03-13-01 WSMarch 13, 2001
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -MARCH 13, 2001
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on March 13, 2001, at
the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Hesch and Jensen. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Public Works Director
Stadler, Police Chief Craig Reid, Fire Chief Don Beckering and HCA Director Jay Strachota.
Also present were Peter Throdahl and Jim Justus.
Justus Lumber Property Environmental Investigation
City Manager Mielke said there are two major clean-up issues: the former gas
manufacturing plant and the old storm sewer pipe. The storm sewer is the easier to solve as it
basically requires officially abandoning the old pipe and easement, and filling it in some way so
the pollution into Nine Mile Creek is stopped. Cost estimate is $25,000-$50,000; he recommends
Justus Lumber handle the process so public bidding is not involved, with the city contracting with
them. Anew private sewer connection should then be constructed to the new Excelsior Blvd.
project sewer, hopefully in 2001. The old plant is a much more difficult problem; a coal tar
deposit has been located just in front of the Justus Lumber building. If it turns out to be a large
deposit, remediation might even involve partial demolition of the current building. The city is
involved as it once owned the plant. AET would charge $150-250,000 just to investigate the
problem; the clean-up costs would be in addition. Revenue sources need to be identified. It is
certain that MPCA will become involved. Statute limits the city's liability to $400,000; but the
property needs to remain viable property for surface use.
Mr. Justus said he knew in buying the property it had been used as land fill from 1960-62.
Land studies in 1992 showed nothing significant. New investigative work done for refinancing
showed the coal tar deposit. Searching at the historical society, he found a gas plant had been on
the property from 1917-29. Photos showed its location. No one knows if the coal tar was shipped
off-site or not. He has hired Wink to do investigative work, and they are concerned that asbestos
may also be found. Later Mr. Throdahl added that Holiday is on solid ground, if the problem is
extensive it would go to the west. Nine Mile Creek Watershed is involved because of the storm
sewer drainage.
Answering Ms. Hesch, Mr. Mielke said the city needed to hire its own consultant firm as
the city stands a much better chance to get funding than Justus Lumber. An environmental clean-
up fund with over $6 million exists in Hennepin County; the major problem is that no rules have
been put in place for how to get the money. He added Minnegasco may also be partly responsible
financially.
Mayor Maxwell said he wanted to be sure that letting Justus Lumber handle the storm
sewer problem would not cause a problem with later financial help for the city. Mr. Justus said he
wanted an agreement spelling everything out anyway.
General consensus: Storm sewer work should go ahead, as well as the first steps for the
gas plant site investigation. Ms. Hesch said she would like future information on possible city
liabilities, such as health issues.
March 13, 2001
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Police/Fire Space Study; Site Discussion
City Manager Mielke said three alternatives had been looked at: move the police
department, move the fire department; move city staff. The least expensive alternative is to build
a new fire station. Primary requirements for a new site for them were that it be west of Highway
169 due to travel time for firemen; that it be on a major roadway for easy access by firefighters;
that it be central in the community. Such a site was not found except between the pavilion and
Public Works. The next step is to look at how such a move would impact the two departments and
the pavilion.
Chief Reid said the police could renovate the old fire building for their needs; however, he
needs a firm decision by this fall before he starts working on the new communication center
scheduled for 2003. Director Stadler said he has concerns as to whether everything can "fit" on
the site without constricting both his department and the fire department, keeping future needs in
mind. Both Chief Beckering and Director Stadler said the big issue is space for equipment and
storage. Mr. Mielke said a global plan might find a way to refigure traffic for the pavilion. He
estimates $5-10,000 is needed for a full study and would need to involve all three departments; it
would take 2-3 months. Funding and planning could possibly be done this fall.
Ms. Hesch said she would like to see the study include an option that would start from bare
ground on the site. She asked if staff had been surveyed as to what the departments felt was most
important in the site changes. Ms. Jensen suggested a larger fitness room both departments shared
.might be helpful.
General Consensus: The study should be implemented. Everyone involved agreed an
"open books" approach involving all three departments is necessary so everyone feels they had a
say in the process.
HCA Community Use Policy
Mr. Mielke noted a policy was drafted previously, but never put in place. Mr. Strachota
has redrafted the policy to fit the current governance situation. Mr. Strachota explained how the
application process for the reduced rate would work if the policy were in place. He suggested that
4 reduced rate events be accepted on a first-come basis. If an appeal process is needed, he needs
guidance as to how that should be set up. There was some general discussion as to what
guidelines should be used. Ms. Hesch volunteered to help Mr. Strachota draft such guidelines.
Mr. Strachota also updated the Council on HCA, noting volunteers have increased from 16 to 38,
and membership from 185 to almost 300. Patty Lynch helped with analyzing the arts market in
the Twin Cities.
General Consensus: Guidelines should be drafted and brought back to a Council work
session. Raspberry Festival at 40% rate is okay.
Council/Staff Retreat
Mr. Mielke asked for feedback on what the Council wanted to see happen.
General Consensus: An overnight retreat (Friday night/Saturday) should be held at end of
April or first part of May. Staff should find a location right away. Main objectives should be
steps to put the vision into action and relationship building between all staff and between staff and
Council. Ms. Hesch's suggestion that staff be asked to anonymously turn in to Mr. Mielke their
March 13, 2001
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lists of 5 things they would like to see done to improve their workplaces, and if they could change
one thing with the Council, what would it be met with general approval. Ms. Jensen said she felt
it should be clear they can also comment on other departments. Mayor Maxwell said it might be
possible to also include "small topics" - Ms. Hesch said some of those could come from the goals
for Mr. Mielke.
City Manager Evaluation
It was agreed to wait until Ms. Johnson could be present. Discussion will be held after the
Council meeting March 20.
Other
SuperValu
Mr. Mielke reported he had sent a letter that day to SuperValu on the abatement saying
some would be reserved for North Annex site work, equal to the amount raised for environmental
issues. Medica had a meeting that day. They are anxious to get a purchase agreement signed. He
made it clear to SuperValu that until the purchase agreement is signed nothing further will be done
about the abatement.
School Safety
Ms. Jensen said last Thursday a rumor had started in the school that there were threats of
someone coming with a gun. School staff immediately notified the police, who arrived shortly and
were at every school entrance. Students reported the immediate reaction made them feel safer.
Fran Hesch moved adjournment. Karen Jensen seconded. Adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
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Eug ne J ~' well, Mayor