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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 03-11 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 MARCH 11, 2019 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 Mike Elliott at 8:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Mike Elliott and Councilmembers/Commissioners Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence -Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. BROOKLYN CENTER BEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC ART Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards reviewed a new initiative intended to continue to promote a sense of identity for the residents of Brooklyn Center, and provide a plan for beautification and public art. The intent is to coordinate efforts, enhance the community image, and promote targeted redevelopment, as well as engage residents and local businesses in economic development. City Staff has executed a contract with Forecast, a public art organization, to provide consultation and guidance services. Mr. Edwards introduced representatives of Forecast: Jack Becker, Principal and Founder; Ashlyn Crawford, Community Engagement; and Witt Siasoco, Consulting Associate, who has worked in the public realm on many civic art projects in the Twin Cities area. Mr. Becker stated he has been involved with Forecast since its inception in 1978. The mission of Forecast is to activate people and networks to promote public art. Forecast offers funding and training for artists who want to work 'in the public realm, and provides assistance for artists, arts residencies and arts master planning. Mr. Becker stated Forecast plans to design a pubic arts program for Brooklyn Center to support and enhance art in public spaces, beautifying neighborhoods, and advance art in public life. Mr. Siasoco stated he is working with Ms. Crawford on photo sessions with residents to create street banners. A postcard -making event was held so residents of Brooklyn Center could create 03/11/19 -1- art rather than doing a survey. Residents were invited to write or draw a memory or idea about Brooklyn Center on a postcard. Ms. Crawford stated Forecast will work with City Staff to determine stakeholders, including schools and libraries, to ensure that every voice is heard in this process. Mr. Becker stated mapping exercises will be used to build interest and participation. This process will help determine where residents place their importance in terms of public space and social interaction. A stakeholder "constellation chart" will be created to structure a.visual of all the partners who will be involved and review other City structures and existing programs. Mr. Becker stated public art can take many forms: murals, infrastructure amenities, benches and seating elements, playground structures, and lighting, as well as rituals like parades. Mayor/President Elliott thanked Mr. Becker for his presentation. He added the work of Forecast touches on what it takes to make a community livable, by increasing connectedness and getting residents involved. He noted Brooklyn Center has a richly diverse community, and he supports the idea of creating something that is unique and enriching. He stressed the importance of this type of community effort. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she is excited about this public art project, as art is a big part of her life. She added it is a great way to bring out the City's identity and increase public engagement. She noted many communities have acknowledged the concept of crime prevention through environmental design - creating spaces that are conducive to positive interactions between individuals. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she thinks the street banners are helpful, and she likes the big blackboard with a compelling question, encouraging people to write their answer. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated a lot of information has been presented tonight, and the public art project is a big concept. She added she would like to see examples of other similar programs. Mr. Becker agreed to provide that. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he would be interested in seeing comparisons as well. He added many residents are concerned about costs. He noted, however, he recognizes the transformative power of community art, and the creation' of a backdrop that people can experience and appreciate. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she likes the concept of a neighborhood engagement team to connect cultural components of the City. She added another area of focus is parks and trails, as the parks in Brooklyn Center are not connected like they are in other cities. She would like to see rental bikes available in Brooklyn Center, and have the parks connected 03/11/19 -2- with trails, lights and art. She noted she is interested in getting involved in these efforts and finding out ways she can contribute her ideas and involve other residents who are artistic. Mr. Becker stated one of the challenges will be to identify residents and art groups within Brooklyn Center to include in this process. He added he is interested in inspiring connectivity in the city's parks and open spaces. He noted he looks forward to a future session with the City Council/EDA to dig deeper into these ideas and issues. He agreed to follow up with additional information regarding public spaces in other cities in the region. SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES WITH BOLTON & MENK AND PROVIDE DIRECTION Community Development Director Meg Beekman reviewed a request issued by City Staff for qualifications for professional planning services. City Staff and representatives from Alatus reviewed 9 qualifications that were received, and four teams were interviewed and evaluated based on experience, qualifications, and quality of proposal. The ultimate consensus was that Bolton & Menk was the preferred team. Ms. Beekman stated the elements included in the scope of work are as follows: re -writing the City's Zoning Code; creation of mixed-use Zoning districts; creation of a Brooklyn Boulevard Overlay District; development of Opportunity Site Master Plan which would include Alatus Phase 1 development; and development strategies for the former Sears site and 57th Avenue N/Logan Avenue N site. Ms. Beekman stated planning for Alatus Phase 1 development has been on-going at the EDA - owned site for the past year, and Phase 2 development will begin in 2019. The preliminary development agreement will need to be renegotiated as it expires in April 20t9. City Staff will focus on the master planning component. Ms. Beekman stated City Council/EDA feedback and consideration is requested regarding components of the Opportunity Site development: a high-level land use plan including infrastructure framework for the entire site; and a more detailed land use and street plan for 35 acres, including development phasing, entitlement and shared amenities. Ms. Beekman stated a Hennepin County funding grant is being sought for the Brooklyn Boulevard project, to enhance planning efforts and create more detailed design guidelines. Haila Maze, Project Manager with Bolton & Menk, reviewed the proposed Zoning and Redevelopment Study. She requested the City Council/EDA's consideration of a communication plan for how they would like to stay informed about on-going development plans, projects and changes that could include community engagement and public involvement; a project website and online engagement; public meetings, workshops, and focus groups; and project newsletters and mailings. 03/11/19 -3- Ms. Maze stated the Zoning Code update will be handled by a team that has experience identifying and implementing effective City Code. She added this process includes review of ordinances, zoning regulations and districts, and adoption of a new Code in a user-friendly format with City Staff training and support. Ms. Maze stated, in terms of time frame, existing conditions will be reviewed, as well as determination of specific goals and objectives by spring 2020 with implementation and adoption in fall 2020. Mayor/President Elliott thanked Ms. Maze for her presentation. He added this important work will have a big impact on the City, and he supports considerable community outreach regarding the project and potential outcomes. He stressed the importance of developing something that is unique to Brooklyn Center, and inclusion of local experts and resources throughout the process. He noted he supports the use of social media, websites and pop-up events, as well as civic organizations, congregations and religious centers, to connect with residents. Mayor/President Elliott stated the development planning process should be life -enriching and community -building, and inclusive of all residents, including the elderly, diverse cultural groups, and those new to Brooklyn Center. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he agrees this is very important work. He added the real challenge will be implementation, and experience and support are critically important to help the City further refine its vision. He noted he appreciates the foresight of the City's redevelopment staff in recommending professional planning services. Mayor/President Elliott stressed the importance of the issue of housing affordability in terms of economic competitiveness for the City of Brooklyn Center. He added there is a distinction between affordable housing, and housing affordability. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson thanked Ms. Maze for her presentation. She added she looks forward to working with the team from Bolton & Menk. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she is excited to see what unfolds and requested that the City Council/EDA be updated throughout the process. She stressed the importance of being aware and intentional about zoning changes and unintentional impacts. Mr. Boganey thanked Ms. Beekman and her staff for their efforts and hard work. He added Ms. Beekman's vision and knowledge has brought tremendous value to this process, and to the City of Brooklyn Center and its residents. Mayor/President Elliott agreed, and thanked Ms. Beekman. 03/11/19 -4- ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Graves moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence - Anderson seconded adjourmnent of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:33 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 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 March 11, 2019. 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 25, 2019, Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk 03/11/19 -5- Mike Elliott, Mayor