01-11-2022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 11, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, January 1, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010
1St Street South.
Mayor Hanlon called the meeting to order with Council Members Balan, Beck, Garrido
and Hunke attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, City Clerk
Domeier, Assistant City Manager Lenz, City Attorney Riggs, Management Analyst Imihy
Bean and Finance Director Bishop.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
11.1. Consideration of Potential Protective Measures related to COVID-19; Lenz
Assistant City Manager Lenz provided potential protective measures outlined in Council
Report 2022-007. City Council requested to review options related to COVID-19,
specifically facial masking requirements. Mayor Hanlon invited Dr. Michael Oakes,
Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota to provide the current state of
COVID-19.
Council Member Beck questioned the impact on children in comparison to the MDH data.
Mr. Oakes stated COVID-19 has typically affected the older population and the immune
compromised but children test positive with fewer symptoms. He added that bad
outcomes are rare in children. Mr. Beck also questioned the data related to vaccines and
if a mask will control the current death rates. Mr. Oakes stated that the vaccines work by
keeping people from being very sick. Adding a mask will mitigate the number of cases
but he could not project the impact. Mr. Beck questioned how the proposed mask
mandate could be measured in Hopkins. Mr. Oakes was not sure of the impact but to
watch the hospital and clinic numbers. Discussion ensued regarding compliance and the
use of masks.
Council Member Balan questioned the current hospital system and capacity to manage if
the cases keep increasing. Mr. Oakes stated the hospital and clinic systems workers are
tapped, low on labor and overwhelmed. Brief discussion was held about the use of masks
since 2020. Mr. Balan questioned when to end a mask mandate. Mr. Oakes suggested
ending the mask mandate if imposed when the Omicron variant surge ends. Discussion
ensued vaccination for adults and children. Mr. Beck also questioned the CDC guidelines
for quarantine. Mr. Oakes agreed with the CDC's recommendation for a 5-day
quarantine.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 11, 2022
Council Member Garrido questioned the transmission rate with the masking. Mr. Oakes
stated that most everyone will get COVID-19 but masking will help reduce the stress on
hospital and clinical staff.
Council Member Hunke questioned data related to schools requiring a mask having less
cases. Mr. Oakes stated that the mask mandate in schools tends to slow the transmission.
Mayor Hanlon talked about the effective date of the vaccination and how long it remains
effective. Mr. Oakes replied that some people will respond quickly to the vaccine with
others slowly responding.
Cat Downs, Exulted Ruler with the Hopkins Elks Lodge (50 8th Avenue South) stated their
board opposes a mask mandate. She added that the Hopkins American Legion Post 320
also opposes a mask mandate.
Jeff Gullickson, 17 10th Avenue South, chiropractor, opposed the mask mandate.
James Warden, 620 10th Avenue South, supported a mask mandate.
Amy Saldana, owner of Kiddywampus (405 12th Avenue North) supported a mask
mandate.
William Anderson, 102 Wayside Road West opposed a mask mandate.
Mayor Hanlon stated he reached out to local businesses commenting that some support
and oppose the mask mandate. Staff and Council received 15-30 emails in favor of a
mask mandate.
Council Member Garrdio supported an ordinance requiring face coverings for a short
amount of time.
Council Member Hunke supported Option 1.
Council Member Balan debated the different options noting Option 2 was not realistic. He
was concerned about the enforcement of a mask mandate.
Council Member Beck did not support any Options.
Mayor Hanlon supported Option 1.
Council Member Balan wanted to strike out the option for police enforcement in Option 1.
Lenz enforcement section stated City Attorney stated to leave it in for enforcement
reasons. Regardless it is trespassing and would be enforced by the police department.
Council Member Balan asked for a 10-minute recess.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 11, 2022
Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke.
Motion for a 10-miniute recess.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Assistant City Manager Lenz question if any amendments were proposed with the
Ordinances.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to consider emergency 2022-1178 which is Option 1.
Ayes: Balan, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: Beck. Motion carried.
Mayor Hanlon questioned if there were any revisions proposed to Ordinance 2022-1178
for Option 1.
Council Member Hunke shared concerns about the end date. Lenz commented on the
effective date. Balan 4 days to start and ending in 30-days. Friday, January 14 12:01
a.m. to start and end on February 13.
Motion by Garrido. Second by Hunke.
Motion to consider emergency 2022-1178 which is Option 1 as amended.
Ayes: Balan, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: Beck. Motion carried.
Lenz communication to businesses, social media, next door, social media, press release,
and post to our website.
Discussion ensued regrading virtual meetings going forward. Balan, be consistent in our
messaging. Heidi agreed. Beck support virtual meetings. Hunke agreed. Hanlon. Virtual
Meetings during the mask mandate.
11.2. American Rescue Plan Act Overview; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA),
the City's allocation and proposed timeline for adopting a Spending Plan.
Discussion was held about the use of funds for water and sewer infrastructure projects,
vaccination of City employees, administrative capacity, ongoing funding for new
projects, Hopkins Center for the Arts debt, impacts on tax burden and the next steps for
moving forward with the plan.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 11, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hanlon provided the upcoming meeting schedule. City Manager Mornson stated
that the State of the City event is postponed. He also shared information on a recent
water main break in south Hopkins.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Balan, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST: II ^
, ,(Aii,a44,4,
rian Hunke, Mayor Pro Tempore
i 0 ,Q/,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk