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10-28-2008WSOctober 28, 2008 Page 1 MINiJTES OF 'THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Halverson, Brausen, and Youalcim. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow, Finance Director Christine Harkess, ,Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Police Administrative Services Director Connie Kurtz, Community Liaison Tsehai Wodajo, Facilities Director Jay Strachota, Executive Arts Director Susan Hanna-Bibus, Depot Resource Coordinator Jo Claire Hartsig and Housing Officer Stacy Unowsky. Others present: Hennepin County Director John McLaughlin, Hennepin County Bruce Nauth, Hennepin County Vinodh Kutty Joint Community Police Partnership Presentation (JCCP): John McLaughlin explains that the JCCP is a multi and inter-agency effort of Hennepin County, the four cities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Richfield and Hopkins and the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Mr. McLauglin explains that there are an increasing number of immigrants residing in Hennepin County suburbs who are seeking affordable housing, employment and safety. JCCP has four key elements in establishing their goals. Establish a Multicultural Advisory Group, Cultural/Community Awareness Training for Law Enforcement (learn Spanish etc..), Creation of Community Liaison Officers (Tsehai Wodajo) and Creation of Multicultural Oriented Police Cadets (from Normandale and other schools). There are about 12 to 15 people involved in the JCCP. It is posted on the website, word of mouth, school districts and an ad in the Sun Sailor. People fill out an application and then they are interviewed. 7'he process takes approximately one month. They can be on for as long as they want, however, they have to attend so many meetings and other criteria that has been set up. Tsehai Wodajo is the City of Hopkins Community Liaisons Officer. She is the bridge between the police and the community. She is supervised by the Police Department. Tsehai facilitates and leads the community meetings, organizes events and training for both police and the community. She acts as a personal "ambassador/eyes/ears" to and from the community. Police Department Administrative Services Director Connie Kurtz and her work together on this project. They work to increase the diversity within the Police Department, educating and training and developing trust with the community and the Police Department. Hennepin County may ask the City to fund approximately $7,500 from the Police budget to go towards this program for the year 2010 and beyond. Hennepin County has paid up until that time. The program costs Hennepin County $250,000. Hennepin County states that the $7,500 would be training dollars for the Police Department and the Community. At the federal level they have ear marked $100,000 for this program and nothing from the State. Council member Youalcim suggested to Hennepin County to go to the state now for funding. Mayor Maxwell stated that he and the Council are very supportive of this project and consider it a success thus far. They will be willing to help advocate for more funding and program expansion. October 28, 2008 Page 2 II1ZA/Dow Towers Capital Budget: I lousing Officer Stacy Unowsky handed out a proposed budget chart to show the five year plan. It goes into revision once a year so she needs feedback from the Council between now and January 15th when she finalizes the budget. Stacy indicated that the items that are on the budget show what they would like to have done to keep Dow Towers looking presentable and in good working order. Dow Towers receives "Bonus money" that is not calculated into the budget but can be applied to something that needs immediate attention. Mayor Maxwell stated that money should be spent with energy savings in mind. Since the City is down to one building now (20th Ave. istgone)~we should look at keeping Dow Towers in good quality shape inside and out. Stacy stated that since 20 Ave is not in need of maintenance anymore they use maintenance to do a lot more work at Dow Towers. Fixing, maintaining building and grounds is all done by maintenance. They are now able to focus all of their attention on Dow Towers with out being consumed by 20th Ave. They can give better service to the residents. The lawn mowing and snow plowing is also done by Maintenance. Kersten stated that they look at the needs/wants of the residents and maintenance and staff discuss with common sense what needs are greater and what needs will or will not happen. I31ake Corridor Small Area Plan: Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard stated that there have been two additional meetings with the diverse groups in the community. The first meeting had about 46 people and the second meeting was far less. City Manager Getschow suggested getting some feedback from the people from the first meeting. Tara also thinks that it could be the fact that the weather was not good, it gets darker earlier. Tara asked the groups what they liked about the neighborhood and the overall area. They responded that they were excited about the light rail coming in but disappointed on how long it will be before it is in use. Zara discussed possibly putting a program similar to "Music in the Parlc" at Cottageville Park. Mayor Maxwell asked Tara if people know about our other parks. Tara responded yes they do but they don't know about Cottageville Park and to put something there would assist them in using that park more. Kersten suggested appealing to Deb Butler to help get more people at the meetings. Mayor Maxwell suggested pot lucks and council member Youalcim suggested day care. Tara stated that people aren't used to public planning. Mayor Maxwell stated that once they see nice sidewallcs- they will see the usefulness of the meetings. Para stated the major areas to look at for planning is Oxford Street, Cottageville, Atlas Cold Storage (owner is active in planning) and the Station area. Mayor Maxwell suggested that he would like to see the BP site used as a buffer with landscaping so that it is pleasing to the eye. Council member Brausen agreed. Tara said they are working on a couple of concepts for Atlas, which would include but not limited to, office buildings or senior housing with the interaction of the light rail system. The area could be rezoned but they have to look at possible traffic issues. Council member Youalcim suggested working in phases. October 28, 2008 Page 3 7,ara requested the presence of a council member at the next meeting. She stated that people liked that someone from the Park Board attended the meetings. 2009 Budget: Depot Finance Director Christine Harlcess stated that the revenue sources are Levy for Lease funds from the school district and grants from foundations. The Depot has been very successful over the past several years obtaining grants for operations and to fund two positions; Jo Clare Hartsig, Depot Resource Coordinator and Louise Miller who is in charge of the outreach program. Jo Clare state that a project that the staff is discussing is "Depot on the Move" suggesting that the Depot could work with Free Wheel on Blake Ave North. Mayor Maxwell suggested getting bikes that normally would be auctioned off from the Police Department and donating them to the Depot. This program would work with young and old to use the trail system and to be more active. Ted is a avid biker and he is a good example of this. Jo Clare also suggested a "Summer Bilce Camp". She stated that the Depot would like to have a shed on the property for storing bikes etc... Mayor Maxwell suggested putting a different type of storage up that could be taken down when not being used. Jo Clare also suggested in the winter time having a skating rink in the winter or basketball in the summer to encourage people who don't want to keep drinking coffee but want to stay and be active. The idea is to work with Junior high kids and older volunteers to encourage a relationship between the older generation and the younger generation. Jo Clare also suggested having Community Ed. Classes at the Depot. The funds would come from Hopkins/Minnetonka Recreation Program. Council member Brausen stated that this was a great idea. Art Center Jay Strachota stated that the new sound system is really good for the plays. They also seem to be working well for the concert series. Jay stated he is not sure what the state of the economy is going to do for the budget right now. There is no facility improvements that need to be made at this time with the exception of 11 chairs that are being replaced. There will also need to be some presentation equipment to purchase. Mayor Maxwell said we should always keep the Art Center in excellent condition. Keeping up the outside with flowers etc. as well as the inside to enhance what we have. This facility is a draw to the community. Jay stated that the ticket fees will be going up in January. Council member Brausen suggested putting a facility surcharge amount on the tickets. October 28, 2008 Page 4 Jay and Susan met with Sue McClean who is a concert promoter. Susan Hanna-Bibus stated that we need to do something different to separate us from other cities. She stated that after the meeting with Sue McClean they had some good ideas which included a concert series with singer/ songwriters or having acts conduct different types of performances than they normally do- such as an acoustic show. Also they could maybe hold an earlier concert where people could go eat after work and then go to the concert and be home by 9:00 p.m. Jay also suggested that the Art Center could block 4 shows at a time making it worthwhile for everyone. Sue McClean is going to look at how the Art Center is being branded with advertising. She will get back with Susan and Jay on the proposal. Council member Brausen said that the council could volunteer their time too. Help setting up, tearing down, picking up clients and ushering are some ideas. City Manager Getschow stated that the Council needs to look at the facility charge and then have staff put it together. Other: Art Center: Council member Youalcim suggested that the Art Center could have a film series with cartoons or other films to help draw people to the Art Center. There was also discussion about having alcohol served at the ~1rt Center during events. City Manager Getschow stated that he will look into that. There was further discussion in regards to volunteering and Council member Brausen suggested getting volunteers from the Depot and from the schools. McKnight Foundation: Mayor Maxwell stated that the McKnight foundation will present an award on Thursday, November 20th. He stated that we should try to have someone from Council be there. Congressman Jim Ramstad: May Maxwell read a thank you letter from Congressman Jim Ramstad for the plaque and for recognizing him at the October 21St Council Meeting. ~Iop-A-Ride: City Manager Getschow handed out comparison prices from other cities on Hop-A-Ride. The hand out shows that Hopkins is doing very well with their prices even after the City raises it twenty-five cents. C~itizens Academy Alumni: After sending out invitations we have received 41 RSVP's that are coming to the event. City Manager Getschow states that we will break up into three groups. Each group will have 20 minutes each to come up with ideas with the people from the citizen academy alumni to write down ideas. The agenda will be: 6:30 - 6:40 Welcome from the Mayor 6:40 - 7:00 Rick Getschow Goals overview 7:10 - 8:15 Small groups 8:30 - 9:00 Large groups and dots When everyone is back into the large group the selection of good ideas will be marked with a dot. October 28, 2008 Page 5 C:ar~ill Event: City Manager Getschow states that the event will be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities Annual Meeting: City Manager Getschow stated that this will be in 131oomington on November 20tH Met Council Meeting: City Manager Getschow stated that there will be a District dialogue meeting in Waylata next Monday morning. There being no further business, a motion was made by Kristi Halverson, seconded by Youakim to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 pm. Rick Getschow, Secretary CITY COUNCIL