12-03-02A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on December 3, 2002, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Jensen, Johnson, and
Rowan. Also, present were staff members Mieike, Geneiiie, Stadler, Kerrigan,
Anderson, Elverum and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Human Rights Commission
Tina Jensen, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, presented the Human
Rights Award for 2002 to Council Member Karen Jensen. The award was given for
Council Member Jensen's service to the community, and her advocacy for human
rights issues
2. Zoning and Planning Commission
Jay Thompson reported that the Commission reviewed the site plan for the new
facilities and all agreed that this plan is safer. They agreed unanimously to
recommend approval. They discussed the Currency Exchange zoning amendment and
recommended denial. The Commission discussed the variance request to install
Qwest equipment within set backs on private property and recommended approval of
that.
3. Chemical Health Commission
Maureen Allen reported that they held a November meeting and that all were present.
A new teen attended the meeting and they hope she will become a part of the
Commission. The Commission discussed the Depot open house. All felt that the
event was successful. Depot teens would like to do caroling at nursing homes and
need volunteer drivers. The Commission also discussed the flier "Take Action". They
particularly focused on the new marijuana logo that kids are wearing. Ms. Allen said
that the Commission received a letter from Jim Genellie regarding the moratorium on
off-sale liquor, tobacco sales arid fireworks. Sharon McDonald asked if she would be
able to meet with the Council at a work session to give them information on tobacco.
The Commission would also like to attend. Mayor Maxwell asked the City Manager to
set this up and notify the Commission members of the date and time.
December 3, 2002, City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of November 19, 2002, City Council Meeting
2. IViinutes of November 28, 2002, City Council Work Session
3. Ratify Prior Month's Disbursements
4. Approve Appointments to Chemical Health and Human Rights Commissions
(Memo)
5. Miscellaneous License Applications
6. Approve Liquor License Renewals (CR2002-190)
7. Hop-A-Ride Contract (CR2002-186)
8. Revision of Legislative Policy, Taxable/tax Exempt Financing (CR2002-188)
9. Extend East-end Moratorium (CR2002-187)
10. Ordinance Extending Moratorium on the Issuance of Off-sale Liquor,
Tobacco, Fireworks (CR2002-191)
1 1. Authorization for Mayor and City Manager to Execute Depot Grant Contract
(CR2002-192)
Council Member Rowan 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 Rowan, aye; Council
Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1 . Setback Variance, 254 - 20th Ave N; Phone Equipment (CR2002-184)
Qwest is proposing to attach an antenna on the top of the light fixture near the edge
of the dead end hammerhead on 20th Ave N. Their first proposal showed the ground
equipment that needs to be attached located at the western edge of the dead end in
the vacated right-of-way in Hilltop Park. Staff voiced concerns about locating the
equipment in a park. Qwest contacted the property owner of 254 - 20th Ave N and
the property owner has agreed to a location on the property. The required .set backs
are eight feet on the side-yard and twenty-five feet on the front yard. Qwest is
requesting an eight-foot side-yard variance and atwenty-five foot front yard variance.
A new pole would be installed for the streetlight and would be five feet taller than the
current pole. Council Member Brausen asked if these are the only alternatives. He
was not happy with either option. Larry Coleman represented Qwest. Council
Members discussed the idea of a variance to locate utilities on private property, how
an easement on the property would affect future homeowners, and how conditions
could be added to diminish the impacts. In response to questions from the Council,
Mr. Coleman said that they would like the approval soon to include the project in the
budget for next year. The actual work would be done within the first six months of
next year. Council Members said that they would like to review past research on
antennas within the City and would also like to review the Telecommunications Act
December 3, 2002, City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
before acting on this request. Mr. Coleman agreed to attend a work session to
answer questions and to continue the item.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a motion to
continue the item and directed staff to put the discussion on the Work Session
agenda next week. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye;
Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Zoning Amendment -Currency Exchange (CR2002-185)
The applicant is proposing to open a currency exchange business in the Hopkins
House Hotel. The Zoning Ordinance does not list the use for a B-3 Zoning District.
The amendment would allow currency exchange businesses in all B-3 Zoning
Districts. The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended denial.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
deny allowing currency exchange (check cashing) as a primary use in the 6-3, General
Business, Zoning District with the findings as recommended by the Planning
Commission. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye;
Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
The Council directed staff to work with the City Attorney to bring back an ordinance
placing a moratorium to study currency exchange businesses as primary and
secondary uses and what zoning districts to allow them in.
The Council also directed staff to research the affect of adding multiple businesses to
the Hopkins House hotel.
3. CUP for Public Works/Fire Department Improvements (CR2002183)
The City is proposing to construct a new fire station and an addition to the Public
Works facility. The fire station will be located on the current parking area for
Katherine Curren School. The Public Works facility will involve the removal of three
buildings and construction of a 58,907 square foot building. The Zoning and Planning
Commission recommended approval. James O'Shay, project architect, reviewed the
site plans and elevations of the buildings. The Council discussed the screening along
17t" Ave S and between the school parking lot and the apartment buildings. They
decided that they would like more information about how those screenings would be
accomplished.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2002-1 10, approving a conditional use permit to construct a fire
station and an addition to the public works facility with the exception of the
landscape plan and instructed staff to work on the landscape plan and bring it back to
December 3, 2002, City Council Meeting Minutes Page ?
them for future approval. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Resolution Approving Public Purpose Expenditure Policy (CR2002-182)
The City of Hopkins expends public funds on annual employee events, employee gifts
and meal and travel expenditures for City employees and officials. The proposed
policy serves as a comprehensive list of these expenditures as well as a justification
for the expenditures. The policy ensures the City Council's approval of the
expenditures.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2002-108, adopting Legislative Policy 6-F. A poll of the vote was
as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council
Member Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member
Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 9:14 p.m.
Respectively Su omitted,
erry C~r'rYiaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
~, ~f ~~
Eugen . M xwell, Mayor
December 3, 2002, City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4