10-22-02 WSOctober 22, 2002
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - Octoher 22, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on October 22, 2002, at
the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Jensen, and Johnson. City personnel present were: City Manager Mielke; Economic Director
Kerrigan; Housing Coordinator Elverum; Public Works Director Stadler; Finance Director Yager;
City Attorney Dieke; Fire Chief Beckering; Police Chief Reid; Publications Director Hartfiel; and
Susan Hanna-Bibus. Also present were: Sid Inman of Ehlers & Associates; Margery Matthison-
Hance; Gary Benson and David Chase of Kraus Anderson; Mike Jordan and James O'Shea of
Collaborative Design Group; and Jeff Oertel of Oertel Architects.
North Annex Amendment Discussion
Mr. Kerrigan updated the progress on developing an amendment to the 1998 redevelopment
agreement with SuperValu. At present the deadline is March 2003; this would extend it two years,
with an option for three years. At present the major problem is defining what could be on the
property. Although SuperValu first asked to have parameters, now they do not want any. He needs
direction from the Council. He noted Council would always have final control due to TIF.
SuperValu's major concern is that they might find a developer who could come close to, but not
quite meet, the parameters as they now are. The present TIF ends Apri12004. There is a good
possibility to get special legislation to extend that or else to make North Annex a separate TIF.
The other main issue is interim use.
General discussion followed. Mr. Mielke noted a possible smaller project of offices and
some warehousing is being pursued by SuperValu. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Jensen wanted to keep
the present language. Mr. Brausen suggested saying "prefer" rather than "must." Mr. Inman said
he would advise to keep present language as developers always want to take the low end, but the
single word "must" could be changed to "should" . He added 400,000 sq. ft. is needed to break
even on TIF. In response to Mayor Maxwell's comment on "green space," Mr. Kerrigan said it
forced structured parking. Mr. hunan said the option price of $10,739,072.61 is based on the
current value of $8 million plus increased value; Attorney Dieke added it is an option, the city
could refuse to pay that. Mayor Maxwell asked about lost tax revenue if the present building is
demolished. Mr. Kerrigan said almost all the tax value is on the land; the danger of the building
being utilized for other uses would not be an issue then. SuperValu would save upkeep costs so it
would be advantageous to both parties. Mr. Inman noted there would still be enough TIF for the
intersection work. Regarding interim use, Mr. Kerrigan noted that as long as it has been so used
within the past year they can keep nonconforming uses and SuperValu could build such a case.
General Consensus: The Council wants the agreement to indicate the scope of a project
they are willing to provide assistance for. The present building should be demolished as soon as
possible. Interim uses are okay as long as they are low rise, storage, causing no dust or noise to
bother residents, and not retail.
HCA Quarterly Report
Ms. Hanna-Bibus noted this year totals are since July 1. While memberships are up,
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funding is a problem. McKnight is not funding this year; she feels it is because she is a city
employee and they feel that blurs nonprofit parameters. Mr. Mielke added the issue of transferring
her salary to HCA needs to be looked into but there are issues such as benefits to be considered.
Grant money is important but cannot be allowed to run HCA. Ms. Matthison-Hance said a
challenge grant for new memberships has been given. Ms. Hanna-Bibus said three grants have
been received and three more are pending. If funding is available The Edge will be started in the
spring to attract young adults and would be a coffeehouse format for emerging performers in
comedy, music, spoken word, dance, etc. There is nothing like that format in the western suburbs.
Art commission income has risen sharply, from $337.50 last year to $1,609.50 already this year.
Mr. Brausen commented he feels HCA is really improving and is pleased with what they are
doing.
Facilities Project Update
Mr. O'Shea noted the intersection is now aligned and the fire station has been moved 10-20
feet. Mr. Mielke noted all the school goals have been met: child drop off separate from bus, green
space, intersection needs. Mr. Oertel noted Public Works mechanics would be able to service
vehicles without going outside and washed vehicles could go directly to parking stalls. Mr. Jordan
showed offices and apparatus storage would be above fire engine bays. Most of the station could
be locked off so that a large meeting room would be available for community use. The training
tower would allow on-site training in balcony rescue, window rescue, rappeling, etc. It could have
another floor added in the future; present planned height is 35 feet. Mr. O'Shea showed a small
addition would be added to the front of the present fire building for the police. Chief Reid noted
the extra height of the present bays would be used to run computer wiring, etc. above a false
ceiling. Mr. Mielke noted that while no one is getting all they want, everyone agrees they are
getting what they need, that the present plan is workable for them all.
Mr. Benson noted the cost estimate is $13,669,800 but is very rough as it is based on
conceptual drawings. Mr. Mielke noted this is higher than the cost wanted by the Council and
would increase bond costs; either cuts must be found or funding plans must be worked on. Ms.
Jensen asked that Council members be given copies of all the plans to help them evaluate options,
and that a "log" of proposed cuts be kept to show the public where reductions were made. Mr.
Mielke said plats will go to the school November 7; neighborhood meetings will be held
November 13. Mr. O'Shea said CUP application would begin early November. Ms. Yager said
her bond estimates had been based on $10.7 million; this would be a $12.4 bond issue, with $2.2
for the police later. Bond issuance may have to wait till late November or December. Mr. Benson
said he would separate police from fire/public works to help her with bond figures. Ms. Hartfiel
was given the go-ahead to do publicity in Highlights and to tell the school to go ahead with their
publicity.
Fire and Police 2003 Budgets
Fire Budget: Chief Beckering said other than trimming travel and conference expenses, any
budget cuts he could make would be salaries, which would curtail responses. A $16,000 cut if
long-term would cut out medical responses, which would impact police, and could mean only the
county would respond, and that can take ten minutes. Police Chief Reid said they are already
calling fire when they cannot respond so they could not take over that area from fire. Ms. Johnson
asked if contracting fire inspections out would help; Chief Beckering said he would need to know
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exactly what inspections would be hired out so he could check into it. He added the Fire
Marshal's biggest responsibility is public education. Presently they answer 500-700 calls a year,
with a 70/30 ration for fire and medical. He doesn't foresee major changes in those figures.
Police: Chief Reid noted his force answered 15,746 calls in so far in 2002, which means
520 calls per officer. Minneapolis officers answer 436. The radio system fails every month. He
needs another officer to cover calls. He would need 4-5 more to have his men return to 8 hour
shifts. While $18,754.98 in grants came in this year, with $5,077 more coming to be used for
ballistic vests, most grants are disappearing since 9/11 with the shift to anti-terrorism funding. To
reduce his budget he would need to cut administration, and they are already 3 months behind in
their job load.
A future problem is that Microsoft is starting a timed license program in which they
demand access to all programs at all times. This raises security and legal issues for the police. If
the police are forced to change to Lenox it will be very expensive. Recruitment remains a problem
though the civil service changes have helped; since February 2000 in a staff of 39 he has hired 17
people. The drug task force has had heavy use. Repeat locations keep getting attention, he said
Capt. Liddy has put a lot of effort there.
Other
Mr. Mielke said Mayor Maxwell, Police Chief Reid and he are meeting with Hobby Acres
on traffic issues.
A notice has been sent to businesses around the Cornerstone development on work to
come, but the Council can expect complaints.
The Depot has received a $50,000 federal grant for juvenile delinquency work which will
go for teen center operation. The school levy money will go to the business side for their
program.
Ms. Johnson moved adjournment; Mr. Brausen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eug e J. axwell, Mayor