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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 11-12 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 NOVEMBER 12, 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 8:25 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Mike Elliott and Councilmembers/Commissioners April Graves, Kris Lawrence -Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember/Commissioner Marquita Butler was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, and Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. OPPORTUNITY SITE UPDATE AND DISCUSSION Community Development Director Meg Beekman stated the purpose of this presentation is to provide updates on progress on the Opportunity Site, in particular, Phase 1 development including a timeline for completion and plans moving forward. She added a working advisory committee has been providing input on with community engagement efforts related to the Master Plan. She added that completion of the Master Plan, originally planned for the end of 2019, has been pushed out to allow for additional engagement and consideration of larger land use items, including technical studies. Ms. Beekman stated the City had been engaged in a Preliminary Development Agreement with the Opportunity Site Developer, Alatus, since April 2018. She added Alatus' work has focused on initiating Phase 1 development. She introduced the City's consultant team: Haila Maze, Bolton & Menk, who would provide a review of timeline and community engagement efforts; Andrew Dresdner, Cunningham Group Architecture, an Urban Designer working with Alatus on Phase 1 planning efforts; and Jason Aarsvold, Financial Consultant with Ehlers, Inc. Haila Maze, Bolton & Menk, stated the master planning process started in late spring 2019. She added the consultants are working with City Staff to ensure that the process and potential outcomes are consistent with the City's goal. She noted engagement work is being undertaken through a series of activities, including workshops, a podcast, meetings, and wrapping up the initial phase of engagement, and transitioning into the next phase of engagement. 11/12/19 -1- Ms. Maze stated there had been over 1,000 engagements with individuals that live in the community. She added the consultants tried to track the diversity of participants in a general way, and it was noted that those who participated may not be fully representative of the diverse cultural backgrounds of Brooklyn Center's residents; however, approximately 40%-50% of those who have provided input have been people of color. She noted themes that have resulted from community engagement are creating space for community; public spaces that are meaningful, welcoming, accessible, and affordable; building on the asset of cultural diversity; and counteraction of disinvestment, as well as addressing sustainability, gentrification, and displacement. Ms. Maze stated values and core principles that have been consistent throughout the planning process are: creating a vibrant destination, sustainability, bringing the community together, and embracing the City's growing diversity. She added, through the engagement process, the city has learned that there is a need for partnerships with local organizations which have relationships in the community with those the city needs to reach in order to get people involved. Ms. Maze stated the one strategy which is being implemented that came out of input fiom the Working Committee has become known as "Meeting in a Box" — a package of information that provides the materials people need to go out and engage groups within the community, and report back their findings. Early in discussions with the Working Committee, the city heard that it was important to reach people where they are at, in spaces they are comfortable, and to reduce barriers to participation as much as possible. The Meeting in a Box tool is intended to do this. She added technical studies are required to help the process along with equity assessment tools, a housing study, environmental and traffic analysis, and financial analysis. Ms. Maze stated that the engagement efforts have been separated into three phases for the purpose of defining the outcomes of each process. In the first phase, which is being wrapped up now, the engagement focused on identifying values and desires for the development, as well as community benefits. In the second phase of engagement, participants will be asked to consider the progress that has been made so far, aspects of the master plan that could impact the community, and in what ways, with the goal of identifying unintended consequences of the development. The third phase will pull it together with a focus on identifying measures to mitigate and prevent unintended condequences and how to implement them into the plan. She stressed the importance of ensuring the process does not go on forever, causing participants to lose interest. Mayor/President Elliott stated he agrees that measurable goals are necessary to measure outcomes. He added the question of what is to be measured comes out of the engagement process and applies to the project as a whole. He stressed the importance of showing that measurable goals have been achieved. Ms. Beekman stated she and Ms. Maze have been working on a matrix of engagement goals to ensure participation from diverse communities in Brooklyn Center, including youth, Hmong and 11/12/19 -2- Lao, West African, black and African American, and foreign -born communities. She added these and other groups are to be targeted for deeper engagement. Ms. Beekman stated it is difficult to have a random sampling of targeted groups, but the best way to achieve this is to have intentionality and recognition that there are areas in the community where better engagement is required. She stressed the importance of considering the best use of the City's resources. She added the "meeting in a box" concept is time and cost-effective and flees up staff time to spend in areas where there are barriers to engagement and allows for a more equitable distribution of resources. Mayor/President Elliott asked about the advisory committee, what role they play, and their contributions to the process. Ms. Beekman stated their input has been fairly significant in terms of breaking the plan into phases and providing feedback that has led to the notion of unintended impact on development, and larger issues of equity and gentrification. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether Spanish and other languages will be taken into account. Ms. Beekman stated the documents could be translated. She added City Staff intends to have a training session for facilitators, and interns can facilitate meetings as well. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan asked about the review of unintended consequences. Ms. Beekman stated the engagement will in part be around envisioning that the redevelopment were complete, and identifying ways that people might interact in the development with other people and places, and how it might impact their lives. She added the Working Committee discussed the topic of unintended consequences of the development and how historically there have been negative impacts of investment on underrepresented communities. Engaging these communities into the process can help prevent these negative impacts from happening. This approach to engagement is a result of these concerns from the Committee. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she agrees that it is important for policymakers to consider unintended consequences. She added she is curious about the questions that are included in the "meeting in a box" and excited about what the next phase of engagement will bring. She noted the process is more nuanced than when it started. Ms. Beekman stated the Working Committee recently recommended that an "Bquitabile Development Scorecard" be used to evaluate the master plan. She added that the Meeting in a Box tool will likely be revised to incorporate this process as well. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves asked how the results of the "meeting in a box" will be reported back. Ms. Beekman stated each meeting would have a facilitator whose job it is to collect input and information and report back to City Staff. Mayor/President Elliott stated he recently attended Every Hour Counts, focused on funding opportunities for after-school programs and other topics related to youth engagement. He added 11/12/19 -3- a concept discussed was "7 generation" thinking — considering what the impact of certain actions will be seven generations down the road. He noted the City Council/EDA's actions would have an impact on community members for years to come. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated it is important to be intentional about fairness and equity in planning phases while continuing to maintain objectivity. Leng Xiong, an audience member, stated he has interviewed many residents in Brooklyn Center and has documented cases of unintended consequences of racism. He added he had not heard any discussion about technology so far. Mayor/President Elliott suggested this could be an opportunity to use social media for outreach. City Manager Curt Boganey agreed, adding the comment is well -taken and something that should be explored. Alfreda Daniels, an audience member, stated she serves on the Working Committee. She added social media and technology can have unintended consequences and can be harmful if not used properly. She asked whether there will still be town hall meetings, or if all meetings will be "meeting in a box." She asked how many people engaged in Phase 1 were people of color. She stressed the importance of tracking that information, which was a goal of engagement. She asked how residents will be able to learn about when "meetings in a box" will be taking place. Ms. Maze stated additional community meetings are planned, separate from "meetings in a box." She added there is a self -identification form in "meeting in a box" that participants can complete, but some people may not feel comfortable doing that. She added, to meet goals of community engagement, it will be necessary for participants to self -identify in this next phase. Ms. Beekman stated people can still participate if they do not complete the self -identification form. She added goals of engagement are based on what people choose to share, and this will need to be reviewed if it turns out to be an impediment. Ms. Daniels asked why race data was not collected in Phase 1, and it can be considered complete if there are no accurate counts to show that measurable goals have been reached. Ms. Maze stated it is difficult to get that type of data during pop-up meetings, where people are not asked to sign in or provide information. She added the consensus has been to try and collect the data throughout upcoming phases. She noted it should be viewed as a transition point in the process, and the intent is to learn and move forward. Ms. Beekman stated there were no specific goals in Phase 1. She added during the engagement process; it became apparent that communities were missing from the process. 11/12/19 -4- Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated City Staff and the consultants had provided refinements to the engagement process. He added progress is being made by moving on to Phase 2 and anticipating a better result. Mayor/President Elliott asked about the Working Committee meetings and how they are being facilitated. Ms. Beekman stated she initially facilitated the meetings. She added a facilitator has now been brought in, which is useful as it allows City Staff to be participants and stakeholders. Mr. Boganey stated establishing the working committee was at the direction of City Council/EDA. He added it was decided that involving members of the community would be the best way to expand the capacity of City Staff and deepen the engagement process. He noted the purpose of the committee is to gather a group with connections into the community, helping expand the City's ability to engage and broaden the perspective. Ms. Beekman stated the working committee is considering the idea of providing recommendations on innovative strategies to engage the community on a broader level. Mayor/President Elliott stated he would like to have a discussion about the working committee and its understanding of the scope of its work. Andrew Dresdner, Cunningham Group Architecture, stated the consultants are working with the developer and City Staff on a plan that is ambitious and achievable. It has been discussed that Centennial Park could be used to leverage nearby access to greenspace and trails, and the site can provide significant opportunity for water quality improvements and stormwater storage. The design of the site will encourage residents to spend more time outside, with increased walkability, and will create types of housing for the community that currently do not exist. Mr. Dresdner stated Phase 1 has evolved throughout the process, with 200-250 units of market - rate housing, movie theatre, entrepreneurial marketplace, restaurants, and 100 units of affordable housing. He added there are two potential locations for the initial development — south quadrant or future Main Street, along John Martin Drive. Mayor/President Elliott asked how many housing units are planned for Phase 1. Mr. Dresdner stated 200-250 units of market -rate are planned, with some amenities on-site, including ground - floor retail or commercial spaces and underground parking. He added it could be 4 or 6 stories high, but that is still being reviewed. Mr. Dresdner stated the affordable housing project component would lag a little behind due to the funding timelines, but it is included in Phase 1, so it will happen as quickly as possible. He added market rate and affordable housing would probably be on their own blocks. Mayor/President Elliott asked what role Alatus will play in the development. Mr. Dresdner stated they are coordinating all of it, and working on the affordable housing component, which would follow the market rate component, hopefully in 2021. 11/12/19 -5- Ms. Daniels asked why the types of housing have to be separate and how affordable housing is defined. She added the apartments should be inclusionary, with different types of housing in the same building. Mr. Aarsvold stated that it is absolutely a possibility, but it is more challenging from a financial standpoint. He added the City would be subsidizing affordability, which dictates how much you have to provide. He noted 90% of affordable housing is funded with low-income housing tax credits, which are funded through the Federal Internal Revenue Service, and market -rate units cannot be included because there are no tax credits available for them. Ms. Daniels requested that the City review the possibility of inclusionary housing. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated the development is in a TIF district. She added it is important to consider how different structures within the development will be regarded and treated, and how resources are used. Mr. Aarsvold stated the consultants recommend moving forward with the catalyst site since the Opportunity Site has over 80 acres and could take 15-20 years to develop. He added the plan is ultimately a framework for a complex process, and the City Council/EDA's commitment to continued engagement is crucial. Mr. Boganey stressed the importance of initiating the next phase to build momentum toward accomplishing community goals. He added development on either of the two areas identified for Phase 1 would be less than 10 acres, and 90% of the site will still be developable. Mr. Aarsvold requested the City Council/EDA's feedback in the presentations, and whether the consultants are on the right track. Mayor/President Elliott stressed his support for creating accessible spaces and quality affordable housing that the community so desperately needs. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he supports moving forward with the redevelopment project and leverage the advantages of Phase 1. He added the community needs a diversity of incomes to build financial sustainability for future residents. He noted it had been mentioned that it is a challenge to create subsidies to build affordable housing. Mayor/President Elliott stated he believes the City of Brooklyn Center needs this project, but a diversity of housing is necessary. He added the recommendation from the consultant does not include housing that would be accessible and affordable to the community. 11/12/19 -6- Ms. Beekman stated the proposal for Phase 1 does include a partnership with a non-profit for an affordable housing component. She noted the financing portion of affordability projects is time- consuming and complicated, and the redevelopment might occur in stages. Leng Xiong, an audience member, asked about the consultant team's qualifications. He asked who designed the Opportunity Site, and what role the Metropolitan Council has played. He stated residents should design the site plan and vote on a winner. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated the Metropolitan Council recently approved the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is a guide for development over the next 10-20 years. He added the City Council/EDA is in work session, discussing whether to support the direction of the redevelopment project. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stressed the importance of addressing potentially negative outcomes. She added she is excited about the entrepreneurial space, the kiosks, food trucks, storefronts, and all the variety that will be available, as long as there is an affordable housing component. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan concurred with Councilmember/Commissioner Graves. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated this would be 10% of the larger site, and appropriate placement will make a big difference in building momentum. She added she feels that Main Street would be a good location, with the entrepreneurial market/festival vibe to pull people in and lift them. She noted it does not touch everything, but it is a start toward what the community needs: special places to gather, economic stability of residents, new businesses, and housing for two different income levels. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated this is not an unreasonable place to start in terms of goals, as long as it meets the City's needs, and not because of timing. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he supports moving forward, as it opens up many opportunities for success, and he is pleased to see that community engagement efforts will be ongoing. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated the City has been working on this potential development for many years. She added she trusts the knowledge of experts who know the market. She noted most of the City's apartment stock is affordable, and the purpose of this development is to create an exciting new concept, with an entrepreneurial element and affordable housing, that will be a catalyst to help support Shingle Creels Crossing. She expressed her support for the plan. Ms. Beekman asked whether Mayor/President Elliott is supportive of moving forward. Mayor/President Elliott confirmed this, adding the affordable housing component was not 11/12/19 -7- included in the consultant's presentation. But he is supportive as long as affordability is part of the development. He added everyone wants an exciting project. He noted he supports the movie theatre and restaurants. He stressed the importance of ensuring that Brooklyn Center's residents are not on the outside, looking in. Ms. Beekman stated Ehlers Associates would provide consulting services with any submission of a land use application and public subsidy application to help move the project forward. She added that they can run the numbers to determine the impact of including affordable housing within the market rate building as opposed to as a stand-alone development. She added she agrees that Main Street is the right location, as the proposed components will benefit from synergy there; however, acknowledged that it is a more complicated location due to the need to additional land acquisition. Ms. Beekman stated the goal of the entrepreneurial market component would be to fund it in a way that would create a perpetually affordable commercial space. She added inclusionary housing has a cost, but ultimately the City Council/EDA can make a policy decision about that at the time the application is before them. She noted Ehlers could run the numbers and bring the project back to the City Council/EDA for review. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Graves moved, and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 11:06 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 11/12/19 -8- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Cleric of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 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 November 12, 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 December 9, 2019, Regular Session. r ` 1 (Alr Barbara Suciu, City Clerk 11/12/19 -9-