06-27-06 WSJune 27, 2006
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -June 27, 2006
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene
Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on June 27, 2006, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members
Kristi Halverson and Cheryl Youakim were present. City personnel present were City
Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Steve Stadler and Finance Director
Christine Harkess.
Final Review CIP
City Manager Getschow noted both the CIP and ERP will be before the Council
for approval at the July 18 Council meeting.
Finance Director Harkess said there had been no revisions to the CIP since the last
work session. She noted all items in the CIP would come back to the Council for
approval as single items before the project could be started.
Public Works Director Stadler said the Park Board had met Monday night. They
wish to add a small project of $15,000 for two shuffleboards in Burnes Park to the 2007
CIP. The money would come from the Park Dedication Fund. He would also like to add
a street project to the CIP for 2007, a culvert under Van Buren, along with some work on
the entrances to the culverts already there. Estimated cost is $50,000, which would come
from the Storm Sewer Fund. He noted the 9 Mile Watershed District will be funding the
$2 million box culvert project at 5th Street South.
Mayor Maxwell asked if the $15,000 for the shuffleboards was a bid or a staff
estimate. Mr. Stadler said it was an estimate, probably on the high side, and added the
location for the shuffleboards within the park has not been decided. A short discussion
about the parking arrangement with Zion Lutheran followed. General Consensus was
staff should approach the church to obtain a more formal agreement than the present oral
agreement, especially as there is talk the church will be working on the parking lot.
Ms. Youakim asked about the park fund income figures. Mr. Getschow said the
three $100,000 amounts for 2006, 2008 and 2010 were estimated income from the Opus
project. Mr. Stadler commented the Park Board wants to look at neighborhood parks,
with discussion with area residents. Ms. Youakim asked if a decision had been made
about the triangle at 2"d Street and 16th Avenue N. Mr. Stadler told her to have the
resident call city staff. Mayor Maxwell said a discussion needed to be held with the Park
Board regarding the use of park dedication funds. Mr. Getschow noted that Council
would meet with both the Park Board and Zoning and Planning on August 29.
Mayor Maxwell asked about the Shady Oak Beach remodel for 2010. Ms.
Harkess noted Hopkins share is $180,000 and appears that way in the project costs.
Mayor Maxwell asked about the lift station; Mr. Stadler said it is scheduled for 2007 so
that there is no possibility of interfering with the county road project. He hopes to tie into
a 54" interceptor pipe of Minnetonka's located under Shady Oak Road. Ms. Halverson
asked about the Economic Development Fund monies. Ms. Harkess noted they are TIF
money and very rough estimates. Mayor Maxwell asked about the work listed for
Central Park. Mr. Stadler said it was turf leveling work. Mayor Maxwell noted the
parking lot needs work and suggested removing the lot to make a larger playing field
there. Mr. Stadler will look into that possibility.
June 27, 2006
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ERP Discussion
Ms. Harkess went over a detailed list of changes from last year's ERP for the
years 2007-2011. She noted the fire truck amount had decreased due to the elimination
of the articulating arm. Mr. Getschow added this was taken off in hopes a new grant
request for the smaller amount of $600,000-$700,000 (as contrasted to last year's request
for $900,000) would be approved, leaving Hopkins to pay the same $300,000 originally
planned. Staff should hear about the grant around Labor Day. Mr. Stadler commented
the swap mower under Parks/Forestry is actually a swap loader, which is used for such
things as moving refuse bins.
Ms. Harkess noted that any new equipment must be purchased from a
department's budget. Then it is added into the ERP for scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Mayor Maxwell suggested other departments might be able to apply for
grants for workout equipment.
Ms. Harkess then went briefly over the 2007 ERP items. She noted that when the
Council approves the ERP on July 18, staff can then start working on pricing, etc.
Mr. Getschow noted that several years ago the ERP amounts had to be severely
cut due to the budget cuts. Ms. Harkess added the 2012 funding level will be equal to the
2003 level. Mr. Getschow added staff always evaluates equipment every year so some
equipment gets moved in the ERP each year.
Ms. Harkess mentioned her department will soon be getting their new financial
software. Mr. Getschow added that staff has talked about a centralized computerized
record for service requests and complaints made throughout city deprtments. Ms.
Harkess said that software, called Call Center, will be demonstrated to staff. Mr. Stadler
noted some complaints his department receives are not address-specific, such as
complaints about streets, etc.
Other
Mr. Stadler announced the traffic signals at Excelsior Blvd. and 9t" will be out for
four hours, starting at 9:30, Wednesday morning. Stop signs will be set out.
Ms. Youakim said she was approached Monday by a Meadowcreek resident who
is in favor of the dog park. She asked about the slowdown of condo sales. Mr. Getschow
said it is a general concern for realtors. She asked about Atlas Cold Storage. Mr.
Getschow stated that developer is still testing the market.
Mr. Getschow said Marketplace and Main project has received environmental
grants of over $200,000. The Excelsior Crossing (Opus) project has gotten grants
totaling more than $1 million.
He received a request from a resident to name a field in Maetzold Park for
someone. General Consensus was that could not happen, but a proclamation could be
issued to recognize someone.
He will put a sewer backup insurance information packet together for Council
members.
He noted the July 11 work session will include Minnetonka City Council. On
July 25 we will join St. Louis Park Council. After discussion it was decided to have a
June 27, 2006
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Strategic Planning session on July 25. August 1 will be National Night Out. There will
be an extra work session in August.
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Hopkins will participate in mediation on the Block 641itigation tomorrow.
He noted the July Rake had a very positive article on Gusto's, which included
good comments on Mainstreet.
He and Mayor Maxwell have discussed stores selling drug paraphernalia. Chief
Reid has obtained the Bloomington ordinance.
On motion by Ms. Youakim and second by Ms. Halverson, the meeting adjourned
at 8:15 p.m. on a vote of 3-0.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Euge J. xwell, May r