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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 01-25 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 25, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6#00 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Zoom. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers 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. -None. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Butler stated she has been invited by Seth Ryan to participate in the Community Ed Advisory Board, which consists of School Board members and Community Ed staff, and herself. She added she wanted to mention it since the City Council appointments to Commissions will be addressed at this evening's meeting. Councilmember Graves stated she attended a meeting earlier that day regarding Covid-related issues. She added the meeting was attended by jurisdictional partners, including representatives from Hennepin County Health Department, the Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis Department of Health, and Anoka County Public Health, as well as representatives from Brooklyn Park. She noted she believes the group plans to meet once or twice a month. She asked whether City Staff is aware of these meetings and intends to participate. Mr. Boganey stated he is not familiar with the group but agreed to follow up and report back to the City Council. He added it seems like something Brooklyn Center should participate in. Councilmember Graves stated Kelsey from Hennepin County is hosting the meetings. She agreed to forward the invitation to Mr. Boganey. Councilmember Ryan stated he is reaching the meeting again via his phone. He added the live link that he received via an email from the City Clerk is not functioning on his tablet. He wanted O1/25/21 -1- to be sure that everyone knows he has joined the meeting. He noted his phone is working fine, and he is okay to proceed. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION NAME Mr. Boganey stated the City's community celebration has been called Earle Brown Days for several decades, and was initially planned and managed by volunteers, with limited staff support. He added City Staff involvement and City funding have increased over the years, as volunteers and funding have decreased. He noted City Staff have attempted to increase community involvement and satisfaction, increase cultural relevance, and diversify participation and planning A the celebration. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff have discussed ways to increase participation over the years, and considered a name change for the celebration. He added, a few years ago, it became known that there is some controversy regarding Earle Brown's connection with the Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota. He noted a change in the name might be imperative now, as there is no historical connection between the community celebration and Earle Brown, and community celebrations are generally named for unique aspects of the community itself rather than an individual. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff is seeking City Council direction regarding a change in the name of the celebration. He asked whether the City Council has sufficient information to provide direction; whether they believe a name change serves the interests of Brooklyn Center residents and stakeholders; and whether the City Council how the City Council would like to proceed with establishing a new name, if it is determined that a name change is warranted. He noted the City Council can ultimately decide what is best for the community. Mayor Elliott stated he believes a new name is necessary, for the reasons stated. He added a new name should be chosen for the community celebration that is reflective of the community and all its members. Councilmember Graves stated she is onboard. She added she has lived in Brooklyn Center about 9 years and did not learn about Earle Brown Days until she joined the City Council. She added she was unsure about what it represented. She noted she grew up going to Rondo Days and Grand Old Days, and even Selby Days. She noted something simple would make sense, maybe something connected to the "At the Center" branding, or a focus on culture and diversity. Councilmember Butler stated she is in line with what has been presented. She added she grew up going to Earle Brown Days, but she is not tied to the name. She noted she likes the idea of changing the name, and community input will be very important. She noted she would also support something simple, like "Brooklyn Center Days". Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated she concurs with Councilmember Graves and Butler. She added she is not tied to the name, and simply "Brooklyn Center Days" would be fine. She noted she agrees that a name change is valid, and she agrees it should be changed. O1/25/21 -2- Councilmember. Ryan stated he is in line with all the previous comments. He added Mr. Boganey indicated there are many people in the City that do not identify with the current name and that aspect of the City's past, and the City Council should be forward -looking and respectful of the sentiments of the community, especially with revelations about Earle Brown, who was emblematic for the festival. He noted he would support having a contest, to engage all the City's diverse communities, to come up with a name for the festival. He agreed something simple would be fine. Mr. Boganey stated there seems to be consensus that City Staff should proceed with a plan to re- name the City celebration. He asked whether the City Council would support proceeding with plans for this year's celebration, to be renamed "Brooklyn Center Days", after which there will be an opportunity for community input to decide on a permanent name. Mayor Elliott stated he thinks that is fine, as the issue is to truly engage everyone in the process of planning the celebration, ensuring that it is inclusive, and pick a name that will capture everybody. He added more ideas can be sought from the community. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will proceed with "Brooklyn Center Days" in 2021, with the expectation of a more engaged process before settling on a permanent name in the future. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Mr. Boganey stated City Staff have identified potential legislative priorities for 2021 for the City ABrooklyn Center, to be reviewed by the City Council. He asked whether Councilmembers have additional changes or additions that they believe should be made to the legislative agenda. Mr. Boganey stated the 2020 agenda included support for residents seeking peirnanent status under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act. He added he does not believe any action was taken by the legislature in 2020 on this issue, and it will expire soon. He asked whether the City Council feels this policy is relevant and should be continued. Mayor Elliott stated it is still relevant and should remain a priority. He added the new president extended this opportunity, all. the State of Minnesota has engaged in this process. He noted the governor's office and other State Legislators have worked to intervene on behalf of individuals. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff supports two new proposed items: housing security and tenant protections. He added these are important issues to be advocated at the State level. There was a majority consensus of the City Council to include these two new legislative priorities. Councilmember Ryan stated there is a general trend at the State Legislature to restrict local discretion on policies like tenant protection, which local governments are best equipped to address. He added he is absolutely on board with this. Councilmember Graves asked whether any Councilmembers or City Staff are planning to attend the legislative breakfast on Saturday, January 30, 2021. She added it will be a good opportunity to advocate for these legislative priorities. O1/25/21 -3- Mayor Elliott stated he is going to the breakfast. Councilmembers Graves and Ryan and Mr. Boganey indicated they plan to join the breakfast virtually. Mr. Boganey stated another legislative priority is "T-21 raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. He added it is my understanding that the law has taken effect, so presumably this is an item could be removed. Mr. Boganey stated an item for consideration is aself-identified race designation on State Driver's Licenses. He added the City of Crystal has added this to their legislative agenda, and he believes the City of Brooklyn Center should consider it. He noted this data would make it easier to get complete and accurate information and ensure that the City's policies and practices are equitable and not discriminatory. Mayor Elliott stated he would like to get more information about this issue, which raises concerns about privacy. He added it seems it could be helpful but could also be misused. Councilmember Graves agreed. She added she understand the reasoning behind it but feels there is not enough information to add it as a priority right now. Mr. Boganey stated it sounds like there is enough hesitation, and this item will not be added to the list of priorities. Mr. Boganey asked whether the City Council has any suggestions for additional priorities or modifications to the list. Mayor Elliott proposed a legislative priority item, "Advancing Racial Equity", and presented a brief statement as follows: "Advancing racial equity is central to the well-being and long -team vitality of the City of Brooklyn Center and the State of Minnesota. The City of Brooklyn Center's goal is to approach all of our policies and programs through the lens of racial equity and champion intentional State legislative strategies that promote racial equity, including in housing, health, education, economic and other social justice issues, and prevent and eliminate disparities in public policy and public investments." Mayor Elliott stated this statement is modeled after the City of Minneapolis' legislative priority. He requested feedback and comments from the City Council. Mr. Boganey stated that statement is consistent with the City Council's direction. Councilmember Butler stated she believes it is well -stated and she is fine with including it in the legislative priorities. Councilmembers Graves and Lawrence -Anderson agreed. O1/25/21 -4- Councilmember Graves stated she would support a legislative priority related to environmental justice or environmental responsibility. She added she can do some research, and find out what is coming up, and send out some information. She asked whether City Staff is aware of any related legislation. Mr. Boganey stated he is not aware of any pending legislation related to that issue, but clearly it is a public policy question, and City Staff can assist with researching it. Councilmember Graves asked what the goals are for carbon emissions and renewable energy, and whether the State is on track to meet these goals. Councilmember Graves stated line 3 is an important issue that does not directly affect Brooklyn Center residents, but it has a significant impact on the greater community of the State of Minnesota. She added oil lines affect native populations and sovereign rights. She asked whether City Staff could add that to the priorities without investing too much time, even if it is just a general statement. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will attempt to put together a policy statement to send out to the City Council within the next 2448 hours, to determine whether there is consensus to add it to the list. Mayor Elliott stated he would support recognition of the rights of rivers, which has been done in other cities to protect important natural resources. Mayor Elliott stated he intended to present a draft supporting police reform effort at the State level. He added, if there is agreement, he can draft something and send it out to the City Council via email for review and approval. Mayor Elliott stated he supports the "Freedom to Drive" legislation. Councilmember Graves stated she agrees with the additions. She added the State of Illinois recently made the decision to eliminate bail, effective in 2023. She added other states have done the same. Mayor Elliott stated he was not aware of that and would support it in Minnesota. Mr. Boganey stated the policies will be brought back for City Council approval and formal adoption at the first meeting in February 2021. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott closed the Study Session at 6:54 D.M. O1/25/21 -5- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerlc of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: l . 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 25, 2021. 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 8, 2021, Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk Mike Elliott, Mayor Ol/25/21 -6-