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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 02-13 CCM Study Session02/13/17 -1- MINUTES 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 FEBRUARY 13, 2017 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 Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence- Anderson, and Dan Ryan were present. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Interim Assistant to the City Manager Reggie Edwards, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Planning and Zoning Specialist Tim Benetti, Deputy Director of Building and Community Standards Jesse Anderson, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Michaela Kujawa-Daniels, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS None at this time. MISCELLANEOUS City Manager Curt Boganey introduced this item, an email regarding a citizen request to improve Council/Citizen Communication. He stated it is recommended that the Councilmembers discuss this item and decide if a Work Session needs to be scheduled for further discussion. Mayor Willson read the email from citizen Sheilah Miller. Ms. Miller expressed in her email to the City Councilmembers, her desire to build better communication between citizens and the Councilmembers. She stated that she would like to partner with the City Council to help better the community and look at ways to change the reputation of the City as well as gain better communication to and from the City Councilmembers. Mayor Willson stated he thinks having a town hall style meeting or creating a task force are options that would be helpful for this request. He noted the Citizen Task Force is something that has been helpful in the past. Councilmember Ryan stated having a town hall style meeting with a facilitator may be effective to have open discussions on important topics. Tammy Sathre, 6038 Lilac Drive, addressed the City Council. She stated she has felt disrespected by the Councilmembers at times and she knows others have expressed the same 02/13/17 -2- feelings. She stated some behaviors and actions on part of the Mayor at times have been upsetting to her. Mayor Willson stated he is always open to discussing ways to better the City and concerns of the citizens. Sheilah Miller, 3706 53rd Avenue North, addressed the City Council regarding the email she sent. She felt having a facilitator would be a good idea. She stated the perception of the City Council isn’t good, but stated if the Councilmembers were to make time to be available and open to hearing what residents think and feel, that may change some people’s perception. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she has been approached via social media to engage in dialogue regarding issues an individual wanted to discuss. She requested instead of continuing the discussion via Facebook, either an in person meeting or a phone call to continue the discussion and on more than one occasion the individual declined to do so. Mayor Willson stated having an open forum has been something they have done in the past; however, there have been times when certain people within the crowed end up dominating the conversation and others don’t get a chance to speak. He noted that is the main reason they haven’t done that style meeting in a while. Brian Fellegy, 7005 Unity Avenue North, addressed the City Council. He stated he was present at a September 2016 meeting to address the water issue. He stated he was disappointed that upon leaving his name, phone number, and email address with Mr. Boganey, he wasn’t ever contacted. Mr. Boganey replied he would like to apologize for the lack of response. He stated it was most likely his fault and the information must not have been passed on to his staff by accident. He stated if he had given the information to his staff, he is certain Mr. Fellegy would have received a response due to their high level of accountability. Mr. Fellegy stated he feels the issue of the water has been ignored. He noted every response regarding questions about the water on social media to the City or in person have been canned responses only. Mayor Willson stated he believes having a task force would be a good way to go with a particular issue such as the water issue. Mr. Fellegy asked if there would be staff members present to answer questions on the issues presented. Mayor Willson explained the Task Force would be a group of citizens appointed by the City Council who would offer some citizen insight into ideas and solutions to the water issue that they feel would help. Mayor Willson stated the City would be very happy to have some ideas for this issue because the City feels as if they have exhausted all their resources. Mr. Fellegy stated he would be happy to serve on the task force should they form one. Councilmember Ryan asked Mr. Fellegy if he has been to the new water plant. Mr. Fellegy stated he hasn’t been there yet. Councilmember Ryan asked if he would like to have a tour sometime and learn about the process more in depth. He stated the City only has so much control 02/13/17 -3- over some things, and the water is one of those things right now. He stated the tests performed by the Minnesota Department of Health have shown the water is safer for residents now than before and safety is a priority. Mr. Fellegy stated the City has been saying the water issue has been in progress for over a year. He stated he has no doubt the new water plant is state of the art and great and noted the water plant isn’t the issue. He stated there were 3 months when the water was being filtered before the new plant was filtering it and stated it was good then. He stated he believes it is the filtration system that is causing the water to be the way it is. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she encourages as many people as possible to get on social media and share their thoughts about having a task force or a town style hall meeting. She stated it is taken into account and they do want to know what they think. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to close the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEP[N) 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/Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on February 13, 2017. 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 February 27, 2017, Regular Session. J'MA4 - / I City Clerk Mayor 02/13/17 -4-