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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 12-08 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 DECEMBER 8, 2008 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Kay Lasman, Mary O'Connor, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, Director of Fiscal & Support Services Dan Jordet, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Willson requested the addition of an agenda item to report on the November 14, 2008, Closed City Council Executive Session with the City Attorney to conduct the City Manager Performance Evaluation. The majority consensus of the City Council was to add the above item as Council Consideration Item No. 9a of the regular City Council meeting agenda. Mr. Boganey requested the addition of a closed Executive Session prior to adjournment to discuss the status of legal issues related to Center Pointe Apartments. The majority consensus of the City Council was to add the above item as Council Consideration Item No. I Lm of the regular City Council meeting agenda. Mr. Boganey stated he has distributed updated salary adjustment information from other cities related to City Council Agenda Item No. I Ii. He clarified that the proposed wage adjustment is for non-union salaried employees only. It was noted that the salary adjustment information should be corrected to show the original proposed salary increases for the City of Richfield were at 3.5%, not 3.25%. There was discussion on whether to proceed with a wage increase for non-union salaried employees prior to contract negotiations being completed with union employees. Mr. Boganey stated he does not see a substantial value in having one wait for the other. There have been cases in Brooklyn Center when union contract negotiations have gone on several months after the 12/08/08 -1- effective date of the wages before agreements can be reached. His general reaction is that non- union employees do not have the ability to bargain or negotiate; they rely upon staff and the Council to make a decision, and to make that decision as timely as they can. There was discussion on whether salary increases for the 2009 budget should be more conservative in an effort to avoid laying off staff in the future due to possible cuts in State funding. Mr. Boganey reported on discussions held with department heads on the importance of doing the right thing now rather than having to pay later for the consequences of these actions. He provided an overview of possible impacts to the 2009 budget resulting from cuts from the State. He stated his recommendation is to proceed with the proposed salary increases and to make decisions on changes to the budget once the facts are known on any cuts from the State. It was noted that the proposed wage increases do not include the City Manager position. It was questioned whether the City Manager contract requires that the wage increase be taken up at the same time as other salary increases. Mr. Boganey indicated he believes the contract states that a salary increase may be considered at the time of adjustment for other employees, rather than shall be considered. Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on City Council Agenda Item No. 11 a.8, specifically in relation to the $100,000 transfer from the Storm Water Sewer Fund to the General Fund. Mr. Jordet and Mr. Boganey reviewed the history of transfers from the Storm Water Sewer Fund to the General Fund. Mr. Boganey explained the transfer is in place to offset the cost of General Fund employees doing work for storm water related activities. Councilmember Lasman requested discussion on City Council Agenda Item No. 7b, specifically in relation to whether background checks have been resolved on the liquor licenses. Mr. Boganey replied staff's recommendation is that Council's approval of the licenses would be subject to the footnoted conditions being met. Councilmember Lasman questioned if the motor vehicle dealership license listed on City Council Agenda Item No. 7b is a used car dealership. Mr. Eitel responded in the affirmative. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember O'Connor requested information on research staff has done regarding a letter written to the City about rude treatment to a woman that called 911. Mr. Boganey stated the prosecutor has prepared a letter that addresses the issue in great detail. A copy of the letter will be provided to the City Council tomorrow. Councilmember O'Connor requested information on research staff has done regarding an e-mail from a man concerned about alleged rude treatment from a code enforcement employee. Mr. Boganey stated a report is expected in the next day or two; it will be passed on to the City Council. 1 12/08/08 -2- Councilmember Yelich requested discussion on City Council Agenda Item No. 11 k.2, specifically in relation to re-occupancy inspection fees, noting that triplexes and quads are not included in the listing of fees. Ms. Schleuning explained if all units in a building were to be vacant a vacant building registration would be required. A quad would not need to be registered unless all four of the units were to be vacant. Mr. Boganey advised that his recommendation would be adoption of the fee schedule as presented with a recommended amendment to the schedule that includes triplexes and quads at the next City Council meeting. There was discussion on the proposed residential rental property conversion fee. It was noted that the fee in the cities of New Hope and Minneapolis is $1,000 in comparison to the $500 proposed fee for the City of Brooklyn Center. Ms. Schleuning stated there was considerable review of the proposed fee. The City Attorney has advised that the fee needs to be justified by the actual cost to the City. Mr. Boganey stated an increase in the fee to $1,000 is not something staff would .recommend. If there is consensus of the Council that the fee should be looked at again to determine if there is a way to justify a higher dollar amount, staff would track actual costs over a period of time and report back to Council on the findings. A higher fee would then be recommended if that is the result of the analysis. Council will be provided with staff s analysis and breakdown of costs on the proposed $500 fee. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lasman seconded to reconvene the Study Session at 6:46 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. The discussion continued on City Council Agenda Item No. I 1k.2, specifically in relation to the proposed residential rental property conversion fee. The importance of accounting for all costs in the consideration of the fee was stressed. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS SHINGLE CREEK DAYLIGHTING PLAN Mr. Eitel provided background information on the Shingle Creek Daylighting Study Framework Plan. He indicated staff would like to use the Framework Plan as a guide in assisting the City in master planning. Mr. Eitel requested discussion and direction from the Council on whether the City should proceed with the implementation of elements of the Framework Plan. If it is the consensus of the Council, staff will present a resolution to adopt the Framework Plan as a 12/08/08 -3- development guide for creek enhancements and planning for the redevelopment of the Brookdale Mall and the Opportunity Site at a future meeting. There was discussion on whether daylighting is necessary in the golf course and Central Park areas of the creek. Mr. Eitel provided information on the possibility of enhancing these areas of the creek. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lasman moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 1 1 12/08/08 -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 a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on December 8, 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 January 12, 2009, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 1 1 12/08/08 -5-