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10-30-00 WSMINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -OCTOBER 30, 2000 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on October 30, 2000, at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch and Jensen. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Finance Director Yager, Activity Center supervisor Newville, Facilities Manager Strachota, Recreation director Johnson, City Clerk Obermaier, Assessor Bob Wilson, Building Inspector Rick Davidson; Public Works Director Stadler, and Community Development Director Kerrigan. 2001 Budget Discussions This was a continuation from the last work session. Activity Center Ms. Yager noted that the large increase in revenues for the Senior Activities was not an actual monetary increase but due to recording gross income and then deducting expenses, rather than using only the net income figure as before. Ms. Newville noted that since requiring Hopkins area ID's, problems at the Teen programs on Friday nights have dropped; the program is funded with a $1500 school grant. Answering various questions by Council members, she noted: Teen program budget figures for 2000 had $4401 projected actual and budget of $10,415 due largely to this was the first year they had tried to divide the budget by groups; the federally-funded lunch program attendance is decreasing steadily; Historical Site funding is out of the Activity Center; Senior Center budget pays 90% of the 3 staff salaries, the computer lab, the Bransen trip; a possible revenue-bringer would be bingo (one Iowa center gets $250,000/year). There was general discussion of two questions. Is it fair to expect some programs to be self-supporting when the Senior Activities costs so much (Ms. Hesch noted that if the Depot cost taxpayers that much, there would be an outcry); Is there any way to help "police" the teen activity night as police staff are not available? CommunitYServices City Clerk Obermaier commented on the improved record storage and the new Hennepin County voting system. 2001 budget calls for a decrease by 12%. Storage for some long-term records has had to be moved off-site to All-Data. She explained that election budget always varies greatly from year to year, depending if it is an "even" year when more candidates are voted on or the "odd" year when elections are light. `JVhen school elections are concurrent with regular elections, costs are charge-backed to the district based on inches used on the ballot; she is not involved with special school elections. City Assessor Wilson noted 25% of properties are physically inspected; some may be only exterior inspections if the preliminary letter is not responded to. There has been a steady increase in the number done over the past years.Traffic at the counter is not tracked as most client contact is by phone, but he estimated 15-20 per day come in person. City Inspector Davidson said contractor licensing is done by the state; if they come to the city they need proof of workmen's compensation and insurance. He noted inspections budget is offset 82 % by revenues from permits, licenses, etc. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said he thinks the new citation process will help with the nuisance problems. His department will be doing some fire inspections. City Manager Mielke will keep the Council updated as this goes into effect. Recreation Mr. Johnson noted Hopkins pays 1/3 of the Joint Recreation costs, or $120,725. The playground program greatly increased this year, from $13,000 to $34,000, and from 1822 to 3859 children; cost per child went down from $10.45 to $7.96. Skating rink costs will be decreased by having fewer personnel who will do 2 parks each; he feels actual quality will go up as wages can go up for those hired while still cutting costs. He noted Central Park comes under Public Works and is not in his budget. However, the Shady Oak payment increase is reflected in his budget; actual costs will be down. The liquor license program was utilized primarily by softball teams, only one community group applied. Some unlicensed consumption is still done in Valley Park, but is done discreetly; there have been no major confrontations with police. Mr. Mielke noted that $25,000 could be taken from the Park Dedication fund for the Shady Oak payment, which is $50,000 this year. Steve Stadler noted maintenance at Shady Oak was $27,000, partly due to water system problems, but the system is under warranty. Public Works Mr. Stadler said since the new facility division was created his department now has 49 employees. Personnel accounts for 61% of his budget, utility 8%, equipment 6.5%, materials 23 % . Materials will be down 7 % . Mr. Stadler will get figures for the contract week-end personnel for the municipal building. He will check on the supplier, amounts, etc. for fuel as well as the size of the tank. $50,000 of the $163,100 for engineering is charged to PIR funds. The lAW pavement program is helping extend pavement life; street patching is staying ahead of the seal coat contract area. He felt not doing sidewalks for one year could raise liability issues. Mayor Maxwell noted he had received positive comments about the current sidewalk contractor. Answering Ms. Jensen, Steve Stadler said when traffic lights go out on state/county roads his department helps only by setting up signs, etc. Hopkins owns 50% of street lights; NSP the rest. Answering Mr. Brausen he said he budgets for the "normal" year; severe winters might require extra funding from the contingency fund. His personnel work 8 hour days -but might be night hours if storms require it; this prevents over-time but becomes a negotiations issue at times. Mr. Brausen suggested that this sliding schedule be pointed out at Citizens' Academy. Planning & Community Development Mr. Kerrigan noted the Comprehensive Plan has been submitted to Met Council, even though one component is still being worked on by Public Works. No feed-back has been received yet. He gave examples of activities for some budget categories: "miscellaneous planning" includes housing moratorium, single-family housing removal issue; "community development" includes Conditional Use parameters, Excelsior Blvd. upgrade. He noted the ordinance to regulate vehicle parking and accessory buildings will be time-consuming in 2001 to get compliance. Nancy Anderson tracked 2000 telephone calls on zoning issues in 2000. Mr. Brausen commented this presentation should be given to the Zoning & Planning Commission as part of their training; Mayor Maxwell agreed. At the next work session more detail will be brought on the enterprise and special funds and possible further cuts with probable consequences will be presented. Budget is set for adoption on November 19. Fran Hesch noted that there is $100,000 in the Park Dedication fund; using it for the $50,000 Shady Oak payment would leave that amount in the general fund; she also asked if the 1 % for the arts could be in place when Allina comes in? Mr. Mielke will shedule these issues for further discussion. North Annex Redevelopment Mr. Mielke said city staff needs to know what the Council feels is most important as negotiations are entered into with Allina/Medica. The previous feeling had been to have a business park; this would meet that parameter. Size is still a question, varying from 300- 450,000 sq. ft.; if the latter, there would probably be another building. Mr. Kerrigan noted the February closing seemed very early; staff and Allen feel August is more realistic. Later Mr. Mielke noted this deadline may reflect the Council's desire to have something settled by then; Mr. Kerrigan added it may reflect a need for money to finish developing the south side. Discussion followed on Ms. Johnson's a-mail saying she felt neighborhood integrity, traffic patterns, purchase of corner properties and a tunnel to the trail system were priorities. All agreed neighborhood integrity is vital and that traffic will be an issue. As to the properties, the big questions is cost, which Mr. Kerrigan estimates at $2 million with willing sellers. He further noted the surrounding properties has been a drawback in selling this acreage. Mayor Maxwell commented that Hopkins should not buy them, but rather let Allina decide if they want to buy them to better their surroundings. Mr. Mielke said Allina seems to favor green space, and had noted employees would want a way to the Depot. All agreed a pedestrian walkway, either over or under Excelsior Blvd., will be necessary. Ms. Hesch suggested maybe Hopkins could do the tunnel if Allina bought the neighboring properties. Mr. Kerrigan noted that to keep green space, parking ramps may be needed; how important is green space versus having to help finance parking ramps? General consensus was green space was more important. Mr. Kerrigan said staff has estimated the project at $7-11 million in public financial assistance, which works out to 13-16 years of TIF (life of district is 25 years). Demolition of the old Annex would be about $2 million, which would not be Allina's cost as they pay for bare land. Ms. Hesch noted the closeness to their old site would be a bonus for all their employees; but Mr. Mielke also noted they have existing leases and don't want to build until 2002. Mr. Kerrigan added dealing with the railroad might take those two years. Staff will keep the Council up to date; Mr. Kerrigan hopes to have something to present within 30 days. Ms. Jensen suggested the Parks be notified also as this may affect the trail. Mr. Mielke will also notify Zoning & Planning. Other Hopkins House A financial issue has arisen. They are engaged in further negotiations. Internet Mystery Mr. Mielke said Bobbie would like to get sponsors for banner advertising on the pages. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said there will be a cost for the writing of the mystery. Ms. Jensen said she felt local writers should have been used. General consensus was that banner ads simply saying "sponsored by ;' would be okay; but Council felt this was too important to address summarily so that further discussion is needed on who would be allowed to sponsor pages and a general policy for web page sponsorship should be looked into. Ms. Hesch moved adjournment; Ms. Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Y~asey Fester, Secretary ATTEST: i~~~ Euge e J. well, Mayor C®UNCII, MEMBERS