03-03-09
A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on March 3, 2009, in the Council
Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Youakim, Brausen, and Rowan. Also,
present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Elverum, Anderson, and City
Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. PRESENTATIONS
1. Empty Bowls Proclamation
Barb Westmoreland, Hopkins School District, and Community CO-Chair Nelson Berg
appeared to represent Empty Bowls. Ms. Westmoreland invited the Council and City staff
to attend the eleventh annual empty bowls and gave a brief history of the event. Mr.
Berg spoke about the purpose of the fundraiser and how the funds will support people of
the community. This year's goal is to reach $30,000 before the event day.
Mayor Maxwell read a proclamation proclaiming Tuesday, March 24 as Empty Bowls Day
in Hopkins.
2. Hennepin County Sheriff, Richard Stanek
Sheriff Stanek appeared before the Council to give information about the department,
crime statistics, and changes to the department within the last few years. The Hennepin
County Sheriffs Department works closely with the police departments of the cities and
communities within Hennepin County. New divisions within the Sheriff's department
work with community police departments to track and analyze crime which results in
greater success with prevention.
IV. REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1. Zoning and Planning Commission
Pat Beddor reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission discussed two issues at
their February 24th meeting. They discussed the extension of the site plan for
Marketplace and Main. The Commissioners were disappointed that the project would be
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changed to apartments instead of the originally planed condos. The Commission also
discussed the mixed zoning use in the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Park Board
Doug Datta reported that the Park Board held a meeting with the Interlachen
neighborhood. The meeting was well attended and the residents expressed that they
wanted the layout of the park to remain as is. The residents agreed that they would like
the City to concentrate on playground equipment, turf and a picnic shelter.
The Commission held a regular meeting after meeting with the Interlachen neighborhood.
They finalized their strategic plan and reviewed the IIBuy A Bench" program.
City Manager Rick Getschow explained that the funds for park improvements come from
park dedication fees which are paid when new buildings are constructed. By state
statute, any park dedication fees that are collected have to be used for park upgrades.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of February 17, 2009 City Council Meting
2. Minutes of February 17, 2009 City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of February 17, 2009 City Council Work Session
4. Proclamation for Caring Youth Day
5. Ratify Checks for the Month of February 2009 (Memo)
6. Adopt Resolution 2009-012, Approving Certificate of Compliance - Excelsior
Crossings Redevelopment (CR2009-0 18)
7. Approve Agreement for Purchase of Services Between City of Hopkins and
Hennepin County Department of Community Sentencing to Service Work
Program (CR2009-0 1 7)
8. Authorize Engineering Study Relating to the 6th Ave S Closure (CR2009-020)
9. Approve Temporary 3.20,lc, Malt Liquor License for St. John's Church (CR2009-
021 )
In response to Council Member Youakim's question, Steve Stadler stated that the savings
that the City realizes with the Hennepin County Sentencing to Service Work program is
approximately two full time summer positions.
Council Member Youakim gave a brief overview of the Caring Youth Award. The award
ceremony will be held on March 12, 2009 at 6:00 at the Minnetonka Community Center.
Dan Treanor came forward to give information about St. John's events. St. John will
hold a fish fry on March 13th and 27th.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
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Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor
Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Extension of Market Place and Main Site Plan (CR2009-019)
On March 6, 2006, the site plan for the construction of a condo, townhouse and retail
development on the former Hopkins Honda site between 6th and 8th Aves was approved.
Site Plan approvals expire after one year without a request for an extension. The first
extension can be granted by the Planning Department, which was done in 2007. The
City Council granted a one-year extension in 2008 for the condo development. Any
further extensions must be approved by the City Council.
The original approval was given to Cornerstone Group. The Beard Group took over the
development in 2007. The Beard Group has not been able to sell the required number of
units to obtain financing and has proposed the construction of apartments. The Zoning
ordinance does not distinguish between ownership and rental for residential
developments.
Ron Mehl gave a presentation of the project and answered questions. The discussion
included security, the original plan vs. apartments, and renters of apartments would be
similar to owners of condos. The Beard Group has been in Hopkins for 18 years and
tends to retain ownership of buildings that they construct.
Andrew Fischer, 7th Ave N resident, came forward to comment. Mr. Fischer thanked the
Beard Group for the presentation. The presentation answered all of his questions.
Andrea Neff, 25 7th Ave N, came forward to voice her concerns about rental vs.
ownership.
A discussion followed about the number of new single-family homes the City has added in
the past five to seven years.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to
extend the site plan approval for the 53-unit building at the Marketplace & Main
development for an additional 12 months. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council
Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2 Approve City of Hopkins Water supply Plan (CR2009-012)
PubliC water suppliers that supply more than 1000 people are required to have a Water
Supply Plan approved by the Department of Natural Resources. All communities in the
Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are required to prepare a plan. The plan includes
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information in the following areas: water supply system description and evaluation,
emergency response procedures, and water conservation. Water Supply Plans were first
required in the late 1990's and must be updated every ten years.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
approve the City of Hopkins Water Supply Plan. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Maxwell closed the meeting to the public at 9:20 p.m.
3. TIF District 1-3 Litigation, Closed to the Public {Memo}
The City Council Moved into a closed discussion to discuss the pending litigation
regarding TIF District 1-3 and the eminent domain proceedings for the Block 64 Project at
p.m.
Mayor Maxwell opened the meeting to the public at 10:20 p.m.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member
Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
~~
Euge J. xwell, Mayor
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