04-13-05April 13, 2005
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCII, WORK SESSION - Apri113, 2005
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene
Maxwell at 6:05 p.m. on April 13, 2005, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen,
Johnson, Rowan and Thompson were present. City personnel present were City Manager
Rick Getschow, Finance Director Christine Hazkess, Public Works Director Steve
Stadler, City Planner Nancy Anderson, Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan
and City Attorney Jeremy Steiner. In the audience was Bob Worrell, 148 Interlachen
Road, Hopkins.
Vacation of Goodrich Street and Alleyways
Public Works Director Stadler said on Mazch 15, 2005, a public hearing was held
on the vacation of several alley rights-of--way and a portion of the Goodrich Street right-
of-way. Council asked staff to do further study and continued the discussion to the April
5 council meeting and then this work session. He duected attention to the maps drawn
showing how the alternate Goodrich right-of--ways would affect trees at 60 and 66 feet.
With the 60' right-of--way 34 trees, 5 of which aze elms, would be affected. With the 66'
right-of--way 23 trees, 4 of which aze elms, would be affected. Due to lack of
neighborhood support and residents' concern with taking on responsibility for
maintenance of additional trees within a wider boulevazd azea, staff is recommending that
Hopkins retain the current 80' wide right-of--way. He added that neighborhood feedback
indicates tree issues could be a real problem in the future if the right-of--way is changed.
If property is affected within the 80' right-of--way, he feels it should be dealt with through
the variance process.
Mr. Rowan asked if the current extra-wide right-of--way is kept, would
homeowners be able to use that as an undue hazdship in asking for variances. If tree
maintenance is the only issue, perhaps Hopkins should take down the five elms, then do
the vacation. Mr. Stadler noted that the elms were an issue, but residents were concerned
about maintenance in general, such as trimming, etc.
Mayor Maxwell noted the Memorandum for Attorney Steiner raised other issues.
Mr. Worrell commented residents would not want the elms just taken out. He
questioned the accuracy of the survey; Mr. Stadler said he was sure it was correct.
Mr. Worrell asked if someone wanting a variance had started the right-of--way
issue. Mayor Maxwell said there had been no formal request, but a resident had asked
why Goodrich Street right-of--way was so much wider than others, and if that could that
be used as a hazdship for a variance request. Ms. Johnson commented street widths vary
all over Hopkins. Mr. Stadler noted that besides the width of the right-of--way, the class of
street would decide the issue, not the width of the street. Mr. Thompson suggested a
different setback for Goodrich Avenue might be the answer, rather than vacation. Mr.
Getschow said that had been mentioned to him. He checked and found different cities
with different types of lots have different setbacks in the same zoning district. Staff
would need to do further research to see if that would be feasible in Hopkins. In effect,
the Council is facing a decision of whether to amend the zoning ordinance or deal with
variances. Mr. Thompson noted when he was on the Zoning and Planning Commission
there was a mad shifted to one side and the commission was encouraged to not consider
April 13, 2005
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that a hazdship for variances. They finally dealt with the issue by changing setback
requirements for porches.
General Consensus for the Goodrich right-of--way was that staff should look into
the issue if the extra-wide right-of--way could be considered a hazdship for variances. Mr.
Getschow will check if any further notification needs to be done.
Mr. Stadler then went on to the other rights-of--way being considered. His staff
looked also at those, and recommends that the unimproved alley rights-of--way between
19a' and 215` Avenues North be held off for future discussion. They recommend that the
unimproved alley rights-of--way segments just south of Excelsior Blvd. in the East End
azea be approved as proposed; these would be the only ones to come back before the
Council. General Consensus was that the East End azea should come before the Council
on May 3.
Mr. Thompson asked that Mr. Stadler call Rick Rotnam about the decision on
Goodrich Avenue. He asked how soon a variance request could be acted upon as Mr.
Rotnam had been putting off building until this issue was decided. Mr. Getschow said he
will double-check, but believes it would be the May Zoning and Planning Commission
meeting.
Excelsior Blvd. Streetscape
Public Works Director Stadler said he had brought up at the January 11 work
session the jump in the cost estimate for this project and asked to move it to 2006 so he
could get a better feel of how to fund it. Tonight he is asking the Council to approve the
moving of the project to 2006. Tltis would allow staff to work out the impact of the
increased project cost on the PIR and MSA working capital funds and calculate bonding
needs. Awinter/spring 2005/2006 bidding would mean more favorable bids, especially
from nurseries. This would provide time to get a solid number from Hennepin County on
the bill for Excelsior Blvd. Ms. Hazkess noted she has talked to Hennepin County staff
multiple times, and the best she can get is that they figure it will not be over 4 1/2 million
dollazs. She has not even received a progress billing. Mr. Stadler noted this was highly
unusual, as the 75/3 project had gotten billed in 60 days. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he
added 4.9 million had been budgeted for Excelsior Blvd.
Mayor Maxwell noted the Council had felt it would be nice to do the
streetscaping, but not if the cost was more than anticipated. Mr. Rowan added he would
like to know what the bill from Hennepin County will be for Excelsior Blvd. work before
going ahead with more.
General Consensus was the Excelsior Blvd. Streetscape project should be moved
to 2006.
Mayor Maxwell asked how this tied in with the Luther property and the bus
station. Mr. Stadler said the bus people have been "tough to deal with," though they
seemed to understand his frustration. While they would not make a commitment, they did
say they would participate in the streetscape work. He does not see how the Luther
property fits in at all. Ms. Johnson noted azeas along the trail had been talked about. Mr.
Stadler said he understands that if it is a circulator bus stop the transit people would do
some improvements, but not as much.
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Other
Ms. Johnson asked if the dog problem had been addressed. Mr. Getschow said
there should only be 2 dogs licensed for the house about which there had been a
complaint, although the resident is dog-sitting a third dog temporarily. The city is sending
a letter documenting what was done.
Mr. Thompson asked if there was any comment from Congressman Maztin Sabo
regazding the senior program initiative. Mr. Getschow said a group of people from
Hennepin County, St. Louis Pazk, and the state had met. Our senior programs aze in the
general fund and have taken a big hit in government aid -more federal funding would
help. Kathleen Anderson, representing Sabo's office, will be at the May 3 Council
meeting and will bring that issue up again. We mentioned their support of CDBG funding
and thanked them for that. If there is funding available we would work with the senator
on those lines. Mayor Maxwell asked if any dollar had been mentioned. Mr. Getschow
said $750,000 was used, which would be $500,000 for St. Louis Park and the $250,000
for Hopkins and Carver County. But Mr. Sabo is a major power so if he really backs it, it
should come through. However, the numbers could change.
Mr. Thompson asked if there had been any calls on the smoking ban. Mr.
Getschow said he had gotten no calls, but two issues have been raised. All the smokers
aze now smoking out on Mainstreet, and there aze cigazette butts all over, and some
businesses aze simply sweeping them into the gutter. He thinks it might be good to send
businesses a photo of the City Hall snuffer. A second issue is some businesses would
like to move tables outdoors so customers could smoke there. Past practice has been that
if they aze serving alcohol outside they must put up a barrier and have staff outside on a
regulaz basis. Mayor Maxwell noted some have complained, but others say they like to go
out now that there is no smoking. Mr. Getschow noted some businesses aze advertising
"1`lo Smoking."
Mr. Rowan said he was not satisfied with the reasoning behind the staff
recommendation on SuperValu. Making the denial was okay; but to say they liked the
other plan better as a reason for denial was not valid. He would have no problem if they
said both were okay, but feels denial should not be based on what they feel. Mr.
Getschow said while staff makes recommendations, they would implement whatever plan
Council wants.
Mayor Maxwell noted the transit people would be coming April 26 to talk about
moving the transfer station. He told them he would like them to put the Hopkins routes
on a piece of paper so it could be understood more easily. Mr. Getschow said he mazked
the page for Hopkins changes in the report. They have told him they aze not ready to
discuss the bus stop issue, so that is set for May 10. He has been asked if Hopkins
Council would support a resolution against the bus cutbacks. Would Council want to
consider that next week or wait till after the meeting with the transportation people? He
noted 4 routes will be completely eliminated is Hopkins, besides other cutbacks and
changes. Transit people aze saying people can call Hop-a-Ride; that is not true and he will
be calling them on it. Ms. Johnson felt a decision should wait till after the meeting.
General Consensus was to wait till after Apri126 to consider the idea.
Mr. Brausen noted he would be absent May 10.
Mayor Maxwell asked about the Bridging the Water Gap conference. Mr.
Getschow said he would get him a copy of the resolution and more information.
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There was general discussion on the process and order of the agenda for the
special council meeting at 7:30.
Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Ms. Johnson seconded. On a 5-0 vote the
meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eugene J axwell, Mayor