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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 02-10 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 FEBRUARY 10, 2020 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Mike Elliott at 8:14 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, Director of Public Works Doran Cote, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Public Works Director Doran Cote gave a report on the City's environmental sustainability efforts, which is, by definition, the maintenance of practices that balance a growing economy, protection of the environment, and social responsibility. He added some of the City's practices are mandated, some save money, and some are the right thing to do. Mr. Cote reviewed the City's environmental sustainability practices including water quality initiatives, many of which are mandatory; recycling in the City's parks; a water conservation program; preservation of energy and natural resources; and water plant efficiency. He added Brooklyn Center is a Level 2 Green Step City, and street analyses are undertaken as part of every development project. He noted the City Council/EDA passed a bee and chicken ordinance, and Earle Brown bowl undertakes their own conservation and sustainability efforts. Mr. Cote stated the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan has sustainability built into many of its areas of focus. He added the City conducts energy conservation audits in homes. Mr. Cote stated City Staff is requesting the City Council/EDA's feedback and comment on sustainability efforts they would like to support in an ongoing manner. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated there might be ways to use CDBG funding, which was discussed earlier. She added, for example, Shingle Creek Crossing should be an amenity for a City, and an environmental effort to clean up some of the areas would help restore its value and appreciate the amenity that it should be. 02/10/20 -1- Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she recently received information about a grant program through the Children and Nature Network, whose mission is to help City leadership use natural resources across a broad range of issues including health and wellness to support better outcomes for youth and families. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated the City Council/EDA had talked about eliminating the use of plastic bags. She added the City Council/EDA should consider how to leverage and honor natural environments within the City and be intentional about connecting people to open spaces. Commmissioner Butler stated, in her home, they no longer use single -use plastics, and she brings her own bags when she goes to the store. She added it would be an easy initiative to show that City Hall is straw and plastics free. She noted she would like to have consideration of eliminating plastic straws and plastic bags City-wide. Mayor/President Elliott stated the purchase of Styrofoam cups could also be eliminated. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan thanked Councilmember/Commissioner Butler for taking the initiative to bring this issue forward. He added it sends a good message to the community, that minor behavior changes can have great benefits. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he would like to see a study that would address hydrology issues in Shingle Creels, where stagnation is occurring when water levels on the Mississippi River are high. He added he is unsure whether it is within the City's means to address Shingle Creels, but he would be interested to find out more about this issue. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated there are many environmental goals that may appeal to City Councilmembers/Commissioners and residents. He added the City Council/EDA can serve the City's residents by recognizing those environmental initiatives that are best addressed at the State, Federal and international levels. He noted he is proud of the environmentally Friendly and cost-effective decisions that have been made during his years of service for the City of Brooklyn Center, Councilmember/Corrunissioner Graves stated the 80-900A of donated clothing ends up being burned rather than recycled or re -used. She added many clothes are not made of sustainable fabric types. She noted awareness could be raised by hosting clothing swaps and creating a campaign of awareness for Brooklyn Center's residents. Mayor/President Elliott requested that staff prepare a Resolution approving the elimination of the purchase of one-time plastic, Styrofoam cups and straws for use at City Hall. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated the City Council/EDA had talked about initiating clean-up efforts around the City. Mr. Boganey stated that will be addressed under a separate discussion, to be reviewed by the City Council/EDA at an upcoming meeting. 02/10/20 -2- Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she visited Indianapolis recently and saw trash cans in the downtown area with signs that say "Pitch In", and indicating a trash -collecting competition. She added she was unable to find additional information. She noted perhaps City Staff could look into Indianapolis' City trash -collecting initiatives. Mayor/President Elliott agreed, adding this brings in a social component, as it encourages residents to become a part of the effort. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated the City of Brooklyn Center recently increased the number of trash and recycling bins. She added the Park & Recreation Commission was steering that initiative. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated there is an area of the Community Center, near the sauna, where there is only a single trash can, and people often throw their water bottles away. She requested that a recycling bin be put outside the sauna. Mr. Boganey agreed to get that done. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will prepare a summary report of what has been discussed as well as Resolution. TRUNK HIGHWAY 252/I-94 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW —PROJECT UPDATE 2 Mr. Boganey stated this agenda item is a follow-up to a recent work session on this issue.. He added, at the end of that meeting, Councilmember/Commissioner Butler asked whether the City Council/EDA should have a consensus in advance of the February 21, 2020 meeting of the Policy Advisory Committee. He noted the most critical issue at this point is providing a consensus regarding the City Council/EDA's commitment to the conversion of Highway 252 into a freeway. Mr. Boganey stated, at this time, the placement of the intersection is not the most critical issue related to funding requests. Hea e e has heard the City Council/EDA express the conviction that the Highway 252 needs to be converted to a freeway for safety reasons. He added, if that is the consensus of the City Council/EDA, City Staff will encourage their State legislators to continue with the request for $50 million in funding, which will be required regardless of where the exchange ends up being placed. Mr. Boganey stated there will be time over the next several weeks to gather information. He added there is sufficient dine to deal with those types of issues, as long as the critical deadline is net. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether there is a deadline to spend the money that has been secured so far. Mr. Cote stated there not is a specific deadline, but an extension in funding has . been requested that would tie the project in with another project, and it was approved. 02/10/20 -3- Mayor/President Elliott asked whether funding requirements would allow money to be spent anywhere within the project. Mr. Cote stated a scope change would be required, through the Metropolitan Council, but there is no guarantee that it will be granted. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated a vote of consensus by the City Council/EDA either in support of or against conversion to a freeway is the only thing that is required. Mr. Elliott asked what happens to the funding if the 66th Avenue exchange were not to be part of the project. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated there has already been extensive plamling on this issue, and additional information can be gathered when the environmental review is completed. He expressed concern that if there is a delay in supporting the conversion to a freeway, legislators may not support the bonding bill. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether the $50 million commits the City Council/EDA to the current proposal. Mr. Boganey stated the request for $50 million does not commit the City of Brooklyn Center to the current proposal, to the best of his knowledge. Councilmember/Commissioner Elliott asked whether a consensus by the City Council/EDA would convey support for the current proposal. Mr. Boganey stated he believes the answer is no, although the important and critical issue is to ensure that regardless of the City Council/EDA's views on the best and right location for the interchange, the City is committed to malting a decision and moving forward. He noted state legislators that he has spoken with, including Mike Opat, have made it clear that they are hesitant to ask the governor for funding if the City of Brooklyn Center is not prepared to move forward with a freeway conversion. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she supports the conversion to a freeway. She added it fits the City's legislative priorities and it is not safe or sustainable the way it is. She stressed the importance of maintaining momentum, and moving this issue forward, and wonting out specifics later. She noted the City's partners need to know the City Council/EDA is committed to the project. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she agrees the highway is not safe right now, and the best option needs to be found moving forward. She added she does not have enough information to support any of the plans at this point. She noted the City Council/EDA agrees that it should be a freeway. Mayor/President Elliott stated the City Council/EDA appears to have reached Consensus to change Highway 252 from a highway to a freeway, but not committing to any of the proposed plans. 02/10/20 -4- Councilmember/Commmissioner Graves stated it goes without saying that the City Council/EDA is not malting a commitment to any plan. She added there are still additional phases of the process, including environmental review and public comment period. Councilmember/Commmissioner Butler stated the City Council/EDA is getting pressure from its partners to support the current plan. She added it was inappropriate of the Mayor/President of Brooklyn Park to indicate that the City Council/EDA is not engaging its citizens properly. She noted she will not make a decision in support of anything until she has all the information. Mayor/President Elliott expressed concern that the $50 million funding request assumes that the City Council/EDA approves the current proposal. He added the funding is associated with the current proposal. Councilmember/Commmissioner Graves stated coming to a consensus to move forward on this issue on this issue is not the same as a vote on the final plan. Ryan stated he is in favor of stating that the City Council/EDA is committed to converting the dangerous, unsustainable, unacceptable expressway into a freeway. He added the bonding bill timing is pressing, as the State of Minnesota has a $6 million funding gap for asset preservation over the next 10 years. He added if the City Council/EDA delays or makes poor choices and the funding becomes unavailable, Highway 252 will remain in its current state. The majority Consensus of the City Council/EDA/EDA was to change Highway 252 from a highway to a freeway, but the City Council/EDA is not committed to any of the proposed plans. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Graves seconded adjournment of the City Council/EDA/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 8:50 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 02/10/20 -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 %J 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 February 10, 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 24, 2020 Regular Session. Elliott, Mayor 02/10/20 -6-