IV.1. Approval of Minutes of December 1, 2025, Regular Meeting Proceedings; DomeierHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, December 1, 2025, at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1st Street South.
Mayor Hanlon called the meeting to order with Council Members Garrido, Goodlund,
Hunke and Kuznia attending. Others attending included City Manager Mornson, Assistant
City Manager Casella, City Clerk Domeier, Finance Director Bishop, Fire Chief Specken,
Fire Chief Wenshau, Deputy Fire Chief Odden, Community Development Manager
Needham, Director of Planning and Development Elverum , City Planner Krzos, Planner
Gallagher, Police Chief Johnson, Director of Public Works Pavek, Human Resource
Manager Wolfson, Chief Building Official Kearney, Recreation Director O’Dea, several
members of the Fire Department and Police Department, and City Attorney Riggs.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
III.1. Recognition of Fire Chief Specken; Mornson
City Manager Mornson and the City Council recognized Fire Chief Specken for over 40
years of service.
III.2. Introduction and Oath of Office for Fire Chief Wenshau; Mornson
City Manager Mornson presented the promotion of Deputy Fire Chief Wenshau to the City
Council and City Clerk Domeier issued the oath.
III.3. Introduction and Oath of Office for Deputy Fire Chief Odden; Wenshau
Fire Chief Wenshau presented the promotion of Deputy Fire Chief Odden to the City
Council and City Clerk Domeier issued the oath.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Garrido. Second by Kuznia.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval of Minutes of October 21, 2025, Regular Meeting Proceedings;
Domeier
2. Approval of Minutes of November 18, 2025, Regular Meeting Proceedings;
Domeier
3. Ratify Checks Issued in November, 2025; Bishop
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
V.1. Resolution Approving the 2026 Tax Levy, 2026 HRA Levy and Adopting the 2026
General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop summarized City Council Report 2025 -171. The tax levy
recommended was $22,147,904, a $1,499,799 or 7.26% increase from 2025. City taxes
on a median value home ($376,200) will be $2,452, a $192 or 8.50% increase from 2025.
Mayor Hanlon thanked staff for their work on reducing the budget and shared all the
challenges the City faces in considering the tax levy. He requested that staff look to
reduce the budget to 6.5%.
Mayor Hanlon opened the Public Hearing at 7:31 p.m.
Dianna Glasgow, 426 Hiwatha Avenue, Hopkins, provided comment about the public
safety wage increases.
Tim Sander, 148 8th Avenue North, Hopkins, provided comment about taxes related to
density focusing on the Shady Oak station area.
Billie Kraut, 140 11th Avenue North, Hopkins, questioned how the property values are
determined.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried. The public hearing closed at 7:36 p.m.
Mr. Bishop explained how Hennepin County sets property valuations. Mayor Hanlon
provided plans for development around the Shady Oak station area.
All Council Members shared their reasons for voting yes on the final levy as proposed
except for Council Member Goodlund who stated he would not support the proposed levy
increase. After debate, a majority of the City Council directed Mr. Bishop to bring back a
budget with a 6.5% levy increase, if possible, on December 16.
OLD BUSINESS
VI.1. Second Reading: Planned Unit Development (PUD) Rezoning Ordinance for
501 Mainstreet and 15 6th Avenue North; Krzos
City Planner Krzos summarized City Council Report 2025-172. The City Council
approved the first reading of the PUD rezoning ordinance, and the PUD Site Plan at the
November 18, 2025, meeting. During discussion of the request, the Council directed staff
and the applicant to explore additional offsets for the requested deviations from zoning
standards. Staff and the applicant discussed a commitment of $5,000 as credit for
residents for rideshare to offset the reduction to off -street parking in line with Council’s
direction.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2025
Mayor Hanlon requested a commitment of $10,000 as credit for residents for rideshare to
offset the reduction to off-street parking. The developer agreed to the proposed
commitment.
Motion by Garrido. Second by Kuznia.
Motion to Adopt for a second reading of a Planned Unit Development Rezoning
Ordinance for 501 Mainstreet and 15 6th Avenue North and authorization for the
Mayor and City Manager to Enter into a Planned Unit Development Agreement
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. First Reading: Ordinance Amending the Hopkins City Code Modifying Certain
Regulations Related to Registration Requirements, Procedures and Separation
Requirements of Cannabis Businesses; Krzos
City Planner Krzos summarized City Council Report 2025-173. The amendment would
make the following changes: increase allowed retail registrations; permit amendments to
applications; clarify buffer rules; aet a deadline to complete registration steps; and
miscellaneous clarifications.
Discussion was held about the proposed amendments. Mayor Hanlon requested that
Police Chief Johnson provided comment from the public safety perspective. Chief
Johnson shared the types of calls for service and time implications. Debate ensued
regarding the number of registrations and other proposed zoning regulations. The
consensus of the City Council was to keep the registration limit at three. Any changes
related to zoning changes would require Planning Commission review and would be
anticipated for the City Council to review in 2026.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Goodlund.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-075 approving a first reading of the City Code
Amendment for cannabis business registration and separation requirements but
striking the number of registrations at five and keeping it at three .
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VII.2. Resolution Approving the Variance Request for the Property Located at 37
19th Avenue North; Gallagher
Planner Gallagher summarized City Council Report 2025 -170. Jonathan Homes of MN,
LLC requested a variance to the maximum primary entrance on a front façade to provide
two primary entrances on the front façade at 37 19th Avenue North.
Nathan Flair of Jonathan Homes of MN, LLC provided more information for the proposed
project. Discussion ensued regarding the variance request.
Motion by Kuznia. Second by Hunke.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2025
Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-068 Approving the Variance Request for the
Property Located at 37 19th Avenue North.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VII.3. Resolution Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation
Refunding Bonds, Series 2026A, in the Maximum Aggregate Principal Amount of
Approximately $6,250,000 and Taking Other Actions with Respect Thereto; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop summarized City Council Report 2025-174. The Series 2026A
bonds will be general obligations of the city for which it’s full faith, credit and taxing powers
are pledged. The preliminary authorization is for $6.25 million. The bonds are being
issued to refinance $7,335,000 General Obligation Temporary Bonds, Series 2023A. The
city will write down a portion of the bonds with $700,000 from the Storm Sewer Fund and
$120,000 in prepaid assessments.
Motion by Goodlund. Second by Kuznia.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-076: Providing for the Issuance and Sale of
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2026A, in the Maximum Aggregate
Principal Amount of Approximately $6,250,000; and Taking Other Actions with
Respect Thereto.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VII.4. First Reading: Ordinances Implementing Charter Amendments Regarding
Elections; Domeier
City Clerk Domeier summarized City Council Report 2025 -174. The City Council
considered two proposed ordinances. The first ordinance is a transitory uncodified
(meaning that it will not be made part of the code but has the full force of law) ordinance
providing for an orderly transition of elections based on the charter amendments. The
second ordinance amends the city code to align the year in which council salaries are
reviewed to the new even-year election year.
Motion by Kuznia. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt for First Reading Ordinance 2025-1231 A Transitory Ordinance
Providing for the Orderly Transition of Elections After 2025 Election Results
Amending City Charter Regarding Election Year and Mayoral Term.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2025
Motion to Adopt for First Reading Ordinance 2025-1232 An Ordinance Amending
Chapter 2, Article II, Section 2-19 of the Hopkins City Code Moving the Review of
Council Salaries to Even-Years to Align with Regular City Elections.
Ayes: Garrido, Goodlund, Hanlon, Hunke, Kuznia
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hanlon shared the City Council meeting schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, and upon motion by
Hunke, second by Goodlund, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk