06-02-2020 City Council Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 2, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council
was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1St Street South.
Mayor Gadd called the meeting to with Council Members Beck, Brausen, Halverson and
Hunke attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, City Clerk
Domeier, Assistant City Manager Lenz, Police Chief Johnson, City Attorney Riggs, City
Planner Lindahl and Director of Planning and Development Elverum.
Mayor Gadd provided information on the meeting format and other opening remarks.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Brausen. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Beck. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the May 19, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Minutes of the May 27, 2020 City Council Emergency Meeting Proceedings
3. Approval of Business and Liquor License Renewals for the term of July 1,
2020 to June 30, 2021; Domeier
4. Authorize the Execution of First Amendment to Temporary Easement
Agreement SWLRT Green Line Extension; Stanley
5. Minnesota Brownfields GAP Financing Program Grant for Community
Housing Development Corporation; Elverum
Ayes: AII.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VI1.1. Site Plan Review for Rehabilitation of 1201 Mainstreet — Bear Cave Brewing
Brewpub; Lindahl
City Planner Lindahl provide a summary of Council Report 2020-042 where the
applicant, Brian Grafton of FMD Architects (on behalf of Bear Cave Brewing), requests
site plan approval to allow rehabilitation of the property located at 1201 Mainstreet into a
Brewpub (microbrewery and tasting room). Mr. Lindahl added that staff is proposing
additional screening for the rooftop patio to provide more of a buffer for neighbors to the
north and west. He noted the recommendation was not part of the resolution.
Discussion ensued regarding parking concerns. Council Member Brausen stated he
was most concerned about parking along 12th Avenue, near Citigables, and the spillover
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 2, 2020
into the neighborhoods. Mr. Lindahl stated that the parking study did a general analysis
of the parking system. The study showed there were more than enough parking spaces
available. The City's downtown parking system is able to handle the additional cars.
Mayor Gadd questioned if the parking study should have included 15th Avenue where
the strip mall could be used for overflow parking. Council Member Beck was thankful
that Driskills parking lot was not part of the study. Council Member Hunke stated that
parking could be at Lot 800, Maetzold Filed, and the public ramp also noting that some
people will use bus, car sharing, light rail or bike but we need to accommodate cars.
Council Member Hunke complimented the additional windows. He also stated that the
rooftop patio proposal has sufficient screening so he did not think additional screening
was needed. Council Member Brausen had concerns about people accessing the
staircase in the rear of the building questioning security. He was also sensitive to the
lighting, shading and noise.
Brian Grafton, architect for the applicants, stated the owner did not plan to provide
surveillance around the brewery. The stairs proposed are for emergency egress only
and a clear path must be provided. He also added the intent of the rooftop patio
screening was to visually screen off the neighbors to the north.
Nathan Bergeland, owner of Bear Cave Brewing, stated they love Hopkins and the
walkability. He thanked the City for their support and the opportunity to submit their
proposal.
Council Member Brausen acknowledged that with virtual meetings the City Council may
hear more from residents about the project. He added the project is a wonderful chance
to move something forward for the community on Mainstreet.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Hunke.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-033, approving the Site Plan application from
Bear Cave Brewing to rehabilitate the property located at 1201 Mainstreet (PID
24-117-22-31-0059) into a Brewpub, subject to conditions.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VI1.2. 227 Homedale Road Side Yard Setback Variance; Lindahl
City Planner Lindahl provided a summary of Council Report 2020-043 where the
applicant, Matt and Trish Sieh, requests a four (4) foot south side yard setback variance
to allow construction of a 2-story addition to their existing single family home located at
227 Homedale Road.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Brausen.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 2, 2020
Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-034, approving a four (4) foot south side yard
setback variance for the property located at 227 Homedale Road (PID 20-117-
21-33-0068)..
Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson Gadd.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VI1.3. First Reading: Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code
Regarding Animals; Domeier
City Clerk Domeier provided a summary of Council Report 2020-036 requesting a first
reading of changes to City Code Chapter 6 regarding animals.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Halverson.
Motion to adopt for first reading Ordinance 2020-1149 An Ordinance Amending
Chapter 6 of the Hopkins City Code Regarding Animals.
Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson Gadd.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
V11.4. First Reading: Ordinance Amending Chapter 4 of the Hopkins City Code
Regarding Off-Sale Licenses; Domeier
City Clerk Domeier provided a summary of Council Report 2020-037 requesting a first
reading of changes to City Code Chapter 4 regarding a change to the number off-sale
liquor licenses issued by the City.
Council Member Halverson questioned the reason for the number change. Ms.
Domeier replied that the amendment allows for The Vine Room Shop off-sale to open.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Hunke.
Motion to adopt for first reading Ordinance 2020-1153 an Ordinance Amending
Chapter 4 of the Hopkins City Code Regarding Off-Sale Licenses.
Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson Gadd.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VI1.5. Resolution Approving Refunds for On-Sale Liquor License Fees; Domeier
City Clerk Domeier provided a summary of Council Report 2020-038 asking the City
Council to consider a resolution providing a refund of license fees to on-sale liquor
license holders.
Council Member Halverson thanked staff for working with the business owners to find a
solution to help them during this time. Council Member Brausen concurred. Mayor
Gadd added that the City is looking at all options to help our businesses noting that
license holders were only required to pay half of their renewal fees. Ms. Domeier
commented that about half of the on-sale liquor license holders took advantage of
making the partial payment at renewal.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
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Motion by Beck. Second by Brausen.
Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-029 a Resolution Approving Refunds for On-
Sale Liquor License Fees.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VI1.6. Creation of 2020 Early Retirement Incentive Program; Lenz
City Manager Mornson provided a summary of Council Report 2020-039 creating a
2020 Early Retirement Incentive Program. The proposed program gives another tool for
the City to use in addressing the revenue reductions and will result in a cost savings.
Assistant City Manager clarified the cost savings resulting from the program.
Council Member Beck thanked staff for creating this program. Mayor Gadd concurred.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Kristi.
Motion to Approve the Creation of the 2020 Early Retirement Incentive Program.
Ayes: Beck, Hunke, Brausen, Halverson Gadd.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Mornson commended great staff for their work moving forward during
COVID-19. He provided updates that the City Hall will be open by appointment; the Arts
Center and Pavilion will be allow meeting in smaller groups; Minnetonka will be starting
some softball practice but with groups less than 10; the issuing of liquor refunds; and
creating outdoor patios. Mr. Mornson invited Chief Johnson to provide comments on
the recent tragic events and impacts to the City.
Police Chief Johnson stated that the Police Department is going to rebuild trust in the
community and continue to do what sets them apart. Safety of the community is
paramount as the department protects the life and property in the community. He
shared information about the intelligence reports his team receives and that the ready
reaction team was on all weekend and currently is on standby. Mr. Johnson also
shared that additional resources were brought in to cover Mainstreet and were also
placed strategically throughout the City. Based on the intelligence information, a curfew
was not warranted. He thanked the City Council for their support and the support from
the community based upon the relationships the department has built. Mayor Gadd
thanked Mr. Johnson for sharing the information. He added that the department has his
full confidence and faith and that Mr. Johnson's recommendation helped make his
decision about not enforcing a curfew.
Mayor Gadd shared a written comment submitted by Ted Volk, 6301 Belmore Lane,
Edina: Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation Services
announced that they won't open Shady Oak beach because they are not sure how to
operate it safely until 2021. The good news is a smaller beach on the Libbs Lake is
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 2, 2020
ready to open in a COVID-19-safe manner, requiring just a "No Lifeguards on Duty" sign
and the buoys outlining the swim area. Plymouth has done exactly the same at the
Medicine Lake. The City owns the beach area and its huge parking lot. I am urging you
to direct the City to prepare Shady Oak beach in the same way, which is compliant with
Minnetonka City Code. With no diving boards and challenge courses to prepare, and no
lifeguards around, it would be mainly about distancing planning, like blocking every
other parking space. To help Minnetonka Police catch reckless conduct or littering,
adding real-time monitoring of the existing security cameras may be helpful too.
Reallocating some of the Recreational budget from the cancelled programs, and
seasonal parking passes would pay for this and other necessities. Facebook page
Shady Oak Beach is already online and can mobilize the needed volunteers. For many
families, a no-frills functioning Shady Oak beach is the only way to enjoy one of the
most attractive Minnesota amenities: being on the lake when it's so hot outside. Let's
not wait until the residents express their displeasure with the lockout the beaches en
masse. For young people, engaging in a healthy activity is especially important as an
alternative to anti-social conduct. Opening Shady Oak beach would become one "of the
necessary steps to prevent and deter crime ", taking the words from the Mayor's and
Police Chief's recent statement. It's one of the Council's roles to find a balanced
temporary solution when the joint powers authority, designed to act on a complete
consensus, needs a year to properly scale down a seasonal program. Thank you for
your attention, and, hopefully, for taking a timely action.
Mayor Gadd responded that the decision to close the Shady Oak Beach was difficult but
the decision was made by both cities taking CDC recommendations into consideration.
Mayor Gadd shared closing remarks regarding the recent events in Minneapolis and
across the nation.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion
by Halverson, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier City Clerk
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk