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Home My WebLink About2009 02-09 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 9, 2009 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 Tim Willson at 7:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, Dan Ryan, and Mark Yelich. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Community Development Director Gary Eitel, Director of Community Activities, Recreation and Services Jim Glasoe, Fire Chief Lee Gatlin, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, Assistant to the City Manager Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carol Hamer, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. PUBLIC SAFETY ANNUAL REPORTS - POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS Mr. Gatlin continued the PowerPoint presentation on the 2008 Brooklyn Center Fire Department Annual Statistical Report and answered questions of the City Council/EDA. The presentation and discussion included the following information: • Total Run Comparison 2004-2008 * 2008 Calls by Day of Week o Duty Crew vs. All-Call 0 2008 Alarm Count by Hour of Day Mr. Gatlin commended the firefighters on their work and commitment to the Fire Department. Mr. Bechthold provided a PowerPoint presentation of the 2008 Brooklyn Center Police Department Annual Council Report and answered questions of the City Council/EDA. The presentation and discussion included the following information: • Top 5 Factors Contributing to Crime • Statistical Review o Calls for Service Total 2006-2008 0 2007-2008 Crime Comparison 0 2008 Crime Breakdown: Aggravated Assaults; Robbery; Burglary; Larceny; o Five Year Violent Crime Trend o Five Year Property Crime Trend o Arrest Statistics o Violent Crime Clearance Rates 02/09/09 _1 _ o Property Crime Clearance Rates o Traffic Enforcement Crime Reduction Through Enforcement o "0 Tolerance" - Juvenile, Truancy & Curfew Crimes o Hot Spots Policing o Crime Analysis o Problem Oriented Police Unit o Northwest Hennepin Violent Crime Collaborative o Partnerships with Probation • Crime Reduction Through Prevention and Intervention o Business watch o Neighborhood Meetings o Brooklyn Center Youth Collaborative o MAD DADs o Crime Free Multi-Housing 4D Properties UPDATE FROM SETH OLIVER Mr. Seth Oliver, Oliver Companies (developer of the Brooklyn Center Embassy Suites Hotel project), addressed the City Council/EDA and stated that the Embassy Suites project has some financial issues and is over budget in multiple areas. He indicated this would not be an issue if there were not financial problems in the industry as a whole. Mr. Oliver informed the Council that the lender on this project has put in place strict timelines and a fairly large number that needs to be addressed. Oliver Companies is proposing to defer the spa and the link from the project. He requested Council consider allowing discussions with Oliver Companies, City staff and Earle Brown Heritage staff regarding the deferral. There was discussion on the proposed deferral of the spa and link from the Embassy Suites project. The majority consensus of the Council was to direct staff to continue discussions with Oliver Companies regarding the proposal to defer the spa and link from the Embassy Suites project. Council members stated their strong support of the spa and the link remaining in the project. DISCUSSION REGARDING BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY REQUEST TO LEASE SPACE AT THE EBHC - COUNCILMEMBER ROCHE Councilmember/Commissioner Roche requested discussion from the Council on whether there is an opportunity to have more presence of Earle Brown Farm historical documents or pieces in areas of the Convention Center, as well as what should be done as they go forward with the Embassy Suites and the Convention Center to brand the community. He suggested the possibility of a tour for school children that could be conducted through a third party. It was noted that Councilmember/Commissioner Roche has brought forward interesting data that could be considered; however, due to the way the topic has been included on the agenda, there is no place for discussion at this time without a proposal having been submitted. It was also noted 02/09/09 -2- that when discussing the Historical Society leasing space at the Earle Brown Heritage Center (EBHC), there should be consideration of the $45,000 to $60,000 income that would be anticipated if the available spaces were to be marketed by the EBHC. The majority consensus of the City Council was to discuss the topic at the February 28th City Council retreat as part of the general discussion items. It was suggested that it may be beneficial for the Historical Society or concerned citizens to begin formulating a basis for a proposal prior to the Council retreat. MARKETING PLANS FOR HOUSING INITIATIVES Councilmember/Commissioner Roche requested an update from staff on how the City will be marketing the Housing Initiatives Program. He questioned why desktop underwriting approval is not included in the information on the City webpage. He stated desktop underwriting approval is accepted by the FHA and is a standard in the industry. He expressed concern that individuals will be limited from participation in the program due to debt-to-income ratios. Mr. Boganey stated the debt-to-income ratios were part of the approved program of the EDA. The program as it was approved includes a review of the guidelines, which may be modified at some point. The rationale behind the guidelines that have been established is to try to the greatest extent possible to assure that the individuals attracted to participate in the program would be good credit risks and that they would have sufficient disposable income to maintain the property once they became homeowners. Specific details of the program are still being worked out and staff is not closed to new ideas and other forms of financing. Staff is open, willing and able to use any program that will meet the principal objective of having quality, responsible homeowners. There was discussion on concerns about misinformation by the media on the Housing Initiatives Program and the presentation of the program information on the City website. It was noted that while information can be provided to the media regarding the program, the City does not have control over what the press wishes to print. Mr. Boganey stated that the information included on the City website will continue to be improved. Due to the more than 300 vacant foreclosed homes in the City, there is a sense of urgency to get this program moving sooner rather than later. Mr. Jeff Anderson, Summit Mortgage Corporation, addressed the City Council and expressed concern that incorrect information has gotten out regarding the Housing Initiatives Program. It was suggested that Mr. Anderson forward his suggestions on the Program information included on the City website to Mr. Boganey in writing. DISCUSSION REGARDING VISIT MINNEAPOLIS NORTH PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES - MAYOR WILLSON Mayor Willson reported that Visit Minneapolis North organizational changes will be coming forward due to the National Sports Center and four member cities deciding to opt out of the 02/09/09 -3- organization. Further information will be provided throughout the process of determining the organizational changes. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 9:50 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 02/09/09 -4- 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: 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 9, 2009. 1 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 23, 2009, Regular Session. City Clerk 02/09/09 -5- Mayor