12-08-2008 WSDecember 8, 2008
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AT
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 8:02 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and
Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim and City Manager Rick Getschow,
Building Official Christopher Kearney, Finance Director Christine Harkess, Public Works
Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer John Bradford, Code Enforcement Elizabeth Page, Housing
Inspector Mark Lucht
Rental Licensing and Inspection Program Update:
Building Official Christopher Kearney stated that the Rental License Ordinance went into effect
February 14, 2008. As of mid May Christopher hired a Housing Inspector, Mark Lucht to do the
inspection on single family and duplex dwellings. Elizabeth Page does the inspections on
apartments.
Christopher also stated there is a lot of good information and new forms on the website at
hopkinsmn.com. The inspection department has created inspection forms with carbon paper so they
can give the owners a copy of the inspection right away instead of having to wait for a copy in the
mail
Christopher stated that the new rental inspection program is working very well. Life safety issues
such as illegal bedrooms in basements, missing fire separation walls between garages and dwelling
units have been inspected. Of the 574 units that were inspected, 329 were apartments. There have
been only 15 re-inspection fees charged (2.75%) of the 574 units inspected. Christopher stated that
the most common corrections in single family homes and duplexes is; bedroom in basement with no
egress window, no clear paths in home, extension cords, back flow devices for exterior hose bibs
and laundry tub faucets, plastic dryer vents and plumbing systems.
He stated that the most common corrections in Apartment complexes are house keeping issues and
combustibles. The owner's violations are exit signs, emergency backup lights, smoke alarms,
plumbing leaks, litter and dryer lint build-up.
Dwellings that are inspected are categorized into three groups A, B or C based on the severity of the
deficiency as it relates to the Inspection Point System.
Category A -Properties with average of 4 or fewer points will be classified as Category A and
inspected on approximately athree-year cycle.
Category B -Properties with an average of 5 to 10 points will be classified as Category B and
inspected on approximately atwo-year cycle.
Category C -Properties with an average of 11 or more points will be classified as Category C and
inspected on approximately aone-year cycle.
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Everyone is working together and if they are in the Category A section they do not need another
inspection for three years. This gives the incentive to correct items right away.
Mark Lucht stated that he has gone into a lot of homes and makes sure they fix corrections so that
they are safer in their homes. He stated that there were some homes that were pretty bad and are
now corrected because of the
inspection system that is in place now. Mark stated that if he see's anything that is a building issue
he sends those issues on to Christopher.
Elizabeth Page stated that when she goes out to do inspections she tries to educate the occupants and
the owners as to why the corrections are being required. This sets up a win-win situation and takes
it away from demanding to fix things. Council member Brausen stated that he liked this approach.
Elizabeth also stated that over the years she has created a brochure that has resource numbers in
them and also gives out landlord and tenants rights and responsibilities book.
Jim Genellie stated that some occupants have mental health issues. The inspectors go in and have
the occupant clean their residence but because of the mental challenges the occupants face, the
inspectors may have to go out again in a year to require it again. Resources are available to help
these people.
Elizabeth Page stated that she and Anne Marie Buck are creating an accurate database showing
where the issues occur again and again and where the vulnerable adults live so we know where to go
to help them.
Christopher stated that this program is designed to work with everyone so that everyone benefits
from improvements and education. He stated that in 2009 it will be the first full year that the
program has been working.
Council member Brausen requested more information on program revenues and expenditures.
Kearney stated that he would bring that forward within the next month.
Mayor Maxwell and the Council stated that they are very happy with the work the Inspections
Department has done and the progress they have made. Mayor stated that it is good to see
departments working together. He stated that if there is anything he or the council can do to help to
please let them know.
Park Ridge and 5th Street South Reconstruction Projects:
City Engineer John Bradford discussed the Park Ridge Neighborhood. He stated that they televised
(with a televised scope) the sanitary & sewer systems and found cracks and roots. He stated there is
orangeberg in the system. He further stated that there is lead going into homes. He stated that they
put a chemical into the system to counteract the lead but he feels that this is still a problem. John
stated that it would cost approximately $400,000 to replace this system. He is proposing to split this
project into two phases.
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The Phase I property area is indicated on the map attached. This area has the oldest sanitary sewer
in the City of Hopkins. It needs to be replaced and the owners have to do it. The owner owns from
the house to the main in the street. There is either lead or galvanized pipes in the system and that
has to be removed.
City Engineer John Bradford suggested that this could be done as a 50/SO share of payment. The
City of Hopkins pays 50% and the owner pays the other 50%.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $70.00 per linear foot. It could be a total of $5600 for
street assessments and $1000 to $2000 for utilities. John stated that spring would be a good time to
get bids and right now with the economy they could get it done at a reasonable rate. The process
would be something like; design the project, get bids for the project in the spring and begin in June
in two phases (which would take two years). There would be a clause in the terms that would
indicate certain items such as asphalt prices etc.
John talked about extending the assessments from 10 years to 15 years. Mayor Maxwell stated that
we would need to educate people on this project because this is very tough economic times.
Council member Brausen
and Council member Rowan stated that they were uncomfortable with this because of the times.
Because of the conditions of the pipes it does need to be done. Council member Brausen suggested
educating people with a sample of the pipes and also a televised process showing why this needs to
be done and how they will go about doing it.
St" Street South Project
City Engineer John Bradford stated that 70 % of the streets are assessed. Lot 45 would spread
between 45,46 and 47.
The property on St" Street consists of big businesses with frontage. It is recommended to assess the
common properties 1 through 5 at $23,000. John also stated that State Aid would also lesson the
burden. Mayor Maxwell stated that the businesses benefit from being on the frontage.
John states that they have to look at the road thickness and need to meet with everyone to be on the
same page.
Mayor Maxwell stated that at the time that the street is torn up Public Works should contact Chief
Dale Specken to look at piping for sprinkler systems. John stated that he would do that.
Other
Council member Youakim asked for a list of state aids and credits that could be unalloted by the
Governor. The City Manager will provide that in a Friday update.
Council member Rowan stated that he received a call from Paul with Hop-a-Ride in regards to an
agreement. City Manager Getschow will check with Nancy on this.
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City Manager Getschow stated that we will be starting our business visitation program with NAPCO
in a few weeks.
With no further business, a motion was made by Brausen, seconded by Youakim to adjourn the
meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 pm.
Rick Getschow, Secretary
CITY COUNCIL