to be sure that the positions absolutely need to be filled. Staff would like the Council to be heavily engaged in identifying priorities for the year and to provide direction from a policy perspective on where the Council would like to look at potential cost savings/reductions. Staff is pointing towards the February 28, 2009, Council retreat to clarify the Council's direction. There was discussion on potential impacts to the 2009 budget resulting from possible reductions in State funding. 01/12/09 -1- Councilmember Yelich expressed concern in approving the proposed wage increase included in the Local 49 contract prior to a discussion on the budget at the Council retreat scheduled in February. Councilmember Roche requested discussion on agenda item 6e, specifically in relation to whether verbiage should be included in the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth agreement to require a check- in on a quarterly or semi-annual basis on how the initiative is progressing. Mayor Willson suggested Councilmember Roche serve as the alternate on the Board. He noted there will be two representatives from the Council that will attend the Board meetings and will be able to convey information to the Council. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on whether it would be prudent for the Council to appoint a committee to allow for one or two members of the Council to back up the Mayor when he is unable to testify at the Capital if called. He noted in the past there has been concern about how effectively the City communicates with their elected representatives in St. Paul. There was one incident where a member of the Council testified before the legislature and did not represent the majority opinion of the Council. Mayor Willson noted historically when there has been the opportunity for either the Mayor or a Council Member to act as Mayor on the City's behalf it has been worked out by the Council. This process seems to be working fairly well. Mr. Boganey stated in regards to agenda item 7a, Mary O'Connor has indicated that she would prefer not to be recognized by the City Council. The majority consensus of the City Council was to honor the request of Mary O'Connor by not adopting the proposed resolution included on agenda item 7a, and to make it clear during the City Council meeting that it was requested by the former Council Member not to be recognized. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS SAFE CITY INITIATIVES Mr. Bechthold provided an overview and answered questions of the Council on the Safe City Initiative Program. There was discussion on the substation to be located near Cub Foods tying into the program and on the collaborative approach of developing volunteer security ambassadors. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Yelich seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 01/12/09 -2- RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. SAFE CITY INITIATIVES The discussion continued on the Safe City Initiative Program. There was discussion on possible funding sources for the program and the technology approach of utilizing closed circuit television. There was additional discussion on the collaborative approach of developing volunteer security ambassadors, specifically in relation to senior programs that bring seniors in to work on a variety of tasks and exploring the implementation of a volunteer coordinator. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 1 1 01/12/09 -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 Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on January 12, 2009. 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, 26, 2009, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 1 1 01/12/09 -4-