IV.1. Minutes of the January 5, 2024, Goal Setting Retreat ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF RETREAT PROCEEDINGS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
ATTENDANCE
Present for the Hopkins City Council and Staff Retreat 202 4 were the following: Mayor
Hanlon, Council Members Balan, Garrido, Goodlund and Hunke, City Manager Mornson,
Finance Director Bishop, Public Works Operations Superintendent Pavek, Police Chief
Johnson, Fire Chief Specken, Planning and Development Director Elverum, Recreation
Director O’Dea, City Clerk Domeier and Chad Weinstein with Ethical Leaders in Action,
LLC.
Welcome
Mayor Hanlon welcomed the team to the retreat. City Manager Mornson provided
information on the proposed agenda.
Opening Exercise: Pride and Hope
Facilitator Chad Weinstein directed participants to share aspects of the year’s
achievements that are sources of pride and hopes for future growth or improvement for
the city.
Team Dynamics – Setting the Stage for 2024
The City Council and Staff separated, and each group generated a draft set of shared
commitments to guide interactions among elected officials, and between council and staff.
Debrief: Affirming Shared Commitments (Mornson and Weinstein)
The groups reconvened to present and discuss their draft commitments, and to combine
City Council and staff versions into a single set of commitments to guide council-staff
interaction.
Participants discussed the roles of elected and appointed officials with respect to the
interrelated (and distinct) actions of governance, strategy, operations, and management.
Council and staff will work together to address the needs of community members. Our
aim is to be responsive to all community members, and our processes are designed to
do so efficiently.
Year in Review
City Manager Mornson lead an interactive discussion on achievements made on the
areas of strategic direction defined and affirmed in recent years, setting the stage for
2024.
Finance Discussion
Finance Director Bishop led the finance discussion that included the current state and
projected changes to the City’s budget, along with their implications for future policy and
operations.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF RETREAT PROCEEDINGS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
Strategic Priorities
Promoting Hopkins, especially business development
• Creating a business climate where expanding Mainstreet west is a priority and
supporting small businesses
• Think Hopkins
• Downtown alley improvements – longer term opportunities
• Identity of Hopkins small businesses
• LRT
• Cultural and convenience retail in the Blake corridor
• Find parking solutions for businesses
• Help Hopkins businesses before they close
Climate and Environmental Sustainability
• Focus on the tree replacement, forestry options, EAB, tree replacement policy,
encourage, economic part for cost savings
• Keep climate solutions fund
• Massive positive step forward in 2023/2024 the city has the ability to see millions
in this area – poised to lead
• Bounce back from today’s issues
• City resilience
True Inclusion
• Respect for diversity of opinion/priorities/viewpoints
• Starter fund for first year special events (Cinco De Mayo, National Hispanic
Heritage Month, Fat Bike Festival)
• Disability awareness
• BIPOC wealth creation
• Multimodal
• Continuing to provide welcoming environments for all
• Bike/ped infrastructure
• Support for all: any gender, color, religion, status, orientation, etc.
Affordability/Financial Management
• Explore grant programs that are available (infrastructure)
• Look for opportunities to keep tax levy under 5%
• Preservation of NOAH
• Dignity in affordable housing
• Obligation to taxpayers to curb unnecessary spending and lower taxes, immediate
tax relief should be a priority
Public Safety/Community Services
• Increasing service to match growth
• Indispensable need
• Important to retain police officers
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF RETREAT PROCEEDINGS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
• Strong relationships between residents and public safety
• Attract and retain PD, FD, PW and pay them what they deserve
• Important for business development equity and inclusion
Parking Lot Discussion/Closing Exercise
Deferred issues (“parking lot”) were discussed. The day concluded with a brief summary
exercise.
Parking Lot: Staff gather more information on LED streetlights and solar panels ROI
Parking Lot: Infrastructure timelines/risk assessments
Parking Lot: Clarification on TIF timelines
Parking Lot: Alatus financial request
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk