IV.1. Minutes of the August 17, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 17, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 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 Beck, Brausen and
Halverson attending. Council Member Hunke was absent. Others attending included City
Manager Mornson, Assistant City Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, Director of Planning
and Development Elverum, City Attorney Riggs, Community Development Coordinator
Youngquist, Fire Chief Specken, Finance Director Bishop and City Planner Lindahl.
Mayor Gadd announced that the HRA Special Meeting would be held immediately
following the adjournment of the City Council meeting.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Brausen. Second by Beck.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Brausen. Second by Halverson.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda as amended.
1. Minutes of the August 2, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Minutes of the August 10, 2021 City Council Work Session Proceedings
3. Second Reading of Ordinance 2021-1169; Lenz
4. Second Reading of Ordinance 2021-1172 rezoning properties in the
northwest quadrant of Excelsior Boulevard and Blake Road to Mixed Use with
a Planned Unit Development (PUD); Lindahl
5. Sub-Grant Agreement between the City of Hopkins and TF Hopkins LLC for a
DEED Contamination and Cleanup Grant for Blake Road Station Site A;
Youngquist
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
V.1. Establish Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-6; Elverum
Director of Planning and Economic Development Elverum introduced Council Report
2021-077 and Stacie Kvilvang with Ehlers provided a summary of the report. The City
and HRA are considering the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District 1 -6 (325
Blake), a redevelopment district (District) to facilitate construction of approximately 600
apartments, 125 senior cooperative units, 50 town homes and 23,500 sq/ft of commercial
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 17, 2021
space and finance infrastructure/public Improvements. In addition, the City and HRA
anticipate utilizing up to 35 percent of the tax increment (including any administrative
costs) for affordable housing objectives. They may decide to utilize a portion of the tax
increment and return a portion to the County on an annual basis or they may take all of
the tax increment in one year to assist eligible projects. The District will encompass 1
parcel located at 325 Blake Road.
Mayor Gadd clarified that the TIF is not obligating the City to any financial assistance
amount. Ms. Kvilvang confirmed and Ms. Elverum provided more information about the
financial assistance. Brief discussion was held on the TIF budget.
Mayor Gadd opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m. No comments were received.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Beck.
Motion to close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried. Public Hearing closed at 7:11 p.m.
Further discussion was held about the project and the selected developer.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Halverson.
Motion to approve Resolution 2021-045 Adopting a Modification to the
Development Program for Redevelopment Project No. 1 and Establishing Tax
Increment Financing District No. 1-6 (325 Blake) and Adopting a Tax Increment
Financing Plan.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Beck.
Motion to approve Resolution 2021-046 Authorizing an Interfund Loan for
Advance of Certain Costs in Connection with Tax Increment Financing District No.
1-6 (325 Blake).
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Approve Purchase of Fire Engine; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of Council Report 2021 -078. Approval of
the ERP amendment will allow staff to order a new fire engine and lock-in the price and
delivery. He also provided financing options.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 17, 2021
Council Member Halverson stated that ordering the fire engine now locks the City into
financial savings. Mr. Bishop concurred. Fire Chief Specken provided more information
about the fire engine purchase including the projected use and cost savings. Council
Member Beck questioned the amount of calls where the truck would be used. Mr.
Specken anticipated over 1,200 calls in a year.
Council Member Brausen addressed a letter received about delaying the purchase. He
cautioned the delay of the truck due to the department needs. The letter also included
the thought of merging the department with a neighboring community. Mr. Brausen was
against a department merge. Mayor Gadd agreed with Mr. Brausen’s comments.
Motion by Beck. Second by Halverson.
Motion to the purchase of a fire engine at an estimated cost of $771,000 and
amend the 2021-2025 Equipment Replacement Plan to include the purchase.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Hunke. Motion carried.
VII.2. Second Quarter Financial Report; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop presented the second quarter financial report. The City Council
thanked staff for the budget engagement work.
VII.3. Hopkins Business Retention Program; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop presented an outline of possible program guidelines and criteria
for the proposed program.
The key elements included:
Provide reimbursement of up to $1,500 on capital costs
The pilot program is open September 21 to December 31
The total funding budget is $12,000 (up to 8 businesses)
Recipients must be part of a redevelopment project
Designed for businesses located near SWLRT
Recipients must have been in operation for 1 year
Eligible improvements included are broad
Recipients have to submit eligible expenses for reimbursements
City forgives the loan for one year
Mayor Gadd thanked staff for developing a pilot program. He confirmed that businesses
can only receive the reimbursement one time. He also questioned if the program could
be expanded to include other areas of Hopkins.
Council Member Brausen suggested raising the $1,500 amount but supported the other
elements. City Manager Mornson offered to raise the amount to $3,000. Council Member
Beck supported the proposed increase . He also proposed including businesses that do
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 17, 2021
business to business transactions. Council Member Brausen, Mayor Gadd and Council
Member Halverson also supported the $3,000 reimbursement option. Director of
Planning and Development Director Elverum stated th e $3,000 option is feasible with
current funding options. She added that staff is providing resources to the businesses to
help them relocated in Hopkins.
Council Member Beck preferred that the program was offered citywide; however, he was
OK starting with the current pilot program distance requirements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Gadd provided the upcoming meeting schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Brausen, second by Beck, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Jason Gadd, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk