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Agenda HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL FINAL AGENDA October 5, 1999 7:30 p.m. THIS FINAL AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Schedule: 7:15 pm - HRA meeting 7:30 pm - City Council meeting Work session at conclusion of City Council meeting I. CALL TO ORDER II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS (Public must fill out a Speaker Request Form. Three minute limit for each person) III. REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Human Rights Commission 2. Zoning and Planning Commission IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1. September 21, 1999 regular City Council meeting minutes 2. September 28, 1999 work session meeting minutes , 3. Ratification of prior month's disbursements 4. Participation in Year 2000 Livable Communities Act, (CR99-183) - Elverum 5. Approve engineering services agreement, Thermo Tech storm sewer project, (CR99- 191) - Gessele 6. Appoint election judges, (CR99-180) - Obermaier 7. Fire Relief Association benefit increase, (CR99-186) - Yager 8. Approve contract, Tom Allen Associates, (CR99-192) - Mielke 9. Cancel 1998 alley assessment, US West/Arts Center, (CR99-189) - Gessele 10.Budget Adjustment - HCA Capital Budget, (CR99-181) - Jay Strachota 11.Authorize pre-application of MN Investment Fund application, re: Reuter Inc., (CR99- 187) - Hartshorn 12. Concur with off-street parking plan as adopted by Resolution 99-027 (religious institution) at 9080 Excelsior Boulevard, (CR99-178) - Anderson 13.Approve expansion of scheduling clerk position at HCA, (CR99-182) - Strachota 14.Approve wine license for Boston Garden, (CR99-185) - Obermaier 15. Continuation of nuisance abatement, 133-12th Ave So, Dale Wojcik property, (Memo) - Genellie Redepenning Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson V. PRESENTATION 1. Hopkins Community Image awards, (Memo) - Elverum 2. Flags from the VFW, Shirley Warren QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL THE RAZZLE LINE - 939-1421 (The Razzle Line is the City of Hopkins voice message system) VI. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Assessment hearing, 1999 alley proj ct, (CR99-175) - G ssele Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson Redepenning 2. Assessment hearing, 1999 private improvements and misc assessments, (CR99-177) - Gessele Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson Redepenning 3. Public hearing, tax increase hearing, (CR99-179) . Yager Vote: Maxwell Jensen Redepenning Hesch Johnson VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. Second reading, license fee increase, (Memo) - Obermaier Red,epenning Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson 2. Authorize depot trailhead proposal, (CR99-193) - Parsons Johnson Redepenning Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch VIII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Revisions to Hopkins parks' city code, re: alcohol and tobacco use, (CR99-174) - Vogtman Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson Redepenning 2. LRT Regional trail winter activities, (CR99-176) - Vogtman Redepenning Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson 3. Discussion of parking lots 35 and 37, Ninth Avenue North, (Memo) - Kerrigan Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson Redepenning 4. Authorize change order and final payment on 1999 random sidewalk repair, (CR99-188) - Gessele Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch Johnson Redepenning 5. Approval of sanitation inspection contract, (CR99-190) - Genellie Johnson Redepenning Vote: Maxwell Jensen Hesch IX. ADJOURNMENT " A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on September 21, 1999, in the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Redepenning and Council Members Maxwell, Jensen, Hesch, and Johnson. Also present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Stadler, Tom Anderson, and City Attorney Jerre Miller. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Redepenning called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS There were none. III. REPORTS - COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS Terry Sweeney, Chair of Chemical Health Commission, reported for the Commission. Mr. Sweeney said that as a result of the poor outcome of the liquor compliance checks done in 1998, Council directed the Chemical Health Commission to work with liquor licensees and establish educational aids for those licensees. The Commission has been working on seminar geared to prevention of sales of liquor and tobacco to minors. They have also been working on a handbook to give to all that attend the seminar. IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1. September 7, 1999, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 2. August 10, 1999, Work Session Meeting Minutes 3. August 17, 1999, Work Session Meeting Minutes 4. Adopt Business Subsidy Criteria (CR99-166) 5. Approve Raspberry Festival Gambling Licenses (CR99-169) Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Maxwell seconded a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. V. OATH OF OFFICE 1. Chemical Health Commission Koreen Wallis and Sue Steinman gave the oath of office for the Chemical Health Commission. September 21, 1999 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 :; 2. Police Civil Service Commission Michael Gerdts gave the oath of office for the Police Civil Service Commission appointment. VI. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Nuisance Abatement Hearing, 133-1 2th Ave S (CR99-1 68) Tom Anderson said that the owner of the property, Mr. Dale Wojcik, has cleaned the property. There are just a few items that need to be cleaned up. Council Member Johnson asked about the trailer that is sitting on the street and is full of debris. Mr. Anderson said that for these reasons, he is recommending a continuance of this item to the next meeting. Mayor Redepenning opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. No one came forward. Council Member Maxwell moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at 7:44 p.m. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to continue the item until the first October meeting. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Nuisance Abatement Hearing, 255/257 - 18th Ave N (CR99-167) Tom Anderson said that the inspection has been working with the owner, Mr. Mahlon Osburn, to bring the property into compliance with the nuisance ordinances. Deadlines have not been met. A formal complaint has been filed with Hennepin County Court and is yet unresolved. Mr. Anderson said that the estimated cost of cleaning up the property is $500. Council Member Jensen asked if the allowance for boats, trailers, and icehouses is the same for duplexes as for single family homes. Staff answered yes. Ms. Jensen stated that that is not really fair and requested that the issue be placed on a future work session agenda Mayor Redepenning opened the public hearing at 7:58 p.m. No one came forward. September 21, 1999 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Council Member Maxwell moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at 7:59 p.m. Council Member Maxwell moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 99-086, declaring that a nuisance exists at 255/257 - 18th Ave N and ordering the nuisance abated and costs assessed as a special assessment. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. Complete Action, Excelsior Boulevard Preliminary Layout, (Memo) Steve Stadler said that on September 7, Council approved a portion of the preliminary layout for Excelsior Boulevard, Phase II improvements. Mr. Stadler reviewed the issues. Several representatives from Blake School responded that the impact to Blake School would be much greater than anticipated. John Brooks, Board Chair, said that they were frustrated with the short amount of time given to assess the impact. Council Member Maxwell moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 99-92, Resolution approving Excelsior Boulevard reconstruction preliminary plans, Layout D1, Hennepin Project No. 9227 and prohibiting on street parking along this segment of Excelsior Boulevard. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Approve Engineering Services Agreement, Excelsior Boulevard Landscape and Streets cape Improvements (CR99-172) Steve Stadler said that there is a need to continue landscape/streetscape improvements along Excelsior Boulevard from 9th Ave to Blake Road. The agreement would authorize Hoisington-Koegler Group staff to complete a landscaping/streetscape concept design. The fee is $11,500 and would be funded from the Municipal State Aid Account. Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with Hoisington- September 21, 1999 City Council Meeting Minutes . Page 3 Koegler Group, Inc. for preliminary design services regarding Excelsior Boulevard landscape improvements. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Revise License and Permit Fees (CR99-170) Terry Obermaier said that fees for health licenses have not met expenses. The health fees have been revised to reflect categories of risk and size of establishment. These two affect the amount of time an inspector spends at the location. Ms. Obermaier said that the new definitions and schedule will simplify the process. Other fees that will change are false police alarms, mechanical amusement devices and motels, hotels, and lodging house-per unit. Council Member Maxwell asked for the definition of a lodging house. Staff did not have an answer, but will review that portion of the ordinance and make any necessary changes before the second reading. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to adopt ordinance 99-830, an ordinance amending section 1010.13, Food and Food Sales License Fees, 1010.27,7, False Alarms and 1010.11,11, Mechanical Amusement Devices. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Railroad Study, Blocking Operations (CR99-173) Steve Mielke said that Hopkins has been working with the cities of Minnetonka and St. Louis Park to solve the problem of noise that is caused by railroad switching in residential neighborhoods. Moving the switching operations to a non-residential area of Hopkins is a short-term fix. The long-term solution that is being sought by the three cities is to move these operations out of the area of all three cities. The resolution limits the use of the switch to a two-year period from the installation completion date and requires agreement upon an operations plan. Lee Koppe, RLK, was also present to answer questions. Council Member Jensen moved and Mayor Redepenning seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 99-091 , adopting a position on the installation of a switch for train blocking purposes on the CP rail line in West Hopkins with the following conditions: (1) That the operational plan addresses (1) the issue of avoiding the noise of the movement of the arms with the bells ringing at intersections along with noise from whistles; (2) when the two year period is over how will the new switching area be moved and who will be responsible for that removal; (3) that as much switching as possible will be moved from the Blake Road, East End area to the new location; and (4) the switching operations will be concentrated in the new area, which is an September 21, 1999 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 industrial area. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Maxwell, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Redepenning, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Council Member moved and Council Member seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:57 p.m. Respectively Submitted, Terry Obermaier, City Clerk COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEST: Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor September 21, 1999 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 28, 1999 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on September 28, 1999, at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Redepenning and Council members Hesch, Jensen, Johnson and Maxwell. City personnel present were Asst. City Manager Genellie, City Planner Anderson, Assistant to the City Manager Parsons, and Finance Director Yager. Planning Commission members Gross, Boen, Szaba, Bartz and Swenson attended. Also present were John Shardlow, Tom Allen, Park District Superintendent Doug Bryant, Bob Wicklund of Hennepin Parks and Ken Ward of the Depot. Variance Philosophy, Nancy Anderson, presenter Nancy Anderson introduced John Shardlow, who led the discussion. He said variances are the most pr.oblematic issue for all cities in zoning and planning. Over recent years, cities in general are moving from "undue hardship only" to a more flexible stance. He stressed the importance of recognizing why a city sets the standards it does and then making sure ordinances support those standards. In comparison to other cities, Hopkins has few requests per year. The general discussion supported the view that in general the Council and the Commission agree on standards, which center on keeping neighborhood character intact, flexibility in property improvement, encouragement of reinvestment in the community and avoiding adverse import on neighborhood properties. There was also discussion of what objective criteria could be used as a "checklist." General Consensus: The Council and Commission would like city staff to obtain a copy of Roseville's definition of "practical difficulties." Long Range Planning, Tom Allen, presenter Mr. Allen discussed Phase 1, Assessment, of his plan to create a community-wide shared vision for the city. The Council indicated they liked the proposed questions to be asked citizens. Suggestions for additional focus groups included senior citizens and former elected officials. Mr. Maxwell suggested a slogan of "Vision 20120: The Perfect City." The other Council members indicated a question regarding "What would make you want to be here in 2020?" could be helpful in the assessment. Mr. Allen suggested he could put lists together for the focus groups, and the Council could suggest additions and deletions. He added he wants the Council members to feel free to interact with him at every stage. General Consensus: The Council liked the idea of the focus group lists although they registered adding seniors and former elected officials. The contract with Mr. Allen will be on the consent agenda for the next Council meeting. Depot/Trailhead Discussion, Jim Parsons, presenter Mr. Parsons said the Park Board and Commission are favorable to the building of a trailhead complex in connection with the Depot. Current concerns center around bicyclist/pedestrian safety concerns -- crossing Excelsior Blvd. and the right-turn curve, and fencing. Supt. Bryant said if Hopkins Council approves the plan submitted, the parking lot for the Depot would be graveled before winter. $125,000 would be committed to the project. He cautioned a pedestrian bridge may not be the answer to safety concerns as such bridges have been built and not used. Mr. Wicklund showed the plan which has a picnic shelter and tables; volleyball court, portable outside restrooms, paved parking for 30 cars plus additional graveled parking, etc. He commented a memorial to Marsha Tabur would be part of the complex, as she was the first to work for a trailhead complex. Ken Ward commented on the success of the Sept. 25th event, and said parking would be a benefit to the Depot. General Consensus: Council comments were favorable. Special Revenue Funds, Lori Yager, presenter This was an information presentation. Ms. Yager explained the special revenue funds. All the TIF's are doing well, and TIF #1 may be paid early. A twenty-year projection shows all but the Para-Transit fund doing well. The Para-Transit provider wants more money for next year, which may affect the general fund, which usually allots $9600 for it. There is a possibility of getting a grant for a new van. Other Issues Waldeck Property Drivers are coming up onto his property at 600 10th Ave. S. General Consensus: Mr. Stadler should address the issue: what would be involved in a permanent solution and what can be done short-term. A report should be in this week's Update. Stages Signage There was general discussion. General Consensus: Mr. Genellie should find out who pays for the signage. Some Council members are concerned the signage may make it seem that Stages Theater is the Hopkins Art Center. Motion to adjourn was made by Fran Hesch and seconded by Diane Johnson. It passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Kasey Kester, recording secretary COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEST: Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor