Loading...
Agenda HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL . FINAL AGENDA Novem ber 21, 2000 7:30 p.m. THIS FINAL AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Schedule: 7:30 pm - City Council meeting Work session at conclusion of City Council meeting I. CALL TO ORDER II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS (Public must fill out a Speaker Request Form. Three minute limit for each person) Ill. REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Park Board IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of November 8, 2000 regular City Council meeting . 2. Minutes of November 14,2000 City Council Work Session 3. Appointment of Administrative Hearing Officers, (CR2000-191) - Genellie 4, Grant contract, Board of Innovation and Cooperation, Transportation Planning Grant, (CR2000-192) - Mielke 5. Approve final payment, Lift Station #6, (CR2000-187) - Gessele 6. Approve final payment, 2000 alley improvement project, (CR2000-186) - Gessele 7. Approve draw request, Westbrooke Patio Homes, (CR2000-189) - Elverum 8. Resolution amending contractual agreement/agreement on railroad blockage procedures, (CR2000-193) - Mielke 9. LRT Regional Trail Winter Activities Permit, (CR2000-185) - Vogtman Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell v. PRESENTATION 1. Third quarter financial status, Yager VI. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Application for the renewal of a currency exchange license for Pawn America, (CR2000-188) - Obermaier . Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL THE RAZZLE LINE - 939-1421 (The Razzle Line is the City of Hopkins voice message system) VII. OLD BUSINESS . 1. Traffic Study report, 17th Avenue pedestrian crossing, (CR2000-195) -Stadler Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell VIII. NEW BUSINES 1. Approve additional improvements, Valley Park Housing Improvement Area No. 3, (CR2000-190) - Elverum Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell 2. Landscape Design Plan, Phase II Excelsior Blvd. Project, (CR2000-194) - Stadler Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell 3. Final plat, SemperlWalgreens Development, (Memo) -Anderson Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell . 4. CUP agreement, Walgreens/Semper Development, (Memo) - Anderson Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell 5. CUP agreement Hopkins House develoPrnent, (Memo) -Anderson Vote: Brausen Jensen Hesch Johnson Maxwell IX. ADJOURNMENT . QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL THE RAZZLE LINE - 939-1421 (The Razzle Line is the City of Hopkins voice message system) -.. -.-.- A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on November 8, 2000, in the . Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Jensen, Hesch, and Johnson. Also, present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Anderson, Reid, Stadler, and City Attorney Jeremy Steiner. i. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS No one from the public came forward with any comments. III , REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Zoning and Planning Commission Zoning and Planning Commissioner Ross Bartz reported on the November 1 meeting. The Commission recommended denial of the application for a garage variance at 1409 Cambridge. The Council had no questions. . IV, CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of October '17, 2000, City Council Meeting 2. Minutes of October 17, 2000, City Council Work Session 3. Minutes of October 24, 2000, City Council Work Session 4. Minutes of October 30, 2000, City Council Work Session 5. Ratify Prior Month's Disbursements 6. Policy on National Night Out Activities (CR2000-177) 7. Order Feasibility Report - 2001 Alley Reconstruction Project (CR2000-S0) 8. 2000 - 2001 Hopkins Police Association Contract (CR2000-117) g. 2000 ~ 2001 Hopkins Police Sergeants Contract (CR2000~ 183) '10. Award Bid - Used Motor Grader (CR2000-178) 11. Approve Engineering Services Agreement - Area 8 Storm Sewer Improvements (CR2000-1 84) Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. . ---- V. OA TH OF OFFICE Jim Genellie administered the oath of office to Martha Vennes, new Chemical Health . commISSioner. VI. PUBLIC HEARING , Use at 2000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds I. Chief Reid said that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has offered funding to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. The amount of the grant is $11,714. Chief Reid said staff recommends that the funds be used to purchase three computer workstations. Two will replace older stations. The third will add an additional workstation in the Sergeant's Office. These purchases qualify under the purpose area in the grant conditions. The Bureau of Justice ASSistance requires that a separate Advisory Board review the use and make a non- bindin~j recommendation. The board has supported the staff recommendation. A public hearing must be held to review the intended use, The mayor asked if this was the same amount as last year. Chief Reid said the amount last year was $12,200. lVIayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. . i\lo one from the public came forward to speak. Council Member Brausen moved and COLlncil Member Hesch seconded a motion to close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at 7:41 p.m. Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to approve the recommended use of funds for the 2000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant towards the purchase of computer equipment. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimoUSly. \/11. NEW BUSINESS 1 . Order Traffic Study, 17th Ave Pedestrian Contract (CR2000-181) Steve Stadler said that staff has received a petition to improve the crossing at 17th Ave S and 1 st St S, a school crossing. The crossing is at an uncontrolled intersection where there is considerable afternoon traffic. In its report, staff will consider the current situation, justification for a change, options for improvements and costs. The report will be presented at the November 21 st Council Meeting. . In response to the Council's questions, Mr. Stadler stated that the study is not required, it . is, however, routine, would be internal, and the only cost would be staff time. Council Member Jensen said a stop sign or stoplight is the only options she supports. The following residents were present to speak: Butch Johnson, Katherine Curren music teacher: Deb P. Peterson, 20-18th Av. S.; Jane H., 107 - 19th Av. S.; and Richard Swanson, 18th Av. S. Their comments were that through-traffic has increased on 17th; cars exceed the speed limit; the speed limit sign is not visible enough; cars fail to stop even when pedestrians enter the crosswalk (including Deb Peterson, who enters the crosswalk with a stroller and a sign telling cars to stop); cars drive around patrol flags; and, that they requested a stop sign several times in the past, as long as 20 years ago. Three speakers requested stop signs (one of which specifically said not a stoplight); one requested a sign or a light; one asked for a 20-mile-an-hour speed limit. Chief Reid stated the police are focusing on the crosswalk issue. Council Member Hesch suggested installing a temporary stop sign during the study; all concurred. Mr. Mielke stated that the placement for the sign/signs needed to be considered. Mr. Stadler suggested one crosswalk on the north side of the intersection. Council Member Jensen suggested moving the crosswalk to First Street with a 3-way stop. Council Member Brausen recognized Mr. Stadler's expertise, but stated the issue was urgent. . Mayor Maxwell requested that temporary stop signs be put up and Mr. Stadler come back with a report on November 21, Mr. Mielke suggested that the specifics of the temporary signs be determined by Police and Public Works. Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to authorize the City Engineer to prepare a report in accordance with Legislative Policy 8-A, regarding the request for improvements to the 17th Ave S/l st St S school crossing. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Variance - Garage at 1409 Cambridge (CR2000-182l Nancy Anderson said that the applicant has constructed a twelve-foot by twenty-foot building without a permit. The building is almost complete. The applicant's lot is located in an R-2 zoning district. The R-2 district allows a total maximum of 528 square-feet for accessory buildings. The applicant already has a 720 square-foot accessory building on a 24 by 30-foot lot. With both buildings, the applicant has 960 square feet of accessory buildings. The zoning ordinance for district R-2 allows 35% building coverage. With the additional accessory building, the lot will have 38% coverage. The applicant replaced a shed that was grandfathered, but once the grandfathered shed was removed, it could not . be replaced without a variance. Ms. Anderson said that there is no hardship. At the Zoning and Planning Commission Mr. Emme, the applicant, stated that the old building was damaged in a storm and he was . ,eplacing it. The old building was ten feet by twelve feet. Mr. Emme said that he didn't know l:ha t he needed a permit. The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended denial oT the application. In response to Council Member Brausen, Ms. Anderson said she did not know why one Planning Commissioner abstained from voting on this issue and that the old garage was built in 1978. Mr. Emme was present. He stated that he replaced a 10' X 12' shed that blew down with a building '10 feet larger. In response to questions from the Council, he stated he didn't comply with the stop building order because of the weather, he Informed the City that he didn't stop building, the building is on a floating base at present, and he plans to donate it to the V A at Fort Snelling if the variance is denied. Gary and Jackie Ducta, neighbors of the applicant, spoke against granting the variance. In response to questions from the Council, Ms. Anderson stated that before this accessory building was constructed the applicant had 720 sq. ft. accessory building coverage on hiS lot and with the new building he now has 960 sq. ft. The allowable accessory building coverage in this case (R-2) is 528 sq. ft. Ms. Anderson also responded that once the old building was removed, it lost its "grandfathered" status and e that no other neighbors had contacted her regarding this issue. Mr. Emme spoke again from the audience, asking if an 18' fish house could be stored on his property. Mayor Maxwell stated that he liked the idea of donating the building to the \fA, Commissioner Hesch stated that the fish house was not an option. She expressed regret about the applicant's circumstances, but said she felt bound by the ordinance and did not want to set a precedent. Commissioner Brausen agreed. Commissioner Jensen said time and energy would have been saved if the applicant had called the City before beginning construction. Mayor Maxwell, in response to Mr. Emme, told him he had a reasonable amount of time to remove the building and to stay in contact with Ms. Anderson. Council lVlember Hescll moved and Council lVIember Brausen seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2000-82 denying a variance to allow an accessory building on 1409 Cambridge. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Max\Jvell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Three Cities Transit Restructuring Plan (CR2000-174) l\lancy Anderson said that the City has been involved in a transit study with St. Louis Park . and iVllllnetonl<a. As a result of the study, a restructuring of Metro Transit is proposed and will start in March. A hub will have to be constructed. Several months ago, the . Council discussed two locations, 8th Ave. S. and the park-ride at on County Rd 3. The Council asked the Met Transit to consider 8th Ave. Ms. Anderson reviewed the pros and cons of both sites with a staff recommendation of the present park-and-ride site. Steve Mahowald, George Serumgard, and Arlene McCarthy of Met Transit were present. Mr. Serumgard said stops were not farther south of the alley on 8th because of the walking distance that would create from Mainstreet. The service is planned to start in March. Mayor Maxwell asked if this would come back before the Zoning and Planning Commission. Mr. Mielke responded that it would be a good idea. Mr. Mielke stated that the Council had asked that the city-owned property south of County Road 3 be landscaped, which includes this area. He stated this is a temporary location that could become permanent. Mayor Maxwell stated Met Transit should work with Hopkins Police and Public Works. Mr. Stadler concurred, especially relating to the area between 8th and 9th and the plans to buffer this area from County Road 3. In response to Commissioner Johnson, Mr. Mahowald said he didn't see use of the space by Postal Service employees. Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to select a temporary transit hub at the existing park-and-ride on County Road 3 for the Metro . T rans!t restructuring plan. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. Nancy Anderson said that the applicant has requested that the next three items be continued until the next meeting. 4. Final Plat - Semper/Walgreen's Development (CR2000-174) 5. CUP Agreement, Semper/Walgreen's Development CR2000-172) 6. CUP Agreement, Hopkins House Development (CR2000-1 73) Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to continue items four, five, and six to the next meeting. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 7. Kids Voting Council Member Hesch reported on Kids Voting in Hopkins. Approximately 4,700 votes were counted. There were 875 volunteers. The results were Gore 54%; Bush 40%; Nader 5%; and other 1 %. . .-------- -- The Council thanked Kate Riley, Sun Newspapers, for her involvement in the program. They also recognized City Clerk Terry Obermaier for her excellent work. !VIs, Riley, in . turn, thanked the City for the donated sign. 8. Voting in Hopkins Jim Genellie reported on voting in Hopkins, He said close to 90% of those registered before the election voted. There were 2,400 voters who registered on November 7. Mayor Maxwell thanked Ms. Obermaier and all the election judges for their work. The Council congratulated Betty Folliard and Steve Kelley on their re-election. VII!. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:50 p.m. Respectively Submitted, Shannon Smith . COUNCIL MEMBERS /-\ TTES1-: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor . ~ . MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - NOVEMBER 14, 2000 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on November 14, 2000, at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch, Jensen and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Finance Director Yager, HCA director Strachota, Public Works Director Stadler, and Community Development Director, Jim Kerrigan. Also present were Medica President, David Strand, Medica Director, Stephen Elison, Allina Attorney, Bill King, CRESA representatives, Jim Vos and Ann Hansen, RSP representatives Varda and Bougie, RLK representative, John Dietrich, and Jim. Paige of Hoisington Koegler. . Medica Proposal Medica President Strand talked briefly about Allina/Medica, noting that Allina is the third largest employer in Minnesota. He stressed their wish to be a part of the Hopkins community, which is one reason no design work has been done so they could get Hopkins input. Medica Director Elison said the development is happening sooner than planned as their present lease lasts until 2004, but they are excited about the new location. They are projecting a building of 300-350,000 sq. feet, both surface and ramp parking, cafeteria, conference center, extensive landscaping. Later he said there are some issues about the site: access, the 3 . acre parcel; Mr. Vos added the buildings to the east, access to Tyler, and Excelsior Blvd. rerouting. CRESA principle Voss said it is probable that Medica will actually own the building and be the actual taxpayer. In answer to Mr. Strand's asking what the neighborhoods would want, Council members mentioned traffic, access to 169, community involvement could include a room available for receptions, trail enhancement, alternate crossing at Excelsior Blvd., green space, marketing Hopkins to the employees, a Kincaid's type restaurant, ice rink. Mr. Mielke noted the most impacted neighborhoods would be the area to the north, between Tylor and 169, East End/Presidential, 2nd St/Minnetonka Mills. Mr. Mielke suggested that Medica ask its employees what they would like to see developed in the project area. Mr. Strand said employees will help design the new building, and suggested Hopkins citizens also be involved (community leaders, Art Center staff and public health workers were suggested). Mr. Strand said he had already been contacted by Ted Mondale about using the location as a "Smart Growth Site," but was lacking details, Mr. Mielke offered to have city staff research that. Mr. Strand said Allina is hoping to develop the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis; he hopes the Green Way will facilitate traffic between the Medica and Al1ina sites, and mentioned this may bring more ethnic diversity to Hopkins. Economic Director Kerrigan said he will keep the Council updated on progress, noting the SuperValu deadline means the next three months will take "aggressive" work. Later this week city staff and Medica will work on legal and financial issues to start work on a pre-development agreement. Medica staff noted they do not expect a concrete TIF . agreement by February, but would like some idea of how the project will be handled. . East End Development . Director Kerrigan noted Hopkins had worked to get Excelsior Blvd. moved to the south so that the north frontage could be developed. Medica's project will build interest in the area so Hopkins needs to develop a "blueprint" for the area to guide staff when developers approach them. Mr. Paige of Hoisington~Kocgler said his firm has outlined three approaches, each requiring more market work than the previous one. He felt the first or second \vould he adequate as extensive market analysis at this time would not reflect Medica's relocation. The outline for Blake Road was an aesthetic upgrading. He later noted the suggested costs include the research by Bor1Z/REA. He also suggested Medica be involved in the blueprint planning. Points brought out in discussion included: an overpass over the tracks at Tyler would really change the outlook; the neighborhood regards this area as their retail center: the multiple zoning makes blueprinting more difficult; housing for Medica employees might be desirable. General Consensus: Any plan should extend from 169 to Blake Road, although priority is along Excelsior Blvd. itself. Work should be put off for 2-3 months to allow time for the Medica project to take shape. The second approach should be used. Mr. Mielke will bring in a contract with Hoisington-Koegler after Christmas. Budget Discussions This was a continuation from the last \vork session. Two enterprise funds generated discussion: the Depot and the Art Center. Depot Coffeehouse income was up $20,000 this year. An additional $16,000 is . needed. The Teen Center needs $60,000. These figures mean each partner would need to supply $20,000 unless grants are found. Ms. Hesch said she has talked to a consultant at Busch; it is the lack of a long-term plan that is preventing grant approvals. Discussion centered around the need to have grant applications written, developing a universal grant applicatIOn form, getting students to contribute (a fee for activities was suggested), going directly to the school board for help. General Consensus; Mr. Mielke shall write a letter for a meeting next month to the partners detailing the budget and stressing that Hopkins is not obligated any more than the other partners to find a solution. Art Center Ms. Yager said this should perhaps be reclassified from an enterprise funu as it is not self-supporting; it could be a revenue fund, like Hop-a-Ride. She suggested any additional funds su\:h as the franchise fee be put in the general fund; money could be allocated from that to the Art Center. Mr. Mielke noted a food/beverage tax could be directed into the An Center fund dIrectly. Mr. Strachota noted rental income can not be increased by much; he added he needs names of possible donors as he does not have complete initial fund-raising records. General Consensus: This needs to be brought to another work session General Fund: Ms. Yager said that the staff budget cuts had resulted in a $37,800 surplus in the budget. She and Mr. Mielke presented a suggested "add-in" list. When asked, j\1r. Mielke said he felt the most important additions would be the boarding for the police . . department, an assistant in administration for part of the year, a 1/2 time person in police for pawn shop and general clerical catch-up, visioning process. General discussion foliowed. General Consensus: All of the suggestions should be added in except for police over- time. $45,000 of the budget shall be moved to the park fund: $20,000 for the park upgrade and $25,000 to cover part of the Shady Oak Beach payment. Any remaining surplus should be put into the contingency fund. There will be a public hearing on the budget on December 11. Mr. Brausen suggested that the staff prepare a sheet showing figures for 1980/199012000; Mayor Maxwell agreed, adding the Council needs figures laid out to give to the public. The Council wants one last "look-over" before the public hearing. Other Hopkins House At a meeting today, Semper asked that Hopkins assess for the street improvement ($100,000) and the park dedication fund ($60,000). Mr. Mielke is not sure if the latter can be legally done. Staff is in favor. Ms. Hesch and Ms. Jensen noted they were not in favor as they had not been supportive of Walgreens coming in. General Consensus: The Council is not in favor of the assessing. Citizens' Academy Celebration . A schedule was passed out. School Referendum Ms. Johnson said discussion has centered around the timing of the referendum. Council discussion noted the police/fire department building referendum should be timed so they do not occur on the ballot together. Reserve Banquet This will be at Lord Fletcher's at 6:30 on November 18th. Mr. Brausen moved adjournment; Ms. Hesch seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Kasey Kester, Secretary . -- . ----