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02-25-06 WSApri125, 2006 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - Apri125, 2006 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on April 25, 2006, at the City Hall. Council members Bruce Rowan, Jay Thompson, Kristi Halverson and Cheryl Youakim were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow; Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie; Assistant City Engineer John Bradford; Chief Dale Specken and Assistant Chief Rod Shoberg of the Fire Department; and Finance Director Christine Harkess. Nine Mile Creek Watershed Projects Assistant City Engineer Bradford said staff noticed erosion was encroaching on the trail along Nine Mile Creek. Staff studied the matter and determined it would take about $250,000 to stabilize the area and restore natural habitat. They went to the Watershed District for funding, and were told something more substantial should be done. Staff has developed a plan for the whole creekside, including a box culvert at 5th St. South that is in the CIP for next year. Estimated cost is $2.5 million. The District has been in favor of all the improvements as they want the headwaters of Nine Mile Creek enhanced. They have instructed staff to have Council approve the petition for the project, which staff has scheduled for May 2. The petition will then go to the Watershed District, which will take about six to nine months to closely study the plan. If the whole amount is not forthcoming, staff would modify the plan to fit the dollars received. The Watershed has indicated they would pay 100% of the box culvert cost, which we would have had to bond for, as well as two new ponds and bank work. They would pay part of the cost for such things as sidewalks. Staff hopes to extend the trail at 11th Avenue along the creek to the trail at 9th so as to connect with the trail by Westbrooke Way. Answering Council questions, he said riprap is just rock; when gabian baskets are used, the rocks are enclosed in a chicken wire-like netting, and dirt is added so plantings can be seeded. Riprap looks more "natural," but the latter is more stable. We would not need to hold public hearings as that is part of the Watershed District process, but he would recommend we hold informational meetings. Staff is aware of the problems with certain property owners along the creek and will be working with them so that the new work will not be damaged. The culvert and the section along Westbrooke Way are staff's highest priorities and they will do what they need to do in the interim before major work can start. General Consensus was to move forward with the project and to put the petition to the Watershed District on the consent agenda for May 2. City Hall Site Improvements: Ramp to Front Door Mr. Bradford said staff has prepared a plan for a ramp on the east side of City Hall which would give handicapped access without having to go up the driveway. The cost estimate of $3500 includes a new light bollard. Six to seven feet of bushes would have to be removed. Staff wants to know if they should include these costs in the bids; he noted, if the bids were too high, this part could be backed out. Mr. Getschow noted there is not a regular bidding process for the City Ha11 work as staff is getting quotes for the various kinds of work. Apri125, 2006 Page 2 General Consensus was to include the work in the quote process. Ms. Youakim noted that the some of the downtown railings have noticeable rust around the decorative circles and expressed concern about such a problem with those to be installed at City Hall. Mr. Bradford said he would check into the problem. 1S 700 Training for Emergency Preparedness Fire Chief Dale Specken said in 2004 President Bush signed a directive to have a National Incident Management System (NIMS). All personnel involved in emergencies and elected officials must receive certain training about emergency preparedness if the city is to be able to apply for grants. He and Mr. Shoberg then trained city staff and Council on IS 700 procedures. In the general discussion that followed the training, Mayor Maxwell asked if the command ever changes during an incident. Chief Specken said the incident commander at a fire, for example, might want to turn it over to him when he arrives, especially if the person is a fairly new member of the department. If there were amulti-agency incident, he might turn his initial command over to a state officer. In any case, all workers are notified of the change by radio so there is no confusion as to who is in charge. Mayor Maxwell asked for an example which would require an Emergency Operations Central Command to be set up in City Hall and what the time frame would be. Chief Specken gave a tornado as an example. Dispatch would be notified to activate the EOC, and Council members would arrive as soon as possible, probably to find the Center already in action. Mayor Maxwell might be involved in talking to officials at the state level, although normally the commander can get the authorizations needed. Answering Ms. Youakim, he said when the FBI is involved, it brings in a wider range of intelligence information, money and other federal resources. Emergency Operations Plan City Manager Getschow noted the new EOP has a section about school shootings. Chief Specken said this new part is based on a state plan, which he and Police Chief Reid went over and changed to fit Hopkins; otherwise, the changes involve updated numbers and updates from department heads for their sections. At Mr. Genellie's request, Chief Specken explained there is a public version which does not contain sensitive information, such as "safe sites" so that possible terrorists cannot know vulnerable places to strike during an emergency. He said once the updating is complete, the plan will come before the Council for a resolution of approval, then will go the county, then the state. Mayor Maxwell asked Chief Specken to update the Council on bird flu after he takes that training. Other Ms. Halverson asked about the website password. Mr. Getschow said that has not yet been set up. Mayor Maxwell asked for volunteers to attend the school district meeting on Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:00. Either Ms. Youakim or Mr. Rowan will attend. Mr. Getschow reminded Council the Citizens' Academy graduation is next Tuesday and they should be at City Hall at 6:30. Apri125, 2006 Page 3 Mayor Maxwell announced Linda Flynn has been appointed to Zoning and Planning. Mr. Getshow noted the "Keep Hopkins Clean" campaign has been publicized on the website and in both the Highlights and the Sun Sailor. Mr. Getschow handed out a calendar of major items for the coming year. On motion by Ms. Halverson and second by Ms. Youakim the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Euge J. axwell, Mayor COUNCIL MEMBERS: -~.