03-27-01 WSMarch 27, 2001
Page 1
MINUTES
CITX C®UNCII, vv®IZK SESSI®N - MARCH 27, tool
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on March 27, 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,
Public Works Director Stadler, Finance Director Yager, Facilities Director Jay Strachota, and
Kathleen Tabor of the Depot.
Excelsior Blvd. Phase II Schedule
Director Steve Stadler said the new date for start of construction is Apri12002. He
would like to make that date public through a public meeting on or about April 25. In the
Harley Hopkins area it is possible to leave the alley open while building a permanent wall and
planting grass between wall and the Alley. The alley could then be closed near the
construction start date. Answering questions from Council members, he said the County is in
charge of the letter to U-Haul that starts the 90-day clock running; the County says they will
work on the potholes in Excelsior Blvd. ;the railroad is a key player in getting the start date to
work as they need 4-6 months to get the crossing materials; clean-up of the Harley Hopkins
area has started; Blake School has agreed with plans at a meeting with Mr. Stadler and County
officials; traffic study results should be in during the coming week; May 29 Zoning &
Planning will meet on the AUAR reports; and all parties agree the present design is probably
the best one for north/south traffic joining Excelsior Blvd.
Ms. Johnson said some north neighborhood residents are concerned about the 2°d St.
NE exit for the parking ramp. Mr. Brausen said all parties should be identified to the public.
Mr. Mielke said staff thinks the city should commit to the idea of the preliminary
design, even if Medica should not build. This does not mean citizens would not have input in
changing the design if needed.
General consensus: The start date sounds good. The letter sent to residents about the
public meeting should explain all the parties involved in the Excelsior Blvd. project (i.e.
county, railroad, Medica as well as Hopkins); the plans to build a permanent fence in Harley
Hopkins area this year, as well as the temporary steps for the area; the U-Haul situation; the
new start date will mean only one season of road construction rather than two; a calendar of
county estimated dates. The meeting should also be widely publicized so any interested parties
can attend. Council members should attend the meeting. It needs to be made clear at the
meeting that the city wants to hear citizen's concerns, but final decisions must be made for the
good of Hopkins as a whole.
Skate Park Fees
Mr. Strachota briefly explained how the rates were set based on task force work and
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what adaptations were possible. Ms. Tabor stressed that youth can volunteer to enable them to
use the park if they cannot afford the admissions. Lower admissions will be charged at the end
of the day.
Ms. Hesch asked if the Park Department's scholarship fund could be used. Staff will
check on that. Mr. Mielke noted there is no overall philosophy on charging for facilities;
those pre-1989 (such as the Activity Center) were city-funded, while those after 1989 seem to
be profit-oriented.
General Consensus: Council meeting minutes are to be checked to see if the Council needs
to approve rates. If not, Mr. Strachota should oversee the process and put them in place.
HCA Finances Discussion
Mr. Mielke summarized the situation: The 2001 budget shows HCA taking in $206,100;
having operating expenses of $310,775; and interest and depreciation of $101,298, leaving a net
loss of $205,993. The interest/depreciation would "go away" if HCA was put in the general fund.
Debts are the capital campaign of $153,000 and loan from the general fund of $572,868. He
outlined ways to reduce expenses and raise revenues. Reviewing the August discussion, he noted
the franchise fee has been looked into; utility bill check-off will be implemented, probably starting
in June or July; the idea of using $150,000 from Economic Development is still possible; he is
working with legislators on the food/beverage tax idea, but prospects are not good it will pass; a
lodging tax would raise about $30,000 per year and go into the general fund but could be set aside
for HCA. Ms. Yager said funds for HCA will last till October and there will be a shortfall of
$35,000 by the end of the year; a property tax levy for the operating loss would raise taxes about
$1.23 per month on an average home.
General discussion followed. Mr. Brausen asked why it could not be put in the general
fund. Mr. Mielke and Ms. Hesch agreed while some felt it had been promised no general fund
money would ever be used for HCA, what had been said was that general fund would not be used
for construction and no promises were made about operating expenses. City staff will see what
records say. Mr. Strachota said McKnight may start giving grants for suburban centers and may
even be available for operating expenses, but when such monies will be available is unknown.
Ms. Jensen stressed the two financial problems -operating deficit and long-term debt - need to be
kept separated. Ms. Hesch said HCA is such an asset, financially and incommunity-building, that
the idea of the debt should not seem a great burden, and she would be willing to forgive the debt if
necessary. Lori Yager noted that such a move could hurt the city's credit rating. Fran Hesch said
she has found that other cities often have their art center's staff on city staff in the general fund,
feeling that their centers promote their cities; some suburbs feel food and beverage tax is the "way
to go."
General Consensus: Staff should look at ways to reduce the debt with present funds
without draining any one fund. Staff should particularly look at park dedication fees, Economic
Development monies, money left from the Kost block, etc. At this time afood/beverage tax or
franchise fee are not desired. For handling operations loss, staff should look at lodging tax,
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general levy, and the utility fee check-off. Bids should be gotten for improving the JC Studio;
Council as well as staff should explore how partners might help with that; possible grants for that
should be explored. Ms. Yager should check on putting staff into general fund.
The session closed for city manager evaluation goals at 9:20 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eugene J axwell, Mayor
COUNCIL MEMBERS