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IV.3. Minutes of the November 7, 2016 Work Session Proceedings HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS NOVEMBER 7, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm. 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 City Manager Mornson, Community Development Coordinator Beekman, Planning and Development Director Elverum, Assistant City Manager Lenz and Public Works Director Stadler. HOPKINS PAVILION PROJECT Public Works Director Stadler gave an overview of the revised Hopkins Pavilion project and tentative project schedule. Mr. Stadler reviewed the proposed floor plan and the replacement of the Central Park warming house. Mr. Stadler commented that staff has been in discussions with the Hopkins Youth Hockey Association (HYHA) regarding building enhancements. The proposed plan includes relocation of the offices, restrooms, concessions, enlarged team rooms and increased storage areas. Permanent expansion of the bleachers is not feasible within the existing building area but the proposal could include adding bleachers in the corner areas near the rink as well as ADA enhancements. Mr. Stadler explained that an alternative would be to upsize the refrigeration plant for a possible refrigerated outdoor ice rink in the future. Mr. Stadler discussed the project funding from the City of Hopkins, the Mighty Ducks Grant and HYHA. There was Council discussion regarding the refrigeration plant upgrade, the outdoor ice, parking, funding and the HYHA agreement. Mr. Stadler commented that no parking will be added at this time and that staff is planning for $400,000 grant towards the replacement of the refrigeration system. Mr. Stadler commented that the future outdoor ice rink would require a commitment from the Hopkins School District. Staff will update the Council regarding the agreement with HYHA and the final project costs. Council Member Kuznia commented that it is important to make ADA upgrades to the bleachers and that the additional outdoor ice rink could be important in the future. Council Member Gadd asked about the benefit of expanding the second level of the Pavilion for rental potential. Mr. Stadler would ask the consultant how much that would change the project and costs. City Manager Mornson commented that the project is addressing concerns of HYHA and that HYHA would be asked to contribute towards the project due to the need to expand the building footprint. Mr. Stadler commented that the new warming house for the outdoor rink would serve Central Park and the Hopkins community with possible rental potential. Assistant City Manager Lenz commented on the access to Central Park from the warming house. Mr. Stadler commented that a door to the east could be beneficial. Mayor Cummings asked about warming house staffing. Mr. Stadler commented that the warming house addition would be built so the Pavilion wouldn’t need to be staffed at all times. Mayor Cummings asked about the scenario if HYHA would not have a financial contribution. Mr. Stadler commented that staff would have to revisit the plan. Mr. Stadler explained the next steps of the project and that staff would continue to discuss the project plan with HYHA and keep the Council updated. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS NOVEMBER 7, 2016 Council Member Campbell asked Mr. Stadler about the street leaf pick up policy. Mr. Stadler explained the Public Works procedure for leaf pick up and street sweeping. Mr. Stadler commented that the leaf pick up policy would be difficult to change and keep residents satisfied and that the current procedure should continue unless the Watershed Districts require a change. MAINSTREET STRATEGIC PLAN Planning and Development Director Elverum and Community Development Coordinator Beekman gave an update on the Mainstreet Keeping It Real initiative, a group of business owners, property owners, residents and City representatives that met four times to discuss Downtown Hopkins. Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the survey results and group comments. Ms. Elverum commented that people are passionate about talking about downtown Hopkins and that connections developed among the committee members. Ms. Elverum and Ms. Beekman gave an overview of the discussions and recommendations.  Extending the look and feel of the core of Mainstreet further to the west, transitional uses for empty storefronts and enforcing signage design standards as well as providing financial assistance and grant funds to enhance signage. Staff commented that the sign ordinance should be reviewed and updated. Staff would update the sign ordinance and present it to the Zoning and Planning Commission and the Council for review. Businesses out of compliance would be notified and given time to comply. Staff commented that the downtown area is defined as Mainstreet including one block north and south. Ms. Beekman commented that signage is expensive for business owners and that many preexisting sign structures don’t meet the standards. There was Council discussion regarding the Facade Improvement Program. Staff commented that signage needs to be included as part of the façade improvements.  Promotion using a City owned billboard along Highway 169. Staff explained that they could explore the opportunity to use existing billboards on Hwy 169 and increase the amount of time that city information is on the billboards. Staff discussed the options of digital billboards.  Dog Park at 501 & 525 Mainstreet, a temporary use of the green areas.  Interesting Bike parking with custom bike racks in the downtown area.  Flower baskets and festive lighting. Ms. Beekman explained that Business Improvement District (BID) could be formed to fund special marketing pieces. Staff will continue to discuss the BID with the Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA). There was discussion regarding a BID and a Historic District. Staff commented that special districts could be set up different ways.  Communication. Staff would develop an email list for downtown businesses to send out periodic updates.  Micro-grants to support art, community building and fun. HBCA has proposed a micro-grant program.  Social Media Plan. The City Communications Coordinator will explore ways to use social media and create a social media plan for all departments.  Open Streets & Friendly Front Doors program to encourage businesses to enhance their front doors. The group expressed a lot of interest in Open Streets and Friendly Front Doors and would support a program in collaboration with HBCA and in bringing back Crazy Days.  Raspberries on Main, an art installation project. Staff would continue to investigate the public process for installation and maintenance of the small bronze raspberry art pieces along the HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS NOVEMBER 7, 2016 Mainstreet. Staff updated the Council on the proposed World’s Largest Raspberry art installation on the HealthSource property. There was discussion regarding having the word “Hopkins” part of the display.  Bicycle Friendly Community Designation. Staff is updating the application and will reapply for the designation.  “Think Hopkins” brand needs to be refocused. Staff will be discussing with the “Think Hopkins” marketing committee how to refocus the strategy and push the brand outside of Hopkins. Council Member Kuznia commented that the temporary dog park could be a maintenance issue and hard to remove once installed. Council Member Kuznia commented he liked the creative bike parking idea and that the city needs to be conscience of the location of designated bike lanes. Council Member Gadd liked the idea of an urban dog park but realizes the maintenance issues. Council Member Gadd commented that the “Think Hopkins” brand could benefit from being updated and the expansion of Mainstreet guidelines could set the stage for development on the west end of Mainstreet. Council Member Campbell commented that a bike rack is needed th near 8 Avenue North and that a temporary dog park is a difficult concept and could generate noise and maintenance issues. Council Member Campbell commented that “Think Hopkins” could be better defined with a clearer strategy and that the sign ordinance could provide a solution for less obstruction of windows. Council Member Halverson commented that a temporary dog park is a difficult concept and more bike racks are needed. Mayor Cummings commented that the zoning recommendations for the west end of Mainstreet would make for positive changes and that a dog park is not a great fit for a city the size of Hopkins. Mayor Cummings commented that the business community should have a buy-in for closed street events. There was discussion regarding the funding for the façade improvement program and the positive impacts to Mainstreet. Staff discussed the Hopkins Storefront Improvement Program. Staff will continue to explore ideas and funding for improving Downtown Hopkins and keep the City Council updated. REVIEW OF CDBG FUNDS FOR HOPKINS Community Development Coordinator Beekman gave an update on the staff report regarding the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The funds are used to support housing and community development activities. A maximum of 15% of the funds can be used for social service activities. In the past the City has received approximately $113,000 a year and allocates $11,000 to social services. At this time staff does not know what the allocation of funds will be for next year. Ms. Beekman commented that the CDBG fund is the only source of funds to preserve the housing stock. Currently there is a waiting list and the funds support four to five properties per year. Ms. Beekman explained how the program works and requirements for use of the funds. Upon receipt of the 2017 CDBG funds, staff will write a report and make recommendations to the Council for allocation. There was Council discussion regarding the City Tour and possible redevelopment projects. Staff discussed the single-family neighborhood, possible land uses and economics of the Pokorny site. The site has visibility but is challenged with lack of parking and access. Council commented that they would like to preserve the single-family homes and would like to wait and HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS NOVEMBER 7, 2016 see what the best options would be for the site. UPDATES  Council Member Gadd gave an update on the SWLRT Quarterly Management Committee meeting. A new animated SWLRT video will be coming out that highlights key points and construction of the line.  Council Member Kuznia had a question from a resident about beehives in the City and he directed them to the City Ordinance.  Council Member Kuznia attended the GEARS meeting. The committee will be making grant recommendations for the County Transportation Improvement Board (CTIB)  Mayor Cummings commented that the Civic groups met to discuss possible funding opportunities and they will try to meet quarterly.  City Manager Mornson and Mayor Cummings met with Chief Johnson regarding race issues and law enforcement. Staff will continue to discuss the issue and add it to a future Council Work Session agenda. There was discussion regarding maintaining the procedure for the City Council Open Agenda for public comments and concerns.  City Manager Mornson discussed a liquor license violation by Hopkins Mainstreet Bar & Grill.  Assistant City Manager Lenz updated the Council on City of Hopkins job opportunities. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Campbell, second by Gadd, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: ___________________________ ____________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk