04-10-2012 WSMINUTES 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, 201h Avenue -Karen Gehrke, 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 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.
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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.
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
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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
ATT ST:
d
Eugen J. xwell, Mayor