09-26-00 WSMINUTES
CITY COI_TNCIL WORK SESSION -SEPTEMBER 26, 2000
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on September 26, 2000, at
the City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch, Jensen and
Johnson. City personnel present Were C?ty Manager Mielke, Econ011~?c Deve1_opment Coordinator
Hartshorn, Police Chief Reid, and Housing Coordinator Elverum. Also present was Herman Strauch,
Vice-President of HBCA.
HBCA Business Survey, Jim Hartshorn, presenter
This was an information presentation to update the Council on an HBCA survey. Mr. Strauch
said 700 survey forms were sent to Hopkins business people; over 100 were returned, half from non-
HBCA members. HBCA has about 210 members; there are about 700 businesses in Hopkins. Most
respondents felt the business climate was good. He feels the results could be of benefit to the city in
determining businesses needed in Hopkins, finding problem areas (mentioned were parking and Shady
Oak Road, for example), etc. Mr. Hartshorn said city staff will follow up on areas addressed in the
survey. Mr. Strauch said he felt the survey provided good background for the visioning process.
Discussion followed on a business registry. Mr. Strauch said the business community is against
the idea as they feel it would be perceived as another tax under a different name. Also if the city is
involved, distribution becomes a legal problem. If HBCA maintains a list, they can distribute it to fire
department, police, etc. They would hope the city would at least help defray the cost of the Dunn and
Bradstreet listing, which is about $1500. At present, they have a "fairly accurate list."
There was brief discussion of signage at the Beard building, and the feeling was it is a property
owner issue.
Commercial Rehab. Loan Program status report, Jim Hartshorn, presenter
Mr. Hartshorn said there had been no loan requests this year, which he feels is due to low bank
interest rates, although some said the legal fees were too high. In regard to the latter, he said legal fees
are the same no matter what the size of loan, so for people who want smaller loans they may seem
high. Alternatives at present are to drop the program, leave it as it is, extend the boundaries, use funds
for the Property Owner's CBD Inspections Program in matching grants (HBCA idea; City Attorney
says it is legal). The staff feels the program should stay as it is.
Mr. Mielke noted the staff is getting information on potential revenue sources to supplement
existing funds. He feels grants are not feasible now without other additional funding. Ms. Jensen
suggested focusing on areas that really need refurbishing, such as Westbrook. Mr. Mielke noted Mr.
Kerrigan is working on a proposal for studying the refurbishing of the east side. General discussion of
the "broom program" followed. It was noted HBCA is in favor of the program. Mr. _Mielke noted the
cost is not the brooms, but the follow-up program, which would be enforced through City Court.
General Consensus: Keep the Loan Program as it is. Continue with the broom program.
Discussion of Community Outreach, Kersten Elverum, presenter
Ms. Elverum said she had been contacted about a program Minnetonka is setting up to deal with
their subsidized housing, which has seen a big increase in vandalism, increased police calls, etc.
Minnetonka, the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts, Ridgedale YMCA, and representatives of
Crown Ridge, Minnetonka Heights, and Elmbrooke complexes have been meeting to address these
issues, as well as education problems (truancy, language issues). Hopkins School District had
recommended that Hopkins be included due to West Side Village which has about 90 students, mostly
elementary, who speak 7 languages. YMCA will be the hiring and fiscal agent of their program.
Oversight would be by an advisory group.
She sees as disadvantages that this program and Police Chief Reid's program might overlap;
Hopkins is more diverse, not just 3 housing areas; it may not be flexible enough to meet Hopkins'
needs. An advantage is Minnetonka's program is ready to go. Minnetonka has allocated $20,000
already, Based on that9 she estimates they would want about $7,000 from Hopkins.
Police Chief Reid said he and his sergeants had met with Nora Davis the week before. While
police members are making their first contacts with their assigned buildings, etc., the program will not
be really functional for a year. He noted that West Side Village has a high activity level, but the crime
rate has not peaked like it has in Minnetonka.
General discussion followed.
General Consensus: The Council does not want to immediately join the program. Staff should
research the Meadowbrook project, keeping in mind it uses a person living on site, which is not the
case for Hopkins. Starting a program like this tailored to Hopkins would be a good way to start putting
the vision process into action.
The message to Minnetonka should be: Our vision process has shown we have work to do in
Hopkins in this area; we are working on some plans right now and are not sure if there is a match
between our approach and yours. We would like to be involved and follow your program, but are not
ready to contribute now.
National Night Out Policy, Police Chief Reid, presenter
Chief Reid showed a proposed policy and form for registering block parties for National Night
Out next year. He said National Night Out is classified as a crime prevention program, which means the
police department is limited in its collection and dissemination of information on National Night Out
events. He would like to include a Tennessee clause in the registration form. Then the police
department would maintain two lists -one of those who okay giving the information to politicians and
media, and one for those who do not okay it. He added he feels strongly political candidates should not
ride with police officers as that sends a wrong message to the public.
General Consensus: Those involved in government or candidates should not ride with the
police on National Night Out. The Tennessee clause idea is good, but wording may need to be
changed.
City Manager Evaluation Discussion, Steve Mielke, presenter
Mr. Mielke expressed his concerns that the job description does not aid the process of evaluating
him as a city manager. Are the eight areas he listed in line with Council thoughts?
General Consensus: The eight areas are good. More emphasis needs to be put on working
with the public. The mission statement needs to be reflected more. There was general consensus that
department heads need to be given more responsibility and authority so that Mr. Mielke works more as
a monitor and coordinator. Mr. Mielke should redo the job description and return with it to the
Council. He will try to get it done in October, but it may not be possible.
Other
Citizens Academy Ms. Jensen said she has been very impressed by the staff in their work with the
Citizens' Academy. There was general agreement. Mr. Brausen said he feels one of the main concerns
he has is that Council does not really know staff, and the Academy and vision process have been
worthwhile just on the basis of getting to know staff better.
School District Bond Referendum: Mr. Mielke said he had been informed Hopkins School District
intends to put a 50 million dollar bond up for referendum next year. They would like Hopkins Council
support, and want a Hopkins Council representative on the bond committee. Fear was expressed that
this might present the public with an either/or situation as the public safety building could come up at
the same time. Several feel if Hopkins had something to say against the idea, they would not be
listened to. Diane John_SOn said she would attend the fi_rSt meeting.
General Consensus: Mr. Kremer of Hopkins Schools needs to be aware of the possible
conflict for funding.
Sierra Reco nig tion. Ms. Hesch noted Hopkins had gotten recognition for their "smart growth" in the
national publication of the Sierra Club.
Hopkins House/Highway Access: The County called today they would approve the access. State Aid
will be impacted by $50,000/year; this will need to be made up by Hopkins House.
Fran Hesch moved adjournment; Diane Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
/yj ~~
Eug~rie Ma~vE ell, Mayor