01-06-09 WSJanuary 6, 2009
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 8:45 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Halverson, Brausen, Youakim, Rowan, City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works
Director Steve Stadler and City Engineer John Bradford.
2009 Street and Utility Improvements
Engineer Bradford and Public Works Director Stadler stated that there is a portion of sidewalk that is proposed
as part of the project on Second Street North. Even though the item was not discussed during the feasibility
report presentation it is an item that staff would recommend be a part of the project. It was agreed that the next
council work session there will be a discussion of the potential sidewalk improvement and the one affected
property owner will be invited to that meeting.
Rental Licensing
City Manager Getschow stated that Council member Youakim had asked a question at a previous work session
about whether group homes receive a rental license. This has been a subject of debate in other neighboring
cities. Getschow stated that the City does indeed receive a rental license from group homes and that the city
code states that other commercial facilities such as nursing homes do not need licenses. It is the opinion of the
building official at this time that the inspection for rental licensing that the city does would differ from an
inspection done for a group home.
Shady Oak Road Proiect
City Manager Getschow stated that a few home owners along Shady Oak Rd. in both Minnetonka and Hopkins
have been e-mailing the County about right-of--way acquisition of their property. City Manager Getschow will
forward a copy of the e-mails to the council that discusses a time line of the project between 2014 and 2015.
2009 Budget
Mayor Maxwell asked if the City Manager at an upcoming meeting could do a very brief presentation on the
2009 budget and the budget cuts that cities have received in local government aid and market value homestead
credit. The City of Hopkins did lose some market value homestead credit in 2009 and may lose more dollars in
2010. Getschow will provide a brief presentation at the January 20th meeting about the state aid unallotment
Other
Getschow stated that Channel 16 has new community info pages up and running. The Council is urged
to view those channels that have quite a bit more information than was previously provided on cable
television channel 16.
Getschow stated that prior to the January 20th City Council meeting there will be an open house from
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for the Blake Rd. Corridor Small Area Plan. The council members are invited to
attend prior to that meeting.
January 6, 2009
Page 2
Council member Brausen asked about the wellness challenge that occurred in 2008. Getschow stated
that there were dollar incentives for wellness activities in 2008. In 2009 the city will be focusing on
community wide wellness activities. We will partner with Hennepin County on this City-wide effort.
Brausen stated that there have been several articles in the news recently related to the state budget crisis
and inspection programs. City Manager Getschow will locate the articles and provide them to the City
Council.
Council member Brausen asked that the city staff check into our Truth-in-Housing program and to make
sure that the program is being properly funded by the inspection fees that are charged. City Manager
Getschow will look into that and get back to the City Council.
With no further business, a motion was made by Youakim, seconded by Brausen to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm.
Rick Getschow, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Ma wel ayor