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IV.3. Minutes of the June 11, 2019 City Council Work Session Proceedings HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 11, 2019 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, June 11 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hopkins Fire Station, th 101 17 Avenue South, Hopkins. Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order with Council Member Brausen, Halverson, Hunke and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Finance Director Bishop, Director of Planning and Development Elverum, Assistant City Manager Lenz, Fire Chief Specken and Community Development Coordinator Youngquist. SWLRT UPDATE 2019 In addition to City staff, representatives from the Metropolitan Council present for the item were Nkongo Cigolo, Ryan Kronzer and Nic Dial. Director of Planning and Development Elverum introduced the agenda item. Mr. Cigolo gave a project update on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT). Mr. Cigolo discussed the current and future transit network including the green line extension with the projected opening scheduled for 2023. The communication construction hotline is available at 612-373-3933 or Swlrt.org. In the first week the hotline received 14 calls. To stay updated, the public can receive a weekly construction email update or follow the SWLRT on social media. Mr. Cigolo is the Outreach Coordinator assigned to the Hopkins area and is the primary point of contact for public communication and inquiries regarding construction issues. Council Member Kuznia asked about materials available in other languages. Mr. Cigolo commented that materials are available upon request. Ms. Elverum commented that materials in Somali would be beneficial for Hopkins. Mr. Cigolo would follow up with staff. Mayor Gadd asked about the 24-hour hotline cards. The cards would be made available at Hopkins City Hall. Mr. Kronzer gave an update on the SWLRT alignment and Hopkins station areas. Mr. Kronzer showed renderings of the Shady Oak Station and discussed the modifications that would allow for redevelopment pads. Mr. Kronzer gave an overview of the access, parking, landscape and added elements. Ms. Elverum commented that the City Council would be updated regarding the potential costs for upsizing pipes as a redevelopment incentive. Mr. Kronzer showed renderings of the downtown Hopkins and Blake Road stations and panels. City Manager Mornson asked about parking at the Shady Oak station. Mr. Kronzer commented that there would be close to 1000 parking spaces available. Council Member Halverson asked about the rail support facility and Council Member Brausen asked about the building size. Mr. Kronzer commented that the building has not been designed yet but projected building size would be 20-30,000 square feet. Mr. Dial gave an update on the civil construction including utilities, site prep, structures, track, stations, systems and operational testing. Mr. Dial commented that there would be public outreach and communications throughout the process with construction HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 11, 2019 meetings scheduled with project partners. Mr. Dial discussed the construction activities near Hopkins and commented that the building demolition contractor is working west to east with the Hopkins Tech Center building demolition scheduled for later this summer. Ms. Elverum asked about building photos prior to demolition. Mr. Dial would connect the SWLRT media staff with the Historical Society. Council Member Kuznia asked about road closures along Excelsior Blvd and Blake Road. Mr. Dial commented that there would be coordination of the road projects and would keep the City updated. Mr. Cigolo discussed the bike trail closures and the concerns of trail users entering the active construction zone. Mayor Gadd asked about saving the Minneapolis Moline smokestack at the Tech Center site and the Depot Coffee House construction timetable. There was discussion about the costs, historic value of the smokestack and construction impacts on the Depot. Mr. Dial commented that staff has met with the Depot and that signage would redirect Depot users. Mr. Kronzer discussed the FTA Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) and gave an explanation of the grant qualifications and funding process. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ms. Elverum commented that the Americans for the Arts preconference tour would be visiting the Artery and Hopkins Center for the Arts on Thursday, June 13. FIRE DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN Fire Chief Specken discussed the Hopkins Fire Department Strategic Plan for 2019- 2024. Chief Specken discussed the mission statement, department profile and Fire Department initiatives and goals: 1. Organizational structure and career development to provide employee support, orientation and mentoring. 2. Emergency response staffing and operation options. Chief Specken discussed the nationwide difficulty in recruiting and retaining personnel with the current model. Chief Specken discussed the option of full-time personnel. The department has applied for a Safer Grant to fund four positions for 3-years then the City would need to consider funding the positions thereafter. Another option would be to consider merging with another Fire Department resulting in more first responders but less control by the City. Chief Specken commented that the current model couldn’t be sustained over the long term. Council Member Brausen asked about applicants. Chief Specken discussed reasons why applicants were accepted and rejected. 3. Racial Equity 4. Chief Specken commented that a physician has been contracted to provide EMS training. 5. Chief Specken discussed the demands on staff to provide community outreach and public education. 6. Chief Specken discussed the role of the department with Community Health Management. Chief Specken discussed the need to develop ways to measure outcomes and satisfaction. Council Member Brausen asked about the breakdown of the types of calls. Chief Specken commented that the department is working on data management. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 11, 2019 7. Revenue enhancement and exploring alternative revenue sources to meet current and future needs. 8. Technology to enhance the delivery and efficiency of services. 9. Chief Specken commented that the department is updating the citywide Emergency Management Plan and will present the plan to the City Council in the fall. Council Member Brausen asked about recruitment outreach. Chief Specken commented that they are working with the National Fire Safety Council and are continually looking at new ways to recruit candidates. Assistant City Manager Lenz asked about recruitment at schools. Chief Specken commented that the department participates in high school and college job fairs. There was discussion about maintaining and the impacts to the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. Mayor Gadd asked about the transition to a full-time department. Chief Specken discussed full-time staffing, call response and mutual aid. Chief Specken commented that a staffing study was budgeted in the FMP but it is not worth spending the money since the department already knows the issues. There was discussion about expanding duties internally to the Inspection Department. Mayor Gadd asked about community health and assistance to veterans. Chief Specken discussed options for wellness checks and care guidance. Council Member Brausen asked about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Chief Specken commented that there are 25 active CERT members with over 80 trained. Chief Specken discussed a CERT training opportunity with the City of St. Louis Park. Council Member Halverson asked about AED training. Chief Specken discussed training opportunities for community groups. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Finance Director Bishop gave an overview of the Financial Management Plan (FMP), a long-range fiscal plan that is updated annually. Mr. Bishop commented that because of the FMP, $32 million of projects have been completed since 2015. Mr. Bishop gave an overview of the funds and projected costs included in the FMP. Mr. Bishop commented that the FMP is a good tool for decision-making purposes to help put budget decisions in the context of the taxpayer. There was Council discussion about long term planning and consistent and gradual tax impacts. Council Member Hunke commented that he appreciates looking back at what the City has done and the importance of communicating and educating citizens about the investment in the City. City Manager Mornson commented on the long-term benefits of maintaining infrastructure. Mr. Bishop discussed the 2020 Tax Levy, gave an overview of included items and commented that staffing requests have been pared down to 5.5 new positions between 2020 and 2023. There was discussion about reducing the Arts Center debt and looking at budgeting without adding Local Government Aid (LGA). Staff would update the Council. Mr. Bishop discussed the projected 2020 FMP 10.2% increase with no additions and impact of approximately $200 on a median value home. The projected FMP with the additions would be 10.97% with an impact of approximately $215 on a median value home. City Manager Mornson commented that the City Hall levy was less due to competitive HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS JUNE 11, 2019 bids and that there are no large road construction projects after 2022. Assistant City Manager Lenz discussed the affect of the Class and Comp Study on the budget. Mr. Bishop discussed the next steps in the budget process. UPDATES  Council Member Hunke will be absent from the June 18 City Council meeting.  Council Member Halverson discussed the addition of Elks Lodge signage along the Artery.  Council Member Halverson commented that the Archdiocese approved the sale of the land to Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.  Council Member Kuznia attended the Adults in Options GED graduation.  Council Member Kuznia commented that some field gate closures at Maetzold Field are broken.  Mayor Gadd attended the SWLRT Corridor Management Committee (CMC) meeting.  Mayor Gadd attended the Cargill Learn graduation.  Mayor Gadd gave an update from the Regional Council of Mayors meeting.  Mayor Gadd discussed the John Phillips Sousa concert in Downtown Park and the ICA Sizzle event on Thursday, June 13.  The City Council appreciates all the staff involvement with the SWLRT planning. City Manager Mornson gave the following updates:  Historical Society was awarded grant funds for design work  Oakwood Road Rental License denial on the June 18 Consent Agenda  Discussion of the rental license process rd  Signs are posted for no truck parking on 3 Street. Violations should be reported to the Police Department. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Kuznia, second by Brausen, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: ___________________________ ____________________________ Jason Gadd, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk