HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 11-27 CCM Work SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 27, 2017
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
IIfSII] till DIII
The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work
Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:09 p.m.
Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Marquita Butler, April
Graves, Kiis Lawrence-Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt
Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, Director of
Business and Development Gary Eitel, Interim Community Development Director Michael
Ericson, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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HOM FURNITURE / KOHL'S LOT
Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel introduced the item, reviewed the background,
and described the components of the draft Tax Increment Agreement for the HOM
Furniture/Kohl's lot. He presented the Springsted Financial structured Pay-As-You-Go Note
based on 97.5% of the potential Tax Increment Revenue Stream projected from HOM's
renovation, expansion and future development of the Kohl's lot, identified the projected TIF
assistance terms, and But-For-Test/Analysis for the need of assistance. Mr. Eitel asked whether
the EDA requires additional information for its future consideration of the KKMBA Brooklyn
Center LLC (HOM Furniture) TIF agreement.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan noted Springsted is used to structure these districts and in
the past, it was mentioned staff and Springsted generally apply fairly conservative assumptions.
Mr. Eitel stated that is correct. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan noted in this case, interfund
loans are mentioned and if the worst case occurs, there may be issues with other TIF funds. Mr.
Eitel stated there is a concern when a loan is entered and interfund loans are repaid. However, in
this case, it is a Pay-As-You-Go Note and requires HOM Furniture to build more on the site.
Currently, the valuation of the property is $1.8 million, with the expansion it will be $5.4
million, and with the medical office it is up to $10 million. Then as time goes on, there is a 2%
inflationary factor. Mr. Eitel explained if they don't develop, they are at risk and the City has no
risk but does have a commitment for the $300,000 of infrastructure improvements. He stated
there are more than sufficient funds to meet the City's obligations.
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Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson thanked Mr. Eitel for his hard work on this
project and asked if he would be willing to return for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Mr. Eitel
stated after retirement he intends to stay aware of all the good things going on in Brooklyn
Center and offered to take the picture of that event.
It was the majority consensus of the City Council/EDA to direct staff to proceed with the Tax
Increment Development Agreement for HOM Furniture / Kohl's Lot.
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Mr. Boganey introduced the item and representatives of Everybody In.
Dr. Sam Grant, Everybody In Director of Research and Development, stated he appreciates the
opportunity to partner with Brooklyn Center on this important issue to close the race equity gap,
create opportunity, and economic stability for all. He stated they partnered to do a baseline
report, which was presented to the City Council in July of 2016 and at that time, the City Council
adopted a resolution. November 2016 to February 2017, they were involved with stakeholder
interviews with a collective dialogue in May 2017. He described the three different stakeholders
that were involved: Education, Non-Profit, and Business, and the five questions asked of each.
Kia Her, Everybody In Research Analyst, described the challenges identified by each of the three
stakeholders, strategies to identify challenges, key findings, keys to success, key implications.
Dr. Grant stated the City has a lot of assets and the challenge is to get the 'wheels' in motion to
foster a true deep effective racial equity strategy. He stated all stakeholders said it was important
and they were willing to sign on, but that is easy to say when there is no risk attached. He noted
Keys to Success included the need for the City to invest and drive the process forward.
Dr. Grant presented the analysis in how to target resident populations, resulting challenges, the
City's assets, and strategies to use. He explained the need for the City to partner with regional
partners to grow small business networks through a business accelerator model to close the
equity gap. Everybody In would partner with the City to gather the data and facilitate.
Ms. Her described a pathway to racial equity through organizing a coordinated effort with
collective impact measures, dialing in viable strategies for results that close equity gaps in
educational attainment, employment, earnings in net financial wealth, and home ownership. She
commented on the importance to consistently measure, monitor, amplify results, and implement
long-term sustainability strategies to create enduring stability.
Dr. Grant presented five next steps to drive racial equity and requested feedback.
Councilmember/Comn-iissioner Ryan stated some time ago, before he served on the City
Council, he felt this whole endeavor would be best addressed at the State and National
government levels and he has been waiting to see something substantial in that regard being
done. He noted at one time, it was thought City services should address things like the most
economical way to fill potholes; however, that has now evolved. Councilmember/Commissioner
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Ryan stated Brooklyn Center is only 8.5 square miles and one suggestion is to build partnerships
with neighboring communities. He stated with what we've observed with blue collar workers
and the Rustbelt economy, there are also white folks in the City who are not doing well either.
He noted what they are describing is parallel with Everybody In and the Brooklyn Bridge
Alliance. Ms. Her stated they did speak to them as a stakeholder and they are doing a lot around
youth and a good example.
Dr. Grant stated the City has a network of capable agents on the ground who are aware and their
role is to connect the assets of stakeholders and 'shine a light' with data to drive towards racial
equity results. He explained they don't 'do' but play a connection role to build capacity that is
not there so the City can deliver on racial equity.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated if also talking about entrepreneurship, different
approaches, and different age cohorts, then the focus should be on BrookLynk and the Brooklyn
Bridge Alliance.
Mayor/President Willson stated he is glad Dr. Grant is a resource the City can leverage into its
overall strategy, noting BrookLynk is working with one sector of the population and when we
look at racial equity, it is across the board, no matter race, creed, or religion. Mayor/President
Willson noted the City has concentrated areas of poverty also that goes across the board so
anything they can link into to build partnerships is good. He believed it would take thought as
how to accomplish that through the process and he is glad they have talked with the City's
stakeholders and they are receptive.
Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she appreciated their work in putting together this
report and is very interested in next steps. She sees this work around wholistic and health of the
community as well because you will be healthier if you know how to process through your
emotions, have healthy food, and a roof over your head. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves
agreed there is probably need on the part of the City to do these kinds of things but she is not
advocating to take them all on. She noted the City hired a communication person this year and
other areas are being filled in so the City is better adapting to the changing demographics of the
City.
Councilmember/Commissioner Butler agreed and stated it seems like a lot to unpack. She asked
about a realistic timefrarne for next steps and the most important things to tackle.
Dr. Grant stated one critical next step is hiring a communication staff person to work with that
person to put out a racial equity strategy communication to push out important information so
they can galvanize themselves around an action framework. In addition, the City can take
advantage of existing staffing capacity and say, based on resources we have, what they feel
confident they can do in 2018 to move this agenda forward. Dr. Grant stated in 2018, he would
like to have dialogue with staff to put together an action plan. He asked what can the City's
different stakeholders and region do to amplify capacities. Dr. Grant commented on his firm's
work on a design board with Rochester and Duluth who are saying they appreciate that Brooklyn
Center is taking leadership on this, doing the right thing, and they want to follow in Brooklyn
Center's footsteps. Dr. Grant stated it is important to keep moving forward, to engage residents
11/27/17 -3-
who have been here a long time and know how the City used to be, how it has evolved, and can
give information on perspective and identify critical differences. Dr. Grant stated the City needs
to clearly articulate what is possible in 2018 and set forward a two- to three-year plan.
Mr. Boganey stated if there is a consensus to move this effort forward, he would suggest staff
return in 45-60 days with a more developed set of initial action steps and prioritization of
activities the City has the capacity to move forward, or areas needed to develop further capacity.
He stated there is a business assistant position in the 2018 budget to have one staff person
available to implement some strategies and there is also funding for additional community
engagement. Mr. Boganey acknowledged those positions alone will not be sufficient but can be
part of the solution.
Mayor/President Willson noted property values have gone up so the budget has a few extra
dollars that could support some additional staff. He stated he is pleased with the trend and there
is City Council/EDA consensus and support to move this forward.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated it is not a surprise that if this moves forward, there
will be challenges about whether this is a duplication of County or State efforts. He stated it is
the City Council's job to demonstrate they feel compelled to fill the existing gaps, noting this is
not an effort of duplication.
Mayor/President Willson stated the City is not waiting for the State, County, or other agency to
bail out the City.
Mr. Boganey stated staff's objective should not be to duplicate on-going efforts with State and
County resources, noting this report is asking what the City can do to better align those existing
resources in a more clearly focused manner so the City's residents get the maximum benefit.
It was the majority consensus of the City Council/EDA to receive the Socioeconomic
Opportunity Environmental Scan Report and direct staff to further that effort.
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Councilmember/Commissioner Graves moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Butler
seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at
9:02 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
11/27/17 -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 Work
Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on November 27, 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 December 11, 2017, Regular Session.
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City Clerk
Mayor
11/27/17