12-06-2021 City Council Special Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 6, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1st Street South.
Mayor Pro Tempore Halverson called the meeting to order with Council Members Beck,
Brausen and Hunke attending. Mayor Gadd was absent. Others attending included City
Manager Mornson, City Clerk Domeier, Assistant City Manager Lenz and Finance
Director Bishop.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Hunke. Second by Brausen.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke, Gadd
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
111.1. 2022 Budget Meeting, 2022 Tax Levy and General and Special Revenue Fund
Budgets; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of Council Report 2021-121. The budget in
its current form recommends spending in the general fund at $16,173,620 and a total tax
levy of $18,140,100. The recommended levy has been reduced by $269,608 from the
preliminary levy. In addition, a proposed HRA levy of $391,302 is also being
recommended.
Mayor Pro Tempore Halverson opened the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m.
Vick Harveth, 5901 Laurel Avenue, Unit #129, Golden Valley, manager of condo units in
Hopkins, spoke of the affordable housing units, rising taxes and impact to renters.
Bryan Bjornson, 11th Avenue South, encouraged the City Council to find ways to reduce
the debt and limit future debt increases.
Lee Browning, 130 20th Avenue South, spoke of the property increases to her property
over the past ten years. She questioned what the City was going to do to increase the tax
base. Council Member Brausen provided history on the Mainstreet vacancies,
infrastructure improvements and programs available to help residents. Council Member
Hunke spoke to the increase in the valuation of homes.
Ben Goodlund, 306 9th Avenue North, questioned use of upcoming Covid relief funds for
tax relief, ways to generate tax growth and requirements for retail projects, and the inflated
property values.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Beck.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 6, 2021
Motion to close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke
Nays: 0. Absent: Gadd. Motion carried.
Council Member Hunke explained the use of TIF at the 325 Blake Road project. Council
Member Beck also commented that the retail market is not doing well and developers are
not investing in vacant retail spaces. He also spoke to the restrictions for using the
American Rescue Act funds. Mr. Bishop reiterated the rules moving forward. Brief
discussion was held on the property values.
Motion by Brausen. Second by Beck.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2021-084 approving the 2022 tax levy and adopting
the 2022 General and Special Revenue Fund budgets.
Ayes: Beck, Brausen, Halverson, Hunke
Nays: 0. Absent: Gadd. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Halverson 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 Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
son add, Mayor
6{Mwt.1(zeil
Amy Domeier, City Clerk