09-24-02 WSSeptember 24, 2002
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -September 24, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on September 24, 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 Miellce; Economic
Development Director Kerrigan, City Planner Anderson, Housing Coordinator Elverum, Assistant
City Manager Genellie, Finance Director Yager, and RecreationDirector Johnson. Also present were
Mark Koegler and Brady Halvorson of Hoisington-Koegler; and Maureen Allen, Ross Bartz, Kristi
Halverson, Mary Hatcher, Eric Randolph, John Szuba and Jay Thompson of Zoning & Planning
Commission.
Joint City CouneiVPlanning Commission Work Session: East End Study
Ms. Anderson said the East End study had come about due to Excelsior Blvd. upgrading and
concern in the visioning process about the appearance of Blake Road. Two open houses have been
held, but were poorly attended; these were followed up by a letter and questionnaire.
Mr. Koegler said as LRT becomes a reality this area will become more important. At this time
there is no plan to stop the LRT at Hopkins, but to continue it to at least Highway 5; transit stops will
be in Hopkins, with a possible one near Blake Road. He feels the area has strong office potential in
that it is within the beltway; the industrial feel weakens that appeal. If ahigh-profile office/mixed use
development takes place, more residential and retail in the area would naturally follow. Regional
efforts may include traiUwetland development. He later added this is a "front door to Hopkins,"
giving many people their first impression of the city. Mr. Halvorson showed various concepts for the
north side of Excelsior Blvd. They advocatemixed-use, which allows more flexibility. They see little
commercial usage unless something else spurs it. Short-term the main goals should be facilitating
parking and throughway driving near the Blake/Excelsior intersection. Answering Ms. Johnson, he
said pedestrian traffic across the railway would be at Blake Road and/or Tyler. Answering Mr.
Brausen, he said the housing would be medium-density, such as townhouses.
Mr. Halvorson then explained drawings of Blake Road, saying it is not a study of "land use,"
but "streetscape," extending from Knollwood Mall to Excelsior Blvd. A major problem is that the
present right-of--way is not wide enough for streetscaping the full length. Possibly the 22' center lane
could be made into a planted median/turn lanes combination. Second St. would remain a major
pedestrian thoroughfare to downtown Hopkins. Answering questions, he said some parking would
be taken by sidewalks; no street improvement is planned; a worn footpath on the east side of Blake
shows the need for a sidewalk; while there would be common elements with downtown Hopkins, they
would be such things as compatible streetlights that would not compete with the character of
Mainstreet Hopkins.
General Consensus: The general concepts seem to be moving in the right direction. Ms.
Johnson asked Hoesington-Koegler to look into developing a "welcoming feel" for the intersection
and mentioned the need for the Arches area on 2nd St. to be upgraded. Jay Thompson suggested that
something be given that would show how various options (commerciaUresidential) would affect the
tax base. While the plan could not be implemented at one time, all felt it was important to have a
large-view plan to fit smaller changes into.
September 24, 2002
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the road. He asked why food licensing at the center is now $82.50.
Ms. Johnson asked about handicapped parking in the lot between 7t'' and 8~'. Others
commented tenants are unhappy about that lot. Mr. Mielke will have Jim go talk to Lommens.
She asked for closer times for the actual groundbreaking at Carnerstone.
Mr. Brausen asked about the dog ordinance. Others also commented on the dog that is often
in the road at 16~` and 4cn
Mr. Mielke said the Park Board cannot change their term length. The Council could do so by
ordinance change.
Mr. Mielke talked to the new Driscolls manager about the tent on the 500 lot.
He said the Wellness Committee wants to give 4 gift awards. Consensus was they would serve
a "public purpose."
He said there is a situation with a townhouse in the 9~''/7`'' area. The owner is in stage 4
cancer, and the house is unh~abitable due to a black mold problem. The situation is being laoked into
further to see if other townhouses are affected. It may be a public health issue.
Ms. Johnson moved adjoun~ment; Mr. Brausen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eug ell, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
September 24, 2002
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Hoesington-Koegler should continue with the feasibility/costs portion of the study and will
develop appearance guidelines.
Budget Review
These were informational presentations. Ms. Yager said that over the coming sessions, each
department will present its programs, what it has accomplished this year, budget impacts.
Recreation
Mr. Johnson reported on the Joint Recreation. He said .all programs pay their own costs
except for Kids Fest and playground programs. A cheaper brochure was printed this year; it could
be put out less often to save further costs. If a cut must be made, he suggested it be Kids Fest. Budget
figures are down due to lower participation than last year. 70% of participants now register through
credit cards. Budget figures can vary widely, depending on income from Shady Oak Beach. He is in
the process of developing a "real cost" for each program, which would prorate administrative costs.
Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said if Hopkins opted out of certain programs, Minnetonka would
keep them and they would be available to Hopkins people at non-resident rates.
Administration
Mr. Mielke explained the various functions administration performs. Some budget items such
as prorated Comm. Relations were shifted from the Cable Fund when HCA .funding was moved to
the Cable Fund. Most budget reductions would be temporary and would largely be moving expenses
to other funds. He discussed future objectives: specific projects included 24-hour web site (very
expensive); CounciUstaffretreats; B&C orientation; Citizens Academy; sharing services andprograms
with other governmental units (as dispatch sharing with Eden Prairie).
Mr. Genellie spoke about personnel costs, noting 75% ofthe general fund budget is personnel.
related. A pay study was completed this year. Recruitment and retaining qualified personnel is a
challenge, especially for police and building inspection-50% of police recruits are now reached
through Internet. About 10% of the employees are lost each year due to retirement or relocation.
Rising health care costs are a continuing concern; present cost is X425-650 per month for each
employee; it could easily reach $1,000 per month by 2006.
Ms. Jensen said she would like the communications/newsletter/cable fund to be fully discussed
at a future work session. Ms. Johnson asked ifpersonal laptops for Council would be a savings. Mr.
Johnson noted there would be no personnel cost savings.
Finance
Ms. Yager oversees 9 programs. Accomplishments this year included monthly utility billing
for most of Hopkins (which results in fewer delinquencies that more.than offsets additional costs),
applying for the GFOA award for budget (which was not received but she received good pointers for
trying this year), projection of future debt, and reconciliation of health and dental insurance billings.
Specific goals for 2003 include reconciling general ledger liability accounts for insurances, researching
a 2 year budget process, preparing RFP for banking services, doing monthly financial reports for
Council, and getting 100% direct deposit for employees. Increase in her expenses was due to the
payroll study which increased clerk salaries. At present it seems the increase for the average
homeowner for the levy will be $94 instead of $114.
®ther
Mr. Rowan complimented the police force on their handling of a visitor hitting an animal in