Minutes of the CC Mtg on September 18A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on September 18, 2012, in the Council
Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell, Council Members Cummings,
Gadd, Halverson and Youakim. Also, present were staff members Bradford, Elverum, Genellie,
Morrison, Stadler and City Attorney Jeremy Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:29 p.m.
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1. Annual Hennepin County Update
Commissioner Jan Callison addressed the Council reviewing the County's sources of revenue and the
challenges of increased demand for services. Commissioner Callison reviewed the budget process, the
Hennepin County tax levy set at 1% maximum and the taxation process. Commissioner Callison
provided Council with the Hopkins Library usage statistics and an update on the new Police Dispatch
facility to be built in Plymouth. Mayor Maxwell thanked Commissioner Callison for her support and
involvement in the Hopkins community.
2. Depot Update
Student representatives from the Depot Coffee House gave an overview of the youth program
activities, the Depot Youth Foundation, an upcoming Eagle Scout project and the Annual Halloween
event. The students updated the Council on the hiring of the new Chef of the Cafe, financial status of
the Depot and gave an overview of the power generated and saving impacts of the Solar panels. There
was much Council discussion regarding the coffee operations and the Depot Board. There was
discussion about Give to the Max Day on November 15, an opportunity to financially support the
Depot Coffee House as well as other area organizations.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the September 4, 2012 Work Session before Council Meeting
2. Minutes of the September 4, 2012 Council Meeting
3. Minutes of the September 4, 2012 Work Session Following the Council Meeting
4. Minutes of the September 11, 2012 Work Session
5. Approve Special Council Meeting for October 23, 2012 (CR 2012-104)
6. Proclamation for Spare Key Appreciation Day
Council Member Cummings moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council
Member Gadd, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor
Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
1. 2013 Street and Utility Improvement Project (CR 2012-109)
At the June 5, 2012 meeting the Hopkins City Council authorized Bolton and Menk, Inc. to prepare a
feasibility report concerning street and utility improvements in the South Presidential neighborhood.
Hearing notices have been mailed to all affected property owners of record. In accordance with state
statutes, City Council needs to conduct the public hearing and determine authorization of the project.
Mr. Bradford gave an overview of street & utility improvement area, pavement management system,
showed examples of pavement ratings, failed pavement, street projects and how a road is rebuilt.
Mr. Marcus Thomas of Bolten and Menk, Inc. gave an overview of the existing streets and reasons for
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needed reconstruction including poor pavement conditions, inefficient curbs and poor drainage. Mr.
Thomas gave an overview of the proposed street improvements, rehabilitation of the water tower
driveway, existing drainage conditions & improvements, existing water system and sanitary sewer
conditions and proposed improvements. Mr. Thomas reviewed the policy of replacing private service
lines to the homes and discussed possible tree removal, preservation & replacement.
There was much Council discussion regarding the financial agreement with homeowners for private
service line replacement and that is more economical for homeowners to replace service lines during
street reconstruction. Service lines that are Orangeburg or lead pipe are mandated by state law to be
replaced.
Mr. Bradford gave an explanation of the total street improvement costs of 4.9 million, funding for the
project, how the assessments & assessment caps are calculated, the street footage residential
assessment cap of $76.68 per front foot, the projected assessments, payment of assessments, how
assessment interest rates are determined and the construction project schedule. Mr. Bradford updated
the Council on the Public Informational meeting and responses from the property owner questionnaire.
Mr. Bradford and Mr. Thomas reviewed the project schedule and what residents may expect during
construction. Mr. Bradford will keep the Council updated regarding a Met Council grant for sanitary
sewer replacement.
There was much discussion by Council regarding alley access for residents, cost sharing with Edina on
the interconnect, televising of sanitary sewer lines, tree preservation & replacement, planting of
additional trees, narrowing of roads, sidewalk replacement, driveway apron replacement and the 2012
road reconstruction project.
Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 8:31 pm. The following residents addressed the Council
about the project:
Bob Wittner, 122 Harrison Avenue South, came forward to comment on a full street reconstruction
project vs. resurfacing of streets during these economic times.
Sean Rustad, 141 Van Buren Avenue South, came forward to comment on the street reconstruction
value to the homeowner, roads conditions, water and sewer lines replacement and the assessment.
Alexis McGlennen, 34 Harrison Avenue South, came forward to comment on the sanitary sewer
system and the narrowing of the roads.
Loren Rogneby, 41, 43, 45 Harrison Avenue South, came forward to comment on the project during
these economic times, the assessment, drainage issues and replacement pipe materials.
Stephen Seward, 113 Van Buren Avenue South, came forward to comment on the construction
process, gas line replacement, assessments and the project during these economic times.
Brenda Wittner, 122 Harrison Avenue South, came forward to comment on a full street reconstruction
project vs. resurfacing of streets during these economic times and concern over narrowing of roads
with high traffic volumes.
Jeremy Huisheere, 29 Jackson Avenue South, came forward to comment on the sewer system,
assessments and street lighting.
Bob Shingler, 18 Jackson Avenue South, came forward to comment on the storm sewer and private
service line replacement.
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Robert Kellogg, 119 Van Buren Avenue South, came forward to comment on the street reconstruction
project and the water service lines.
There was much discussion by Council and Mr. Bradford regarding the 5 -year Capital Improvement
Plan, benefit of narrow streets, Senior Citizen deferment of assessment, the competitive bid process,
utility companies will be notified of street reconstruction project, street signage and lighting, Pavement
Management Plan, commercial property assessments, and the importance of maintaining the City's
infrastructure.
Council Member Cummings moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to close the
public hearing. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member
Gadd, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye.
The public hearing was closed at 9:10 pm.
Mr. Bradford reviewed the Bolten and Menk, Inc. Engineering Contract, gave an overview of the
assessment policy and the City Bond rating.
Council appreciated the residents coming to share their thoughts regarding the project at the public
hearing and encouraged residents to work with the Bolten and Menk representative during the
construction process.
Council Member Cummings moved and Council Member Gadd seconded a motion to Adopt
Resolution 2012-070, Resolution Ordering Improvement after Public Hearing, 2013 Street and Utility
Improvement project, Project 2012-10, and companion Resolution 2012-071, stating City's intent to
sell bonds to fund this project, and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement
with Bolton and Menk, Inc. for project engineering services. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member Gadd, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye;
Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Other:
Next City Council meeting is October 2, 2012.
Hopkins Business Forum is September 27 at Hopkins Center for the Arts.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Halverson
seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
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