09-01-2020 City Council Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1 St Street South.
Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order with Council Members Beck, Brausen, Halverson
and Hunke attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, Assistant City
Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Elverum, City Attorney Riggs, City Planner Lindahl 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.
PRESENTATIONS
111.1. Development Presentation; Elverum
Director of Planning of Development Elverum provided a presentation that overviewed
the City's role in development. Discussion was held about Hopkins history of various
projects, investments and changes over the years.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Gadd noted that the amendment to the City Council schedule was to change the
City Council date from Monday, November 16 to Tuesday, November 17.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Halverson.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the August 18, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Amendment to the 2020 City Council Meeting Schedule; Domeier
3. Ratify Checks Issued in August 2020; Bishop
Ayes. All.
Nays. None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VI1.1. First Reading: Zoning Code Text Amendment Related to Residential Fence
Standards; Lindahl
City Planner Lindahl provided a summary of Council Report 2020-063 a zoning code text
amendment related to residential fence standards.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Council Member Hunke questioned non-conforming fences. Mr. Lindahl stated that
because we are lessening the standards fences that exist today will not become non-
conforming.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Beck.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-044, approving the first reading of Ordinance
2020-1158 amending the City Code related to residential fence standards.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VI1.2. First Reading: Zoning Code Text Amendment Related to Dynamic (Electronic)
Signs; Lindahl
City Planner Lindahl provided a summary of Council Report 2020-062 a zoning code text
amendment related to dynamic (electronic) signs standards.
Mayor Gadd questioned the brightness standards. Mr. Lindahl stated that staff used a
model ordinance from LMC and there are no brightness standards. Discussion was held
about the brightness of signs and duration of changes. Council Member Hunke
questioned if residents have complained about the sign at Zion Church. Mr. Lindahl
stated that to date there have not been complaints about the church's sign.
Further discussion was held about the minimum display time. Staff offered to research
the process to change electronic sign messages and overnight standards before the
second reading. Mr. Lindahl stated current revisions do not include electronic signs in
the Downtown or Mainstreet.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Beck.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-043, approving the first reading of Ordinance
2020-1157 amending the City Code related to dynamic (electronic) signs and
staff will investigate overnight standards.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
V11.3. Review of 2021 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy and Preliminary HRA Levy;
Bishop
Finance Director Bishop request input on the revisions made to the draft budget and tax
levy that was presented on July 21, 2020. Mr. Bishop provided a summary of the 2021
Budget and Text Levy draft version. Discussion was held about local government aid and
contingencies. Council Member Brausen discussed having a deeper discussion. Mayor
Gadd was concerned about the contingency funds and future unknowns. Assistant City
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Manager Lenz talked about the flexibility with the contingency fund while noting budget
impacts to the 2022 levy.
Council Member Brausen talked about all of the events going on in the past year. He
added that residents are hurting financially. Mayor Gadd shared a comment received by
a resident talking about the property taxes for the City and the school district. He
reminded residents that the City portion is 43% of the property taxes and the rest of
property taxes is made up by the school and county.
Mayor Gadd talked about the Bumes Park debt service and supported the one year
change to use park dedication funds. He had concerns about making this budgetary
change permanent. Council Member Hunke concurred. Council Member Hunke stated
he is comfortable with the preliminary tax levy but wants to continue discussions to reduce
the amount before December.
Further discussion was held about the ERP, CIP, 2021 budget and ongoing budget, park
dedication, the financial management plan and projected long term impacts from COVID-
19 and any budgetary changes. The City Council agreed that they want to help residents
now but not necessarily have larger financial impacts in the future because of delaying
projects or funding now. Council Member Brausen added that he appreciates the
constructive comments he receives from residents.
Council Member Beck suggested having the City and HRA levies be a similar amount.
Council Member Brausen suggested holding work sessions to keep the budget
conversations going until the final levy is proposed. City Manager Mornson stated that
additional work sessions can be held beyond those scheduled in October and November
before the November 30 budget hearing. Mr. Mornson also touched on the bigger
discussion about park and street projects, salaries, union negotiations and equipment
purchases that will all need to be discussed as part of the process.
The City Council supported Mr. Bishop's option two proposed for the HRA levy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Gadd stated there will not be a work session on September 8. The next regular
City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion
by Brausen, second by Beck, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Am omeier, City Clerk