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07-10-01 WSJuly 10, 2001 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -July 10, 2001 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on July 10, 2001, at the City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Hesch, and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Assistant to the City Manager Stahmer, Finance Director Yager, and Public Works Director Stadler. Others present were Steve Manhart and Ron Roetzel of Bolton and Meek and Ellen Cousins, Sue Bennet, Naomi Chinn, Ann Armnestad, and Mike Boule of Alice Smith Elementary School and Steve Levy, Presidential Streets Neighborhood Association. Preliminary Layout, Excelsior/Milwaukee/Jackson Intersections Steve Stadler said that the City Council approved a concept plan for this intersection on June 5`''. They also approved an engineering services and design agreement with Bolton and Meek. Many meetings or discussions were held with other agencies, including Medica, Hennepin Parks, Canadian Pacific Railways, Metro Transit, and SuperValu. Two plans resulted from the meetings. Steve Manhart and Ron Roetzel reviewed the plans. Option three stops all Excelsior Boulevard traffic when a train is corning through the intersection, or with a bus on the future bus way, or with a LRT train crossing Exc Blvd. The pedestrian crossings are all stoplight controlled except where they cross at a free-right turn lane. Option four provides dual-left turn lanes for eastbound Excelsior Blvd to northbound Jackson Ave without the need to stop for a train or bus crossing. Option four has a greater impact on the Medica site plans due to the need to shift the intersection slightly to the west. Option four includes crossing arms on all approaches with a raised island separating the lanes. After Federal laws are adopted, this will allow whistle free train crossings. Trail crossings will be at the controlled intersections. Hennepin Parks was not in favor of an underpass or overpass type crossing. They felt that trail-users would not utilize either type of crossing. Council Member Hesch said that all along they have been advocating for a safe crossing. She does not believe that it would not be used. A safe option should be provided. Mr. Stadler said that an information meeting for the general public would be held on July 26"'. Final plans will go to the Zoning and Planning Commission Meeting on July 315` and to Council for final plan review on August 8`~. The plans will then go to other agencies for review, bids will be advertised in February. The project will be completed in conjunction with phase II of the Exc Blvd project in late spring, early summer of 2003. Consensus: It appeared that the Council members were leaning towards option four. Steve Stadler said that staff would use the Medica project mailing list to notify residents of the meeting. Mayor Maxwell asked Mr. Manhart if a tabletop design model could be used to show how the intersection would look and that Traffic Management be incorporated in the development agreement with Medica. It was agreed that a larger drawing with color would be used. July 10, 2001 Page 2 Discuss the Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP) Lori Yager said that the plan dates are from 2002 through 2006. She will be increasing the contribution from the General Fund by $10,000 per year for the next twenty years. There will larger expenditures in 2003 and 2005 and those expenditures will bring the balance too. low without the increase. Ms. Yager said that the fund is still healthy. Changes that have been made to the plan are as follows: The Laverne Pumper that was scheduled for replacement in 2002 has been pushed out to 2003 ; the breathing apparatus for the fire department was moved up from 2003 to 2002; the purchase of a one ton dump truck has been moved back from 2002 to 2003; the engineering van needs to be replaced in 2003 instead of 2004; a tractor replacement is pushed back to 2003 instead of 2002; the replacement of a copy machine for the Activity Center has been removed due to a donation; the financial software package replacement is postponed unti12006 if the current system is upgraded in 2002; the copy machine for the Art Center does not need replacement until 2004 and the air compressor for the water fund does not need replacement until 2004. Council Members asked questions of various items. Questions were raised about the replacement of the pumper and the purchase of an aerial truck in 2005. If a new facility is to be built, these items might have to be eliminated. The Council also questioned the replacement of the telephone system. The telephone system might be upgraded this year, which would eliminate the need for the replacement. The phone system is fifteen years old and has not been upgraded. Council Member Hesch asked if the Depot Coffee House could be included in the plan. Council Members also discussed the inclusion of the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Consensus: The Depot Coffee House and the Hopkins Center for the Arts will have their equipment listed in the ERP. The needs of the Fire Department will be assessed. Mr. Genellie will do a report to the Council about the telephone system. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Lori Yager said that she removed any items that were under $10,000. The Shuffleboard Courts at the Activity Center and the Minnehaha Creek buffer zone were moved to the General Fund, because they are under $10,000. General fund expenditures will increase 12% in 2001. The balance of the increase will come from an increased overall levy of 7.7 % . Four Capital Improvement items in 2002 that will be financed from the General Fund are the City Hall HVAC upgrade, regional trail connectors, the fire hall roof and the Alice Smith playground equipment for a total of $115, 000. Council Members discussed the General fund projects. It is difficult to judge without knowing what the levy will be. Ms .Yager said that a public hearing is not required this year, but the Cities can opt to hold one. Ellen Cousins of Alice Smith Elementary School presented plans for the new playground. Ms. July 10, 2001 Page 3 Cousins showed the ground material. It will absorb impact. The whole surface will be covered with it. It is safer than wood chips or pea rock. Mr. Mielke asked what the Municipal purpose to provide the funds is. Ms. Cousins said that the park and recreation department uses the playground now for some of its programs. .~• Ms. Yager reviewed the G.O. Fund, Municipal State Aid, TIF, Economic Development, Parking, and Capital Improvement funds. Ms. Yager said that the Water utility rates would increase in 2003 by $0.10 and every third year after that. The Sanitary .Sewer Fund is healthy. The recycling fee will be increased by $2.00 per month. The fees do not pay for the program at this time and the City will loose the Hennepin County Grant in 2005. Council discussed the increase. Mr. Mielke asked Mr. Stadler to explain the Park Board's ranking process. Mr. Stadler said that he gave a priority number to the projects and gave the list to Mr. Kuhl to review. After Mr. Kuhl reviewed the list, he told Mr. Stadler to go with it. Consensus: The City will hold a public hearing on the budget and levy as usual. Mr. Stadler has sent letters to all property owners that have assessable projects in the 2002 budget. Ten thousand dollars is committed to the Alice Smith playground as a budget expenditure in 2002. If the bond referendum is passed in December, the commitment will be withdrawn. Guidelines will be set for the new Capital Improvements Fund. The recycling rates should not be increased by $2.00 in one year. The increase will be $1.00 per month each of three years. Other Mr. Stadler attended'a meeting of the Knollwood Neighborhood Association earlier this evening. The members questioned Mr. Stadler about installing speed bumps. Mr. Stadler responded to questions about the pond improvement project by saying that assessments should be based on the resident's proximity to the pond. Residents closer to the pond should pay higher assessments than those who are far away. The association will have to get all of the neighborhood onboard. The association is holding a picnic for members on August 7"'. Council Member Brausen said that he received a call from a resident about the accessibility of the sidewalk by lots 500 and 600. Will there be ramps on the islands? Mr. Mielke said that there would not. The sidewalk is accessible from the parameter. Council Member Johnson said that if there are cars parked in front of it, the sidewalk is not visible. Mr. Stadler said that he would look into signage. Mr. Mielke said that Justus is considering selling the.property. This will slow the environmental study. The potential buyer is asking for an indemnification agreement. The City project may not continue. Mr. Mielke reported that he spoke with a representative from Rudy Luther. There has been no response from C. Chase. The representative said that it is better to deal directly with them. July 10, 2001 Page 4 Mayor Maxwell said that they want $460,000 for the property. The City has appraised it at $335,000. He feels that a compromise can be reached. The Loman property owners want to see the development before they will sell. They want to assess the impact to their property. Mr. IVlielke said that Walser submitted a CUP application, but Creative Auto has not reached an agreement with them. Walser hasn't the authority to apply for what they are proposing. The National League of Cities is holding the Youth Conference in September. Council Member Hesch felt that someone from the City should attend. Mayor Maxwell said that Council Member Hesch should attend and that Mr. Mielke should send someone from staff. Council Member Johnson said that she received a letter from the Police Officer's Association about dissolving the Civil Service Conunission. Mr. Mielke said that a meeting would be held to try to get the issues out into the open. Council Member Johnson said that she was disappointed that the Highlights did not have anything about the Raspberry Festival, the Heritage Festival, or filing for office in the upcoming election. Mr. Mielke said that he will be on vacation all of next week. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Terry Obermaier ATTEST: Euge J. M ell, Mayor COUNCIL MEMBERS