09-19-06 WSSeptember 19, 2006
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AT CONCLIJSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:50 pm at the conclusion of the regular City Council
meeting at City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Thompson,
Rowan, Halverson, and Youakim. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow and Public
Works Director Steve Stadler.
Snow Removal
Public Works Director Steve Stadler discussed a potential change in our ordinance whereby we would
provide 24 hour notice instead of 48 hour notice to businesses to clear their sidewalks. This would allow
the city to clear the sidewalks prior to the street snow pick up operation so that the city would not have
owners shoveling snow into the gutters after the city crews have completed snow clearing and hauling.
This is not seen as a major issue as the vast majority of businesses clean up prior to needing any notice.
Many of those that do require notice, the city ends up having to clear that sidewalk anyway in many cases.
Consensus was to move forward with the ordinance change.
Council asked that city staff get input from business owners, possibly through an HBCA meeting if need
be. Stadler agreed he will follow up on this issue.
Shady Oak Road Meeting with Minnetonka
Council discussed with Stadler issues related to the joint meeting with the City of Hopkins with the
ity of Minnetonka that was to occur the following evening in the City of Minnetonka regarding proposed
approval of the preliminary layout of the Shady Oak Road project.
Other
Stadler provided an update on the Excelsior Boulevard streetscape improvements.
Stadler provided an update on the 2006 utility improvements that will be completed very soon.
Stadler gave an update on the City Hall site improvements that have just begun
Council member Thompson had a question regarding Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority
right-of--way between 8th and 9th Avenues where there is some rock in the alley.
• Council member Youakim stated that there may be a meeting requested regarding the city's potential
interest in a sister city relationship with a China city in partnership with the Hopkins School District,
City of Hopkins, and St. Louis Park.
There was a question whether minutes could be put on the City website as unofficial prior to approval,
since approval of the minutes do not occur until the next regular City Council meeting which is two
weeks later.
• Council discussed the City Manager contacting the School District Superintendent as it relates to the
recent news about the potential closing of Kathryn Curren.
The City Manager stated that the jury trial for the billboard lawsuit case is Monday, September 25
through Tuesday, September 26.
The City Manager stated that the Council will be discussing the dog park issue at the work session
next Tuesday.
The City Manager stated that the open house for the LRT Line was well received. Another open house
and meetings are planned for late October or early November, prior to the study's completion at the
end of the year or early 2007.
September 19, 2006
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There being no further business, a motion was made by Halverson, seconded by Youakim to adjourn
the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 pm.
Rick Getschow, Secretary
CITY COUNCIL