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Agenda HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL FINAL AGENDA . November 16, 2004 7:30 pm THIS FINAL AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Schedule: 6:30 - Tour new jail facility 7:30 - City Council Meeting Work Session at conclusion of City Council meeting , . CALL TO ORDER !!. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS (Public must fill out a Speaker Request Form. Three minute limit for each person) III. REPORTS 1. Human Rights Commission 2. Chemical Health Commission IV. CONSENT AGENDA . - 1. Minutes of November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting 2. Minutes of November 9,2004 City Council Work Session 3. Second reading of Ordinance Amendment, changeable signs; (Memo) - Anderson Vote: Brausen Thompson _ Rowan _ Johnson _ Maxwell_ V. PRESENTATION 1. 1000 Friends of Minnesota 2004 Smart Growth Award; Kerrigan 2. 2005 Budget; Harkess VI. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Approve currency exchange license, Pawn America; (CR2004-183) - Obermaier Vote: Brausen _ Thompson Rowan - Johnson - Maxwell - . QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL THE RAZZLE LINE - 939-1421 (The Razzle Line is the City of Hopkins voice message system) VII. NEW BUSINESS . 1. Approve Engineering Services Agreement, Wellhead Protection Plan; (CR2004- 185) - Stadler Vote: Brausen Thompson _ Rowan _ Johnson Maxwell 2. Approve 2004/2005 Dispatcher's Contract; (CR2004-184) - Genellie Vote: Brausen Thompson Rowan Johnson - Maxwell VIII. ADJOURNMENT . . -- -- A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on November 2, 2004, in . the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Thompson, Johnson, and Rowan. Also, present were staff members Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan, Anderson, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS III. REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Zoning and Planning Commission Mary Hatcher, Vice Chair of the Commission, reported that the Commission discussed electronically changeable price signs on posts for businesses in Hopkins. The members of the Commission approved of the change. The Commission also discussed the concept review for the Peoples Credit Union . and requested comments from the Council members. Mayor Maxwell said there would be a joint meeting of the City Council and the Zoning and Planning Commission on at 5:30 pm on November 30. IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1 . Minutes of October 19, 2004 City Council Meeting 2. Minutes of October 26, 2004 City Council Work Session 3. Ratify Prior Month's Disbursements 4. Approve 3.2 Off-Sale Beer License for R&M Corp, dba Blake Grocery (CR2004-182) 5. Award Bid for 2005 Hop-A-Ride Service {CR2004-178} 6. Second Reading, Ord 2004-935 Extending the Moratorium on New Licenses for Transient Merchants (Memo) 7. Resolution in Support of Environmental Financial Grant Application (CR2004-179) Council member Johnson requested that the minutes of the Council Work Session of October 26 be corrected to read "Ms." Anderson of Minnetonka, rather than "Mr." Anderson. . November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 Eric Hansen of Pinnacle Engineering appeared to ask the Council to support the Environmental Financial Grant Application to Hennepin County by the Hopkins . School District. This grant would fund a feasibility study regarding building a school bus depot on a former landfill. This would not require any funding from the City; it would be funded entirely by the grant. Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. HCA Agreement (CR2004-1 75) At the April 27, 2004 Worksession, the HCA presented a revenue sharing proposal to the Council. The Council was in favor of the proposal and directed staff to work with HCA, Inc. to develop an agreement that would meet the objectives presented in the HCA proposal. The original Cooperative Agreement between HCA and the City of Hopkins was rewritten to include the objectives. The City Attorney drafted the agreement. The agreement has been approved by HCA, Inc. The agreement . will improve the revenue potential of the Arts Center by increasing the usage fees, sharing 10% of specific memberships and identifies a minimum of $ 5,000 net income to the Arts Center from fundraising. Jay Strachota reviewed the agreement. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to approve the Hopkins Center for the Arts Inc. Agreement and direct staff to execute the agreement with the Hopkins Center for the Arts, Inc. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Concept Review, Peoples Credit Union (CR2004-177) Peoples Credit Union is proposing to construct a new credit union on the vacant lot on the north side of 5th St, the former parking lot area for the former Hopkins House. The lot is currently zoned R-4, Medium High Density Multiple Family and will need a rezoning to B-3 for this development. Peoples Credit Union is presently on the north side of the building that is occupied by Caribou Coffee. The Comprehensive Plan will also have to be amended from High Density Residential to . November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Commercial. The Zoning and Planning Commission reviewed the concept and were . favorable to it. Nancy Anderson reviewed the plans. She stated that a neighborhood meeting was held, but no one came to the meeting. Rosemarie Kuretich, President of the Peoples Credit Union, appeared and stated they are growing and planning for the future. Jack Boarman, the architect for the project, reviewed the site plan with the Council. There was discussion among the Council members as to whether it would be more beneficial to the City if the property remained zoned for residential or rezoned for commercial. No action was taken. 3. Ordinance Amendment, Changeable Signs (CR2004-176) Holiday Station has applied for a zoning amendment to allow electronic price signs. Automatic changing signs are allowed in the B-3 and industrial districts as a wall sign. Time and temperature signs can be a pylon or a monument sign. Currently, gas stations have price signs that are manually changed. Holiday would like to . have their price signs be changed electronically rather than manually. The signs would not blink or scroll. The amendment would apply to all uses in the B-3 that could advertise a price. The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended approval. Nancy Anderson reviewed the sign plan. Keith Yokom, of Holiday Stations, appeared before the Council. He showed pictures of the signs being proposed that are currently in use. The proposed signs are smaller than the existing signs. Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Thompson seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2004-83, approving Ordinance 2004-936, amending the zoning ordinance to allow electronic price signs. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Approve Increase in Water Utility and Refuse Rate Increases (CR2004- 181 ) . The present water rate of $1.20 per 1000 gallons used, has been in effect since 2000. Operating costs have increased from $713,000 to an estimated $725,100 November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 while revenues have decreased from $1,174,900 to an estimated $900,000. In the next five years, the water fund will incur capital costs of approximately . $770,000. The increase in the water revenue will be used to pay for operations, interest on revenue bonds and maintain a minimum working capital balance. The present refuse rates have been in effect since 1995. Currently, the rates do not fully fund the operation of the refuse fund that includes bulk collection, yard waste and leaf collection, brush collection, recycling and disposal collections. Operating costs have increased from $538,800 to $576,600. The fund has operated at a loss in four of the last eight years. Even with the proposed rate increase, a budget deficit is expected for 2005. Mayor Maxwell suggested that when the notice of the rate increase is sent to residents, information be included about the various sizes of refuse containers available. He also suggested that the information include how long it has been since the last increase. Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2004-85 that increases the water utility and refuse rates effective on billings rendered from and after January 1, 2005. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. . 5. Approve Increase in Parking Permit Fees (CR2004-180) Current ramp and municipal lot parking permit rates are $2 per day, $15 per month, $40 per quarter, and $140 per year. Staff is proposing an increase to $3 per day, $17 per month, $43 per quarter, and $150 per year. Expenses have increased from $114,600 in 1997 to $148,000 in 2004 while revenues have increased from $49,000 in 1997 to $100,000 in 2004. The revenues have not kept up with the increasing costs of enforcement and maintenance. The source for the maintenance of the parking facilities is permit fees, court fines, and interest. More resources will be needed to adequately maintain these facilities. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2004-86, increasing the parking permit fees as follows - daily fee from $2 to $ 3; monthly fee from $15 to $17; quarterly fee from $40 to $43; and the annua~ fee from $140 to $150 effective January 1, 2005. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. . November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 VIII. ADJOURNMENT . There being no further business, Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Thompson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9: 18 p.m. . . November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 Respectfully Submitted, . Sish Johnson, Administrative Assistant COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor . . November 2, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 . November 9,2004 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - November 9, 2004 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:35 p.m. on November 9,2004, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Johnson, Rowan and Thompson were present. City personnel present were: Acting City Manager Jim Gcnellie; Public Works Director Steve Stadler; Chief Craig Reid, Katherine Magda1 and Tony Hanlin of the Police Dept.; and Finance Director Christine Harkess. Also present were Robin Cooley and Carolyn Muchow of Friends of the Library and Jim Brimeyer. Friends of the Library Friends President Cooley said the Friends of the Library raise funds mostly through book sales, and use it mostly for funding children's programming. They arc now trying to raise money to complete two windows in the children's area at a cost of$10,000. Ms. Muchow showed a drawing of Michael Pilla's designs. The windows now in place were paid for by the 1 % of public project money designated for art when the library was updated, These windows would basically complete the art windows, The Friends have raised a couple thousand so far towards the new windows. They would . like to purchase them within a year. Over 300 people go through the library each day, Mr. Brausen wondered if park dedication money could be used, Mayor Maxwell said he did not think so. Mr. Genellie said he will check on the language. Mr. Thompson suggested that if present language forbids it, it might be good to change the language to cover art work in the city. Mr. Brausen said that covering future requests for helping buildings that "benefit the community" could possibly be extended to cover such things as carpeting for the Art Center. Mayor Maxwell suggested a matching funds funding - Hopkins will provide $5,000 ifthe Friends can raise the other $5,000. General Consensus was to go with the matching funds, but no source was designated for the city, Mayor Maxwell asked that an official letter be sent by the Friends ofthe Library to the Counci L Mr. Gencllie suggested requests for donations could be put in the city newsletter and city web site, 2005 Budget Ms. Harkess went through the printouts for the proposed 2005 general fund income and expenditures. Total income is estimated at $8,999,822, with $7,351,136 from property taxes. It was noted the franchise fees '.sunset" at the end of 2005 and bring in $290,000. Mayor Maxwell asked about fire department inspections income, Ms. Harkess will check on that. Ms. Harkess noted one major change is that Informational Services will now all be under the Administrative Services budget, rather than split between Administration and Police, This will allow better tracking of IS costs. $5000 is estimated for conversion of space for IS, Increases for the municipal building (including police department), fire department and public works were estimated for utility and heating costs because ofthe new construction. Mr. Stadler noted the new person would be to cover the maintenance in all the new areas; the $45,000 includes benefit costs. He added Bob . In'gang will not be on staff too much longer and feels someone needs to get trained in, Currently regular maintenance items are taken care of "catch as catch can" and this cannot continue indefinitely. Under City Clerk $6500 is listed for digitalizing records. However, Mr. Genellie noted, at present that work is being done free to the city through the work program required for welfare -- - - No\'ember 9, 2004 . Page 2 through the county. Chief Reid said he felt the $50,c)On for squad car cameras could save the city very large sums ill case of lawsuits due to police actions, The City Attomey is very much in favor of them, The system automatically records squad car speed, siren, flashing lights, application ofhrakes as well as what is said and done, When officers go into a house for a domestic, their microphones still feed into the system. All the records arc court admissible. Units would be put in all the marked squad cars. He has become cOllvinced the digital systems arc bettcr and would require less maintenance after the 3- year warr<lnty period, The units would be able to be moved to new cars as needed, He docs not Imow ifthe purchase of such units \vould affect the city's liability insurance prem iums or 100ver legal costs for the city, Several years ago grants 'J.iere available but he knows of none now. He did point out they do become public records, Mr. Gencllie noted that i fthe Council decided to lIse reserve funds for some budget items, a one-lime expenditure like this would be one place to do it. Mr. Hanlin said the HEAT van would be a new but bare cube van gotten at the state contract price of $20,000. The department configures the interior; if a configured one was purchased it would be double the price, S40,onO. Mr. Stadler noted the Door scrubber and floor sweeper in the fire department budget would also be used by public works. The asphalt tack emulsion applicator would save man-hours, The $10,000 for part time help under parks is for the Excelsior Blvd. and downtown area. Mayor Max\\lcll said he thought one full-time had been added for that earlier; Mr. Stadler said that position . was cut during the budget cuts process, Mr. Thompson asked details be provided for the fire prevention and zoning activities numbers, Ivla}'Or Max\\lcll asked IV1r. Stadler to provide more detail on what the new full-time emp lL)yee would do. Mr. Thompson asked about the assessing salaries as that is now contracted out; Ms. HarLess will check how thQt \vas figured, Mr, Gencllie noted the figure is $75,OOU less than tbe year before. Mr. Thompson said fire prevention \vas a bigjump; Mr. Gencllie will get the reasons for that Ms, Harkess said the reason the levy set did not result in a 0 increase is because the market value homestead credit is figured after the levies are set, and then affects the actual levy amounts. As the levy is lowered, so is the credit. Mr. Gcnellie noted the County cannot calculate the MVHC until all the levies are ill. Ms, Harkess noted the net result is only a $12~ 14 increase for the average homeowner. General discussion on the amount needed for the contingency fund followed. General Consensus was to set it at $150,OUO, Ms. Harkess noted that this decrease from the suggested S;~09,640 would mean a smaller increase for the average homeowner. She said that the city basically needs to keep $4.2 million in liquid assets to can)' the city the six months between prope11y tax receipts, At the presentation next Tuesday she will present general figmes. She showed the Council a diagram showing hmv property tax dollars are divided and what Hopkins provides with their share. All agreed this would be a good thing to include. Chie[Reid said current parking hours downto\vn are 6 am to 8 pm, Council had previously . indicated they wanted enforcement Sam to 8pm Monday-Friday. That alone takes 25 hours for each part-time employee. In reality they actually start at 7 am, getting equipment ready, cte. One reason complaints are down is that sergeants and he field 4-5 complaints each week. Besides enforcement, --- --..-- . November 9, 2004 Page 3 the employees enter $3,700 worth of parking tickets a month into the system; of this Hopkins gets $2,300 back from the County. They are trying to keep visible enforcement in the Cornerstone area, Council did not reach consensus on adding the requested extra hours. Mr. Brausen and Mr. Rowan felt they should be added; Ms. Johnson and Mr. Thompson did not. Chief Reid said some businesses have asked for overnight parking for their cube vans. This may need discussion later. Ms. Harkess said she hopes to have the budget basically done by November 30 and will have a list of issues to be decided then. Liquor Ordinance Ms. Magdal said there are really two options: to put mandatory ill checking (1) into the Best Practices Program or (2) into ordinance form, Chemical Health prefers the former. Chief Reid noted that would be consistent with sLlITounding communities. Answering questions, he said the requirement that 75% of staff be trained does not require a trained person on duty at all times; 4 staff members are qualified to do training; the ill card semmer is worth more points simply to show he feels it is very imp01iant; they would like to have the program in play the first ofthe year. The new program would take the city manager out of the loop. There are set penalties, with the chief having no leeway. Businesses would like it because it would settle issues much quicker. General Consensus was to go with Option I, the Best Practices option. . Vacating Unimproved Right of Ways Mr. Stadler went through the ROWs that he has had requests on and that staff feels could be vacated. General discussion followed. Mr. Stadler said the city would not need to survey the property before turning it over, just provide a description to the county auditor. Mr. Thompson said he thinks it is handled much like a combination of lots under one property ID. Mr. Stadler added the city attorney has said property owners cannot refuse to take vacated right of ways. Ms. Johnson noted that some property owners might well feel the city needs to clean up any ROWs before they are handed over. She feels all of the ROWs should be handled at one time rather than by neighborhoods. Mayor Maxwell feared doing only some ROWs could lead to lawsuits. Mr. Stadler will send a letter to property owners that would be affected saying the city is thinking they might vacate some ROW's and see what the initial response is. 'Then the Council could make a decision if they want to go ahead at all or not Mr. Rowan noted he would sit out on all discussions as they affect his property. Ms. Jolmson and Mr. Thompson agreed the idea seems sound if they are all handled at one time. Mayor Maxwell said he wants to look at the issues more. . ----- - -- -- -.- - -, Novcmhcr 9, 2004 . Page 4 City Manager Position I'dI'. Brimeyer s~nt out 220 profiles. received 30-35 responses, and has narrO\veu it to 12 to interview, with a few on hold, Most prospects are from Mitmesota, although one is from Vermont. Two said they have been waiting 1'01' an opening in Hopkins. He will present a summary on Novcmber 23, The Council will nanow ll1e choices and then he \vill have backl:,'TounJ checks done. He handed out sunmwry sheets, saying the interview process will be discussed on the 23rJ. Basically there arc 4 components to it: orientation to the community (including meeting department heads, real estate peap le, elc.); an in fotl1wl get -together; one-an-one interviews; then Council intervie\ving as a group, Employce interviews could be incorporated in either the first or third steps, Other Mr. Thompson askE'd about the meeting with Zoning & Planning. Mayor Maxwell asked Council to get back to him on what they want to discuss, Ms. J o 1111 son said this would be a good time 10 explain why Council decided something ditTerent tt"om their recommendations, such as Goodwill. Mr. Thompson wants history all the Goodrich ROW, why it is 80 feet, which is much wider than usual. Ms, Johnson noted Caring Youth \vill be on March 8, 2005 in Minneton,ka. Mayor Maxwell said Steve Simon had called him. Mr. Genellie said he would be having lunch with him Wednesday; Mr. Ro\van said he would also do that. Mayor Maxwell said he felt it would be good to have him and Mr. Kelly attend a Council meeting in January. . Mayor Maxwell suggested there be a] im Rhodes Day in December. General Consensus was in byor of this, Mayor Maxwell \\'ill call him for possible dates, Mr. Genellie said the school district has a proposal about the Depot. They would take over all persotlne I and ordering of supp lies, A bi l1ing process \vould need to be worked out. The Board would stay responsible for the Teen Center. The City would be responsible for the building and grounds and the Teen Coordinator. He will get more details, Mr. Genellie said the owner of the house that burned down in lnterlachen wants to build on the old foundation. However it does !lot meet current setbacks. It \vill go to Z&P for a variance November 30 anu come before Council Dec. 7. Ms. Johnson noted the dates in the letter from the Fire Dcpt. on the fitness center do not work for her, Mr. Genellie will talk to them. Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. 1\1s, Johnson seconded, On a 5-0 vote, the meeting adjourned at 1 0: 15 p.l11. . -,- -- - - -- . November 9, 2004 Page 5 Kasey Kester, Secretary COUNCIL MEMBERS: - - A TIEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor . . - -, - - -- --