IV.1. Minutes of the December 6, 2022 Special Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 6, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 5:30 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, Management Analyst Imihy Bean, Director of
Planning and Development Elverum, Assistant City Attorney Sathe and City Attorney
Riggs. The purpose of the Special Meeting was to consider a Request for Appeal for
Reasonable Accommodation Request at 101 Oakwood Road.
NEW BUSINESS
II.1. Appeal Hearing of the Request for Reasonable Accommodation for 101
Oakwood Road; Imihy Bean
Management Analyst Imihy Bean summarized Council Report 2022 -122. Kevin Stanton
submitted a request for a reasonable accommodation to allow nine (9) occupants to live
at 101 Oakwood Road. The request provided that the individuals who would live at 101
Oakwood would meet the definition of being disabled due to alcoholism Mr. Stanton
currently operates the home at this address as a sober living facility which is licensed by
the City as a rental home for four (4) residents. After review of the application,
supplemental information submitted by the applicant, and comments, staff denied the
request for the detailed reasons outlined in the denial letter sent to the applicant on
October 7, 2022. Mr. Stanton requested an appeal of this decision on November 7, 2022,
which is permitted within the City’s reasonable accommodation ordinance.
Samuel Merritt with the law firm of Hoffner Firm presented Mr. Stanton’s appeal. Mr.
Merritt provided an overview of caselaw related to granting reasonable accommodations,
presented arguments to supplement the materials provided for the appeal, including
statements that the city has not appropriately applied the legal standards and that certain
information used in the determination was not relevant to making a re asonable
accommodation determination.
Mayor Hanlon requested additional information on the number of police calls that have
been made to the property when comparing the three years prior to Stanton’s ownership
to the three years since Stanton purchased the property. Assistant City Attorney Sathe
clarified the request data provided in the City’s memo. City Attorney Riggs shared
comments related to Mr. Merritt’s presentation on the accommodation request including
the history that led to the reasonable accommodation denial. Debate was held between
attorneys and City Council about the reasonable accommodation request and if the
accommodation specialist’s denial should be overturned or upheld and whether the
information presented meets the requirements for overturning the accommodation
specialist’s determination. The City Council shared their concerns about the
accommodation request, and generally agreed that the information presented did not
support a finding that the requested accommodation was reasonable and necessary.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 6, 2022
Motion by Hanlon. Second by Hunke.
Motion to determination to uphold the denial and direct staff to bring the findings
to the January 3, 2023 City Council meeting.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Hunke, second by Garrido, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
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Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
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Amy Domeier, City Clerk