07-23-02 WSJuly23,2002
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MINUTES
CITE' COUNCIL WOI2I~ SESSION -July 23, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on July 23, 2002, at
the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Jensen and Rowan. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke and Public Works Director
Stadler. Also present were Mary Jo Bartos, Susan Hanna-Bibus and Nelson Berg of HCA Inc.,
and Bruce Chamberlain of Hoisington Koegler.
Update on Hopkins Center for the Arts, Inc.
Ms. Hanna-Bibus said the HCA board had concentrated on three areas: Memberships,
Sponsorships and Grants. They plan a membership drive in August/September and have received
a challenge grant for $5,000 in new memberships from Blake Foundation. So far they have not
gotten a season sponsorship for $5,000; now they are working on obtaining single event sponsors
of $500-$1,000. They are hoping to work out a community partnership with local civic groups in
which the group would be rebated 25% of tickets sales income sold to their members; Mr. Berg
added the goal is to sell more tickets and fill the house. Such groups will also be asked for
special event sponsorships. They are working on grants. Heartland has agreed to a grant for
school residencies and a January event. They are hopeful for one from McKnight, and have
applied or are applying for others. Last spring's open house/fundraiser was a success in
attendance, but did not raise money. Now they are thinking to keep an open house for June and
use the anniversary date in November for the fundraiser. Mr. Berg added invitations to the latter
would go to everyone who has ever donated to the Center.
A brochure describing the year's events was passed out. Mr. Berg said board
participation is very good. The marketing consultant last spring gave them good ideas they are
working on. The Board needs someone with good accounting skills and is open to suggestions.
Wine Licenses at Coffee Shops
Between HCA and Street discussion, there was general discussion on granting wine licenses to
coffee shops. Mayor Maxwell said it was an issue Council members should start thinking about.
Fifth Avenue Improvement Discussion
Public Works Director Stadler said this project is scheduled for 2003. On July 9 there
was a public information meeting held attended by about 15. Truck traffic restriction was a major
topic.
He said if 5th Ave. stays a state-aid road assessments would be much less for
homeowners, averaging $600-$ 1,000 per lot. Police Chief Reid says "No Trucks" is basically
not enforceable. Ms. Jensen noted that SuperValu tells its truckers to not use ~ Ave. and a thank
you to them might help even more. Mr. Stadler said he would malce such a call. Mr. Stadler said
that having to take some other street miles off state aid highways has made keeping S~" Ave.
very important. Hopkins receives $450,000 state aid for its 9.55 miles and there are very few
options to replace any lost miles due to the requirements that must be met to get such aid. Ms.
Jensen added the true major issue is not trucks, but bus traffic.
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Mr. Stadler detailed some of the planned work. Mayor Maxwell noted Highway 7 to
Minnetonka Blvd. has no room for parking. Ms. Jensen said residents north of Minnetonka Mills
Road often bottom-out coming from their driveways; Mr. Stadler said he would see if the
problem is the street or their driveways slant. Mr. Mielke asked why the sidewalk improvement
would not be extended east to Burns Park; Mr. Stadler said it was not on the master plan, but
could be considered. Mainstreet to Excelsior Blvd. improvements would be made to enhance the
city comdor: using brick-paved boulevard areas, street lighting like on 8th Ave. Pedestrian bump-
outs are planned for 2nd St.; counts maybe taken to see if they should also go in at 1St St. Grade
changes are planned to enhance visibility for the regional trail, and improved railroad crossings
are planned. There was general discussion on traffic problems involving Supervalu. Mr. Stadler
is checking out if a no-whistle railroad crossing is possible. Mr. Brausen asked if the bus route
updates had come in; Mr. Mielke said Steve Stahmer is following up on it.
General Consensus: Mr. Stadler should work with Supervalu on traffic issues and
alternate routes and discuss with the railroad the length of closure needed to do the crossing.
Mayor Maxwell said it is important to have the police provide. comments on their ability to
ensure that trucks do not use 5th Ave between 3ra and 1St St N. and to emphasize that keeping 5th
Ave. astate-aid road would really save the homeowners assessments costs. On August 7 Council
will order a public hearing and accept the feasibility study.
Trail Signage
Mr. Chamberlain showed a sample of the aluminum/laminate that would be used for the
signs; he noted it is graffiti-proof. The samples he showed were 8th Ave. corridor specific, but
could be adapted to use throughout the system, and were colored green or raspberry. The large
signs .are designated for Excelsior Blvd./8th Ave. and 8th Ave/1st St. There would be smaller
directional signs. Construction of the signs could be 2 aluminum panels with a plywood
sandwich, then channeling on the edges, or aluminum panel recessed into wood, which he thinks
would look better. Signs would be mounted on color-coded aluminum posts. Cost would be a
maximum of $500 for the large size and $100 for the small, which means the currently plamled
corridor signs would be $1200 or less. Mr. Stadler added he would like the signs up in
September.
General Consensus: The marking for downtown is acceptable. If the recessed in wood is
under the estimated cost, work should go ahead on the signs.
Other
Mayor Maxwell asked Mr. Stadler to express thanks to the Public Works Department for
the great job they did on clean up after the Festival.
Cites er Announcements and U dp ates
Mr. Mielke announced the Jaycee Celebration at the Overpass is August 25 from 12:00-
2:00. Arecognition plaque will be presented to the Jaycees at a Council meeting near this date.
The Park Nicollet Foundation event will be September 21. Mayor Maxwell said perhaps
a couple people, not necessarily Council members, could attend to represent Hopkins.
Mr. Mielke said he would like to implement an employment policy change, which would allow
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cash awards to employees who give long advance notice they will be leaving to enable Hopkins
to get replacements. There was general discussion. Consensus was to go ahead with planning.
Don Roesner has approached staff asking for a definite date that the resident in Park
Valley will be required to come into compliance with the new standards. Mielke stated that a
definite date will be set in the near future if the resident does not show progress in moving the
vehicles. City staff is continuing to work with the resident.
Mr. Miellce has had a letter sent to all city employees about a disc with employee data
that was found during the investigation of the information technician. He does not think the
information was used.
Department heads and Bobbi are working on a communication plan for the facilities
projects. Any ideas from Council on themes or messages would be appreciated. This will be
talked over next week.
Ms. Jensen noted that she had heard positive comments about the Festival. Ms. Jensen
moved adjournment; Mr. Brausen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST:
Euge e J. axwell, Mayor