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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 09-14 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 14, 2020 The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6013 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor Milce Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence - Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Director of Public Works Doran Cote, Economic Development Coordinator Jimmy Loyd, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Councilmember Graves requested clarification regarding the Resolution on the Consent Agenda regarding rejection of highway sound barriers. Public Works Director Doran Cote stated the City is recommending rejection of sound walls 3 and 12. He added those are the only walls over which the City has the authority to make a recommendation. Councilmember Ryan asked whether local residents could vote for or against the sound walls. City Manager Curt Boganey confirmed this, adding a sufficient number of votes from residents would be required for a noise wall to be installed. He stated he does not believe there are currently a sufficient number of votes to have a north wall installed. Mayor Elliott requested clarification from City Staff on the issue of rejection of highway sound barriers. Mr. Cote stated, as indicated in the staff report, there was a concern that the sound barriers would obscure visibility from streets and driveways in Brooklyn Center, and they would limit snow storage capability, as well as increase the City's long-term maintenance responsibilities. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson thanked Mr. Boganey and Mr. Cote for taking care of the rain gardens along 63`d Avenue, which look wonderful. She expressed her appreciation for their diligence in getting that accomplished quickly. 09/14/20 -1- DRAFT Mayor Elliott asked whether Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) representatives had joined the meeting for the Highway 252 discussion. Mr. Boganey stated MnDOT staff were informed that the Highway 252 update would be addressed close to the end of the meeting during the Work Session. Mayor Elliott asked whether City residents involved in the Highway 252 Taslc Force were made aware of this Agenda item. Mr. Boganey stated he is not aware if direct contact was made with the residents. Mayor Elliott stated that residents who have an interest in a particular discussion or project should be informed when there is a meeting agenda item. He noted the Highway 252 Task Force, in particular, should be notified when Highway 252 is a topic for discussion at a City Council meeting. Mr. Boganey agreed to provide notice to the task force. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated there is a meeting conflict on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. She added she plans to join the Housing Commission meeting, at which the Fair Housing Policy will be discussed with attorneys from Kennedy & Graven. She asked whether it would be acceptable if she leaves the Budget Work Session at 7:t0 P.M. to join the Housing Commission meeting. Mayor Elliott agreed. Mayor Elliott requested that City Staff ensure that meetings do not overlap. He added all the City Councilmembers serve on different committees and scheduling two meetings on the same night causes conflicts. He noted the City Council may want to take a recess from the Budget Work Session to participate in the Housing Commission meeting. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will ensure that the Housing Commission meeting is recorded so the City Council can view the discussion. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS SAC CREDIT POLICY Economic Development Coordinator Jimmy Loyd reviewed the City's proposed SAC Credib Policy, through which businesses and property owners are able to use credits that have been captured by the City when a property's sewer access changes. He added credits run with the land. He noted the Sewer Access Charge (SAC) is a one-time fee that the Met Council charges local governments when a property is connected to the regional wastewater system or a business increases their demand for the wastewater system. Mr. Loyd stated, under the proposed policy, the City would provide up to half of a business' SAC units as an incentive to open or expand their business in Brooklyn Center. He added the program would focus on businesses owned by women; black, indigenous, and person of color (BIPOC) businesses; and locally owned businesses. 09/14/20 -2- DRAFT Mr. Loyd stated City Staff recommends that the City Council/EDA consider adoption of the proposed SAC Credit Policy, Mr. Loyd stated one SAC credit is approximately $2,450, and the fee is paid by the business owner. The fee is paid to the City, and the City pays the Met Council. With leftover SAC credits, the City can support local businesses by offsetting the value of SAC credits as a concession incentive. It is hoped that this program will establish a protocol for helping small businesses in other ways as well. Mr. Loyd stated the City currently has 31.9 credits, or approximately $70,000. Mayor Elliott asked whether the SAC credits are used to offset the costs of providing sewer lines, and for the Met Council to recoup costs of operations. Mr. Loyd confirmed this. Mayor Elliott stated this policy will be a tool that the City can use to help disadvantaged businesses. He added, as he has mentioned in the past, studies have shown that 70% of Minnesota's future economic growth will come from businesses in its communities of color. He added the City is well -positioned to provide support for those businesses by being intentional using the tools at its disposal. He noted the proposed policy is well -regarded and aligns with the City Council's objectives. Councilmember Graves stated she remembers that this program was reviewed by the City Council in the past. She added she is excited to move this forward, as it will be a good resource for the City's small businesses. She noted she is comfortable with the proposal. Councilmember Ryan stated he is in favor of an approval of the direction of this policy recommendation. Mr. Boganey stated, for additional clarification, the sewer access charge that an original owner is required to pay is based on an assumption that the Met Council must build systems that are large enough to serve the region. He added the SAC charge runs with the land, but the coedits are used to ensure that the regional system is large enough to serve the entire City of Brooklyn Center, and not a specific location. Mayor Elliott requested these cases should be reviewed by the City Council to ensure that execution of the policy is meeting its intended outcomes and goals. Mayor Elliott stated the City of Oakland recently released their economic development strategy, which includes a focus on entrepreneurship to build wealth in communities of color. He added he recommends that the City of Brooklyn Center consider employing some of the different tools and strategies used in Oakland to achieve its outcomes and goals. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:47 p.m. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION 09/14/20 -3- DRAFT Mayor Elliott reconvened the Study Session at 6A9 p.m. SAC CREDIT POLICY - continued Mayor Elliott asked whether the City Council had any additional comments or questions regarding the SAC Credit Policy. There were no questions or comments. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session at 6:52 p.m. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKi,YN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerlc of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of the Study Session from the City of Brooklyn Center City Council held on September 14, 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 September 28, 2020, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 09/14/20 -4- DRAFT