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Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim and City Manager Rick Getschow.
GREEN INITIATIVES:
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Raspberry Room
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
City Manager Getschow showed a video of another City going green in their community. He stated that earlier
this year we created a green team at the City of Hopkins and the team has been working on green ideas for the
City. An intern job was posted on the University of Minnesota website stating that the intern would work with
the green team to create and implement ideas to help the City of Hopkins go green. The intern/s agrees to do
this work at no cost to the City of Hopkins Working with the City of Hopkins is a great opportunity for them
and that would then go on their resume. City Manager Getschow stated that this is working very well. A green
newsletter has been created and information has been placed on the website about going green in the city.
City Manager Getschow went over what the green committee has accomplished so far. He stated that there is a
bike sharing program, elimination of Styrofoam products, hired a green intern: Alex Keller who has finished his
time with the City and now we hired Sam Bevins as the new green intern, Procured a grant for organics
recycling, internal PR campaign, newsletter and green calendar as well as earth day event in conjunction with
Super Valu.
City Manager Getschow stated that the projects that are in process right now are:
1. Green purchasing policy for city, suppliers, and vendor contracts
2. Limiting vehicle idling (tracking mileage /gal and usage)
3. Storm sewer stenciling by local churches (reduce dumping)
4. Rain Barrel event for residents
5. Earth Day celebration for 2010
6. Organics recycling for city facilities
7. Reduced city mowing
8. Scanning projects for city documents
9. Reroute heat in city hall from unused rooms in winter (Council member Brausen would like
some rooms are on a different heating system)
10. "Shred it Day" in conjunction with the Fire Department Open House (The Mayor stated that
day should happen on a different day because of the amount of people at the Open House)
11. Potential solar or wind projects
12. Reviewing city waste pickup schedule and routes for increased efficiency
13. Paperless city packets (need laptops for city council)
14. Facility upgrades at Pavilion, and cost estimates for greening projects
15. Trail clean -up in conjunction with Super Valu
to know if
the Shred it
The Mayor and the City Council supported all of this work and would be happy to help in any way they can.
November 24, 2009
Page 2
POLICE CHIEF SEARCH PROCESS DISCUSSION:
City Manager Getschow stated that Police Chief Craig Reid will be retiring on May 1, 2010. The Council
discussed the process of which to hire a new Police Chief and the time frame to do that. City Manager
Getschow stated that he will look into a consulting firm to do the initial investigation of the applications. Once
the applications have been reduced to a manageable amount then the City Council, city staff, and community
will be active in the process.
The Mayor emphasized the hiring of a Police Chief is ultimately the decision of the City Manager. Getschow
stated that he will be looking for a lot of assistance and feedback.
FINAL 2010 BUDGET DISCUSSION:
City Manager Getschow stated that there will be discussion of the city budget and that the public will be
allowed to comment at the December 1, 2009 council meeting.
City Manager Getschow stated that for the budget hearing the following agenda has been established:
1. Power point presentation
2. Questions from council
3. Questions from public
4. Close the budget hearing.
OTHER:
City Manager Getschow updated the City Council on a meeting that he and the Mayor had with the Minnehaha
Watershed District. The District would like the City to request that they create a corridor plan within the City
that addresses future plans for the corridor. This is needed before the watershed can partner with the City on
potential property acquisitions in the corridor. The Council agreed that this is an excellent first step and directed
the City Mnager to send a letter to the District requesting their involvement.
City Manager Getschow stated that the City might have to get a restraining order on Jack Yee's restaurant in
order to keep the restaurant from operating since the food license was revoked.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
Eugene J. axw Mayor