01-11-00 WSMINUTES
CITE' COUNCIL WORK SESSION -JANUARY 11, 2000
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on January 11, 2000,
at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Hesch,
Jensen, and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke and Asst. City Manager
Genellie.
Nuisance abatement procedures, Jim Genellie, presenter
Mr. Genellie said there were about 400 nuisance citations in 1998 and in 1999. Those
dealing with junk/unlicensed cars are increasing and. account for about 60 % . Two major problems
with nuisance abatement are the time it takes to resolve some instances and the unclear language
in the statutes. When a notice does not produce compliance, at present the matter moves on to
Criminal Court, where judges tend not to view the matter seriously. The staff thinks establishing
a City Court, such as Minnetonka has, would work much better: it is quick, penalties are certain
(and go on the tax bill), and it produces income to offset its expense (Minnetonka is able to pay
for the city court and have several thousand left for nuisance abatement programs). If compliance
does not happen, the party can be re-fined •at a higher rate; this is a major help as the biggest
present problem is repeat offenders. The arbitrator of the Court is anon-resident lawyer;
Minnetonka pays theirs $100 for an evening or half-day session. He added adopting the program
may require a charter change. The Charter commission meets in April. If the Council likes the
idea, the next step would be for the city attorney to see if such a charter change would be required.
He added later that it would be possible to prosecute "tobacco stings" through the City Court.
Mayor Maxwell commented he gets lots of complaints about junk cars; the present system
has no "teeth" in it. He later noted parking in yards to get out of plows° way is a different
situation and needs to be accommodated. He also added that motor homes, boats, snowmobiles,
etc. need to be considered. Mr. Mielke noted Terry has a lot of problems with the present system;
what is legal and not legal needs clarification. She was asked to be aggressive on the issue, and
needs a way that works to do so. Later he noted one decision to be made is if cars can be parked
in yards if they are operable. In answer to Gene Maxwell's question, he said a public hearing
would not be required by law, but it would be a way to publicize the program. Fran Hesch
mentioned in the past she had received a "where everything goes" booklet explaining how to
dispose of many of the problem items; perhaps it should be redone. She later noted St. Paul limits
the number of cars that can be parked outside per property to four.
Mr. Genellie brought up the matter of home occupation ordinances.
General Consensus: The City Court idea should be looked into immediately. Ordinance
clarification can be dealt with later. They would like to know exactly what items Terry and Nancy
disagree on, i.e. parking on lawn, etc. Other cities should be checked with as to their ordinances
for junk cars, parking regulations, etc. Mayor Maxwell said he would like Terry to be present
when this is discussed next time; he also suggested, and others agreed, that information on the
program, and on how to dispose of nuisance items (and the city's charges for removal of same)
should be in the newsletter. There was no interest in a home occupation ordinance.
Council Candidate Interview Selection, Steve 1Vlielke, presenter
There were general remarks of being pleased at the number of people who applied. The
Council then went through a voting process to decide who would be interviewed.
General Consensus
After general discussion, it was decided that those who entered the process should all
receive Certificates of Recognition from Mayor Maxwell. All should be sent a letter of thanks,
along with applications for Board and Commission positions, an invitation to be involved in the
first Citizens' Academy; and be notified they would receive a certificate at a future Council
meeting. Mr. Mielke suggested they might become a focus group for the vision process.
The following six were selected for interviewing (in order to be interviewed): Riethmeier,
Rowan, Brausen, Gullickson, Allen and Engel. Each interview shall be scheduled for 20 minutes,
starting at 6:45 p.m. on January 25, with a 15-minute break between interviews 3 and 4. Mayor
Maxwell will call each Wednesday; in addition each shall be sent a letter stating their time slot,
and all shall be sent two questions to answer: (1) When faced with a controversial or difficult
issue, what guiding principles help you decide? (2) We are a community of growing diversity;
what does this mean for Hopkins? They shall be told there will be other questions. Staff shall check to
Charter as all Council members feel it worked extremely well and was very fair.
Council Organizational Issues, Steve 1Vlielke, presenter
Meeting Formats Mayor Maxwell said he wants everyone to be comfortable at meetings.
After discussion, it was agreed Council members would raise hands for recognition at work
sessions; for Council meetings and involved work session discussions Mayor Maxwell should call
on each member in turn.
As to letting public in attendance speak, each situation shall be decided by the mayor.
Diane Johnson asked that agenda items that affect budget should have the source of funds
and budget effect with them. The others agreed, with Karen Jensen adding specifically stating
page and line item of the yearly budget would be helpful. Fran Hesch said sometime in the future
she would still like to have items noted as to where they fit in "City Goals. "
E-Mail
It was agreed e-mail would be used to expedite information to Council members. Karen
Jensen noted she would like all Council members to have the others' e-mail addresses.
Community Meetings
Mayor Maxwell would like other Council members to also attend City/School, Twin West
Mayor/Manager and SCIP meetings in quarterly rotation. Fran Hesch noted she already attends
SLIP as a parent; Diane Johnson said she could do Twin West for a quarter. Mr. Mielke will set
up a sign-up sheet.
Pro-Tem
This will go on the next agenda. It was agreed Fran Hesch would be named due to her
seniority.
®ther
Fran Hesch will attend an HBCA recognition of Hopkins and Minnetonka for Shady Oaks
Beach improvement Jan. 13, 2000, at the Hopkins Center for Arts.
Diane Johnson asked that people be notified remote water meters are being installed.
Steve Mielke and Fran Hesch are considering attending the Congress of Cities in
Washington D . C . March 10-14.
Diane Johnson moved adjournment; Fran Hesch seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:35
p.m.
Kasey Kester, recording secretary
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eugene J. M xwell, Mayor