Minutes of the Work Session on 4-10-2012Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:34 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City
Manager Mike Mornson, Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie, Hennepin County
Appraisers Michael Smerdon & Duane Scheurer, Decision Resources, LTD
representative Peter Leatherman, Homeowners representing their neighborhoods:
Nine Mile Cove -Mimi Stewart, Westbrooke Patio Homes -Scott Mattson & Brian Ulrich,
20th Avenue -Karen Gehrko, Avenues Association -Lisa Klass & Diane Bangerter, The
Oaks of Mainstreet-Romaine Bechir, Cambridge NW -Tom Miller, Hobby Acres -
Michael Meyer, Parkside -Jean Sorenson and Lake Street -Deb Butler.
New business:
Assessors Annual Discussion
Michael Smerdon, Hennepin County Residential Appraiser, reviewed the 2012
residential market values of housing in Hopkins. Mr. Smerdon gave a review of the
market data, open book procedures, a chart listing average sales, sales with photos
& characteristics from a sample of sales throughout the city and the neighborhoods
scheduled for a re-evaluation in 2013. Mr. Smerdon used 41 home sales for the
analysis. In comparison to the rest of the metro area, residential estimated market
values are in the middle of pack and condo estimated market values fell due to
high amount of foreclosures. The Hopkins Open Book meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 1, 5-7 pm in the Raspberry Room at Hopkins City Hall.
There was much discussion by Council about the Condo market, % of housing stock
foreclosures, examining the trends in delinquent taxes and the financial health of
homeowners association.
Duane Scheurer, Hennepin County Commercial Appraiser, reviewed the
commercial market values of apartments, commercial and industrial buildings in
Hopkins. Mr. Scheurer stated there were three industrial building sales, currently there
are low apartment vacancies rates and Hopkins commercial market values are in
the middle compared to the rest of Hennepin County.
Meeting with Decision Resource; City Survey
Mr. Mornson gave an overview of Decision Resources and the possibility of
conducting a city survey for Hopkins. The last city survey was completed in 2007.
Cost of the survey is budgeted in the Communications Budget.
Mr. Leatherman gave an overview of the survey research proposal and process. The
survey would be conducted by telephone to 400 randomly selected households in
Hopkins. The survey results will help staff and Council better understand the wants
and needs of the community and allow for comparisons to other cities in the metro
area. Most cities conduct surveys on a two - five year cycle. Mr. Leatherman
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explained the project schedule, the process to draft questions, how the survey is laid
out and the positioning of questions on the survey. A survey typically includes 120-
150 questions, takes approximately 27 minutes to complete and many of the
questionnaires are completed by appointment. Pricing of the survey is based upon
the number of questions asked. Mr. Leatherman explained that Decision Resources
uses random digit dialing that includes cell phone numbers and the name "Decision
Resources" is displayed on caller ID.
There was much discussion by Council regarding the development of questions,
types of questions to focus on, how the city staff & Council utilized the 2007 survey
and time frame to conduct a survey. Staff and Council will continue to review and
discuss the city survey proposal.
Meeting with Neighborhood Association
Mayor Maxwell welcomed the neighborhood representatives explaining that the
Council would like to continue to connect and communicate with the
Neighborhood Associations. Mr. Mornson addressed the Council & neighborhood
representatives regarding the City of Hopkins 2012 Goals & strategic plan. Mr.
Genellie gave an overview of the Neighborhood Associations in Hopkins. City staff
often gets questions about neighborhood associations and would like to have
updated contact information in order to effectively communicate and address
questions. Mr. Genellie discussed the Hopkins Neighborhood Handbook that is
available on the city website to assist neighborhoods to organize an association.
Council Member Cummings gave an overview of how the Avenues formed their
Association, the neighborhood events and the benefits & challenges of the
Association.
The neighborhood representatives discussed with Council the challenges of
communicating, engaging & involving members, keeping costs under control,
importance of parks to neighborhoods, difficulty in recruiting board members,
importance of being proactive to address neighborhood concerns, obligations of
associations, property values, concern about the increase in the number of rentals &
the rental license and compliance process and redevelopment, road, park, creek &
trail projects occurring in the city.
There was much discussion by Council encouraging neighborhood associations to
involve city staff & departments at association meetings, importance of
communication & connecting associations to the entire city, involvement in Citizen's
Academy & CERT program, importance of maintaining the identity, integrity and
quality of life in Hopkins, impacts of future light rail, redevelopment & road projects,
rental license ordinance and process and the importance of calling city
staff/departments and police to address issues or concerns. Council discussed
raising awareness of neighborhood associations at the City Information Booth at
festivals and the farmer's market. Staff will investigate making the neighborhood
association map as a download on the city website.
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Mayor Maxwell thanked the neighborhood representatives for their time and input.
Other:
• Councilmember Youakim is planning on attending the SWLRT livable communities
meeting
• Discussion on the Rental Licensing Ordinance, yard waste & bulk item drop-off
• Mayor Maxwell will keep Council informed about upcoming Yellow Ribbon
Communities meeting
• Mr. Mornson updated the Council on the following items:
o Blake School neighborhood meeting on May 3
o Two Hopkins officers will be giving presentations at the upcoming Police
Chief Annual Meeting
o Mr. Mornson will be giving a presentation on the Hopkins Citizens
Academy at the League of MN Cities Meeting
• Council discussed the City Survey, timing of the survey, waiting until 2013 will give
staff & Council time to work on possible survey questions & issues the survey would
focus on and Council would like to look at examples of surveys of similar size cities.
• Discussion of the Firearm Ordinance first reading
• Communicating & Educating residents on the use of the 911 system
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 9:45
p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
CITY COUNCIL
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor