Minutes- 3/13/12 City Council Work SessionPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:32 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City
Manager Mike Mornson, Police Chief Mike Reynolds, Economic Development
Director Kirsten Elverum, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Assistant City Manager
Jim Genellie, Fire Chief Dale Specken, Hennepin County Sheriffs Department
representatives Sheriff Stanek and Major Huggett, County Commissioner Jan Callison,
Hennepin County representatives Craig Twinem, Jennifer Lowry, La Xiong, Gary
Hoecherl, Patrick Connoy and WSB & Associates Consultant Tony Heppelmann.
New business:
Dispatch Discussion
Mr. Mornson gave an overview of the City of Hopkins Dispatch Service for 911
emergency calls. A feasibility study in 2009 to consolidate dispatch services with the
City of Minnetonka concluded no significant cost savings at that time but
recommended a review in two years. Mr. Mornson and Chief Reynolds have
explored the feasibility of Hennepin County providing dispatch services to the City of
Hopkins. The cost savings to the City of Hopkins could be approximately $300,000 per
year. The current Hennepin County 911 system does not charge for their services
because the costs are covered by a countywide tax levy. Additionally the current
Hopkins Dispatch system is scheduled for costly equipment and technology
improvements. Hennepin County has indicated that they have capacity to take on
Hopkins and would attempt to employ the six Hopkins dispatch employees. The
Police Chief and City Manager have had success with Hennepin County dispatch in
their previous cities.
Chief Reynolds reviewed the financial savings with the Council. Currently Hopkins
residents pay for both Hennepin County and City of Hopkins dispatch services. Costs
savings by consolidating with Hennepin County would include a substantial decrease
in costs per 911 call and necessary equipment replacement & conversion costs
would be eliminated from the ERP & general fund budget. Chief Reynolds discussed
that some of the budget savings would be used to hire two Public Service Officers to
provide night service per the mandated coverage of the Police Department. The
public safety advantage of the Hennepin County dispatch system includes the ability
of other outside agencies to hear what is happening in Hopkins and having one point
of contact in the event of large-scale emergencies.
Hennepin County Sheriffs Department representatives Sheriff Stanek and Major
Huggett discussed with Council what benefits Hennepin County dispatch can offer to
the city of Hopkins. Hennepin County dispatch currently has the capacity to handle
the additional calls in Hopkins, it is building a new state -of -the art 911
communications facility, would consider the hiring and transitioning of current
Hopkins dispatchers, currently there would be no cost to the City of Hopkins but the
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Hennepin County Board may be exploring charging a fee in the future, insurance &
liability coverage, quick responsiveness to 911 calls and Hopkins would have a seat
on the User Advisory Board.
Fire Chief Specken discussed that the change to Hennepin County dispatch would
have little effect on the Fire Department.
There was much discussion by Council about the benefits of maintaining our own
dispatch, impact on response times, internal changes to the Police Department, cost
savings, future unknown financial fees that the County may charge, County
resolution not allowing other cities to join the dispatch system that is expiring
November 2012, handling of after hours non -emergency calls, hiring of additional
Public Service Officers, reduction in Liability Insurance, and the new Hennepin County
communications facility.
Council directed staff to approach the Hennepin County Board and to continue to
explore. the possibility of Hopkins joining the Hennepin County dispatch system.
Council would like to visit the Hennepin County communications facility, host future
community meetings for public input, review the Police Department restructuring,
financial cost savings and timeframe.
Shady Oak Road Update
Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the latest roadway design of Shady Oak Road,
recap of citizen input and the construction & approval schedule.
Mr. Heppelmann reviewed the purpose & need for the Shady Oak Road project
which include poor pavement condition, safety issues, traffic capacity, lack of
sidewalks & trails and drainage issues. Mr. Heppelmann reviewed the layout changes
from 2006 to the current 2012 roadway design.
Mr. Twinem gave an overview of the project history, reviewed the project schedule,
timeline for layout approval, right of way agreement, environmental process, noise
analysis, construction plans & agreement, construction schedule and completion in
Fall 2015.
Mr. Stadler reviewed with Council the public concerns and input from the community
meetings. Public concerns included the need for the project, noise and the buffering
for residents along 21st Avenue.
Ms. Elverum updated the Council concerning the impact to business owners,
importance of utilizing Community Works dollars to create redevelopment
opportunities, property appraisals, relocation consultant meetings and discussions
with businesses that want to stay in the area.
There was much discussion by Council about the impact on the businesses,
importance of keeping the integrity of neighborhoods, the 2.9 million preliminary cost
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estimates for the city of Hopkins, importance of making sure that all residents who are
impacted are aware of the project & the compensation possibilities, input from the
public during the environmental process and landscaping buffers.
Council requested staff to provide details on the funding for the Shady Oak Road
project, to follow-up with homeowners at 202 Park Road regarding the impact of the
road project and continue to update the Council on input from the businesses.
Hopkins Gambling Policy
Mr. Genellie reviewed with Council the City's gambling policy and the possibility of
electronic pull -tab expansion of charitable gambling in Minnesota to fund a new
Viking's stadium.
There was much discussion by Council how charitable gambling & electronic pull -
tabs could effect organizations and businesses and how the City and other
organizations have benefitted from partnership with charitable gambling.
Mr. Genellie will keep Council updated on any proposed gambling legislation
OTHER:
• Council Member Halverson gave an update on the Blake School neighborhood
meeting.
• Staff will discuss the 24-hour street parking policy and schedule this for a future work
session topic.
• Council Member Cummings gave an update on the Community Days of Service
• Caring Youth Recognition Awards held at Minnetonka Community Center on
Thursday, March 15, 2012.
• Hopkins Business & Civic Association is brainstorming on "civic" ideas
• Mr. Mornson gave an update on the following items:
o Work session with the Park Board and Zoning & Planning Commission at
6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.
o Discussion of the 4/5t" council vote needed for the street reconstruction
o Klodt redevelopment agreement will be on the April 3 agenda
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Cummings
and a second by Council member Gadd to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
CITY COUNCIL
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ATTEST:.
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
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