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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 04-26 CCM Study Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER 1N THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND 1'HE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION APRIL 26, 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 Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson was excused. Also present were Acting City Manager Reggie Edwards, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Acting City Manager Reggie Edwards asked for consideration to add one item to the agenda under Council Consideration, Item� 10a, Resolution Related to Emergency Assistance to Residents Affected by Civic Unrest. He explained this is the consideration of a funding pool to potentially reimburse residents harmed by the civil unrest. Mayor Elliott stated without objection, that item will be added to tonight's agenda under Council Consideration. Councilmember Graves stated in the review of the minutes, she noted the discussion of two former long-serving Parks Commissioners and asked if staff received that request. She explained it had to do with a request to name a park bench after one or both of the gentlemen. Dr. Edwards stated he recalls the conversation but during the last two weeks, staff has not had a chance to discuss that item. He will follow up with the Public Works Director who is part of Parks Facilities for consideration at the next Council meeting. Councilmember Graves suggested including Parks Board Chair Sorensen who may be a good resource to connect to the families who are interested and to get additional information about both gentlemen. MISCELLANEOUS Council Development Mayor Elliott referenced the staff report and potential dates to meet with Common Sense. He polled the City Council for the date that would work the best, Apri128, 2021, 8-10 a.m.; May 3, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; or, May 11, 9-11 a.m. 04/26/21 -1- Councilmember Graves stated the dates were submitted by Common Sense and she had replied on her availability and put the date of May 3 on her schedule. Dr. Edwards explained that as discussed at a previous Work Session, those dates were meant for the City Council Members individually. Action by the City Council as a body is not needed at this point. Rather, it is a reminder for individual Council Members to communicate with Common Sense to schedule a time. City Council Listening Session Mayor Elliott stated the Listening Session is scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, and the venue is the Earle Brown Heritage Center. He stated there will be several opportunities to engage with the community, to listen, and try to understand from the community what we have all experienced over the last couple of weeks. This will be the first such opportunity. Councilmember Butler asked whether the City Council will discuss how to set the stage for that session. She noted as Mayor Elliott and Councilmember Graves, who work with youth, talked about how to engage in those spaces. She wants to do a Listening Session but also does not want to be yelled at the whole time. Councilmember Butler stated she does not know if this is an appropriate time to establish some understandings of how the City Council will go into that meeting so the community and Council Members are on the same page. Mayor Elliott suggested talking now about how the City Council will show up for that meeting. He stated he has had conversations about how the City Council should present at the meeting and help to facilitate that discussion. He has received feedback that the City Council should be actively listening, leaning forward instead of back, and actively take notes while listening to the community. Councilmember Ryan stated he thinks the previous suggestion was sound, that there should be ground rules. He stated the City Council should be there to listen and he thinks all on the City Council will actively listen and be interested in what they hear. But the emphasis should be on civility and perhaps there should be a very reasonable but likely time limit for each speaker until all have had a chance to speak. Then once everyone has had a chance to speak, if others have questions or comments, they could do a second presentation or follow-up questions. Councilmember Ryan stated when questions are raised that staff cannot immediately answer, it is important to ensure the questions are recorded and staff will get back with the best available current information. Councilmember Graves asked if there is the possibility, moving forward, to schedule more Listening Sessions. Mayor Elliott answered in the affirmative and indicated staff is talking with the high school to schedule another where students will prepare and plan that session. Councilmember Graves asked whether Wednesday's Listening Session will be virtual. Mayor Elliott stated it will be in person and staff is working on the ability for people to participate virtually as well. 04/26/21 -2- Councilmember Graves asked if the listening session will be facilitated by City staff or other outside facilitation. Mayor Elliott stated as of now, it will be facilitated by us but he is actively working to see if someone like Dr. Britney Lewis can facilitate. Councilmember Graves agreed a neutral third party might be helpful for the facilitation. � Councilmember Graves stated her agreement with the City Council Members and ultimately, she will be there to listen and take notes and is counting on staff to also do that so there can be follow- up items specifically to execute after the Listening Session. Councilmember Graves stated she also hopes the community will come with ideas the City Council can think about how to implement. She honestly thinks the solutions will be with the community so ultimately, although there will be strong feelings, the community can stay respectful as can the City Council and recognize that passions are high and if we don't take things personally, then we are more likely to listen to understand rather than to respond. Councilmember Graves stated the City Council also needs to recognize when it is appropriate to step forward, step up, and speak up, and when it is appropriate to step back and listen whether to a community member or a Council Member. Councilmember Butler stated she agreed with a lot of what has been said and asked how late the Listening Session will go. Mayor Elliott stated until 8 p.m. Councilmember Butler stated she has no other feedback and thinks what has been said in terms of community is fine. Mayor Elliott stated it is important for the City Council to hold this Listening Session and hold other discussions as well, noting what we have experienced in the last couple of weeks is on a scale none has ever imagined so it will take time to process and work through. He stated he, like Councilmember Graves, believes the solutions lie within our community so the City Council has to count on the community to share that space in a way that will inform the City of their experiences but also their thoughts and ideas. Mayor Elliott stated staff is working on other opportunities including for the law enforcement community to engage with the community in some of the sessions. As part of this discussion,they will also have counselors or clergy present to help people process this because a lot of what has happened has been traumatic for people so having these discussions might have people relive the trauma and bring up a lot of emotions. Councilmember Graves asked if the City Council will receive input from the community now considering the Listening Session is on Wednesday, such as more on-ground rules. She has not received a link or calendar invite for the Wednesday Listening Session but would like to receive that information so she can share it with people. Or, she can put out a specific post about the Listening Session. Councilmember Graves noted since it is virtual, the sooner it is published to the public, the better. She was hoping for more time but understands that timing is of the essence and people want to speak to the City Council. Mayor Elliott stated the City Clerk will send out the link shortly after this meeting. They are working on a Facebook event on the City's website to promote the Listening Session as well. Dr. Edwards stated he heard the City Council Members speak to the issue of whether or not the City Council Members are listening or the City Council Members are speaking and then hearing 04/26/21 -3- back. He noted that clarity of purpose for the Listening Session may be helpful to those who participate that they may find it fulfilling based upon that purpose and expectation. Mayor Elliott stated that will be included in the materials that go out but it is truly a Listening Session and not a community dialogue per se. The City Council will have other sessions for community dialogue that will be a different format and include more of a back and forth between the City Council and people who are showing up. There will be other sessions as well that is more of a healing process. He stated the purpose of Wednesday's Listening Session is to hold a community listening session and it will be a combination of people reflecting on the question of where are we now, what are we experiencing, how did we get here, and then ideas around how we move forward. The role of the City Council will be to listen during that Session. Mayor Elliott stated in terms of how long each person speaks, that is being worked out because it will be a very sensitive Listening Session. He wants to allow people time to share their traumatic stories but there will be guidelines to remind people to be as succinct as possible and yield for other people as well. He stated, as an example, if someone is sharing a story about the fact their kids go under the bed now every time they hear motors outside, it is difficult to say, `okay, your time is up.' He stated the City Council will treat that with sensitivity and care to hear from as many people as possible. Mayor Elliott noted Councilmember Graves has asked to give the community time to talk about this as well. He opened the floor for public comment. Alfreda Daniels stated in listening to the comments, a few things are ringing a bell. One, she knows Council Members were concerned about respect from the community during the Session and respect also from Council Members. She suggested that be clearly defined because she does not think this is a space to limit people as a lot of people are hurt, especially for black folks who have already had so much trauma, which could come out in many ways. Ms. Daniels noted that creating a comfortable space is also important. She stated the City Council should prepare themselves for that time and space to accept and listen to people hurt because sometimes respect can mean comfort. Ms. Daniels explained if you say something that she is not comfortable with, then that becomes disrespectful to her so she would suggest the City Council clearly define that to themselves, and allowing people that space to heal and speak their truth would be great. Ms. Daniels stated our community is very diverse as far as language abilities and asked if there are plans for interpreters to be present at the Listening Session. She also asked if there are plans to make sure the place is safe and welcoming for people living with other disabilities or even hearing impairment. She asked if people know they can show up and will be comfortable and know they have what they need to be present. Ms. Daniels stated we can't just open it up to the community when the space is only comfortable for a certain community. Ms.Daniels asked how the City is reaching out to community members to let them know this space is available. She stated quite frankly, this is coming a bit later and a lot of people feel helpless since communication hasn't been great coming from City Hall to the community over the past week or two. She asked if there are plans in place to let people know this is happening and they are welcome beyond Facebook and online. 04/26/21 -4- Ms.Daniels stated she wanted to second what Councilmember Graves said about having an outside person to help facilitate this space and also make sure that person is familiar with our diverse community and is respectful of the trauma that the community is going through right now. Mayor Elliott explained they are working to have a Hmong-speaking interpreter and a Spanish- speaking interpreter and if someone has suggestions for other languages,he asked them to let staff know. They are also actively working with folks who organize in those communities to invite their communities. He agreed they have to assure it is a welcoming space. Mayor Elliott thanked Ms. Daniels for her comments and stated he hopes they can address all of those concerns. Mayor Elliott stated they are also working on another Listening Session for Saturday that will allow more time and be more in the community around the Police Department. They are trying to see if law enforcement leadership can be part of that conversation. He stated there will be more on that as the details are worked out. Ms. Daniels asked the City Council to be very careful about how law enforcement will be present in that space because things are fresh right now and emotions are high. She asked if law enforcement is coming, are they coming in plain clothes. She again asked the City Council to be mindful of the emotional state of their community right now because it could escalate emotions if law enforcement shows up in full gear uniform, especially at a time like this. Mayor Elliott thanked her for the reminder and explained that law enforcement leadership would be there in the capacity of listening. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS A CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR 6221 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY (THE CREST APARTMENTS) Dr. Edwards introduced the item and noted this project is in the conceptual stage. He invited Community Development Director Meg Beekman to make the presentation. Ms. Beekman asked if this item could be skipped over as the developers had questions for the City Council but are not yet present. Mayor Elliott asked Ms. Beekman to provide introductory remarks. Ms. Beekman stated this is a concept review regarding the Crest Apartments. The developer and owner of the project are Aeon. The existing site is immediately adjacent to City Hall and currently holds a single building and parking lot. Ms. Beekman stated this is a concept review, not a preliminary development agreement, and provides an opportunity for the City Council to review the project and provide comments before it comes before the City Council for formal review and approval. The developer has not yet submitted a land-use development application as the project is in predevelopment now. The developer is accepting feedback on the project as they work to complete that application. 04/26/21 -5- Ms. Beekman stated this is also an opportunity for the City Council to also provide other types of feedback for comment about particular aspects of the proposal and keep in mind this is a nonbinding discussion both for the City Council and developer. No approval is being requested as part of this conversation and any statements the City Council makes are not binding in terms of how the City Council may ultimately vote on this project. Ms. Beekman reviewed the location at 6221 Single Creek Parkway, a 4.3-acre site zoned R-7 to accommodate the existing multi-family building and guided for Commercial Mixed-Use, which allows for multi-family residential. The site was acquired by Aeon in 2012 and renovated in 2014. Currently, there are 122 units of affordable multi-family housing units with 78 one-bedrooms; 44 two-bedrooms; and is 100%restricted to households at or below 50%Area Median Income(AMI). Eleven units are set aside to assist persons with disabilities and are more affordable units as well. Ms. Beekman explained the proposal is to refinance the existing property and provide $5 million in renovations to the existing building as part of the upgrade. Aeon also proposes to construct a second building of 48 units, a four-story building on top of one level of enclosed at-grade parking. There would be 22 two bedrooms and 16 three-bedroom units. The developer is income averaging to place it at roughly 60% AMI or below. Some on-site amenities would be included in the new building. Ms. Beekman stated they are proposing a fairly substantial stormwater management system,noting it is adjacent to Shingle Creek and there is some floodplain that skirts the edges of the property. The stormwater management component has been embedded into their site design and architecture for the building and Aeon has worked with the Watershed Commission as well. Ms. Beekman stated there are currently 117-surface stalls on this site and 14 proof of parking stalls located in a grass area. The proposed parking offers two options. One would have 145 surface stalls and 31 covered stalls that would be included on the main level of the new building. This plan allows for some additional green space and creates a total of 176 parking stalls for a ratio of 1.04 per unit. She noted the current parking on the site is .69 per unit and they find it is not all utilized so they have available parking at night and believe they would have adequate parking with the additional covered stalls and expansion of the surface parking lot. However, because the Zoning Code requires 2 stalls per unit regardless of housing type or density, this is under what is required by zoning. The developer has provided an alternate parking option to increase the parking to 208 stalls and include 14 proof of parking but that would result in less greenspace. Ms. Beekman stated the developer would like input from the City Council on precedent in terms of the parking plan. Ms. Beekman stated with financing, the developer has provided their sources and uses. The primary form of financing would follow income housing tax credits so this project would be required to apply through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for tax credits and the project is dependent on the award of those tax credits. Those federal funds would come into the project and allow the development to occur. Ms. Beekman explained that at present, the developer has given their current rents and proforma and are not anticipating the need for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or any sort of City subsidy as 04/26/21 -6- part of this project. The developer feels that with the assumed financing from Hennepin County and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the TIF would not be necessary. Ms. Beekman stated the developer did, however, want to provide an alternate option to provide more deeply affordable units. Assuming that 11 of the units will be for 30% AMI or less, 36 of the units would be at 40% AMI, 75 units at 50% AMI, and 48 units at 60% AMI gets the income averaging at around 49.41%. Aeon can provide additional affordability if having some additional units at 50% AMI for a total average of 48%but that would create a gap in their financing of$1.4 million so TIF would be required to fill that gap. The developer would like some input from the City about which financing option is the better option. The developer is open to either but it would come down to the preference of the City and willingness to provide the subsidy. Ms. Beekman reviewed the process, noting it will be based on discussion from this evening, the developer would then decide how to proceed with a formal application that includes financing,and a low-income housing tax credit application that is due in June. Aeon would then prepare a planning case application for preliminary and final plat and depending on density, could include a PUD or rezoning for the site. A site and building plan review would be needed and because of the additional density, may require a Comprehensive Plan amendment. She noted the application would go to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and then to the City Council for review and public hearing should there be a request for a PUD or rezoning. Ms. Beekman stated depending on the decision, there may be a public subsidy request in the form of a TIF application that would follow the typical review process, review by public finance consultants, and formal review by the City Council and EDA as well as a public hearing. Ms. Beekman stated the developer is looking for City Council feedback on their approach to parking, interest in the City providing financial assistance to the project, and if the City Council has other comments, questions, or direction relating to the project on-site layout, architectural, etc. Ms. Beekman stated the developer will be joining the Work Session to answer questions and provide background on their organization. Mayor Elliott stated the City Council will come back this item during tonight's Work Session. Discussion of this item continued and concluded at the Apri126, 2021, Work Session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:48 p.m. 04/26/21 -'7- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COLTNTY 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: 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 April 26, 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 May 10, 2021, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 04/26/21 -g-