05-25-2010 WS Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Raspberry Room
Tuesday, May 25, 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, Bruce Rowan, Hopkins City
Manager Rick Getschow, Park Board Members Doug Datta, Jason Gadd, Aaron Kuznia and
Sharon Paulson, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Students from Hopkins Junior High
school and two members of the Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation (TFYR) Organization.
TOBACCO -FREE POLICY:
Steve stated that the students came to a Park Board meeting on May 17th, 2010. At that
meeting they discussed creating a Tobacco -Free Policy Request for the Hopkins park
system. He stated the 6 reasons why a policy is a good idea; youth gather at parks and
watch, cigarette butt litter, secondhand smoke and healthy living for all.
The Students and TFYR brought in a petition that was signed by residents near parks. Stadler
will review it.
He stated that it would be a good idea to create signage for the parks that would say
tobacco -free area or something similar. TFYR has funding to cover this.
Steve stated that the next Park Board meeting will be June 21 st. At that meeting the Park
Board and the students will discuss the proposed new policy and its recommended
implementation.
SHADY OAK BEACH PLAY EQUIPMENT PROJECT:
Steve stated that the play equipment selection process continued with three finalists
showing their proposed equipment at a May 24th open house. Children and parents had an
the opportunity to mark their preferred design. Shortly thereafter, the Joint Minnetonka -
Hopkins Park Board and staff selection committee will chose a winning proposal. He stated
that site preparation will be done this fall with equipment installation next spring. Staff will
review the three finalist's proposals and the types of equipment being considered for the 2-
5 year old play area and the 5 -12 year old play area. Steve stated that a decision should
be made by next week and the installation would start in the spring of 2011.
Council asked Steve to get references from these three companies and look at any
problems that they might have had with the quality of equipment.
Steve stated that in terms of the 2011-2015 CIP, the Park Board has proposed to add a new
CIP project that would provide periodic funding for miscellaneous improvement in the parks.
Items such as replacing play area edging, picnic shelter repairs, new grills, landscaping
improvements, new color coating for asphalt play areas, etc. See attached CIP project
sheet. The Park Board also moved the planned replacement of the Hilltop Park play
equipment back from 2010 to 2014. The goal is to replace equipment at 20 years but this
equipment is still in great shape- future year replacements will most likely be at /near the 20-
year point for the more heavily used parks.
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Other
• Council discussed the food license ordinance that will have a second reading next
Tuesday.
The Council and City Manager discussed preliminary plans for the 2011 budget.
• Mayor Maxwell stated that Aaron Kuznia and Doug Datta will be going to the Zoning
and Planning with Andrea Naef, Kyle Skiermont and Linda Flynn will be going to the
Park Board. There will be training on these positions with the League of Minnesota.
City Manager Getschow stated that the Step to it Challenge is going well and the City
of Hopkins is in the lead for Average steps per participant.
There will be an article in the highlight discussing pedestrian and crosswalk safety.
The Mayor commended the City Manager on the process used for selecting new
Police Chief Mike Reynolds. He felt everything went very well and he is looking forward
to the council working with the new chief.
On a motion by Brausen, and second by Youakim, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
CITY COUNCIL
ATTEST:
Eugene J. ax ell, Mayor