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03-10-2015 Work Session HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 10, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 6:32 p.m. in the Raspberry Room at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins. Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order with Council Member Cummings, Gadd, Halverson and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Community Development Coordinator Beekman, Director of Planning and Development Elverum, Assistant City Manager Genellie, Public Works Director Stadler and City Engineer Stanley. MAINSTREET PROMOTION PLAN Community Development Coordinator Beekman gave an overview of the marketing and promotion plan that will provide resources to local businesses and promote customer shopping in Downtown Hopkins during the Mainstreet reconstruction. The plan will also include Shady Oak Road businesses. The Business Resource Kit will include information and tools to assist businesses during the construction. Ms. Beekman showed an example of the construction logo that will be used on all communication materials. Ms. Beekman explained the promotional event to encourage customers to shop in Downtown Hopkins and along Shady Oak Road. The promotion includes the mobile app download and weekly drawings for gift certificates to encourage repeat shopping. A billboard, postcards, table tents and public information press releases will promote the program. Ms. Beekman explained the grant program offered to businesses to beautify back entrances and add signage during sidewalk closures. Council Member Cummings asked when the business packets would be distributed. Ms. Beekman commented that packets would be hand delivered the last week in March or first week in April. Anyone available to assist with delivering of packets should contact Ms. Beekman. Mayor Maxwell asked about the construction schedule, signage and the beautification grants. City Engineer Stanley commented that a preconstruction meeting would be on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Mr. Stanley commented that signage regarding road restrictions would be in place 5 days in advance and the website and Twitter will be used to update the public. Mr. Stanley explained that during Phase 2 utility work, roads would be closed for period of time. Ms. Beekman and Ms. Elverum explained that the beautification grants of$500 are for paint, plantings and signage at rear entrances when the front door will be inaccessible. Staff will discuss with the building inspector regarding possible code requirements. Mr. Stanley gave an update on the Shady Oak Road construction project. The plan will still allow for traffic flow but it will be busy with construction on Shady Oak Road and Mainstreet. The public will continue to be updated. Council Member Cummings asked about the length of the Mainstreet closure. Mr. Stanley commented that a portion of Mainstreet would be closed 6-8 weeks for utility and storm sewer work. Residents and businesses will continue to be informed throughout the construction process. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 10, 2015 Council Member Gadd commented that communication with the affected businesses and residents is important and thanked the staff for their efforts. Council Member Kuznia commented that the backdoor grant program is a creative way to get customers into the businesses. CITY CENTER/MOBILE PHONE APP In addition to City staff, a representative from CityCenter, Mr. Nick Rogosienski, was present for the item. Community Development Coordinator Beekman presented an overview of the ThinkHopkins.com mobile app. Mr. Rogosienski gave an update on the development,business outreach, timeline and implementation for the Think Hopkins app. Mr. Rogosienski gave an overview of the data acquisition and customer survey features. The next Think Hopkins App meeting is on March 17, 8:30 am, noon and 6:30 pm at Hopkins City Hall, Raspberry Rooms. Council will be represented at each meeting. Currently there are 80 businesses registered; 20 opted for the paid service and 60 opted for a free basic listing. Overall 85 businesses and non- profits have attended the previous Think Hopkins App meetings. Mayor Maxwell asked about the length of the contract, city information and reporting features. Mr. Rogosienski explained that the contract is month-to-month with a 30-day cancellation notice. The City information on the app will feature city facilities and parks with push notifications. Other features include reporting graffiti, potholes or problems and the ability to include a photo. The app is designed to keep residents and visitors engaged in the community. Mayor Maxwell asked about the release date. Mr. Rogosienski explained that the app is scheduled to be released the end of March. Mr. Rogosienski gave an overview of the free basic business listing, which is offered to businesses who attend an informational meeting. The app will be a great way to promote businesses with technology. Mr. Mornson asked how to get the public to download the app. Mr. Rogosienski commented that the app will be promoted in as many ways as possible. The businesses will be asked to promote the app to their customers. There was discussion about including Hopkins Business and Civic Association and the neighborhood associations under the listings. Ms. Beekman commented that the Marketing Committee is working on promotion of the app. STREET SEATS FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION Community Development Coordinator Beekman gave an update on the Parklet and Street Seats programs. Parklet Ms. Beekman explained that the Parklet is a partnership with the Rotary Club to design and construct a city owned Parklet, a portable mini-public park. Mayor Maxwell asked how many days the Parklet would be set up. Mr. Stadler commented that a minimum number of weeks would be drafted into the policy since Public Works staff would be responsible for set up and take down. Council Member Gadd asked about location of the Parklet. Ms. Beekman commented that staff would draft a policy where the Parklet could be located. The location will be on Mainstreet HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 10, 2015 between 7th and 12th Avenue within a half block of Mainstreet and on streets with low speeds and parking spaces. Mayor Maxwell asked who could apply for the Parklet. Ms. Beekman commented that businesses would have to go through an application process including notification of neighboring businesses. There was much discussion about the loss of parking and the need to be sensitive to neighboring businesses. Staff commented that a few parking spaces would be lost but there would be increased interest and activity in the downtown area. Street Seats Ms. Beekman gave an overview and update on the Street Seats program and draft regulations. The Street Seats program is a privately owned and maintained space for use by business customers allowed in the city right-of-way. Staff is considering allowing Street Seats on Mainstreet between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue within 1/2 block of Mainstreet. Six businesses would qualify. Currently staff has spoken with 3 businesses and LTD Brewing, Pub 819 and Mainstreet Bar& Grill has expressed interest in the program. Staff will continue to reach out to businesses and get feedback. Ms. Beekman explained that the City of Wayzata has had a successful Street Seats program in place since 2011. Mr. Mornson asked if the Street Seats would be non-smoking. Ms. Beekman commented that smoking would be allowed and that signage would be required stating that patrons must be seated by a hostess and beverages must be served to the table. Council Member Cummings asked about the Street Seat sites. Ms. Beekman commented that site specifications would be outlined and that two parking spaces per site would be occupied. Ms. Beekman discussed the site plan, landscaping, lighting, seating and access points that will be outlined in the regulations. The City Attorney has reviewed and made recommendations to the license agreement. Council Member Gadd asked about a final inspection of the Street Seat structure and the expansion by businesses that already have outdoor seating. Staff commented that the design specifications would require the Street Seats to be structurally sound. Staff commented that the goal of the program is to create seating on Mainstreet. Mayor Maxwell asked about bus traffic, bus stops, insurance and hours of operation. Mr. Stanley commented that the Street Seats are not wider than a parking space. Mr. Genellie commented that the staff would address and review each individual application and that the business would be responsible to provide proof of insurance. Ms. Beekman commented that the City Attorney has reviewed the liability issue. Mr. Genellie commented that the City of Wayzata Street Seats structure has a sidewalk on the outside with no tables next to the roadway. Ms. Beekman explained that the proposed hours of operation would be limited to 11 pm with no active service after Street Seat closing time. Council Member Kuznia and Gadd like the idea of the sidewalk on the outside. Council Member Halverson commented on the licensing fees. Ms. Beekman explained that the fees are yet to be HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 10, 2015 determined. Council Member Kuznia likes the Street Seat concept but understands the concern over parking. Ms. Beekman explained the next steps in the process. The City Attorney will draft the licensing agreement for approval by Council. Staff would address the applications individually. Ms. Beekman explained that the application would be renewed annually and the license could be terminated for violations. Staff commented that the business would be making a big financial investment in the Street Seat design and installation. Council Member Cummings commented on the need for firm language in the agreement since the business will be using public space. Mr. Genellie discussed that the agreement will be a way to have better control over impromptu seating in the right-of-way. Director of Planning and Development Elverum thanked Ms. Beekman for all the extensive research regarding the Street Seats and Parklet projects. Staff will draft the Street Seats regulations and get feedback from area businesses. Staff will continue to update the Council and address the concerns but overall think the program will add interest and be a positive addition to the downtown area. UPDATES •Caring Youth Awards on Thursday,March 19, 2015 at the Minnetonka Community Center. •Discussion of a draft letter for Citizen Academy Alumni. •Discussion of a Citizen Engagement news article. •Council will be updated on an amendment of the CDBG funds. Funds may not be able to be used for playground equipment at Cottageville Park. •The Watershed District is proposing a ribbon cutting at Cottageville Park April 14, 15, or 16, 2015. •City Clerk Domeier has been reviewing Ordinances. There will be an amendment to the club liquor license. Staff will notify establishments of the ordinance amendment. •Council salaries will be on the City Council agenda Monday, March 16, 2015. •City Manager Secretary Sperling will be retiring November 20, 2015. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Cummings, second by Gadd, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold COUNCIL MEMBERS k HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 10, 2015 ATTEST: ai0(AliA9LE Eug ' e J. axwell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk