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02-28-06 WSFebruary 28, 2006 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION _ February 28, 2006 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:40 p.m. on February 28, 2006, at the City Hall. Council members Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Jay Thompson and Cheryl Youakim were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow, Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie and Police Department Administrative Director Connie Kurtz. Also present were Charter Committee task force members Fran Hesch and Rob Healey; and task force advisors Bill Hannon of Faribault and Tony Solgard of Fair Vote Minnesota. Charter Amendment, Instant Runoff Voting Assistant City Manager Genellie said the purpose of his presentation was to examine the concept of Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), how it could apply to Hopkins, and possible problems with the language in proposed ordinance 2005-958. At present Hopkins elections use a plurality to declare a winner; this has resulted in a past mayor and five past Council members winning without a majority vote. IRV is a system by which the winner must have a majority of the votes. It helps eliminate negative campaigning, eliminates expensive run-offs, and measures the intensity of support for a candidate. Hopkins could be the small step that pilots change on a larger level. IRV has a strong history in elections with multiple candidates for a single office (as in the mayoral election). Problems arise, however, with the ordinance language when it comes to multiple candidates for multiple offices, such as Council elections. Ms. Hesch noted that the task force intended what proposed changes would accomplish; however, their language was not clear enough. From the beginning, they wanted two equal votes for the two Council member seats. Mr. Genellie noted that proposed solutions have included instituting wards or designating the seats as A and B. However, the task force felt neither solution was good. The proposed system would have two "first choices" and three ranked "alternative choices." Mr. Genellie showed how such a system would work. Mayor Maxwell asked about write-in votes. Mr. Genellie said write-ins would have no effect unless a number of them were for one of the first choices. Then they would require a hand count. Mr. Rowan noted that voting for only one first choice would amount to the present bullet vote. Fran Hesch added voters could cast one first choice vote, twp first choice votes, or two first choice votes and alternate(s). However, ballots with one first choice and alternates would mean the ballot would be dropped from the count as a blank column would kick a ballot out. It would, however, still have its first choice counted. Ms. Youakim said she likes the proposed system but wonders if it is really needed when so few have been elected without a majority. Mr. Healey said he feels it would send an important message to the residents that only candidates with a majority vote could win. Ms. Hesch said she liked Mayor Maxwell's earlier suggestion to go slow and send the ordinance back to the Charter Commission. She suggested holding a mock election, noting City Clerk Obermaier thought it a good idea. That would allow the Commission to get feedback from residents. Mayor Maxwell agreed it would measure the success of education efforts, but noted it would require hand counting. Mr. Rowan agreed it would be a good way to educate the residents. Mr. Healey wondered if young February 28, 2006 Page 2 adults could be involved. Mayor Maxwell suggested the ballots could go with the water _ bills. Ms. Youakim said perhaps it could be done online. Ms. Hesch suggested a newspaper flyer. Mayor Maxwell summarized the issues as education, equipment and expense. Mr. Soigard said the election machine vendor contract comes up in December, adding the county doesn't seem interested in solutions. Ms. Hesch said it might be a good idea for the ordinance to contain language that only the mayoral position would use IRV if machines are not available to handle multiple candidates for multiple offices. Mr. Getschow commented he felt the Council has problems with the ordinance language but not the concept of IRV. Mayor Maxwell agreed, saying he felt it was better to vote down the current proposal and send it back to the Charter Commission. Ms. Hesch agreed, adding she felt a mock election was also an essential component. Mr. Thompson thanked Mr. Hannon and Mr. Solgard for their help with the task force and for attending the work session. General Consensus was that the present proposed ordinance would be turned down in March because of the language issue, and returned to the Commission. The Charter Commission should keep the Council informed. Ms. Hesch requested that the Council make sure it is clear they are not turning down IRV itself. Mayor Maxwell said he would have the city attorney draft a resolution that would clarify that. Commercial Designated Parking Ms. Kurtz said a couple items came to her attention recently. Signage will be changed in the parking ramp that will indicate where permit parking is allowed. Flyers will be put on each permitted car notifying the owners that permit parking will be allowed only on the upper levels. Citations will be given after one month. Mr. Rowan asked how many permits are issued. Ms. Kurtz said S00 for all permitted areas. There are 317 spots in the city, with 200 in the ramp. Ms Youakim asked since there are more permits than spots, what happens if they find no place to park? Ms. Kurtz said there have been no complaints in the past. Mr. Rowan noted the permit only allows them to stay longer than what is normally allowed; it does not pay for a parking space. The second issue, Ms. Kurtz said, is that four businesses have inquired about getting overnight parking. At present lot 300 is available for overnight parking, but only for single uses. There are a few 24-hour parking spaces allotted to people who reside over Mainstreet businesses. Public Works staff recommended business parking be limited to the top level of the ramp. Mr. Getschow noted allowing such usage would pose no legal issues according to the terms of the initial ramp financing. He added some businesses wanted the permit to be for anywhere, which would not work for Public Works. Ms. Kurtz added any such permitting would be subject to strict rules and subject to penalties. Mr. Getschow said one business had asked for eleven such permits; he would recommend they be limited to two or three per business. A fee might make it worthwhile for the city. Ms. Youakim said the ramp is used for tourism. Ms. Kurtz noted so are the other lots. A recent check showed that at 8:00 p.m. lots held few cars on Wednesday or Thursday, but they were full on Friday. Mr. Thompson said such overnight spaces should not be in the ramp but located at the farthest away regular lot. Good spaces should be for downtown customers. Mayor Maxwell said trucks could not be allowed in the ramp, and residents would not like overnight parking near them. Mr. February 28, 2006 Page 3 Rowan questioned why residents would complain. Ms. Kurtz noted the lot at 10th and 1St A North would be the only one by residences. Mr. Rowan felt the price should be high, but there shouldn't be a limit on permits sold. The location should be as far as possible from high use evening parking. Ms. Youakim agreed the ramp should not be used as it has high use on week-ends. Ms. Youakim said she felt a limit on such permits issued should be set just to prevent future problems; it could be set at the top level staff feels could be accommodated, knowing that level might never be reached. Ms. Kurtz said probably the lot at 10th and 1St would be the only lot to meet the limits being discussed as it is a free lot and not a permit lot. Mr. Thompson said he felt the city should not look at this as a money-making situation. He questioned if Mainstreet is the right location for a business that needs overnight parking for a fleet of eleven vehicles. He agreed with Mr. Rowan and Ms. Youakim that downtown parking should be for retail customers. Mayor Maxwell raised the issue of B2 districts, and asked if the city had a duty to provide parking. Ms. Kurtz said her personal opinion is that parking is for customers; in B2 the city provides parking places for employees and customers. Mayor Maxwell asked if such overnight parking would be plowed first after snowfalls. Ms. Kurtz said staff had discussed that issue and decided it would not be first priority. Ms. Youakim said if such parking were put anywhere but the free lot, it would take away customer parking. General Consensus was that such parking would not be in the ramp. Staff should do further research and report back to the Council. Other Mr. Rowan asked if the fire department does CPR training for the public. Mr. Getschow will find out. Mr. Thompson asked that congratulatory letters be sent to Princess Chomilo- Kisob and Superintendent Michael Kramer. He asked if his e-mail had been changed. Mr. Getschow said it had except for one place, which is being taken care of. Mr. Thompson asked when his new business cards with the new information would be ready. Mr. Getschow will find out. Ms. Youakim attended the legislative breakfast yesterday. She asked when discussion for the Cornerstone site plan would be. Mr. Getschow said it is on the Planning and Zoning agenda, and would come to the Council on Monday. She asked about the Stobbe situation. Mr. Getschow referred to the memo that was prepared and distributed in the packets last week. She asked about the 20th Avenue townhouse. Mr. Getschow said he thinks that HUD will get back to us in April. She said she thinks the Council needs to find out who to lobby for the bus depot. She talked to Rep. Simon. Mayor Maxwell said he feels Hopkins needs to be careful not to get the PCA angry. The fact we have a $700,000 grant for this makes it unlikely the PCA will want to throw that money away. They are still saying they may be able to do it. Mr. Getschow said the police incident some Council members had been contacted about does not seem to concern Hopkins. Mayor Maxwell said it occurred in Minnetonka. Mr. Getschow said Minntahoe has withdrawn their application. They still plan to lease the space in Hopkins and keep the catering business here. February 28, 2006 Page 4 He asked the Council about the city being a "sister city" to one in China as _ presented by Rep. Simon. Mr. Getschow said at least fifteen persons have signed up for the Citizens' Academy. It was decided as many Council members as possible would attend the March 16 session, at which Mayor Maxwell will give a welcoming speech. Mr. Thompson will attend the March 23 session; either Mr. Rowan will appear at the March 30 session; Ms. Halverson will be at the Apri16 class; and Ms. Youakim will take the April 20 session. On motion by Ms. Halverson and second by Mr. Thompson the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary COUNCIL MEMBERS: A~