IV.1. Minutes of the September 17, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting on the Hopkin City Council
was held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Fire Station Training Room
at the Hopkins Fire Station, 101 17th Avenue South.
Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order with Council Members Brausen, Halverson,
Hunke and Kuznia attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, Assistant
City Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, City Attorney Riggs, Director of Public Works
Stadler, City Engineer Stanley, Assistant City Engineer Klingbeil, Director of Planning
and Economic Development Elverum, Fire Chief Specken and Finance Director Bishop.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Brausen. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
III.1. Appointment of Park Board Member; Domeier
Motion by Halverson. Second by Brausen.
Motion to appoint Anna Pohmer to the Park Board for a term ending June 30,
2020.
Ayes: 5.
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
City Clerk Domeier issued to the Oath of Office to Ms. Pohmer. Mayor Gadd welcomed
Ms. Pohmer to the Park Board.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Kuznia. Second by Halverson.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the September 3, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Minutes of the September 3, 2019 City Council Work Session following
Regular Meeting Proceedings
3. Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the November 5, 2019 General
Election; Domeier
4. Approve Grant Agreement Between the Metropolitan Council and the City of
Hopkins, 2017 Municipal I&I Grant; Klingbeil
5. Approve Contract between the City of Hopkins and Asakura Robinson for a
Business Improvement District and Historic Feasibility Study; Youngquist
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
6. Business District Initiative Grant Agreement with Hennepin County;
Youngquist
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
V.1. Public Improvement Hearing – 2020-2021 Street and Utility Improvements,
City Project 2019-10; Klingbeil
Assistant City Engineer Klingbeil and Nick Amatuccio of Bolton & Menk provided a
presentation outlining project details. At its August 20, 2019 meeting, a feasibility report
concerning street and utility improvements along Preston Lane, Boyce Street, Goodrich
Street, Ashley Road, Holly Road, Oakwood Road, Interlachen Road, Maple Hill Road,
Homedale Road, Hawthorne Road, Meadowbrook Road, and Blake Road from Spruce
Road to Boyce Street was presented to the City Council and a public hearing on the
improvements was ordered for September 17, 2019. In accordance with state statutes,
the City Council needs to conduct a public hearing and determine authorization of the
project. Hearing notices have been mailed to all affected property owners of record.
Mayor Gadd thanked staff for the public engagement efforts on the project.
Mayor Gadd reviewed the procedures for holding a Public Hearing. Mayor Gadd
opened the Public Hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Bill Haertzen, 200 Interlachen Road, submitted to the Mayor and Council Members a
petition opposing the project. Mr. Haertzen explained the information provided in the
petition and requested that the City find an alternative design that does not include curb
and gutter as part of the project.
Trish Sieh, 227 Homedale Road, supports the reconstruction project but requested that
the City consider rerouting utility services to save trees and to remove the curb and
gutter from the project. Ms. Sieh explained her view on the addition of curb and gutter
and options for not adding it to the project. She asked that City Council please allow
Bolton & Menk to investigate an option without curbs.
Stephen Vincent, 255 Maple Hill Rd, did not desire the addition of curb and gutter and
noted the significant expense with little value. Mr. Vincent shared concerns about the
disposition time and material cost with the installation of curb and gutter.
Jeff Phillips, 250 Interlachen Road, provided the City Council with a history of street
maintenance stating that the condition of the road is due to maintenance and not the
need for curb and gutter. He requested a new analysis of the plan to maintain the
history and character of the area.
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
Bob Worrell, 148 Interlachen Road, stated that he felt that no one was listening to the
concerns as no changes have made to staff’s presentation. He requested that staff
come up with alternatives to the plan.
Roy Schwappach, 125 Oakwood Road, shared information about the character and
charm of Interlachen Park. He wanted to keep the charm and character of the
neighborhood and requested that the drainage issues be addressed.
Betty Fenton, 426 Hollyhock Lane, a resident of Hobby Acres said their neighborhood
lost its charm during their street improvement project and commended residents for
wanting to save the neighborhood character.
Mayor Gadd closed the Public Hearing at 7:49 p.m.
Mayor Gadd thanked the residents for their input on the project. He stated that the City
Council does focus on being good stewards for the residents. Mr. Klingbeil explained
the feasibility process and the savings by doing the curb and gutter. He further
explained the lifecycle of roads and costs associated. Mayor Gadd requested more
information about the tree removal. Mr. Amatuccio provided information on the tree
removal and replacement for trees.
Bob Worrell requested that staff meet with residents to talk about the trees. City
Engineer Stanley shared information about the dialogue for the process and the
meetings that have taken place to date. Dialogue went back and forth from residents
regarding the opportunity to provide feedback.
An unknown resident asked to see some of the alternatives that were not considered in
the project. Mr. Klingbeil stated that the information has been done but is not a finished
project at this point. Judy Worrell requested that alternatives be considered as
presented by Trisha Sieh. Mr. Stanley clarified some of the comments provided by Ms.
Sieh. Council Member Hunke requested that staff prepare a lifecycle analysis.
Council Member Brausen stated that additional information should be gathered for
alternatives. Council Member Kuznia agreed with staff’s recommendation on the
addition of curb and gutter. He did agree it was worth listening to ideas and shared his
professional experience and personal property issues. Council Member Brausen stated
the changes for resident engagement that has happened over the years. Dialogue went
back and forth regarding City policy on streets and design processes. Mr. Klingbeil
stated decisions were made on sound engineering and was willing to provide a lifecycle
analysis.
City Manager Mornson suggested tabling the action for 30-days. He also suggested
that staff meet with the residents to discuss options noting that there are bidding
deadlines approaching. Council Brausen asked for clarity on moving forward with
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
certain parts of the project. An unknown resident questioned follow-up on the tree
questionnaire. Staff is still reviewing the tree surveys.
City Engineer Stanley suggested options for moving forward in the process. Final plans
need to be completed by January to keep with the February bid timelines. Within one
month a decision should be made and City Attorney Riggs concurred that the action
could be moved. Director of Public Works Stadler provided information on the current
streets policy and the option to deviate from policy if warranted.
Motion by Kuznia. Second by Gadd.
Motion to Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
The motion was made at 8:34 p.m.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Kuznia.
Motion to adopt the Resolution 2019-067, Resolution Ordering Improvement,
2020-2021 Street and Utility Improvements and companion resolution 2019-068,
stating the City’s intent to reimburse itself using bonds with the caveat that we
move curb and gutter for further discussion for the purpose being that can go
ahead with the plans that are not curb and gutter for further discussion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Approve Proposed 2020 Levy, Proposed 2020 General Fund Budget and Set
Budget Meeting Date; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a presentation on the proposed levy, general fund
budget and budget meeting. Adoption of resolution 2019-071 will set a maximum tax
levy for 2020, will set debt levies at amount sufficient to pay debt service requirements
taking into consideration other revenue sources and fund reserves, and approve a
proposed 2020 general fund budget. Final budget and tax levy adoption will not occur
until December 2019.
Council Member Halverson questioned the amount of debt and if affects the bond
rating. Mr. Bishop stated that debt is shared during the bond rating but we do have a
stable outlook with our AA+ rating. Mayor Gadd stated that City Council has been
reviewing the budget during the last few months.
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Bruce Norback, 854 Nine Mile Cove, expressed about concerns about his property tax
increase over the past five years. Mayor Gadd stated that taxes cover all the City
services such as fire, police, public works and parks.
Betty Fenton, 426 Hollyhock Lane, expressed her concerns about property tax
increases. She asked that City Council look at ways to reduce spending.
Steve Kattke, 904 Nine Mile Cove, President of Nine Mile Cove, provided history of the
property valuation concerns in the neighborhood. He expressed concern about Second
Avenue South leading into their neighborhood and expect the street to be fixed.
Gregg Corwin, 966 Nine Mile Cove East, talked about the landscaping and plowing
done in their development and shared concerns about the condition of Second Avenue
South. Council Member Halverson shared how values are determined and the services
provided by the City. Director of Public Works Stadler shared information on the street
conditions and improvements to Second Avenue South.
Dave Zack, 315 11th Avenue North, talked about the City having a cost saving goal per
department. Mayor Gadd provided information about comparables to neighboring cities
for tax base and shared that staff continuously looks for efficiencies, opportunities with
grants, and ways to offset costs. Dialogue was held about the Art Center and Pavilion
debt.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Brausen.
Motion to approve Resolution 2019-071 “Approving proposed 2020 tax levy,
debt service levies at levels under those required in bond covenants, proposed
general fund budget, and setting budget meeting dates”.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Council Member Brausen commented that while this proposal is high they will work to
bring the levy down.
VII.2. Approve Proposed 2019 HRA/EDA Tax Levy; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of the staff report. The City is required to
certify a proposed HRA/EDA tax levy and submit it to the county by September 30th.
There are levy limits for the HRA/EDA levies which is based on market value of
personal and real estate property. For Hopkins the 2019 market value is
$1,988,925,000 and the allowed levy is 0.0185% of total market value or $367,951.
Staff is proposing to set the HRA/EDA levy at the maximum allowed by law. Dialogue
ensued with residents regarding the tax base in Hopkins.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
Motion by Hunke. Second by Kuznia.
Motion to approve Resolution 2019-072 Approving proposed 2020 HRA tax levy.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0. Motion carried.
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 9:50 p.m.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
The City Council did not receive any comments or concerns.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
__________________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk