12-20-05A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on December 20,
2005, in the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Council Members Brausen, Thompson, and Rowan. Also,
present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan, Harkess,
and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tempore Brausen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
Don Roesner, 618 Park Valley Drive West, came forward. Mr. Roesner stated
that he was not happy with the City leaf pick-up and plowing services. Mr.
Stadler, Mr. Getschow, and Mayor Pro Tempore Brausen addressed his
concerns.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Park Board
Mayor Maxwell arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Josh Montgomery, the new Park Board Chair, reported that two visitors
attended their meeting with a request for a dog park. The Board discussed
the concept and other green spaces. The consensus was that a dog park
would be a good thing for Hopkins. The board also discussed their goals and
the Board's Mission Statement. Public Works Director Steve Stadler
presented information on the parking at Valley Park and the proposed Depot
plan. In response to Mayor Maxwell's question, Mr. Montgomery stated that
the Board would discuss keeping a park open later on the Fourth of July at
their January meeting.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of December 6, 2005 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of December 5, 2005 Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
3. Minutes of December 6, 2005 City Council Work Session
4. Minutes of December 13, 2005 City Council Work Session
5. Approve Miscellaneous License Applications
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page t
6. Resolution Adopting Revised Travel Reimbursement Policy (CR2005-
160)
7. Second Reading, Ordinance 2005-939 (Memo)
8. Approve Charitable Gambling Premises Permit for Hopkins Raspberry
Festival (CR2005-164)
Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve 2006 Budget and Tax Levy (CR2005-161)
The City and staff have held several meetings during 2005 to prepare for the
2006 general fund budget and 2006-tax levy. A public hearing was held on
December 5, 2005. Budget goals were adopted in the spring of this year and
guided staff as it prepared budget requests. During 2005, the City Council
adopted other financial plans, Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment
Replacement Plan that along with a series of program and budget discussions
were instrumental in the development of the 2006 budget.
The proposed budget recommends spending 58,888,288 and a total tax levy
of 58,438,078.
In response to Council Member Thompson's question, Ms. Harkess responded
that at the truth in taxation meeting, the City Council originally approved a
6.1 % increase. The final increase in this proposed budget is 3.92%.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2005-119, approving the 2006 tax levy and
adopting the 2006 General Fund budget. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2. LMCIT Insurance Renewal (CR2005-162)
This will not include the decision to waive or not waive tort liability. Overall
general liability rates will decrease 4%. Rate changes are primarily driven by
changes in the Leagues loss experience. A city's actual premiums will be
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
affected by changes in its expenditures, property values, payrolls, and other
exposure measures and changes to the city's experience rating. The premium
for Hopkins will increase approximately 517,200 or 10% over last year's
premium for a total of $186,400. The reason for the increase for Hopkins is
higher property values and reserves for ongoing liability claims.
Staff continues to recommend the deductible amount of 520,000/540,000
with 51,000 per occurrence after reaching the maximum of 540,000. The
current amount available in the insurance risk fund to cover deductible costs is
5124,112. This year, the LMCIT declared a 512,000,000 dividend, which
amounts to $58,184 for Hopkins, bringing the total amount in the insurance
risk fund to 5182,296.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a
motion to renew the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust policy. A
poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council
Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye.
The motion carried unanimously.
3. Resolution Calling 560,000 GO Housing Bonds (CR2005-163)
Hopkins issued Taxable General Obligation Housing Improvement bonds,
Series 1995 in 1995. Seven serial bond issues are callable. The net savings
of calling the bond this year is approximately 52,500 with an overall savings
of 551,000 by 2011. The finance plan for the housing improvement project
includes paying the association any excess fees collected after payment of
principal, interest and related costs of the bonds. The future rate of collection
could be a risk, however the current collection rate for the project is high at
98%. By calling the bond early, the Meadow Creek Association will inherit a
greater amount of funds at the end of the debt service payments, allowing for
future improvements to the Meadow Creek Condominiums.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Thompson seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2005-120, authorizing the redemption of callable
Taxable General Obligation Housing Improvement Bond, Series 1995, for the
Meadow Creek Condominium project. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Accept Charter Amendment, Order Publication and Set Public
Hearing (CR2005-165)
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
The Hopkins Charter Commission met on April 26, 2005, September 27`h and
again on November 15`h. The commission voted to recommend the adoption
of Ordinance 2005-958 by the City Council. The Council would accept the
ordinance and set a public hearing on the ordinance. The ordinance needs to
be published prior to the public hearing. The ordinance would amend the
Charter, which would change the way votes are cast in City Elections from
the standard method of voting for one candidate to ranking the candidates in
the order of choice.
Council Members thanked the task force and especially Fran Hesch, who put
in a lot of time and work to accomplish this.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a
motion to approve Resolution 2005-094, accepting Ordinance 2005-958,
ordering its publication and setting a public hearing for January 17, 2006. A
poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council
Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye.
The motion carried unanimously.
5. Approve 50 Percent Design, Excelsior Boulevard Streetscape Phase
III (CR20O5-165)
In October 2005, the City Council approved the schematic design for the
streetscape improvements along Excelsior Boulevard between 9`h Ave and
Highway 169. The consulting engineer, Hoisington-Koegler Group, Inc. has
been preparing final design plans and now presents the 50% design for City
Council approval.
Amy Bower, Hoisington-Koegler Group, Inc., reviewed the design plans.
Mayor Maxwell stated that he would like to have re-plantings in Phase I be
consistent with what is planted in Phase II and asked that staff and consultant
look at reducing the size of the existing Phase I planting areas, with the goal
of maintaining the corridor appearance while also reducing the maintenance
workload.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a
motion to approve the 50% design plans for Excelsior Boulevard Phase III
Streetscape Improvements and authorize preparation of final construction
plans. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye;
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor
Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Maxwell announced that this is Council Member Brausen and Rowan's
last meeting. Mayor Maxwell thanked both for time and work they have put
in for the City of Hopkins. Council Member Thompson thanked both and said
that he has learned much from both.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Rowan moved and Council
Member Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting
was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
erry 04 y aier, City Clerk
COUNCI EMBERS
l'
ATTEST:
Eugene swell, Mayor
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5