04-15-2014 CCCity Council Minutes
April 15, 2014
A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on April 15, 2014 in the Council
Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell, Council Members
Cummings, Gadd, Halverson and Youakim. Also, present were staff inembers Anderson,
Beekman, Elverum, Genellie, Harkess, Luedke, Mornson, Stadler and Stanley.
L CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
II. PRESENTATION
1. Transitional Station Area Action Plan (TSAAP) Investment Framework
Ms Elverum addressed the council and gave an overview of planning and investment framework
for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) line that maximizes the redevelopment
opportunities around the station locations. Mr. Jeff McMenimen, HKGI representative, gave an
overview of the process and goals of the TSAAP Action Plan that is intended to promote opening
day readiness for the S WLRT. Mr. McMenimen reviewed the TSAAP planning and engineering
process, public engagement efforts and outcomes.
Mr. McMenimen gave an overview of each of the Hopkins stations. He reviewed the
recommendations for roadway improvements, pedestrian & bike connections, park and ride,
station amenities and development potential at and near the three sites.
The Blake Road station site will be located south of current railroad tracks along Blake Road.
There was Council discussion regarding size of the parking ramp, roadway access, water &
sewer infrastructure, timeframe for redevelopment and traffic signals. The size of the proposed
parking ramp is approximately 400 parking spaces and 3-4 floors high. Mr. Stadler discussed the
parking ramp roadway access, traffic flow and signal timing. Once a final decision on SWLRT
status is made, Staff will evaluate potential redevelopment sites.
The Downtown station will be located south of Excelsior Boulevard along 8�" Avenue.
There was Council discussion regarding pedestrian crossing & traffic at Sth Avenue, bus stop
location, 8t�' Avenue entrance to Honda property, bike trail connections and Depot Coffee House
impacts. Mr. McMenimen discussed with Council the options that were examined for the bus
stop location. Staff discussed that the Honda business wants to maintain the 8th Avenue access.
Staff also looked at the impact at the Srh Avenue intersection and that traffic signals will be
timed. Staff is continuing to work with Three Rivers Park District to examine the connection
along 8th Avenue to the regional bike trail and that the LRT bridge structure would have minimal
impact on the Depot Coffee House.
The Shady Oak Station will be located south of Excelsior Boulevard. An extension of 17t�'
Avenue will have to be constructed to serve the station. Mr. McMenimen reviewed the definition
of betterments and the future recommendation for a parking lot structure. There were Council
discussions regarding betterments, changeover from a surface to a structured parking lot,
extension of 17t" Avenue to K-Tel Drive for better access to the OMF for employees and the
need to work closely with the City of Minnetonka for redevelopment possibilities around the
station area.
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April 15, 2014
Ms. Elverum addressed Council regarding whether or not there will be contingency funds
available for betterments. She also said that the public would be able to find out more about the
stations and the entire project at the SWLRT Municipal Open House scheduled for June 3, 2014.
At this point in the meeting, the City Council moved on to the fifth item of the Agenda — New
Business.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve an On-Sale Brewer Taproom and Off-Sale Brewer Liquor License for LTD "Live
The Dream" Brewing Company; (CR 2014-041)
Ms. Luedke addressed the Council regarding the application from LTD "Live the Dream"
Brewing Company for an on-sale brewer taproom and off-sale brewer malt liquor license. Ms.
Luedke gave an overview of the business location, service and timetable.
The LTD owners, Mr. Blake Verdon and Mr. Jeremy Hale, came forward to address the Council.
The owners provided Ms. Luedke with their certificate of liquor liability insurance. Mr. Verdon
and Mr. Hale explained the build out of the business, licensing process, hours of operation and
partnering with local restaurants for food service. Mr. Verdon and Mr. Hale thanked the City of
Hopkins and the business community for their support. LTD plans to open in May and grand
opening plans are still in the works.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Gadd seconded a motion to Approve an
On-Sale Brewer Taproom and Off-Sale Brewer Liquor License far LTD Brewery, LLC located
at 715 Mainstreet, Unit 5 for the license term through June 30, 2014, contingent upon a
successful background investigation and submission of a certificate of liquor liability insurance.
A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings, aye; Council Member Gadd, aye;
Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
II. PRESENTATION - Continued
2. Recap of Visioning of Hopkins Mainstreet Presentation
Ms. Elverum addressed the Council and gave an overview of the Visioning of Hopkins
Mainstreet event and the presentations. Staff will continue to explore the comments and
suggestions and keep the Council updated. The public can view the presentations on the city
website and staff will continue to review comments and incorporate suggestions to keep
Mainstreet vibrant.
There was Council discussion regarding the top three community responses and the types of
businesses that the public would like to see on Mainstreet. Ms. Elverum explained that the top
three presentations that the community voted on were to fill vacant storefronts, branding and
historical preservation. Since the presentation there have been business developments on
Mainstreet. Ms. Elverum explained that more restaurants, coffee shops, destination type
businesses and retail are desired per public comment. Council discussed the Mainstreet roadway
improvements that will enhance downtown Hopkins. Council thanked the staff for their time and
effort on the Visioning of Hopkins Mainstreet presentation.
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April 15, 2014
III. REPORT
1. First Quarter 2014 Financial and Investment Report
Ms. Harkess gave an overview of the 2014 First Quarter Financial and Investment Report. Ms.
Harkess reviewed the grants received in the amount of $143,411 for the first quarter, general
fund revenue & expenditures, comparison to past years, special revenue fund revenues &
expenditures, enterprise fund revenues & expenditures, cash & investments as of March 31, 2014
and interest earnings over the last four years. Ms. Harkess gave an overview of how the Financial
Management Plan is being utilized to assist with the 2014 bond sale and 2015 budget planning
process.
There was Council discussion regarding the snow removal budget and the increase in audit costs
due to large grant monies received.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes from the April 1, 2014 Council Meeting
2. Approval of Minutes from the April 1, 2014 Work Session Following the Council Meeting
3. Approval of Minutes from the April 8 Work Session
Council Member Cummings moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Cummings,
aye; Council Member Gadd, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Council Member Youakim,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Get Rid of your Bulk Items, April 25`h from 3-7 pm and April 26th from 9 am-4 pm at
Public Works, 11100 Excelsior Boulevard.
2. Shady Oak Road Reconstruction starts in June. There will be a public open house on May
21 from 5:30-7 pm at the Hopkins Fire Station, 101-17`h Avenue South.
3. Road construction beginning April 29 along Excelsior Blvd. under the 169 overpass may
affect traffic due to lane closures.
4. Upcoming Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events include a Social Security seminar on April
22 at the Hopkins VFW and the monthly meeting will be held on April 24 at Hopkins City
Hall.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Halverson moved and Council Member Gadd
seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
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April 15, 2014
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor