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04-08-2008 WSApri18, 2008 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - Apri18, 2008 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on April 8, 2008, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan and Cheryl Youalcim were present. City staff present were City Manager Riclc Getschow, City Planner Nancy Anderson, Director of Planning Kersten Elverum, Police Chief Craig Reid, Police Services Liaison Ann Buck, and Police Community Liaison Tsehai Wodajo. Also present were Cheryl Holm-Hansen, and Monica Idzelis of Wilder Foundation; Tom Schirber, consultant to Wilder; Marlc Koegler of Hoisington and Koegler; Tom Jenny, Bob Hattlestad, Kyle Skiermont, Patrick Beddor. Kathy Newcomb and Linda Flynn of the Zoning and Planning Commission and Molly Cummings of the Park Board. Wilder Foundation Report on Blake Road Corridor Police Chief Reid noted the assessment being discussed at this meeting would be given to the Collaborative Wednesday. In 2005 the city, schools and Hennepin County started to form a stakeholder group for the Blake Road Corridor because this community was not involved with the city, youth were isolated from existing programs, and there was a crime rate higher than the rest of the city. Short-term steps included increased police (not only increased police hours, but Ann Buck revitalized Neighborhood Watch), which resulted in the crime rate going down. The stakeholder group grew to over 60 people; in 2006 he and City Manager Getschow approached Wilder Foundation to develop along-term solution. Ms. Idzelis said Wilder used interviews with 383 Corridor residents, an online survey completed by 40 of the Collaborative members, five focus groups with 43 participants, review of police and school data and a review of other revitalization efforts. Core concerns were crime and safety, limited recreation opportunities, absence of a community center, limited screening of renters, poor lighting and unsafe walking areas, and limited access to social services. The interview data highlighted a great divergence of views. About 80% of the Collaborative members rated the standard of living in the Corridor "poor"; only 16% of the residents did. Property crime concerned 83% of the whites, but only 30-43% of the others; 73% of the long- term residents but 46% of short-term residents; and 74% of property owners but only 45% of the renters. Strengths that were noted were schools and police, which were rated positively by over 90% of all groups. Crime and safety had varying results: over 90% felt safe in the daytime; 73% of the Collaborative but only 33% of the residents felt unsafe at night. Some saw crime as having increased while police records show it has decreased notably. All collaborative members felt drugs, fighting, domestic violence and gangs were problems. While residents listed them as problems, the percentages were much lower and there was less consensus on what was most serious. Only 26-35% of the residents were concerned about the lack of a park or community center; very few used existing parks because they did not know they existed. The Collaborative saw the big housing issues as poor tenant screening and absentee landlords; the residents listed affordable housing, maintenance, and 40% mentioned poor screening. Wilder recommendations include continuation of the Collaborative or a similar group; increase in access to social services and recreational programming for older youth; improvement of lighting and sidewalks; and increased landlord accountability. Mr. Schirber said his role was to pull together the information, find where the leadership was, and then look at the potential for along-term model. He said the participants made a huge April 8, 2008 Page 2 commitment and made his job much easier. He can't be as specific as he would like because of the lack of community consensus. He noted a funder will come tomorrow to the stakeholder meeting. He sees the objectives as increased resident engagement; reduction of crime; reduction of resident turnover; enhancing family stability; enhancing personal growth; improving resident ownership; and improving relations with the surrounding community. His recommendations were: continue a stakeholder group; establish a timeline for goals and objectives; identify a lead agency (a nonprofit, outside agency or new group which would oversee fundraising and implementation and also work with the stakeholder group); identify outside partners (the funders for this study would be a good start); establish programming through a strategic planning process; develop a funding plan; establish a plan for community space; development planning; organization of resident participation (a requirement for most grants); improved tenant/landowner participation. He feels a groundwork has been laid. Ms. Youakim noted the difference perceptions of the Collaborative and residents requires a two-prong approach: change perceptions and address needs. Mr. Getschow noted the "pools" of respondents were about 30 for the Collaborative and 300 for residents. Mr. Rowan noted Collaborative members compared the area to where they live. Mr. Jenny added most residents see Blake Road Corridor as a big step up from where they were. Ms. Flynn noted the high resident turnover will make resident participation a tough proposition. Chief Reid said the first summer programs got a low response at first. When one-on-one explanations were given, residents participated. Flyers do not work as many of these residents do not read English. At Eisenhower School there is a new student admitted every single day. If turnover could be reduced, more progress could be made. If youth can be engaged, then parents get involved. Ms. Youakim said youth needs are obvious; but in reaching them we must not forget that increasing home ownership also helps them. Mayor Maxwell asked about demographics by age; Chief Reid said the school has those by age. Mayor Maxwell said further demographics would be helpful -there is a big difference in needs between 25- and 73-year-olds. Answering Ms. Youakim, Chief Reid said he could get data for the percentage of residents with children in school. Ms. Wodajo added resident views of the school system are based on what was available where they emigrated from. Ms. Buck noted while there are no concrete demographics for residents, the large pool of respondents was a fair cross-section. Mr. Brausen felt the big issue is getting the residents to connect with the community. Residents not knowing what is available is an age-old issue that needs to be addressed. Ms. Holm-Hansen said the deciding factor is face- to-face contacts. Ms. Flynn asked if landlords could be one mechanism; Chief Reid said some apartment managers are very cooperative, other owners just collect checks. The changes in the rental ordinance may help. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Anderson said Hop-a-Ride buses many English-as-second-language students; she can check on other resident uses. Ms. Flynn said most residents don't feel their quality of life is poor; is there a way to communicate that to outsiders? Mr. Schirber cautioned the results of the survey are not static and could be different in a year. A lead agency would be able to keep up-to-date. The many foreclosures taking place will change the renters picture. Mr. Hattlestad suggested community groups and the Human Rights Commission would be good places for Blake Corridor residents to serve as liaisons. He added the strip mall at Blalce and Excelsior could be a good place to post information in the residents' languages as it gets heavy foot traffic. Ms. Youakim added that might be a good site for a temporary community center. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Schirber said getting a lead agency is the top priority as most funders require there be one; it would oversee both financing and management. Secondly, the advisory group should continue. Mr. Getschow noted any April 8, 2008 Page 3 funder should be in the advisory group. Ms. Flynn noted the $50,000 planning grant had come from Minneapolis Community Foundation. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Schirber said this project is not being designed for only Blake Corridor; this will become a model for any city area that needs help in the future. Chief Reid said he has always looked on this work as a model. He added that just three drug arrests had greatly eased crime problems. Tschai works with all new residents, not just Blalce Corridor newcomers. It is essential that the positive results achieved so far stay. Bus transportation is a huge expense and the police will soon have used all their grant money for extra police hours. Hopkins needs to find a way to keep these services. Mr. Getschow said we will now be moving into the next step -implement the study. Mayor Maxwell suggested the Council meet with the stakeholder group that meets Wednesday. Mr. Getschow agreed that is a good idea. Comprehensive Plan City Planner Anderson said staff had Met with the ad hoc committee Monday, who gave comments. She emphasized that the Council would be looking at a first draft and that more parts still need to be written. Answering Mayor Maxwell, she said parts as they are finalized would be put on the city web site. Mr. Koegler said this information would also be taken to the open house on May 21. He added the ad hoc committee had interesting suggestions. All sections of this comp plan build on the past plan; lcey initiatives are land use, housing and transportation (especially regarding LRT). Corridor issues were looked at closely as they are the areas outsiders see and judge Hopkins by. Land Use. Mr. Koegler urged Council to look at the goals and guidelines to see if they are what the Council wants. A couple things are different from before: land use categories have been changed; there is a mixed-use category that looks at the three proposed LRT station areas. He noted the "barbell connections" along 8t" and Excelsior Blvd. mean many people don't see downtown. There are eight planning districts; land use follows those paraMeters. Some have itemized goals; some do not. The comp plan covers Blake Road area, but the preceding discussion makes him think it will need to be revised and "beefed up" to help obtain financing for that area. The Atlas Cold Storage plat has a changed designation; the mixed use would be mostly residential. He emphasized the changes in designation are not designed to move industry out; they supply essential job opportunities. Answering Ms. Halverson, Ms. Anderson said the B-2 classification is for just along Excelsior Blvd.; the East End calls for mixed use. Ms. Elverum said she would really like to see Cottageville Park expanded. Ms. Youakim noted the 200,000 figure on page 1-9 should be 20,000. She noted the importance of thinking about the expansion of bio-sciences in the future. Mr. Koegler noted that page 1-24 shows the change from industrial to mixed use around the LRT station areas. Ms. Newcomb commented abbreviations such as TH (trunk highway) should be explained and nomenclature be consistent. Mr. Getschow pointed out the landfill on page 1-20, saying he is not sure if it should be classed institutional as it may have other commercial uses. As this is the only site in the city of its kind, language will be important in getting grants. Ms. Anderson said perhaps public use could be added to the classification. Mayor Maxwell said public use would be his choice as the area abuts residential areas. Answering Mr. Beddor and Ms. Flynn, Ms. Elverum said changes to include more explanations would make it easier to attract developers. Mr. Getschow noted the narrative on page 1-20 was excellent and did a good job discussing constraints. Ms. Youakim said the last sentence on page 1-27 may need to be "fleshed out." April 8, 2008 Page 4 Downtown. Mr. Koegler noted this section was basically just updated. Mr. Jenny discussed the appropriateness of advocating for a downtown grocery store to remain. Mayor Maxwell said a piece on how important certain types of businesses are for downtown as a livable, walkable community could be added. Mr. Koegler agreed. Mr. Brausen noted lack of traffic is a liability, yet increased traffic might cause a loss of the "downtown" atmosphere. Ms. Elverum said the city would like the businesses to have a unified voice, but it is hard to do. Ms. Youakim noted the first paragraph on 2-5 mentions 7th to 12th Avenues; Mayor Maxwell said that needs to be changed. Ms. Youakim also said the inclusion of St. Joseph's parking lot should be deleted as they have that lot in their improvement plan. A general discussion of the definition of "downtown" followed. General Consensus was to extend the definition to Shady Oak Road. Mr. Brausen suggested the solution might be to expand, the definition, adding "overlay" definitions to protect what Hopkins has in the core downtown area. Housing. Mr. Koegler suggested Council review goals to see if they are what the Council wants. He noted Met Council has set a target for Hopkins of 143 more units by 2020, which had to be reflected in the Plan. Ms. Elverum noted aging of apartment buildings needs to be addressed. Mr. Brausen asked why only some neighborhoods were designated on 3-16, shouldn't all be? Mr. Koegler said planners had discussed it the map should be included at all. Mr. Getschow agreed it should be all or none. Answering Ms. Youakim, Mr. Koegler said 2000 statistics are used because those are the most recent available. Ms. Youakim suggested the section on housing improvement districts on 3-2 should include Cottageville; Ms. Elverum said more community cohesion is needed to do that. Ms. Youakim, referring to the goals on page 3- 4, said she feels height of new buildings can be an encroachment on single-family homes. Mayor Maxwell said defining boundaries is part of that issue. Answering Ms. Youakim, Mr. Koegler said the figure of 1000 new residents by 2030 on page 3-7 is a Met Council projection. Commenting on the graphs on page 3 -11, Ms. Elverum said she thinks people are willing to pay more to live in Hopkins. Parks. Mr. Koegler said the Parlc Board had worked on this section. Park land is basically set for the city, so emphasis is on watching trends and population changes. They see the issues as regional trails, Minnehaha Park expansion, and expanding Cottageville Parlc. Mayor Maxwell commented Cottageville is small; Oakes Park is nearby. Mr. Getschow asked if the issue is crossing Blake Road. Ms. Elverum said she feels that Cottageville needs an amenity to center around, even if it requires taking out apartment buildings. Mr. Jenny said access to Minnehaha Creels would also help the area. Mr. Getschow noted money may be available for clearing and opening access to the creek. Ms. Elverum noted access at the Atlas site would be private; Cottageville would be public. Ms. Youakim noted 4-10 couples well with 4-16 #2, but language should not be "such as" but "as well as." Ms. Newcomb suggested the chart on 4-4 and map on 4-11 be put closer together. Ms. Anderson said the next step is review by Zoning and Planning at the April 22 meeting. At the May 21 open house there will be public comment. Then the final draft can be worked on. Mr. Koegler added there would be another meeting with the Council before it is submitted to neighboring cities and the Met Council. Bed-and-Breakfast Businesses Ms. Anderson said staff is looking at the issue of amending the ordinances to allow bed-and-breakfast businesses in residential areas. Staff is proposing to limit special events to one per calendar month. They would require on-site parking; owners/managers would need to live on-site. They would like feedback. Ms. Flynn commented she did not feel April 8, 2008 Page 5 this would be a big issue as most houses in Hopkins are small; limiting length of stay would prevent boarding house problems. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Anderson said they would serve only breakfasts to guests and would need to meet Minnesota licensing requirements for food service. Answering Ms. Youalcim, she said there would be a distance requirement, but she did not remember what it is. The issue will be on a future Council agenda; she will be sure information goes out in Friday's update. Ms. Elverum noted this could be a marketing promotion, adding the Marketing Committee had first suggested the idea. Mayor Maxwell suggested staff talk to Excelsior who had bed-and-breakfasts at one time. Other Ms. Halverson asked about the updated plan for Excelsior Crossing. Mr. Getschow said Opus would need to submit a new AUAR, but the percentage of change is not large. Mr. Rowan said he would not be present next week. Mr. Getschow said the TIF bill is moving ahead. Staff is putting the final paperwork together. Mr. Getschow briefly suggested other sites for work sessions. There will be full discussion at a later work session. Mr. Brausen said Planning & Zoning had been doing a great j ob. On motion by Mr. Brausen and second by Ms. Youalcim, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary COUNCIL MEMBERS: ,~ fit'' ~~'~~'~-.~ ATTEST: Eugen J. xwell, Mayor