02-12-02 WSFebruary 12, 2002
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MINUTES
CITY C®UNCII., W®RK SESSI®N - FEBRU~Y 12, 2002
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was held at 6:30 p.m. on February 12, 2002,
at the City Hall. Present were Council members Jensen, Brausen, Johnson and Rowan. Ms.
Jensen acted as chairwoman in the absence of Mayor Maxwell. City personnel present were City
Manager Mielke (after 6:40), Public Works Director Stadler, Housing Coordinator Kersten
Elverum, and Publications head Bobbie Hartfiel.
Public Works/Fire Department Site Plan
Mr. Stadler said there have been several meetings of city and Katherine Curren School
staffs and the consultant to discuss the site plan. Major concerns addressed were increasing Public
Works outside storage, providing a 5-stall drive-through fire station with nearby first-responder
parking, separate school bus and parental drop-off areas for Katherine Curren, adequate play area
for the school children, improving safety and function of the 17"' Ave S/lst St. S intersection,
improving Pavilion parking and adequate parking for the whole area. Participants feel those
concerns have been successfully handled in the proposed site plan, which was accomplished by
eliminating 6 tennis courts, leaving only 2; 1/3 of the fire station will be on the old playground
area. He emphasized that the Curren staff feels they are getting benefits from the new plan.
In answer to Council member questions, the following was added: The natural gas and
transformer will be in green space areas and not need to be modified; the "parent driveway" will
be 2-way; access from 17"' Ave to the storage area will remain; 6,000 sq. ft. has been added to
outside Public Works storage; the 17r'' Ave. intersection will become a 4-way stop and be aligned;
night lighting is in the plan. The principal was wondering if the second 40-car lot was needed, as
then the old tennis courts could be used as basketball courts; planning the play area still needs to
be done. Mr. Stadler has talked to Watershed, and they seem to agree that some 6-inch holding
areas for "100-year rains" are adequate; those can be built into the parking lots.
Mr. Mielke mentioned he had talked to Mr. Shapley about the money Katherine Curren
will receive for playground improvement from the referendum. It is possible, but not yet
determined, that some of that money could be used to offset some of the additional cost of the
revised plan, which adds $750,000 to the original cost of approximately $10 million. As yet, only
four school staff members know of the site plan as all parties wanted to be sure the Council was
behind the new plan before making it public. He added Lori Yager's concern is the additional
cost.
General Consensus: Work should proceed on the site plan. Tennis courts should not be
replaced unless the Park Board finds them essential due to public outcry,
Cornerstone/City Marketing Plan
Ms. Hartfiel said she and Ms. Elverum had met with the developers 3 weeks ago, and
discussed marketing by Hopkins as well as Cornerstone. She had come for some feedback. Mr.
Mielke added the developer will market to sell units. Hopkins might want a more general "sell"
to dovetail with that. General discussion followed. Ms. Johnson stressed the main focus should be
February 12, 2002
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on a general campaign that can be fine-tuned as needed. Ms. Jensen suggested it should reach
from League of Minnesota Cities to the general public. Mr. Rowan mentioned the trail system.
Discussing tools to use led Mr. Rowan to suggest the Web site. All agreed the old Channel 6
show should be gotten rid of if at all possible. Ms. Jensen remarked community cable doesn't
work unless it is really different. Ms. Johnson asked about funding; Mr. Mielke said cable fund,
lodging tax, partnering with businesses are all possibilities.
General Consensus: Marketing is a good idea and should complement what Cornerstone
does. The goals of changing public perception beyond Hopkins, increasing traffic into downtown
Hopkins, raising awareness of Hopkins beyond Hopkins, and building pride within the community
are all apropos. Hopkins should not be tied to a single message. Suggested messages were "see
what we have" "Hopkins is changing" "quiet neighborhoods but only minutes from shopping,
entertainment and the freeway." All agreed "Twin Cities' Mainstreet" is not the message they
want to continue. Ms. Hartfiel should return with estimated costs, suggested goals, messages, etc.
before the Cornerstone kick-off in April.
CSAH 73/S Update
Mr. Stadler said two people from Hennepin County had attended the Friday task force
meeting. Mr. Grube said he would even consider traffic posts in the medians. When a proposed
right turn lane plan of Hennepin County was shown, the task force was strongly opposed. He
feels that the task force has lost its trust in him and his effectiveness is curtailed, especially in light
of Kathy Anderson's feelings. He wonders if someone else should serve as liaison so that the
project can move forward. He feels that the right turn lane issue and the Heubach property issue
are major blocks. The issues of signage, signals and medians are workable. As far as the
property access is concerned, perhaps the Council could approve the plan with conditions.
Ms. Jensen said the property zoning is residential and access is based only on business
concerns, which does not make sense. She feels the task force needs to know how far the Council
is willing to go, and she does not want to lose Mr. Stadler over this. Mr. Rowan, who had
attended the meeting, said he felt the force could still work with Mr. Stadler; he did agree that the
right turn lane was never going to be approved, and that property access for Heubach is a major
issue. He asked if it were necessary for the task force to sign off on the plan. Mr. Mielke said he
felt it was needed or they would feel there had been a breach of trust with the city. Mr. Mielke
did take issue with some of Ms. Anderson's comments, stating he feels Hennepin County has the
intersection on a priority list and that the Bieloh plat was simply a preliminary concept, not a
working plan.
Mr. Stadler stressed he does not want to see the project lost. That, to him, is more
important than any personal issues.
General Consensus: The Council supports Steve Stadler as a city employee. Mr. Mielke
should talk to Mr. Redepennig and find out where the task force is really at as a whole. The task
force needs to realize the city will not move forward without their consent, but the county does
not need it. Mr. Stadler should go to the next task force meeting and at least settle the minor
issues.
February 12, 2002
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®ther
Ms. Jensen reminded the other Council members the State of the City was next Thursday.
Ms. Johnson moved adjournment; Mr. Rowan seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
f
Eugene J. axwell, Mayor