Minutes - 02/23/2010 WS ti�
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• MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
CENTER FOR THE ARTS – JAYCEE'S STUDIO
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members
Kristi Halverson, Rick Brausen, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, Hopkins City Manager Rick Getschow, Public .
Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Community
Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Marketing Committee Fran Hesch, Marlene Hunkins, Susan Newville,
Facilities Manager Jay Strachota and Executive Arts Director Susan Hanna-Bibus.
THINK HOPKINS/MARKETING UPDATE:
Ms. Beard stated that 2007 was the first year of a city-led marketing committee and the resulting promotional
campaign known as Think Hopkins! She stated that since then the city staff has been facilitating the marketing
committee which serves as an advisory group and is comprised of local businesses, residents, and HBCA
members.
Ms. Beard stated that the city hired CityImage to create a branding and marketing strategy for Hopkins in late
2006. She stated that they looked at three different areas; 1) residents, business owner and employees. 2)
� Visitors (shopping, dining and arts patrons. 3) Prospective businesses and developers. Think Hopkins became
he branding and marketing strategy. Ms. Beard stated that since that time they have created a web-site, printed
materials, shopping guide, canvas bags, antiques brochure, photo contest, business recruitment brochure-shirts,
brochures at Mall of America and visitor's center throughout the state.
Ms. Beard stated the ideas for 2010 include Banner on Mainstreet, Community Event Brochure and other event
marketing, shopping and dining update, new restaurant promotions, electronic media exploration and the movie
premier of "The Convincer".
Ms. Beard presented both canvas and vinyl banners. The cost of the vinyl is less than that of the canvas but
there is more option of color for the vinyl, They would not be displayed all year so they would last longer. The
marketing committee stated that it is time for a new look on Mainstreet.
Council discussed this new marketing idea and suggested maybe having the banner on 8 as well. The council
supports the marketing committee to go ahead with the vinyl banners. They also support the marketing
committee to proceed with all of the other 2010 ideas listed above.
HOPKINS ARTS CENTER PROGRAMMING & FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
Mr. Strachota stated that the Art Center has presented six out of the nine Saturday concerts so far, two out of the
-five Tuesday concerts, nine of the seventeen exhibitions in the two galleries, seven of the 13 Off the Wall
�Member Spotlights and two -�f the 3 special lobby display case exhibits.
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�' Mr. Strachota stated that the goals for this series of Take Five Tuedays is to broaden the audience to include
people who have not attended a concert at the center before including the young adults, increase the overall �
i number of people served by the concerts and deepen the connection with existing concert attendees by offering
i another option for participation.
Mr. Strachota stated that the Center for the Arts has received significant media coverage for the Take Five
Tuesdays. It is also bringing in new audiences and Cargill is actively promoting it.
Mr. Strachota stated that the Art Center is very excited about the Arts Festival which is being chaired by the
Hopkins resident Mimi Stewart. The Hopkins Arts Festival this year will be on July lO & l l and it features a
juried fine art fair, theatrical/musical presentations by Stages Theatre Company and Hopkins School District.
Food vendors complementing area restaurants and Mainstreet merchants are added attractions.
Ms. Hanna-Bibus stated that the cost of a booth at the Art Center is $250.00 for a ten foot by ten foot booth.
Mr. Strachota stated that additional staffing would eventually strengthen the Hopkins Center for the Arts
fundraising abilities and financial position. It would do this by freeing some of the Art Directors time so she
can focus on grants and other revenue opportunities.
Mayor Maxwell suggested banners announcing the shows that are coming up like they do in a theatre. A
suggestion was also made to put the upcoming shows on Facebook.
The Council discussed with Mr. Strachota and Ms. Hanna-Bibus and agreed that we have to give this another
year to see if there will be an increase in customers. The Council supports the staff to continue on the path that
they are on stating when you try new things it does take about a year or so for it to succeed. The Council will
help put the word to have restaurants and bars staffed with enough people to accommodate the people who
' come out of the Art Center after a showing and also talk to them about a two for one deal.
OTHER:
• Mr. Getschow stated that the 2010 Citizens Academ is comin u this will be the schedule:
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o General Government — Thursday, March 4, 2010, 6:15 p.m at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 1 S Street
South.
o Police Department — Thursday, March 11, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Hopkins Police Department, 1010
l Street South. Council member Brausen will attend.
o Planning & Economic Development — Thursday, March 18, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Dow Towers,
22 S Ave South. Council member Brausen will attend.
o Public Works — Thursday, March 25, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Public Works Garage, 11100 Excelsior
Blvd. Council member Halverson will attend.
o Fire Department — Thursday, April 1, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Hopkins Fire Department, 101 17
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Ave South. Council member Youakim will attend.
o Graduation Ceremony — Tuesday, Apri16, 2010, 7:00 p.m. at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 First
�treet South. _
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�n a motion by Youakim, and second by Halverson, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
CITY COUNCIL
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
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