09-28-99 WSciTY covNCII, wow ~oN - 2s, i99~r
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was heyd eat 6:30 p.m. oa Se~mber 28,1999,
at the City Hall. Council members prat were Mayor R~edeg-~m*~ and Cou~il members
Hesch, Jensen, Johnson and Maxwell. City personnel present were Asst. City Manager Ceoellie,
City Planner Anderson, Assistant to the City Manager Parsons, and Finance D~a~tur Yager.
p1A~tng ('rnnnri~slon members Gross, Boer, Szabo, Bartz and Sorenson attended. Also present
were John Shardlow, Tom Allen, Park District Superintendent Doug Bryant, Bob wicklund of
Hennepin Parks and Kea Ward of the Depot.
Varian~oe Phibeophy, Nance An~~, p~e~
Nancy Anderson io~odlyoed John Shardlow, who Led the discussion. He said variances are
the most problematic issue for all cis in ~~~ and planning. Over ~~a~.d years, comes in
general are moving tram "undue hardship only" to a mote flexible stance. He stressed the
impo~rtsmoe of reeognt~ng why a city sets the standards it ~ and then making sure ozdia~m~oes
support those standards. In comparison to other cities, Hopkins has few roqueata per year. The
general discussion supported the view that in general the Council and the ~'nn••••:asio~n agree on
standards, which E~-.~ on l--e-~riyg neighborhood character inctact, ~C7~~'hility in property
iu~rovement, eaoauragemeat of reinvestment in the co~uaity and avoiding adverse iaoport on
neighborhood properties. There was also discussion of what objective ~it~cia could be used as
a "~1~~ylist. " _. _ . - -
Geae~rral Co~nseoaus: The Council and ~'a~t~sion would like city stag to obtain a Dopy
of Roseville's detinltcnt of "practical difiir~~ltf~."
~ ~ Torn Atlas, p~resa~x
Mr. Allen discussed Phase i, Assessmeoat, of his plan do create a ~.~....~...~ty~de shared
vision for the city. The Caancilmdicabed they Jibed the proposed questions to be asked s~:,-r.,~.
Suggestions for additional foca~s gro~upe iaciuded senior ~ fi--~-~e and former elected olflcials. Mr.
Maxwell suggestied a slogan of "V~ 20/20: The I1~fi,.~ City." The other Council members
~nd~c~ a question i~d~,g "wheat would maloe you wsat do be here ffi 2~" could be helpful
in the assCSSme't~. Mr. Allen suggested he eauld put lists tioge~her for the focus groups, and the
Council could suggest additions and ~pl~+~ns. He added he wants the Council members do feel
free to interact with him at ever~- stage.
General Co~naensu~s: The Council liked the itiea of the focus ~~ lists although they
regisbc~~.l addigg seniors and former elm offlcisks. The oontrsct with Mr. Allen will be on the
consent agenda for the next Council ~.
Dap Discuadon, Jim Parsons, pseae~r
Mr. Parsons sand the Park Board and r~tssion are favorable to the ~~i1A1~ of a
trailhead ~mpkex in eonn~c*t~ with the Depot. C~nc~t oaneerns ~P.~ti. around
bicyclist/pedestrian safety concerns -crossing ~ksi~r Blvd. and the right turn curve, and
8•
Supt. Bryant said if Hopkins Council approves the plan submt+_tr~, the parlrigg lot for the
Depot Rrould be graveled before w;~. X125,000 would be ~......it~~ to the project. He
c~~++oned a pedestrian bridge may not be the answer to safety oooeerns as sash bridges have been
built and not used. Mr. Wickland shawod the plan which has a picnic shelter and tables;
volleyball court, portable outside restroo®s, paved parking for 30 cats plus additional graveled
P~~B• etc. He ~,•••.•~ented a meo~arial do Mamba Tabun would be pert of the complex, as she
was the first to work fior a ttailbead ~nplex.
Keo ward w,~,~~ented on the success of the Sept. 23th event, and said parking would be
a benefit to the Depot.
General Consensus: Council ~ were favorable.
3pecisl R ~gaue Faads, Lori Yager, Presenter
This was an i~~~,ation pres~+~ficm. Ms. Yager explained the special revenue fiu~ds.
All the TIF's are doing well, sad TIF #1 may be paid early. A twenty-year proj~r*~~ shows all
but the Pat~a Transit fund doing vve11.
The Fare-Transit pTOirider weals more money f+or next year, which may affoCt the general
fua~d, which usually allots X9600 ~ it. There is a poss~ility of !~'''~ a gr~ust for a new van.
w~id,~ Pro~neerty
Drivers are r,~.ni.,B up affix his property at 60010th Ave. S.
Genaral Cooseosas: Mr. Stadler should address the issue: what would be involved in a
permaneo~t solution and what can be done sb~ort~erm. A report should be in this week's Updatie.
SfiAOes
There was general discussion.
General Conseosas: Mr. Cenellie should find out who pays for the signage. Some
Council members are concerned the s~gnage may make it seem that ~g~ Theater ~ the Hopkins
Art rte.
Motion to adjourn was made by Finn Hesch and seconded by Diane Johnson. It passed
unanimously. Mex*i*ig adjourned at 8:SS p.m.
Kasey Kes~r, ~~,co~ding so.~~.t~~r
c~oUriccII.
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ATTEST
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Charles D. R , ~~ ,~,-..•a~, ~Iilayor