IV.2. Minutes of the January 12, 2021 City Council Work Session ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 12, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:30 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, Halverson
and Hunke attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, Assistant City
Manager Lenz, Director of Public Works Stadler, Solid Waste Coordinator Hove and
Director of Planning and Development Elverum.
Mayor Gadd provided information on the meeting format and other opening remarks.
UPDATE ON RECYCLING CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT AND STATUS
OF CURBSIDE ORGANICS; STADLER
Director of Public Work Stadler and Solid Waste Coordinator Hove provided an update
on the City’s contract with Waste Management for residential recycling services and the
forecast for residential curbside organics collection outlined in the staff memorandum.
Mayor Gadd questioned having a contract in place for residential curbside organics
collection. Ms. Hove stated that the current contract expires on June 30. If a change is
made to where the blue bag waste will be hauled staff would want to negotiate a new
contract by June 30. Council Member Hunke supported offering the organic curbside
service with the price spread out through all customers to encourage use.
Recommendations on moving forward with the programs will be shared by staff in the
future.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION; ELVERUM
Director of Planning & Development Elverum provided a high-level overview of some
key issues that will be before the City Council in 2021 and beyond. A copy of the
presentation is retained with the staff memorandum on file.
Mayor Gadd talked about affordable housing and the statistics associated with
Hennepin County. He requested that affordable housing information be readily
available for future discussions. Further discussion was held about housing including
types, locations, lot sizes, and market of today and in the future.
Council Member Brausen talked about the parking at the Shady Oak Station and the
landfill. He wanted to ensure both projects never go off the table. Further discussion
ensued regarding both properties.
Council Member Beck wanted more information about property the City owns including
the two lots on the 500 block of Mainstreet, surface parking lots and the future of
Mainstreet. The City Council all shared concerns about Mainstreet requesting future
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 12, 2021
discussions about vacancy and retail opportunities on Mainstreet as well as other parts
of Hopkins.
Assistant City Manager Lenz shared a goal of getting a hotel in Hopkins. Ms. Elverum
provided history on meeting with hotel developers. Council Member Halver son added
that Hopkins does not have a medical clinic.
Council Member Brausen expressed the importance of meeting with land owners in
Hopkins. He also shared information about the renovation to apartment buildings
throughout Hopkins.
Council Member Beck questioned what’s next. City Manager Mornson responded that
once all the department reports are given staff will be back to Council for more
discussion. It was anticipated that discussions will be held again in March or April. He
agreed that future discussions are needed on projects especially the Shady Oak Station
parking lot. Council Member Hunke talked about the importance of pedestrian
connections in Hopkins. Mr. Mornson will survey the City Council on top issues to
discuss going forward. He provided information on upcoming bonding request.
OTHER
Council Member Beck asked staff to develop a plan to allow public to attend meetings
again. City Manager Mornson commented that the public is allowed the opportunity to
virtually provide comments. He added that staff will consider some options for allowing
public to attend meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further information to come before the City Council and upon a motion
by Brausen, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Jason Gadd, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk