HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 10-09 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/WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 9, 2017
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
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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, Kris Lawrence-
Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager
Reggie Edwards, Acting City Engineer Mike Albers, 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.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS
Councilmember Ryan requested the following corrections to the Study/Work Session minutes of
September 25, 2017, noting he feels the corrections add clarity:
Page 3, fifth paragraph, first sentence
"Councilmember Ryan stated with a possible Section 8 action by the City Council, he
tracked the Minneapolis ordinance..."
Page 5, second paragraph, last sentence
"He felt if the landlord wished to not renew, that may be a different issue and present
other parameters in what the City could or could not do... the landlord would choose not
to renew a lease for cause, that is a different issue and limits what the City could or could
not do."
Page 5, third paragraph, first sentence
"Councilmember Ryan stated he has reservations about
of a sale, it also deals with market conditions.. .a notification of sale ordinance because of
its effect on rental market conditions and the potential for litigation."
Mayor Willson stated he thinks all three are direct quotes and as he recalls, the statements were
made.
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Councilmember Graves noted this conversation will be reflected in tonight's meeting minutes to
create a record of the request.
Mayor Willson stated he struggles with a request to make corrections to rearrange words to add
clarity because if the statement was made, it is a direct quote.
Councilmember Ryan stated he does not want to belabor the point, but the point in revising this
issue is that we go back to minutes to read what members had to say about an issue, which is
helpful. He stated he will stand behind any statement he has made but felt the requested
corrections more clearly represented what he thought he had stated.
City Manager Curt Boganey stated with Study Sessions and Work Sessions, the minutes capture
the essence of comments made and at times a specific quote may be made but generally, the
minutes do not contain direct quotes but rather the point of what is stated. In that effort,
sometimes the mark is missed in what is reflected in the minutes and if that is the case, a
correction would be in order.
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated in support of Councilmember Ryan's request, she
preferred to table this set of meeting minutes tonight.
Mayor Willson asked whether there was a recording of this meeting that can be checked. Mr.
Boganey stated he will have to check.
Councilmember Ryan stated his appreciation for the comments of Mr. Boganey that the minutes
reflected the point of the comment and if it is the consensus of the body to review the tape, he is
fine with that.
Councilmember Butler stated support to review the tape recording.
It was the majority consensus of the City Council to direct staff to review the tape recording of
the September 25, 2017 Study Session minutes.
MISCELLANEOUS
Prevailing Wage
Councilmember Ryan requested the addition of the prevailing wage topic to the Work Session.
Mayor Willson agreed with the assessment to have a Work Session on prevailing wage and how
the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Improving Local Economies Policy has changed by
adding a new line, which he does not agree with, that if prevailing wage is not being paid to
those building affordable housing, then they can't afford to live in that housing because they are
not paid a prevailing wage. Mayor Willson stated he is not in favor of that language as it is
counter intuitive.
Mr. Boganey stated he just received this information and had forwarded a copy to the City
Council. He noted the LMC's Policy is 200 pages and in its letter, the League Board of
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Directors is requesting that comments regarding any draft policies be submitted no later than
Friday, October 27, 2017, so they can be considered at the policy adoption Board meeting on
November 9, 2017.
Councilmember Ryan stated there will also be a Board meeting on October 1 91u1 during which St.
Paul Councilmember Tolbert will be offering a motion to amend, to delete the elimination of
prevailing wage requirements from the workforce housing program. He stated if the Board
would choose to pass by majority vote of the Board to delete the language in question, it is anti-
prevailing wage. Councilmember Ryan referred to information he put together on this topic for
the City Council's review.
Mayor Willson asked if the City Council would like to schedule this information for a Work
Session.
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she would like time to review this information prior
to that discussion being held.
Councilmember Ryan stated members could have the opportunity to review the material and this
topic could be added to an upcoming Work Session agenda. Then the City Council could be
polled on what should be recommended for the Board meeting and St. Paul Councilmember
Tolbert's motion that will be offered on October 19th•
Mayor Willson suggested this topic be added to the next regular Work Session meeting agenda.
Mr. Boganey stated while it could happen, he would be surprised if the Board made a change on
October 19t1 having not yet received comments from the rest of the State, but it could happen.
Councilmember Ryan stated it is as much about sending a message for those of us who have a
significant number of residents in our communities that are members of labor unions. He stated
we should stand up for them and make that statement. Councilmember Ryan stated he
appreciates Mr. Boganey's perceptive comments and would be surprised if the Board did rule but
some may be willing to entertain that discussion at the Board meeting.
Mayor Willson stated Brooklyn Center workers are paid less than the median average so from
his perspective, whoever the workers are, union or not, prevailing wages should be paid and
especially if the wage being paid is under the State or Federal minimums.
It was the consensus of the City Council to ask Mr. Boganey to add the topic of prevailing wage
to the October 23, 2017, Work Session agenda.
City Council Code of Policies
Mayor Willson stated the City Council just received the General Policies as a replacement and
upon review, he noticed on Page 264, Section 2.61 Business Subsidy Policy, #113, there is
reference on providing incentive dollars that businesses must be paying workers a minimum of
$7 per hour. Mayor Willson stated support to change that dollar amount as the State minimum is
$9.35 per hour and that will go up to $10 next year. He stated $7 per hour is not even close to
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the minimum, so he offered that for a point of discussion.
Mayor Willson referenced Page 266, Section 2.70 Street and Alley Lighting Policy, #4C, that
mentions street lighting being high pressure sodium and the wattage, but there is no mention of
LED lighting or green-type street light bulbs so he finds that language to be outdated.
Mayor Willson then referenced Page 277, Section 2.93 Long-Term Deer Population
Management Plan. He stated he has heard some inquiry about the number of turkeys and geese
in the City, so it should be discussed whether to add those wildlife species to this wildlife
management section. Mr. Boganey reviewed comments made by the DNR on the City's options.
The consensus of the City Council was to support Mayor Willson's suggestion and ask Mr.
Boganey to schedule the topics for discussion at a Work Session.
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City Manager Curt Boganey introduced the item and requested the City Council provide
direction to staff regarding gateway monuments and streetscaping.
Acting City Engineer Mike Albers summarized the City Council's past consideration of the
Brooklyn Boulevard Corridor Project, which is being undertaken in coordination with Hennepin
County for reconstruction and streetscape improvements on a 1.4-mile segment of Brooklyn
Boulevard between 49th Avenue and Bass Lake Road (County Road 10). This project is
scheduled for construction in 2018. It was noted the proposed project will improve roadway and
intersection safety, enhance traffic operations, and provide improved bicycle and pedestrian
facilities by adding a trail on the west side of the roadway, improving sidewalks, transit stops,
adding streetscaping and landscaping, and improving the functionality of intersections with
modified turn lanes. Mr. Albers described the improvements to roadway, bike and pedestrian
ways, transit, and streetscape.
Mayor Willson asked about the concern expressed by the New Millennium Academy relating to
their buses having trouble navigating the 51 " Avenue intersection. Mr. Albers described the
proposed project improvements that will mitigate that concern.
Councilmember Graves asked if the crosswalk at the 515t Avenue intersection will be painted or
will there be a flashing light. Mr. Albers stated it is recommended to be a painted crosswalk and
not installing the light at this time so there is not a false sense of security and people are more
aware of traffic as they cross. It will also be signed as a crosswalk. Councilmember Graves
asked if there will be additional lighting. Mr. Albers stated there will be an intersection light and
the transit hub will also have lighting. Councilmember Graves stated there will likely be a lot of
pedestrians at this intersection so she is concerned with safety. She asked if there will be a
decrease in the speed limit. Mr. Albers stated it is anticipated to stay at 35 mph. To change it,
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Mn/DOT would need to do a speed study and that raises the potential for a speed increase as
well. Councilmember Graves estimated traffic is traveling 5 to 10 miles per hour over the limit.
Councilmember Ryan stated residents have contacted him about drivers driving well in excess of
the speed limit and using the passing lanes as drive lanes. He asked staff to pass on that concern
to the Police Department. Councilmember Ryan stated on the 49th1 Avenue intersection
improvements, a homeowner has expressed concern about widening the bike trail and bringing it
closer to his property. He stated this resident attended the open house at New Millennium
Academy so staff may be familiar with the concern. Mr. Albers stated he is familiar with that
resident's concern related to speed on the corridor and location of the trail, which is
recommended to have a ten-foot boulevard and ten-foot trail, bringing it closer to his property.
Mr. Albers explained there is generally 30 feet from the edge of house to the edge of trail so that
is a consideration for the City Council to make.
Councilmember Butler commented on the change in number of travel lanes and asked if
residents voiced concern. Mr. Albers stated residents want there to be less confusion, especially
at 51 s' Avenue and this project will convert lanes before the 51 " Avenue intersection so drivers
are more aware when a vehicle intends to make a turning movement.
With regard to the 55th1 Avenue improvements, Mayor Willson asked about the two properties
involved in the interchange. Mr. Albers stated those properties have been purchased as part of
this project. Mr. Boganey added those buildings will be coming down in the near future.
ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Willson closed the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. to hold Informal Open Forum with the City
Council.
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Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson seconded to reconvene
the Study Session at 6:46 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
BROOKLYN BOULEVARD CORRIDOR
::ii(49 t 'AVENUE TO BASS LAKE ROAD) — 3
Mr. Albers presented anticipated property impacts as a result of this improvement. He explained
staff is working with an appraiser to obtain easements and asked if the City Council is supportive
of those plans.
Councilmember Butler asked what happens if the residents don't agree to sell property for an
easement. Mr. Albers stated if the City Council supports the corridor, the City could consider
eminent domain to obtain the needed property for easements. He stated two residents have
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expressed concern. Councilmember Butler asked how many properties are involved. John
McPherson, SRF, stated 30 properties are involved.
Mr. Boganey clarified that the condemnation, if used, would only relate to the easement, not the
house.
Mayor Willson noted if the City cannot obtain an easement, it would still be at a minimum of
five feet. Mr. Albers stated between 49t" 51St Avenues, there is about five feet and that is
where the sidewalk is. The plan is to extend it about 15 feet on the west side and a little less than
15 feet on the east side.
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if the bike lane will be a separate lane on the street.
Mr. Albers stated it would be a dedicated on-street bike lane and then transition to be off-street
and tie into the trail system. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if there would be a
protective buffer, which she likes between bikes and traffic. Mr. Albers answered it depends on
the easement width.
Councilmember Graves noted it is not yet determined how much property will be taken so she
wonders if it is three or four feet into their property. Mr. Albers clarified that on the west side, it
would be 15 feet closer to their property. Councilmember Graves noted some residents have
planted landscaping to create a buffer and asked whether residents will be compensated for that
type of improvement. Mr. Albers confirmed that will be considered in the appraisal and part of
the compensation for the impacts. Councilmember Graves stated it feels excessive because as a
biker, she would prefer using the bike trail because it feels safer and the surface is smoother.
Councilmember Graves asked whether it can be both a bike and walking trail. She also asked if
the bike lane will go all the way to 1-694. Mr. Albers stated the on-street bike lane would be
from 49' to 51 " Avenue and then transition to an off-street bike path. He stated this section is
planned for a curb replacement with utilities remaining. Mr. Albers explained that on-street
lanes are used by more hard-core bicyclist (commuters) who rarely use a bike path, which is
normally used by residents.
Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked about projections on who will utilize the on-street
bike lane as this is a small stretch. Mr. Albers stated he does not have estimated biker usage but
this is a request of Hennepin County so they may have that data.
Mayor Willson noted Hennepin County may be considering whether to build it now, during this
project, rather than later.
Councilmember Ryan stated Brooklyn Center typically has a range of easement setbacks from 10
to 15 feet. Mr. Albers explained that depends on when the area was platted, noting the easement
could be for utilities and not necessarily for sidewalk. In this case, the City does not have
additional sidewalk easement beyond what is constructed.
Councilmember Ryan asked if the easement is the same, but the differentiation is in use. City
Attorney Troy Gilchrist advised the courts look at the intent of the dedication with the plat.
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Discussion of this item continued and reached conclusion at the October 9, 2017, Work Session.
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Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 7:00 p.m.
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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:
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 October 9, 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 October 23, 2017, Regular Session.
City Clerk
Mayor
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