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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 09-09 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 SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott 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 Fiscal & Support Services Nate Reinhardt, Director of Public Works Doran Cote, Business and Workforce Development Coordinator Brett Angell, Police Chief Tim Gannon, Deputy Director of Building and Community Standards Jesse Anderson, City Attorney Troy Gilchrist, and Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS City Manager Curt Boganey requested that Agenda Item 7a, Recognition for Retiring Sergeant Corinne Becker, be removed from the agenda and added to the City Council's next Regular Meeting Agenda. The City Council agreed. MISCELLANEOUS Walgreen's Parking Lot at 6930 Brooklyn Boulevard Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated she received a call from a resident with complaints about garbage in the Walgreen's parking lot at 6930 Brooklyn Boulevard. She added the resident indicated that she spoke with the Walgreen's manager who was dismissive. She noted the manager said a cleaning crew comes in the evening. Mr. Boganey agreed to alert the Code Enforcement staff and have them look into this situation. Metro Cities General Government and Transportation Committee Update Councilmember Ryan stated he attended Metro Cities General Government and Transportation Committee meeting in St. Paul that morning. He added he plans to attend the last of 3 Policy Committee meetings on Wednesday, related to housing and economic development. He agreed to provide additional information to the City Council. 09/09/19 -1- Introduction of Student Councilmember Butler introduced her niece, Avianna, who was in the audience for a school assignment. BP Gas Station Sign at 6044 Brooklyn Boulevard Councilmember Graves stated the owner of the BP Gas Station at 6044 Brooklyn Boulevard had requested a copy of the City's Sign Ordinance. She added BP Corporation is penalizing local BP gas station for not having the company logo on their awning, which is prohibited in the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Boganey agreed to provide a copy of the Sign Ordinance and deliver it to BP directly. Mental Health Services Mr. Boganey stated he has not had an opportunity to provide information to the general public regarding mental health services in the community. Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards stated he reached out to a local mental health organization about resources and services available to local residents. Councilmember Graves stated mental health information should be included in the Health Fair. Joint Meeting with School Board Mr. Boganey stated the last City Council meeting was attended by School Board Member John Solomon, who spoke at the Public Open Forum and expressed an interest in a joint meeting between the School Board and the City Council. He added City Staff have a potential date for this meeting of Monday November 4, 2019. He noted it is suggested that the School Board Chair, School Superintendent and City Manager meet in advance to develop an agenda. He requested the City Council's feedback and comments. It was the majority Consensus of the City Council to hold a joint School Board/City Council meeting on November 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS Mr. Boganey stated the Work Session Agenda Item 1 related to 1601 James Circle Development Update will be tabled to the next Work Session. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OFFICE DISCUSSION Mayor Elliott stated an office at City Hall for use by the Mayor and City Council was established in February 2019. He added he has discussed with Mr. Boganey that he needs to have space that he can use as a working office. He noted Mr. Boganey agreed to make the Palmer Lake Room available for the City Council to use as necessary. He requested the City Council's comments and feedback. 09/09/19 -2- Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated she does not think it is necessary for the Mayor to have a private office. She added the approval in February 2019 was for an office to be shared by the Mayor and City Council. Councilmember Butler stated she does not see a problem as long as it is not a budgetary issue, there is space available, and does not interfere with the operations of City Staff. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated there is limited space available for City Staff at City Hall, and the City Council has already taken over a room for private session. She added an additional office space would be a budgetary issue as expenses would be incurred related to desks, supplies, and computers. She noted there is currently a conference table in the Palmer Lake Room. Mr. Boganey stated the original conversation was based on the idea that City Councilmembers would use the office when they need to schedule meetings with people. He added the Palmer Lake Room would be suitable for that purpose, but it would continue to be used as a conference room and would not be converted to an office. Councilmember Ryan stated a resolution was passed by the City Council on February 25, 2019 establishing a City Council joint office. He added he considered using the office a few times a week, and Councilmembers could share the space and coordinate hours around each other. Mayor Elliott stated he has found that his role demands that he spend more time at City Hall, and he does not have a private office at home. He added this is a necessary request. Councilmember Graves asked for clarification regarding Mayor Elliott's specific request. Mayor Elliott stated his request is that he would like to use the City Council office exclusively and the City Council can use the Palmer Lake Room. He added the City Council does not use the office, and he uses it regularly as a working office. He noted he reviews and signs documents, maintains files, and makes phone calls to residents who have phoned him. Councilmember Graves asked if Mayor Elliott stores information and files in the office. She added she can see the helpfulness of having a more organized system. She expressed concern that the City Council should be meeting with residents out in the community. She noted, however, she does not have a problem with the request. Councilmember Graves stated she would be interested in storing files in the City Council office if there is extra storage space and the City Council is amenable. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated Mayor Elliott stated that he uses the office to make phone calls to residents. She added the City Council approved the purchase of a cell phone for the Mayor. She asked why the Mayor needs a private office if he has a cell phone, purchased by the City. 09/09/19 -3- Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated no other previous Mayor had made this request. She added any community engagement should be done out in the community, supporting local restaurants, and meeting people where they are. She expressed her opposition to the request. Councilmember Ryan stated it would be unfortunate, given space limitations at City Hall, to take over a conference space. He added the number of people working in City Hall had increased dramatically. He noted the Mayor can still use the office space allocated to the Mayor and City Council, and the Councilmembers can have a schedule for sharing the office, rather than setting aside more space. Mayor Elliott asked whether a filing system could be added to the Palmer Lake Room. Mayor Elliott stated the consensus seems to designate the current office for the Mayor's use, but Councilmembers Ryan and Graves would use it. Councilmember Ryan stated the City Council voted on February 25, 2019, to designate an office at City Hall for City Council use. He added Mayor Elliott feels that he will use the office more than the rest of the City Council. He added he feels that this is fine, and if a City Councilmembers needs to share the space, they can contact Mayor Elliott and request a date and time. Mr. Boganey stated there seems to be a consensus that the City Council office at City Hall should be designated as the Mayor's Office with the understanding that other City Councilmembers may use it as requested. Mayor Elliott stated his original intent was for the City Council to use the Palmer Lake Room, without disrupting City Staff. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated files that stored in the Palmer Lake Room would not be secure. Councilmember Graves stated she would like to have a filing cabinet, and it could be locked. Mr. Boganey stated all the rooms and offices at City Hall have the same level of security. He added locks could be added to a filing cabinet in a conference room. Councilmember Ryan stated it is not necessary to store files in the Palmer Lake Room, as there is a City Council office where they can be stored. He added Mayor Elliott uses the office more than the other City Councilmembers. He noted there are other spaces where the City Staff can arrange meetings. He reiterated that additional space does not need to be dedicated, and the City Council office can be shared. Councilmember Butler stated if there is no burden to City Staff, and this is not a financial or budgetary issue. She added what has been done in the past is irrelevant. Mr. Boganey stated it would not be a burden to City Staff if a City Councilmember should occasionally schedule the Palmer Lake Room for use. He added it would be a concern if the 09/09/19 4- Palmer Lake Room were to be turned into an office. He noted the All-American Room might be a better fit as long as it remains a conference room. It was the majority Consensus of the City Council to designate the City Council Office as the Mayor's Office and use the Palmer Lake Conference Room to store files and for additional use by the City Council as needed. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott closed the Study Session at 6:42 p.m. 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: 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 September 9th, 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 September 23, 2019, Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk 09/09/19 -5- Mike Elliott, Mayor