11-26-02 WSNovember 26, 2002
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MINUTES
CIT~,~ ~®UNCIY, W®P.~ SESSIDl`I -1`lovember 26, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on November 26, 2002,
at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Johnson and Rowan. City personnel present were: City Manager Mielke; Assistant City Manager
Genellie; Economic Director Kerrigan; Public Works Director Stadler; Bob Dieke, Bradley &
Dieke; Fire Chief Beckering; Connie Kurtz; Captain James Liddy; and Facilities Director
Strachota. Also present were: Sid Inman of Ehlers & Associates; Gary Benson, Pat Mulcahey and
David Chase of Kraus Anderson; Mike Jordan of Collaborative Design Group; and Jay Kennedy.
SuperValu Development Agreement Amendment
Mr. Kerrigan updated the Council on further changes to the draft. He pointed out the new
project definition is described as HRA goals, with 450-600,000 of Class B office space, traffic
patterns oriented to south. Demolition of North Annex would receive TIF if there are excess
dollars. There was general discussion on Section 2f and interim usage. Ms. Johnson asked why it
was not more specific and Mr. Mielke said if the Council okays usages zoning does not permit
there could be problems. This way HRA is separate from the Council if further action is needed.
City Attorney Dieke said he feels the language is to the city's advantage; he talked to Attorney
Steiner about the issue. Mr. Kerrigan stressed that SuperValu knows they need to come back for
redevelopment so will be careful what they do. He said SuperValu might be willing to agree they
need to give any user notification of the restraints; he will talk to them.
General consensus: The wording is acceptable.
Mr. Kerrigan added he is starting to work on getting an extension of the TIF district by
talking to legislators. The outcome should be known by May. Mr. Inman said 4 other cities want
to do the same thing so a broad law is possible. ,
Public Works, Fire, Police Facilities Projects Budget
Planning & Zoning met on this just before the work session and approved the CUP
application.
Mr. Mielke said Kraus Anderson's job has been to come up with estimates based on
architects' plans. These numbers are best guesses; real numbers won't be known until bids. He
would like. to see more in the contingency allotment, especially as the police facility is a remodel,
which often means unforeseen problems. Since the public was told 12-14 million, he feels the goal
should be 13 million so unforeseen costs can be kept under 14 million.
Mr. Chase went through each facility's estimated costs. Mr. Mielke noted that suggested
cuts have not been reviewed by the departments so come with no recommendations. They are there
only to give the Council ideas of dollars that could be cut. Each department will look at this and
come back with ways they feel costs can be cut.
Mr. Chase said the fire department has cut 4,000 sq. ft. The equipment allowance is high
as they now use city hall's emergency generator; the new one will serve both the Fire Department
and Public Works.
Fire Chief Beckering said he fee195 feet is really needed for safety reasons.
November 26, 2002
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Mr. Chase said sitework for Public Works is vague yet. Soil test results show no
hazardous materials, but there is debris in the fill. V`Jatershed District has yet to be worked out.
Asphalt removal costs more than building removal because it is harder to dispose of. Mr. Stadler
said the new number is much higher than SEH's original estimate because of an added retaining
wall and more parking. Mr. Kennedy said utility moving costs are still unknown, but feels the
present estimate should cover them. Mr. Mielke said 4 sites are under consideration for moving
Public Works temporarily -Oak Ridge, Napco, Knox and North Annex.
Mr. Mulcahey showed some alternatives for the Police building. After discussion, the
consensus was to look for ways to use the courtyard, both by architects and police department.
Mr. Mielke noted the question is partly a program one -how would extra space increase program
effectiveness.
Mr. Mielke asked for feedback on the budget total. General consensus was 13.5 million is
the cap. Mr. Mielke again noted contingency monies need to be higher.
Facilities Division Budget Discussion
Mr. Strachota said cuts for HCA would mean postponing equipment purchases, reducing
contract carpet cleaning, cutting part-time employee hours, and increasing rental rates. There was
some discussion on direct-tie to City a-mail; Mr. Mielke said the problem is anY direct dial tie
means anyone could dial in, which brings up security issues. Mr. Strachota noted there is a direct
tie-in with the schools.
Mr. Strachota said the newsletter is ready for a February start. Mayor Maxwell said he
thought an update was to have been given to the Council. Mr. Mielke has talked to Minnetonka
and they are not against the shift. Mr. Strachota said budget cuts would mean not replacing
bathroom partitions, cutting the Friday Evening Teen Program, closing evenings and weekends.
The Depot budget is in good shape since Hopkins School District is probably going to go
ahead with a $40,000 levy to lease the Depot as a business department lab. Two grants have been
obtained totaling $55,000. A spring "birthday party" for the building is planned as a fundraiser.
Kathleen is now the head of the facility; a teen coordinator will be part-time as funds permit.
The Overpass Skate Park will probably need to go to aJune-August season with one
seasonal part-time employee besides Kathleen's 10% allotment. Tier II parks are suffering metro-
wide. Mayor Maxwell asked that attendance numbers be checked by days of week to see if closing
one or two days a week and being open May and September would be feasible.
The Pavilion exit doors are rotting from the inside because of the humidity and temperature
changes. Fees for ice rental, turf rental, adult soccer league are all planned. Revenue is budgeted
to exceed expenditures. Ice and turf are "maxed"; dry floor rental could be improved.
Licensing for Liquor, Tobacco and Fireworks
Assistant City Manager Genellie reported back on what he has found since October.
November 26, 2002
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Liquor Licenses
Other cities use distances from sensitive areas, and include pawn shops, check cashing places and
other liquor stores in those definitions. Present sites would probably have to be grandfathered in,
but it would avoid the liquor store-pawnshop-cash facility lineup the Council was concerned about.
There are no state requirements. Mr. Mielke noted the Council can "just say no" to any applicant;
the question is does the Council want to be arbitrary or have guidelines.
General Consensus was "sensitive areas" should include churches, schools, other liquor
stores, pawnshops, adult stores, currency exchange stores. Mr. Genellie will bring a map showing
how these would work.
Fireworks
Mr. Genellie noted the draft was changed to sprinkler buildings are not required, but
different amounts of fireworks can be stored in sprinkler or non-sprinkler buildings. General
discussion. followed.
General consensus was the draft should include limits to one fireworks business per
building; no fireworks businesses in buildings that contain residences; zoning requirements. Mr.
Genellie should check and see how much business was done locally in fireworks to help determine
possible license fees. Mr. Mielke thinks $200 would only cover city costs for inspections, etc.
Moratorium
Mr. Genellie noted the present moratorium expires December 24. Consensus was this
should be extended 60 days and should include transfer of licenses. First reading will be
December 6.
Tobacco
There was general discussion on the issue. Mr. Rowan stated he does not see that this is a
problem. Mr. Genellie said the major problem is doing compliance checks. He said some cities
issue tobacco licenses only in conjunction with another license as for food, gas, etc. Mayor
Maxwell said he feels signage seen from outside may be the real issue as that is what draws
teenagers in. He added his suppliers don't like to deal with tobacco-only stores for some reason.
General Consensus was that Mr. Mielke will check into legality of restricting signage and
cap issues limiting number of licenses. Mayor Maxwell will talk to his suppliers. Chemical Health
Commission should get a memo summarizing what has been discussed concerning tobacco and
liquor licenses, and asked for input on those issues. Mr. Genellie should check with police as to
what they feel it costs to do compliance checks.
Other
Ms. Johnson said the Stobie Apt. light has not been modified.
Mr. Mielke handed out the draft budget. He noted the objectives for Council did not match
what he sent Ms. Yager.
He said Ms. Hesch would like to continue to be the representative on the Health
Commission. General Consensus was this is agreeable and Mr. Mielke should see it is done.
November 26, 2002
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Mr. Rowan moved adjournment; Mr. Brausen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST:
Euge e J. axwell, Mayor