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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 07-13 CCM Regular SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JULY 13, 2020 1. INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER INFORMAL OPEN FORUM The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Informal Open Forum called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6:45 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence - Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Cleric Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. Mayor Mike Elliott opened the meeting for the purpose of Informal Open Forum. Mayor Elliott stated anyone who wishes to speak during the Open Forum but has been muted can send a message in the meeting chat forum or send an email to the City Clerk at cit cY lerkgci.brooklyn-center.mn.us. No one wished to address the City Council. Mayor Elliott recessed the meeting until 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION Councilmember Graves played a recording of Frederick Douglass' July 5, 1852 speech: "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" She added the speech, written a long time ago, is still relevant today. "Fellow -citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to -day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us? I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings 07/13/20 -1- in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is a constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity, your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fionted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes that would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour. At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would, to -day, pour forth a stream, a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened$ the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and the crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced." 3. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Regular Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 7:00 p.m. 4. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence - Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 07/13/20 -2- 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Butler moved and Councilmember Graves seconded to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda, as amended, and the following consent items were approved. 6a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 8, 2020 — Regular Meeting — Considered as Agenda Item 1 Ob 2. June 17, 2020 - Work Session 3. June 22, 2020 - Study Session 4. June 22, 2020 - Regular Meeting 6b. LICENSES Amusement Devices License Mendota Valley Amusements Inc )BA American Legion BC Mendota Valley Amusements Inc )BA MTCO Garbage Hauler License Randy's Sanitation Mechanical Licenses Air Express Inc All Weather Heating &Cooling LLC Boys Electric LLC Clemco's Perfect Comfort LLC Dependable Heating and Cooling Heating &Cooling Two Inc Innovative Mechanical LLC M & D Plumbing &Heati ng M arsh Heating & A/C Metro Heating and Cooling 6110 Brooklyn Blvd Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 6845 Shingle Creek Pkwy Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 PO Box 169 Delano, 55328 PO Box 490400 Blaine, 55449 10216 5th Ave S Bloomington, 55420 0 Villaume Ave 49 South St Paul, 55075 13666 Alabama Ave S Savage, 55378 2619 Coon Rapids Blvd, Ste 101 Coon Rapids, 55433 18550 County Rd 81 Maple Grove, 55369 5664 172nd LN NW Ramsey, 55303 11050 26th St NE St Michael, 55376 6248 Lakeland Ave n Brooklyn Park, 55428 1220 Cope Ave E Maplewood 55109 07/13/20 -3- Northland Mechanical Contr PB Services LLC Pierce Refrigeration Ridler Heating &Cooling Inc Twin City Heating and Air )BA WJW Co Si�nhan�er's Licenses Mathey Sign Resolution Graphics, Inc 9001 Science Center Dr New Hope, 55428 9410 Bataan St NE Blaine, 55449 1920 2nd Ave S Anoka, 55303 3110 Washington Ave N Minneapolis 55411 10600 University Ave NW Coon Rapids, 55448 831 Coon Rapids Blvd Ext NW Coon Rapids, 55445 3770 Dunlap St N Arden Hills, 55112 RENTAL INITIAL (TYPE IV— one year license) 2606 64th Ave N Abdirashid Jama Arab INITIAL (TYPE III —one year license) 3512 Woodbine Lane HPA Borrower 2018-1 MS LLC INITIAL (TYPE II — two year license) 6336 Fremont Ave N Alexander Lang 5611 Knox Ave N Herman Ross / Pro Operum Sub XI RENEWAL ('TYPE IV —one year license) 6107 Emerson Ave N Lydia Yeboah -met requirements 6015 Aldrich Ave N My Truong - met requirements 5415 Emerson Ave N MNSF II LLC - met requirements RENEWAL (TYPE III —one year license) 6029 Bryant Ave N Stephen Yeboah -missing CFH 6212 Kyle Ave N Kristine Rousseau RENEWAL (TYPE II —two year license) 2701 Ohenry Rd Sheirnan Kho 6706 Toledo Ave N Stephen Burson RENEWAL (TYPE I —three year license) 6001 Admiral Pl IH3 Property -met requirements 07/13/20 -4- 6c. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-058 APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION 6d. RESOLUTION NO, 2020-XX SUPPORTING FEDERAL LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING JUNE 19TH, KNOWN AS JUNETEENTH, AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY — Considered as Agenda Item 10a Motion passed unanimously. 7. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/DONATIONS -None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS -None. 9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS 9a. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-059 REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION NO. 2020-003 SUBMITTED BY JANE SHARKEY OF HELENA AUTISM THERAPY CENTER, INC. REQUESTING A SITE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR CERTAIN PARKING LOT AND DRIVEWAY IMPROVEMENTS (5637 BROOKLYN BOULEVARD) Development Director Meg Beekman reviewed the request from applicant Jane Sharkey for a site plan amendment for Helena Autism Therapy Center for a site plan amendment. She added Ms. Sharkey had joined the meeting this evening. She noted the request is for an amendment to the site plan. Ms. Beelcrnan stated the Autism Center serves clients between 2-7 years of age who have a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She added the children spend 20 hours a week in a typical academic setting as well as speech and occupational therapy. She noted there are 20 children in the morning session and 20 children in the afternoon session and has 32 on -site employees as well as 10 additional staff. Ms. Beekman stated the applicant indicated, in her original application, that they wanted to alter the parlcing area to create adrop-off area to increase safety and efficiency for students and their families. She added the applicant is requesting that a second driveway be installed to allow vehicles to drive through the site. She noted the parking area would be restriped and the second driveway added later in the summer. Ms. Beekman stated the proposed site plan would allow for vehicles to enter as usual but exit from a new driveway on the west side of the site. She added City Staff have worked with the applicant on these improvements to increase efficiency, preserve ADA accessible parking stalls, 07/13/20 -5- create new signage and decrease the width of the exit point, to ensure that local traffic does not use it as a cut -through. Ms. Beekman stated the Assistant City Engineer's memo recommends that the applicant complete and submit a striping plan prior to doing the re -striping, and that the necessary permits are obtained by the applicant. She added notification was sent to nearby property owners, recognizing the impacts to the neighborhood, although a public hearing is not required. She noted no comments were received. Ms. Beekman stated this application was discussed by the Planning Commission at their June 11, 2020 meeting, at which additional signage was recommended to ensure that the parking lot does not become a cut through for local traffic. She added one Commissioner lives in this ei nghborhood and indicated that the amount of traffic has decreased from the previous use, and there have been no additional traffic concerns. She noted the Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval of the application. Ms. Beekman stated City Staff recommends approval of the site plan amendment for certain parking lot and driveway improvements at 5637 Brooklyn Boulevard, based on the findings of Fact and submitted documentation, as amended by the conditions of approval in the Resolution. Ms. Beekman stated the applicant, Jane Sharkey, has joined meeting to answer questions and comments. Mayor Elliott asked whether there were any concerns expressed by the Planning Commission. Ms. Beelurran stated the Planning Commission expressed their appreciation for City Staff s recommendations that the driveway width be reduced, and signage be added to make it clear that it is a one way exit only. She added they expressed concern about nearby residents using the parking lot as a cut -through to Brooklyn Boulevard, Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2020-XX to approve Planning Commission Application No. 2020-003 For a Site Plan Amendment to Address Certain Parking Lot and Driveway Improvements at 5637 Brooklyn Boulevard, based on the findings of fact and submitted documentation, as amended by the Conditions of Approval in the Resolution. Motion passed unanimously. 10. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS 10a. CONSIDERATION OF JUNETEENTH RESOLUTION Mayor Elliott read a Resolution in full supporting federal legislation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth, a national holiday. Councilmember Ryan stated he believes the Resolution speaks for itself. He added, given that he proposed this Resolution, he would like to make a motion to approve the Resolution. 07/13/20 -6- Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson seconded to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2020-060 supporting federal legislation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth, a national holiday. Discussion durin6 the motion: Mr. Boganey recommended that the Resolution be amended as follows: -Lines 3,8, 10, and 11 -replace "slaves" with "enslaved individuals". Mr. Boganey stated it is important to note that there is a difference. Mayor Elliott stated he accepts the language amendment. He added the Resolution should reflect that the date on which slavery legally came to an end in the United States was January 1, 1863. He noted he would suggest that City Staff make the recommended changes and bring the Resolution back to the next City Council meeting for consideration and approval. Councilmember Ryan stated he appreciates Mayor Elliott's clarification. He added the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 did not apply to a few border states that were not in rebellion. He noted slavery was not abolished until the 15th Amendment was passed. He noted this point may not be necessary in terms of the importance of Juneteenth, but rather for the acknowledgement of historical verities. He agreed it is a good idea to make the requested changes and review the amended Resolution at the City Council's next meeting. There was no vote on the motion. Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Butler seconded to table RESOLUTION NO. 2020-060 supporting federal legislation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth, a national holiday, and to instruct City Staff to make the requested amendments and bring back to the City Council for review and adoption at their July 27, 2020 meeting. Motion passed unanimously. lOb. DUNE 8, 2020 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Mayor Elliott stated he wanted to make a remark about the June 8, 2020, minutes. He added, at the June 8, 2020, meeting, his dear brother Councilmember Ryan made a statement which he took issue with. He noted the City Council subsequently requested that a transcript version of that particular discussion be completed. Mayor Elliott stated he is pleased to say that the minutes do accurately reflect the meeting. He added the statement that he and Councilmember Butler took issue with was that Councilmember Ryan's statement that the City is struggling with the fact that diversity has brought lower income. He noted it is important to take account of Councilmember Ryan's statement. Mayor Elliott referred to a book by nationally recognized historian and scholar Ibram Kendi, "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America". He added 07/13/20 -7- racist ideas have a long and lingering history, in which nearly every great American thinker is complacent. He noted this is a book that is deeply researched, and which chronicles the entire history of anti -black, racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of America's history. Mayor Elliott stated Kendi's book asserts that racist ideas do not arise fiom ignorance or hatred, but they are created to justify and rationalize deeply entrenched discriminatory policies and the nation's racial inequalities. He noted Mr. Kendi provides hope and a process, and tools for how to expose racist thinking and move forward. Mayor Elliott stated, as Councilmember Butler correctly pointed out, it was wrong for Councilmember Ryan to collectively equate people of diverse backgrounds to poverty. He added the narrative that is created about people of color, as Councilmember Ryan did, has long plagued the nation. He noted these phrases and ideas have penetrated and continue to cause harm and lead to policies which further marginalize people of color. He noted this undermines the ability to govern in a way that serves all people equally, fairly and justly. He expressed the importance of working toward making Brooklyn Center the best place in Minnesota. Mayor Elliott stated Councilmember Ryan offered a Resolution tonight for adoption by the City Council that will express support for making Juneteenth a national holiday, which he supports. He added these types of gestures cannot be offered while racist ideas are perpetuated that lump diversity with poverty. He noted the City Council is working to create a model of inclusion for all who call Brooklyn Center home. He noted the City Council is united even in its divisions, but ideas that perpetuate racism cannot stand. Mayor Elliott stressed the importance of moving forward to deconstruct narratives that have served to undermine people in our society for so long. He added we are all learning and growing, and this is an opportunity to learn and grow. Mayor Elliott moved to approve the June 8, 2020, minutes as amended. Councilmember Ryan stated he understands Mayor Elliott's commentary on the minutes and has a brief rejoinder. Mayor Elliott called for a second before further discussion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Butler. Discussion during the motion: Councilmember Ryan stated he is disturbed that someone would even suggest that he would entertain such notions. He added the City Council is charged with being problem solvers, and problems cannot be solved if they go unstated. He noted he was speaking in terms of statistical generalities, and he also pointed out that The Lux, the City's only luxury apartment building, has a very diverse population. Councilmember Ryan stated he introduced Resolution No. 2016477, a copy of which has been distributed to the City Council. He read an excerpt from this Resolution, which expresses the 07/13/20 -8- City of Brooklyn Center's commitment to "work collaboratively to promote greater economic stability, the elimination of economic racial disparities, and a mutually prosperous community for all Brooklyn Center residents, businesses and entrepreneurs; and Whereas the City of Brooklyn Center is one of the most diverse cities in the Twin Cities' metropolitan region; and Whereas the City of Brooklyn Center has far too many of its residents earning an income significantly below the median income for Hennepin County according to the US. Census Bureau, and whereas the City of Brooklyn Center has identified and acknowledged that significant racial disparities exist among its residents and the local economy, that can and must be improved". Councilmember Ryan stated it was in the spirit of that Resolution that he highlighted this issue. He added it should be the City Council's ongoing mission to address greater economic stability and do everything within our means to redress it. He noted he brought this issue up during a discussion about how to address development issues at the Opportunity Site, Councilmember Ryan stated he does not feel that he is entertaining the type of ideas that Mayor Elliott is referring to. He expressed his commitment to making all of the community's brothers and sisters equal, not just in formal rights, but also in economic opportunity. He added his only regret is that his comments might have been misinterpreted without malice by his colleagues, and for that he recognizes that he was perhaps not clear enough in making his statements. He noted he appreciates the opportunity for this discussion. Councilmember Graves stated she appreciates that the space for this dialogue has been created. She added white supremist culture and racism is something under which we are all socialized and indoctrinated, and often shows up as small micro -aggressions. She noted this is why it is a good idea to look back at the Juneteenth resolution and ensure its accuracy. Councilmember Graves stated, since she has served on the City Council with Councilmember Ryan, she has personally seen him grow in his ability to both name and support racial equity. She added some of his comments were somewhat badly stated, and could be a trigger for people, and could cause harm. She noted she believes it was a mistake in language and not a mistake in his intention to express a very real issue related to economic disparities between different racial groups. Council Graves stated it was also important for the Mayor to call it out and indicate that harm is being done, so Councilmember Ryan can continue to do the work, as all of the Councilmembers are doing, to combat racism, racial inequality and disparities. She added this applies not just with City policies and how they affect the community, but with how the City Council interacts and communicates with each other. Councilmember Graves commended both Councilmember Ryan and Mayor Elliott for creating this space, and encourage everyone to make reparative actions, acknowledging when harm is caused, and pointing it out in love and in an effort to express true feelings. She expressed her gratitude for being a part of this body and seeing the work that is happening in the moment, which makes us better leaders. 07/13/20 -9- Councilmember Butler stated Councilmember Graves stated it very well, as she always does. She added what has been said today represents why there is a problem. She added, when she spoke up, the murder of George Floyd and related trauma had just happened. She noted she recommended looking into a book about white fragility, addressing discomfort and defensiveness on the part of a white person when confronted by information about racial inequality and injustice. Councilmember Butler stated she agrees that she has seen Councilmember Ryan enact policy that impacts people of color positively. She added instead of being defensive when called out about harm that has been caused, it should be taken as an opportunity to listen. She noted she has never been as upset as she was at that meeting, so clearly what was said was offensive and trauma -inflicting. She expressed her hope that in the future it would be taken as feedback for the City Council to work together. Councilmember Butler stated another incident happened, not during a City Council meeting, that was put on a public place by one of our Councilmembers, that was very offensive and belittling to the people who are fighting for injustice. She added we all need to take ,a better look at how we are expressing ourselves because we are considered leaders in this community. She noted the community is made up of a majority of people of color and immigrants, and when we put things out there, we need to ensure that they align with our values and how we want to move forward as a community. Mayor Elliott stated the City Council will continue to work together to improve and grow. He added this is an opportunity to recognize that this discussion is not only timely but necessary. He noted the City Council can review some of the books that are nationally recognized on this topic and should set a time and process to do some of that work. Mayor Elliott stated he has been contacted by community members who have experience with this type of work who are interested in working with the City Council and the community. He added the City Council should set a time to have this kind of discussion in a constructive way and move forward. Councilmember Ryan stated he appreciates the comments of Councilmembers Butler and Graves and Mayor Elliott. He added bad ideas are insidious, and people of good will can give off signals that they are unaware of, victimizing or offending others when they do not wish to do so by using certain phrases, in a certain context. He noted that was not his intention. Councilmember Ryan stated the City Council should be problem solvers, acknowledging problems and working on solutions with policy makers. He added he appreciates everyone's comments and the opportunity to have this discussion. He noted he appreciates the way Mayor Elliott conducted the conversation. Mr. Boganey stated Mayor Elliott had recommended Mr. Kendi's book. He added another book, "How to be an Anti -Racist", is being offered to the community through North Hennepin Community College, to be discussed in a community dialogue. He noted the City Council could get copies of that book and participate in the community dialogue. 07/13/20 -10- It was the majority Consensus of the City Council to instruct City Staff to obtain copies of "Hotiv to be an Anti -Racist" for the City Council. Mayor Elliott stated the book "Stamped fi°om the Beginning" is another good book. Hea e e City Council can share suggestions for other books. He noted the City has a great opportunity, as there is no other City of its size in Minnesota that is in the position to set the course for how a diverse Minnesota can look, how the City can grow and develop, and help every community member to grow and thrive and have the kind of lifestyle and environment that can improve health, life outcomes for themselves and families. Mayor Elliott stated he will be having a conversation with Dr. Etta Watts this week, and he will update the City Council on that discussion. Mayor Elliott stated Dr. Brittany Lewis, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, has done work, looking at structural racism within an organization. He added she has worked with the City of Brooklyn Park, and he has begun a conversation with her about what kind of similar work, can be done in Brooklyn Center. He noted he would like to ask the City Council to work with her to review the City's organization and government and look, at how structural racism impacts the organization and the community, and review opportunities for change. Councilmember Ryan stated that is a worthy endeavor and he can make himself available for whatever works for the City Council. The rest of the City Council agreed. Motion passed unanimously. 11. COUNCIL REPORT The City Council agreed to forego Council Reports in the interest of time. 12. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson seconded adjournment of the City Council meeting at 8:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 07/13/20 -11- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Cleric %J the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Regular Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on July 13, 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 July 27, 2020, Regular Session. f Barbara Suciu, City Clerk Mike Elliott, Mayor 07/13/20 -12-