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10-27-09 WSOctober 27, 2009 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Raspberry Room Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim, City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum, and City Engineer John Bradford BLAKE ROAD CORRIDOR REDEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION: Mr. Stadler stated that one concept that has been discussed is a partnership between the Metropolitan Council, Minnehaha Watershed District, the City of Hopkins and possibly Hennepin County that would involve the acquisition of several parcels adjacent to Cottageville Park and Minnehaha Creek. The Metropolitan Council's interest in this partnership would be to relocate the lift station currently at the NW corner of Blake and Lake Street, which is scheduled to be replaced by 2011. The Watershed's interest is in exposing and restoring the creek as well as in additional treatment of area runoff. Mr. Bradford stated that they hired SEH to do an analysis of the treatment options and prepare concept plans illustrating how they could be transformed into both a neighborhood and regional amenity. He stated that the plans are very conceptual and if funding can be secured for the property acquisition, the neighborhood and broader community would be brought into a park planning process. Mr. Stadler stated that the plans would better handle storm water and also open Blake and Lake Street up in addition to expanding Cottageville Park. Council member Brausen stated that with the market the way it is now it is a good time to take advantage of the opportunities that are presenting themselves today. Mayor Maxwell stated that we need to know where the money is coming from to do the work and who we are partnering with. City Manager Getschow stated at this time it would be beneficial for him and the Mayor to meet with the Watershed District. DISCUSSION OF NEW WATER UTILITY CONSERVATION RATE SCHEDULE: Mr. Bradford stated that in 2008, Section 103G.291 of the Minnesota Statutes was amended to include at requirement for public water suppliers to adopt a water rate structure that encourages conservation. He also stated that the city is proposing to implement an Irrigation Rate (a higher rate is charged per gallon for irrigation meters) increase for 2010 as a first step to conservation rates. This first step would be followed up with in Increasing Block Rate (higher use incurs a higher charge per 1,000 gallons) to be implemented in 2011 and 2012. October 27, 2009 Page 2 Mr. Bradford stated that in implementing this new rate schedule is also encouraging people to reserve on water use. The less they use the less they have to pay. Mayor Maxwell stated that he would like to see what the larger companies in the City of Hopkins use, what they pay now and what they would possibly be paying in the future using this rate schedule. Mr. Bradford stated that he will look check into that and get back to the Council with that information. CITY SPEED LIMIT /SCHOOL ZONE DISCUSSION: Council member Brausen stated that a resident is concerned about speed of 30 miles per hour on residential streets. Mr. Stadler stated that in most cases in order to change a speed limit an engineering and traffic investigation must be done and, generally, Mn/DOT set the speed limit near the 85 percentile speed (the speed where 85 of vehicles are traveling at or slower). However, Current MN State Law does allow for some local authority to reduce speed limits from the 30 MPH statutory speed limit, as follows: On a segment of road up to a half -mile long that is classified as a local street, a local road authority may reduce the speed limit to 25 MPH. In school zones, a local road authority may prescribe a lower limit not less than 15 MPH. School zones are segments of road that abut school grounds where a school crossing is established. Subject to certain conditions, park roads or roads with bicycle lanes may be set below 30 MPH. Mr. Stadler stated that there are concerns regarding the, safety of children around the St. John elementary school at the corner of Interlachen Rd. and Boyce Street. He stated that in looking at this situation along Boyce Street, it appears that additional crossing signs and on- street parking restrictions could help improve safety. Staff recommends that this area be investigated as a possible school zone to determine if posting school zone reduced speed limit sign, 20 MPH, and /or other measures could improve child safety. Council member Youakim suggested that Mr. Stadler investigate Preston Lane as part of the school zone. Mr. Stadler stated that he would check on that. Mayor Maxwell and council members thought that it would be a good idea at this time to look at all schools and churches to see if we need to lower the speed limit in those areas or put up school zone signs or some other kind of precautionary measure to alert drivers to the area to slow down. Mayor Maxwell asked Mr. Stadler to look at the reports from the work done at Hobby Acres in the past and report back to Council about what worked in that area and what we could do in the future for the areas that need immediate attention now. Council member Brausen inquired about other resources that could be used in the mean time to help residents feel more comfortable with the traffic and speed on residential streets. Mr. Stadler indicated that he does have some signs that could be put along the road that would indicate to drivers to slow down. Council member Brausen stated it would help to have those signs and Council member Youakim agreed and expressed that she would like some of those signs as well. Mr. Stadler stated that he would make sure that they received them. October 27, 2009 Page 3 OTHER: Leaf Pick -Up: Mr. Stadler stated that the leaf pick -up trucks have already gone out once but they will be going out again because of the unusual weather that we are having the leaves are not dropping as fast. He stated that the leaf pick -up will happen on these dates: Belgrove pick -up is Monday, November 9 Interlachen is Tuesday, November 10 and Hobby Acres is Thursday, November 12 Mr. Stadler also stated that the dump will be open until late November or until the weather shuts it down. He stated that all of this information will be on the website as well as putting a flyer in the refuse containers. Rental License: City Manager Getschow handed out information on rental licensing in the City of Hopkins. He stated that it is a fact sheet that answers a lot of questions and is also on the website. He stated that the website includes a lot more information for residents to learn more about the process of renting out property in the city and what you need to do as a landlord. Human Rights: City Manager Getschow handed out a letter that was sent to the Human Rights Commission stating that the Commission is disbanding for a time. It is time to restructure the Commission's bylaws and structure. Council member Youakim suggested following the letter with a phone call. Jack Yee's Restaurant: City Manager Getschow stated that the Health Inspector Larry Meyers has closed the restaurant due to health issues. Mr. Getschow stated that it will be going before the Council on the November 4 Council meeting to revoke the food license for the restaurant. Mayor Maxwell stated that if you revoke the license to serve food you should revoke the license to serve beer and wine. City Manager Getschow will check into that. Blue Cross Blue Shield Active Living: City Manager Getschow stated that Blue Cross Blue Shield representative will be coming to town on Thursday, November 5 to interview some businesses on how the walkability of the City of Hopkins helps their businesses. Mr. Getschow stated that they will also interview him and create a video that will be used in the future for there use. October 27, 2009 Page 4 Citizens Alumni Event: Mr. Getschow stated that the Citizens Alumni Event is going to be this Thursday, October 29 at the Fire Station. He stated that they will split into four groups and two people will be assigned to each group. Below is a list of the groups and who is assigned to those groups. Bruce Rowan will not be available for this night. The groups will meet for about 15 minutes and you are required to take notes and then meet in a larger group to discuss the topics further. Blake Project: City Manager Getschow and Council member Halverson provided an update on the neighborhood committee meeting that occurred a day earlier Monday, October, 26. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 pm, Debbie Sperling, Secretary ATTEST: Eugene J. M we J f1s4ayor Citizens Academy: Rick Getschow, Jim Genellie and Kristi Halverson. Business Survey: Kersten Elverum, Dale Specken and Mayor Maxwell. Budget Revenue: Steve Stadler, Christine Harkess and Rick Brausen Hopkins in Motion: Dave Johnson, Craig Reid and Cheryl Youakim. CITY COUNCIL