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01-09-01 WSMINUTES CITE' COUNCIL ~V®RI~ SESSI®N - JANUARY' 9, 2001 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on January 9, 2001, at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Public Works Director Stadler, and Community Development Director Kerrigan. Also present were Medica Director Steve Elison, CRESA representatives Jim Vos and Ann Hansen, RSP representative Patrick Bougie, RLK representative John Dietrich, Miles Lindberg of BRW, former mayor Bob Miller, and Gary Brown of RLK. Medica Development Discussion Update Director Kerrigan said three main issues are being worked on: site plan/traffic issues, public financial assistance, and the 3-acre site north of Second Street. He said Hoisington- Koegler had indicated they would like the project oriented more to Excelsior Blvd., at least the southernmost building. 'T'hey also were concerned that the parking ramp wall would be a "first view" on entrance. Medica Director Elison said they hope to sign a formal purchase agreement within 2 weeks and complimented city staff. Mr. Bougie showed a concept plan with 3 major buildings with about 320,000 sq. feet, an optional building in the southeast portion of the area, and both surface and ramp parking. He said the buildings were oriented to present an attractive "campus" to Highway 169, to leave a large green space on Excelsior Blvd. for appearance and to tie in with the trail system (as well as providing a common use area). Berming and landscaping could be used to hide the garages. Mr. Vos added the optional building may be moved if it and its site are sold to someone outside the Allina/Medica system; at this time no decision has been made regarding it. Discussion then moved to the Jackson intersection. Mr. Bougie and Mr. Vos said it will need to be re-oriented to align with Monroe. Traffic studies should be completed by February 15. Director Stadler said Hennepin County is "on board" and MN Dot and the railway are also involved. Phase 2 of Excelsior Blvd. won't start until July. Mr. Lindberg said Monroe was chosen rather than Jackson as Jackson would involve two crossings of the railroad, LRT, etc. He showed drawings of some options being considered, noting the double left-turn lanes for eastbound traffic is the key issue for them and would require the only new signals needed. The bus/LRT corridors are being considered in the planning. The 3-acre site was then discussed. Medica personnel indicated they are willing to work with the city on selling this to Hopkins. Their warehouse work could become part of the three major buildings. Steve Stadler showed a concept plan on how the site could be used during non-winter months so it would be utilized for more than just snow storage. Economic Director Kerrigan said the public financing issue will be brought to the Council in a couple weeks as figures still are not available. The closing date for the property has been moved from February to October so there is more time available. Mr. Voss noted asbestos clean-up costs will be $600,000 alone so negotiations with SuperValu are ongoing. When Mayor Maxwell asked if "smart growth" had been defined, Mr. Kerrigan said Met Council had indicated their monies were used up, but later contacted him they want to be involved. He suggested holding off on the Hoisington-Koegler study in hopes Met Council monies can be added so that the scope can be enlarged to make it a true comprehensive study. Mr. Elison added Medica is open to the idea of integrating mass transit into their campus. It was noted the Park Board will be meeting on Jan. 22 and there will be another neighborhood meeting in early February. Parking Lot 500/600 Improvements Mr. Stadler said the business community agrees the project is necessary but is concerned about the costs. He showed different assessment proposals to be considered. He stressed he wants to stay with the December 19 recommendation and not do only a milling and overlay for the streets. Former mayor Bob Miller presented an assessment history, noting that for many years the CBI felt TIF was "their" money. He stressed small retails are fragile, anything over $12/sq. ft. will give a different mix to the CBD. Without the small retailers, he thinks the public will go to shopping malls, so the Council needs to consider carefully what their decisions will do to the small retailers. Mr. Mielke added the legislature "changed the rules" on TIF so now that money has to go to pay off debts. Now a new paradigm has to be designed. If a new TIF district were set up, it would have to be able to pay for itself, and he doesn't think that is possible. Director Stadler said the 70/30 split is a staff idea and could be changed. Mr. Brown said their theory was that by redoing the street, the taxpayer saves in the long run because of lower repair costs. Mr. Miller noted that 9~', 10"' and 11~' are not used just for the businesses, they are used for through traffic to a large extent; that is why he thinks more of the cost should come from general funds. Mr. Brown agreed everyone was amazed how much 10"' St. traffic is "just going through. " General discussion followed. Mr. Brausen expressed great concern for the small businesses. Later he noted the parking lot task force of 2 years before had not addressed the issues it was given so now the Council has the same issues to face. Ms. Johnson feels an overall policy for all the lots needs to be put in place. Mr. Mielke noted that Parking Lots 300 and 700 were done with TIF money; at that time Public Works was asked fora 20-year CIP plan, but nothing was done with it. Now that TIF is not available he suggested the following: new construction-100% private; reconstruction-split (whether proposed 70/30, 50/50 or other) or special services; maintenance-100% general fund; enforcement-100% parking fund (but this is decreasing steadily); administration-100% parking fund/general fund; enhancements (landscaping, etc.)-100% special district or assessment. Later Mr. Brown noted that of the 13C assessment figure, 7G was for the parking lot and 6C for the street. General Consensus: Planning for the project should go ahead, with full reconstruction of the street, not milling and overlay. Assessments still need to be worked on. Diane Johnson suggested that the figures from the feasibility study should be presented as a "cap" so businesses will be reassured costs aren't going to go up. Steve Stadler noted there are two assessments here (street and parking lot) so two policy issues need to be decided. Staff should give Council information on what would happen to the tax base if no assessing is done. Ms. Hesch suggested parking lot restrictions policy should be looked at. Mr. Brown said Council has 45- 60 days to work on the assessment issues. City Manager Evaluation Mr. Mielke handed out his old job description and a proposed new one, pointing out several new additions. He also presented his proposed 2001 objectives. General Consensus: The 2000 evaluation and objectives for 2001 will be discussed after the January 16~' Council meeting. Other State of City Agenda for Feb. 6 General Consensus was to reverse the Vision and Future Development sections. Ms. Hesch and Mr. Brausen will do the Vision presentation. Ms. Johnson will present Medica information and Ms. Jensen will present Excelsior Blvd. Phase II information in the future development section. If the Koss block is firmed up, Mayor Maxwell will cover it. Blake Road and Parking hots were removed. The video will be shown at the very end. Violence Training Mr. Mielke said staff will receive training on handling both internal and external violence in the workplace. If Council members would like to attend, they are welcome. He will update as to exact times. Methodist Hospital Methodist Hospital has been recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals of the nation. A proclamation of recognition has been drafted. Ms. Hesch volunteered to present it. Ms. Hesch moved adjournment; Ms. Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: C-~' Eugen . M well, Mayor C®IJNCII. MEMBERS