Minutes - 10/11/11 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
• Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:35 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager
Mike Mornson, City Engineer John Bradford, Director of Economic Development
Kersten Elverum and Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie.
New business:
Illicit Discharge and Connection Ordinance
Mr. Bradford explained the purpose of the Illicit Discharge and Connection
Ordinance. The Ordinance is established to regulate pollutants to the storm sewer
system, prohibit illicit connections and discharges, and establish legal authority for
inspection and enforcement procedures. Mr. Bradford explained the key elements
of the Ordinance including permit application, staff's right to inspect a property and
violation & enforcement of the Ordinance. City staff, the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency and the City Attorney has reviewed the Ordinance and feel this ordinance
meets the requirements of the Storm Water Management Plan.
There was much discussion by Council concerning similar ordinances in other cities
and the importance of educating city residents & businesses about the Ordinance.
The 1 St reading of the Ordinance will be on Tuesday, October 18, 2011.
Open to Business
Ms. Elverum explained the Open to Business program, a one-on-one
consultation service to new, existing or expanding businesses, as well as
access to a variety of loan programs. The cost to offer the services is
proposed to be $10,000 for a one-year membership. Hennepin County has set
aside funds to provide $5,000 and the city is responsible for the remaining
$5,000. The Hopkins Business & Civic Association (HBCA) has committed to
$2500 therefore the City of Hopkins would be responsible for the remaining
$2500. Staff feels the program is a great fit for Hopkins and good resource for
businesses. Ms. Elverum has gotten good feedback from City of Minnetonka
who already has the program and HBCA,is excited to provide this service to
their membership.
There was much discussion by Council about businesses utilizing the service, how the
program works, contract timeframe and marketing of the Open to Business
program. The resolution is scheduled to be on the October 18, 2011 City Council
agenda.
Ms. Elverum updated Council on an Art Place endowment grant that staff is looking
into applying for possibly the 8th Avenue corridor redevelopment area. Staff asked
• Council for any suggestions and will keep Council updated.
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Amendment to Massage License Ordinance
• Mr. Genellie addressed the Council explaining that due to recent problems with
several individuals who have massage licenses, staff is considering some
amendments to the current ordinance. Hopkins licenses the practitioner of massage,
not the business. This has allowed the business where the masseuses were arrested,
located at 1209 Mainstreet, to quickly reopen with new licensed practitioners.
State law exempts massage therapists who are working for or an employee of a
medical professional licensed under Minnesota chapter 147 or 148, so any business
such as this would not be licensed. Requiring other businesses in Hopkins, which have
a massage practitioner, to get a license will mean a new cost for existing businesses.
Purpose of the license is to do background checks and violations would suspend the
individual license as well as the business license. The City Attorney and the Police
Department have reviewed the Ordinance.
There was much discussion by Council regarding the fee schedule and
determination of the suspension and reinstatement of the license.
Staff will notify businesses regarding the Ordinance and will be available to address
business concerns. Council will be available to hear comments from individuals and
businesses at next work session and the 1 st reading of the Ordinance is scheduled for
the November 15, 2011 City Council agenda.
• Amendment to Tobacco Ordinance
Mr. Genellie discussed the exemption to the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act where
tobacco product shops do not prohibit the lighting of tobacco by a customer or
potential customer for the specific purpose of sampling tobacco products. Some
establishments in other cities have used this exemption to establish smoking bars or
lounges. The amendment to the Tobacco Ordinance would assure that businesses
must come forward to state their intention. Staff is recommending that the Council.
consider the following amendment to the City's tobacco ordinance: Smoking
Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the lighting, inhaling, exhaling or combination
thereof of tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco related devices by any person in
any retail establishment.
There was much discussion by Council about the language in the Tobacco
Ordinance, the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act and the requirement to notify
holders of Tobacco Licenses of any changes to the Ordinance. Council directed
staff to have the City Attorney review the language in the Tobacco Ordinance prior
to the first reading at the City Council meeting on November 15, 2011.
OTHER:
• Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 15, l Oam-2pm
• Council member Rowen will be absent from the November 15th City Council
meeting.
• Council discussed group home licensing requirements.
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• Mr. Mornson discussed that the November 1 Work Session will be a Joint Meeting
with the City of Minnetonka at 6:00 pm followed by the City Council meeting at
7:30 pm the same evening.
• Mayors and Council members are invited to the League of Minnesota.Cities
meeting on November 18, 2011.
• Hopkins Police Department will be starting a Sergeant Exchange Program.
• November 1 HRA Meeting agenda includes approving TIF notes for Excelsior
Crossing & a resolution to decertify Block 64 TIF District.
• Mr. Mornson discussed proposing a TIF Management Plan.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Rowan
and a second by Council member Brausen to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
•
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
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CITY COUNCIL