IV.2. Minutes of the April 5, 2016 City Council Work Session following Regular Meeting Proceedings
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:54 p.m. Council Members and staff present at
meeting included the following:
x Mayor Cummings x Planning and Development Dir. Elverum
x Council Member Kuznia x Public Works Director Stadler
x Council Member Halverson
x Council Member Gadd
x Council Member Campbell
x City Manager Mornson
The following updates were provided at the meeting:
Community Development
Planning and Development Director Elverum reviewed the list of potential representatives for the
Mainstreet Guide to Awesomeness Committee. The list includes Hopkins business owners,
property owners, residents, nonprofit representatives and planning commission members who
have an interest in the Mainstreet. Planning and Development Director Elverum and Community
Development Director Beekman will be the staff representatives. Ms. Elverum explained that the
committee would meet 4 or 5 times starting this summer and the early evening meetings would
include guest speakers and focused discussion. Commitment and attendance by committee
members would be important. Council Members Kuznia and Campbell volunteered to be the
Council representatives.
Ms. Elverum discussed a Council tour of the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) line. Ms.
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Elverum will keep the Council updated on a possible tour date for Tuesday, May 10 prior to the
Council Work Session.
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Ms. Elverum discussed the development proposal for the property on Mainstreet and 17
Avenue N. Ms. Elverum explained that staff discussed design guidelines with the property
owner but development is on hold at this time.
Ms. Elverum updated the Council on the Mainstreet Façade Program. Projects at Mainstreet Bar
and Grill and the Old Glenrose building will be moving forward in the near future.
Ms. Elverum updated the Council on the former Jack Yee’s site. The property owner is
negotiating with a number of potential lessee’s regarding the space.
City Council:
Mayor Cummings asked Public Works Director Stadler about the status of screening for the
smoking area at Dow Towers. The utilities have been marked and Mr. Stadler is
investigating installation of fencing for the area by the end of the month. Mayor Cummings
asked about landscaping to screen the dumpster area. Mr. Stadler will explore this
possibility.
Council Member Gadd gave an update on the SWLRT Executive Change Board meeting.
Council Member Gadd gave an update on a Global Synergy Youth Summit in the Ukraine
this summer. Council discussed sending gifts that represent Hopkins to our sister city of
Borsypil, Ukraine.
Council Member Halverson updated the Council on the Community Works meeting.
Community Works was drafting a Resolution in support of the SWLRT.
There was Council discussion regarding the application process for the Planning and Zoning
Commission openings. Mr. Mornson commented that there is one confirmed opening and
another possible opening on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Currently there are 3
applications for the one opening. Mr. Mornson will send the applications to the Council
Members for their review and Council should provide input to Mayor Cummings.
Council Member Kuznia discussed the coyote sightings in the Interlachen neighborhood area.
Mayor Cummings discussed the SWLRT event with Karlis, the 8-year old cancer patient.
Mayor Cummings and City Manager Mornson met with Representative Keith Ellison.
Mayor Cummings discussed an email she received from a Hopkins youth regarding locating
a skate park in the Avenues area.
A new fitness studio has opened on Mainstreet and the owner will be joining the Hopkins
Business and Civic Association (HBCA).
Mayor Cummings gave an overview of the Hopkins Junior High Royal Chef Cook-off event
that she attended.
Mayor Cummings attended a CornerHouse event. Police Chief Reynolds is on the Board.
Mayor Cummings wrote a letter in support of Minnetonka Mayor Terry Schneider for a
SWLRT board position.
There was Council discussion regarding the Hennepin County Transportation package and
the importance of the SWLRT.
There was Council discussion about an article in the Twin Cities Business Magazine
regarding Amateur Sports Commission Funds possibly being available for ice rink Freon
projects.
Administration
:
City Manager Mornson commented that Hopkins was mentioned in a Star Tribune article on
low to moderate income housing along the SWLRT.
A joint meeting with Historical Society Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 at the
Hopkins Historical Society. There was discussion regarding the recent article in the Star
Tribune about properties on the National Historic Preservation list.
A joint meeting with the Hopkins School Board to discuss Racial Equity is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 17, 5 pm at Hopkins City Hall Raspberry Room.
Mr. Mornson discussed the Citizens Academy agenda and schedule of City Council members
at the weekly meetings.
Shady Oak Road construction will start in a week and completion scheduled for the end of
May except for some landscaping.
The Beard lawsuit will be paid with the escrow.
The next Hopkins Business and Civic Association meeting will be Tuesday, May 10. The
current HBCA President has resigned.
The new Assistant City Manager Ari Lenz begins Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
Debbie Sperling has agreed to work the reception desk 1-2 days per week to assist the full-
time staff.
Cargill is relocating some employees to the Minnetonka location but 1500 employees will
remain at the Hopkins location. Cargill is actively trying to lease one of the buildings.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Campbell, seconded by Kuznia, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
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Molly Cummings, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk