IV.3. Minutes of the September 11, 2018 City Council Work Session Proceedings
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City
Council was held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Raspberry Room
at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins.
Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order with Council Member Campbell, Gadd,
Halverson and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Finance
Director Bishop, Police Chief Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lenz and Public Works
Director Stadler.
CITY HALL PROJECT UPDATE
In addition to City staff, representatives present for the item were Jason Rentmeester,
Kraus-Anderson Construction, Melissa Stein and Brooke S.J. Smith, Wold Architects &
Engineers. Ms. Stein gave an update on the City Hall project plans, exterior renderings,
budget and timeline. Ms. Stein gave an overview of the upper level plan including the
new vestibule, work areas and centralized, customer service focused front counter. The
spaces have been designed to be flexible and adaptable for the future. Ms. Stein
discussed the security enhancements, exterior space improvements, lower level
changes, storage and amenities. City Manager Mornson asked about the existing
security cameras. Ms. Stein commented that the existing security cameras would be re-
orientated. Mayor Cummings asked about other security measures. Assistant City
Manager Lenz discussed the access controls and duress buttons. Mayor Cummings
asked about the hearing loop feature for council meetings. Ms. Lenz commented that
they are still working on the design. Ms. Stein commented that the Council Chambers
would have updated finishes, lighting and technology. Mayor Cummings asked about
lobby displays. Ms. Stein commented that public art would be displayed in the lobby,
vestibule and exterior plaza. There was discussion about a case for historical displays.
Ms. Stein discussed the proposed entry plan, signage, bike racks and landscape
configuration that includes moveable benches and planters. The architects would be
working with Public Works regarding the maintenance of the plantings. Ms. Stein
showed renderings of the exterior façade. Council Member Gadd commented that he
liked the modern updated look. Council Member Campbell liked the outdoor option for
the employees. Council Member Kuznia would like to see a heritage wall on the outdoor
plaza to showcase the history of Hopkins.
Mr. Rentmeester discussed the project budget of $4,395,000. Mr. Rentmeester
commented that the project is $103,556 over budget but that creates a good opportunity
to refine the project and look at options to reduce the budget. Ms. Lenz explained that
there is a 13% accumulated contingency built into the budget and that the roofing
project and asbestos abatement costs are still being determined. Council would be
updated regarding the revised project and budget in October. Ms. Stein discussed the
project timeline with construction scheduled for February-July 2019.
Ms. Lenz discussed communication to the community about the City Hall project and
funding components. City Hall front desk headquarters would be at the Hopkins Fire
Station during the construction.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
Mayor Cummings asked about the bid process. Mr. Rentmeester commented that the
bids are split into different bid packages and the hope is for multiple bids.
POLICE DEPARTMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2019-2023
Police Chief Johnson commented that the information presented would provide the
Council with developments within the police department as well as initiatives and
staffing going forward the next five years. Chief Johnson gave an overview of the
current staffing and organizational chart. Chief Johnson explained the options the
department uses to cover short shifts due to vacations, illness, family leave, injuries and
training mandates. The department schedules a minimum of three officers on a shift for
safety. Chief Johnson commented that c rime is down and attributes that to public
confidence with the Hopkins Police Department and e ngaged employees. Chief
Johnson discussed the duties and additional responsibilities of the department staff.
Chief Johnson commented that it takes approximately one year to post a position, hire
and train officers. Chief Johnson discussed staffing adjustments and he is proposing
combining part-time positions into a full-time officer position. The budget shortage would
be offset by not hiring the position until April. The DWI officer position is grant funded
until October 2019 and the department would reapply for grant funding for 2020. Chief
Johnson commented that the department needs to plan ahead for appropriate staffing
levels and discussed challenges moving forward. Upcoming considerations include new
housing and the light rail that could add more calls for service in the community.
Mayor Cummings asked about staffing. Chief Johnson commented that the new
housing is factored into the additional officer request. Council Member Campbell asked
about the new software and different types of calls between cities. Chief Johnson
commented that staff could update the Council on call statistics. Council Member
Kuznia commented that it is important for morale to have adequate staffing. Council
Member Gadd commented that with the significant changes to the city it is important for
the safety of the community to be proactive with staffing.
Chief Johnson discussed the technology needs for the squad cars. The new mobile
data computers would cost $65,000 and would increase the officer’s efficiency of data
gathering. Chief Johnson discussed body worn camera technology and costs. A public
forum would be required for the proposed body worn camera policy. Chief Johnson
discussed the data storage requirements, budget considerations and timeline. Chief
Johnson surveyed the officers and they are in support of body worn cameras. The
cameras offer transparency of officer actions, safety, security and oversight of crime
scenes. Chief Johnson also discussed officer training for crowd management, mental
health awareness and officer well being.
City Manager Mornson asked about the body worn camera policy. Chief Johnson
commented that the City Attorney would assist with development of the policy and the
department hopes to have a pilot program in place by summer 2019. Mayor Cummings
asked about the body worn camera technology. Chief Johnson commented that there
has been a lot of product evolution and advancement. Most of the surrounding
communities are going the direction of body worn cameras. Squad computers have a
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
life expectancy of five years and the body worn cameras have a 3-5 year life
expectancy.
Finance Director Bishop discussed the budget. The total technology budget is less than
originally planned with a tested and better product. The data storage would cost $20-
25,000 per year with the highest amount of data storage.
Mayor Cummings asked about use of body cameras. Chief Johnson commented when
to use body cameras would be part of the policy development considerations.
Chief Johnson gave an overview of the department’s community outreach efforts. Chief
Johnson commented that the minimum officer staffing established for officer safety does
not account for all the additional community outreach duties.
Mayor Cummings thanked the police department for all they do.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF 2019 BUDGET, EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PLAN
AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Finance Director Bishop discussed the staff report regarding the draft of 2019 proposed
budget. Mr. Bishop discussed the proposed tax levy for general operations and the
capital levy that funds projects at city owned buildings. Mr. Bishop discussed franchise
fees explaining that residential customers would pay $2.60 with differing amounts for all
other account types. The City Hall project would be paid for with the increase in
franchise fees. Mayor Cummings asked if an increase in housing is factored into the
franchise fee. Mr. Bishop commented that it is currently not factored in.
Mr. Bishop discussed the Arts Center levy explaining that part of the plan is to eliminate
the deficit by 2024. Mr. Bishop discussed the Pavilion fund and Equipment
Replacement fund levy. Mr. Bishop gave an overview of the tax levy explaining that
there is a total debt levy increase of 16%. Mayor Cummings asked about the
percentage increase. Mr. Bishop gave an explanation of the multiyear process to pay
the levy explaining that the taxes levied in 2019 are to pay for the 2018 bonds. There
was Council discussion about the importance of transparency and working on a better
explanation for the public regarding the benefits and impacts of the street improvement
levy.
Mr. Bishop discussed the 2019-2023 Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP) and Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) 2019 additions, projected levy and working capital balance. Mr.
Bishop gave a summary of the Financial Management Plan (FMP) 2018 budget and
proposed 12.80% increase in the 2019 budget. Mr. Bishop discussed the affects on a
median value home. There was discussion regarding the changes in the home values.
Staff is considering updating the home value statements in the FMP. The proposed
2019 tax increase would be $178 and with the additional items the proposed increase is
$203. There was Council discussion of the proposed 2019 budget increase and public
announcement regarding the franchise fee increase.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
UPDATES
Council Member Kuznia discussed a resident concern of parked vehicles not moving
on Ashley Road. Vehicle concerns should be reported to the Police Department.
Council Member Kuznia commented that the Special Olympic athlete’s family would
be in contact with staff regarding recognition at a future City Council meeting.
Council Member Gadd commented that a resident asked if the City is considering a
change to the smoking ordinance to increase to 21.
th
Council Member Gadd discussed a flashing yellow turn signal at 12 Ave and
Highway 7.
Council Member Gadd discussed the Metro Cities Transportation Committee budget
process.
Mayor Cummings discussed upcoming meetings and panel discussions.
City Manager Mornson gave the following updates:
Staff met with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District regarding next steps with the
Cold Storage redevelopment site.
Discussion of the race equity training
Mr. Mornson would be out of the office at meetings for three days.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Campbell, second by Kuznia, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk