08-22-00 WSMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -AUGUST 22, 2000
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on August 22,
2000, at the City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch,
Jensen and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Economic
Development Director Kerrigan, and Police Chief Reid.
Economic Development Project Areas, Jim Kerrigan, presenter
This was a continuation of a previous session.
North of Fifth St. Mr. Kerrigan noted a small vacant parcel that will not be used in the
upgrade of Hopkins House. Hopkins House does not want to do anything with this parcel until
it is done with the Walgreens project. Mayor Maxwell said he was afraid Dodge would want
to use the area for storage. Mr. Kerrigan noted Super America had expressed interest, but that
is not an option. Mr. Mielke suggested writing to Dodge, notifying them car storage is an
illegal use so they don't purchase it with that in mind.
General Consensus: The city attorney and staff should check on the impact of
notifying both Dodge and National Lodging on permitted usage and move toward proper
usage.
North Annex: Mr. Kerrigan has been meeting with SuperValu, who are now sending
out RFP's to developers that have expressed interest indicating that 425-550,000 sq. ft. office
space is projected and that public assistance is possible. Replies are expected back in
September, and SuperValu should report to the city in October. In response to Council
questions, Mr. Mielke and Mr. Kerrigan gave the following information: the deadline for a
proposal from SuperValu is July 1, 2001. SuperValu has been told to have something to review
by the first of the year. SuperValu may be part of the project. Surface parking would be all
that is required for the projected office space. The previous traffic study will be of value now;
2nd 5t. NE is a concern. Projected height is four stories (45 ft.). Alliant Tech property may
become involved in the project. A probable figure for TIF would be 12 million dollars over
11-15 years. No recent market study has been done on a hotel for the area; it would be best if
the developer paid for that.
General Consensus: The ideal development would be a business park with office
space and ahotel/convention center. Retail stores are not an option except for accessory ones
for occupant convenience (such as restaurants).
The bike trail connection in this area is of great concern.
North of Excelsior Blvd. Ms. Jensen asked about the dangerous bike trail crossing near
SuperValu. Mr. Mielke said staff is trying to get the bike trail on the north side of Excelsior
Blvd. and connected with the Huthinson spur. A barrier at the present crossing is a possibility
for safety of children. Mr. Kerrigan said Citrus Systems may expand. A developer is
interested in buying 5 of the properties and in agreement with the city's plans. The boulevard
is not being turned over to the businesses; if a developer came with a good plan, then the city
might give the boulevard expansion as a way to help.
General Consensus: The bike trail must become a top concern; Mr. Mielke will look into
ways for the Council to make a formal issue of this.
The whole East End should become a target area: nonconforming uses should be
stopped; the businesses should be notified the Council will be putting extra emphasis on this
area and its appearance. The staff should develop a strategy so the Council can directly
influence this area; the Hoisington-Koegler study should be developed into a master plan.
"East End" needs to be defined and the needs detailed. Citrus Systems should be told that the
boulevard side should be office space with the industrial use to the rear.
Mainstreet - 12"'/13x'' Aves South Side: Mr. Mielke noted only a half block is open.
Mr. Kerrigan noted real estate values have risen sharply; facade work may be an option.
General Consensus: This is not a top priority at this time.
Police Department Organization discussion, Craig Reid, presenter
This was, an informational presentation. Chief Reid summarized the history of police
work. He explained how community policing differs, noting that major obstacles include the
overuse of 911, professional training requirements take more and more time, and the long
history of "professional police" has left amind-set that is not conducive to community
policing.
He noted call types have changed even though the number of calls is about the same as
1985. Medical calls have more than tripled (342 to 1196). Domestic calls have gone from 79
to 332 and now take 2 hours as opposed to 10 minutes due to mandatory arrest; Hopkins has a
high rate for these calls as most are initiated by neighbors, and apartments mean neighbors
hear arguments.
His belief is that the department has to find ways to get officers and citizens working
together; the main problem is that 911 and service calls take so much time there is not enough
time for this to happen. Changes in method he is making to help make community policing
work include: decentralizing authority to officers so they can deal with problems; identifying
community priorities and concentrating on them; finding time for officers to work with citizens
(slowing down service calls may help); shifting focus from statistical performance to
community perception of performance; involving community organizations and other city
departments in problem solving.
Specific changes include having the beginning officer act as case boss and close the
case file and follow up with the initiator; 12-hour shifts so officers and patrolmen work the
same hours;
Sergeants will no longer respond to routine calls; officers need to review their reports; certain
types of cases, such as theft, will require canvassing the neighborhood so neighbors are aware
of what is going on.
Changes to develop community connections include: forming the police department
into teams, each of which needs to develop a community project each year; putting a fictional
case on the Hopkins "net" which will include a February open house with a "suspect" line-up;
each officer will be assigned certain "contacts" and will be given any case that involves them;
customers (including victims, complaints and arrests).
Support needed from the city includes infrastructure support (facility upgrading, radio
and computer systems replacement; personnel and staffing), recruitment of officers, staff and
reserves, finding nontraditional funding. Long-term issues the department and community will
face will be racial profiling, staff turnover, system upgrading, and increasing demands for
police services. He sees the main strengths as good staff and the vision plan helping define
objectives.
General Consensus: Much of what was said should be given a public format, perhaps
as a presentation at a Council meeting so it is aired on television. Eliminating local dispatch is
no longer a viable issue.
®ther
update
National League of Cities reservations are made.
October 24 will be the Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
Steve Kelly/Hagen Building will have open house on August 30; Mr. Mielke will
Judge Katherine Anderson had questions on the Minnetonka Blvd/169 "gateway" and
annexation. General Consensus is that a city position should be formulated stating concerns
so that Hopkins policy is on record.
Ms. Hesch brought up the group home at 317/321 - 5"'. N. This produced 30 calls in
six months for police from within the home (not neighbor calls).
Mr. Brausen asked about curb replacement between 8"' and 9"'. Mr. Mielke will get
him more information.
Mayor Maxwell said Citizens Academy is set for September 6, and then every other
week.
Karen Jensen mentioned she has a centennial book if someone needs to see it.
Rick Brausen moved adjournment. Karen Jensen seconded. Adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Kasey Kester, recording secretary
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