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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 01-27 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 JANUARY 27, 2020 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 April Graves and Dan Ryan. Councilmembers Marquita Butler and Kris Lawrence -Anderson were absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, Director of Public Works Doran Cote, City Cleric Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Elliott requested clarification regarding the City's underpayment ratio of 109.1% in the Equity Compliance Report. City Manager Curt Boganey stated cities are required by State statute to comply with pay equity requirements, that the difference between male and female -dominated employment positions cannot be less than 80%. He added the City is currently at 101% and well above the minimum. Mayor Elliott referred to Consent Agenda Item H related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Brooklyn Center and Mound Cemetery. He added Exhibit A relates to the proposed park layout. He noted it was discussed at a previous City Council meeting that the MOU would not prescribe a specific plan for the park. City Attorney Troy Gilchrist stated the parties discussed the MOU several times and agreed that Mound Cemetery would not have control over or be involved in the planning of the park. Mayor Elliott stated the MOU refers to the hiring of a consultant to work on the park plan. He added the City Council has discussed ensuring that the contractor hiring policy includes local businesses as well as minority and women -run businesses. He requested that the City Council direct City Staff to hire a WBE/DBE busness for this work. Mr. Boganey requested clarification regarding which section of the MOU states that a consultant was to be hired. Mayor Elliott said it is in the second paragraph of the resolution. 01/27/20 -1- City Engineer Doran Cote stated that it is a typo, which should say that the City has hired a consultant. He apologized for the error. MISCELLANEOUS 2020 LEGISLATIVE POLICIES Mr. Boganey stated City Staff is requesting City Council direction regarding 2020 legislative priorities. He added a list of 2019 priorities is included in the meeting packet, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is recommended for removal, but other than that, City Staff does not have any additional recommendations. He noted this issue could be reviewed at the next City Council meeting to provide time to consider other priorities. Mayor Elliott suggested the League of Minnesota Cities' language regarding resources for affordable housing should be adopted. He requested that the word "League" be replaced with "City," in the Housing and Development section, and bolded. Mayor Elliott stated he supports Priority #4, funding for cultural centers, and community building assets. He added he considers Priority #3, DED, a success, and a pathway to being a participant in that process. He suggested language related to Priority #3 to the effect that the City of Brooklyn Center supports the efforts of federal legislators in enacting the DED, as well as local organizations seeking to provide support and assistance for individuals who are affected by these laws. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding City Staff will provide this information to State and Federal legislators, asking them to be supportive of local organizations. Mayor Elliott asked whether a draft of this document can be provided for presentation at the legislative breakfast. Mr. Boganey agreed to include updates that have been proposed. He added there had not been a vote of the City Council. He noted official action could be taken at the next City Council meeting. Councilmember Ryan stated he is considering attending the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Washington D.C. and could present this priority list. Councilmember Ryan stated the City Council received notification regarding the Local Board of Appeals training. He added he will be taking the training and encouraged other Councilmembers to pursue that as well. Councilmember Ryan expressed his appreciation to Mr. Boganey, City Staff, and Mr. Gilchrist for responding to requests for information about Work Session items. 01 /27/20 -2- DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS CONCEPT REVIEW FROM J O COMPANIES, LLC FOR THE EDA-OWNED PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 61ST AVENUE NORTH AND BROOKLYN BOULEVARD Community Development Director Meg Beekman gave a presentation of a concept review for development at 61" Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard, just south of the Sanctuary development. She added the developer and team were present to provide additional information. Ms. Beekman stated the subject property is four EDA-owned parcels, acquired under the City's policy of land acquisition along Brooklyn Boulevard with the intention of conversion to higher density uses. She added the properties are located within TIF District 6, which is a housing district set up for the Sanctuary development. She requested City Council consideration and review of the concept plan, which will be a non -binding review process. Ms. Beekman stated another development plan for a I I0-unit market -rate apartment development on this site was planned, and TIF funding was sought to meet affordability requirements. She added the development was unsubsidized, and a funding gap caused complications for the developer. Ms. Beekman stated the current proposal is a 4-story multi -family development with 83-88 units in a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. She added 53% of the units would be 3-bedroom units, for which there is a need, and both underground and surface parking is proposed. She noted the developer, J O Developer, is proposing to leverage federal and state funding to assist in subsidy, which would allow for 100% affordability of units for a longer period of time. Ms. Beekman presented renderings of the concept plan and proposed site. She stated the financial details have been provided by the developer but have not been reviewed or confirmed by the City. She added the project cost is approximately $22.5 million, with a $4.5 million funding gap to be filled with a combination of TIF financing and grants from Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council. She noted the developer is seeking funding through Hennepin County's Home Grant fund. Ms. Beekman stated the developer is looking for the City Council's guidance, so a decision can be made about how to proceed. She added the EDA-owned property would be sold to the developer and a preliminary development agreement approved, giving the developer rights to the site. She noted a planning application with preliminary and final plat would be approved under a building plan review, and the final step would be a formal review of the planning application and public subsidy request by the City Council and EDA. 01/27/20 -3- Ms. Beekman requested the City Council's input and comments are asked regarding the development plan for the site. She added the developer hopes to move forward with the preliminary development agreement. Councilmember Ryan stated the previous proposal was for 110 units, so there are a fewer number of units in this proposal. He added this is feasible due to the possible federal tax credits and public subsidy. Discussion of this item continued and more extended at the January 27, 2020, Work Session. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliot closed the Study Session at 6:45 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: 1. 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 January 27, 2020. 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 February 10, 2020, Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk ,r Mike Elliott, Mayor 01 /27/20 -4-