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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 09-11 CCM Study SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEP[N AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS mLsXsMuiMi The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Deputy Director of Building and Community Standards Jesse Anderson, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. UiS1S1U[III N] I IS]IS] CI flkl )JA'II I EPI 111111 DtV[I]t Mayor Willson asked staff to check the Dollar Store garbage dumpsters as they had been left open over the weekend. City Manager Curt Boganey stated staff will do so and determine whether they are in compliance. Mayor Willson stated with regard to Consent Agenda Item 6a, minutes for the August 21, 2017, Joint Work Session with Financial Commission, he noticed the minutes did not reference some of his statements regarding the bus stop and potential for a substation. He requested the Council pull that set of minutes from the agenda until the audio recording can be reviewed. Mayor Willson reported that the following morning, a police commander received a call from a news reporter and he was also called and did an interview about that issue. Mr. Boganey stated that set of minutes can be pulled for review and revision. He noted it is the City Council policy that a member can prepare a minute correction in writing for the City Council to review and vote upon. He suggested staff make the audio tape available to Mayor Willson for review and so he can write his amendment to the minutes. Mr. Boganey stated another option is for staff to review the audio tape, draft the amendment, and provide it for the Mayor's review. Mayor Willson summarized the comments he had made related to the bus substation and need for security of the site that were omitted from the meeting minutes. He referenced all of the action taken by the City to rebrand and improve its image, noting that most reporting on the bus 09/11/17 -1- hub has been negative so it negatively reflects on the City as well. Mayor Willson stated the reporter had asked him directly about policing the bus hub. The City Council voiced no objection to staff review of the audio file and drafting an amendment to the meeting minutes for Mayor Willson's review and consideration at a future City Council meeting. lWKIiuJffiiWkI3U] Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards stated this is the third media training session for the City Council. He reviewed the previous two sessions and stated tonight will involve a practice session to hone interview skills. Mr. Edwards offered several suggestions for the City Council to consider to be still, methodical, make two to three salient points to convey, and then be finished. The City Council conducted media training. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS (continued) Mayor Willson left the Council Chambers at 6:14 p.m. Mayor Pro Tern Ryan asked if there were other questions on the City Council agenda items. City Manager Curt Boganey requested discussion of Consent Agenda Item 6e, Resolution Adopting Amendments to the Fund Balance Policy of Brooklyn Center City Code of Policies. He explained the amendments are an attempt to clarify policies, make them more consistent, and provide additional definitions. He referenced an amendment at the top of Page 2, #3, and recommended not inserting 'City Finance Director' in place of 'City Manager's designee' because along with City Council adopted policies, he prefers to use titles that are statutorily established (City Manager/City Clerk/City Treasurer/City Attorney) since they do not change. Mr. Boganey recommended the existing language remain without modification. Mayor Pro Tern Ryan stated his recollection that a number of ordinances often mention 'City Manager or City Manager's designee' so it may also qualify as a statutory title. Mr. Boganey stated 'City Manager' is a statutory title and the City Manager does have the authority to name a designee. Mayor Willson returned and Councilmember Butler left the Council Chambers at 6:19 p.m. Following review of the discussion by Councilrnember Ryan, Mayor Willson stated his agreement with the suggestion of Mr. Boganey, finding the ordinance language well written by staff. Councilmernber Butler returned and Councilmember Graves left the Council Chambers at 6:22 p.m. Mayor Willson requested discussion on Agenda Item 10a,1-6, Consideration of Type IV 6- Month Provisional Rental Licenses as he has questions on several of them. With regard to 09/11/17 -2- Agenda Item lOal, 5325 701h Circle, Mayor Willson noted the gap between February 28 and May 16 is a large block of time to complete compliance items, noting this started in December so that is almost one year. With regard to Agenda Item 10a3, 5600 Judy Lane, Mayor Willson stated he couldn't find the dates for the administrative citation. He noted the inspection fees but at the end of the page, the rental license expired which should have triggered an administrative citation. Mr. Boganey stated he is not sure whether this report notes when citations are issued. Mayor Willson stated it is most often included. Councilmember Graves returned at 6:26 p.m. With regard to Agenda Item 10a4, 904 53' Avenue N., Mayor Willson pointed out the first renewal license for this property was lengthy in time, starting in November, but was followed up and completed. However, the second renewal went much quicker and was resolved in a more timely fashion. Mayor Willson stated he could not find an administrative citation in the second renewal and asked if they ran together and staff operated under the first citation. Mr. Boganey stated he noticed the overlap and there are administrative citations, such as on March 15. Mayor Willson noted by that time, the first license period had expired. Mr. Boganey stated they then would only qualify for a Type IV and the owner would have to resolve the second violation. Mr. Boganey stated staff will research these issues to provide a correct response and could report back at the next meeting with answers to those questions. He stated the Council can either take action on these licenses, or postpone action until receipt of the report. However, he would recommend action to approve as the properties meet the qualifications for a Type IV rental license. With regard to Agenda Item lOaS, 6718 Colfax Avenue N., Mayor Willson stated he could not find an administrative citation ($300) that pays for the paperwork. He explained his vested interest in this particular property as he used to own it and when he sold it, had been assured the new buyer would not rent it out. With regard to Agenda Item 10a6, 6765 Humboldt Avenue N., Mayor Willson noted the administration citation is shown but there was a gap between April 19 and August 4, which may be the period of time given to make repairs, noting there is a lengthy history as well. Mr. Boganey stated staff will follow up on each of these rental licenses and provide the City Council with a written response. The City Council agreed with the recommendation of Mr. Boganey to consider approval of the rental licenses with staff providing a follow-up report at a future meeting. Mr. Boganey reported on recent staff meetings to discuss Type IV licenses and how to modify and improve the process to benefit the landlord and City by mitigating repeat Type IV licenses. 09/11/17 -3- Mayor Willson and the City Council indicated their support to review and tweak the process if it makes it easier for landlords and City staff. k''A IKiJMM %I (SiUK Mayor Willson stated he provided the City Council with a list of organizations that provide help for individuals in need (mental illness/drug addiction/vulnerable adults) who are being used by others to collect money on various corners in Brooklyn Center. He stated it appears this involves an organized attempt and he is concerned that vulnerable adults are being taken advantage of. Mayor Willson stated he has found volunteers in the health care field who are willing to meet and discuss how these people can be better served. Mayor Willson described a program used in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they ask panhandlers if they want to day work, which has received mixed results. Mr. Boganey reported that about one month ago, he met with the Brooklyn Park City Manager, CEAP, and Luther Auto representatives about a program based in part on the Albuquerque, New Mexico model that had previously been presented to the City Council where individuals are given an opportunity to work for a day and have access to services. Mr. Boganey stated it was a productive meeting and the CEAP Executive Director indicated a positive interest in possibly running that type of program. Luther representatives also expressed significant interest in funding a pilot test and reaching out to other businesses to partner in that effort. Mr. Boganey stated at this point, it may not involve a lot of City resources but follow up is needed to engage in a conversation with other cities who have this program to research the pros and cons. Mr. Boganey stated if all parties are in agreement and the program is approved by the City Council, the target date is spring of next year to start a test pilot program that would run through the fall to determine if it is a successful model for Brooklyn Center. Mayor Willson stated his support with consideration in the spring of 2018. He requested a legal opinion, if this program is established, whether pictures of individuals who refuse an opportunity to work and wish instead to continue panhandling can be posted on a website saying this individual has refused the offer of working with the City program. City Attorney Troy Gilchrist stated his initial reaction is one of concern due to the shaming element but he does understand why it may alert others to the perceived realities of these people to not consider gainful employment. Mayor Willson stated he is concerned about vulnerable adults being taken advantage of through an organized panhandling group and prefers to help them find the services needed rather than being taken advantage of. He stated if there is a right to freedom of speech to panhandle in the medians, then he thinks those same rights apply to citizens who are taking pictures of those individuals in public. 09/11/17 -4- City Attorney Gilchrist stated he will look into that item and follow up on the request of the City Council to look further into the issue of panhandling. He explained that he will provide a memorandum addressing specific types of regulations to more specifically inform the City Council on what has been tried, what is and is not successful, and why most have been determined to not be valid. Mayor Willson stated in the past, he has referenced the Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordinance and found the on-line copy is a numbered ordinance that has been presented but has not been approved so he is unsure of its status. With aggressive panhandling, he noted it seems to be enforceable in cities that have implemented an ordinance. Councilmember Butler stated while in San Diego she noticed signage related to panhandling at their big grocery store. She read the sign language that encouraged panhandlers to leave and asked people to refuse to contribute to panhandlers or sign their petition. She noted this could be an option to suggest to the City's businesses. Mr. Boganey stated the City has offered that suggestion to the City's businesses because with such a sign posting, it may also assist with police enforcing. JJLIiIJt1IAII3fl Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. 09/11/17 -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 Study Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on September 11, 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 September 25, 2017, Regular Session. AAAM k) A W14- 7 2 City Clerk Mayor 09/11/17 -6-