07-11-00 WSMINUTES
CITY C®UNCII. W®RK SESSI®N -JULY 11, 2000
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:40 p.m. on July 11, 2000,
at the City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch and
Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Public Works Director Stadler,
Economic Development Coordinator Jim Hartshorn and Building official Rick Davidson.
CBD (Central Business District) Maintenance Inspection Program, Jim Hartshorn,
presenter
Mr. Hartshorn said the main thrust of the program would be informational, letting the
CBD know what would be expected of them in terms of building and sidewalk appearance and
upkeep. He mentioned the possibility of presenting brooms to the businesses as an awareness
technique. City Court would be instrumental in enforcing the new system.
Mr. Davidson said a new housing inspector, Elizabeth Page of Brooklyn Park, had just
been hired. He later estimated her time allotment for CBD inspections would probably average
only a couple hours a month. Later he added Brooklyn Park has a City Court system, and she
may be able to give input as Hopkins sets its Court up.
Council member comments largely centered on the need to have the HBCA involved
before the Council does anything. Mr. Mielke noted the program was not to add new
requirements, but to enforce those already in the code.
General Consensus The property owners group and HBCA need to work together on a
proposal to bring to the city; only then will city staff and Council work on it.
South Hopkins traffic analysis (7"' and 6"'), Steve Stadler, presenter
Mr. Stadler said there is definitely a problem with cut-through traffic through the
neighborhood, partly due to Edina's signs suggesting 11"' Avenue as an alternate route. He has
talked to Edina about this. A priority step to be taken is to four-lane a portion of 11"' Ave. S.
Staff sees four additional options, but he feels the best one would be signs at Westbrooke
Way/Smetana Road and 11"' Ave S/7~' St. S stating "Local Traffic Only -Through Traffic Use
11"' Ave."; signs at Westbrook Way/9r'' Ave. S. (northbound) and 11"' Ave/7"' St. S.
(northbound) "No right turn 3-6 pm Mon-Fri." He added that police enforcement would not
be used unless signage alone does not help; the police chief and captain concur with this.
Ms. Johnson asked about local residents. Mr. Stadler said they, too, would need to go
to 6t''. Mr. Brausen asked how much of 11"' would be re-stripped. Mr. Stadler said basically
only 6``' to 7"', which would include changing parking restrictions. Mr. Mielke noted that
might affect a few businesses; a decision has to be made if llr'' is a commuter street or a
neighborhood street. Traffic signals would be a big help, but Mayor Maxwell pointed out cost
is a factor. When Mr. Mielke asked if the program shouldn't start with warning tickets issued
by police, Mr. Stadler said he is afraid if the city starts with enforcement, the neighborhood
will expect enforcement to be permanent, and at $300/day, cost becomes prohibitive.
Comments by Council indicated they felt police enforcement was important at the beginning,
but the residents would need to understand that such enforcement could not be permanent. Mr.
Mielke suggested a neighborhood meeting; Mayor Maxwell agreed, adding it should include
further steps that might be taken. Mr. Brausen suggested information could be presented at the
Park Valley picnic.
General Consensus A neighborhood meeting should be held, perhaps involving the
Park Valley picnic, stressing the plan is a staff recommendation not yet acted upon by the
Council, and including the various steps that might be utilized.
Sump Pump Inspection Program Change Order, Steve Stadler, presenter
The presentation will be given at a future meeting as Howard R. Green Co. would like
to be involved in the presentation. He added personnel changes had made difficulties with the
work, and that he had been informed the invoice was incorrect and would be about $10,000
less.
When Ms. Hesch asked why Green Co. hadn't warned Hopkins of the overrun, Mr.
Stadler said this was largely due to the fact he had used Hennepin County figures, which
turned out not to be accurate.
Lots 500/600 Feasibility Study, Steve Stadler, presenter
Mr. Stadler stressed the study needs to be done, no matter what decision is made on
redoing the lots. The study could include funding ideas and would include business owner
comments.
Mayor Maxwell noted the main concern at the previous presentation had not been so
much how to assess for the cost as concerns about RLK. Ms. Johnson added the issue had
been confused also by bringing in other lots besides these two in the discussion.
Mr. Mielke pointed out the last page of the memo which charted the means of
assessing, noting that how to assess could be a real issue on some lots, such as 5t. Joe's, where
proximity is not a true measure.
Mr. Mielke said he and staff were fearful of continuing with RLK if the Council is not
behind the decision to use them. Ms. Hesch said she had been disappointed that someone
totally new who might have a unique outlook had not been found; Mr. Stadler pointed out that
RLK was actually heading a team, which included at least one firm that had tried new
approaches. After general discussion, the feeling was that the fact RLK had been alerted of the
unease of Council members and their stated desire to prove themselves worthy made the choice
viable. Mr. Stadler commented he was pleased that the general tenor of the Council comments
was interest in how the lots could be made more interesting through landscaping, etc.
General Consensus: RLK should remain the chosen firm and the project should go
ahead. Attention to landscaping is an important concept.
Other
SuperValu project Mr. Mielke noted a petition about the 10`h/6`''/5"' intersection is
being circulated by Mr. Waldeck. Mr. Mielke feels it is important to have a neighborhood
meeting before the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. The Council meeting will be on
the 18r'', a Special Council meeting on the 19"', and a neighborhood meeting on the 20"'. He
stated it is important the neighborhood realize that it was never an option for the city to buy the
businesses there. Fran Hesch summarized her communication with Mr. Waldeck. Mr. Stadler
noted that at a meeting with SuperValu Tuesday afternoon, they had agreed to pay for
whatever is needed to make the neighborhood happy as far as noise, traffic and safety issues
were concerned, even including cost of work on the intersection.
National League of Cities Conference Registration Mr. Brausen and Ms. Hesch
indicated they want to go to the preliminary sessions Dec. 5 and 6. Mr. Mielke will book
rooms Monday through Sunday for everyone, which can be adjusted later. Mayor Maxwell
and Ms. Johnson want to check on hotels so he will do the booking Thursday.
Letter re Annexation Fran noted she had received a letter that mentioned a
neighborhood might want to annex to Hopkins. Steve Mielke said as of last year a petition
from the property owners and an affirmative vote by the annexing city's council could
accomplish that. General feeling was to wait and see if Hopkins is actually approached.
Nuisance Vehicle Calls Ms. Johnson said she has been getting calls about nuisance
vehicles. Mr. Mielke said such calls made to the city are being logged and a response sent
out.
Updating Citizens Mr. Brausen asked how Hopkins citizens are getting updated on
progress with Citizens Academy, Visioning process, etc. "Coffee breaks" are being utilized.
During discussion Mr. Mielke noted calls have been received about the Academy, but official
registration won't start till after the Raspberry Festival.
Fran Hesch moved adjournment. Diane Johnson seconded. Adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Kasey Kester, recording secretary
ATTEST:
Euge e J. well, Mayor