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11-08-00A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on November 8, 2000, in the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Jensen, Hesch, and Johnson. Also, present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Anderson, Reid, Stadler, and City Attorney Jeremy Steiner. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS No one from the public came forward with any comments. III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Zoning and Planning Commission Zoning and Planning Commissioner Ross Bartz reported on the November 1 meeting. The Commission recommended denial of the application for a garage variance at 1409 Cambridge. The Council had no questions. IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of October 17, 2000, City Council Meeting 2. Minutes of Cctober 17, 2000, City Council Work Session 3. Minutes of October 24, 2000, City Council Work Session 4. Minutes of October 30, 2000, City Council Work Session 5. Ratify Prior Month's Disbursements 6. Policy on National Night Out Activities (CR2000-177) 7. Order Feasibility Report - 2001 Alley Reconstruction Project (CR2000-80) 8. 2000 - 2001 Hopkins Police Association Contract (CR2000-1 17) 9. 2000 - 2001 Hopkins Police Sergeants Contract (CR2000-183) 10. Award Bid -Used Motor Grader (CR2000-178) 1 1 . Approve Engineering Services Agreement -Area 8 Storm Sewer Improvements (CR2000-184) Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 V. OATH OF OFFICE Jim Genellie administered the oath of office to Martha Vennes, new Chemical Health commissioner, VI. PUBLIC HEARING 1 . Use of 2000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds Chief Reid said that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has offered funding to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. The amount of the grant is $1 1,714. Chief Reid said staff recommends that the funds be used to purchase three computer workstations. Two will replace older stations. The third will add an additional workstation in the Sergeant's Office. These purchases qualify under the purpose area in the grant conditions. The Bureau of Justice Assistance requires that a separate Advisory Board review the use and make a non- binding recommendation. The board has supported the staff recommendation. A public hearing must be held to review the intended use. The mayor asked if this was the same amount as last year. Chief Reid said the amount last year was $12,200. Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. No one from the public came forward to speak. Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at 7:41 p.m. Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to approve the recommended use of funds for the 2000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant towards the purchase of computer equipment. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Order Traffic Study, 17th Ave Pedestrian Contract (CR2000-181 } Steve Stadler said that staff has received a petition to improve the crossing at 17th Ave S and 1st St S, a school crossing. The crossing is at an uncontrolled intersection where there is considerable afternoon traffic. In its report, staff will consider the current situation, justification for a change, options for improvements and costs. The report will be presented at the November 21st Council Meeting. November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 In response to the Council's questions, Mr. Stadler stated that the study is not required, it is, however, routine, would be internal, and the only cost would be staff time. CounciB Member Jensen said a stop sign or stoplight is the only options she supports. The following residents were present to speak: Butch Johnson, Katherine Curren music teacher; Deb P. Peterson, 20-18th Av. S.; Jane H., 107 - 19th Av. S.; and Richard Swanson, 18th Av. S. Their comments were that through-traffic has increased on 17th; cars exceed the speed limit; the speed limit sign is not visible enough; cars fail to stop even when pedestrians enter the crosswalk (including Deb Peterson, who enters the crosswalk with a stroller and a sign telling cars to stop); cars drive around patrol flags; and, that they requested a stop sign several times in the past, as long as 20 years ago. Three speakers requested stop signs (one of which specifically said not a stoplight); one requested a sign or a light; one asked fora 20-mile-an-hour speed limit. Chief Reid stated the police are focusing on the crosswalk issue. Council Member Hesch suggested installing a temporary stop sign during the study; all concurred. Mr. Mielke stated that the placement for the sign/signs needed to be considered. Mr. Stadler suggested one crosswalk on the north side of the intersection. Council Member Jensen suggested moving the crosswalk to First Street with a 3-way stop. Council Member Srausen recognized Mr. Stadler's expertise, but stated the issue was urgent. Mayor Maxwell requested that temporary stop signs be put up and Mr. Stadler come back with a report on November 21. Mr. Mielke suggested that the specifics of the temporary signs be determined by Police and Public Works. Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to authorize the City Engineer to prepare a report in accordance with Legislative Policy 8-A, regarding the request for improvements to the 17th Ave S/1st St S school crossing. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Srausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Variance -Garage at 1409 Cambridge (CR2000-182) Nancy Anderson said that the applicant has constructed atwelve-foot by twenty-foot building without a permit. The building is almost complete. The applicant's lot is located in an R-2 zoning district. The R-2 district allows a total maximum of 528 square-feet for accessory buildings. The applicant already has a 720 square-foot accessory building on a 24 by 30-foot lot. With both buildings, the applicant has 960 square feet of accessory buildings° The zoning ordinance for district R-2 allows 35% building coverage. With the additional accessory building, the lot will have 38% coverage. The applicant replaced a shed that was grandfathered, but once the grandfathered shed was removed, it could not be replaced without a variance. November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 Ms. Anderson said that there is no hardship. At the Zoning and Planning Commission Mr. Emme, the applicant, stated that the old building was damaged in a storm and he was replacing it. The old building was ten feet by twelve feet. Mr. Emme said that he didn't know that he needed a permit. The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended denial of the application. In response to Council Member Brausen, Ms. Anderson said she did not know why one Planning Commissioner abstained from voting on this issue and that the old garage was built in 1978. Mr. Emme was present. He stated that he replaced a 10' X 12' shed that blew down with a building 10 feet larger. In response to questions from the Council, he stated he didn°t comply with the stop building order because of the weather, he informed the City that he didn°t stop building, the building is on a floating base at present, and he plans to donate it to the i/A at Fort Snelling if the variance is denied. Gary and Jackie Duda, neighbors of the applicant, spoke against granting the variance. In response to questions from the Council, Ms. Anderson stated that before this accessory building was constructed the applicant had 720 sq. ft. accessory building coverage on his lot and with the new building he now has 960 sq. ft. The allowable accessory building coverage in this case (R-2) is 528 sq, ft. Ms. Anderson also responded that once the old building was removed, it lost its "grandfathered" status and that no other neighbors had contacted her regarding this issue. Mr. Emme spoke again from the audience, asking if an 18' fish house could be stored on his property. Mayor Maxwell stated that he liked the idea of donating the building to the 0/A . Commissioner Hesch stated that the fish house was not an option. She expressed regret about the applicant°s circumstances, but said she felt bound by the ordinance and did not want to set a precedent. Commissioner Brausen agreed. Commissioner Jensen said time and energy would have been saved if the applicant had called the City before beginning construction. Mayor Maxwell, in response to Mr. Emme, told him he had a reasonable amount of time to remove the building and to stay in contact with Ms. Anderson. Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2000-82 denying a variance to allow an accessory building on 1409 Cambridge. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Three Cities Transit Restructuring Plan (CR2000-174) Nancy Anderson said that the City has been involved in a transit study with St. Louis Park and Minnetonka. As a result of the study, a restructuring of Metro Transit is proposed November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 and will start in March. A hub will have to be constructed. Several months ago, the Council discussed two locations, 8th Ave. S. and the park-ride at on County Rd 3. The Council asked the Met Transit to consider 8th Ave. Ms. Anderson reviewed the pros and cons of both sites with a staff recommendation of the present park-and-ride site. Steve Mahowald, George Serumgard, and Arlene McCarthy of Met Transit were present. Mr. Serumgard said stops were not farther south of the alley on 8th because of the walking distance that would create from Mainstreet. The service is planned to start in March. Mayor Maxwell asked if this would come back before the Zoning and Planning Commission. Mr. Mielke responded that it would be a good idea. Mr.' Mielke stated that the Council had asked that the city-owned property south of County Road 3 be landscaped, which includes this area. He stated this is a temporary location that could become permanent. Mayor Maxwell stated Met Transit should work with Hopkins Police and Public Works. Mr. Stadler concurred, especially relating to the area between 8th and Stn and the plans to buffer this area from County Road 3. In response to Commissioner Johnson, Mr. Mahowald said he didn't see use of the space by Postal Service employees. Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to select a temporary transit hub at the existing park-and-ride on County Road 3 for the Metro Transit restructuring plan. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. Nancy Anderson said that the applicant has requested that the next three items be continued until the next meeting. 4. Final Plat -Semper/Walgreen's Development (CR2000-174) 5. CUP Agreement, Semper/Walgreen's Development CR2000-172) 6. CUP Agreement, Hopkins House Development (CR2000-173) Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to continue items four, five, and six to the next meeting. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 7. Kids Voting Council Member Hesch reported on Kids Voting in Hopkins. Approximately 4,700 votes were counted. There were 875 volunteers. The results were Gore 54%; Bush 40%; Nader 5%; and other 1 %. November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 The Council thanked Kate Riley, Sun Newspapers, for her involvement in the program. They also recognized City Clerk Terry Obermaier for her excellent work. Ms. Riley, in turn, thanked the City for the donated sign. 8. Voting in Hopkins Jim Genellie reported on voting in Hopkins. He said close to 90% of those registered before the election voted. There were 2,400 voters who registered on November 7. Mayor Maxwell thanked Ms. Obermaier and all the election judges for their work. The Council congratulated Betty Folliard and Steve Kelley on their re-election. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:50 p.m. Respectively Submitted, Shannon Smith COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEST: G~~~ Eugene J. M xwell, Mayor November 8, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6