IV.1. Minutes of the November 30, 2020 City Council Budget Hearing ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET HEARING PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1st Street South.
Mayor Gadd called the meeting to order with Council Members Halverson and Hunke
attending. Council Members Beck and Brausen participated via virtual means. Others
attending included City Manager Mornson, Assistant City Manager Lenz, City Clerk
Domeier, Fire Chief Specken, Accountant Lindbery and Finance Director Bishop.
Mayor Gadd provided information on the meeting format and other opening remarks.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Brausen. Second by Halverson.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke, Gadd
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
V.1. 2021 Budget Meeting, 2021 Tax Levy and General and Special Revenue Fund
Budgets; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of Council Report 2020-095 highlighting
the 2021 Tax Levy and General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets .
Mayor Gadd opened the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m.
Mayor Gadd read the following comment that was submitted via email: Joshua Zuzek,
314 8th Avenue North, Hopkins, at a time when residents of Hopkins are seeing their
wages cut and we head into another period of economic uncertainty, why does the city
government think they deserve a raise? Yes, I've seen that cuts were proposed but the
net change is an increase; please explain why.
Mayor Gadd responded that the essential services are still being offered. The cost to
provide services are predicted to increase by a greater amount than the reductions.
Paul Domino, resident at 1215 154th Lane Northeast, Ham Lake, and owns a duplex
501 Sunnyside Lane in Hopkins, shared concerns about the tax amount on the city
portion. He talked about comparable taxes in other cities. Mayor Gadd talked about the
challenge of comparing taxes to other cities and provided information on tax base,
infrastructure and services. Assistant City Manager Lenz talked about the age of
infrastructure in Hopkins.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Hunke.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET HEARING PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Motion to Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke, Gadd
Nays: None. Public Hearing closed at 7:35 p.m.
Council Member Beck thanked Mr. Bishop for the presentation and talked about the
taxes on commercial property. He encouraged the City Council to be mindful of how the
increase affects local businesses.
Council Member Brausen thanked staff and added he understood Mr. Domino’s
concerns and wants continued conversations on lowering the taxes. Mr. Bishop stated
that commercial property is taxed different than an apartment building.
Council Member Halverson thanked staff for their work on lowering the budget. Council
Member Hunke also thanked staff for their work on the budget. He favored moving the
budget forward tonight.
Mayor Gadd echoed the comments about the work staff has done and the extra budget
communications. He talked about planning for future budgets and thanked staff for their
work during the pandemic.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-064 approving the 2021 tax levy and adopting
the 2021 General and Special Revenue Fund budgets.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke, Gadd
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Gadd stated the next regular meeting will be on December 1 at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion
by Beck, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
_____________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk