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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 10-13 CCM Work SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13, 2008 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:53 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kay Lasman, Mary O'Connor, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were Executive Director Curt Boganey, Fire Chief Lee Gatlin, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. FIRE DEPARTMENT CHAPTER FIVE - CODE AMENDMENTS a. RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS REGULATION Discussion continued on the study session discussion of the proposed Chapter Five Code Amendments. There was discussion on the proposed elimination of Sections 5-100 through 5-110 (Administration of Fire Department Personnel). It was noted that currently employees are required to be residents of the City. Mr. Boganey explained that what is being recommended would not be a change from the practice, but would be a change from the letter of the ordinance. He explained that with the elimination of Sections 5-100 through 5-110 it would become the authority of the City Manager and the Fire Chief to determine a process for rules and procedures that would not necessarily require a committee of part-time firefighters as is currently the practice. The City Manager and Fire Chief would need to be sensitive to ensure that nothing is done to jeopardize the structure and morale with the part-time fire department/volunteers as well as full-time employees. Mr. Gatlin clarified that residential sprinklers regulation has not been included in the State of Minnesota International Building Code as of yet. If the State Building Official accepts that recommendation it will be included in the State's Code. This recommendation would be brought forward by the City Building Official. There was discussion on whether the City should take a stance on residential sprinklers regulation. Mr. Gatlin stated sprinkler systems have a long, proven history of putting out fires. Fire Service supports fire sprinklers regulation. 10/13/08 -1- There was discussion on Section 5-203 - New Materials, Processes or Occupancies Which May Require Permits, specifically in relation to proposed amendments for outdoor recreational fires. Mr. Boganey indicated if the proposed amendments are adopted information will be included on the City website to explain the ordinance and the importance of following open burning requirements. There was discussion on the public hearing process for the proposed code amendments. Mr. Boganey stated he would prefer that the City Attorney draft a single ordinance amendment. Council Members would be able to offer an amendment to divide the question or vote on the different issues separately. However, if directed by Council staff will prepare three separate ordinances. There was further discussion on the adoption of the International Fire Code. Mr. Boganey clarified that by adopting the proposed amendment that strikes out references to the Uniform Fire Code and replaces them with the International Fire Code, the Council is not yet adopting the International Fire Code. Adoption of this Code would require a separate action. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to prepare an amendment to Chapter Five of the City Code as presented, and to include Administration of Fire Department Personnel, Adoption of International Fire Code, and Outdoor Recreational Fires in one ordinance. A request can be made to separate the sections at the first reading of the ordinance. MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS Mr. Eitel provided an overview of proposed code amendments relating to the issuance of motor vehicle dealer licenses. The changes to the licensing application and use of a consistent measurable standard, such as minimum lot size and minimum lot coverage provides equal standards for new and used car dealerships, while maintaining the intent of productive land uses which enhance the City's tax base. It strengthens the integrity of the City's ordinance and reduces risk of potential legal challenges. The proposed code amendments are: ■ An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23 of the City Code of Ordinances regarding the sale of motor vehicles. (Application requirements for City License - Deletion of Building/Land Assessed Valuation Ratio). ■ An Ordinance Amendment to Section 35-222, Para 3 (a) Special Uses the sale of motor vehicles at retail (minimum lot size and minimum building coverage). There was discussion on condition h of motor vehicle dealer licenses, specifically in relation to deleting the building to land valuation standard from the licensing application and adding a minimum lot size of 2 acres and minimum building coverage of 15% to the Special Use provision of the C2 Zoning District. It was noted that the current ordinance was enacted with the idea to maximize the land use. There was discussion on protecting the land value and getting high end products in the City. It was suggested to amend the minimum lot size to 3 acres, rather than 2 acres. 1 10/13/08 -2- There was discussion on applying architectural standards. Mr. Boganey advised that applying this type of standard would need to be done through a broader application, and could not strictly apply to car dealerships. Mr. Eitel pointed out that architectural standards can be achieved through the PUD process, which is a building block for a better project. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to proceed with the preparation of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 23 of the City Code of Ordinances Regarding the Sale of Motor Vehicles as presented, with a 3 acre minimum lot size, rather than a 2 acre minimum lot size. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT - BROOKLYN BRIDGE ALLIANCE UPDATE Mr. Boganey stated on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, there was a meeting of the potential partners in the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). Several of the school districts indicated support of the agreement, but stated their legal staff had technical questions concerning the language of Article IV and how that language might affect the School Board authority and responsibilities to expend funds and enter into contracts. The attorneys will be preparing other language to address these concerns. Mr. Boganey noted at the last work session there were questions raised about how the proposed JPA would affect City staff. He stated the expectation of himself, the Police Chief, and the Recreation Director is that in serving on these boards and being part of this collaborative, the expected benefits would justify the amount of time they would anticipate putting in to the collaborative. It is anticipated that Brooklyn Center's organization, which consists of the Brooklyn Center school districts, social service agencies, community education and others, would become an adjunct to this broader group. The two individual Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park organizations would need to develop a means of communication and cooperation so that when the Board of Directors meets quarterly they can speak with a single voice. It was questioned how the collaborative would fit into the City's goals. Mr. Boganey stated the expected benefit is multifold. He provided an overview of the following expected benefits of the JPA: ■ Provide direct linkage to youth needs in the community, including how the government can respond to the needs of youth based on what youth are saying. ■ Produce more beneficial outlets for youth in the community with the ability to get to various activities and programs in the two cities. The purpose of this Board of Directors is to look for solutions, including grants and other methods of engaging the business community to fill gaps so that they have enhanced services and opportunities for youth to be more productively engaged in the community. ■ Development of civic responsibility to give young people an opportunity to be active citizens engaged in the governmental process. The majority consensus of the City Council was to discuss the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance JPA further when the amended language is presented. 1 10/13/08 -3- NEW HOPE ICE ARENA Mr. Boganey indicated included in the Council's packet is a letter received from the City of New Hope requesting that Brooklyn Center provide financial support to the New Hope Ice Arena. There was discussion on leveraging assets of area communities so that the residents of the area can have equal access to all the different recreational facilities at a total lower cost. One example would be residents of Brooklyn Center using the indoor ice arena at Brooklyn Park without paying non-resident fees, and similarly Brooklyn Park residents taking advantage of Brooklyn Center's pool. It was pointed out that this relates to the discussion on the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance JPA. Mr. Boganey explained that the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance effort is to bring the parties to the table to have those kinds of conversations and discussions. Each city's situation is a little different in terms of economics. It was noted that transportation is an issue to consider, and that New Hope is not a contiguous city to Brooklyn Center. The majority consensus of the City Council was not to provide financial support to the New Hope Ice Arena at this time. Mr. Boganey stated a response letter to New Hope will be drafted and included in the City Council Update. EVERGREEN PARK MEETING WITH CITIZENS Mr. Boganey stated at the August Administrative Traffic Committee (ATC) meeting two complaints with attached petitions were presented to the Committee regarding problems stemming from Evergreen Park usage. After a review of the complaints, the ATC recommended referral of both files to the Park Commission to gather information and receive more input from as broad a group of residents from the neighborhood as possible, and that the Park Commission provide a recommendation on the complaints. This process may give insight into whether or not there should be consideration of modifying the Capital Improvement Program to have the basketball courts relocated or converted to a different use. The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct that the Park Commission hold a meeting with the residents regarding Evergreen Park petitions as recommended by the Administrative Traffic Committee. CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROCESS Mr. Boganey reviewed the City Manager Performance Review documents with the Council. He requested that Key Performance Indicators be established at the City Council Retreat and noted they were not included in the self review. He requested that Council schedule a date with the City Attorney for the City Manager Performance Review for the period July 2007 through June 2008. 10/13/08 -4- The majority consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to schedule a date with the City Attorney for the City Manager Performance Review for the period July 2007 through June 2008. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:58 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 1 1 10/13/08 -5- 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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on October 13, 2008. 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 October 27, 2008, Regular Session. 1i -kM.1FM City Clerk Mayor 1 1 1 10/13/08 -6-