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IV.2. Minutes of the March 8, 2022 City Council Work Session ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 8, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, March 8, 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 Beck, Balan, Garrido and Hunke attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, City Clerk Domeier, Public Works Director Stanley, Director of Planning and Development Elverum, Assistant City Manager Lenz, Community Development Coordinator Youngquist, Police Chief Johnson, Finance Director Bishop, Accountant Lindbery and City Attorney Riggs. ADOPT AGENDA Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke. Motion to Adopt the Agenda. Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hunke, Hanlon Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried. Redistricting Plan Update; Domeier City Clerk Domeier presented the proposed redistricting plan and summarized the recommended precinct boundary changes. Council Member Hunke questioned polling place options for Precinct 2. Assistant City Manager Lenz shared potential opportunities that did not come to fruition but there may be opportunities for future locations. Council Member Beck requested future work session discussion around elections to include: changing to even year elections, term limits and creation of wards. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Plan; Bishop Finance Director Bishop presented the preliminary version of the ARPA Spending Plan. Public Safety Mayor Hanlon shared meeting information about the mental health and community safety initiatives. Council Member Balan will also participate in the meetings. Council Member Beck favored the new police officer position but had concerns about the future levy impacts. He supported adding an emergency action plan for unforeseen events. City Manager Mornson stated that Fire Chief Specken is the Emergency Management Officer and that a future discussion will be held Mr. Bishop will bring TIF funding information to the April 5 meeting. The Council supported the Public Safety initiatives. Economic Development Council Member Balan asked for clarification on the Planner 1 position. Director of Planning and Development Elverum provided more information about the position. Council Member Beck asked if the position could be filled by a consultant due to future budgeting concerns. Council Members Garrido and Hunke supported the additional staff. Mayor Hanlon supported additional staff but wanted the ability to not continue the position due to funding. The Council supported the Economic Development initiatives. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 8, 2022 Revenue Loss Mayor Hanlon questioned if the Metropolitan Council is part of the Depot revenue losses. Mr. Bishop replied it has been over two years since discussions were last held. Mayor Hanlon asked for clarification on the Art Center deficit. Ms. Lenz provided information on changes to the Arts Center programing, budgeting and work to cut the deficit. Council Member Beck wanted up to $100,000 more allocated to the Arts Center revenue loss. Miscellaneous Council Member Balan suggested waiting to pursue Youth Work Force Development Program and DEI initiatives and holding the funds for the unknown. Council Member Beck wanted more information on the DEI initiatives, plans and implementation along with measureable results. He was not as interest in pursuing the youth development program. He was also supportive of retaining the $200,000. Ms. Lenz provided more information about the youth development program. Council Members Garrido and Hunke supported both initiatives also supported having some unallocated funds. He supported providing funds to the Hopkins Historical Society building. Mayor Hanlon shared his experience working with youth development programs and the opportunities they provide for building diversity. He requested more details for the DEI program and shared support for funding the Hopkins Historical Society. Council Member Beck cautioned the amount of funds required to get the Hopkins Historical Society project moving but was also concerned about the building condition. Hopkins Park Plaza Concept Discussion; Elverum Director of Planning and Development Elverum and representatives from Hopkins Park Plaza, LLC presented the proposed redevelopment on Mainstreet between 5th and 6th Avenues as provided in the meeting packet. Council was asked to consider if they are willing to sell HRA property and allow for the use of TIF financing. City Manager Mornson provided historical context, clarified the TIF ask and wanted a comparison to the Gallery Flats property. Council Member Balan wanted to see more than 17 affordable units. He requested the market rate of the property to use as a sales price. Council Member Garrido also supported more affordable units but was concerned about relocating the existing tenants. Council Member Hunke concurred with the other comments and supported keeping the 4 -story building height and tying the two buildings together architecturally, underground parking, taking care of displaced residents and selling the HRA lots. The Council wanted to enhance the corner of 5th Avenue and Mainstreet as a gateway to the Downtown. Council Member Beck spoke to the current turnover of the current tenants. He wasn’t as supportive of using TIF for this project and noted that the affordable housing is low for asking for TIF assistance and free property. Mayor Hanlon also wanted to see the TIF financing information before making a decision. Trilogy Real Estate Group, Blake Road Station Update; Elverum Director of Planning and Development Elverum and Josh Peters from Trilogy Real Estate Group presented plans for the second phase of the Blake Road Station development (Site B) and its environmental cleanup needs. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS MARCH 8, 2022 Discussion was held about the environmental cleaning up and potential TIF funding requests. City Council shared their desire to work with existing businesses and tenants. Mr. Peters shared information about the recent neighborhood meeting. More discussion was held about the new notification procedures. Council Member Hunke requested an update on the business relocation assistance. Finance Director Bishop stated that only one business reached out about the program but no grants have been issued. Trilogy will consider an affordable housing option for Building C. OTHER City Manager Mornson provided an update on the Hopkins Academy. Council Member Balan shared an event JCI Hopkins is hosting April 3 through April 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Hunke, second by Balan meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Domeier, City Clerk ATTEST: _____________________________ Patrick Hanlon, Mayor _____________________________ Amy Domeier, City Clerk