IV.2. Minutes of the September 13, 2022 City Council Work Session ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special work session of the Hopkins City Council
was held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at Dow Towers, 22 5th Avenue
South, Hopkins and continued 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, Assistant City
Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, Director of Planning and Development Elverum,
Finance Director Bishop, Community Development Coordinator Youngquist, and HRA
Housing Officer Mohamed.
Dow Towers Tour; Elverum
HRA Housing Officer Mohamed provided the City Council a tour of Dow Towers.
Affordable Housing Discussion; Elverum
Housing Manager Mohamed presented on subsidized housing programs. Community
Development Coordinator Youngquist and Stacie Kvilvang with Ehlers provided an
overview of affordable housing in Hopkins that included: existing affordable hous ing;
affordable housing need; affordable housing production tools and methods; and
inclusionary housing.
Ben Vanlierop, 306 7th Street South, Hopkins, appreciated the multi-cultural community
and questioned the definition of inclusionary housing. Director of Planning and
Development Elverum followed up with the definition.
Abdi, resident at Oxford Village, requested to preserve the affordable housing and to
include more affordable, inclusionary housing. He was looking for protection in affordable
housing with the SWLRT operating soon. He also requested a first time homebuyer
option. Ms. Elverum talked about the CDBG funds used to housing rehab projects.
Larry Hiscock, 302 7th Street South, spoke to the inequities in home ownership, wealth
and health outcomes. He asked to prioritize inclusive housing, preservation, production
and tenant rights.
Discussion ensued on evaluating an Inclusionary Housing Policy. Council Member Hunke
supported the policy but wanted to have flexibility for staff to work with developers. Council
Member Garrido concurred with a policy that offered flexibility. Council Member Beck
noted to the financial challenges with an inclusionary housing policy. Council Member
Balan did not favor a mandate and preferred to have flexibility. Council Member Hunke
suggested having a trigger point in the policy to dictate when affordable housing must be
included. Mayor Hanlon stated that based on data Hopkins doesn’t need to be aggressive
in its affordable housing. He added that Hopkins is unique with developers knocking on
our door with the SWLRT project. Mayor Hanlon requested future discussion requested
on inclusionary housing policy and NOAH preservation. Additional discussion was held
about the number of units that may be required in the policy.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
City Manager Mornson questioned doing a market study. Ms. Kvilvang discussed
scenarios that may arise from the study. Ms. Elverum offered to put together a draft scope
to begin a market study. Discussion was held about a market study cost and developing
options.
Further discussion was held on affordable housing preservation. Ms. Youngquist shared
the programs currently utilized by the City. She also shared more information on the City’s
tenant protection ordinance. Council requested more discussion on NOAH preservation
and tenant protection.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Hanlon, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk