Loading...
05-19-2020 City Council Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MAY 19, 2020 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice the regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held by conference call through GoToMeeting pursuant to Minnesota Statue 13D.021 in response to the COVID-19 emergency on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order and conducted roll call of City Council participating in the meeting. Council Members present included Beck, Brausen, Halverson and Hunke. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, City Clerk Domeier, Assistant City Manager Lenz, Finance Director Bishop and Director of Planning and Development Elverum. Mayor Gadd provided information on the meeting format and other opening remarks. ADOPT AGENDA Motion by Halverson. Second by Brausen. Motion to Adopt Agenda. Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson, Gadd. Nays: None. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Halverson. Second by Brausen. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda. 1. Minutes of the May 5, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings 2. Amendment to the 2020 City Council Meeting Schedule; Domeier 3. Second Reading of Ordinance 2020-1148; Domeier 4. Second Reading of Ordinance 2020-1152; Lindahl 5. Resolution Cancelling Collection of Special Assessment on one parcel of Levy No. 20406; Bishop 6. Resolution Approving Adjustment of Special Assessment on one parcel of Levy No. 20406; Bishop Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson, Gadd. Nays: None. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS VI1.1. Award the Sale of $8,585,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020A; Bishop Finance Director Bishop introduced the item for Council Report 2020-035 where bonds will be used to fund three projects: a portion of the 2020/2021 street improvement project, mill and overlay in the Central Business District and purchase of equipment. Stacie Kvilvang of Ehlers and Associates provided a summary of the bonding process and rating call. The City's AA+ rating was upheld due to strong management with strong financial policies and practices, adequate budgetary performance with operating results that are good, very strong budget flexibility and strong liquidity. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MAY 19, 2020 Mayor Gadd commented on the bond rating, pointing out the very strong management with our financials. He provided information on the comments given regarding the strong management. Motion by Hunke. Second by Halverson. Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-028 awarding the sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020A, in the original aggregate principal amount of$8,585,000, fixing their form and specifications, directing their execution and delivery, and providing for their payment. Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson Gadd. Nays: None. Motion carried. VI1.2. First Quarter Financial Report; Bishop Finance Director Bishop provided a presentation on the first quarter financial results, 2020 budget projections after COVID-19, and the results of the 2021 Budget Survey. 2020 First Quarter Financial Report Mr. Bishop provided information on general fund revenues and expenditures; special revenue funds revenues, expenditures and financial position; and enterprise fund revenues, expenses and financial position. Council Member Beck commented on the depreciation chart. Mr. Bishop noted it was three months of depreciation. 2020 Budget Projections after COV/D-19 Mr. Bishop provided information on the 2020 budget projections; revenue assumptions; minor and major impacts to the general fund revenue; expenditures; and revenue and expenditures for the Art Center, Pavilion, Depot and Utility Funds. Council Member Hunke questioned if the Depot have they reduced their hours to save money. He also asked if staff has looked into the effects of the light rail construction and how that will affect them. Mr. Bishop stated that staff reduces their winter hours as part of the 2020 budget. Staff did budget for a sizeable decrease to their coffee budget due to the light rail construction. He stated that most the budget reductions are happening right now. The reduced hours are in connection to buildings being closed, frozen training and traveling expenditures, etc. being implemented right now. City Manager Mornson thanked staff for working on this since March 13. All departments have put effort into finding the $500,000 in budget reductions. He added that staff would go to another layer of budget cuts if needed. We are not counting on federal or state money but people are working behind the scenes. Mayor Gadd commented on staff moving to work from home scenario referring to the projects funded for digitizing and scanning of files and upgrades to technology. Investments early on have allowed us to move to a work from home environment and continue operations inexpensively. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MAY 19, 2020 Mayor Gadd also commented on the Center for the Arts noting that some concerts have been rescheduled and that revenue going forward may be dependent on the group size limitations. Council Member Brausen questioned conversation with the Center for the Arts tenants. Mr. Bishop stated that that the school district has indicated they will continue their lease there and at the Pavilion. He will get back to the City Council on the lease with Stages. Mayor Gadd asked when the next budget update will be provided. Mr. Bishop plans to provide a monthly update going forward. Mayor Gadd thanked the City Manager and staff for reviewing their budgets and operations noting he understands the difficulty. Results of 2021 Budget Survey Mr. Bishop provided an overview of the budget survey responses. Mayor Gadd thanked everyone that completed the survey. Next Steps Mr. Bishop stated that staff will begin preparing the 2021 Budget. Mayor Gadd noted that the effects of COVID-19 will play a part in the 2021 budget process. Council Member Hunke questioned what other budget outreach measures will be taken to include residents on the process. Mr. Gadd stated that a plan was in place for public engagement and education as well as resident feedback sessions but with the physical distancing and technology issues will play a factor in the planning. Mr. Mornson stated that staff will be addressing on how to engage with the public. The next hearing was set for August. We are uncertain of the group limits and the potential of using Zoom meetings. The process is uncertain at this time. Council Member Brausen mentioned that last year transparency was an issue and moving forward we need to move forward making sure all are heard. An option would be to meet in smaller groups. ANNOUNCEMENTS City Manager Mornson provided an update on the COVID-19 planning within the City. He highlighted the positive and pragmatic measures that have been taken by staff including the budget reductions, facility closures and reopening plans, public safety and employee health, City Hall operations including appointments, changing council meetings back to normal with public participating virtually, possible refunds for liquor license fees, business outreach, recreation changes, and shared how proud he was of all City employees for their efforts and the positive feedback from residents. Mr. Mornson also provided an update on Sarah Foster's request for chickens. Staff will work on going through the ordinance process working with Ms. Foster and bring back to the Council later this summer. While a petition was submitted to go through the Charter process, Ms. Foster will work with staff instead of using that process. There are concerns about allowing for comments during the process. Staff will continue conversations with Ms. Foster and work with the City Attorney on the proposed ordinance. Mayor Gadd thanked Mr. Mornson for working with Ms. Foster. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MAY 19, 2020 Council Member Halverson announced that the WCCO morning show will be highlighting downtown Hopkins on May 20. The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Rick. Second by Beck. Motion to adjourn. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Domeier City Clerk ATTEST . % / �. , �" n Gadd, Mayor �� _ ���_��'� ' A y Domeier, City Clerk