09-18-01A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on September 18, 2001, in
the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Hesch, and Johnson.
Also, present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan, Bot, Elverum,
and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. On behalf of the Council
and the City, Mayor Maxwell expressed sympathy for the victims of the attack on
New York and asked for a few moments of silence for remembrance and reflection.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
111. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1. Park Board
Bill Gullickson Jr. reported that the. Park Board held a joint meeting with the
Minnetonka Park and Recreation Board. The seasonal closing of Shady Oak Beach
was discussed. Hopkins Park Board members feel that the beach is closed too early
in the season. The Board asked staff to bring the ordinances that govern the beaches
to a meeting. The Board will review the ordinances to see if they can make changes
to .allow for a longer season. The problem is that it is difficult to get lifeguards past
mid August and the ordinances do not allow any water activity if there is not a
lifeguard on duty.
Interlachen Golf Club is planning on hosting the Solheim Cup Golf Tournament next
fall. They have requested the use of Interlachen Park as a staging area for the Media.
They will contribute 55,000 to the park dedication fund for the use. Mr. Gullickson
stated that the Park Board has several projects in line to be funded by the park
dedication fund. Traffic will be the main concern. Neighborhood meetings will be
held. The park will be used for one week.
The park board recommended that the winter trail permit with Hennepin County be
renewed for the 2001-2002 season.
Council Member Johnson suggested that the organizers of the golf tournament
contact Chief Reid and work with the Police Department. Mayor Maxwell wants to
be sure that notices about the event be sent to the residents of the area before the
event.
2. Human Rights Commission
Warren Woodrich, Human Rights Commission, read a statement for the Commission,
expressing their sympathy for families of the victims and asked the general public to
not use the incident as an excuse to engage in acts of violence or hate against any
groups of people for the actions of a few.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of September 4, 2001, City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of August 21, 2001, City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of September 1 1, 2001, City Council Work Session
4. Approve Hopkins Jaycees Charitable Gambling and Premises Permit
Renewals (CR2001-126)
5. Appointment of Election Judges for City General Election (CR2001-127)
6. Second Reading, West Side Business Park Rezoning (Memo)
7. Order Public Hearing to be Held on October 16, 2001, Miscellaneous
Special Assessments (CR2001-158)
Terry Obermaier said that in paragraph one of the September 1 1, 2001, work session
minutes "City Manager Assistant Stahmer" should be changed to "Assistant to the
= City Manager Stahmer". Council Member Johnson indicated that the minutes should
reflect that Mayor Maxwell left the meeting.
Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda as amended. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council
Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. OATH OF OFFICE
Mary Hatcher was sworn to office on the Zoning and Planning Commission and David
Specken was sworn to office on the Park Board.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Second Reading, Vacation of Easement, 1 10 Wayside Road (CR2001-159)
Steve Stadler said that this is the second reading and public hearing that is required to
complete the process of the vacation. The applicant has requested a partial vacation
of a utility easement at the back portion of his lot.
Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 7:53 p.rri. No one came forward.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at
7:54 p.m.
Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2001-59, Making Findings of Fact and Approving Ordinance 2001-
861, Vacating a Portion of Drainage and Utility Easement at 1 10 Wayside Road. A
poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member
Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Amend Housing Rehabilitation Loan/Grant Program Guidelines (CR2001-160)
Kersten Elverum said that the City has offered a loan and grant program to low and
moderate-income homeowners since the 1970s. The program has been funded with
Community Development Block Grant funds. The City has some discretion on how
the program is administered and has program guidelines to define how the program is
administered. Those guidelines have not changed for twenty years. The federal
program has put on additional requirements that have increased the costs of
improvements. Ms. Elverum recommended that the City guidelines be changed to
increase the maximum loan/grant amount from $15,0000 to $20,000 and the
availability of an additional $15,000 in lead abatement grant funds. The new
guidelines would also address how emergencies are processed and give the City more
flexibility within the program. The new guidelines would go into effect as of March 1,
2001, and include projects in process.
Ms. Elverum answered the Mayor's question by stating that one household could
receive the maximum of $20,000 and an additional 515,000 for the lead abatement.
Council Members expressed concerns that the amount is high. Ms. Elverum
answered that all jobs will require two bids. There is currently over $300,000 in the
fund. The new guidelines will be advertised by a press release. An article has gone
out in the Highlights with a result of eight new applications. Council Member Brausen
asked if the City Attorney has reviewed the guidelines. Mr. Miller answered that he
had read them.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
approve Housing Rehabilitation Loan/Grant Program Guidelines dated March 1, 2001,
subject to legal review. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen,
aye; Council Member Hesch, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Hesch moved and Council Member
Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 8:03 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor