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06-10-03 WSJune 10, 2003 Page 1 - MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -June 10, 2003 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on June 10, 2003, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Jensen and Rowan were present. City personnel present were: City Manager Steve Mielke, Police Chief Craig Reid, Public Works Director Steve Stadler and Finance Director Lori Yager. Also present for the first item of business were Steve Benowitz of Hopkins Tavern on Main; Paul Dean, Joel Chesin, Lauri Duffy and Patti Christie of Mainstreet Bar and Grill; Jason Leinen and Len Ghilani of Decoys; Don Scharber of the Hopkins Legion; and Bob Lindee of Lindee's Saloon and Eatery. 2 a.m. Bar Closing Ordinance Discussion Mr. Mielke said the state legislature had passed a bill effective July 1 allowing cities to decide if they want 2 a.m. closing for establishments selling on-sale liquor. Hopkins does not automatically follow state law so an ordinance change would be necessary. He believes the Council could choose to allow only certain nights, but would want the city attorney to double-check that. Live theater, such as at the Center for the Arts could be licensed under the new law. Councilwoman Johnson left notes with the City Manager indicating she favors the change, suggesting Hopkins try the change for one year along with the need to review several issues. Answering Ms. Jensen he said places selling food would be affected only in how it would impact their 50% food income requirement. He explained if the Council approves extended hours, the bar owner would decide if he wants to stay open; if so, he would apply to the state commissioner for a state license, the cost of which would depend on gross sales for the previous year. The city needs to sign off on the state application. Chief Reid explained how the 2 a.m. closing would affect his police department. Because of the 12-hour shifts on a 28-day cycle his officers need to use two vouchers for 4 hours per cycle to keep overtime expenses down. These would not work with a 2 a.m. close, meaning about $15,080.00 more in overtime expense, and the possibility of grievance or FLSA inquiry. Adding an officer per night shift team would cost $116,000. He noted parking ordinances would also need to change, as parking is not allowed after 2 a.m. Parking lot and street cleaning might be affected. Answering Council questions he said changing the shift times would not work as alternatives had been examined before choosing 6:00 to 6:00. His men try to walk the bars frequently and work closely with the bouncers; Minnesota's lack of a public intoxication law hampers their work, as someone must drive a car while intoxicated to actually break the law, Ms. Jensen and Mr. Brausen expressed concern about police manpower issues even without a 2 a.m. close. Ms. Jensen said the issue of allowing bar patrons to leave their cars in the lots without being towed should be addressed. Mayor Maxwell asked for comments from those attending. Joel Chesin said most of the bar owners would like to be open later on Friday and Saturday; some would also want Thursday. He feels if the Council does not allow the change, local bars will lose business to surrounding communities and Hopkins will get a negative image as a place to go for entertainment. He thinks people would exit more gradually so might cause less problems for police overall. Mr. Lindee said he had hoped the bill would not pass. Since it has, he feels he has to stay open as he is next to St. Louis Park whose ordinance automatically follows state law. Mr. Ghilani agreed the majority of June 10, 2003 Page 2 bar owners did not favor the bill but now want to stay open to preserve their business. Chief Reid mentioned the problems of tent dances such as at Raspberry Festival; Mr. Lindee said when he was on Chemical Health Commission they felt the people working those tents should have the same training as regular bar employees. Answering Mr. Brausen, the bar owners said bands would play till 1:30 a.m. and food would also be served longer. They also agreed they would want Thursday, Friday and Saturday extended. Mayor Maxwell said discussion needed to be held on raising local fees. Mr. Mielke noted the city could justify a raise to $10,000 although he did not recommend that large a raise. Mayor Maxwell said Chemical Health had told him they did not need to review the issue. General Consensus: An ordinance should be drafted for first reading at the June 17 Council meeting. Friday and Saturday extensions are okay with all members; Mr. Bxausen and Ms. Jensen would also add Thursday. Council and bar owners agreed the issue should be reviewed in one year. Discussion will be held with bar owners as to fee increases. CAP Review Ms. Yager said Public Works had extended their planning so bonds would not need to be issued so frequently. Mx. Stadler noted that because of the financial situation he had extended the street program out to 2012, but some streets would be marginal by then. It was noted the pavilion acoustics were not in the 2003 figuxes as that was to be covered by fund raising; if that failed, $7500 per year would need to be added. The 2004 CIP was then reviewed. Mr. Stadler and the Council agreed the following could be put on the 2005 plan for future discussion: Valley Park improvements, Pavilion message sign, Burnes Park hockey rink, County road 3, Parking Lot 800 improvements. County Road 61 has been pushed back by the county so would be a 2006 item. The storm water management projects have been divided up among the other projects so can be deleted. The final 2004 list includes: police station remodeling, residential street improvements (15t St. N from 17`" to 2151 to alleviate flooding), residential street utilities with a reduction to $230,000, CSAH 73/CSAH 5 intersection, Minnetonka Blvd. Corridor improvement, reconstruction of sanitary sewer Lift Station #7 (instead of replacement at $500,000 will be $200,000), and storm drainage maintenance at 9 Mile Creek (to prevent serious bank erosion). All agreed the school district should be approached about the pavilion sign and that selling advertising on it should be discussed again. All agreed that trail connection work could be added if grant money is found. Ms. Yager will redraft the CIP plan. Ms. Yager noted that her projections axe based on a 15C increase/1000 gal for water in 2005, a 25C increase/1000 gal for sewer in 2006, and a storm sewer increase of 20~ per month for 2004. 2003 Budget Cuis There was some general discussion on staffing in Public Works and the need for another police officer. Ms. Jensen said she was afraid the constant police force shortage would cause Hopkins to lose good chief and good officers. Mayor Maxwell said he saw the need but did not think the public would see it. Mr. Brausen noted the decision had been made last year, just not implemented. Ms. Jensen commented the public doesn't see the need because they see reserve officers on the streets. Mr. Mielke noted 2003 cuts could be accomplished without requiring layoffs; those will likely come with the 2004 budget. June 10, 2003 Page 3 General discussion of staff recommendations followed. Mr. Rowan noted he wanted the tree program continued. Ms. Yager noted the reduction of business office hours at HCA was not a general fund issue and should be removed. General Consensus: Staff recommendations are accepted with the removal of the HCA hours and the boulevard tree planting. The cable fund shortfall will be part of the 2004 budget discussions. The police officer issue will need to be revisited. This revised list will be presented at the Council meeting, with general groupings presented to the public and the delaying of projects emphasized. The meeting with past leaders should show finances with a 0 increase in levy so they see the real situation. Ms. Yager will see they get a financial packet she has already prepared. Mr. Mielke noted he tells people the state cuts will cost taxpayers $250 more per household per year to keep present programs. Other Mr. Brausen asked for an update on Walser and was told the remaining building will stay. Ms. Jensen said Ms. Hesch had been tagged for brush she had not had time to remove. Mr. Mielke noted board and commission training is in 2 weeks. He will want agenda and goals feedback at the next Council meeting. Also, the East End study needs to get the comprehensive plan and zoning changes implemented very soon as Citrus Systems is going to move. Mr. Brausen moved adjournment. Mayor Maxwell seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor COUNCIL MEMBERS: