12-11-2012 WSMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike Mornson,
Director of Planning & Economic Development Kersten Elverum, City Engineer John Bradford,
Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Recreation Service Director Dave Johnson,
Williston Center Manager Kelly O'Dea, Charles Stewart and Bruce Jacobson of the Cuningham
Group Landscape Architects.
New business:
Discuss Concept Review for Cottageville Park
Mr. Bradford updated Council on the stormwater needs and the consideration the Cottageville
Park design must take into account to accomplish these needs.
Mr. Jacobson spoke to the process the Cuningham Group used in the park design. It included a
team of designers, input from The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, city staff and the
residents of Hopkins recommendations. He offered three options for park improvements and
stated each option would look complete, intentional and fully functional. The first option the
"Basic Park" would include demolishing the existing buildings, stormwater management, a
redesigned alley, addition of pathways within the park, relocation of the basketball courts, re -use
of some existing playground equipment, a canoe landing and a pavilion. The estimated cost is
$2.4 million. The next option the "Signature Park" would include the same as above plus a picnic
and seating area, creek crossing and a pavilion with restrooms and storage along with a pavilion
plaza. This option is estimated at $3.3 million. The third option the "Awesome Park" would
include everything from the other two plans plus a 2-5 years old play area with new equipment,
an "adventure" play area for 5-12 years old, enhanced entrances to the park, an interpretive
walkway, a "green roof pavilion" that allows play both on top and beneath it, more public art and
an enhanced creek crossing. The estimated cost for this option is $5.8 million
There was much Council discussion regarding the three park designs, each park design's options
and costs, the neighbor needs, the open water storage, parking needs, the future of the area the
park is located by and the soil in the area plus the funding for the park improvements.
Mr. Mornson stated the final design will be presented to the public at an open house on Tuesday,
December 18 at 6 p.m. at city hall preceding the City Council meeting. The design would then be
presented to the City Council at the council meeting. City staff will continue to work on a
funding plan for the park improvements.
Williston Discussion
Mr. Johnson spoke to the partnership history between the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka in
regards to the recreation programs. He stated residents of Hopkins receive the Minnetonka
resident rates for recreation programs but not for the membership fee for the Williston Fitness
Center. The fitness center has received numerous requests from Hopkins residents to receive the
same membership rate as a Minnetonka resident. He explained currently there are approximately
207 Hopkins families with memberships. If the fees were lowered for the existing memberships
it would result in lost revenue for the center of approximately $9,700 annually. He stated for the
Hopkins residents to receive the lower rate the loss would need to be addressed.
Page 2
Mr. Johnson explained that staff has developed three possible options to address the loss. First
option could be a financial compensation whereas Hopkins would compensate Minnetonka
annually for existing revenue loss in the amount of $9,708. Annually, this amount could be
reduced if memberships declined, but not increased if memberships increased. Second option
could be an adjustment to the Shady Oak Beach agreement between the cities of Hopkins and
Minnetonka whereas currently the agreement is a requirement for Minnetonka to pay 67% of
annual maintenance costs. This option would be a reduction in this reimbursement by a set
amount or percentage over a predetermined period of years as compensation. The third option
could be reciprocal agreement for an existing service. While currently no known needs exist,
staff can continue to explore this option to compensate for all or part of the overall cost. The
solution could also include a combination of the above options.
There was much Council discussion regarding the maximum people the center can hold
comfortably, the difference in membership fees between Hopkins and Minnetonka residents, and
the different options of reimbursement for lowering the current Hopkins Family's membership
fee.
Other
• Council Member Gadd gave an update regarding Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee
change.
• Council Member Cummings will attend the first Caring Youth Award meeting.
• Mr. Mornson stated that the Blake and 7th development is proceeding in a positive way to get
the plat recorded by of the year.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Youakim a second by
Council member Cummings to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kris Luedke
CITY)COUN
I
ATTEST:
Eugen J. MeRwell, Ma or