12-10-02 WSDecember 10, 2002
Page 1
MINUTES
f TTV f'()T_Jl~]f TT VYnRK SFSST~N - T~ecember 10, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on December 10, 2002,
at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Jensen, Johnson and Rowers. City personnel present were: City Manager Mielke; Economic
Director Kerrigan; Public Works Director Stadler; City Planner Anderson and Finance Director
Yager. Also present were: Larry Coleman and Chris Lanou of Qwest Wireless.
Qwest Variance Request
Mr. Kerrigan noted that the 1991 ordinance had been written to limit the number of
antennas. Mr. Coleman of Qwest said they are asking for a variance so that they do not need to
build on public right-of--way. They put aright-of--way request on hold to try for a variance. The
present towers do not give coverage to low-lying areas. They tested other sites; this was the only
one that worked, as the E911 system towers need to triangulate for full coverage. He later noted
other communication systems may have different requirements: their system is digital, analog
systems can have wider-spaced towers. Mr. Stadler said he has concerns about locating in
residential areas; his concern is not the pole extension but the box. Mr. Kerrigan said the city
attorney's opinion is that federal law mandates they could install in right-of--way but the city can
set reasonable limitations; underground or hidden would be "reasonable." He added variance
requests must prove "hardship." Mr. Coleman said in this instance property line and right-of--way
does not overlap; placement on the private property would mean the resident could not use the
front door. He added underground installation is not a solution; the ventilating equipment is larger
than the usual box. He showed photos of installations in other residential areas; Council members
noted that these were not in private yards as this would be. Answering Mr. Rowan, Mr. Lanou
said a box could be up to 60 feet from a pole. Answering Ms. Johnson, Mr. Coleman said Qwest
has often done bonds, as long as they are the same type required of other utilities.
Ms. Johnson noted the present ordinance is outdated, as communications hardware has
changed greatly in the past few years. Mr. Mielke handed out copies of a Mercer, Washington
ordinance. Mr. Kerrigan noted conditions put on an approval would not need to be in an
ordinance. Mayor Maxwell said he would not want to approve it with conditions that might not
agree with later ordinance changes.
General Consensus: Council is not comfortable with the variance request. The city attorney
should research if aright-of--way request can be held until the ordinance is updated. Mayor
Maxwell asked photos of underground systems be brought; Mr. Coleman said there are no
underground installations he knows of.
Public Works Relocation
Mr. Stadler said three sites were looked at; only one is a real option, that of the North
Annex. Supervalu has indicated interest in leasing at $6900 per month; if space is reduced this
amount may be. Utilities would be a city cost also. Relocation must be completed by April so
demolition of the present Public Works building can start. Front offices, mechanics areas will
December 10, 2002
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stay; all storage must be moved. He would like to start moving in January so that staff can do it
over a period of t~me. Access wr~i~ld be from 2nd St, aS the lea3ed area Mould not include the main
gate on 15` N.
General Consensus: He should go ahead with negotiations with Supervalu and see if access
could be had from the main gate. He should try to get estimates for utilities. Notification of
residents should explain what is going on and why.
Facilities Project
Mr. Mielke handed out updated cost estimates including the courtyard area for the police.
General Consensus was to continue working on the idea.
Budget Discussion
Water & Sewer: Mr. Stadler noted a new lift station is planned. Ms. Yager noted it costs
over $500,000 but can be covered without a bond issue. It is planned that water costs will go up
$0.10/1000 gallons every 3 years beginning in 2004. A sanitary sewer increase is planned for 2006
but will be set off by a storm sewer rate decrease.
Refuse: Mr. Stadler said refuse and recycling pay for themselves. Yard waste costs the
city $144,010 and bulk item services cost the city over $48,000 per year. A refuse truck will need
to be bought in 2004 for $150,000. Refuse charges are scheduled to increase in 2005 by 10
unless program changes are made in yard waste/bulk item services.
Storm Sewer: NPDES, Phase II could add $20-30,000 per year cost for federally mandated
requirements related to water quality. This starts in 2003.
Council asked Ms. Yager to do a full presentation on the budget at the Council meeting.
Goals and Objectives
Mr. Mielke asked for direction on a staff/Council retreat. Consensus was that on Jan. 28,
2003, the Goals and Objectives reached at the last retreat should be a work session item. Staff
should also discuss them. Then a combination retreat can be scheduled. Mr. Mielke added that
staff has asked him to request Council not discuss staff cuts, etc. in public until it is known what
the legislature will actually do. It seems the 2002 end-of--year payment will be made by the state.
Mr. Rowan said he feels strongly that if something on the Goals and Objectives must be set aside
temporarily due to budget restraints, it not be forgotten for later discussion.
Other
Mayor Maxwell asked Council to think about State of the City on February 20. Ms. Jensen
and Mr. Mielke suggested doing it at the Depot. Ms. Johnson suggested the public facilities
should be a topic. Mr. Mielke suggested the East End Study as a focus for "here is the future of
our city."
Mr. Mielke asked for feedback on updates by e-mail. Consensus was it should work. Mr.
Mielke will see if some things can be put in without scanning to make legibility better.
Mayor Maxwell asked for feedback about the past year. Mr. Rowan stressed the retreat
document needs to be worked on in the coming year. Ms. Johnson agreed that the vision/mission
statements need to be put "out there" more. She suggested all boards and commissions members
December 10, 2002
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get minutes from all board/commission meetings as well as Council minutes. Ms. Jensen said it
had been a hard year but a good one; she still feels that communications needs to be looked at.
Mr. Brausen said he felt the Council did the best it could with the money available. He hopes by
the end of next year Council members can stand on their own on any budget issue. Mayor
Maxwell felt the Council had worked well together and accomplished a lot. Mr. Mielke said he has
felt comfortable with Council this year. He asked to get more feedback on agendas for work
sessions - is too much time spent on detail rather than "big picture" issues?
Mr. Mielke said he has been asked if Hopkins would like to host the Caring Youth
Recognition this year. General consensus was in favor, but while it could be held in the Council
chambers, they would prefer it be held on anon-Council night so more time can be spent with the
youth. Mayor Maxwell added that the cameras need to be fixed beforehand.
Mr. Mielke handed out proposed 2003 calendars. Mayor Maxwell noted he would be gone
Feb. 6-16. Mr. Brausen said he would be gone Feb. 22-Mar. 1. State of City will be Feb. 20.
Ms. Johnson will be absent for the June 24 and July 22 work sessions. Council meeting should be
moved to August 6 to not conflict with National Night Out. Council should meet Nov. 5 to avoid
election conflicts. There will be no work sessions Dec. 23 and 30.
Ms. Jensen moved adjournment; Ms. Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
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Eugen` Maxwell, Mayor