05-29-01 WSMay 29, 2001
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MINUTES
CITY C®UNCII, W®RI£ SESSION -MAY 29, 2001
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on May 29, 2001, at the
City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen, Hesch,
Jensen and Johnson. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Assistant City Manager
Genellie, Public Works Director Stadler, City Manager Assistant Stahmer, and Finance Director
Yager.
Newspaper Dispensers Discussion
Assistant City Manager Genellie had further researched the issue as directed by the
Council. Banning is not advisable. Use of designated locations, limitation of numbers, setting
distance from posts or other objects, fees and licensing are all permissible. Street cleaning is a
major impetus for consideration. Businesses have not been surveyed in general, but
Michelangelo's and the Music Center do not like them. Most cities require licensing. He referred
to St. Paul's ordinance as a good one. There was general discussion. Mayor Maxwell said he
feels moving them from corners is a prime concern; not placing near schools is another concern.
General Consensus: The ordinance work should proceed. Any drafted ordinance would be
discussed with businesses and paper publishers before passage. The licensing process should
include a fee, a designation of who owns the dispensers, a mapping of each publishers dispensers,
and proof of insurance and maintenance. Mr. Genellie will try to determine who owns the
dispensers, map out current dispensers, get input from the business community.
Lodging Tax Review
Mr. Stahmer said 95 % of such monies must, by law, go toward promoting the city. Most
cities do this by naming a current employee director of tourism. There is a 3 % cap on such a tax;
most cities tax at that level. A rough estimate of income for Hopkins would be $45,000; after
Hopkins House renovation it might be $36,000 as there would be fewer rooms. HCA does not
qualify as a convention center. Mr. Mielke noted that the retreat and comments at "Let's Talk"
suggest more than these amounts could be easily spent on Hopkins promotion. Discussion
centered on how use of this tax might help HCA. Possibilities mentioned was naming an HCA
employee director of tourism; renting space at HCA for the tourism office, offsetting some of the
park dedication fees for HCA by devoting some of these monies to the bike trail, underwriting
concerts .
General Consensus: The tax needs to be pursued. Talks need to be held with Hopkins
House before any tax is put it place. Emphasis needs to be on offsetting current expenses, with
new programs added only if money is available for them.
Review CIP Discussion
Finance Director Yager and Mr. Mielke stressed that until the legislature is done, no firm
planning is possible. Ms. Yager said the proposals were just given her by department heads, etc.,
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and were presented more for information than as proposals. Much of the discussion centered
about the Park Board section.
Mr. Mielke noted that the Board had not assigned money sources, feeling that was beyond
their purview. Concerns were expressed about giving money to the Alice Smith playground as it
would open the door for all schools wanting help. There were questions about the plans for the
stage in the park; Mr. Stadler said this was prompted by the "Music in the Park" program and was
planned to be set into the bermed area. Later discussion brought out that the Jaycees have talked
about covering the parking area near this. Ms. Johnson asked what had happened to the bike
racks. The Central Park hockey rink for summer use was discussed.
General Consensus on Park Issues: The Council should make its priority list, then meet
with the Park Board to discuss priorities together. Mr. Stadler said he could annotate the present
list to give the Council some idea of Park Board thinking. The idea of correlating a stage and
covering the parking area with private funds should be looked into; the Council would be
interested in a preliminary design
There was some discussion on St. Joe's parking. Mr. Mielke is trying to arrange a talk
with them.
Retreat Review
Mr. Stahmer handed out a preliminary draft of a summary of the retreat. He will bring a
completed draft in June. Mr. Mielke hopes to have an action plan based on these results by budget
time.
Other
Lawn Signs
Mr. Mielke referred to a letter from Charles Heubach. When this issue came up before,
the resident was told such issues were handled on an "on complaint" basis. The city cannot
remove signs without giving notice to the owner. The police could be told to do so until
challenged. Any ordinance will need to be looked at in the light of garage sale signs. Ms. Hesch
said in the past a laminated copy of the ordinance and penalty was posted where there was a
problem. General consensus was that might be worth trying and work should continue on an
ordinance. Mr. Heubach should be contacted. An article in the Highlights is also a good idea.
Knox Lumber
Mr. Mielke said there are unconfirmed rumors Knox has been sold. The comprehensive
plan said this should be rezoned to business park. This may need immediate attention.
Police Civil Service Commission
A dispatcher needs to be recruited. Before this can be done the commission either needs to
have two members appointed or the commission needs to be disbanded. He and Chief Reid feel
the commission is a duplication of efforts as all complaints from personnel are handled by an
outside arbitration system. Consensus is this needs further discussion of pros and cons of either
decision.
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Women's Clinic
Ms. Johnson said she had received a letter about establishing a women's clinic. Mr.
Mielke said rezoning for it would present problems and would need the backing of the
neighborhood.
Miscellaneous
Mr. Mielke announced North Hennepin Mediators is interested in replacing West Suburban.
Ms. Jensen said she will not be at the June 5 Council meeting.
Fran Hesch said when she was in Suburban Feed on Friday she was told the Luther people
had been there apologizing for not keeping him informed. He got the impression the Luthers felt
it was a done deal. She has left a message for Jim Kerrigan.
Ms: Johnson asked about a disbursement to Cambridge Apts. Mayor Maxwell said he had
checked and it was for rental space for the drug task force.
Mr. Mielke said Koss has rented the old Cash-n-Pawn Shop on Harrison Ave. starting in
August.
Ms Hesch moved adjournment; Ms. Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eugene J ax 1, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS