IV.1. Minutes of the August 18, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 18, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010
1st Street South.
Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order with Council Members Beck, Brausen and Hunke
attending in person. Council Member Halverson attend via electronic means pursuant to
Minnesota Statute 13D.021. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, Assistant
City Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Elverum, City Attorney Riggs and Finance Director Bishop.
Mayor Gadd provided information on the meeting format and other opening remarks.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Beck. Second by Brausen.
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 August 4, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
Ayes. All.
Nays. None. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
VI.1. Second Reading of Ordinance 2020-1156; Lenz
Assistant City Manager Lenz provided a that a resident wanted to speak as well as
Council Member Hunke has new language proposed in Ordinance 2020-1156 amending
the City Code to allow for chickens in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Abbie Seba, 134 9th Avenue North, asked if the City Council had read her previously
submitted email and was looking for any feedback on her request. The current ordinance
would not allow for her to have chickens due to the setbacks and the layout of her
backyard. Discussion was held about the proposed setbacks.
Mayor Gadd commented on the fees noting it was a two year license that covered staff
services and inspections. Council Member Hunke agreed with the proposed license fee.
Ms. Seba felt the process was over regulated compared to owning a dog or cat. Mayor
Gadd responded that dog and cats are able to go inside the home unlike chickens. He
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 18, 2020
added that the goal is to be respectful of neighbors. Ms. Lenz added that the chicken
licensing process will be including a built structure. She added that the proposed
regulations meet the needs of the community while addressing concerns residents had
during the survey.
Council Member Hunke shared the proposed changes to the maximum size of the chicken
coop and chicken run. He wanted to offer more flexibility to resid ents. Discussion was
held on the maximum size of the coops and runs. Council Member Hunke suggested
keeping the setbacks as proposed.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Beck.
Motion to amend the ordinance with upgraded chicken coop and chicken run
sizes.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Beck. Second by Brausen.
Motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2020-1156 as amended.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Resolution Approving an Exclusive Liquor Store On-Sale Liquor License for
Projects in Person LLC DBA Projects in Person LLC; Domeier
City Clerk Domeier provided a summary of Council Report 2020-059 where the applicant,
Jill Miller of Projects in Person LLC, requested an exclusive liquor license for on-sale at
906 Mainstreet. Sales are limited to experienced -based activities as outlined in
Ordinance 2020-1147. Sales are not allowed on Sundays, for private rentals or to-go
sales.
Jill Miller, owner of Projects in Person shared her excitement for the opportunity to have
this liquor license. She commented it would be a great addition to their business as they
start holding more workshops. Mayor Gadd questioned if Ms. Miller understood the
conditions of the proposed license and she confirmed yes.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Brausen.
Motion to grant an Exclusive Liquor Store On-Sale Liquor Licenses to Projects in
Person LLC DBA Projects in Person LLC by adopting Resolution 2020 -041.
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 18, 2020
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Gadd congratulated Ms. Miller on the five year business anniversary and wished
her all the best with the new offering.
VII.2. Budget Update; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided the second quarter financial results and 2020 budget
projections. Discussion was held about the depreciation and revenues at the Pavilion,
Hopkins Center for the Arts, and The Depot. Council Member Beck requested more
information on the depreciation. Council Member Beck commented on CARES funding.
Mr. Bishop stated that some of the funding covers direct expenses noting that not all the
funds will be used by the November 15 deadline.
VII.3. Resolution Approving Economic Supports to Businesses & Individuals;
Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of Council Report 2020-060 approving a
Resolution that will provide economic support to local businesses and individuals. The
City has received CARES funding that must be used for eligible expenditures.
Mayor Gadd has received a lot of emails about the financial im pacts due to COVID-19.
He appreciated the opportunity to help businesses, residents and the school district.
Council Member Hunke thanked staff for putting the information together and providing
the opportunities especially for the school district. A future meeting will include more
information about the programs and resources. Council Member Brausen echoed the
comments previously made.
Motion by Beck. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-042 a Resolution Approving Economic
Support to Businesses & Individuals.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Gadd stated that a comment was missed during the budget engagement session
last night. The question was related to five years of tax increases. Mr. Gadd commented
on the decades of flat taxes and the financial management plan that was put in place.
Brigid Peterson, 32 11th Ave. S., Unit 314, opposed any tax increase for 2021 and
requested that the City Council not move forward with their proposal.
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 18, 2020
Harlan Limpert, 925 Nine Mile Cove, opposed any tax increase for 2021 and asked the
City Council to reduce their expenses and/or seek new revenues that are not taxes.
Patrick Hanlon, 109 11th Avenue North, opposed any tax increase for 2021 and asked
City Council to reduce expenses for 2021.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following announcements were shared: Assistant City Manager Lenz provided
information about Hopkins School District using space at the Hopkins Activity Center; City
Manager Mornson shared that a development presentation and an update from the Met
Council will be part of September 1 agenda, County Commissioner Jan Callison will
provide an update at the September 15 meeting, and the plan is to have a work session
on September 8; and Mayor Gadd added that the next regular City Council meeting will
be on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 p.m.
Council Member Brausen appreciated the comments received during the budget
engagement process. Council Member Beck hoped that everyone would work together
to come up with the budget for 2021. He added that City Council makes the final decision
on the budget not individual staff members.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion
by Brausen, second by Halverson, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Jason Gadd, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk