IV.2. Minutes of the July 12, 2016 Work Session following Regular Meeting Proceedings
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. Council Members and staff present at
meeting included the following:
x Mayor Cummings x City Manager Mornson
x Council Member Kuznia x Planning & Development Dir. Elverum
x Council Member Halverson x Asst. City Manager Lenz
x Council Member Gadd
x Council Member Campbell
The following updates were provided at the meeting:
Community Development
Planning & Development Director Elverum gave an update on the Art in the Attic and
Comprehensive Plan public events.
Ms. Elverum discussed the Legislative action regarding temporary dwellings. City staff has
discussed the issue with the City Attorney and most cities are opting out of allowing the
dwellings due to not meeting local zoning regulations. Council consensus was to opt out of
allowing temporary dwellings in Hopkins. Ms. Elverum commented that the issue will be on the
Zoning & Planning Commission agenda this month and will be brought back to Council on
st
August 1.
Mainstreet Awesomeness Committee will have their second meeting on Thursday. Staff and
Council received positive feedback from the committee members. Ms. Elverum commented that
the first meeting discussion focused on signage, maintenance of buildings and the importance of
consistency, enforcement and education of business owners. There was discussion regarding the
Façade Grants program. Ms. Elverum commented that staff was pleased with the results of the
first façade improvement program. Ms. Elverum discussed possible future redevelopment of the
west end of Mainstreet.
City Council:
Council Member Campbell discussed the popularity of the smartphone game “Pokémon
Go.”
Council Member Campbell asked about the possible removal of the “Downtown
Hopkins” sign on Highway169. City Manager Mornson commented that city staff has
submitted an appeal to MNDOT.
Discussion of the City Council schedule for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2.
Council Member Gadd commented on the Metro Cities and League of MN Cities
committee discussions regarding zoning issues.
Discussion of Absentee Balloting procedures.
Council Member Gadd commented that the Counties Transit Improvement Boards
(CTIB) next meeting is in August and that Dakota County has voted to leave the regional
transit board. Council Member Gadd gave an update on upcoming policy discussions and
funding of regional transit.
Council Member Kuznia has registered for a University of Minnesota class on “Dirt and
Sediment Pollution.”
Council Member Kuznia commented that Mr. Tait was disappointed that he was not
reappointed as a Zoning and Planning member due to residency issues. Former member
of the Zoning & Planning Commission, Scott Kerssen, commented that he would like to
stay involved in the city’s Comprehensive Plan development process.
Mayor Cummings shared a thank you note from a resident in appreciation for the
Council’s efforts to install fencing by the Dow Towers smoking area.
Mayor Cummings discussed the Regional Council of Mayors meeting. Mayor Cummings
will be on the Water sub-committee that will focus on the municipal water supply.
Mayor Cummings will participate in the Metro Cities and League of Minnesota Cities
Committees.
Mayor Cummings discussed the movement, “City of Kindness,” an easy way for
community members to be part of the community. She passed the information onto city
staff.
Mayor Cummings and Council Member Gadd will meet with “Cody’s Dash” organizers
regarding planning for next year’s event. There was discussion regarding the notification
of residents regarding race routes. City Clerk Domeier and Assistant City Manager Lenz
will continue to reevaluate the permit process.
Mayor Cummings will attend the CMC meeting on Thursday, July 21.
Julia Ross, Hopkins Police Department Community Outreach Liaison, discussed ideas
with Mayor Cummings about reaching out to the rental community.
Administration:
City Manager Mornson discussed the loading zone are in Lot 700. Business owners do
realize that full store fronts are good for the city and area businesses. Staff will continue
reevaluate, work on solutions and deal with changing uses for parking in the downtown
area.
City Manager Mornson updated the Council on the Zoning & Planning Commission and
Park Board members.
Council was updated on the upcoming Work Session agenda.
The City Council meetings will be moved to Mondays on August 1 and August 8 due to
National Night Out and primary elections.
City Manager Mornson commented that there will be some additional staffing requests in
the upcoming 2017 budget.
Discussion regarding the Hopkins Police Department summer youth program.
There will be an upcoming joint meeting with the City of Minnetonka, date still to be
determined.
City Manager Mornson, Hopkins Schools Superintendent and Hopkins Youth Hockey
will be meeting on August 9.
Valley and Oakes Park construction projects will be starting soon.
City Manager Mornson updated the Council that Hennepin County has contracted with
SRF to do electronic traffic counts on Shady Oak Road.
City Manager Mornson shared the Hopkins Police Department Strategic Plan 2016 with
the Council. The plan will be available on the Hopkins Police Department webpage.
Staff and Council will be participating in a tabletop exercise regarding emergency
operations plan at a September Work Session.
Assistant City Manager Lenz commented that the Tour De Trash trip to the Hennepin
County Transfer Station and the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center will be on
Wednesday, August 3, 9 am-3 pm.
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 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk