HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 02-12 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
FEBRUARY 12,2018
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work
Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 8:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Marquita Butler, April
Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, and Dan Ryan. City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City
Manager Reggie Edwards, Interim Community Development Director Michael Ericson, Planner
and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Carla Wirth,
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
REGULATION OF FOOD TRUCKS
(MOBILE FOOD UNITS)
Mayor/President Willson stated if the City does incubator businesses, multiple food trucks may
want to be part of that process, or an accelerated process, to grow their business.
Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she thinks food trucks could dovetail with that
effort so she supports more discussions and carefully developing well thought out and carefully
crafted regulations that would support economic viability and work for Brooklyn Center.
Mayor/President Willson stated concern with the impact to existing businesses, noting those
issues should come to light when the public hearings are held.
Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she thinks it will be beneficial, noting a complaint
she receives is the lack of restaurants in Brooklyn Center and this is a more affordable option for
business owners. She offered one example where every Thursday they have several food trucks
from May through September to offer alternatives to restaurants in North Minneapolis. In that
case, the businesses had mixed reviews with some thinking it resulted in additional restaurant
customers since it drew more people to the area. Councilmember/ Commissioner Butler stated
she would like to see how the City can be creative to incorporate food trucks.
Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated there is also frustration about lack of healthy food
choices in the City and some of the food truck options may be healthier than some fast food
entities.
02/12/18 -1-
Mayor/President Willson stated the City Council/EDA has also heard over the years about the
need for a grocery store that provides organic produce but the City has not yet been successful in
having one of them built.
Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she likes the idea but prefers to have
one central location for the food trucks so it creates more of a destination where customers can
peruse the offerings.
Mayor/President Willson stated his understanding that the City does not need to provide electric
power or other services as the food trucks are self-contained units that generate their own power,
which may also lend itself to some discussion.
Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson expressed concern that some food truck
generators can be very loud.
Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he sees where food trucks, in the right setting and if
meeting high standards, could be attractive. He favors further exploring that concept and is not
against considering off-street food trucks. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan suggested
discussing the east end of Shingle Creek Crossing that has languished, agreeing that under some
circumstances, food trucks can create more business for existing restaurants. He explained he
would want this to be additive and not cannibalize or put pressure on existing restaurants. Also,
he would ask what is the appropriate level of safety inspections. Councilmember/Commissioner
Ryan stated he favors moving forward with a concept or draft ordinance.
City Manager Curt Boganey stated he was formulating a way to move forward and would
suggest it is premature at this point to go to the Planning Commission or other Commission but
the matter could come back to the City Council/EDA at a future date with a concept or two based
on input provided tonight. Then, if one is favored, staff could work with the Planning
Commission to develop specific regulations and draft an ordinance for further City Council/EDA
consideration and public hearing.
Mayor/President Willson stated he would not be opposed to bringing general information to
other Commissions to gain additional input.
Mr. Boganey stated with resident economic stability, he assumes unless providing some sort of
subsidy to this effort, then probably the City should not limit a license to a local person/resident
and should keep it open to any vendor that qualifies.
Mayor/President Willson asked if the City would need, in the future, to also look at the 12-hour
parking ordinance and snow removal. Mr. Boganey stated staff will be presenting information
on a few issues, as it relates to snow removal, at a future Work Session.
02/12/18 -2-
The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to direct staff to move forward with next
steps and formulate a concept to allow food trucks, based on tonight's discussion, for
consideration at a future Work Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson moved and Councilmember/Commissioner
Butler seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work
Session at 8:20 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
02/12/18 -3-
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 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
City Clerk Mayor
02/12/18 -4-