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07-29-09 WSJuly 28, 2009 Page 1 LRT STATION STUDY /DISCUSSION: MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim, City Manager Rick Getschow; Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Finance Director Christine Harkess, Director of Planning Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Police Chief Reid, Pat Beddor, Tom Jenny, Kate Reiley, Kyle Skiermont, Kathy Newcomb, Planner Nancy Anderson, Bob Hatelstad, Linda Flynn from the Zoning Planning Commission, City of Minnetonka staff members Julie Wischnack and Elise Durbin Consultant Hay Dobbs, Hennepin County staff member Carol Lezotte Anderson, and the Owner of the business property at 10417 Excelsior Blvd., Jim Benshoof. Two County -led initiatives are currently underway for the Southwest Light Rail Transit line planned through Hopkins: A Station Area Master Plan and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Both of these plans build on previous work, but are still broad in scope. A public open house is planned for August 11 to share the progress of these initiatives. The Station Area Master Plan process is coming to an end, and this open house will be the last public meeting before the plan is completed. The DEIS will wrap up at the end of this year, and the open house will serve as an opportunity for an update and to answer questions. Hay Dobbs, consultant for the Station Area Planning, presented the current infrastructure proposal. Issues that he addressed in the discussion include the design/layout of the infrastructure, including possible phased development, and a dialogue about how such infrastructure costs might be planned for. Other Shady Oak Station topics discussed were the location of the Park and Ride, and land uses at the Minnetonka/Hopkins border. There was follow -up discussion on the Downtown Station in regards to parking, including whether or not a Park and Ride would be provided and if so, where it would be located. The parking concerns of neighboring uses were also discussed. There was discussion on the uses south of the Downtown Station in the Station Area Plan as well as discussion about the redevelopment around the station, land banking, use of TIF, and other redevelopment strategies. Two County -led initiatives are currently underway for the Southwest Light Rail Transit line planned through Hopkins: A Station Area Master Plan and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Both of these plans build on previous work, but are still broad in scope. Mayor asked if the cities would start rezoning now as it relates to the Shady Oak Station. Ms. Wischnack stated that Minnetonka requires developers to purchase some segments before rezoning. She stated that she is not convinced that Excelsior Blvd. is the best place for a parking lot. She also stated that Minnetonka uses "Interim Use Zoning Mayor stated that the City of Minnetonka and the City of Hopkins will have to work together on the LRT project. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Dobbs stated the storm water management will also need to be looked at. July 28, 2009 Page 2 Planning Commissioner Bob Hatlestad stated that his opinion was that Hopkins does not need a parking lot for the downtown station there are park and ride facilities at the two stations to the east and west. Many Planning Commissioners and Council members concurred, stating the downtown station will be a location where you get off at not park at. Council Member Brausen stated that land around the downtown is very valuable and should possibly be used for something else. Jim Benshoof, the owner of 10417 Excelsior Blvd, stated that he is concerned about his business being so close to the station. His concern is that people will park in his parking lot and his customers would not have any place to park, which would hurt his business. He asked everyone to please keep that in mind when planning for the LRT station. Planning Commissioner Kathy Newcomb inquired if anyone had looked at a shuttle service. Ms. Elverum stated that they are looking into shuttle service and a recent report by graduate students at the University of Minnesota on behalf of the City addressed this possibility. Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard stated that the purpose of the meeting was to get feedback about the proposals. She indicated that they will revisit the proposal with the feedback that was received at the meeting. An open house on SWLRT and the station study is planned for Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 pm. in Hopkins City Hall. ERP DISCUSSION/VEHICLES: A handout was provided that showed the Vehicles /Equipment for the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works. Police Department: Police Chief Reid stated that they purchase their patrol vehicles through the State. The vehicles have to be economical and efficient. They have (5) officers on the night shift, a squad for overtime assignments and a reserve unit. Chief Reid stated that Captain Hanlin and Sergeant Hill look at the replacement vehicles and work with the mechanic's on whether or not the vehicle can go longer or needs to be replaced. There is a 3 year warranty on all of the cars. The batteries on the cars have to be replaced every three months due to all of the equipment that they use. Chief Reid stated that when a vehicle needs repair it is out for 3 4 days, when there is a crash repair that needs to be done it is 7 10 days and just general maintenance is 1 2 days. He stated that crash damage never really gets a full repair because of all of the wiring in the vehicles. Chief Reid stated that if they were going to use smaller cars they would have to send all officers through a 12- week training program, plus purchase new gear for the new smaller size vehicles. He stated the department created a program that saves 820 gallons of gas a month, which equates to $8,600 a year. Chief Reid stated that all vehicles must stay in compliance with the state code. Public Works: Mr. Stadler provided an overview of the public works vehicle fleet. He presented the Council with pictures and a list of the equipment that they use. Council member Youakim asked why they need a certain number of vehicles such as multiple pick -up trucks and skid loaders. Mr. Stadler stated that there are many different projects going on at one time. Council member Youakim asked for more of a July 28, 2009 Page 3 breakdown for the use of the vehicles. Mr. Stadler stated that he would get that information to the Council. DOWNTOWNBUSINESS RECRUITMENT DISCUSSION: There was discussion on the vacancies in and around Mainstreet, exploring new economic development initiatives, and business recruitment efforts. Ms. Elverum stated the vacancies include mix of perennial vacancies /hard -to -fill spaces and visible, key sites. She stated that in 2008 there were 12 vacancies and in 2009 there are 11. Of the 11 vacancies this year 6 of them are the same as in 2008. Ms. Elverum stated that current business recruitment efforts include: the Think Hopkins campaign; the new brochures to attract businesses; and the aggressive following of leads throughout the metro. Examples include discussions with other area restaurant operators that could locate in Hopkins. She indicated that some of these businesses are interested in coming to Hopkins but it depends on timing and the current economy. Ms Elverum also stated that she is also exploring Public Art through a grant program. There was also discussion of a "shop local" campaign that has begun with letters to the editor and pieces in Connections. She stated that the merchants could offer a discount for shopping local. Ms. Elverum also suggested using the vacant windows for displaying coloring contests, photo winners etc. The Mayor and Council discussed conducting a survey or hosting a series of meetings with property owners, business owners, residents, etc. to receive feedback on the Hopkins business climate. The staff will work with the Council to plan something. Other: Council member Brausen stated that the council needs to keep the owner of the business by the LRT station in mind when planning for the project. Council member Youakim needs to know more about how the two cities are going to work together with land use issues on the LRT project. Council member Halverson asked if the SWAT school training happened at Blake Rd. City Manager Getschow stated that one is coming up. City Manager Getschow passed out a handout on Community Days of Service on October 3rd and 4th that would include many area congregations and 500 -700 volunteers conducting projects in Hopkins and Minnetonka. City Manager Getschow stated that the Council meeting will be on Monday night because Tuesday night is National Night Out. July 28, 2009 Page 4 With no further business, a motion was made by Brausen, seconded by Rowan to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 pm. Debbie Sperling, Secretary ATTES Eugene J. Maxwe Mayor 1-frie1/4,Z.,