Minutes of the June 3, 2014 Council MeetingA regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on June 3, 2014 in the Council Chambers of the
Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell, Council Members Cummings, Gadd, Halverson and
Youakim. Also, present were staff members Anderson, Beekman, Elverum, Genellie, Mornson and
Stadler.
L CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
IL PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing on Municipal Consent of SWLRT
Ms. Elverum, Director of Economic Development and Planning, addressed the Council regarding the
Public Hearing on Municipal Consent for the Southwest Light Rail Transit project (SWLRT). Ms.
Elverum gave an overview of SWLRT planning process and purpose of the public hearing to solicit
public comments. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, June 4, 2014. City staff has
received two written comments to date. One comment was in support of the project and the other was a
concerned property owner. Formal action to deny or accept the plan is scheduled for the June 17, 2014 at
the Hopkins City Council meeting. Deadline for Council to act on Municipal Consent is July 14, 2014.
Mr. Jim Alexander, SWLRT Project Office, gave an overview of the purpose of Municipal Consent, the
SWLRT route, stations and budget. Mr. Alexander presented an overview of the physical design
components, Hopkins project highlights, the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) and the next
steps in the process after Municipal Consent that include station design, streetscape, utility relocation and
design advancement. The SWLRT Project Office will continue to work with city staff as the project
advances. Mr. Alexander gave contact information: www.SWLRT.org; SWLRTgmetrotransit.org or
www.twitter.com/southwestlrt.
Prior to opening the Public Hearing, Mayor Maxwell gave overview of the guidelines. Staff will take
notes and Council will not respond to questions. The comments should focus on SWLRT plans for
Hopkins, comments should be limited to three minutes and additional comments will be accepted through
Wednesday, June 4, 2014.
Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 7:17 pm. The following residents came forward to address
the Council:
Stuart Nolan, Stuart Companies, discussed the effects of SWLRT on their Hopkins rental properties
during and after construction.
Lisa Moe, CEO of Greenfield Apartments and Raspberry Woods in Hopkins, discussed the long-term
effects of SWLRT on their properties and encouraged consideration of a pedestrian station at Smetana
Road.
Andy Malone, Hopkins resident, offered support for the SWLRT project.
Amy Friesen, Hopkins resident, encouraged the Council to vote to accept the SWLRT project.
Grant Simons, Eden Prairie resident, would like to see the SWLRT project continue to move forward.
Chris Steinberg, 20th Avenue N., Hopkins, discussed the positive impact that SWLRT would have on the
Hopkins community.
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June 3, 2014
Bill Johnson, 21 E. Wayside Road, Hopkins, commented on concerns of congestion, ridership and
financial impacts and encouraged Council to vote no for the SWLRT project.
Council Member Halverson moved and Council Member Gadd seconded a motion to close the Public
Hearing. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member Gadd,
aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The public
hearing was closed at 7:36 p.m.
The Council and city staff will continue to review comments and thanked the public for their input.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Minutes of the May 20, 2014 Council Meeting
2. Approve Minutes of the May 20, 2014 Work Session Following the Council Meeting
3. Ratify Checks for the Month of May; (Memo)
4. Approve Liquor License Renewals for the term of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015; (CR 2014-050)
5. Approve a Temporary Liquor License for the Hopkins Raspberry Festival - Brew Fest on July 12,
2014; (CR 2014-143)
6. Approve Resolution 2014-025, Identifying the need for Livable Communities Transit Oriented
Development Funding and Authorizing an Application for Grant Funds - Shady Oak Station; (CR
2014-048)
7. Approve Resolution 2014-026, Identifying the need for Livable Communities Transit Oriented
Development Funding and Authorizing an Application for Grant Funds; (CR 2014-053)
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Cummings seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member
Gadd, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Final Design Plans and Authorize Bidding: Cottageville Park, Phase I Improvements;
(CR 2014-052)
Mr. Stadler, Public Works Director, addressed the Council regarding the phase one improvements for
Cottageville Park. Mr. Stadler discussed the final design plans, public input process, bid process, project
costs and funding. Mr. Stadler stated that the May 20th Open House was well attended with many positive
comments. Staff has worked on ways to decrease the construction costs by $200,000 by amending the
storm water system. The total project cost estimate is now $1,885,758. Funding for the project will
include the Hopkins storm sewer fund, park improvement fund and state grant monies.
Ms. Renee Clark, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) representative, gave an overview of the
park green space, access to Minnehaha Creek, storm water management plan and the project benefit of
decreasing pollutants entering the creek.
Mr. Roland Aberg, Hart-Howerton and Wenck Associates, Inc. Design Consultant, gave an overview of
the Cottageville Park master plan. Mr. Aberg discussed with Council the design area, future phases, main
park features, underground storm water system, green space, future alley and parking plan. Mr. Aberg
gave an overview of plantings, creek access, trail system, benches, accessibility, community garden, and
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June 3, 2014
playground area. Many of the design features are based on comments from community meetings. Mr.
Aberg discussed with Council items that were discussed at the Work Session including night lighting,
garden soils, plantings, fencing, area for teens, buffering of neighbors and future project areas.
Deb Butler, 1313 Lake Street, came forward and addressed a concern of over growth along the fences.
Mr. Aberg stated that the fence area would be cleaned up. City staff will investigate ownership of the
fence.
Emily Barker, community garden volunteer, came forward to advocate for the park design, future
plantings, eliminating use of chemicals and the need for organic waste collection.
Mr. Stadler addressed the Council and gave an overview of the project and construction schedule.
Council thanked the efforts of staff and project partners for the park design and improvement of water
quality. Cottageville Park will be a great community amenity.
Council Member Halverson moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to approve the
final design plans and authorize bidding of the Cottageville Park, Phase I Improvement project. A poll of
the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member Gadd, aye; Council Member
Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
No Announcements.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Cummings
seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk