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06-14-2016 Work Session HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 14, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice t ereof 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 meting to order with Council Member Campbell, Gadd, Halverson and Kuznia attending. Staff pre.ent included Assistant City Manager Lenz, Solid Waste Coordinator Hove, City Engine;r Stanley and Streets &Park Superintendent Strachota. TH 7 MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT UPDATE In addition to City staff, represetatives present for the item were John Griffith, MNDOT West Area Manager and MNDOT Pr ject Manager Chad Casey. City Engineer Stanley gave an overview of the Highway 7 pav ment plan. Mr. Casey gave an overview of the improvements to Highway 7 impacting the City f Hopkins. Mr. Casey explained that improvements will include ADA and safety improvements nd 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 coented that the removal of the free-right at 5th Avenue may back up traffic on 5th Avenue. Mr. G Ifith commented that the proposal to straighten the lane would provide better visibility for driv rs and increased safety. Council Member Campbell asked about timing of the traffic signals. M . Griffith commented that the MNDOT traffic office could look at signal timing to balance traffc movement. Council Member Kuznia comm nted on the importance of roadway safety, neighborhood communication and yellow flashing traffic signals. Mr. Griffith commented that MNDOT would reach out to businesses and resi s ents prior to removing a right-turn access and that MNDOT is beginning to introduce yellow ashing arrows as signals are replaced but do not know if a yellow flashing signal is included in th. TH 7 proposal. Council discussed the criteria fs r a flashing yellow arrow. Mr. Griffith explained that speed thresholds and safety are a dete ining factor for installation. Mayor Cummings asked about eighborhood 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 expo ained that the off-peak hour construction process would minimize the weekday traffic i pacts. Council Member Gadd asked about the noise level during the off-peak hour construction. MNDOT representatives commented that they would communicate with neighborho..s regarding construction schedules and that the challenge of daytime construction causes tra fic delays and neighborhood cut-through traffic. Mayor Cummings asked about he posted speed increase on TH 7. City Engineer Stanley commented that the notices we e sent out last winter and that signage was done last month. Mr. Griffith explained the traffic sp•ed 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 Lem 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 att nded the ribbon cutting for a new Little Library on 8`''Avenue North. Council Member Kuznia cmmented that a resident would like to install a Little Library in Interlachen Park. Counci Member Kuznia asked the resident to contact Public Works Director Stadler for appr priate 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 comme ted that Nails on Mainstreet is having parking issues and that road closed barriers wer 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 AT EST: f i (ita9{1/1-ZOA Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk