06-24-03 WSJune 24, 2003
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -June 24, 2003
Mayor Gene Maxwell called a work session of the Hopkins City Council to order at 6:00
p.m. on June 24, 2003, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Jensen, Johnson and Rowan
were present. City personnel present were: City Manager Steve Mielke, Police Chief Craig Reid,
Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Assistant to City Manager Steve Stahmer, Housing
Coordinator Kersten Elverum, Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan, Connie Kurtz and
Finance Director Lori Yager. Also present for the first item of business were Kristi Halverson,
Bob Hatlestad, Jeffrey Paul, John Szuba, Jay Thompson, Mary Hatcher, Maureen Allen and Eric
Rudolph of the Zoning and Planning Commission; and Mark Koegler and Rusty Fifield of
Hoisington-Koegler.
East End Study Discussion
Ms . Anderson said next month the study will go to Zoning and Planning for approval, then
in August would come before the Council. Mr. Koegler and Mr. Fifield briefly reviewed the
study objectives and the catalysts that brought it about. They stressed it was a plan for at least 20
years and that it would need to be implemented over time. They feel that private development will
not be possible because of the multiple parcels, present configuration and acquisition expense; they
think developers would probably need City assistance. For the plan to be implemented a
regulatory framework and zoning ordinance modifications will be necessary; this could involve
dual zoning and/or overlay areas. Answering questions, they said the high-density dwellings could
be either rental or owner-occupied; this is one of the most `modular' development plans they have
done as it almost has to be done in stages; "triggers" to first development could be SuperValu's
North Annex property development, transit station or EDCO plans; the city will have to stand firm
against small business changeovers, EDCO upgrades should not be a problem; the present roads
should be adequate but before development is put in action a traffic study would be advisable;
changing ordinances, etc. should take about 6 months. Several people commented that EDCO
should be consulted about the development plan; Mr. Koegler commented they had seen the
concept plan. He feels that if they are involved, they may be willing to cooperate with the
upgrading of the small business area they own on Excelsior Blvd. He and Mr. Kerrigan feel the
proposed expansion of the warehouse is not an issue. Mr. Szuba, Ms. Allen and Mr. Randolph,
who are leaving the Commission, all said they feel the development plan is a good one. The
Planning Commission will review the plan in July and the Council will consider it in August.
Radio System Discussion
Chief Reid said they had been working with a consultant from the Metro Radio Board. If
Hopkins does not go to an 800 MHz system, the police will not be able to communicate with
surrounding police forces; the robbery last week showed how necessary that is.
Ms. Kurtz discussed the advantages of having the microwave system: it would transmit
through the 9-county system, individual radios could be disabled if lost or stolen, the console
could identify callers, more "groups" are available for city personnel such as Public Works.
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Grant money could be available if Hopkins joins the system now. Whether Hopkins leases or buys
equipment, there would be a $210/year per unit charge from Hennepin County for maintenance;
Hopkins would have about 120 radios. Mr. Reid noted that leasing would be $80,000 per year; if
grants were awarded ,purchase would be cheaper. Ms. Kurtz noted the time line for grants is
tight; Hopkins already has filed a letter of intent, which helps. The preliminary plan would be due
by July 24, with the final date in September. In January 2004 the FCC will no longer allow license
modifications so nothing could be done to the old system. Both she and Chief Reid feel Hopkins
has a good chance for grant money. Chief Reid said the present tower would have to be tested to
see if it is strong enough for the new equipment; Mayor Maxwell said contracts for tower space
should be checked to see if contract users could be taken off the tower. Ms. Kurtz said the VHF
paging far the fire department should work through the RF controllers; Chief Reid added when the
police go to 800 MHz the fire department will move to the present repeaters, which will help
them. He said the Council does not need to decide whether to lease or buy equipment until
September. Answering Mayor Maxwell, he said the downside is that Hopkins does lose some
control but Hopkins really has no choice as it has to be able to communicate with other police
departments.
General Consensus was that a resolution for the microwave 800 MHz systems should come
before the next Council meeting.
Facilities Parking Modifications
- Mr. Stadler said 747 tons of fills have been hauled out. There is more solid waste than
anticipated. Each ton costs $60.14, $12 of which goes to the hauler and the rest to landfill.
Because of the escalating cost, he feels the parking lot needs to be elevated to keep from hauling
more fill. This would.reduce the parking stalls to 215 from the original site plan of 242. Four of
those lost would be for the elevator at the Pavilion.
General Consensus was to agree to the change orders for both the hauling and the plat
changes .
1VIr. Brausen asked if Public Works was planning to move a streetlight at 2nd and 5`h. Mr.
Stadler said he was looking at that. Mr. Mielke asked about the parking lot behind Dominos. Mr.
Stadler said that was not involved in the new construction at all.
2004 Budget Discussion
Mr. Mielke said that he did not want to discuss numbers but wanted to know the issues the
Council wanted included in budget discussions. He also asked for feedback about the meeting with
past leaders, saying he heard "analyze the budget then go sell the issue." General discussion
followed. All agreed that when going to the public they all had to be united, that even if they did
not agree with some cuts they needed to present the public with the reasons they reached a final
consensus. Mr. Mielke said with no budget cuts each household would pay $200-250 more per
year. Ms. Yager noted since Hopkins is harder hit by the LGA cuts, it will look bad to the public.
Mr. Mielke noted some cities are proposing that LGA be based on ability to pay rather than
property values.
Mr. Mielke asked for feedback on how the proposed budget should balance spending cuts
and increased revenues. Mr. Rowan said cut 25%, 75 % new revenues. Ms. Jensen, Mr. Brausen
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and Ms. Johnson said 50/50, although Ms. Johnson said she would like a preliminary draft with
100% cuts. Mr. Brausen said even if something is not cut, he would like to be able to tell the
public it was looked at and have reasons why it was not cut. The Council reviewed several areas of
positions, programs and services that should be revied as part of a budget process.
Mayor Maxwell suggested National Night Out as a good time to get the word to the public,
with a public meeting in September. Mr. Rowan suggested comment cards to return to City Hall.
Other
Mr. Brausen said he had a call about stop signs at 5``' and 2°d. He asked about an issue with
pit bulls by the park.
Ms. Johnson asked if anyone had attended the MN League. Mr. Mielke said Chief Reid
had gone to the gun control session.
Mr. Brausen moved adjournment. Ms. Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
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Euge ~ e J. axwell, Mayor