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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 07-10 CCM Study Session07/10/17 -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/WORK SESSION JULY 10, 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, Councilmembers Marquita Butler (arrived at 6:09 p.m.), April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, and Dan Ryan were present. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Police Chief Tim Gannon, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL MEDIA TRAINING City Manager Curt Boganey explained the consultant has been delayed in traffic so this item will be rescheduled to a future Study Session. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Ryan requested the following correction to the June 26, 2017, Work Session minutes: Page 5, Paragraph 1, Sentence 1: “Mayor Pro Tem Ryan stated the water company keeps track of the calls and communications and the survey they put out for residents addresses the water issue also department maintains a record of the complaints it receives and that the City’s recent resident survey also provided information on the different aesthetic issues that some residents had with City water.” Page 5, Paragraph 1, Sentence 2: “He thanked Mr. Lillehaug for doing such a great job with such a small budget a great job managing such a complex project and exceeding the project’s budget by such a small amount.” 07/10/17 -2- It was the consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the June 26, 2017, Work Session minutes. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Willson announced a community celebration at the Springbrook Nature Center, City of Fridley, on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Councilmember Graves announced the Liberian Independence Day Celebration is also on July 29, 2017, at 6 p.m. Councilmember Butler arrived at 6:09 p.m. Councilmember Ryan thanked Mr. Boganey for information on the Acting Public Works Director and Acting City Engineer and asked whether the Council will continue to receive updates on public works projects. City Manager Curt Boganey stated staff will do its best to provide those reports. Councilmember Butler referenced the document from African Career Education & Resource (ACER) and stated this group would like to present findings related to affordable housing and how the City can ensure that housing remains for those who need it. She asked that this topic be scheduled for a future Work Session agenda. Mayor Willson stated this is the second time the City Council has received this information, noting in the second report they correctly updated Brooklyn Park to Brooklyn Center. He stated he is not opposed to scheduling this topic for a future Work Session. Mr. Boganey asked how much time they will require. Councilmember Butler suggested 20 minutes plus time for questions. Mr. Boganey stated he will contact them to arrive at a date within the next 30 days. The City Council consensus was to direct staff to schedule this topic for a future Work Session. Councilmember Ryan stated he will be attending the 3-day Metro Cities Housing and Economic Development Policy Committee meetings. He explained it is an opportunity to talk with other cities that look at it formalizing and promulgating policies to create conditions and incentives to further affordable housing across the region. He stated his support to hold a larger conversation on this topic. Councilmember Butler stated her concern related to the garbage and appearance of the Shingle Creek Crossing area, noting others may also share that concern, which could impact whether they decide to shop in that area. She asked what the City can do to encourage all businesses to better maintain their property. Mayor Willson stated the concern with dumpsters is that they are not being emptied in a timely manner, which needs to be the responsibility of the property owner. Mr. Boganey suggested scheduling this topic as a Work Session item so the City Council can discuss what they perceive related to this item and provide further direction to staff. Following that, staff will gather information on options, take pictures, and obtain feedback from businesses to assure it is assessed objectively. Then it can be scheduled again for discussion at a 07/10/17 -3- Work Session. The City Council consensus was to follow the suggestions of Mr. Boganey. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS DISCUSSION OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER BRANDING & IDENTITY CAMPAIGN Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards introduced this item and provided background on the City’s Branding and Identity Campaign, noting the City had entered into an agreement with Vitalink, Inc. in October of 2016 to execute this Campaign. He stated tonight the City Council will receive a recap of what has transpired, steps going forward, and suggestions for roll out. Mr. Edwards stated today he met with the Communication Committee and tomorrow will conduct management training to review guidelines and strategy to be consistent throughout the organization and assure the same message is being shared. Kathy Horn, Vitalink, Inc., described the process followed to gain input from residents and other stakeholders relating to communication preferences, how to improve the City’s competitive advantage, conducted a brand audit that revealed some inconsistencies, and quality issues. Mayor Willson referenced the Wall of Fame and asked about others with long-term service that should be included. Mr. Boganey stated he recalls the conversation but no actions have been taken as of today. Mayor Willson stated the Brooklyn Historical Society originally placed and maintained those pictures. Ms. Horn noted the picture wall is ‘prime real estate’ so the City may want to relocate the Wall of Fame and put it to better use, such as a children’s art competition, something to promote the City, and something that creates more excitement. Mayor Willson stated his concern is to recognize past Councilmembers and include current Councilmembers so residents are aware of who is serving. Ms. Horn stated they also looked at the City’s website, noting the website contains everything but comments were made that information may be hard to find. Mayor Willson noted many don’t know that the website is searchable. Ms. Horn explained it is important for the City to promote itself, events, and get more involved. Ms. Horn advised it is important to have a strategy for use of social media so she would suggest developing that strategy, when posts should happen, and have staff get used to taking that action. She suggested minimal rules that would be followed for posting to social media. Mayor Willson stated another issue is staff resources to handle that additional task. Ms. Horn stated an event that should be posted on social media, as an example, is National Night Out. Councilmember Ryan referenced a recent newspaper article about cities appointing Communication Directors and doing more with social media. He felt some social media can lead to more superficial or brand-slogan messages but, perhaps, the folks who do this type of work use social media to direct those interested to the City’s website where they can get more substantive information. Ms. Horn stated some responded they would like to see blogs posted to the City’s website but then they would have to know it is there, which could be accomplished by 07/10/17 -4- posting a link to social media. Mr. Boganey suggested staff provide the City Council with an update on the communication and social media policy, as this work is already underway. Mayor Willson stated another strategy is to have an administrator who monitors the postings to be sure they are appropriate. Ms. Horn stated the report also addressed signage, noting the City Hall does not have much signage. She described the seven stakeholder engagement sessions, topics raised, perceptions, and input received. Ms. Horn stated from all of this research, they developed the themes of diversity, accessible convenient location, crime and safety, parks trails and nature, and affordable housing. She stated there were many positive comments about the great residents and neighborhoods. She explained this information will allow them to develop a new brand. Ms. Horn displayed the approved logo, noting the focus is the word ‘Center’ as there is some confusion between Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. The approved logo includes images of housing, road design, and the wording ‘at the center’ which can be used to tie into slogans. Ms. Horn presented the messaging that was developed for each of the themes as well as brand touchpoints and the continuum, ranked from hostile/negative view to active supporter. The intent is to use the brand to move people’s view along the continuum towards being an active supporter. Ms. Horn reviewed brand touchpoints for each of the themes so the brand is consistently mentioned as well as what it really means. She explained brand ambassadors are people who will help tell the story and get the information out. That will include all who work for the City and the City Council. Mayor Willson stated the City Council has taken that to heart and is dedicated to changing the image of Brooklyn Center. He noted that the Council Members have City lapel pins that will also need to be updated. Ms. Horn stated they will develop ‘elevator speeches’ to address the ‘why’ of the new branding, positives of the City. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL The Study Session was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to the Informal Open Forum. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION The Study Session was reconvened at 6:50 p.m. DISCUSSION OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER BRANDING & IDENTITY CAMPAIGN – continued Ms. Horn stated they will provide a branding guide, checklist, and templates. Tomorrow, there 07/10/17 -5- will be a media unveiling at noon and a public rollout from 5-7 p.m. It is expected to take several years to complete the brand rollout. She displayed a timeline chart showing the items that would be updated with the new brand in each of the first three years. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked where the media meeting will occur. Mr. Boganey stated the noon meeting will be held in the Council Chambers and the evening meeting will be held in the amphitheater. MISCELLANEOUS Mayor Willson reported that in the Met Council annual planning for streets and highways, Highway 252 at 66th and 70th is listed for start in 2021. Mayor Willson stated he attended the Corridor Management Committee and during that meeting, Brooklyn Park Mayor Lunde expressed frustration that it is taking so long to complete the Blue Line. He stated they were not going to wait any longer and were going to push things forward. Hennepin County Commissioner Opat was chairing the meeting and took the opportunity to express his frustration as well. One comment is that we seem to be second in line behind the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project, which he does not think need to be considered in a linear fashion as they are two different projects. Mayor Willson stated it was a comment about the northwest region being overlooked or not given a priority. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to close the Study Session at 6:59 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.