06-08-2021 Work Session Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 8, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, June 8, 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 Planning and Development Elverum, Management Analyst
Imihy, City Clerk Domeier, Community Development Coordinator Youngquist, City
Planner Lindahl and Director of Public Works Stadler.
Sustainability Update; Imihy
Management Analyst Imihy presented current and past sustainability initiatives and
accomplishments across departments by summarizing the staff memo provided in the
meeting packet. Discussion and feedback was provided to staff during the presentation.
Public Works Director Stadler provided more information about the costs of installing and
purchasing electric vehicle charging stations. City Council discussion the benefit of
having more charging stations in the future and possible grant options for purchasing
charging stations. City Planner Lindahl talked about the charging station requirements
being added to the zoning code.
Director of Planning and Development Elverum provided more information about
MinnPACE. Discussion was held about the financing of the program that is currently for
commercial properties but may be extended to residential properties.
The City Council supported all of the sustainability options presented and their main
priorities were renewable energy, energy efficiency, and land use and development.
Council Member Beck requested that transportation be discussed in the future to include
electronic scooters and bikes. Council Member Brausen highlighted the importance of
ground cover with land use and development. Mayor Gadd requested that environmental
justice be considered when evaluating decisions through the race equity lens. Council
Member Hunke talked about how land use and development work will lead to all
sustainability options being included in projects. Council Member Halverson supported
more discussions about fleet and maintenance as vehicles and equipment will be
changing.
The City Council requested that community education and programming be considered
with sustainability efforts. Discussion was held about the funding of the sustainability
initiatives. The City Council supported finding the balance between new initiatives, ROI,
private investments with redevelopment and development, benefits to the community and
options for the Park Board going forward.
Ms. Imihy stated the next steps going forward include the Zoning Code update, creating
a sustainability work plan, and budgeting for sustainability work.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 8, 2021
Ms. Elverum and Mr. Lindahl provided information about opportunities for sustainability
regulations in the zoning code update. Council Member Hunke supported attaining steps
four and five in the GreenSteps program. He also wanted more information on the
Partners in Energy program with Xcel Energy. Assistant City Manager Lenz stated that
staff will being researching different programs and initiatives available. Staff will
determine staff and financial capacity to use in developing a sustainability work plan.
Mr. Hunke requested that more communication about sustainability in Hopkins be added
to the website. He also questioned why the City is no longer part of the Tree City USA
program. City Manager Mornson talked about the amount of staff time that was needed
to complete the GreenSteps program. The City is now positioned with staff to continue
the initiative. He asked Council Members to send their ideas and potential initiatives to
staff going forward.
Development Update; Elverum
Director of Planning and Development Elverum provided an update on current and
pending developments. City Planner Lindahl also included a zoning code update.
OTHER
Mayor Gadd provided the upcoming meeting schedule including the City Council special
meeting on June 17 at 5:30 p.m. for the 325 Blake Road project. City Manager Mornson
provided more information about upcoming agenda items.
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 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
ason Gadd, Mayor
v A-X91/1/tP/VA
Amy Domeier, City Clerk