IV.2. Minutes of the September 18, 2018 City Council Work Session following Regular Meeting Proceedings
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 7:29 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins.
Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order with Council Members Kuznia, Halverson,
Gadd and Campbell attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Director
of Planning and Development Elverum, Solid Waste Coordinator Hove, Assistant City
Manager Lenz and Public Works Director Stadler.
Community Development
Director of Planning and Development Elverum gave update on the sale of rental
properties in Hopkins. The properties are scheduled to close the end of September. The
new owners have some familiarity with Minnesota and appear to manage moderately
affordable properties. Ms. Elverum discussed affordable housing preservation and the
Tenant Protection Ordinance recently adopted in St. Louis Park. Ms. Elverum would
keep the Council updated.
Ms. Elverum gave an update on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project. The
SWLRT Project Office remains positive about the project. Ms. Elverum discussed
possible change orders to the Subordinate Funding Agreement and how to keep things
moving forward without delaying actions. Ms. Elverum discussed changes to the
reduced Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) and storm water treatment areas.
The changes could allow for more future development area. The Agreements would be
on a future City Council Agenda. There was Council discussion about the importance to
keep the SWLRT process moving forward and maintaining a positive relationship with
the SWLRT Project Office.
Public Works
Public Works Director Stadler gave an update on the Hopkins Pavilion project. Groups
are beginning to use the ice. Mr. Stadler commented on the popularity of the Burnes
Park Splash pad and good attendance numbers at Shady Oak Beach this summer.
Solid Waste Coordinator Hove gave an update on the organics recycling drop-off
program. Ms. Hove commented there has been consistent participation with
approximately .5-1% of residents using the program with very little contamination. The
brush and yard waste site where the organics drop-off is located closes on November
24. Ms. Hove discussed options for the organics recycling drop-off program:
Moving a dumpster with a pass code lock outside the gate
Locating roll-away carts at Public Works
Partnering with the City of Minnetonka
Suspending the program
Ms. Hove commented that the preferred option is to offer a joint organics program with
the City of Minnetonka. Staff has applied for grant money to pay for the startup costs.
Ms. Hove hopes to know the status of the grant prior to the closing of the recycling drop-
off site.
Mayor Cummings asked about costs and location of the shared recycling center. Ms.
Hove discussed hauling costs with the biggest expense being staff time. Ms. Hove is
looking at weekly costs vs. biweekly costs for the next contract. The shared recycling
center would be located at the Minnetonka Public Works facility. Ms. Hove is continuing
conversations with City of Minnetonka staff. Assistant City Manager Lenz asked about
the timeline for communication to the public. Ms. Hove commented that all the details
would not be in place for the November Highlights but residents could “stay tuned for
updates.”
Ms. Hove discussed that Hennepin County has mandated residential curbside collection
of organics by January 1, 2022. Ms. Hove gave an overview of the key points to the
revisions in Ordinance 13. Staff did not see any concerns with the revisions and in
Hopkins ability to be compliant. Ms. Hove discussed ways that Hopkins could comply
with the Ordinance. There was discussion about the opportunity for the rental
community to be involved in the organics recycling program and the contamination rate.
Ms. Hove commented that residents could be part of the drop off program and that
education is an important tool to eliminate organic contamination. Public Works Director
Stadler commented that by taking incremental steps towards curbside collection of
organics, the program would gain in popularity and support. Council Member Gadd
asked about technology improvements making the organics processing more
affordable. Ms. Hove commented that she has not seen processing development
improvements to date. Mayor Cummings thanked Ms. Hove for studying the options and
for her work on the organics program.
City Council:
Council Member Gadd discussed the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) housing
policies.
Mayor Cummings discussed a meeting with a resident regarding neighborhood
concerns and issues.
Mayor Cummings and Assistant City Manager Lenz would be discussing inclusivity
on boards and commissions at the October Council Work Session.
Mayor Cummings would be attending the Itasca Project meeting on housing.
Mayor Cummings participated in a panel discussion regarding transportation.
Mayor Cummings would be serving at a dinner on Thursday, September 20 for
National Guard troops scheduled to be deployed.
Administration:
City Manager Mornson gave the following updates:
Discussion of the Artery event on September 22.
Hockey Association ribbon cutting on September 29.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Campbell, seconded by Gadd, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
______________________________ _________________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk