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IV.2. Minutes of the December 20, 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, December 20, 2016 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 7:53 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins. Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order with Council Members Kuznia, Halverson, Gadd and Campbell attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Planning and Development Director Elverum, Assistant City Manager Lenz, City Planner Lindahl, City Attorney Riggs and Public Works Director Stadler. The following updates were provided at the meeting: Public Works Public Works Director Stadler discussed the Pavilion project. Staff will update the Council at the th January 10 Work Session. Public Works Director Stadler gave an update on the Burnes Park improvements public meeting. Mr. Stadler commented that pickleball was lobbying for inclusion in the project but the Park Board is considering designating $300,000 in 2018 for dedicated pickleball courts in a to be determined location. Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the site plan, new facility and upgrades to the existing warming house. Mr. Stadler discussed the alternatives to the project that have increased the project budget from $1.3 million to $1.6 million. The Park Board discussed the project and would like to go forward with the $1.6 proposed project. The Burnes Park final design is scheduled to be on the January 3 City Council meeting agenda. City Manager Mornson discussed the amount of the 2017 bonding. Council would like to discuss bonding for city projects at a future Work Session. The City Attorney explained public bonding and timing. Mayor Cummings asked about project costs. Mr. Stadler commented that the scope of the project would be for the $1.6 million and the design agreement would include a breakdown of costs and the alternatives. Council Member Campbell asked about the eyewash station in the utility room. Mr. Stadler explained that it is required by code. Council Member Kuznia asked about lockers. Mr. Stadler commented that lockers had not been discussed as part of the project. Mayor Cummings asked about the playground surface. Mr. Stadler commented that the majority of the surface is engineered wood fiber with a pour in place surface in the toddler area. There was discussion about the snow emergency procedure and public notification. Mr. Stadler commented that staff would consider issuing two warnings prior to the snow emergency. Council Member Kuznia commented that the snow emergency was well publicized. Assistant City Manager Lenz commented that 30% of those registered for CodeRED need to update contact information. CodeRED information can be found on the city website. There was discussion on snow plowing. Mayor Cummings commented that Public Works did a nice job plowing. Council Member Gadd asked about the downtown core clean up. Mr. Stadler commented that Public Works does two days of clean up after the initial snowfall. Mayor Cummings asked about sidewalks and the complete streets policy. Mr. Stadler commented that staff takes into consideration all types of travel during projects. Resident input and staff evaluation determines sidewalk placement. Community Development Planning and Development Director Elverum and City Planner Lindahl discussed a zoning code violation by the Walser and Luther car dealerships regarding parking of vehicles off site. Ms. Elverum commented that a complaint prompted the zoning code violation investigation. Mr. Lindahl discussed the uses of the properties, zoning standards, strategies and options. Mr. Lindahl commented that the options could include not changing the code, amending the licensing and zoning code to be more restrictive and to enforce the code violation. Council Member Campbell asked about the use of the Luther building on the north side of Mainstreet. Ms. Elverum commented that it operates as a call center and auto detailing. The City Attorney discussed options for off-site parking and what other cities allow. Currently Walser is one-year into a 3-year lease for off-site parking of vehicles. Council Member Kuznia asked about the enforcement process. Ms. Elverum commented that the businesses would be told to move the vehicles. The City Attorney discussed the options to enforce or cite the violators. Mr. Riggs commented that the violation could be civil or criminal but typically is a civil case. There was Council discussion about the positive aspects of the dealerships in Hopkins and maintaining relationships with the businesses. Staff has been in conversation with the businesses regarding the situation and a reasonable timeframe but has not been able to resolve the situation. Council Member Gadd asked about licensing compliance and parking of vehicles. Mr. Lindahl commented that the license states that the storage of vehicles is allowed at the sale location only. The City Attorney discussed the definition of off-site parking and commented that the businesses are not in conformance with the zoning code. Ms. Elverum discussed the possibility of Luther locating a specialty dealership on the Mainstreet site and if the City would want that. Ms. Elverum commented that the dealerships bring customers to the city but the property is also a possible redevelopment site. City Manager Mornson commented that staff would discuss the situation with Luther further and wait to see the feedback received from Walser regarding the enforcement letter. Council will continue to evaluate the situation and contact staff with questions. Ms. Elverum updated the Council regarding the Public Art Committee. Request for proposals have been sent and there has been a good response from artists. Ms. Elverum discussed the appointment of members to Art Committee. There was discussion regarding the SWLRT Operations and Maintenance Facility public hearing. The Project office responded to Stewart Co. regarding the environmental review. City Council:  Council Member Gadd discussed the Hopkins JCI project to place scarves on trees and at bus stops for those who need an item of warmth. The scarves are tagged with information about the program and marketed through social media. There was discussion regarding the need to limit locations and timeframe. JCI can contact city staff to inform public about the project.  Mayor Cummings thanked City Manager Mornson for scheduling the speaker on leadership.  The Santa for Senior gift delivery was held on Saturday, December 17.  The Hopkins Historical Society has hired a new Executive Director.  Mayor Cummings commented on an inclusive conversation initiative organizational meeting on January 28, 10 a.m.  Mayor Cummings was appointed to the National League of Cities Human Development Committee.  Dementia Friendly Community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 5:30 p.m. Administration: City Manager Mornson provided the following updates:  Hopkins staff presented information about race relationships and law enforcement at a State of MN meeting.  Mary Raabe is retiring from the Historical Society Board and will be recognized at the January 3 City Council meeting.  Edco will be recognized at the January 17 City Council meeting.  Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison will be presenting at the January 17 City Council meeting.  New City Council speaker request form and guidelines are now available.  Update on the State of City event.  City Manager vacation dates. Assistant City Manager Lenz commented that the City has joined Next Door to disseminate more information to residents and that the Historical Society would like to place a pop up display cabinet at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Gadd, seconded by Campbell, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: ______________________________ _________________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk