07-09-02 WSJuly 9, ? 002
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -July 9, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:05 p.m. on July 9, 2002, at the
City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Jensen,
Johnson and Rowan. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Recycling Coordinator
Cleve, Public Works Director Stadler, Housing Coordinator Elverum, City Planner Anderson,
Economic Development Director Kerrigan and Assistant to City Manager Stahmer. Also present
were Gary Boyum of Waste Management; Bill Beard of the Beard Group; Fran Hesch, Herman
Strauch and John Cooley of the Downtown Design Committee; and Ross Bartz, Jay Thompson,
Kristi Halvorson, Mary Hatcher, John Szuba and Maureen Allen of Zoning and Planning.
Recycling Proposal
A videotape was viewed on single-sort recycling. The system would include wheeled carts
and every other week pick-up. Advantages include the wheeled carts, single, sort and control of
litter. There is a potential for less refuse, which would bring cost savings. Current cost is $2.28;
the proposed cost is $2.53 per month for residents, with an annual increase of 3 % or the CPI,
whichever is lower.
Answering questions, Ms. Cleve added that the current contract goes to June 2004, with a
5 year renewal. Waste Management would own the carts, which would be replaced as needed.
Participation in the recycling program has grown from 47 % to 61 % , even though most populations
have had lowered usage. Mayor Maxwell asked if garbage volume has changed; staff will check.
Residents will get charged whether they use the service or not. The new system would start
October 7, following publicity by informational inserts with utility bills, mailings, article in
September Highlights and Sun-Sailor, packets with delivered carts, and a video provided by Waste
Management on cable TV.
General Consensus: Staff should proceed with negotiating a contract and bring to a future
Council meeting for further consideration. Mr. Stadler will provide garbage usage figures.
At 6:30 the Zoning and Planning Commission joined the Council
Design Standards for Overlay District
Ms. Hesch discussed the goals of the committee: preserving the character of.Mainstreet,
complementing historic architecture and enhancing pedestrian orientation and streetscape design.
Mr. Strauch explained the overlay boundaries of 15` St. N to ls` St. S and 6`I' Ave. to 13"' Ave. were
chosen to keep the area small and unique. He noted present buildings are grandfathered in; the
new proposals would be for new buildings, exterior improvements and streetscape. Ms. Elverum
noted the committee had discussed aone-year trial period to study the effects before making the
proposal permanent. She added temporary signage had been the "hot" issue.
Answering Council and Z&P Committee questions more information was added.
Equipment screening is intended for close-up viewing and would be implemented only when a
business wants to redo equipment; the equipment criteria would not be implemented for someone
wanting to change signage, for example. Limiting the area to the alleyways north and south had
been discussed, but had been extended to 15` St. N. and 15t St. S. because they might be
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redeveloped. Mr. Beard said as a developer he felt guidelines are extremely helpful in that
developers would know what Hopkins wanted and could plan developments tailored to those
desires; which means ahigher-quality product. He advised that making strict requirements could
have the opposite effect. Ms. Hesch said she feels standards are still important as otherwise
developers with less integrity than Beard Group would skimp where they could; she added some
cities tie compliance to guidelines with available TIF. Mr. Beard commented that lowering the
CUP would result in more projects being brought under the guidelines. Ms. Anderson noted that
would need an ordinance change. Later Mr. Szuba said he likes having standards. Mr. Thompson
said he thought guidelines were good; standards should be kept to a minimum. Mayor Maxwell
commented he thinks if the City really sticks to guidelines they could work. Ms. Jensen said if
guidelines are used rather than standards she feels the CUP should be lowered. Mr. Brausen said
since the overlay area is small, standards are okay; for a larger area he would want guidelines.
Mr. Brausen asked for clarification of "painting previously unpainted brick" and "jumbo brick."
Ms. Johnson asked that murals be addressed. Mr. Szuba and Ms. Jensen asked for clarification on
backlighting.
There was a general discussion on temporary signage. All agreed it was a tough issue. Mr.
Mielke noted that some stores block their windows by erecting shelves against them, which isn't
addressed. 1.12r. Beard noted that small businesses withou± a large budget for advertising largely
depend on window signage; he suggested temporary signage be separated from the guidelines, Mr.
Brausen agreed. Ms. Jensen suggested the temporary signage issue to given to HBCA as it affected
its members directly.
Ms. Hesch asked that Council members and Z&P members let committee members know
what they liked as well as giving suggestions for changes. Ms. Elverum said the committee hopes
to bring a final draft by late fall.
General Consensus: There should be another discussion with the Z&P before the final
hearing before the Zoning and Planning Commission.
Porches Discussion
Ms. Anderson said in 1999 the Zoning Ordinance was amended to allow front porches to
have a lesser front yard setback than the building setback. The variance request at 101 Interlachen
Road had shown that the definition of porch might need to be clarified. She presented photographs
of twelve porches/covered entryways. General discussion followed as to which were or were not
porches.
Mr. Thompson suggested that if an area could be enclosed and have livable space it is large
enough to be a porch; but a porch is open so there is no visible encroachment, thus it cannot have
windows or screens. Mr. Kerrigan added it could have a railing or partial wall, and that a
maximum height should be given, such as 3 feet. Ms. Allen disagreed, saying she felt a "secured
door" marks the boundaries of a house, and even a screen door does not make a "secured door."
General Consensus: A change in the definition is needed and there is general consensus that
entrys that are fully enclosed are living areas and not porches. Ms. Anderson should submit a
proposal to Z&P by the end of the month.
Variance Discussion
Mr. Mielke said this was on the agenda only to determine if there were issues around
variances. Ms. Anderson said variances are given due to conditions unique to a certain property,
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such as environmental contamination or odd-shaped lots. Ms. Jensen said as long as both Z&P and
the Council approve, it should not be a problem. Mr. Brausen said he feels if a variance will cause
problems in the future, it is not a good decision. Mayor Maxwell added if granting a variance
helps only the property owner it is not a good decision, it should help the neighborhood. Mr.
Mielke said the reason precedent-setting can be a problem is that if a decision is appealed on the
basis of precedent the Court can overturn a variance refusal, as happened in Hopkins some years
ago. Mr. Thompson said he feels that especially at the Z&P level, the actual site has to be looked
at, and then each group member give his or her opinion on the request. Mr. Mielke noted the real
key is often the findings drawn up by the city attorney as they give the grounds for denial or set
forth the uniqueness of the property or situation for approval. Ms. Anderson noted the lega160-
day limit can be problematic; Mr. Mielkenoted that it is very important to make sure the decision
is made with good findings and attempt to make sure the findings are unique to the property..
Mr. Mielke advised that both the North Annex property and Knox will take a considerable
time to sell for the uses the comprehensive plan and zoning will allow.
Other
Mr. Brausen said the discussion on variances reminded him that disagreement among
members must not get personal. Members must support each other even when they disagree.
Mr. Mielke asked that Council members get back to him about housing for the National
League of Cities. Mr. Rowan said he would not be able to go.
Mr. Mielke said he had received a call and complaint about staff from Mr. Jim Stanley.
Mayor Maxwell will talk to him.
Mr. Brausen moved adjournment; Ms. Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:35
p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eug e J. axwell, Mayor