IV.1. Minutes of the December 2, 2014 City Council Special Work Session Proceedings
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPEICAL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
City Hall Raspberry Room– 6:00 p.m.
The special meeting started at 6:02 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson and Cheryl Youakim, City
Manager Mike Mornson, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Community Development
Coordinator Meg Beekman, Director of Economic Development and Planning Kersten
Elverum, City Engineer Nate Stanley and Bolton & Menk, Inc. representatives Jim
Harbaugh and Mike Waltman.
New business:
The Artery Project Update
Mr. Stanley gave an update on the changes to the Artery Project concept that were based
on City Council comments and meetings with property owners. There will also be a
discussion on the plans for Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) plaza and how it
relates to the Artery. Mr. Harbaugh gave an overview of the project and reasons for the
changes since the last review. Changes were based on comments from City Council,
Hopkins staff, Three Rivers Park District, Metro Transit, SWLRT project office agencies
and one-on-one meetings with area business and property owners. Mr. Harbaugh
reviewed the goals of the changes, which include creating a multi-modal and pedestrian
friendly corridor, a technically sound and easily maintained project that will be functional
and will showcase many forms of artwork. Mr. Harbaugh gave an overview of the
changes, which include bus pull-offs, additional on-street parking, alley access, unique
event space, additional exits and a focus on pedestrian movement. Mr. Harbaugh
reviewed the Excelsior Blvd. crossing which focuses on safe cycle & pedestrian crossing,
improved lighting and future development. Mr. Harbaugh discussed the Artery special
event space that will include an overhead year-round canopy area and special pavement.
There was Council discussion regarding the pavement LED lighting and safety at
Excelsior Blvd. Mr. Harbaugh explained that the pavement lighting is able to tolerate
snowplows and that safety will be addressed with additional signage. There was Council
discussion regarding the canopy coverage, lighting, screening, seating and including
tables with chessboards in the event space. Ms. Beekman commented that the Canopy
area would be modeled after a year-round “parklet” concept and Mr. Harbaugh explained
that a vegetative screening is planned.
Mr. Waltman and Mr. Stanley met with the Hopkins Elks regarding their concern about
loss of street parking. The plan includes additional on-street parking stalls on the opposite
side of street.
Mr. Harbaugh reviewed the plans for the SWLRT Plaza. The plan includes pavers
modeled after a railroad pattern, potential for a gateway area, green space, plantings, a
shade canopy, potential food vendor area, bus layover area and bringing in Artery design
details into area.
There was Council discussion regarding funding for the Artery and Plaza area,
maintenance of private restrooms and policing of plaza area. Mr. Stadler and Ms.
Elverum commented that the SWLRT Project Office has agreed to enhanced treatment of
the area but funding amounts are unknown at this time. Two million in grant funding has
been awarded for the Artery Project and there will be no special assessments. The
restrooms are for the transit drivers and will be maintained by Metro Transit. The City
owns the Plaza area and Hopkins Police Department will patrol the area.
Council discussed the integration of public art into the Plaza area and screening of the
Power Substation located to the east of the Plaza.
Ms. Elverum commented that Three Rivers Park District has offered advice on access
points, signage and cycle & pedestrian safety.
Mr. Harbaugh and Mr. Stanley discussed the next steps in the Artery project, which
include a Public Open House on December 16, 2014, 5-7 pm at LTD Brewing.
Preliminary plans will then be finalized based on public comments. The final design
technical plans are scheduled for review in the spring/summer, 2015 with final design art
input scheduled for summer/fall, 2015.
There was Council discussion regarding the Public Open House notifications. Mr.
Stanley and Mr. Harbaugh explained that invitations were mailed to 1300 property
owners in a ½ mile radius of the Artery project area. Staff will use multiple public
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informational releases to publicize the December 16 Open House. Ms. Elverum
explained that the SWLRT Project Office is working on the public art committee and that
Hopkins Art Center staff and local artists will have an input opportunity.
Hopkins city staff discussed that construction of the Artery is scheduled to start in 2016
and will be coordinated with grant timing. Staff discussed the feedback from the one-on-
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one meetings with property owners along 8 Avenue. The property owners felt it is a
good improvement for the area but were concerned about loss of on-street parking. Staff
discussed that the possible future parking ramp would offset loss of on-street parking.
Staff will continue to keep the Council updated on the plan and public feedback. Staff
will be setting up multi public informational meetings with a temporary installation of the
plans scheduled for July to give the public a feel and look of the Artery Project.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Halverson
and a second by Council member Gadd to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
CITY COUNCIL
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ATTEST:
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Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk