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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 05-13 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 MAY 13, 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 8:10 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, Business and Work Force Development Coordinator Brett Angell, Director of Community Activities, and City Attorney Jason Hill. COUNCIL RETREAT Mr. Edwards stated City Staff put out an RFP and had five respondents. He reviewed City Staff's primary questions for the City Council regarding a retreat: 1. Does the City Council have a preferred approach? 2. How would you describe a successful retreat? 3. Preferred retreat dates Mr. Edwards stated all the respondents were competent and capable of providing this type of service. He added more information would be available after City Staff talks with them one-on- one. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves asked why only four proposals were included in the packet if there were five proposals. Mr. Edwards stated one responded did not provide an outline for the two days. He added City Staff has put forward the respondents' approaches rather than the actual organization. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she would have preferred to have the names of the respondents, rather than their approaches since the City Council will be choosing one of the organizations. She asked whether the respondents were asked to provide a budget. Mr. Edwards stated a budget was not requested in the RFP but spoke with the respondents to get an idea of consultant costs. 05/13/19 -1- Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated it would be good to know what the City is getting for the investment of its money. She added she liked the proposal from two women of color. She noted she liked their focus on equity, diversity and cultural competence, and the concept of "including all voices" in their communication and facilitation process. She added she would like to see how much things will cost. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stressed the importance of team building, and what the City is trying to accomplish in the areas of equity and inclusion, as well as specific strategies for strategic goals. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated the third consultant stressed team building, building trust, and getting the City Council to work together. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she liked approaches 2 and 3. She added she liked three more, although she didn't see anything about exploring biases or intercultural competency. She noted those need to be included. Mayor/President Elliott agreed, stating he would like to determine which consultant would most effectively address intercultural competency. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated she liked three best, but she also liked the issues and approach of four. She added she would lean more toward three. Mayor/President Elliott stated he wants to ensure focus on team building, building trust, equity, inclusion. He added the retreat should look internally at the City Council but also externally at the community. He noted it would be remiss in addressing one without the other. Mayor/President Elliott stated Brooklyn Center is a changing, evolving community, and as elected officials making decisions for the changing community, the City Council needs to explore how their capacities are changing. He noted this would involve looking at other institutions in the City, to achieve accomplishments that would require change. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated there seems to be some consensus for approach 3, and there are aspects that she likes about that approach. She added some of the items from approach 2 are important. She suggested combining aspects of 2 and 3, including establishing team operational norms; exploring differences in conflicts; and listening (part 1 & 2). She noted she would like more information regarding cost differences. Mayor/President Elliott agreed that there are key points in approach three that should be included. 05/13/19 -2- Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated the only thing about approach two that he would like to see enhanced are team principles, exploring leadership, and recognizing operational norms. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves agreed, stressing the importance of gaining an understanding of the City Councils own leadership. She added that could fall under "learn about the team." Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated it would be interesting to learn about colleagues' operational and cognitive styles. He added Mayor/President Elliott attended such a session at the League of Cities' conference and shared his thoughts about it, which Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan appreciated. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated Craig Rapp conducted a few City Council retreats in the past. He added he already knows the City's Senior Department heads, which could be an advantage. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether it would be helpful to have a team of consultants, rather than just one facilitator, leading the retreat. Mr. Boganey stated there is the possibility of more than one retreat. He added other concepts and formats that can be considered. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated the May 24-25 dates are Memorial Day weekend. She added she is not available that weekend. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she doesn't believe any of the proposed dates will work because they are coming up too soon. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he is available for any of the dates. He added his preference would be June 7-8, 2019. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she is available for the June 7-8 weekend, but not any of the other weekends. Mayor/President Elliott agreed. Mr. Boganey stated there does not seem to be a consensus on a weekend that will work, but a formal proposal will be sought from the consultants and additional dates brought back to the City Council for consideration. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves requested that Staff leadership should be a part of the process. She added they should be able to weigh in on what they want to get out of the retreat too. She noted they could consider how they could work better together, collaboratively across departments, or how they interact with the City Council. Mr. Boganey stated the City Council had expressed interest in approach 2 and 3. He asked whether there is any interest in approach 4. 05/13/19 -3- Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he sees value in the team operational norms aspects of approach 4. Mayor/President Elliott stated another retreat could be planned that would cover more extensively these other areas that are proposed. He added the consultant could be brought back for an hour. He noted it would be great if we could get feedback to the people who made these proposals. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding City Staff will meet with the respondents and provide the City Council's feedback. He added they would be asked to provide a clear and specific plan that addresses the City Council's comments and requirements. Mr. Boganey asked each Councilmember/Commissioner individually what they would consider a successful retreat. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated she feels that success would be having a better understanding of other Councilmembers' perspectives and getting to know each other on a deeper level. She added this would include collaboration, learning about strengths and weaknesses, and respecting each other's opinions. Mayor/President Elliott agreed. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stressed the importance of individual self-awareness and what each Councilmember/Commissioner brings to the City Council, both strengths and weaknesses. She stated the Councilmembers should have a chance to build trust so they can ask questions and have a healthy debate and not take things personally but be thoughtful about how to come to balanced, well -thought-out decisions. She noted it is also an opportunity for Councilmembers to see the different roles within the City Council - how they can be leveraged to meet priorities and be better integrated into City Staff's strategies for carrying them out. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he concurs with Councilmember/Commissioner Grave's insightful comments. He agreed that the concepts of team building, building trust, operational norms, and definitions of good governance in approach 3 are vitally important, as well as learning about each other's strengths and weaknesses. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she agreed with comments made so far, and she feels that success is coming out of having more of a team spirit. She added she feels the City Council is segmented. She noted getting to know each other, and building trust will be important. Mayor/President Elliott stated the City Council consider where the City currently is in this moment in its history. He added this would provide a better understanding of the environment in which the City Council operates, as well as provide ideas of how to operate on an ongoing basis. He stressed the importance of discussion about the community of Brooklyn Center. 05/13/19 -4- Mr. Boganey stated the City Council's comments were very helpful. He added City Staff would provide feedback to the respondents so they can draft proposals that are consistent with what the City Council is looking for. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved, and Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence - Anderson seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 8:48 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 05/13/19 -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 Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on May 13, 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 May 28, 2019, Regular Session. &L&MA&J"l Barbara Suciu, City Clerk 05/13/19 -6- Mike Elliott, Mayor