05-02-00A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on May 2, 2000, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Jensen, Hesch, and
Johnson. Also, present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan,
Gessele, Johnson, and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1. Zoning and Planning Commission
Maura Swanson reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission had a large public
attendance. The item discussed was the plans for the SuperValu expansion. Ms.
Swanson submitted a letter to Council from Jenny Moll. The concerns that were
discussed at the meeting were the closing of 6th Ave, the possibility of increased
noise levels, and if emergency services could still service the area as quickly with 6th
Ave closed. SuperValu was not prepared to answer questions about emergency
services. Residents did not feel that the neighborhood meeting was productive and
did not express their concerns at that time. Ms. Swanson said that SuperValu did not
address the concerns of the neighborhood adequately enough for the residents to feel
comfortable with the project. The item was continued for future discussion.
Council discussed the fact that there were changes in the plans and that SuperValu
was not prepared for the meeting in relation to the plans. Staff answered that yes
that was a problem, however, the meeting was successful in that we are now aware
of the residents feelings about 6th Ave.
Council Member Johnson asked that the neighborhood be notified when changes are
brought to staff's attention.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of April 18, 2000 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Ratification of Prior Month's disbursements
3. Miscellaneous License applications
4. Moved to item five of New Business
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
5. Approve Amendment to Site Lease Agreement, APT (CR2000-77)
6. Approve Parking Changes (CR2000-75)
Council Member Brausen asked to discuss item six. Mr. Brausen asked if these
parking changes had been brought to the effected businesses or to Zoning and
Planning, or if policy has been changed. There was a discussion of the changes. The
Jackson Ave change was brought about by a request from the businesses and had
been reviewed by the Parking Committee. The other changes had not been reviewed.
Council decided that the changes on 1 1 t`' Ave N and 12th Ave S should be referred to
Zoning and Planning.
Mayor Maxwell asked if the tower would hold more antennae (item five). Staff
answered that APT would have to determine that.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda with approval for the parking changes made to Jackson
Ave and referring the changes for 1 1 t`' Ave N and 12t'' Ave S to the Zoning and
Planning Commission and the Parking Committee. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch,
aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Hopkins Library 2001 Improvement Project (Memo)
Jim Kerrigan said that the proposed project would involve rebuilding the interior of the
library. Representatives from the Hopkins Library were present to inform the Council
of their plans and to get feed back from the Council. Mr. Kerrigan introduced Charles
Brown and Carolyn Muchow from the Hennepin County Library system. Mr. Brown
said that they are planning an extensive renovation of the library. The work will
commence in the first or second quarter of 2001. The library will be closed for
approximately 12 weeks. The only change to the exterior that is being considered is
the installation of windows along the street side.
Carolyn Muchow said that they have met with architects and with City staff. Ms.
Muchow said that the space that is there will be sufficient for the needs of the library,
but that the space was not being utilized very efficiently at this time. The interior
remodel will afford better workflow. The meeting room will be expanded, more
technology stations will be added and office space will be defined.
A discussion of how to best notify the public was discussed.
There was no action taken.
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
2. Presentation of Recreation Department Annual Report (Memo)
Dave Johnson, Ron Schwartz and Broderick Powell, Bo, of the Hopkins/Minnetonka
Recreation Department presented the 1999 Recreation Services Annual Report. Mr.
Johnson said that this year's report is the first annual report that has been prepared
for the Department and that it included data that has never before been compiled. Mr.
Johnson said that last year there was record attendance at Shady Oak Beach with
record revenues. The I-lopkins/Minnetonka Recreation Department started with six full
time staff members and has grown to fourteen full time staff members.
Ron Schwartz, Program Manager, said there are four full time program managers.
One-third of the salaries of two of the program managers is paid by the City of
Hopkins. Mr. Powell is in charge of youth programs, Perry Vetter of adult programs,
Jenny Boughton, swim, pool and fitness, and Ron Schwartz, in charge of senior
programs along with supervising 180 programs (15,000 program hours) in 1999. In
addition to full time staff, the department hires seasonal employees, contracts with
officials, and works with volunteers. Volunteers make up 33% of total staff. Mr.
Schwartz said that he is especially proud of the scholarship program. No one is
turned away from participation. Last year, 154 participants received scholarships.
Broderick Powell said that the department has a program evaluation system. They
evaluate the organization, cost, and customer service and have an overall rating of
80% satisfaction. Mr. Powell said that the evaluation system allows them to
determine which programs to eliminate and which to increase. They have also raised
the satisfaction of some programs from 45% to 80 - 85% satisfaction based on the
information from the evaluations. Some things cannot be changed, such as facilities,
but others, such as instructors, programs, times etc. can be changed.
Mr. Johnson said that the program utilizes several types of facilities, City owned,
School, and private. The Department has grown. Both cities have contributed new
facilities to the program. Over 75,000 people participated in the programs in 1999.
Mr. Johnson said that the implementation of credit card and computer registration
have made it easier for Hopkins residents to participate.
Council Member Hesch complemented staff on the report.
No action was taken.
3. Operating Budget Skate Park (CR2000-56)
Ray Vogtman said that SuperValu has been very cooperative in releasing the site
before their lease is up. Mr. Vogtman asked Council to approve the operational rules
and regulations and staffing guidelines along with the lease with the Minnesota
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Department of Transportation for the Skate Park site. Mr. Vogtman then reviewed
the site location. Kathleen Tabor said that she is excited about the project and felt
that it will have a positive effect on the Depot Coffee House. Mr. Vogtman said that
the rules and regulations along with the budget information were taken from
information obtained from Roseville. The expenditures are projected to be
approximately $42,500 with projected revenues of approximately $50,200. The City
Attorney has reviewed the liability issues for the depot.
Mr. Vogtman said that the State of Minnesota does not allow any lease to run longer
than five years. The lease will be renewable for a second five years.
Council discussed the insurance and liability of the City, protective equipment, release
forms, hours of operation and the proximity of the railroad tracks. Staff said that the
insurance agent did not see the tracks as an issue.
Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
approve the operational rules, regulations and staffing guidelines for the Hopkins
Overpass Skate Park and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign afive-year
lease for the site of the Skate Park with the State of Minnesota, Department of
Transportation. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye;
Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Design, Order Bids, Lift Station #6 Reconstruction (CR2000-76)
Steve Stadler said that Lift Station 6 is located on Excelsior Blvd, just west of Blake
Rd. The City Council approved design of this project in March 1998. Mr. Stadler said
that the cost is projected at $237,000. $130,000 was budgeted in the CIP. This
amount was budgeted in 1995 and has not been updated. Mr. Stadler said that the
Sanitary Sewer has a strong working capital balance and can handle the project. Mr.
Stadler reviewed the impact of the project on residents, businesses, and traffic.
Mr. Stadler said that an incentive clause was added; the contractor will be paid $500
per day for up to 15 days if the project is completed before the deadline. This was
done because of the interruption to the businesses and traffic. A liquidated damage
clause was also added for going over the 45-day deadline for the same reason.
Tom Fast, consulting engineer from RLK, explained the control of the site and traffic.
Mr. Fast said that the Commerce Center wanted to maintain the entrances to the
center. He discussed traffic congestion and by- pass pumping.
Mayor Maxwell asked how the tenants will be notified of the dates. Staff answered
that they have all of the names and addresses. The tenants will also be invited to a
pre-construction meeting.
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve Sanitary Sewer Lift Station #6 Reconstruction Design and authorize bids. A
poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member
Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor
Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Award Bid, Alley Project (CR2000-78
Jim Gessele said that Council ordered bids for the Alley Project at their April 4tn
meeting. Nadeau Utility was the low bidder, but could not demonstrate qualifications.
They had not previously done a concrete alley. Staff spoke with the City Attorney
and as a result of the attorney's recommendations, recommended to Council that the
bid be awarded to the next lowest bidder, Ron Kassa Construction. Ron Kassa
Construction could demonstrate qualifications. Mr. Gessele said that this will add
approximately $4.00 per foot on the assessment costs.
Mayor Maxwell asked the City Attorney to comment. Jerre Miller said that the City
has considerable discretion on determining the bidder's qualifications. Mr. Miller said
that the Council could be very comfortable about acting on staff's recommendation to
choose the next lowest bidder.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2000-29, Resolution for Award of Bid, Alley Reconstruction, Project
00-02. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council
Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Approve 2000-2001 Dispatcher's Contract.
Jim Genellie said that negotiations are complete with the Dispatcher°s and PSO's for
2000 and 2001. The contract calls fora 2% wage increase effective January 1,
2000 and a 2.5% increase in 2001. In addition, the lowest step in the salary range
was eliminated and a new top step was created. There is a S20 per month increase
for health insurance in 2000 and another $25 per month in 2001 .
Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Hesch seconded a motion to
approve the 2000-2001 Contract for the Dispatcher's and Public Service Officer's
lJnion. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council
Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member
Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 9:19 p.m.
Respectively Submitted,
p
erry~ermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Eugene .Maxwell, Mayor
May 2, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6