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Minutes - 4/26/11 Work SessionPage 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION • 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 for 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. Page 2 • 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 Prosect 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. r� U Page 3 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. n U 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 Maxwell and a second by Council member.Brausen to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor CITY COUNCIL