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02-24-09 WS February 24, 2009 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Rowan, Y ouakim and City Manager Rick Getschow, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard Executive Arts Director Susan Hanna-Bibus, Facilities Director Jay Strachota and Marketing Committee members Fran Hesch, Hillary Feder, Butch Johnson~ Charlie Yunker, and Diane Bangerter, Marketin2 Presentation: 2007 was the first year of a city-led marketing committee and the resulting promotional campaign known as Think Hopkins! $15,000 from the City and $5,000 from the Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA) were contributed to the marketing budget that was used to kick off the Think Hopkins campaign and provide other marketing funds and/or coordination. These contributions were renewed in 2008. Actual expenditures have been approximately $11,500 in 2007 and $17,500 in 2008. Although the HBCA has not yet contributed to I the campaign in 2009, the City of Hopkins increased its funding to $20,000, resulting in no net change to the annual budget. This increase was recommended primarily as a way to fund a shared-employee position with the HBCA. That idea has been ruled out for 2009. City staff has been facilitating the marketing committee which serves as an advisory group and is comprised of local organizations, residents, and HBCA members. 2008 was a year of growth for the committee, with new members from the Arts community and the Hopkins School District. The goal for the evening is to review the accomplishments of the marketing committee for 2008 and elicit feedback on strategies for 2009, as well as have a discussion about the long-term future of the initiative. Tara stated that the City of Hopkins hired CityImage to create a Branding and Marketing Strategy for Hopkins in late 2006. The strategy included a campaign to promote all Hopkins has to offer. There are three distinctive audiences; residents (business owners and employees), visitors (shopping, dining and arts patrons) and prospective businesses and developers. Tara stated that "Think Hopkins" became the slogan for the branding and marketing strategy for the City. 2007 marked the first year of the "Think Hopkins" campaign. In 2007 the "Think Hopkins" was presented to the community. A website was created and monthly you can see "points of pride" on the website. In addition to that postcards, note cards, posters and bumper stickers/window clings were made. Kristi Bucher designed a shopping and dining guide brochure that complemented the size and design of the Historic Walking Tour brochure. Those brochures were distributed to area businesses, hotels, and at special events such as the U. S. Women's Open (1000 brochures were given to the U.S. Open). Tara stated that the City ordered 5,000 reusable canvas bags imprinted with the "Think Hopkins" and "HCBA" logos. These bags were handed out at the Hopkins Farmers Market, and were used to make welcome packets for Cargill employees. Tara stated that not everything that promoted "Think Hopkins" cost money. Some ad space was available to the City free of charge. Billboard space is free to the City for 2 months out of the year. There is also the Fire Department Open House, Home Remodeling Fair, Raspberry Festival Family Day and Mainstreet Days. February 24, 2009 Page 2 The "Think Hopkins" website continued to serve as a hub for the campaign. The website was used to promote the Photo Contest, advertise promotions and also kept track of how many hits that it was getting. Tara stated that the Marketing Committee partnered with the Hopkins Antique Shops Association to re-design their brochures to match the Historic Walking Tour brochures and Shopping and Dining Guide. All of these brochures are on display at Explore Minnesota Travel Information Centers throughout the State and at the Mall of America. The Marketing Committee created and advertised Hopkins' first ever Photo Contest. Over 160 entries were submitted, with ten winners. Categories included Outdoors, Education, Historic Hopkins, and a Grand Prize. The Marketing Committee spent about $17,500 of $29,000 in available funds in 2008. Approximately $11,200 will be carried over in to the 2009 budget. There was a great deal of discussion about what is next. The Council agreed that the Photo Contest was a great thing to do. Tara stated that it did consume a lot of her time. Fran Hesch suggested that the Committee take over some of the responsibility of the work load. Tara suggested that it might be a good idea to do it every other year. The Mayor and Council stated that this was a great event and suggests maybe scaling back a bit. There was also discussion about Raspberry shaped bike racks. Council member Rowan suggested that we get some artistic people who can weld to make the bike racks so the cost would not be as expensive as hiring a company to do it. Tara also suggested signs along State Highway 7 and 169 to draw people into the City of Hopkins for shopping. She suggested a few signs with one large sign at the end. There was also discussion about having discount cards for residents to shop in the City of Hopkins. This would entice people to shop locally. The Mayor and Council agreed that Tara and the Committee are doing a great job with the Marketing ideas. They stated that they see a lot of enthusiasm and they commented on how the City of Hopkins is staying with the small town feel that you can't get anywhere else. HCA Pro2rammin2 Discussion: Jay and Susan gave an update on fundraising and programming at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Susan stated that the partner representatives are Sandy Merry (Hopkins School District); Jason Gadd (HBCA; and John Montillno (Stages Theatre Company). The members at large in 2008 are: Dr. James Block (Maple Plain), Mimi Stewart (Hopkins), Harold B. Velline (Minnetonka), and Andy Otness (Edina). New members in 2009 are: Greg Johnson (Shakopee), Jim Skyrms (Hopkins), Mary Jelinek (Hopkins) and Susan Weinberg (Edina) . February 24, 2009 Page 3 Susan stated that the accomplishments in 2008 are; completed transition for HCA, Inc., held two small fundraisers, adopted a detailed ~inancial Policies document, recruited new board members, began work on the organization's first major fundraiser - the Hopkins Arts Festival. Susan stated that the priorities for 2009 are to host the first annual Hopkins Arts Festival and set goals for standing committees. Susan stated that in regards to the volunteer and membership manager- the accomplishments in 2008 were; led the recruitment of new board members, increased corporate sponsorships, streamlined the business membership program, initiated a new fundraiser with Linder's Garden Centers, and did the up front research to begin the process of creating an arts festival. Susan stated that the Hopkins Arts Festival 2009 will be Saturday, July 11 th from 1 0:00am to 6pm and Sunday, July 1ih from 10:00am to 5:00 pm. It will be held at the historic Mainstreet and Downtown Park, downtown Hopkins. This is going to have fine arts with no crafts. She stated as a bonus Stages Theatre Company will offer special Festival discounted prices for its Saturday 1 pm and 7pm performances of Wizard of Oz; materials from the University of Minnesota's Oz collection will be on exhibit at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Susan stated that this is to raise funds to support the Hopkins Center for the Arts, to build awareness and appreciation of the Center, its partners and the City of Hopkins, to take the arts to the street - reaching out to the community and new audiences and to support regional artists. The partners in the Festival as of February 24, 2009 are; Stages Theatre, Hopkins School District, City of Hopkins, Minnetonka Art Center, The Weavers' Guild and ERV Dance Studio. Susan stated that the list will grow as connections are built with area nonprofits and businesses such as Farmer's Market, Think Hopkins Campaign, HBCA, and Hopkins Lions etc. . . Jay stated that concerts for 2009-2010 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts will continue to be the Saturday evening subscription series and a new after work series aimed at younger adult audiences. This will be starting in the spring of 2010 as part of collaboration with Sue McLean and Associates. There will also be a headliner series of special event concerts that will expand from our holiday concert to include a summer concert. Susan stated that the Saturday Subscription Series fees are approximately $5,000 and the Take Five Tuesday series fees are approximately $7,500. The season will be announced by May 9th. There was discussion about a facility fee charge being added to tickets at the Center. This revenue discussion is especially important in light of the loss ofLGA. There was a consensus that a $2.00 fee could be immediately added to a $25.00 ticket for a Center concert. There was also discussion about adding similar charges to rentals and to leaseholders in the future. It is the City Attorney's opinion that any additional fee or charge for a leaseholder, such as Stages Theatre, would have to be negotiated as part of the lease. February 24, 2009 Page 4 Other: Emptv Bowls: Council member Rowan asked if the Council should donate to the Empty Bowls. City Manager Getschow stated that all money raised at the event goes to ICA and HMFRC, and the City already provides funds to those entities. Bike Racks: Council member Y ouakim asked if the bike racks could be done cheaper. Council member Rowan stated that he thought the same thing. He suggested that maybe artists could get involved somehow. 2nd Street North: City Manager Getschow stated that he wants the council to study the petition to close 2nd Street. 2009 Street Improvements: City Manager Getschow stated that the City needs to keep communicating with the Park Ridge Neighborhood in regards to the proj ect. An information sheet will be developed to provide to interested residents. Stimulus Update: City Manager Getschow provided an updated on federal stimulus dollar in five areas - Roads, Energy Efficiency, Water/Sewer and Housing. Residential Sprinkers: City Manager stated that if the State adopts the building code requirement for new home sprinkler systems- 1 inch service lines will work fine. Citizens Academv Dates: City Manager stated the dates are: March 5 at City Hall, March 1ih at Police Department, March 19 at P & E, March 26th at Fire Department, April 2nd at Public Works and April ih graduation. ~ State of the City: City Manager Rick Getschow stated that the date is March 16th from 5:00 -7:00 pm. The Council will discuss the event at their March 3 and March 10 meetings. With no further business, a motion was made by Y ouakim, seconded by Rowan to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 pm. Debbie Sperling, Secretary CITY COUNCIL 7 " ATTEST~~ Eugene J. Ma well, ayor