07-18-00A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on July 18, 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, Stadler, Yager, Reid, Meuwissen
and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Park Board
Mark Kuhl reported that the Park Board has been working on a handbook that will list
the names and phone numbers and job descriptions of the members. They received a
letter from the Minnehaha Oaks Association. Steve Mielke reviewed the five-year
park plan for the Board. The Skatepark opened and has been a great success. Mr.
Kuhl said that the Park Board would like to become more active in the Community and
would like suggestions for doing so.
Council Member Jensen asked about the fee structure for the Skatepark. Mr. Kuhl
said that memberships were 530.00 for the year with a $5.00 entrance fee each day.
The entrance fee for non-members is 59.00 each day. Ms. Jensen said that some
Hopkins kids were overheard saying that they cannot afford to go to Skatepark. Ms.
Jensen asked that fees be reviewed and that scholarships be made available. She did
not like the idea that resident kids could not use the Skatepark because it is cost
prohibitive. Mr. Kuhl said that the Park Board intends to review the fees in the fall.
PJIr. Kuhl said that Shady Oak Beach has been well attended this summer.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of July 5, 2000 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of July 1 1, 2000 Work Session
3. Second Reading for Charter Amendment, Ordinance 2000-840 (Memo)
4. Second Reading for Charter Amendment, Ordinance 2000-843 (Memo)
5. Budget Adjustment, Public Works Facility Management Reorganization
(CR2000-122)
July 18, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
Mayor Maxwell asked Mr. Mielke to give an explanation of the two ordinances in
items three and four. Mr. Mielke explained that Ordinance 2000-840 is a change that
will allow the Council to create an administrative court and that Ordinance 2000-843
will affect the Council's ability to appoint a vacancy in office if more than two years
of the term remain.
Council Member Brausen 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.
V. PRESENTATION
1 . Lifesaving Award, Maranda and David Cleveland
Chief Reid and Officer Meuwissen presented Police Lifesaving Medals to Maranda and
David Cleveland. Chief Reid said that Maranda was being recognized for observing a
four-year old boy who appeared in distress while swimming. Acting quickly, she
entered the water and immediately pulled the child to safety. She alerted others to
the situation so rescue breathing could be given to the victim. Her actions resulted in
the saving of a Human Life. Chief Reid then presented the Lifesaving Medal to
Maranda.
Chief Reid also stated that David Cleveland observed afour-year-old boy who
appeared in distress while being pulled from the water. He quickly took the child as
he was being pulled from the water and performed rescue breathing that restored
respiration to the victim. His action resulted in the saving of a Human Life. A
Lifesaving Medal was then presented to David Cleveland.
Chief Reid said that the medals were the same medals that would be given to an
officer and were designed and cast by Candace Liddy especially for this award.
2. 1999 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Audit (Memo)
Raydenne Hagan of KPMG said that she was the manager on the project. The project
was conducted with generally accepted auditing standards and the provisions of the
Minnesota Legal Compliance Audit Guide for Local Government. The audit included
testing of contracting and bidding, deposits and investments, conflicts of interest,
public indebtedness and claims and disbursements. The test indicated one finding.
The City of Hopkins did not obtain a performance and payment bond from an awarded
contractor prior to the beginning of the maintenance that was performed. The City
concurred with the finding and will take the necessary steps to assure that all
contracting and bid laws have been complied with when entering into contracts.
During 1999, the City determined that it had minor administrative involvement and
July 18, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
does not perform the investing function for the deferred compensation plans. The
plans were therefore removed from the expendable trust fund and are no longer
reported in the financial statements. In all other areas, the audit was standard.
Lori Yager presented the highlights of the 1999 CAFR. Council Member Hesch asked
Ms. Yager if she would present this report to the boards and commissions.
3. Second Quarter Financial Report (Memo)
Ms. Yager said that the General Fund revenues are on target. Permit revenues are
down as expected, but overall revenues have increased three percent over 1999. The
City has spent $80,000 of the 5100,000 contingency funds. Total cash is up 54-
million. The utilities have operating income as of the first of June. The Skatepark is
a huge success and has an operating income of 58,800 in June. Ms. Yager said that
the biggest challenge is the operating loss of the HCA. The reserves are 51 million
over last year. Ms. Yager said that the City is in very good financial health.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. Order Feasibility Report, Lot 500 and Lot 600
Steve Stadler said that improvements were anticipated in 1998 and projects for the
two lots were included in the 1999-2003 CIP and continue to appear in the
document. Staff has determined that there are more issues to address than
bituminous resurfacing. RLK was approached to re-examine their 1992 Hopkins
Alleyscape feasibility study. This study had addressed issues such as lighting, trash
receptacles and local drainage. It became apparent that these issues were germane
to any parking lot improvements and that perhaps the older alleyscape study could
provide guidance. Funding has undergone considerable discussion by staff and
downtown business owners. Sentiment seems to favor special assessments as the
funding vehicle. A feasibility study is required by law if the project is going to be
assessed. The cost of the feasibility study is 529,100.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2000-48, Resolution Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report,
Reconstruction of Parking Lots 500 and 600. 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. Present Public Works Building Project (CR2000-120)
July 18, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Steve Stadler said for several years the City's Capital Improvement Plan has included
a project to improve the Public Works vehicle storage facilities at 1 1 100 Excelsior
Blvd. The current CIP calls for project design this year and construction in 2001 .
Staff has solicited architectural and engineering services proposals and is ready to
move forward with project design. Mr. Stadler reviewed the scope, cost and benefits
of the project. Project funding is proposed through a $1.6 Million HRA revenue bond.
No action was taken.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member
Hesch seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 8:40 p.m.
Respectively Subm
ATTEST:
Eug - e J. _,.a~cwell, Mayor
July 18, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
COUNCIL MEMBERS