04-13-2010 WS April 13, 2010
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Raspberry Room
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members
Kristi Halverson, Rick Brausen, Cheryl Youakim, Hopkins City Manager Rick Getschow, and Hennepin County
Assessors Mike Smerdon and Justin Massmann.
HOPKINS 2010 ASSESSMENT AND 2009 SALES:
Mr. Smerdon stated that he is the Residential Assessor. He stated that the 2010 Hopkins Open Book Meeting
has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 4 th from 5:00 — 7:00 pm. Asa review of the 2010 assessment he has
included: market data, open book procedures, a chart listing average sales, and sales with photos and
characteristics from a sample of sales throughout the city.
Mr. Smerdon stated that every year sales that occur in the City of Hopkins are analyzed, and new estimated
market values are determined. Adjustments, as appropriate for each type of property, are made. The overall
results of those adjustments for the 2010 assessment are as follows:
• Residential -6.2%
• Condo -12.2%
• Townhouse -12.7%
• DB -21.1%
• RZ -5.1%
Mr. Smerdon stated that there are 5168 taxable parcels in the city with a total market value of approximately
$1,549,051,100. This value includes $4,830,000 in new construction improvements. The overall value change
for the City of Hopkins is -8.7 %.
Mr. Smerdon stated that last year there were 58 residential sales and this year so far there is 26 residential sales.
These sales are coming in relatively flat, meaning that the market may have stabilized a bit.
There was a discussion on the method used for assessment, the use as revaluations, the value differ3cnes int he
different neighborhoods, and the past history of assessments.
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Mr. Massmann stated that he is the Commercial Assessor. He stated that the values are coming down on
commercial properties in Hopkins. He stated that a few commercial properties have sold recently for prices that
were within estimated ranges.
The City Council appreciated the presentation and requested that the assessors return this fall to discuss how the
2008 -2009 sales period ended.
POLICE CHIEF SEARCH DISCUSSION:
City Manager Getschow talked about the schedule for Thursday, April 15 He stated that the candidates would
start out in the Council Chambers at 1:00 pm. At 1:20 to 3:15 the candidates will take a tour of the City and
from 3:20 to 4:00 pm they will tour the departments. City Manager Getschow stated that at 4:30 — 6:00 pm will
be an Open House /Social gathering at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
City Manager Getschow stated that on Friday, April 16 there will be interviews starting at 8:30 a.m. and going
to 2:40 in the afternoon. He stated that lunch will be served at 12:10 — 12:50 pm.
The Council discussed questions that they could ask in the interviews and who would be asking them.
OTHER:
City Manager Getschow stated that there is interest by some off -sale liquor stores to stay open until 10:00 p.m.
City Clerk Obermaier reported to City Manager Getschow that in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park they did
change the liquor store closing times from 8:00 pm to 10 :00 pm, however, not all of the establishments in those
cities went to 10:00 pm. Some close at 9:00 and some stayed at closing at 8:00 pm.
City Council discussed this and decided that they would need to have more discussion on it. City Manager
Getschow will look at the possibility of discussing it at an upcoming work session.
City Manager Getschow stated that Earth Day is Thursday, April 22' There are at least five Earth Day clean-
up projects happening throughout the City as a result of Earth Day on Thursday- Sunday of the week.
On a motion by Brausen, and second by Youakim, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
CITY COUNC
ATTEST:
Eugene J. M xwell, Mayor