08-14-90 WS MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSESSION
August 14, 1990
A Council Worksession was held on August 14, 1990 at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Berg
and Councilmembers Kritzler, Redepenning, Anderson and Shirley.
Also present were staff members: City Manager Steve Mielke,
Community Development Director Tom Harmening, Planning and
Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan, City Planner Nancy
Anderson, Engineering Supervisor Jim Gessele, Public Works
Director Jon Thiel
I. DISCUSSION - MAINSTREET RECONSTRUCTION
Mayor Berg opened the meeting and turned over presentation to Jon
Thiel. Mr. Thiel gave a brief overview of the Mainstreet project
and introduced Dick Koppy of Westwood Professional Services.
Mr. Koppy opened the presentation with several reasons for the
project and went on to summarize a history of Mainstreet studies
of the parking, street amenities, signage, and alley
improvements. These studies dated back to 1988.
Mr. Koppy continued his presentation with a complete evaluation
of existing systems in the street and went on with
recommendations. Proposals call for a 46 foot wide street with
parallel parking on both sides. The preliminary design will
afford a net gain of 70 paring stalls on that portion of the Mall
between 5th and 12th Avenues for a total of 101 stalls.
Presentation was turned over to Allan Klugman of Westwood who
focused his discussion on MTC operations on the street. Westwood
has developed a design that accommodates the presence of bus
service on the street with minimal impact on parking. If bus
service is removed, the design would still work. He then covered
the issue of traffic signals and their present deteriorated
condition. Those lights meeting warrants were discussed and
questions arose concerning movement of traffic and left turns at
certain intersections. The bus issue arose with numerous
questions as to impedance of traffic flow. Visitors asked if
traffic flow should be at a rapid pace or moderate and whether
flow should be treated the same throughout the corridor or
whether the Mall should be addressed separately.
Randy Goertzen of Westwood discussed landscaping and amenities
along the street. He emphasized a theme of Hopkins as a small,
friendly midwestern town that uses decorative and ornamental
features to embellish its historical character, yet remain
functional by today's needs. He emphasized street lighting as
the most visible of amenities.
Mr. Koppy continued with the issue of access ramp to Mainstreet
off T. H. 1698. Several layouts were presented, and traffic
impact on Mainstreet was covered. There is a question of benefit
and whether Mn/DOT would approve of such a plan.
Mr. Koppy then discussed construction operations and their impact
on street closure. Construction management, double shifts,
weekend construction and block by block construction ~e
~,recommended features to place in the specifications.
Bill Thibault discussed finances as last item on the agenda.
Projected cost of reconstruction from a ramp at T.H. 169 to Shady
Oak Road is estimated at $5.9 million
II. DISCUSSION - BINGO
The Council continued to discuss the issue of Bingo in Hopkins.
On October 24, 1989, the Council passed an ordinance which allows
bingo halls by Conditional Use Permit in the B-3 district.
Subsequent issues caused the Council to pass an ordinance
establishing a moratorium on bingo halls as a primary use.
The Council requested that this item be placed on the September 4
agenda for action and possible extension of the moratorium.
III. GAMBLING LICENSE - ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Joseph's requested a gambling license for their Fall
Festival.
Mr. Anderson moved and Mr. Shirley seconded the motion to adopt
Resolutions #90-90 and 90-91 waiving the waiting period and
approving the license. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.
·
Nelson W. Berg, Mayor
Councilmembers: