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IV.2. Minutes of the June 7, 2016 City Council Work Session following Regular Meeting ProceedingsMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, June 7, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. Council Members and staff present at meeting included the following: x Mayor Cummings x City Manager Mornson x Council Member Kuznia x Public Works Director Stadler x Council Member Halverson x Asst. City Manager Lenz x Council Member Gadd x Planning and Development Dir. Elverum x Council Member Campbell The following updates were provided at the meeting: Public Works Public Works Director Stadler gave an update on construction projects:  Signage is posted in the parking ramp indicating construction would start June 13.  Cottageville Park Pavilion is under construction and moving along.  The new play equipment has been installed at Valley Park.  Preconstruction meetings are scheduled for the Oakes and Valley Park warming house/restroom projects.  Shady Oak Road final paving is scheduled for later this week.  The Hopkins monument will be installed at Shady Oak Road and Mainstreet.  Bids will be accepted for the Shady Oak Road landscaping with work to be completed by October.  Reconditioning of Blake and Moline Water Tanks has begun. Council Member Gadd commented that the Hopkins Jaycees would be constructing Little Libraries for Oakes and Valley Parks. Mayor Cummings commented that Council has received a lot of positive comments from local businesses on the Mainstreet reconstruction. Community Development Comprehensive Plan Process Planning and Development Director Elverum gave an update on the Comprehensive Plan Process. Ms. Elverum discussed the draft brand for the comprehensive plan and public engagement process. Ms. Elverum discussed the public events scheduled for this summer and fall in an effort to engage residents and encourage different ways to give feedback regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Elverum explained that the Comprehensive Plan long range planning efforts need to continually evolve. Staff will be hiring a consultant to assist with the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Elverum discussed the $100,000 budget and funding. There was Council discussion regarding funding, wording of the brand and importance of community engagement. Ms. Elverum explained that funding for comprehensive plans is more readily available for outer Minnesota. Keeping It Real Committee: Ms. Elverum commented that the goals of the committee would be to identify issues, trends and ideas. The City Council’s role would be to gather information and observe. Policy for outdoor movie projector: Community Development Coordinator Beekman is working on the policy for the outdoor movie projector. Staff will keep the Council updated. SWLRT Blake Road Station: Ms. Elverum discussed the graphic design elements proposed for the Blake Road Station. Council commented on the importance of public feedback regarding the images and cultural changes in the area. Ms. Elverum explained that the design elements would have an approximate 10-year lifetime. Zoning and Planning Commission: City Manager Mornson discussed the reappointment of a member of the Zoning and Planning Commission. Mr. Mornson explained that the member, Mr. Mike Tait, is no longer residing in Hopkins but would like to be reappointed to the commission as an employee in Hopkins. Mr. Tait was notified that he must provide proof of residency by June 30th to continue to serve on the Zoning and Planning Commission. There was Council discussion regarding the wording of the Zoning and Planning Commission By-Laws, merits of a business owner on the commission, application process and the importance of integrity and trust in the commission members. Council consensus was to prioritize residents as members of the Zoning and Planning Commission and that Mr. Tait would need to verify Hopkins residency by June 30 to be reappointed to the commission. Staff would seek an interested resident to fill the vacancy if needed and will reevaluate the Zoning and Planning Commission By-Laws and update the Council. City Council:  Council Member Campbell will share the 169 Mobility study materials with the Council.  Council Member Campbell commented that the City Council past meeting minutes link on the website needs to be updated. Ms. Lenz will investigate.  Council Member Gadd asked about a link to the City Council agenda on the Hopkins Connection. Ms. Lenz explained that the link would be made available if the current agenda is posted.  Council Member Gadd gave an update on the quarterly SWLRT meeting and final environmental impact study.  There was discussion of SWLRT funding.  Council Member Gadd commented that the Jaycees are constructing Little Libraries for Oakes and Valley Park.  Council Member Gadd discussed the Boryspil, Ukraine sister city student exchange program. Hopkins gifts would include an engraved Clocktower Plaza brick and Hopkins lapel pins and pens. A Proclamation declaring Hopkins commitment to the sister city will be on the June 21 City Council agenda.  Council Member Halverson discussed a resident’s idea to have commissioned artists paint park benches. The idea has been shared with the Community Development Department.  Council Member Halverson commented that residents were concerned when Blake School buses were parked on the empty lots on Harrison Avenue. Staff informed Blake Schools that it would be best to inform the City prior to a big event.  Council Member Kuznia expressed gratitude towards Public Works, Engineering and Police Department for local traffic signage during the short term closure of Blake Road.  Council Member Kuznia commented that the LTD anniversary party was a successful event.  Mayor Cummings gave an overview of events and businesses that the Council and staff attended and visited.  Mayor Cummings commented on all the positive comments about Hopkins.  Mayor Cummings will be attending: The Fair Housing Summit Wednesday, June 8 Cargill Learn meeting on Thursday, June 9 Stepping Stones Open House, 509 Minnetonka Mills Road, Thursday, June 9 Suburban Mayors meeting on Friday, June 10 Raspberry Festival Crown Dinner Friday night, June 10 Cody’s Dash on Saturday, June 11 Administration:  City Manager Mornson discussed upcoming meetings and gave an overview of the Work Session agenda. Mr. Mornson will be at the League of Minnesota Cities Conference so Assistant City Manager Lenz will be covering the Work Session on June 14.  Staff and Council will tour the watershed property on Tuesday, June 21.  Police Department is working on a strategic plan and will update the Council.  Mr. Mornson gave an update on the Hopkins School District strategy and funding for a possible Hockey Ice sheet addition.  Mr. Mornson discussed future council meeting schedule. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Campbell, seconded by Gadd , the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: _________________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor ____________________________________ Amy Domeier, City Clerk HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 14, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Raspberry Room at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins. Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order with Council Member Campbell, Gadd, Halverson and Kuznia attending. Staff present included Assistant City Manager Lenz, Solid Waste Coordinator Hove, City Engineer Stanley and Streets & Park Superintendent Strachota. TH 7 MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT UPDATE In addition to City staff, representatives present for the item were John Griffith, MNDOT West Area Manager and MNDOT Project Manager Chad Casey. City Engineer Stanley gave an overview of the Highway 7 pavement plan. Mr. Casey gave an overview of the improvements to Highway 7 impacting the City of Hopkins. Mr. Casey explained that improvements will include ADA and safety improvements and would bring roadways up to MNDOT standards. Mr. Griffith discussed the reasons to eliminate an access point and pedestrian safety improvements. Mr. Griffith commented that MNDOT would need to take some right-of-way which requires municipal consent. Council Member Campbell commented that the removal of the free-right at 5th Avenue may back up traffic on 5th Avenue. Mr. Griffith commented that the proposal to straighten the lane would provide better visibility for drivers and increased safety. Council Member Campbell asked about timing of the traffic signals. Mr. Griffith commented that the MNDOT traffic office could look at signal timing to balance traffic movement. Council Member Kuznia commented on the importance of roadway safety, neighborhood communication and yellow flashing traffic signals. Mr. Griffith commented that MNDOT would reach out to businesses and residents prior to removing a right-turn access and that MNDOT is beginning to introduce yellow flashing arrows as signals are replaced but do not know if a yellow flashing signal is included in the TH 7 proposal. Council discussed the criteria for a flashing yellow arrow. Mr. Griffith explained that speed thresholds and safety are a determining factor for installation. Mayor Cummings asked about neighborhood feedback and project timing. Mr. Griffith explained that the project is scheduled for 2018 and that there is an 18-24 month process to buy right-of – way. City Engineer Stanley explained that the off-peak hour construction process would minimize the weekday traffic impacts. Council Member Gadd asked about the noise level during the off-peak hour construction. MNDOT representatives commented that they would communicate with neighborhoods regarding construction schedules and that the challenge of daytime construction causes traffic delays and neighborhood cut-through traffic. Mayor Cummings asked about the posted speed increase on TH 7. City Engineer Stanley commented that the notices were sent out last winter and that signage was done last month. Mr. Griffith explained the traffic speed study. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 14, 2016 City Engineer Stanley commented that the Highway 7 construction would coincide with the Blake Road construction project and that there are no costs to be incurred by the City of Hopkins. Mayor Cummings stressed the importance of communication with area residents and businesses. Mr. Griffith commented on MNDOT outreach efforts and presence at community events. MNDOT will work with city staff regarding public outreach efforts. AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE SECTION 820 IN REGARD TO THE MAINTENANCE OF VEGETATION; AND THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2016-047 ENDORSING THE “POLLINATOR-SAFE” POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Jay Strachota, Streets & Park Superintendent and Pam Hove, Solid Waste Coordinator, gave an update on the amendment to the City Code to better define native planting and unmaintained areas. Mr. Strachota explained that weeds notices are issued on a complaint basis or due to obstruction. Ms. Hove explained that the city primarily works on a complaint basis regarding unmaintained yards and that the amendments would clarify wording in the code yet prevent areas from getting out of control. Ms. Hove commented that many communities have adopted the Pollinator-Safe Policy. Mr. Stachota gave an overview of the chemical use on city parks and update on plantings. There was Council discussion regarding the Pollinator-Safe Policy in other cities and a beekeeping policy. Ms. Hove explained that the Pollinator-Safe Policy is similar to another local city. Assistant City Manager Lenz commented that the city did receive a phone call regarding beekeeping and that the City does not have a beekeeping ordinance at this time. Council suggested looking into a beekeeping policy. Council suggested that the National Pollinator Week (June 20-26) be posted on the city website. Mr. Strachota will look at posting links on the city website. Council asked about the number of weed complaints this year. Mr. Strachota commented that most of the complaints involved vacant properties and that the number of owner occupied property complaints decreased this year. Council Member Kuznia asked about plantings in the right-of-way. Mr. Strachota commented that it has not seemed to be an issue with the current road reconstruction project this year and that the amendments define right-of-way plantings. There was discussion regarding location of raspberry plantings in Hopkins. The City Code amendments will be on the June 21 City Council Agenda. Council asked that staff to present the code changes and Pollinator-Safe Policy at the City Council meeting. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 14, 2016 UPDATES  Assistant City Manager Lenz discussed the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District tour on Tuesday, June 21.  Assistant City Manager Lenz gave an update on the June 21 City Council agenda.  Council Member Gadd attended the ribbon cutting for a new Little Library on 8th Avenue North.  Council Member Kuznia commented that a resident would like to install a Little Library in Interlachen Park. Council Member Kuznia asked the resident to contact Public Works Director Stadler for appropriate location.  Council Member Campbell asked about a City Council booth at the Hopkins Farmers Market. Assistant City Manager Lenz will contact the Farmers Market and issue proper meeting notices.  Mayor Cummings commented that Nails on Mainstreet is having parking issues and that road closed barriers were left up after the LTD anniversary party. There was discussion regarding the communication for clean up following a street closure.  Amy’s Cupcakes opened Tuesday, June 14, 2016. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Gadd, second by Campbell, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: ___________________________ ____________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk