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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 03-22 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 MARCH 22, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Milce Elliott at 6:00 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, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. -None. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS MISCELLANEOUS Date and Time for Common Sense Meeting City Manager Curt Boganey thanked the City Council for responding to his request for dates and times to meet with Common Sense. He added the date that works for everyone is April 10, 2021, for 1.5-2 hours. The available time frame is 8:30 a.m. —1:00 p.m. He asked for City Council input for a suitable start time. The City Council agreed to start the Common Sense meeting at 9:00 a.m. on April 10, 2021. Recognition for Parks &Recreation Commissioners Counciimember Graves stated long-time Parks &Recreation Commissioners Tom Shinnick and Jerry Witalka recently passed away. She added she worked with both of them during her time on the City Council. She noted she would like to discuss a request from their families to have some type of memorial, in the form of a small plaque on a bench in the parks where they spent a lot of time. She noted she would support formal City Council action on this item, to recognize their public service and honor requests from their families for a park bench plaque. Councilmember Ryan stated he knew both Mr. Shinnicic and Mr. Witalka. He added he would support plaques on a park bench in their favorite park for both of them. He added Tom Shinnick was a dedicated volunteer for many years, having served with the Lions Club since the 1960s, his involvement in Little League, as well as on the Parks & Recreation Commission. He added Mr. 03/22/21 -1- Witalka was also a dedicated City volunteer. He noted both men will be greatly missed and should be long remembered. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson thanked Councilmember Graves for bringing this up. She added she knew Tom for over 20 years and attended his visitation on Friday. She agreed something should be done to commemorate and honor their service, and she would like to donate. She requested that City Staff look into which parks would be suitable, and research pricing on plaques, and communicate that to the City Council. Councilmember Butler thanked Councilmember Graves for bringing this up. She added she knew Mr. Shinnick when she was in high school, and he was on the School Board. She added she always had wonderful interactions with him, and he was always so supportive. She noted she is song for the loss for his family and the entire community, and both men should be recognized. Councilmember Graves stated she appreciates all the comments and hopes City Staff can come up with recommendations about how to honor these gentlemen. Councilmember Graves stated she served with both men on the Parks Commission, and Jerry was a quiet listener, but he had conviction and did not pull any punches. She added she enjoyed serving with both of them. Mayor Elliott stated he knew both men. He added he has known Mr. Shinnick since he was in the 9t1i grade. He added he always supported the community and lifted the community. He noted he supports the recognition of both men through a bench plaque. Promotion of Spring Clean -Up Day Councilmember Graves stated she hopes there can be extra efforts this year to promote Spring Clean-up Day, which is scheduled for April 24, 2021. She added there have been many comments fiom residents about areas that need to be cleaned up, and Councilmember Butler has continued to be an advocate for a cleaner community. She noted a socially distanced community event could be planned, that would have a tangible, visible outcome, and make people feel like they are malting a difference in the community. Interactive Trails Map Councilmember Graves aslted whether there will be an interactive trails map added to the City website. She added the City Council received an affirmative answer from Janelle when it was previously discussed. She added she would like to follow up on that and ensure that an interactive map is included on the new City website. Parks Commission Councilmember Graves stated, at the recent Parlts Commission meeting, there was some disagreement about which parlts are being recommended for reconstruction by City Staff. She added she does not feel the Parks Commission is getting enough good, up-to-date information to 03/22/21 -2- make recommendations, and a more robust discussion is needed. She noted the Commission should be able to make a recommendation and if they cannot, then the City should not move forward with the plans. Spring Cluan-Up Day, Cont'd Mr. Boganey stated, about spring clean-up, there has been a focus on Shingle Creek but historically the annual clean-up is intended to be a City-wide effort. He added, in response to Councilmember Graves' question, it is possible to do something bigger and more effective this year. He noted there will be a discussion on tonight's agenda about related activities, and City Staff would like to hear the City Council's comments on plans for this year's spring clean-up. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated she fiequently goes to Walgreen's on 63rd Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard, and she plans to tackle that area at the very least. She added, in future years, something to consider would be for Councilmembers to put out a notice on social media that they will be focusing on a specific area that day, and any interested residents can join them, to meet with a Councilmember and do something positive for the City. Councilmember Butler agreed that it would be nice to offer a variety of dates. She added the spring clean-up date of April 24, 2021, does not work for her this year. She noted she likes Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson's idea of offering other options for residents to join City Councilmembers or City Staff if they want to get involved. She added she has already committed to collecting one bag of garbage per week, and she can invite residents to join her. Mayor Elliott stated the City has provided trash bags for residents who collect garbage monthly at the Transit Center. He added he agrees with Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson that it does not need to be a big event, but rather simply putting the message out and asking people to j oin the City Councilmembers in different neighborhoods to collect trash, in addition to the spring clean-up date. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff can put together a more robust marketing campaign. Mr. Boganey stated he will follow up about the interactive trails map. Councilmember Graves stated there could be a contest or campaign to get people to get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods, to promote taking care of the environment, and getting out and enjoying trails and parks. Councilmember Graves stated, as a reminder, bulk waste pick-up is this year, and residents should have received a postcard with their pick-up date. She added residents can go on the City website to determine when their pick-up date if they did not receive a card in the mail. Parks Commission, Cont'd Mayor Elliott asked whether the Parlcs Plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff felt that further review was needed before going on the Consent Agenda. 03/22/21 -3- The Parks Commission meets only once per month, so it is a timing issue. He asked whether the City Council could be prepared to discuss this issue at their next meeting. He noted the Public Works Director has indicated that it would be beneficial to begin construction soon. Mayor Elliott asked whether City Staff could check with the Parlcs Cormmissioners to see if they are willing to add another meeting. Councilmember Graves stated she is the Parlcs Commission liaison, and there has been a disconnect in recent months with two new Commissioners, the retirement of Mr. Glasoe, Dr. Edwards filling in, and a missed meeting in January, as well as City Council decisions regarding incorporating public health initiatives into parks. There has been some confusion and a lack of context recently about what has been happening on the Commission up to this point. The new Commissioners are capable, can access the internet, do research, and ask questions. Councilmember Graves stated, when park issues are discussed by the City Council, the Parks Commission should have had the opportunity to review the documents and submit questions specific to the agenda item. She added it would not be necessary to schedule an additional Parks Commission meeting. Mayor Elliott asked for clarification regarding the scope of the proposal. Mr. Boganey stated there are several parks in the Capital Improvement Plan that are due for new playground equipment, which is planned for all the parks but being completed one year at a time. He added the replacement of equipment is behind by one year due to the pandemic, and this year 4-5 parks have been identified to get new equipment. Neighborhood meetings were held, and there was unanimous agreement on the equipment that was already proposed. Councilmember Graves stressed the importance of getting more context for the Commissioners and the City Council before a final decision is made. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson thanked Councilmember Graves for bringing up this issue. She added this issue could be discussed at an upcoming Worlc Session and placed on a Regular Session agenda for a vote if that is what is required. She noted the Parks & Recreation Commission could be invited to attend the City Council's work, session at which this is discussed. This would ensure they have all the information they need, and it will not be necessary to schedule a separate meeting. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated the input of the Parks &Recreation Commission is critical, in her opinion. Flyer for Down Payment Assistance and Home Rehab Programs Mayor Elliott asked whether City Staff has a flyer on the City's down payment assistance and home rehab programs. He asked that City Staff email that infoirnation to the Mayor and City Council. Procurement Plan Update 03/22/21 -4- Mayor Elliott asked whether City Staff is moving forward on a procurement plan, to ensure that Brooklyn Center residents are engaged in the procurement process, especially people of color who are traditionally left out of these processes. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff has talked with the consultants and has a proposal from an organization that will work with City Staff to begin a procurement process. Mayor Elliott requested afollow-up email. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:45 p.m. RECONVENE STUDY SESSION Mayor Elliott reconvened the Study Session at 6:57 p.m. Mr. Boganey, based on City Council discussion, stated City Staff will come back to the City Council with options and proposals for ways to honor the Parks & Recreation Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT As there was no formal motion to adjourn, Mayor Elliott called for adjournment of the Study Session at the adjournment of the Regular Session, STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification %J Minutes CITY OF BROW LYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. 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 March 225 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 April 26, 2021, Regular Session. P C City Clerk Mayor 03/22/21 -5-