Minutes for June 19,2007 C.C.A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on June 19, 2007, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Youakim, Rowan, and
Halverson. Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler,
Kerrigan, Elverum, Harkess, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. OATH OF OFFICE
Officer Darin Hill introduced the new Reserve Officers. The following persons took
the Oath of Office: Reserve Officers, Sonny Lau; Jonathan Pierson; Niro
Senanayake; Jim Scanlon; and Reserve Sergeants Krystal Ludgate; and Ryan
Taylor.
The Oath of Office was also administered to Aaron Kuznia and Molly Cummings,
Park Board and Tom Jenny and Kate Reilly, Zoning and Planning Commission.
IV. PRESENTATION
1 . Quarterly Depot Report
Karen Gullikson, Vlad Gruin, and Fran Hesch came forward to give a report on the
Depot Coffee House. Ms. Gullikson stated that the Board has implemented many
changes. Booths were constructed from old church pews and doors and installed.
The Three Rivers Park agreement is in the final stages. The Depot teen center is in
the final stages of receiving a grant from Park Nicollet. Anew President of the
Board will be elected at the next board meeting. The Depot is organizing the Battle
of the Bands for the Raspberry Festival this year. They have planted Raspberries
by the building. Mr. Gruin reported on the alternative energy project that is in
process at the Depot. Ms. Hesch gave a presentation, on the financial position of
the Depot.
Mayor Maxwell reported that he and Council Member Rowan accepted a plaque
from the Farmer's Market for the City. The plaque was given to the City in
June 19, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
recognition of the 21 years of support that the City has given to the Farmer's
Market.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of June 5, 2007 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of June 12, 2007 City Council Work Session
3. Approve Appointment of Planning & Zoning Member, Patrick Beddor
4. Approve Appointment of Park Board Member, Sharon Paulson
5. Locker Systems for the Pavilion High School Team Rooms (CR2007-062)
6. Approve 2007 HMEA Contract (CR2007-061)
7. Approve Miscellaneous Licenses (Memo)
8. Approve Temporary Liquor License for Hopkins Rotary (2007-065)
9. Approve Liquor License Renewals (CR2007-064)
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion
to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council
Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1 . Livable Communities Demonstration Account Application (CR2007-063)
In response to growing crime along the Blake Rd corridor, the Wilder Foundation
was asked to do an in-depth study of neighborhood issues. Two factors of the
physical environment were concluded to be contributing factors to crime and the
overall deterioration of the neighborhood; first, a secluded "pocket park" with no
visibility from the street; second, the lack of pedestrian connections from high
density housing developments to major areas of employment and transit.
The application would request 53.4 million for the acquisition of land for a new or
expanded park, relocation of tenants, demolition of structures and pedestrian bridge
over Minnehaha Creek.
Staff submitted apre-application for the LCDA funds on June 1 1, 2007. The final
application is due by July 16, 2007, Funds would be distributed in December of
2007 and the City would have two years to spend the funds.
Ms. Elverum stated that this could be the catalyst for development in the area.
This area will be studied in depth in the Comprehensive Plan Process.
June 19, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Council and Staff discussed the possibility of receiving less than the requested
amount and whether or not the City could apply for more funds at a later date.
In response to Mayor Maxwell's question, Mr. Stadler stated that the Park Board is
aware of the project, but he has not yet taken the issue to a Board meeting.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion
to Move to approve Resolution 2007-042, identifying the need for Livable
Communities Demonstration Account funding and authorizing an application for
grant funds. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye;
Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Authorize the Sale of 2007 Improvement Bonds (CR2007-066)
The City has the authority to issue permanent improvement revolving (PIR) bonds
to pay for street improvements within the city. The last PIR Bond issue was done
in 2003. From 2003 through 2006, the City has undergone over $2.5 million in
street improvements which were paid for by past bond proceeds, special
assessments and fund balance. Special assessments are assessed annually, but
property owners have up to ten years to pay the assessment, therefore, the sale of
PIR would finance the City's street improvements. A bond issue of $1 .955 million
is recommended. Due to the maturity of a current bonded debt levy in 2007 and
the savings on the refunding of another debt issue, the debt tax levy for 2008
would be reduced by $41,800 or by almost '/2 of 1 % of the total tax levy.
Sid Inman, Ehlers and Associates, came forward to answer questions.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2007-041, Providing for the Issuance and Sale of
$1,955,000 General Obligation Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund Bonds,
Series 2007. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye;
Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Maxwell thanked the three people who are retiring this month, Lee
Goodman, Captain Jim Liddy, and Jim Kerrigan for their years of service and
contributions to the City of Hopkins.
June 19, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Halverson moved and Council
Member Youakim seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Eug e J axwell, Mayor
June 19, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
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