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02-22-05 WSFebruary 22, 2005 Page 1 NIINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -February 22, 2005 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on February 22, 2005, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Johnson, Rowan and Thompson were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow; Housing Coordinator Kersten Elverum; Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan; and Chief Reid, Sergeant Tony Hanlin, Administrative Services Manager Connie Kurtz, and Catherine Magdal of the Police Department. In the audience was John P. Miller of 100 Maple Hill Road, Hopkins. Discussion of Development Plan Ms. Elverum said the city council and staff have a cleaz vision of where they want Hopkins to go. The main planning tool is the comprehensive plan which was last updated in 1999. She feels that what is needed is to communicate this planning to the residents. To accomplish this, she has started developing a Current Projects and Opportunities document, and presented a rough working draft. This document could be put on the city website, etc. It would include information on past developments, current opportunities, and projected developments along with pictures. If desired, site reviews, etc. of small projects that come to Zoning and Planning could be included. She noted that it would not always be complete -outside forces change what is brought up, real estate conditions change. Mr. Kerrigan said he feels the city does not publicize what it accomplishes enough. He thinks this is a logical approach to communicate what his depaztment does. Mayor Maxwell asked if the document could be used in other ways for those who do not have Internet, such as in the newsletter. He feels the city needs to be proactive "on the front end." Ms. Johnson suggested the web site use PDF files which aze easier to print and asked if the document could include a history of Hopkins as a background. Council asked Mr. Miller for comments. He said he liked the example Ms. Kersten had and what Council had said. His concern is how does the city measure what has been done, what criteria can be put in place. How does the city choose which aze the correct projects? How do we know we aze successful when we aze done? He feels a quantitative measure is needed. He recognizes that urban development takes many years, and one problem is that citizens compare Hopkins with other cities which may be at a different phase of their plan. Asked what he felt should be added to the document, he said it needs to show what has been done, even if there are no quantitative goals attached. Goals need to be linked back to the city vision. And it needs to be shows how each project fits into the master plan. Ms. Kersten said the Lofts project had measurable goals -increasing the tax base, bringing in new retail stores. Mr. Kemgan noted that exact numbers cannot be defined; the comprehensive plan has broad goals which were decided upon in public settings. He later added that the city has to work with what it can get, what developers will bring forward. Mayor Maxwell noted that new projects often spur growth around them, noting the North Annex redevelopment would spur East End growth and redevelopment. Mr. Brausen noted that financials could be done on what has been completed. For some projects, such as the senior housing for Block 64, a financial picture could be projected. February 22, 2005 Page 2 Mr. Miller said he feels the city has more going on and more goals than most residents realize. It is important residents realize what is "driving" the Council and staff. One problem is that a lot of what is going on is not visually apparent for a long time. He would like to see residents being involved more. Mr. Getchow noted that some measurements can be put in terms of comparisons to other similar-sized cities and by comparisons to the past in Hopkins itself. Other information that might be useful is an explanation of how taxation differs for commercial/apartment owners and home owners, the home market value changes, etc. Mr. Kerrigan added acity-wide survey on citizen concerns, quality of life, etc. has been talked about for several yeazs, but the cost involved has caused it to be postponed. Mr. Brausen commented that the police and fire departments sent information to every resident; he was amazed at how few people came. He agrees involving the public is important and needs to be worked on throughout the yeaz. Mr. Kerrigan cautioned that not all potential developments happen, citing Medica. The North Annex is the key to East End redevelopment -that is why the city has consistently turned down developers such as Home Depot; something that produces jobs is essential. Mr. Miller commented that meant more than anything else he had heard and was a quantitative element. Mayor Maxwell asked him what he would do to get involved. He said he would help solicit opinions from other groups, like serving on a task force. Parking Enforcement Discussion Ms. Kurtz asked if Council members had received any complaints on parking enforcement. They had not. She gave a brief history of permit pazking in the ramp. Sergeant Hanlin said their issue is does the Council want enforcement of permit parking only on upper levels if there have been no complaints. Ms. Kurtz said present signage needs to be improved and asked for suggestions. Discussion followed. General Consensus was that ramp enforcement was the issue, not other lots. " 3 1/2 hour free pazking and permit pazking at all levels" was agreed upon as wording. Mayor Maxwell directed that the wording be checked with the City Attorney. The Council will review the issue if there aze any complaints. Drug Lab Cleanup Cost Recovery Chief Reid said chemicals in meth labs, etc. can be dangerous. He wants authorization (1) for police to post such labs as a health hazazd and have the ability to evacuate nearby residents if necessary and (2) to start the process for cleanup. Hopkins police department and fire department do not have the necessary expertise. Costs can run as high as $10,000, but a more average figure is about $2,000. State code allows the costs to be assessed against the criminal, but if that fails, the cost would need to be assessed against the property owners. Answering questions, he added that cleanup crews can amve in a few hours. The ordinance he is presenting is based on a Robbinsdale ordinance; he chose it as they are in the same drug task force as Hopkins. He is going to meet with apartment property owners on it. But he would like to have it enacted right away because of the severity of possible situations. As to evacuating residents, if the lab can be smelled, it is a contaminant. Ms. Magdal added evacuation is a decision made by the clean up teams. The first level of February 22, 2005 Page 3 evacuation is to call on the Red Cross; for this there is no cost. If a long-term evacuation is needed, the City Building Official will get involved. It is rare far people to be physically affected, but tests aze available if that is suspected. Ms. Magdal noted that news articles in New York had cited St. Paul. Legislation regulating sale of Sudafed is being proposed, but Chief Reid does not feel it will pass. Mr. Brausen suggested that the ordinance be put on the rental licensing information. Ms. Magdal noted that she had ascertained this ordinance would go with the rental licensing ordinance. Mr. Brausen noted that as a property owner he understands it is his responsibility to make sure his tenants are good risks; if he fails in that, it should be his responsibility to make good on what they do. That is part of the risk of the business. Mayor Maxwell asked if there aze "little" meth labs. Chief Reid said that is similar to "a little bit pregnant" -any meth lab is a big danger. Some of his officers have received training in dealing with them. The drug task force costs aze not assessed back to property owners, just the clean-up costs. General Consensus was that Chief Reid should go ahead with his plan and ordinance. Mr. Brausen noted he would like to see an information packet prepazed. Chief Reid said he would also like to see articles on how to recognize a meth lab in the newsletter. State of the City Planning Mr. Getschow said State of the City presentation would be Mazch 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 at HCA. Mayor Maxwell noted Twin West would present its Bravo Awazd from 4:30-5:00. Then the Council would do presentations until 5:40. 6:00-6:30 would be more social. General Consensus. After general discussion it was decided the four topics would be Communication -how do citizens want to be communicated with?; Past accomplishments; Present projects; Future Projects. Publicity will be through the SunSailor, Twin West, newsletter, in utilities bills. It should include that it gives citizens a chance to meet the new city manager and that the Bravo awazd will be presented. Mayor Maxwell will work on obtaining hors d'oeuvres. Council members will choose topics at the Council meeting next Tuesday. Other Mr. Brausen would like the suggestions Mrs. Donaldson sent to Rick on dirt bikes in the next packet. He asked about the letter from Regency wanting to speak on assessment March 8. Mayor Maxwell said that could be done in the Raspberry Room. Mr. Brausen applauded Ms. Elverum on her initiative to pick up the ball on the economic development plan being a communications tool. Mayor Maxwell asked about Mr. Stadler's proposal on assessments. Mr. Getschow said it would result in "fewer dollars" for residents. Ms. Johnson asked if they had gone back to Beazd and Ryland. Mr. Rowan asked what had happened about the SuperValu variance at Zoning and Planning. Mayor Maxwell said it had been put off for two weeks. There was some general discussion. February 22, 2005 Page 4 Mr. Thompson asked for an update on the Summit project. He asked about the graffiti on the bridge neaz Lunds. Mr. Getschow said it was a state responsibility. He will make a phone call to them about it. Ms. Johnson asked about the retreat -had topics been decided. Mr. Getschow said that the 2004-2005 Goals and Objectives will be revisited and amended. He will be putting together an agenda for the Retreat. Ms. Johnson asked if "filling in the holes" caused by the layoffs would be addressed. Mr. Getschow said he had received a letter from ICA asking to address the Council in April about their capital building campaign. General Consensus was that they could speak only if they did not ask for money. Mr. Getschow brought up the light rail transit advisory committee, which will meet quarterly on the first Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. beginning March 3. Mr Rowan agreed to serve, with Ms. Johnson as alternate. It was agreed that the issue of the study on effects on Hopkins that had not been done should be brought up. Mr. Getschow asked if anyone was interested in attending the NLC in eazly Mazch. None were. Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Mayor Maxwell seconded. On a 4-1 vote, with Mr. Brausen voting nay, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Eugene . M well, Mayor