10-26-04 WSOctober 26, 2004
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -October 26, 2004
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell
at 6:30 p.m. on October 26, 2004, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Rowan and
Thompson were present. City personnel present were: Acting City Manager Jim Genellie; City
Planner Nancy Anderson; Public Works Director Steve Stadler; City Attorney Wynn Curtiss; and
Finance Director Christine Harkess. Also present were Tony Heppelmann of WSB Assoc.; and
Brent Lindgren of Hennepin County Public Works.
Shady Oak Road Update
Mr. Stadler said that the Minnetonka City Council has approved the four-lane idea. They
have requested at least one joint meeting with Hopkins Council for long range planning, goals, and
redevelopment planning that makes the wisest use of opportunities rather than worrying about city
boundaries. They recommend aSun-Sailor notice stressing the cooperation between the two
Councils.
Mr. Heppelmann said that about 50 feet at the southwest corner of the duck pond remains
the same in all four options. The alignment with the road south of Excelsior will stay the same in
• all plans up to Bradford. All plans incorporate two through-way lanes each direction, 6 foot raised
medians at intersections and turn lanes. On the east side all have 8 feet for the trail with a 2 foot
buffer and 6 foot sidewalks on the west side. One option would consolidate more roads on the
northern end. Two other options shift the northern end to either the east or the west. Shifting to
the east would make the intersection with Highway 7 more perpendicular; 7 homes would need to
be acquired. Shifting west would leave 20-25 feet from houses to the curb. The southern half could
be shifted to the west; the deciding factor here would be redevelopment ideas, which have not been
studied yet. Minnetonka had suggested a "backage" road on the south end for businesses. Mr.
Brausen noted the elevation drop behind the business farthest to the north could be a problem. Mr.
Heppelmann said the present housing development largely dictates the placement of the Mainstreet
intersection. Land usage will have impacts on the north end -single-family residences may not be
the best use of the area. Since land usage studies are not done yet, footage lost for parking at the
present businesses is unknown. Mayor Maxwell said he had talked to Ms. Anderson at
Minnetonka; she suggested a January joint meeting. He feels there will need to be several meetings
to decide long-term planning for the area. Mr. Stadler suggested Hoisington-Koegler should sit in
on those meetings. Mr. Brausen said he felt the economic impact would be larger on Hopkins as
most businesses in that area are Hopkins businesses. He added he felt a house being left only 20
feet to curb might be considered a taking.
General Consensus was to meet with Minnetonka in January with Hoisington-Koegler
present.
Speed Signs
Mr. Stadler showed the "Respect Our Neighborhood 30 MPH Speed Limit" signs. General
discussion followed.
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General Consensus was that any area could request the signs, even on collector streets, and
use them for a couple weeks. Mr. Brausen volunteered to serve as the city contact person.
Goodwill CUP
Ms. Anderson said the second traffic study requested by the Council has not been done.
She asked the City Attorney's office to look into the issues raised.
City Attorney Wynn Curtiss said he looked to see if the CUP was defensible if the owners
decided to go to Court against the City. His feeling is that a CUP is not appropriate in this case
due to language in the industrial district permitted uses in the city ordinances. He feels the drive-
through, as it is proposed to be built, would meet the definition of a building; it does not matter if
there is a garage door at each end. In addition loading and unloading areas are permitted accessory
uses.
Ms. Anderson said the addition would not be big enough for a site plan review as it is only
720 sq. feet. A site plan review is triggered by a percentage or 10,000 sq. ft. She suggested
changing the ordinance so that CUP's would apply to industrial areas. She added Goodwill had
called Tuesday and said they are withdrawing the CUP application but are staying in the building.
Jim Genellie suggested that a redraft also lower the percent of retail space without a CUP to 10 % .
Mayor Maxwell said his concern is that 200,000 sq. ft. remains in the building without an overall
plan.
General Consensus was that Ms. Anderson should oversee drafting of changes to the
ordinance that would require CUP's for drive-throughs and that would lower the automatically
allowed retail space to 10 % with a maximum 25 % with an approved CUP. Mr. Curtiss said that if
Goodwill does not withdraw its application, the city will need to notify them they do not need a
CUP. In either case, the matter is off the agenda for the next Council meeting.
2005 Budget
Ms. Harkess covered the changes in the budget figures of the last work session.
The Economic Development Fund budget salary amount was reduced to show personnel
reduction. There is no project that qualifies for Livable Community Grant. Present budget would
use $131,270 reserves.
She recommends parking ramp permits be raised $10 per year ($3 per quarter, $2 per
month, $1 per day). The police department is asking enforcement officers be increased by a total
of 8 hours, which would add $5,600.00. She did not know how that time would be allocated. With
fee increases and increased enforcement there would be a net loss of $37,991 for 2005. Mr.
Brausen and Mayor Maxwell noted there had been no complaints on the present rate of
enforcement.
She listed the equipment in the Replacement Plan for 2005. She will get more information
on the Luverne pumper, extrication tool and flatbed.
Water rates will increase $.20. With this increase depreciation will be covered. Ms. Yager
had projected another increase in 2010; the new water meters may change that.
She talked to Pat Weigel in Utility billing. There are large losses in bulk collection, yard
waste/leaf collection/ recycling, and brush service. Profits from disposal, if the new rates of
$13.20, $15.90 and $17.25 are implemented, will cover all but $25,000 of those losses. She will
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check with Mr. Stadler on the yard waste program. Mr. Brausen said that sometime in the future
he would like more information on the brush removal program and when its rates were last raised.
General Consensus was all proposed rate changes were acceptable. The police department
should explain the need for the increased enforcement at the Nov. 9 work session.
Mr. Genellie and Ms. Harkess presented a proposed schedule to work on budget issues.
There were no objections as presented. It was noted the budget would be passed at the December
21 Council meeting.
Other
Mr. Genellie handed out copies of a letter from Pinnacle Engineering asking the Council to
pass a resolution supporting an environmental financial grant application to Hennepin County by
the Hopkins School District #270 for studying the feasibility of a school bus facility on the
Hopkins Landfill site. General Consensus was to have this on the next Council agenda.
Mr. Rowan noted interested parents and coaches have approached the school board about a
possible Aquatic Center on the original site of the garage.
Mr. Genellie proposed a joint meeting with Zoning & Planning on future planning for the
city. This will be a dinner meeting at 5:30 November 30.
Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Mr. Brausen seconded. On a 4-0 vote, the meeting
adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eug ne axwell, Mayor