04-26-2011 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Is Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:33 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, Acting City
Manager Jim Genellie, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning &
Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Hopkins Center for the Arts Director
Amanda Birnstengel, Representative from the City Manager Search Firm, Jim
Brimeyer, Representatives from Hennepin County Justin Massmann & Michael
Smerdon and Ann Buech, BRCC Outreach Coordinator.
City Assessor Update:
Michael Smerdon, Hennepin County Residential Appraiser, reviewed the 2011
residential market values of housing in Hopkins. Mr. Smerdon stated that there is
approximately the same number of residential sales this year as last year. Council
questioned about short sales and foreclosures used in the study, Mr. Smerdon stated
that they are not used in the analysis for estimating market value. The overall value
change for Hopkins is -2.6% and Hopkins fell approximately in the same range of
neighboring cities. The Hopkins Open Book meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3,
• 5-7 pm in the Raspberry Room at Hopkins City Hall.
Justin Massmann, Hennepin County Commercial Appraiser reviewed the
commercial market values of apartments, commercial and industrial buildings in
Hopkins. Mr. Massmann stated that the commercial market is still flat but banks are
starting to give more loans so future looks more promising and that Hopkins is faring
better than outer ring markets as far as vacancies.
Hopkins Center for the Arts Update
Amanda Birnstengel, Hopkins Center for the Arts Director, updated the council on
programming and fundraising at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The new season will
be announced on May 14th at 6:30 pm at a Season Preview Reception. Ms.
Birnstengel stated that staff is looking at different low cost ways to get more people
in the door including website redevelopment, Facebook promotions & links and new
signage. They are researching rental rates, looking at ways to increase daytime
usage, improve the database and using surveys to connect with patrons.
The Arts Center has secured $29,731 in grant support for 2011 from the Minnesota
State Arts Board Arts Tour program. In addition, they have applied for a 2012
Operating Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Council discussed
ways to attract patrons from outside of western suburban area, utilizing couponing
• websites, local sponsorships, getting feedback from the artists and discussed
performers who have played at the Arts Center multiple times and attracted a large
audience.
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Ms. Birnstengel said she is thrilled to be working here and she will continue to keep
• the council updated on what is going on at the Arts Center.
City Manager Profile
The City Manager Search Firm met with the City Council, Department heads,
community individuals, as well as reviewing written surveys in regards to the City
Manager Profile. Mr. Brimeyer reviewed the City Manager Profile with council and
some minor corrections and changes still need to be made in wording and salary
structure. Changes will be incorporated, emailed to council members, and the City
Manager Profile will be put on websites in the next 24 hours in order to stay on the
hiring schedule. Mr. Brimeyer will have a progress report for Council on June 14 as
well as sending periodic updates.
Discuss Shady Oak Road Project
Steve Stadler, Public Works Director, reviewed the Shady Oak Road Project with the
Council. The Hennepin County board pared down project from the original project
of 2006 to the point where buildings are not impacted as much but have eliminated
parking for businesses. Mayor Maxwell and city staff met with property owners and
they have many concerns including the future of their business with limited or no
parking, property values, tenant retention and timetable of the project.
• Staff is meeting with City of Minnetonka on May 6 to discuss strategies on how to put
a plan together that qualifies for the Community Works funds and that would be
supported by the County Commissioners.
Council Members expressed disappointment the direction the Shady Oak Road
project has gone. It is a big set back for the businesses along Shady Oak Road. The
Council would like to keep the businesses in town and the consensus was that the
Council cannot move ahead with the project as it stands now. Mr. Stadler realizes
this is a tough project to sell and wants to engage Hennepin County more, possibly
finding more dollars from the county for the project. Staff will update council
following meeting with City of Minnetonka.
Cottageville Park Community Garden Proposal
Steve Stadler, Public Works Director reviewed the proposal from The Blake Road
Corridor Collaborative (BRCC) for a community garden at Cottageville Park. The
garden would be 40' x 40' and be operated under the guidance/administration of
Ann Buech, BRCC Outreach Coordinator. Ms. Buech stated that the project would
be one year trial community garden, not divided into individual plots, that
"Gardening Matters" will provide training and guidance and that there is already a
group of interested residents from Ramsgate, Westside Village and area homes who
will maintain the garden.
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Council questioned funds for the project; Mr. Stadler stated that funds from the Blake
Road Corridor Collaborative as well as the Park Dedication Funds could be used to
fund the project. Council suggested that staff look into bringing a water spigot onto
park property versus using water from a private residence. Mr. Stadler stated that
information letters will go out to area residents regarding the Garden Project and
that the Park Board will discuss it on May 9th and then be on Council agenda for
May 17th. Council feels the garden is a great step forward for the area.
OTHER:
Council Member Halverson asked Mr. Stadler if there room for another bench in
Downtown Park per a resident request. Mr. Stadler will look at the design layout to
see if it is possible to add 1 or 2 more benches.
Council received an email regarding Train horns. Mr. Stadler stated that he intends
to add the establishment of a quiet zone in the next CIP. Mr. Genellie stated that we
need to have a study done and council cannot pass an ordinance to stop train
horns and that staff will respond to complaint.
City Council has been invited to the GED Graduation on June 7, so the start times of
the HRA and Council meeting will be changed on that date.
• With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Mayor or Maxwell and a
second by Council member Brausen to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTE T:
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Eugene J axwell, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN SS.
CITY OF HOPKINS
I, THE UNDERSiGNED, DEBORAH L. SPERLING, DEPUTY CLERK
OFTHE CITY GF HOPi',INS, HENNEPIN COUNTY,1%1INNESOTAANO CUSTODIAN
OF THE SEAL AND RECORDS OF SAID CITly DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE
ABOVE OR F0PIE6Olti;: IS A TRUE AND CORRECT TRANPT T COPY OF THE
WHOLE ORIGINAL R/t- 0 1 THEREOF PRESERVED /IND O ! I HE OFFICt DF
SAID CITY CLERK. A
DlIKUUTF ITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF F °UFJKWS