05-08-01 WSMay 8, 2001
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY C®UNCIL ~'V®I1K SESSI®l~T -MAY S, 2001
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on May 8, 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, Economic Director
Kerrigan, Economic Development Coordinator Hartshorn, Public Works Director Stadler,
Housing Coordinator Elverum, Crime Prevention Specialist Kurtz, City Attorney Steiner,
Assistant to the City Manager Stahmer, Housing Inspector Page, Police Chief Reid and Finance
Director Yager.
East End CBD Project Discussion
Publicity will be forthcoming in the Sun Sailor and in the Minnesota Real Estate Journal.
Response deadline will be June 4. A sample of the information packet to be sent to responders
was shown and discussed. A public information meeting will be held May 30. Ms. Elverum said
feedback from developers has been that Hopkins is a prime city. She reported the work for the
grant is still going ahead. Mr. Brausen said he would like data to support the type of housing
chosen for building. Mr. Kerrigan said an offer has been made to the Luthers. Mayor Maxwell
said he had talked to Mr. Locomen; his impression is that Locomen is most concerned with how the
development will fit in with his stuff. Mr. Mielke suggested the developer could work with him.
General Consensus: The Art Center should be included on page 2 of the packet. The
sentence about public assistance should be omitted; in the response required they should say if they
think they will need public assistance. The Community Profile section should be deleted as too
much information in it is outdated; if such information could be updated it would be useful for
other purposes in the future. Information on developer's projects, especially those in driving
distance, should be required in their response.
Alliant Tech Concept
Mr. Kerrigan said SurModics had approached him about building on this site. They would
build aone-story office/tech structure and 130 housing units north of Second Street. However,
they would need $5 million public assistance and it would affect the Medica project. He has
already spoken to Jim Vos. Discussion followed.
General Consensus: The Alliant Tech building is in good shape and may be usable as it is
or with remodeling by someone else. The housing proposed would be too dense. The needed
financial assistance would put Hopkins' TIF at too high a level. They do not support the proposal.
U-Haul Property Acquisition
City Attorney Steiner said that the city taking action would mean, at most, a two month
saving of time from the County's proposed regular taking. If fought by U-Haul, it would save no
time; in any case it would be more costly. Mr. Stadler said the real problem is that U-Haul has
nowhere else to go in Hopkins because of the zoning required. It was noted that new management
May 8, 2001
Page 2
has taken over; since then neighborhood complaints have sharply risen. Police have been working
with the neighborhood and U-Haul. Mr. Stadler said he thinks the Spur Gas site will be cleared
and seeded within 30 days to prevent erosion. He will talk to Mr. Levy and put an article in the
Sun Sailor to update the neighborhood.
General Consensus: Hennepin County should do the takeover of U-Haul. A letter
responding to the county memo should be sent to put the City on record.
Rental License Ordinance
This was presented just to see if the Council would support the idea. If they do, it would
then go to the City Attorney, then rental property owners, then rental property managers for
feedback. It would then come back to a Council work session before formal presentation at a
Council meeting.
Ms Page said most cities that have rental property registration, as Hopkins does, also have
a penalty process to make enforcement easier. Police already monitor some of the rental sites on a
regular basis. Unpaid penalties would be reason to suspend licenses. Ms. Kurtz said there is not a
big problem now. When there is a problem, the owners are approached and usually cooperate.
The new ordinance would allow provisional licensing to give owners time to correct problems; but
if an owner would refuse to correct problems there would be a process for nonrenewal. She also
noted that on "number of problem calls" repeat calls on the same problem would be counted as
"one call. "
Ms. Hesch asked if renters might have their housing endangered. Ms. Page said that could
be possible. Mr. Brausen said when he managed property in Minneapolis, the city would post a
very noticeable sign in any building stating the owner was out of compliance. Renters could put
their rent into escrow so that they would be protected and able to rent elsewhere if their building
was closed. Ms. Page said that was a county court process. The city attorney would need to look
at it to see if it could be used in Hopkins. Ms. Hesch asked about duplexes; Ms. Page said while
that is one unit, one side could be put on a provisional license. Mayor Maxwell asked how non-
registered rentals are found; Ms. Page said tax assessor records for non-homestead are checked;
there is a $250 citation already in place for non-registration. Mr. Brausen asked if the state allows
rental credit applications to be accessed. Ms. Page said she will check and see. Ms. Kurtz said
the primary issue is not so much property maintenance as property management. She added that
inspections are already done; when problems occur, follow-up is done; the main reason for the
ordinance is to put the whole process "under one umbrella." Ms. Kurtz said while the program
might take some set-up time, she feels the program would save time overall; she added a brochure
could be done to give renters. While management may complain at first, she feels the program
would help them document "problem renters" and make eviction of such easier. Mr. Brausen said
he felt the process would be a good Citizens Academy presentation.
General Consensus: The ordinance should be pursued.
2002 Budget Discussion
This was a very preliminary discussion. Both Ms. Yager and Mr. Mielke stressed that
until the legislature is done, no firm planning is possible, especially as all 3 branches of the
May 8, 2001
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government have different property tax revisions. If this preliminary budget will work, it would
mean about a $5 per month increase for taxpayers. Council comments on the complete budget
presentation were very positive; Ms. Yager said she will not know for a year how it will rate in
the competition.
Other
Miscellaneous
Ms. Hesch said the phone book and Internet don't list HCA. Somehow it must be put "on
par" with other community centers. Ms. Johnson asked what the disbursement for BEKO was for;
Mr. Mielke will check.
Duluth June 20-22
Ms. Hesch asked that motel reservations be made for her. Mr. Mielke and Mr. Brausen
said they plan to attend at least part of the convention. Ms. Johnson will not. Ms. Jensen is not
sure.
"Let's Talk"
Mayor Maxwell noted Chiefs Reid and Beckering need to be present to help convince
attendees of the need for the new building. Invitations have been sent. Ms. Hesch suggested
people be asked "What have you heard?" so Council can better communicate with the community.
Mr. Mielke suggested "high point" boards set up around the room; perhaps these could be used
after the "what have you heard" section. It was agreed Steve Mielke will do the Vision portion;
Karen Jensen will do the Koss Block; Diane Johnson the Medica; Rick Brausen will do the Parking
Lot; and Fran Hesch will do East End.
Retreat
This will be next Thursday.
Ms Hesch moved adjournment; Ms. Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
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Eugen well, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS
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