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05-12-09 WSMay 12, 2009 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim and City Manager Rick Getschow; Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Zoning Planning Commission members; Kathryn Newcomb and Patrick Beddor, Park Board members; Molly Cummings and Aaron Kuznia, Attorney for Blake School John Hermann, Director of Finance Roger Martin, Planning Consultant Troy Miller, Rocky Marlow, Zack Marlow and Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie. DISCUSSION OF INTERLACHEN PARK IMPROVEMENT PLANS: Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that there was a recent meeting with the Park Board and the neighborhood residents where they presented three play equipment proposals. Mr. Stadler stated that since the April 20 meeting, staff has received a $31,000 proposal, via Park Board Member Brian Furan, from G. M. Northrup Corp for an alternative warming house /picnic shelter plan. The alternative plan includes installing a metal roof on the warming house and constructs a 20' x 20' picnic shelter with identical roofing and concrete slab floor directly adjacent to the warming house. This cost is less than the $39,831 proposal that was presented at the April 20 meeting which included new warming house metal roofing (Rutledge Construction) and a separate metal, hexagonal picnic shelter with concrete slab and footings (concrete work by Rutledge, electrical work by Detail Electric, Inc. and shelter erected by neighborhood volunteers). Mr. Stadler stated that the Interlachen Park Improvements costs are: o $35,000 for new playground equipment installed. o $15,000 Warming house roof. o $7,005 for new electrical and lighting. o $15,000 for new picnic shelter (material only). o $7,831 for shelter concrete work. o $4,000 for new asphalt trails (material only). o $700 for play area edge timbers (material only). o $5,000 for miscellaneous items and contingencies. o Total cost is $90,036 The schedule for the work to be done is: o June /July Warming house o September Picnic Shelter o Late September /early October Remove old play equipment o Fall New playground equipment (Minnesota /Wisconsin Play Equipment) o Spring Upgrade asphalt Park Board members Ms. Cummings and Mr. Kuznia stated that there were 3 meetings and one survey and that the neighborhood felt good about being included in the process and that they are very happy with the work that is going to be done at the park. Mayor Maxwell stated that the Park Board should give an update on the Interlachen Park on the May 19 Council Meeting. May 12, 2009 Page 2 DISCUSSION OF BLAKE SCHOOL RECENTLY ADOPTED MASTER PLAN: Blake school has acquired four properties with the desire to expand the campus. The four homes are as follows: 17 Harrison Avenue South, purchased June 2008 21 Harrison Avenue South, purchased October 2007 33 Harrison Avenue South, purchased August 2008 37 Harrison Avenue South, purchased June 2008 Director of Finance Roger Martin stated that they have a master plan that will take approximately 20 to 40 years to develop. This plan would take place in phases. The plan that they are looking at addresses gaps in their programs. The Blake School is in need of updating their facilities. The cost of this plan would be 75 million. There are 40 board members and it took 18 months to get to where they are today. Mr. Martin stated that they had a one week workshop to get everyone to agree to a plan or a "starting point They also discussed the long range vision on 60 acres to get to the point of presenting this master plan. They started with 20 options and worked down to the plan they have today. Mr. Martin stated that they have concerns about the congestion of cars and the kids having to weave in and out of buses and cars to get to fields etc. He also stated that the Blake School is also the least energy efficient school that they have. Mr. Martin stated that they have issues with serving lunch to 600 kids ranging from the age of pre kindergarten to 8 grade with the facilities that they have now. The school has 1,400 kids enrolled and about 1,000 kids go to the school facilities, sports etc. Mr. Martin also stated that there are right -of -way issues as well as storm water issues. He stated that they have committees that have been working on this plan. Attorney for Blake School John Hermann stated that the goal of Blake school is to work with the city to develop and add to the community. He stated that they should have worked more with the city because now there are conflict issues with Harrison Ave. lots and Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Hermann stated that they should have looked at the process better. He stated that he has talked with Ms. Elverum and Mr. Getschow about the process and they suggested coming to a work session and talk about being more creative and understanding the city's goal of preserving the housing stock. Mr. Hermann stated that Habitat for Humanity is interested in building homes in other locations, in addition to these locations. Planning Consultant Troy Miller stated that the issues that they are looking at are connecting the 13 floors to flow with corridors to connect to the different activities throughout the school. Mr. Miller talked about the changes that are in the plan and how that will help all of the issues. He stated that they could create new housing on some of the Harrison property with Blake School expansion. There was extensive discussion about the Harrison properties, Habitat for Humanity, and Blake School. It was agreed that the City Council needs some time to evaluate the Blake School proposal and discuss the plan. The City Council continued to express great concern with Blake School purchasing property outside their campus. They stated that it is important for Blake to work with the city on housing, flexibility on planning, best solutions for everyone, alley alignment, better handling of the traffic, landscaping, noise barriers and protecting the main goal of the City- preserving owner occupied housing stock. Mayor Maxwell stated that the Council will discuss this further and get back to Blake School. May 12, 2009 Page 3 DISCUSSION OF FOOD VENDORS: The City has been approached by Rocky Marlow who requested permission to operate a hot dog cart in downtown Hopkins. Currently Hopkins does not have any license that covers this sort of activity. Our temporary food license has been used to cover events such as the Raspberry Festival. Our transient merchant license is limited to four days. Mr. Marlow is requesting the use of a public space six days a week from 9:30a.m. 2:30a.m. at the clock tower plaza which is at 900 Mainstreet. Since Mr. Marlow is requesting the use of a public space, one way to handle all of the regulatory issues is to create an agreement between the City and Mr. Marlow, whereby a fee is paid to the City for use of such cart. Attached is a copy of such an agreement. Another advantage of an agreement is that either side can end the activity. Mr. Marlow could find out early on that he cannot sell enough hot dogs to succeed. The city might discover unanticipated problems. Either party can terminate the agreement with 14 days notice. Minneapolis and St. Paul have adopted ordinances to cover food vendors. One thought was that if Mr. Marlow is successful and the City is comfortable with this activity, a food vendor ordinance could be adopted in Hopkins for 2010. Mr. Marlow stated that it takes a half hour to set up and take down. He stated that the hours of operation would be Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Some Saturdays he will not be able to be at the site due to being at a special event. Mr. Marlow stated that the "Rocky's Weiner Wagon" is a Mobile Food Unit that is designed for selling Hot Dogs. The food unit is being built by Mark Palm, owner of Chameleon Carts (NSF Certified builder) which is located in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Mr. Marlow stated that the wagon is run on propane and they need to change the water every 4 4 1 /2 hours. He stated that they would be cleaning and storing the wiener wagon at the American Legion Post 320, located at 10 12 Ave South in Hopkins. Mr. Marlow stated that Farmers Insurance Group will be providing full coverage and liability insurance on the mobile food unit. He stated that he is in the process of getting his state license. He further stated that he has already talked to the Hopkins Health Inspector Larry Meyers and Public Works Director Steve Stadler. Mayor Maxwell asked about the garbage that would need to be collected. Mr. Marlow stated that he would take his own garbage but Mayor Maxwell stated it would still be good to alert Public Works as to doing a check more often in that area. Mr. Genellie stated that the agreement has the dates of May 2009 to May 2010. He stated that the end date would need to be changed. Council member Youakim asked Mr. Genellie to have the attorney look at the agreement. Mr. Genellie stated that he would do that. Mayor Maxwell stated that we need to keep in mind the person who has the hot dog stand at Mainstreet Days and at the Raspberry festival gets to keep those days and Rocky would not be able to have his wiener wagon there on those days. Mr. Marlow agreed. May 12, 2009 Page 4 Jim stated that during the winter months an ordinance could be created for the type of venue. This item will be considered at the May 19 2009 council meeting. CERTIFIED LETTERS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS Jim Genellie stated that about 2/3 of the certified letters are not being accepted by the recipients of administrative citations. The cost of these letters is $6.00 each. Mr. Genellie suggested that we go through the Post Office delivery confirmation program which cost .60 cents each. Council agreed that this is a great idea. Mayor suggested doing the same with the assessment roll. Mr. Genellie stated that he would check into that. OTHER: Council member Youakim stated that she saw cars parking in the BP lot. Ms. Youakim asked if this is being used like a park and ride. City Manager Getschow stated that he will look into it. Ms. Youakim also stated that she went to the "Girls on the Town" and the turnout was great. She stated that it was very organized. Council member Brausen stated that he will be attending the "Step to It" city booth on Saturday during Mainstreet Days. Council member Halverson stated she also went to the "Girls on the Town" and stated that it was a good turn out and people were going to stores that they had not gone to before. She also attended a hunger event on behalf of the City this past Friday. City Manager Getschow provided more updates to the monthly development report that was just received- the SuperValu building wall /brick issue should be resolved soon, Park Nicollet is closing its doors in Hopkins, and Pizza Luce may be coming to Hopkins. Getschow provided a memo from City Assessor Mike Smerdon regarding the Open Book meeting. Step to it Challenge is up and running so remember to sign on at www.steptoit.org. There will be a Human Rights Commission event- "Food, Film, and Forum" on Friday night at the Arts Center starting at 6:30 pm. Getschow provided the Council with a memo regarding recent tobacco compliance checks done by the Police Department. May 12, 2009 Page 5 With no further business, a motion was made by Halverson, seconded by Youakim to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm. Debbie Sperling, Secretary ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwel Mayor CITY COUNCIL 7;