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05-13-2008May 13, 2008 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -May 13, 2008 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:35 p.m. on May 13, 2008, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan and Cheryl Youalcim were present. Council member Riclc Brausen arrived at 8:20. City staff present were City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Solid Waste Coordinator Penny Cleve and City Engineer John Bradford. Also present were Doug Datta and Aaron Kuznia of the Park Board. Dogs in the Park Public Worlcs Director Stadler said the Park Board recommends a change in City policy to allow leashed dogs in four of the City parks -Burnes, Oakes, Valley and Central Parks. Public notification was done through the city web site and Highlights. Six emails were received: 4 in favor and 2 opposed; 6 phone calls were received, all opposed. Later he added one person was opposed because people don't clean up after their dogs on the regional trail and thinks the parks would be the same. Mr. Rowan said he feels a special place for dogs would be best as his concern is that children might be frightened by the dogs. He is not concerned about the children's safety, but their fears. Mayor Maxwell noted they are already being used for dogs so rules might help. Mr. Getschow said the changes could be put in for a year, then revisited. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Stadler noted the change would require a code change (section 830.31). Mr. Rowan asked about monitoring. Mr. Stadler said enforcement is difficult. Ms. Youalcim noted there would need to be a consistent message from the police and city staff about the rules. Mr. Datta said that in the survey, many people asked that dogs be allowed on leash in parks; later he noted the Board first discussed opening only Valley Parlc. Ms. Youalcim noted that for residents of south Hopkins it is not easy to get to the regional trail to walk dogs. They have to use the streets; this would be a good compromise. Mayor Maxwell said he would not want the change put in place until refuse bags and signage were in place. Mr. Stadler said that could be in 3-4 weeks. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Stadler said dogs could be limited to two per person. General Consensus was to amend the code to allow the change, with the understanding that after one year the change will be revisited. Mr. Stadler noted that the first reading of the ordinance change would be May 20 and the change could go into effect June 5. Mayor Maxwell asked that staff check with other cities about non-resident fees for dog parks and added publishing that information could help dog owners. Refuse Fund Finances Mr. Stadler said the fund is not in terrible shape, but as the figures are projected forward the fund loses more money. The refuse program subsidizes the other programs such as yard waste, recycling, and bulk collection. Mayor Maxwell wondered if a $10/car charge would work for bulls collection may be a good idea to help that fund be more self-sufficient. Ms. Youalcim noted brush and yard waste lose the most money; the refuse rates for 1991 and 2005 were roughly the same. Answering Ms. Youalcim, Ms. May 13, 2008 Page 2 Cleve said the recycling program has saved money for garbage costs. Hopkins' rates are in line with other cities' rates, and Hopkins has better bulls and yard waste services. The troublesome area for us is yard waste and brush. We have two types of pick-up; bagged and street use. The latter will be stopped by the state eventually due to water pollution concerns. When that happens, Hopkins might choose to go to a subscription program. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Cleve said private companies' surcharges for fuel costs are one charge for all of contracted services. Mayor Maxwell noted any decisions would come under budget planning. Mayor Maxwell brought up doing a survey to see what services residents would be willing to give up; Mr. Stadler noted the city survey had not given useful information on yard waste issues. Ms. Cleve said she feels residents would pay $10 per carload for bulls drop-off. Ms. Youakim suggested a year trial. Mr. Getschow noted that all cities he has worked with have recycling pay for itself; right now, Hopkins is subsidizing it at $30,000. It used to pay for itself here. The profit in refuse offsets the loss in yard waste; if recycling and bulk paid for themselves, the fund would be okay. Mayor Maxwell suggested a 50¢ raise in the recycling fees for 2009. Ms. Youakim suggested using Nine Mile Creek as a basis for public education about sewer loading. She said there are 3 free pick-ups in the spring; cutting those back to 1 or 2 would save money. General Consensus was a 50¢ recycling charge increase; $10 per carload at bulk drop-off; 2 spring pick-ups rather than 3. A survey should be taken to see what services residents would be willing to give up. All further discussion and decision-making would take place through 2009 budget discussions this fall. Sidewalks & Trails -Minnetonka Mills Sidewalk Update City Engineer Bradford said 41 area residents are for the changes; 22 are against. Of the 9 landowners actually on the street, 6 are opposed and 3 in favor. Changes made in the plans include moving the sidewalks closer to the street, weaving the trail around large oaks, and treating smaller trees as adjoining landowners wish. The bids for the project came in lower than expected; staff had estimated $1.33 million; the winning bid is $1.03 million. Asphalt prices were the same as last year. Changing the south side from 8-foot asphalt to 6-foot concrete would add $1600 as concrete is more expensive. The assessment hearing is June 17; the savings will lower the rate. He has met with many of the owners and tried to accommodate them. He staked the sidewalk and trail out so owners could see exactly where they would run. All agree the sidewalk is a good idea; they just don't want it on their land. He feels it is a public safety issue. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said the closest setback is on Sweet Briar, and that owner is in favor of the project. Mayor Maxwell said he has a harder time accepting the wider trail on the south side. Mr. Rowan noted bicyclists would need to cross the street with the trail on the south side; Mr. Bradford said pedestrians are much more numerous. Mr. Stadler noted the trail forms a connection for Park Ridge neighborhood. Mr. Bradford noted the city will put in screening; one landowner favors the project as pedestrians now walk all over her yard. General Consensus was to go ahead with the project, but with sidewalk on both sides of the road. After a year, staff will approach each landowner to see if they need further landscaping changes. May 13, 2008 Page 3 Mr. Getschow said the presentation should include the landscaping offer, etc.; the resolution does not need all the details. Ms. Youakim said she feels it would be a good time to do the short section just west of Fifth. Mr. Brausen agreed. Mr. Stadler said that could be done through a change order later. Mr. Bradford will look into the possibility. Other Mr. Bradford explained the drainage issues raised by a resident of Drill Lane. Some work done by contractors has failed and they will need to redo it. The problems are caused by the extreme flatness of the area; he has further ideas to work with. Ms. Youakim brought up the tax bill in the legislature. Mr. Getschow handed out information. Mr. Getschow noted Hopkins' TIF district is in this bill, as are levy limits; the bill will probably be vetoed by the Governor. The TIF district could be re-tried next year. Mr. Rowan commented on the upcoming story on Parlc Plaza. Mr. Getschow noted there will be no special HRA meeting next week on the project. They have not yet terminated the purchase agreement. Mayor Maxwell asked about the 525 project; Mr. Getschow will check on it. Mr. Getschow handed out a draft of the city letter to cat owners, and mentioned a public meeting on the 2008 U.S. Women's Open on Wednesday evening. Mayor Maxwell said he had attended a mayors' meeting about Highway 169. The two changes he feels most important are sound barriers for some residential areas, and a subsidiary off-lane from the main ramp which would take motorists to Mainstreet. He also suggested Chapel View might be a possibility for an off-site visit. On motion by Mr. Brausen and second by Mr. Rowan, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Eugen . M ell, Mayor COUNCIL MEMBERS: --