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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 02-12 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 FEBRUARY 12, 2018 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. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Director of Public Works Doran Cote, Interim Community Development Director Michael Ericson, Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Willson requested the following correction to the Work Session minutes of January 22, 2018: Page 3, Last Paragraph, second sentence .He noted in 2017, there was a $2,000 increase in citations issued yet... Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson the following correction to the Work Session minutes of January 22, 2018: Page 2, Last Paragraph, second sentence ". . .while living with her parents and six siblings on Emerson, and with may many cars, she..." It was the majority consensus of the City Council to accept the correction to the January 22, 2018 Work Session minutes. Mississippi Gateway Park Improvement Project Councilmember Ryan requested discussion on Item 6h, Resolution of Support for the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, which will be a three-phase plan for upgrades and improvements. He asked whether staff knew when the improvements and upgrades for the Mississippi Gateway Park will be completed. 02/12/18 -1- Director of Public Works Doran Cote reported staff met with Three Rivers Park District staff and the District is estimating a two- to five-year timeframe for the project with continuation through the cities of Brooklyn Park and Dayton. SIP Wealth Management Uncollectible Check Mayor Willson requested discussion on Item 6e, Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Write Off Uncollectible Accounts Receivable and Returned Checks, relating to the uncollectible check from SIP Wealth Management. He stated he found this company in the UK and India and wondered who this entity is and whether they have a location in the United States. City Manager Curt Boganey stated he does not know but even the collection agency was not successful in collecting the funds. The consensus of the City Council was to not remove this item from the Consent Agenda. CDBG Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson requested discussion on Item 8b, Resolution Approving Projected Use of Funds for 2018 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program and Authorizing Signature of Subrecipient Agreement with Hennepin County, specifically what the City Council will be considering tonight for approval. Mayor Willson explained the applications now go directly to Hennepin County for consideration on allocation of funds. Mr. Boganey stated that is correct but the public hearing on the grant application will be held this evening. If the City Council is satisfied with the recommendation, it can act on the grant application and if not, it can be considered at the next meeting with the changes supported by the City Council. Mr. Boganey explained that Hennepin County will remove 15% of each community's allocation and that amount will be available for public service projects. The County will have an advisory steering committee made up of representatives from the cities but the decision on which agencies receive CDBG funding lies with the County. Interim Community Development Director Michael Ericson indicated applications are accepted through the end of February and if a representative of Brooklyn Center would like to be on that Advisory Steering Committee, staff will forward that name to the County. Councilmembers Graves and Ryan expressed interest. Mayor Willson stated he will represent the City on the Hennepin County CDBG Advisory Steering Committee. MISCELLANEOUS Apartment Tenant Complaint Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she had received e-mails from neighbors about issues at an apartment complex, where they have been tenants for three months, related to sewer 02/12/18 -2- back up and no heat. In response to the no heat complaint, management brought in a space heater but the resident now has to pay for the higher electric bill caused by the space heater. The tenants were told if they dropped the complaints, they will get security deposit back and they can leave. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she does not know how to advise the residents to move forward if their concerns are not resolved. Mayor Willson suggested they contact HOMELine. Shopping Cart Policy Councilmember Graves asked if there is an excess number of shopping carts at the Public Works Department. Mr. Boganey explained the City picks them up and stores shopping carts if found on public property. In those cases, the owners are notified and asked to pick them up. Councilmember Graves asked about a system for retailers to pick up shopping carts. Mr. Boganey stated the City does not address that issue as each store has its own policy. Mayor Willson stated in the past, the Brooklyn Center Business Association has picked up shopping carts and delivered them back to the businesses. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she stopped by WalMart and heard they were very happy to have new shopping carts. Councilmember Ryan stated he received a call from a constituent that is irate about the cart situation. That constituent said they had called a large retailer, asked to speak to the manager, but the person they talked with provided an indifferent response. Councilmember Graves asked if the Police Department holds meetings with big box, nonpersonal stores. Mr. Boganey stated the Central District assigned police officer's duties include maintaining communications with various businesses but that is more on an individual business-to-business basis than a collective business group meeting. He stated Shingle Creek Crossing tenants have talked about forming an association of tenants and the City would encourage that to occur. Councilmember Graves asked if it would be appropriate for the City to initiate an initial meeting with the businesses, especially considering what happened recently with Wing Stop and the Foot Locker. Mr. Boganey stated the Business Coordinator position being established this year in Community Development will focus on retention, expansion, and providing support to existing business. He stated that position would establish contact and relationships with those businesses. Mayor Willson suggested staff contact members of the Brooklyn Center Business Association to ask how many are members and determine whether that would be a conduit to hold those conversations. ACER Meeting Councilmember Butler stated she had attended the ACER meeting with other Councilmembers, during which many concerns were expressed. One concern expressed related to safety issues at a 02/12/18 -3- townhome that she thinks staff needs to make a high priority. Mr. Boganey stated he had e- mailed a response to Councilmember Butler and will copy the other Council members as well. Councilmember Graves stated she will forward the notes received from ACER to Mr. Boganey. Mr. Boganey stated staff is working on a follow-up response on the affordable housing requests received by ACER. That will be considered at the last meeting in February or first meeting in March. Councilmember Ryan stated he will be absent on March 12 to attend the National League of Cities Conference. Mayor Willson stated Hannah, a reporter with the Star Tribune, had asked whether neighborhoods were identified and named, which the City has done, as she is following up on an article from a few years ago. During that discussion Mayor Willson mentioned Highway 252, the Blue Line, and encouraged her to contact Mr. Boganey. Mayor Willson referenced a recent newspaper article on traffic that asked people to submit traffic issue information. He suggested staff send that reporter all the information on issues with Highway 252. It was suggested to also inform the reporter of concerns related to security and policing at the MTC bus station on Bass Lake Road. Mayor Willson stated the City's Met Council representative has indicated they have reviewed those issues but not yet come to a conclusion. Mr. Boganey stated he received a call with a request to schedule a meeting about that issue, which he looks forward to. Councilmember Graves stated she works with a colleague who is involved with juvenile outreach and had organized an event last year and will do another later this summer. She felt the City could be more involved in this year's event. Mayor Willson suggested that information be provided to Mr. Boganey to determine whether the Communications Division should get involved in that event. Councilmember Graves stated during the meeting with ACER, there was comment about the avenue between communicating things such as events that are on the bulletin board that are also on Facebook. Mayor Willson cautioned about sharing information for other agencies and groups since it is a City website but that type of information can be provided and shared amongst staff. Mr. Boganey stated staff will provide the City Council with a copy of the City's current policy related to posting on the bulletin board, noting it is limited to local-based organizations. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS (MOBILE FOOD UNITS) 02/12/18 4- Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh introduced the item and described the City's current policy to allow only for the operation of food trucks through issuance of an Administrative Permit, which is designed for use around special and promotional events, temporary outdoor sales, display of merchandise, and charity and fundraiser events, among others. Other than through issuance of an Administrative Permit, food tucks are prohibited from operating within the City of Brooklyn Center on an on-going, regular basis. However, the food truck trend has been spreading to other metropolitan areas including the Twin Cities. Ms. McIntosh explained that since municipalities recognize mobile food vending as a community economic development tool, they have made revisions to their municipal code to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to build their business. In addition, communities are looking to add interest, vibrancy, and activity, along with increased food access in areas underserved by traditional brick and mortar restaurants. Ms. McIntosh presented additional information related to food truck regulation in Minnesota and food truck policy in surrounding communities. She reported the majority of the Planning Commission felt the City of Brooklyn Center would benefit from this type of use and stressed the importance of keeping the City competitive with surrounding communities. The Planning Commission also discussed how food trucks could serve as a way for businesses to test the market before committing to a community and opening a restaurant. There was some concern as to the pricing of food at food trucks, overall cleanliness, and difficulty in finding them; however, many communities tailor their food truck ordinance to address those concerns. Ms. McIntosh asked the City Council to provide direction regarding potential amendments to the City Code to allow for the licensing of food trucks. Mayor Willson stated there will probably be a policy, but this is actually an ordinance consideration, which will entail public hearings to gain input from current restaurant owners, the public, and then determine other factors. He asked how this would dovetail with the City's entrepreneurship plans to provide space for small entrepreneurs. Mayor Willson relayed the conversation he and Dr. Edwards had with the Liberian Consulate General who wanted to look into the strip mall where Brown College was located through a business association they have. Discussion of regulation of food trucks continued at the February 12, 2018, Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Willson adjourned the Study Session at 6:45 p.m. 02/12/18 -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 February 12, 2018. 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 March 12, 2018, Regular Session. -&AW ypw^ City Clerk Mayor 02/12/18 -6-