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Minutes December 11, 2007 WS December 11, 2007 Page 1 • MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — December 11, 2007 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on December 11, 2007, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson and Bruce Rowan were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow, Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie, Director of Housing Kersten Elverum, City Planner Nancy Anderson, Building Official Christopher Kearney, Housing Inspector Elizabeth Page, and Planning and Development Coordinator Tara Beard. Planning and Zoning Commission members present were Linda Flynn, Bob Hatlestad, Tom Jenny, Kathryn Newcomb, Patrick Beddar and Kyle Skiertnont. Also present were Mark Koegler of Hoisington-Koegler; and Larry Pobuda and Terry Schneider of the Stewart Lawrence Group. Rental License Ordinance Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie said the proposed ordinance was discussed with the Council at a July work session, and staff was directed to have the city attorney examine the proposed ordinance and to work out a point system. Staff proposes to have the first reading of the ordinance at the second Council meeting in January. Building Official Kearney noted there were no major changes to the draft in the interim. The point system was field tested on four inspections. There are 101 points to look at; this may be tweaked as the system goes into full use with other types of buildings. The crime-free, • drug-free lease addendum will be sent along with the proposals to all rental owners, as well as information on background checks provided by the police. City Manager Getschow noted that in 2006 a rental fee increase from $20 to $100 was considered; it was determined it would be wiser to charge smaller license fees and charge more for the inspections so that those who used the services would be the ones to pay for them. Staff has received positive feedback on this philosophy. Mr. Kearney said the $65/building, $25/unit initial inspection fee might be charged only every three to four years on some properties. Charges would be made for repeat inspections. Education is a major consideration as staff wants owners to pass on the first inspection. Hopkins does not have the personnel for a large number of reinspections. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said periods between regular inspections will depend on how well the owners score on the previous inspection. Ms. Page said utility arrears are not part of the program. Staff, however, is working on getting owners as well as tenants notified; if other issues are being worked on, she can look in the computer and notify owners of arrears as well. Answering Mr. Brausen, she said staff takes the owner's word on background checks as that is private information; they can check what verification there is. Answering Mr. Rowan, she said "immediate relative" does not include in-laws in the present draft. Mr. Genellie will look into the homesteading issue. Mr. Genellie noted that October 2008 will start the new annual fee. Background checks, etc. will be required as new leases are done. Owners will have a month to study the proposal before the first reading. Mr. Brausen commented this ordinance change was overdue. As a rental owner, he thinks it is a good thing. He feels truth-in-housing inspections should also be charged for. Ms. • Page noted that if truth-in-housing requires more than one visit, the city does charge for it. Mr. Getschow noted the public needs to be educated that the increased fees include December 11, 2007 Page 2 . more services. He noted that once the ordinance is in effect, the new charges will be used. He added the passing would also mean a new employee will be added for inspections as there will be 900 new units to inspect. Ms. Page added there are approximately 4,000 apartment units. Kearney stated letters will be sent to rental owners regardi�g the new ordinance in the next few days. Joint Meeting with Zoning and Planning The Comprehensive Plan Mr. Koegler said the Met Council has set a December 2008 deadline for comprehensive plans, which must have been reviewed by neighboring cities and groups . such as school districts. Hopkins plans to have broad community participation through meetings and the web site; 4 public meetings are scheduled for April. By March the committee should have a substantial draft for utilities. Mr. Getschow commented the committee will want to look at the major studies done for water and sewer this past year and the future planning for utilities. The electronic city newsletter is another major tool for resident participation. Mayor Maxwell suggested including the comp plan in the State of the City presentation in March. City Planner Anderson said staff plans to put the goals, etc. on the website as well as information on each section as it gets done. Cit Ms. Anderson asked for comments on the goals; some had no comments. Protect the residential neighborhoods. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Hatlestad said no • boundaries were set for neighborhoods; the language is universal. Ms. Flynn added no geographical definitions were used except for "downtown." Protect and enhance downtown Hopkins. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Hatlestad said zoning districts were used to define downtown. General discussion was held on how the R. L. Johnson Building would fit in. Ms. Anderson noted if an area is rezoned to B-2 or B-3, it would become part of downtown. Answering Mayor Maxwell, she noted multi-family apartments could be added. Mr. Getschow suggested they be put in a new sentence. Residents, employees, and business owners are involved and informed. Mr. Brausen suggested the importance of civic responsibility and involvement be included. Mr. Jenny noted "voting" would be too specific. There was general agreement. Protect and enhance greenspace... Ms. Anderson noted this was a new addition since the last joint meeting. Mr. Rowan liked the new format; there was general agreement. Stren hs of Hopkins Not all were commented on. Sense of Community. Mr. Rowan said "engaged families" seemed odd wording. "Engaged residents" was suggested by others. Variety of Development Types. Ms. Beard suggested "public and private recreation areas" rather than "public parks, and private golf courses." Good Municipal Service Delivery. Mr. Rowan noted "should" should change to "do." Excellent Community Facilities. "Hopkins Center for the Arts" should be used. Ms. Elverum suggested the last sentence about it and the Pavilion be moved ahead. Mayor Maxwell suggested adding the Depot, Skate Park and the Activity Center to show many �ages are served. A Tradition of Community Celebrations. Mr. Brausen suggested adding Heritage Fest. Mr. Hatlestad • noted Farmers Market should be included somewhere. Ms. Newcomb suggested December 11, 2007 Page 3 . removing the numbers on this and later sections so the format would be similar to the goals. There was general agreement. Weaknesses of Hopkins Ms. Flynn suggested changing this section to "Challenges." Others agreed. Not all were commented on. Image of the Community in the Minds of Non-Residents. Ms. Beard says there is a great variance of opinion among non-residents. Ms. Elverum noted Mainstreet not being seen from a major highway hurts. Tax Base Constraints. General consensus was to omit the second sentence. Opportunities for Hopkins. Not all were commented on. Access Via Light-Rail Transit. This was re-titled as given. A Resurgent Downtown. There was general agreement to omit the first sentence. Future of the Retired Landfill... Mayor Maxwell noted the state has much more control on this than Hopkins. Mr. Hatlestad noted he had heard a"green energy use" (wood-burning plant) has been talked about. Mayor Maywell wants to add "work with other organizations and state departments." Mr. Rowan suggested using "collaborative efforts." Ms. Elverum agreed this need more "word-smithing." Improvement of the Excelsior Boulevard/Shady Oak Road Corridors. Ms. Elverum suggested including Blake Road; there wa� general agreement. Mr. Rowan noted "of' needed to be inserted between "expense" and "cleaning." Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Anderson said Highway 7 was not included as it is a site, not a corridor. Ms. Beard noted that the bus stops on Highway 7 need to be looked at as there are no good approaches, shelters, etc. There was agreement this issue should be included elsewhere • in the. document. Capitalizing on Hopkins' Self-contained, Small-town Image. Ms. Anderson noted this was the top comment about why residents like Hopkins in the survey. She added all later opportunities were new additions. East End Redevelopment. Mayor Maxwell said "Blake Corridor" should be defined. Growing Ethnic Population. General agreement was that "diversity" would be a better connotation than "ethnic." Compact Size With Identi�able Neighborhoods. Mr. Hatlestad commented, "Improve what?" Unique Public Facilities... It was noted "Hopkins Center for the Arts" should be used. Mayor Maxwell suggested the Ice Pavilion be included. Large Corporate Presence was agreed on as a new section title. General consensus was to remove Blake School and the word "soon" before Cargill. Ms. Beard noted staff has had discussions on how to integrate Cargill employees. Ms. Newcomb suggested adding car dealerships. Ms. Anderson will add eorporate identities. Threats to Hopkins. Not all were commented on. Industrial Obsolescence. Mr. Getschow noted this should include multi-family units to match the other sections. Retail Trends. Ms. Flynn suggested adding "and Consumer" before "Trends." Loss of Families. It was agreed this needs to be re-titled: Mr. Brausen disagreed with the concept. Ms. Flynn suggested using "demographic changes." Mr. Jenny asked if the issue was housing or demographics. All agreed housing is covered elsewhere. Mr. Beddor commented the real issue is that older homes are small; present builders want more square footage, but lot size, etc. removes the "middle ground." All agreed this section needs work. Limited Ability to Increase Tax Base. Mr. Rowan asked if this duplicated #6 in Weaknesses. � Consensus was finite space is a weakness; the threat is the tax rate goes up. Ms. Elverum December 11, 2007 Page 4 . noted another problem is state and federal governments keep putting more costs on the cities. Land Use Recommendations Mr. Koegler noted the sites marked for change in land use fall into 4 major groups. Blake Road Corridor (EDCO Site (#3), Atlas Site (#4), Rainbow/Kunz Oil Site (#5) and Cottageville (#6) Mr. Koegler noted there are no major changes foreseen for #6 in usage, but revitalization is an issue. Owner-occupied percentages should be increased. EDCO may be affected by LRT station plans and could become Mid/High Density Residential/Retail. The Atlas site would change to Mid/high Density Residential. Better use could be made of the creek running through it. Rainbow/Kunz would be Business Park. Blake Road is in desperate need of pedestrian walkways. Mr. Hatlestad noted that if LRT comes through, lack of sidewalks would be a serious safety issue. Could #5 become single-family homes? Mr. Koegler said it would likely be higher density housing, which might also extend to the Arches. Mr. Getschow said staff hopes for medium-density, owner-occupied housing. Rick Brausen said housing on the order of Regency is the goal, but Block 64 has shown the challenges involved. Mayor Maxwell noted this would require rezoning #3-5 and asked how much LRT would play into it. Mr. Koegler felt LRT would not cause large-scale changes from what is planned. Hopkins would need to look at all proposed LRT station areas for rezoning: Mayor Maxwell added chariging zoning for #6 (Cottageville) would be against city policy which fosters • single-family dwellings. Mr. Jenny noted #5 might be "pulled" to Methodist Hospital. Mr. Rowan noted it needs to be tied into the East End Study. Ms. Flynn noted #4 is just across the trail from #5; Ms. Beard said there is a large visual difference. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Pobuda said #4 has 17 acres. He has not talked to the County about LRT. Mr. Koegler added so far the County has no plans for #4 in that connection. Ms. Beard noted the Atlas site has more potential for being a"catalyst site" which will greatly affect the other sites, and its development may help or hurt Hopkins in relation to the LRT. Ms. Flynn noted #4 is an opportunity for redevelopment before LRT; Mr. Jenny noted the challenge would be to stay appropriate for both before and after LRT. Mr. Koegler noted housing and ancillary businesses would be a plus with LRT; cold storage would be a detriment. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Elverum said setbacks for the LRT may be an issue to explore. Answering Mr. Hatlestad, Ms. Anderson said #5 is about the same size as Excelsior Crossings (25 acres). Mr. Koegler noted that site is about a 5-10 minute walk from the proposed transit line and near a trail. ABM Site (#2) and Jackson Street (#7) Mr. Koegler and Ms. Anderson said future plans for #2 would be Low/Medium Density Residential (like a continuation of Regency) and for #7 would be Business Park. Mayor Maxwell commented Jackson Street would be an easier redevelopment. � EBCO Site (#9) Mr. Koegler said this is proposed to be Business Park. Ms. Elverum noted it is on the market now. Mr. Beddor asked if it might be a hotel site. Ms. Anderson that would fit the proposed zoning. Land�ll Site. Mr. Koegler noted this had been briefly discussed earlier. • Tech Center/NAPCO Site (#1) Mr. Koegler noted this could be extended to l l It requires coordination with Minnetonka. Office/Residential is proposed, but could be December 11, 2007 Page 5 � affected by LRT. Ms. Elverum noted both #1 and #3 should be transit-oriented, with #1 more business-oriented and #3 more residential-oriented. Mayor Maxwell asked if other sites should be considered. Ms. Elverum suggested the R. L. Johnson property on 8 Mayor Maxwell said S and Excelsior might be a site for the future. Mr. Beddor suggested the triangle south of #3; Mr. Koegler said that was addressed in the East End Study. Mr. Koegler said staff and the committee will continue to work on drafting language. Mr. Koegler said the Met Council's projections for Hopkins call for an increase in households from 8,359 in 2000 to 9,000 in 2030; this forms the basis for Hopkins' goals for providing affordable housing. A draft for this section of the Comprehensive Plan is planned for mid-January. He noted the Plan will be before the Zoning and Planning Commission again in January. Mayor Maxwell said the Council wishes to involve more people in the budget process and asked if any Commission members would like to become participants, probably in May or June. Other Ms. Halverson asked that a congratulatory letter be sent to Hopkins North students for winning the Quiz Bowl. , Mayor Maxwell noted there would be a neighborhood meeting Thursday on Minnetonka Mills Road work. General discussion followed. Mr. Getschow commented on the Shady Oak Road from Highway 62 to Excelsior • Blvd. news article. He said this did not directly concern Hopkins' section, but any delay in that section delays the northern section. There is still a$3.5 million shortage on our section so its outcome is still in doubt. On motion by Ms. Halverson and second by Mr. Brausen, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. on a vote of 4-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary COUNCIL MEMBERS: ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor •