02-26-02 WSFebruary 26, 2002
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -FEBRUARY 26, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on February 26, 2002,
at the City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Brausen,
Jensen, Johnson and Rowan. City personnel present were City Manager Mielke, Public Works
Director Stadler, Assistant to City Manager Stahmer, Facilities Manager Strachota, and Finance
Director Yager.
Community Group Use of HCA
Mr. Strachota outlined changes he recommended in the proposed stimulus policy and the
present community use policy. He has met with representatives of HCA, Inc., and Shoestring
Players. He also presented a letter received from Fran Hesch of Shoestring Players presenting a
proposed change in handling the theater group. He supports changing the usage fee in place now
to a sliding scale due to the non-revenue producing hours of rehearsal theater groups need. He
would like to limit the long-term commitments under it to Raspberry Festival and Shoestring
Players. He would rather see a straight lower fee than one based on percentage of expenses as that
might encourage groups to cut back on marketing, which would hurt HCA.
Both Mayor Maxwell and Mr. Mielke questioned allowing only Raspberry and Shoestring
to have long commitments, though both support those events. Mr. Rowan suggested that other
groups could be put on a list for the following year, and available times then be split fairly among
the groups. Mr. Rowan and Ms. Jensen both felt that if a community-use group made a profit,
some of that profit should be given the city. Mr. Strachota said ticket sales for one year could be
the basis for prices the next year so everyone would know finances ahead of time. Mr. Mielke
suggested asix-month scheduling period, but Mr. Strachota said that was basically not workable
for scheduling.
Ms. Johnson said the "one-third of the Board must be Hopkins residents" could be a
problem, especially with Raspberry Festival, as some groups are school district based rather than
city limits based. Perhaps "incorporated in Hopkins" might be an option. Mr. Rowan said
"Hopkins identity" was the key, so Minnesota Ballroom, for example, would not qualify for the
community use policy. There was discussion on Allegro; it was unclear whether they wanted to be
part of Raspberry Festival or separate.
General Consensus: For the spring performance of Shoestring Players the charge will be
10% of budget and 50% of profits. Work shall continue on the policies.
Proposed MCWD Rule Change
Mr. Stadler said Minnehaha Creek Watershed District had already sent a letter saying their
proposed Rule M would not be put in effect immediately. He explained Rule M would require
property owners to maintain a buffer zone of 50 feet along the creek.
General Consensus: Mayor Maxwell should sign a letter sent to MCWD protesting Rule M.
Legal staff should draft a formal resolution for a future Council action.
February 26, 2002
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CSAH 73/5 Update
Mr. Stadler said the county has put the Heubach property on hold, although they still want
to see if they can buy the property now for possible future development, leaving the site as is for
now. Mr. Stadler says the task force is still debating on signal posts and want some like at 17r''
and Mainstreet. The County would install them, but Hopkins would be responsible for any
maintenance. This would mean Hopkins would have to keep replacement posts, mast arms, etc. ,
which cost $4,000 each, in stock. The task force has agreed to no pedestal mounting on County 5,
so there will be 6 posts. To assess the cost to landowners would require special hearings. A
petition with 100% signatures that there would be no appeals on assessments would be the only
way around that. Mr. Mielke said the big problem is this would be ongoing -administration would
be a real problem. He suggested a special utility charge for those landowners to go into a
replacement fund might work; Mr. Stadler thought that would not be possible. Mr. Mielke said
whatever is done will set a precedent for all other roadwork. He pointed out that for an
assessment appeal the city would have to prove benefit. Mr. Stadler added that the resolution for
the intersection said, "County maintained." He thinks this problem will mean the project will not
get done this year.
Mr. Stadler said the task force is still working on the medians, and will meet March 7 or 8.
General Consensus: Staff should check into the appeal for possible assessments. The city
will not pay for the maintenance; if the association can figure out how they will pay for it, the city
will consider using the special posts. When this is brought before the Council, it needs to be
spelled out how much this project is already costing the city. Mayor Maxwell will talk to Ed
Anderson about the status of the work of the task force.
2002 Budget Discussion
Mr. Mielke said Governor Ventura's budget would cut $300,000 this year and $414,000
next year from city income. The legislature is suggesting no cuts for this year; but even if that
passes, there will be severe cuts next year that need to be planned for. This is a long-term
problem: the Council faces issues of the facilities building, present programs, government
shortfall. September is really a deadline for decisions. The changes to the travel budget, delaying
the police officer hiring, delaying some capital items have solved this year's budget, but they are
short-term solutions.
Ms. Yager explained how the Program Revenues and Expenditures sheets could help
Council members decide budget issues.
Looking at the budget spreadsheets, she noted that 2003 does not have the usual 6 %
salary/benefit increase as she will be getting a better deal for medical insurance this coming year.
Mr. Mielke noted the union contract does not guarantee a 40-hour week nor guarantee positions.
There were questions on how to handle the facilities bonding; this will be looked at closely in the
near future. Ms. Yager noted her figures were based on $10 million; more costs will change the
figures.
Mr. Mielke went over the department head suggestions for adjusting the budget and
responding to cut income, noting they were brainstorming ideas, not policy suggestions. Mr.
Brausen suggested the regular employees also be asked. He wondered if some employees would
take voluntary furlough rather than have employees laid off, and if staff/employees could identify
February 26, 2002
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jobs that are not "fu1140-hour" jobs.
Ms. Johnson said it might be time to look at how Hopkins is operating. Ms. Jensen said
figures for contracting out services are needed for comparisons. Mayor Maxwell wondered if staff
might be willing to change jobs (i.e. become a janitor) to prevent layoffs; he feels city employees
are more important than employees from contracted companies. Ms. Yager said there are
programs citizens don't see, If programs must be cut these need to be looked at.
General Consensus: Ehlers needs to come with information on bonding. Regular staff
should be approached for ideas like the department heads were. Budget will be worked on in
March. Kate should be approached about putting articles in the paper so that people know the
city's financial situation.
Other
Drug-selling Incident
Ms. Jensen saw young people selling drugs in front of the Art Center last Saturday night.
She is concerned how this will affect the Art Center and feels more police presence is necessary.
Graffiti on Mary Francis Antiques
Ms. Johnson asked when the graffiti would be removed. Mayor Maxwell said he had been
told it wasn't graffiti.
Ms. Johnson moved adjournment; Ms. Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
AT'TES'T:
i6?7/!a
Eug e J axwell, Mayor