03-20-01A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on March 20, 2001, 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, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan,
Anderson, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:46 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Park Board
Dick Niemann reported that the Park Board was discussing future park projects
for the Capital Improvement Plan. They will be prioritizing 15 projects at an
April 16 worksession. He also reported that representatives of the Alice Smith
PTO had appeared at the Park Board meeting to request assistance for a
playground project. The Board will discuss this project at the April 16 meeting.
He also informed the Council that Zion Lutheran Church is seeking additional
parking which would affect Burnes Park.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of March 6, 2001 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of March 13, 2001 City Council Work Session
3. Approve Resolution Authorizing Hopkins Fire Department to Continue as
State of Minnesota Hazardous Materials Chemical Assessment Team (CR2001-
33)
Council Member Johnson 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.
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
V. RESENTATIONS
1. Murder Mystery Winner
Chief Craig Reid introduced Paul Lundin, vice-president of the Hopkins Crime
Fund Board, who presented a check to Stacy Lakotas for correctly solving the
police department's murder mystery.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of CUP Agreement, Semper Development (CR2001-35)
Nancy Anderson said that as part of the conditional use permit approval for the
construction of the Walgreens, Semper Development is required to sign a conditional
use permit agreement. The agreement spells out the specifics of the action and
timetable that will need to be complied with to implement the conditions of the
conditional use permit.
Ms. Anderson reviewed the specifics of the agreement and pointed out a change with
the access from County Rd 73. The county recommended closing the access, but
will allow it. If MN/DOT withholds funds for the intersection improvements because
of the access, the county will not finance any portion of the withheld amount. The
agreement provides that Semper will pay up to $25,000 to the City when the
intersection is improved if funds are withheld. An additional seventeen feet of right-
of-way will be dedicated to the City.
Council Member Jensen wanted to know about the landscaping for the project. Mr.
Steiner pointed out that the CUP requires City approval of the landscaping plan.
Mayor Maxwell had a question about the lighting on the site. John Kohler, from
Semper Development, replied that the lights are designed to give sufficient lighting to
the site without shining onto_ properties off the site.
Council Member Jensen asked when the project would begin. Amy Roberts,
representing the Hopkins House, said that the Hopkins House is planning to close in
May with demolition and construction beginning immediately after.
Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to
approve the conditional use permit agreement to construct a Walgreens. 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.
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
2. Approval of CUP Agreement, Hopkins House (CR2001-36)
Nancy Anderson said that the agreement is part of the Conditional Use Permit. Jerry
Steiner of the City Attorney's office prepared the agreement. Ms. Anderson reviewed
the specifics of the agreement. The agreement requires National Lodging to provide
the City, prior to the issuance of a demolition permit, written evidence that they have
financing or cash to complete the improvements.
Jerry Steiner pointed out one change to the proposed CUP. The Hopkins House had
agreed to transfer a strip of land on the north side of 5th St N to the City to allow a
right turn lane to be constructed. The strip of land was to have been 170 feet long.
The Hopkins House has requested that this land be reduced to 140 feet in order to
provide a 5th Street entrance to a possible development.
The CUP agreement has been amended to reduce the length of the land transfer to
140 feet to assist with a development of the property north of 5th Street approved by
the City. If no development takes place within two years, an additional 30 feet of land
would be transferred to the City.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
approve the conditional use permit agreement to remodel the Hopkins House Hotel as
amended. 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.
3. Approval of Final Plat, Hopkins House/Semper (CR2001-37)
Nancy Anderson said that along with the development, the site will need to be re-
platted. Currently the site is three separate lots. With the platting, the Hopkins
House will be on one lot and Walgreens will be on one lot.
The plat conforms with the zoning and subdivision ordinances. A variance from the
subdivision ordinance has been granted to the Hopkins House site.
Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve the final plat for Semper Development, subject to approval by Hennepin
County and with the stipulation that 17 feet of right-of-way is dedicated on County
Road 73. 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.
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
4. Contract East End Study, Hoisington Koegler (CR2001-34)
Jim Kerrigan said that a representative from Hoisington Koegler Group (HKG) and staff
met with the Council to discuss a study involving land use north of Exc Blvd from
Hwy 169 to Pierce Ave and examine aesthetic improvements for Blake Rd from Exc
Blvd to Hwy 7. Staff was directed to work with HKG to prepare a contract for
Council approval. The agreed upon cost for.the study was 520,650.
Since the work session, Staff and HKG have had several conversations with the
Metropolitan Council concerning the various development activities that are taking
place in East Hopkins. As a result, they have agreed to participate financially in the
study, but have requested that the project area be expanded and that smart growth
concepts are incorporated in the study. The scope of the study now being presented
reflects a much more in-depth study than originally discussed. The cost of the new
proposal is 569,950. The Metropolitan Council will pay $47,950, leaving the City
responsible for 522,000.
Mark Koegler of HKG presented an overview of the scope of the project.
Council Member Johnson asked when the Met Council would contribute their money.
Mr. Kerrigan replied that the agreement still needs to be finalized but that it will be
structured to ensure payment.
Council Member Hesch asked when the Met Council would approve the study. Mr.
Kerrigan said that he expected that the Met Council would move promptly once they
were told of the City's action.
Mayor Maxwell commented that this agreement was favorable to the City since
Hopkins had planned to do a study anyway. This agreement will provide for a more
comprehensive study at the same cost to the City.
Mayor Maxwell asked whether Council Members could be involved. Mark Koegler
responded that they would be welcome at any of the sessions.
Council Member Johnson asked that area businesses be notified of the study at the
beginning so that it might incorporate any proposed development or redevelopment.
Council Member Hesch asked Mr. Koegler if thought had been given to involve youth
in the planning process. Mr. Koegler responded that they had not, but thought it
would be a good idea to do so.
Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
authorize staff to enter into a contract for the East End Hopkins Land Use and Market
Analysis, as detailed in the scope of work dated March 12, 2001, conditioned on
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
approval by the Metropolitan Council to participate in the cost of the study in the
amount of 547,950. 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.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Johnson moved and Council
Member Jensen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectively Submitted,
~.~..
enellie, Assistant City Manager
ATTEST:
~i?~
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
This item was added by Council Member Hesch:
Under Rfew Business, item 4, East End Study
Council Member Hesch asked Mr. Koegler if thought had been given to involve youth
in the planning process. Mr. Koegler responded that they had not, but thought it
would be a good idea to do so.
March 20, 2001 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6