12-01-2015 City Council Meeting HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held
on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 First
Street South, Hopkins.
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order with Council Members Halverson, Cummings, Gadd
and Campbell attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, City Planner Anderson,
City Clerk Domeier, Planning and Development Director Elverum, Finance Director Harkess,
City Attorney Landsman, Fire Chief Specken and Public Works Director Stadler.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Gadd. Second by Cummings.
Motion to Adopt Agenda.
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
111.1. Life Safety Achievement Award
State Fire Marshall Bruce West presented Fire Chief Specken with the 2014 Life Safety
Achievement Award for the Fire Department's support of life safety education in the City of
Hopkins. Chief Specken thanked the Council for their support. Mayor Maxwell commented that
the City is proud of the volunteer Fire Department.
111.2. Recognition of Garret Grniet— Fire Educator of the Year Award
Fire Chief Specken presented Firefighter Garret Grniet with the Fire Educator of the Year Award
for his outstanding leadership promoting life safety education. The Hopkins Fire Department
received $1000 towards their public education efforts. Mayor Maxwell thanked Firefighter
Grniet for his time and efforts.
111.3. Recognition of Nancy Anderson
Planning and Development Director Elverum recognized Nancy Anderson, retiring as City
Planner, for her 31 years of service to the City of Hopkins and presented her with a certificate.
Ms. Anderson thanked the Council and the City for their support. Mayor Maxwell publically
thanked for Ms. Anderson for her years of service to the City of Hopkins.
111.4. Recognition of Steve Stadler— Public Works Director of the Year
City Manager Mornson recognized Steve Stadler as Public Works Director of the Year.
Public Works Director Stadler commented that he was honored to receive the award and thanked
the staff of the Public Works Department for all their efforts. Mayor Maxwell commented that
the award was a well-deserved recognition.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR M ETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2015
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Maxwell requested to abstain from voting on IV.7.
Motion by Gadd. Second by Cummings.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of i em#7.
1. Minutes of the November 17, 2015 City Council Regular M eting Proceedings
2. Minutes of the November 17, 2015 Work Session following Regular Meeting
Proceedings
3. Ratify Checks Issued in November 2015
4. Approve 2015/2016 Police Sergeants' Contract; (CR2015-1 6)
5. Renewal of General Liability and Property Insurance and A thorize Not Waiving the
Statutory Tort Liability on the League of Minnesota Cities Ii surance Trust Policy;
(CR2015-140)
6. Proposed Refuse and Recycling Rates Increases; (CR2015-1.4)
7. Approve Right of Way Encroachment Agreement 5 6th . . . . •;
448)
8. Authorize the Prepayment and Redemption of the City's Taxable General Obligation
Refunding Bonds, Series 2005B; (CR2015-151)
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Gadd.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda item#7 to Approve Right of Way
Encroachment Agreement—5-6t Avenue South; (CR20.5-148).
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Abstain: Maxwell. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
V.1..Application for the Renewal of a Currency Exchange License for Pawn America
Minnesota, LLC; (CR2015-147)
City Clerk Domeier gave an overview of the public hearing process for he license application
for Pawn America. Staff is recommending approval of the application.
Motion by Mayor Maxwell to open the public hearing at 7:25 p .
Motion by Cummings. Second by Campbell.
Motion to Close the Public Hearing at 7:25 pm.
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Camp ell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Cummings. Second by Gadd.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2015
Motion to adopt Resolution 2015-094, approving the renewal of a Currency Exchange
License for Pawn America Minnesota, LLC located at 168 Blake Road North, Hopkins
MN.
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Award Sale of Bonds—G.O. Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series
2015D; (CR2015-149)
Finance Director Harkess and Stacy Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates Inc., gave an overview of
the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Revenue Bond sale. Ms. Kvilvang commented that the City
upheld its AA+bond rating and due to credit worthiness Hopkins received 6 bids. Ms. Kvilvang
commented that the savings from refunding the bonds will reduce the total debt service and
would result in additional funds available to the City for future redevelopment. Ms. Kvilvang
explained what a premium bond is and the differential between a AA and AA+bond rating.
Motion by Gadd. Second by Halverson.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 2015-093 awarding the sale of general obligation tax
increment revenue refunding bonds, series 2015d, in the original aggregate principal
amount of$7,355,000; fixing their form and specifications; and directing their execution
and delivery.
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VII.2. Concept Review—Operations and Maintenance Facility (CR2015-145)
City Planner Anderson reviewed the concept for the proposed Operations and Maintenance
Facility (OMF). Ms. Anderson explained that the Zoning & Planning Commission toured the
area and reviewed the concept plan. The site plan review will come back before Council at a later
date. Mr. Tats Tanaka, Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) Project Coordinator, gave an
overview of the site layout, building materials, parking and landscape design. Mr. Tanaka
commented that there would be 160 proposed employees at the OMF. SWLRT staff would
continue to refine the plan as they receive feedback.
There was Council discussion regarding OMF funding, noise, building security and parking. Mr.
Tanaka commented that SWLRT staff would continue to pursue the OMF design concept, that
the sound analysis is included in the environmental study, the OMF is a 24-hour secured facility
and that parking is designed to accommodate six additional light rail vehicles in the future. Mr.
Tanaka explained the project timeline. SWLRT staff is pursuing 90% design completion and is
planning on presenting the final review to Council in May 2016. Mr. Tanaka explained that the
OMF is scheduled to open 12 months before light rail service and SWLRT staff will keep the
Council updated on the construction timetable.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2015
Mayor Maxwell commented that the OMF design is important for quality redevelopment in the
area.
VII.3. 2016 Budget Meeting and 2016 Tax Levy and General and S•ecial Revenue Fund
Budgets
Finance Director Harkess addressed the council regarding the 2016 Le 6 and Budget. Ms.
Harkess reviewed the purpose of the budget meeting and how it impact. the City of Hopkins
taxes. Ms. Harkess explained that the budget meeting focuses on the but get and levy not
property valuations. For questions regarding home values, property o iers can contact the
Hennepin County Assessor's office at 952-548-6311. Ms. Harkess disc ssed ways to better
inform residents of the valuation process. Ms. Harkess explained the to ation process, proposed
tax levy & general fund budget, breakdown of the expenditure budget a i d factors impacting the
2016 budget which include grants awarded, wages and union contracts,personnel changes and
changes in operation. Ms. Harkess discussed the 2015 residential prope tax changes, levy
impacts and the high quality of services that residents receive for their t:xes. Ms. Harkess
discussed an article about 14 reasons why taxes vary year to year and '11 post the article on the
city website.
There was Council discussion regarding housing valuations and the be s -fits of a strong Financial
Management Plan (FMP) and AA+bond rating. Council and staff have I een reviewing the 2016
budget for last 6 months.
Kathy Davis, Hopkins resident, came forward to address the Council re Larding the tax rate
estimate. Ms. Harkess welcomes residents to schedule time with the Fi ance Department to
examine individual situations and Finance staff will rework the wordin:, in the proposed budget
document sent out to residents in October.
Motion by Cummings. Second by Gadd.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2014-095 approving the 2016 tax 1.vy and adopting the
2016 General and Special Revenue Fund budgets.
Ayes: Halverson, Cummings, Maxwell, Gadd, Campbell.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by
Cummings, second by Campbell, the meeting was unanimously adjou s ed at 8:31 p.m.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 1, 2015
OPEN AGENDA— PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
The City Council did not receive any comments or concerns.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST: f n n
Eugene J. axwell, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk