10-13-2015 Work Session HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 13, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Raspberry Room at City Hall, 1010 1st
Street South, Hopkins.
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order with Council Members Cummings, Gadd, Halverson
and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, City Clerk Domeier,
Director of Planning and Development Elverum, Community Development Coordinator
Beekman, Finance Director Harkess and Housing Officer Unowsky.
CITY ATTORNEY INTERVIEW
Scott Riggs and Sarah Sonsalla of Kennedy & Graven Chartered met with the City Council to
answer a variety of questions and provide more information about the firm. The City Council
will formally consider the appointment of Kennedy & Graven Chartered at its regular meeting on
Tuesday, November 2.
HOUSING POLICY DISCUSSION
Kerri Pearce Ruch with Southwest Community Works and Libby Starling with the Metropolitan
Council were present for the item. Community Development Coordinator Beekman provided an
overview of the discussion and process moving forward.
Ms. Starling provided a presentation on planning housing for the next decades. The presentation
covered affordable housing needs, planning for an adequate supply of land, funding for
affordable housing development, incentives for housing performance, housing choice vouchers,
technical assistance to local governments and moral support to local governments. Discussion
was held about the calculations and projections provided within the presentation.
Ms. Pearce Ruch provided a presentation about the Southwest Corridor Wide Housing Gaps
Analysis and Draft Housing Strategy. The presentation was focused on the Draft Housing
Strategy but also covered the Gap Analysis related to key findings on population and household
growth, employment, educational facilities, residential development outlook, housing
preservation, corridor strengths, development challenges, residential development assessment by
station area and corridor wide housing strategies. Discussion was held about the presentation.
Ms. Beekman requested City Council on the questions provided in the staff report.
• What do you think are the most important housing needs in Hopkins?
Council Member Cummings suggested offering higher quality affordable housing and
more options for the senior population. Council Member Gadd suggested larger family
affordable options. Council Member Kuznia concurred with the previous suggestions
and added he would like to see housing for the aging baby boomers but also housing that
would attract the younger residents. Council Member Halverson stated that owner
occupied housing would be a great addition. Mayor Maxwell stated he would like to
maintain the single family homes and help them to upgrade. He also shared his concerns
with the costs associated to bring more quality in affordable housing to current buildings
and suggested having matching funds or grants available to those owners.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 13, 2015
• What do you see as the biggest barriers to a full range housing choices in Hopkins
Council Member Halverson stated that the City does not have a raw land for new single
family homes. Mayor Maxwell and Council Member Cummings concurred. Council
Member Kuznia shared his concerns with developer costs and warranties and their ROI
over 10 years. Council Member Gadd suggested that the marketing may need to change.
Discussion was held about the naturally occurring affordable hosing in Hopkins but that
the quality may not be as attractive.
• How do you want to engage our community in a discussion about this topic?
Ms. Beekman provided a survey to develop a system wide strategy. The City Council
completed the survey and returned the results. Planning and Economic Director Elverum
talked about the public engagement process.
Discussion was held about the addition to tiny houses to Hopkins. The (City Council did not
support the addition of tiny houses at this time. Further discussion was held about accessory
dwelling units. The City Council had mixed reviews on the accessory dwelling units. Staff will
continue to work on the policy and will keep the City Council informed''of the process.
2016-2019 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (C.I.P.) — UPDATED AND 2016-2020
EQUIPMENT REPLACE PLAN (ERP) - UPDATED
Finance Director Harkess reviewed the changes to the C.I.P. She provided information about the
various types of projects included for 2016 and other proposed improvements through 2020.
Discussion was held about the upcoming projects, cash flow analysis ar1d working capital
projections.
Ms. Harkess also reviewed the changes to the ERP. She provided information about the changes
to the contingency and proposed purchases through 2020. Discussion vNfas held about the
proposed expenditures.
The City Council will take formal action on both plans at the October 20, 2015 meeting.
OTHER
City Manager Mornson shared the following:
• Assistant City Manager Genellie will be retiring on April 12, 2016;
• Draft agenda items for the October 20 regular meeting and work,session;
• Joint meeting with St. Louis Park on December 8; and
• Update on discussions with MnDOT about the proposed interchange.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 13, 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 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
CITY C•UNCIL
ATTEST:
04/9:A42, u0A
Euge a ell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk