04-01-2008A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on April 1 , 2008, in the Council
Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Youakim, Rowan, and
Halverson. Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Elverum, Reid,
Anderson, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. OATH OF OFFICE
1 . Police Sergeant Darin Hill
Police Chief Craig Reid introduced Darin Hill and explained that when a police officer is
hired or changes rank, an oath of office is required. The City Clerk administered the oath.
Chief Reid gave a history of the police badge. Darin's wife, Heather, pinned his badge.
Mayor Maxwell thanked Tom Lorenz for his years of service to the City.
IV. PRESENTATION
1. Citizens Academy~Graduation
Mayor Maxwell thanked the graduates for the time they took to participate. The Council
presented the diplomas.
V. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1. Zoning and Planning Commission
Kathy Newcomb reported that the Commission reviewed the Fifth Avenue Flats Concept
and discussed the up-coming open house for the Comprehensive Plan and the joint
meeting in April. Two residents appeared at the meeting and expressed concerns about
the Fifth Avenue Flats. The concerns were traffic, height, parking, sunlight, garbage,
noise, and the construction time.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of March 18, 2008, City Council Meeting
April 1, 2008 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
2. Minutes of March 18, 2008, City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of March 25, 2008, City Council Work Session
4. Ratify Checks for the Month of March
5. Resolution Amending City Policy 4-C, Temporary 3.2 Beer Licenses (CR2008-
036
In item five, the motion should be changed to reflect the correct number of the resolution
being adopted as 2008-024.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda as amended. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council '
Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye;
Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1 . Concept Review - 5t" Ave Flats (CR2008-032)
Doran Development, LLC, is proposing to redevelop the block north of Mainstreet and
south of 1St St N between 5t" and 6t" Aves. The entire block, excluding the apartment
complex on the northwest corner of the site, will be razed to construct a luxury
apartment building with 254 units. There will be approximately 13,000 square feet of
retail space along Mainstreet. The residential building will be seven stories high, two for
parking and 5 for the residential units. The site will need to be rezoned to PUD and the
lots replatted.
Kelly Doran and Scott Anderson, Doran Development, LLC, presented the site plan and
elevations.
As an answer to a Council question, Mr. Doran explained that the units are being
designed as condos, but would initially be rental. When the market allows, the units will
be converted from rental to ownership.
The Council discussed parking, hearing and air conditioning, access and egress, deliveries,
trash, height of the building and setbacks, the children's play area, the pool area, and a
time frame for beginning the project. The project will begin when Doran Construction has
control of all sites needed for the project.
No action was taken.
2. First Reading, Ordinance Amending Existing City Code Section 710, Water
Systems (CR2008-035)
April 1, 2008 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Ordinance 2008-998 would institute mandatory watering restrictions. Currently, the City
has only voluntary watering restrictions asking residents to not water their lawns during
the afternoon hours and to follow an odd/even regimen. The proposed change would
make the watering restrictions mandatory year around. The proposed change would
conserve water and lessen peak water demand, which would reduce the strain on City
pumping equipment. The proposed program would allow exceptions for new sod and
landscaping. It would also allow the City to assess penalties for violations. The penalty
would be added to the utility bill.
Council discussed types of watering that could be excluded and asked if seed should be
added as an exclusion. Council Members concurred that the public should be notified by
placing information on the web, in the newsletter, and in the newspaper. City Manager
Getschow said that a letter could be included with the utility bill. The first year will be a
"learning" year.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adopt
for first reading Ordinance 2008-998, amending City Code Section 710. A poll of the
vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye;
Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
3. First Reading Ordinance 2008-997, Amending Section 1200 -Sale,
Consumption, and Display of Liquor (CR2008-034)
The proposed change would include distance limitations for 3.2 percent malt liquor off-
sale licenses, define the term "liquor store", and define the businesses that could obtain a
3.2 percent malt liquor license.
The Council discussed the new language in 1200.12 that deals with the impact the
ordinance has on businesses that are currently licensed. City Attorney said that he would
review that language and incorporate any changes in the second reading.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a motion to
approve Ordinance 2008-997 for first reading. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
4. Forfeited Vehicles (CR2008-033)
The City acquires vehicles that are forfeited because the owners have been arrested for
DUI. Forfeited vehicles become the property of the City and can be disposed of after all
of the legal procedures are completed. This process usually takes about six months or
more. Currently, the City must sell the vehicle directly to the public or through a public
April 1, 2008 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
auction. The auction facilities do not store the vehicles. The vehicles are stored at the
tow company that the City calls for towing vehicles with the result that often times the
storage costs are more than the City receives for the vehicle. Most State and Local
agencies use a company the auctions to dealers. They store and detail the vehicle and
prepare the title. They charge twenty percent of the sale price for this service. The
proposed change would allow the police department to use this method for selling the
vehicles.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
Approve Ordinance 2008-996, amending Section 305 of the Hopkins City Code for first
reading. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye; Council
Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member
Halverson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Euge J. axwell, Mayor
April 1, 2008 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4