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05-09-2017 Work SessionHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 9, 2017 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 6:31 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 and Community Development Coordinator Beekman. UPDATE FROM HBCA In addition to City staff, Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA) representatives present for the item were Elaine Goepfert and Amy Saldanha. Community Development Coordinator Beekman gave an overview of the HBCA work plan and future vision. Ms. Saldanha discussed the HBCA goals to improve communication, develop internal best practices and improve external focus. Ms. Saldanha gave an overview of HBCA community events, grant program, membership growth and goal to provide HBCA members with a great experience. Ms. Goepfert discussed the goals and vision of HBCA. Ms. Goepfert commented that the association continues to grow its membership and provide better events to increase business and community involvement. Ms. Goepfert commented that the last membership meeting had its highest attendance and the 2017 spotlight would be on businesses. Ms. Goepfert commented that HBCA is considering producing a coupon book to promote businesses. There was discussion about exploring a Business Improvement District and Historical Designation for downtown Hopkins. Ms. Beekman commented that the Business Improvement District (BID) was a concept from the "Keeping it Real" discussions. Businesses in the BID would fund special projects and services within the districYs boundaries. HBCA would meet with key business owners to determine the interest in a BID. Council Member Campbell asked about BID fees. Ms. Beekman commented that State Law dictates that multifamily buildings cannot be required to participate in a BID but there can be voluntary participation or included as part of a Planned Unit Development. Ms. Goepfert discussed an initiative for businesses to partner more with the Hopkins School District and the Celebration of Community event. Council Member Halverson commented that a business coupon book could be distributed to new residents and apartment leasing offices. Mayor Cummings commented that HBCA could have a presence at National Night Out. Council Member Kuznia commented on the positive feedback and social media presence of HBCA. There was discussion about broadening the multicultural presence at the Summerfest event with demonstrations and music. Mayor Cummings commented on the importance of building relationships and community. Council Member Gadd commented that it is a challenge to engage businesses from all areas of Hopkins and expand the cross- cultural opportunities. Ms. Beekman discussed the activities on the third Thursday of Summerfest including food trucks and a beer tent. Council Member Kuznia discussed the concerns of businesses regarding a historical designation. Ms. Beekman commented that a City can determine historical design HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 9, 2017 standards and that there are more regulations with Federal funds. The SWLRT Project Office review determined that the downtown Hopkins district qualifies as a historical district. City staff would continue to work on the historical designation. There was discussion about hosting a historical designation presentation at a general HBCA meeting and include the Historical Society and a business owner who has gone through the process. Businesses need to be educated abo�t costs and what is involved. Mayor Cummings asked about HBCA membership and ribbon-cutting events. Ms. Goepfert commented that there are 175 members and membership continues to grow. HBCA would like to continue ribbon-cutting by helping the business owners promote a successful event. Ms. Beekman would coordinate with the HBCA Coordinator regarding ribbon-cuttings. There was discussion about business feedback regarding the Highway 169 closure. There has been decreased business but not as bad as they thought. Ms. Goepfert and Ms. Saldanha appreciate the support of the City Council. BIKE PARKING P�AN Community Development Coordinator Beekman along with the Public Works Department developed a comprehensive Bike Parking Plan for the City. Significant increases in bike traffic and lack of bike parking have been identified. Parketect has developed a uniform bike rack design throughout downtown and the bike racks would be made available for businesses to purchase. Ms. Beekman gave an overview of bike rack design, location, pricing and number of racks. A covered bike structure would be installed at the Clocktower Plaza and holds 22 bikes. Staff is investigating installation of a fixit station for a cost of $1700.00 with the option to install at a later date. The total estimated cost for 51 custom bike racks would be $18,000. The funding would be one- third from the Artery project, Public Works and Economic Development Fund. Staff would continue to refine the plan to ensure the correct number and locations for the bike racks. The current raspberry bike racks would be relocated to area parks. The cost for businesses to purchase a bike rack would be $176 each. Public Works would install the racks on the public right-of-way but private businesses would need to pay for the installation. There was discussion about offering businesses an opportunity to purchase a bike rack with the quantity discount pricing and looking for sponsors to purchase the fix-it station. Ms. Beekman commented that almost 100 bike parking stalls would be added to downtown in 2017 and this continues the City's progress toward being designated as a Bicycle Friendly City. Council consensus was to approve the plan and they would like a map of the Bike Parking Plan once finalized. UPDATES • Council Member Kuznia commented that the Hopkins Area Little League is hosting a fundraiser for added safety features at Maetzold Field. Mr. Mornson will bring this to the attention of Public Works staff. • Council Member Kuznia discussed clarifying the late fee wording on the water bill statement. The new financial software wording calls the late fee an adjustment. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MAY 9, 2017 • Council Member Gadd will be inducted into the Jaycee Hall of Fame at the Alexandria conference. Mayor Cummings commented that a Citizen Academy Alumni participant suggested the following acronym for Hopkins: "Helping Our People Know Its Neighborhood Strengths." Mayor Cummings attended the Mosque Tour and the Race and Equity panel discussion. City Manager Mornson gave the following updates: • Staff will provide an update on the racial equity work at the June 12 work session. • Discussion of the League Conference events. • Seven property owners attended the Open Book meeting. • Discussion of the Zoning and Planning Commission vacancy, possible applicants and how to promote board and commission openings. There was discussion of a student advisory committee to the Park Board and Zoning and Planning Commission. Staff would investigate the absenteeism guidelines for the boards and commissions. • Discussion about multifamily affordable housing, the need to continue to build a tax base in order to provide necessary resources to its residents and the importance of balancing the housing stock. A discussion is scheduled for the July 18 City Council Work Session. The Community Town Hall Forum topic at Gethsemane Lutheran on Wednesday June 14 is The Changing Picture of Affordable Housing. • Discussion about the 8�" Avenue construction incentives and the Development Agreement with Doran Construction. The contractor for poran is not ready for Meyer Construction to work on 8ih Avenue. The City Attorney and staff are working with the Doran contractor to resolve the construction stalemate. Mr. Mornson will send the letter to Council for their review. • Discussion of an annexation land swap with St. Louis Park on Highway 7 and Blake Road. The property is not buildable. • The City has received a Building Permit from 750 Mainstreet for exterior improvements to be completed this summer. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Campbell, second by Kuznia, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: �lvT� ��`�, �,L�. � �f,���1�1 Molly Cu mings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk