11-14-00 WSMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -NOVEMBER 14, 2000
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on
November 14,
2000, at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Brausen, Desch, Jensen and Johnson. City personnel present were City
Manager Mielke, Finance Director Yager, HCA director Strachota, Public Works
Director Stadler, and Community Development Director, Jun Kerrigan. Also present
were Medica President, David Strand, Medica Director, Stephen Elison, Allina
Attorney, Bill King, CRESA representatives, Jun Vos and Ann Hansen, RSP
representatives Varda and Bougie, RLK representative, John Dietrich, and Jim. Paige
of Hoisington Koegler..
Medica Proposal
Medica President Strand talked briefly about Allina/Medica, noting that Allina
is the third largest employer in Minnesota. He stressed their wish to be a part of the
Hopkins community, which is one reason no design work has been done so they could
get Hopkins input.
Medica Director Elison said the development is happening sooner than planned
as their present lease lasts until 2004, but they are excited about the new location.
They are projecting a building of 300-350,000 sq. feet, both surface and ramp parking,
cafeteria, conference center, extensive landscaping. Later he said there are some issues
about the site: access, the 3 acre parcel; Mr. Vos added the buildings to the east, access
to Tyler, and Excelsior Blvd. rerouting. CRESA principle Voss said it is probable that
Medica will actually own the building and be the actual taxpayer.
In answer to Mr. Strand's asking what the neighborhoods would want, Council
members mentioned traffic, access to 169, community involvement could include a
room available for receptions, trail enhancement, alternate crossing at Excelsior Blvd.,
green space, marketing Hopkins to the employees, a Kincaid's type restaurant, ice rink.
Mr. Mielke noted the most impacted neighborhoods would be the area to the north,
between Tylor and 169, East End/Presidential, 2°d St/Minnetonka Mills. Mr. Mielke
suggested that Medica ask its employees what they would like to see developed in the
project area. Mr. Strand said employees will help design the new building, and
suggested Hopkins citizens also be involved (community leaders, Art Center staff and
public health workers were suggested).
Mr. Strand said he had already been contacted by Ted Mondale about using the
location as a "Smart Growth Site," but was lacking details. Mr. Mielke offered to have
city staff research that. Mr. Strand said Allina is hoping to develop the Phillips
neighborhood in Minneapolis; he hopes the Green Way will facilitate traffic between
the Medica and Allina sites, and mentioned this may bring more ethnic diversity to
Hopkins.
Economic Director Kerrigan said he will keep the Council updated on progress,
noting the SuperValu deadline means the next three months will take "aggressive"
work.
Later this week city staff and Medica will work on legal and financial issues to
start work on apre-development agreement. Medica staff noted they do not expect a
concrete TIF agreement by February, but would like some idea of how the project will
be handled.
East End Development
Director Kerrigan noted Hopkins had worked to get Excelsior Blvd. moved to
the south so that the north frontage could be developed. Medica's project will build
interest in the area so Hopkins needs to develop a "blueprint" for the area to guide staff
when developers approach them. Mr. Paige of Hoisington-Koegler said his firm has
outlined three approaches, each requiring more market work than the previous one. He
felt the first or second would be adequate as extensive market analysis at this time
would not reflect Medica's relocation. The outline for Blake Road was an aesthetic
upgrading. He later noted the suggested costs include the research by Boaz/REA. He
also suggested Medica be involved in the blueprint planning.
Points brought out in discussion included: an overpass over the tracks at Tyler
would really change the outlook; the neighborhood regards this area as their retail
center; the multiple zoning makes blueprinting more difficult; housing for Medica
employees might be desirable.
General Consensus:
Any plan should extend from 169 to Blake Road, although priority is along
Excelsior Blvd. itself. Work should be put off for 2-3 months to allow time for the
Medica project to take shape. The second approach should be used. Mr. Mielke will
bring in a contract with Hoisington-Koegler after Christmas.
Budget Discussions
This was a continuation from the last work session. Two enterprise funds
generated discussion: the Depot and the Art Center.
Depot Coffeehouse income was up $20,000 this year. An additional $16,000 is
needed. The Teen Center needs $60,000. These figures mean each partner would need
to supply $20,000 unless grants are found. Ms. Hesch said she has talked to a
consultant at Busch; it is the lack of a long-term plan that is preventing grant approvals.
Discussion centered around the need to have grant applications written, developing a
universal grant application form, getting students to contribute (a fee for activities was
suggested), going directly to the school board for help.
General Consensus: Mr. Mielke shall write a letter for a meeting next month
to the partners detailing the budget and stressing that Hopkins is not obligated any more
than the other partners to find a solution.
Art Center Ms. Yager said this should perhaps be reclassified from an
enterprise fund as it is not self-supporting; it could be a revenue fund, like Hop-a-Ride.
She suggested any additional funds such as the franchise fee be put in the general fund;
money could be allocated from that to the Art Center. Mr. Mielke noted a
food/beverage tax could be directed into the Art Center fund directly. Mr. Strachota
noted rental income can not be increased by much; he added he needs names of possible
donors as he does not have complete initial fund-raising records.
General Consensus: This needs to be brought to another work session
General Fund: Ms. Yager said that the staff budget cuts had resulted in a
$37,800 surplus in the budget. She and Mr. Mielke presented a suggested "add-in"
list. When asked, Mr. Mielke said he felt the most important additions would be the
boarding for the police department, an assistant in administration for part of the year, a
i/z time person in police for pawn shop and general clerical catch-up, visioning process.
General discussion followed.
General Consensus: All of the suggestions should be added in except for
police over-time. $45,000 of the budget shall be moved to the park fund: $20,000 for
the park upgrade and $25,000 to cover part of the Shady Oak Beach payment. Any
remaining surplus should be put into the contingency fund.
There will be a public hearing on the budget on December 11. Mr. Brausen
suggested that the staff prepare a sheet showing figures for 1980/ 1990/2000; Mayor
Maxwell agreed, adding the Council needs figures laid out to give to the public. The
Council wants one last "look-over" before the public hearing.
Other
~Iopkins Mouse
At a meeting today, Semper asked that Hopkins assess for the street
improvement ($100,000) and the park dedication fund ($60,000). Mr. Mielke is not
sure if the latter can be legally done. Staff is in favor. Ms. kIesch and Ms. Jensen
noted they were not in favor as they had not been supportive of Walgreens coming in.
General Consensus: The Council is not in favor of the assessing.
Citizens' Academy Celebration
A schedule was passed out.
School Referendum
Ms. Johnson said discussion has centered around the timing of the referendum.
Council discussion noted the police/fire department building referendum should be
timed so they do not occur on the ballot together.
Reserve Banquet
This will be at Lord Fletcher's at 6:30 on November 18"'.
Mr. Brausen moved adjournment; Ms. Hesch seconded. Meeting adjourned at
10:40 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
G~~'Z .~~re~
Eugene J. axwell, Mayor