03-04-03A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on March 4, 2003, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Jensen, Johnson, and
Rowan. Also, present were staff members Mielke, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan, J.
Anderson, Stahmer and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
11. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Zoning and Planning Commission
Jim Kerrigan reported that the Commission had discussion items only. They took no
action.
2. Human Rights Commission
Herb Gibbs appeared for the Human Rights Commission. The Commission is in the
process of planning the 2003 Heritage Celebration. This year it will be part of
Mainstreet Days. The date is May 17t"
IV. PRESENTATION
1 . Empty Bowls
Dale Feste, Cindy Feste, and Barb Westmoreland appeared to inform the Council and
the public of the 5t" Annual Empty Bowls event. Barb Westmoreland introduced this
year's co-chairs, Dale and Cindy Feste. The event raises money for the ICA food
shelf and the Hopkins Area Family Resource Center. The event brings together soda
clubs, community service organizations, the business community, the school district
and the community at large. This year's goal is to serve 1,800 people and to raise
$35,000.
2. Hopkins History Book, Hopkins Historical Society
Beverly Ewing, Teresa Glatt, Henry Pokorny, Dean Empanger, and Jim Zdrazil,
members of the Hopkins Historical Society presented a copy of "Hopkins Through the
Years", the new book on the history of Hopkins, to the Council. Beverly Ewing
February 4, 2003 City Council Meeting Minutes
compiled the information and authored the book. Ms. Ewing pointed out that chapter
eight of the book shows changes to Mainstreet through out the years.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of February 18, 2003 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of February 18, 2003 City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of February 25, 2003 City Council Work Session
4. Ratify Prior Month's Disbursements
5. Approve NPDES Storm Water Permit Application (CR2003-40)
6. Second Reading Liquor Licensing Ordinance (Memo)
7. Approve Payment, Justus Storm Sewer Project (CR2003-41)
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council
Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Hopkins participates in the Urban Hennepin County CDBG program and as
such, is eligible to receive $145,193 in CDBG funds for the 2003 program year. The
funds will be received on July 1, 2003 and must be expended by December 31,
2004. The City is required to hold a public hearing on the proposed use of funds.
Staff recommended the following activities for 2003:
Housing Rehabilitation Loan/Grant Program $137,693
Hopkins Area Family Resource Center 7,500
(5,000 for general operations and programs and $2,500 in one-time
support for the establishment of a welcome center)
Nora Davis came forward to explain that the "Welcome Center" would be both a
"virtual center" on their web site, and a physical center at the office. City Manager
Mielke pointed out that the "virtual center" would be multilingual. The Centers will
both be a resource for new residents. It will provide information on the school, the
city, and area resources. It will be a great resource for apartment managers.
In response to Council Member Brausen's question, Mr. Mielke explained that several
years ago, the City Council set up a policy that could be followed for use of City
funds. The agency has to be providing a service that the City would provide if the
agency were not there, or the agency has to be an extension of a service that the
City provides. The City helped with initial funding of Hopkins Area Family Resource
Center. The other agencies that requested funds did not meet the policy test that
was set up several years ago.
February 4, 2003 City Council Meeting Minutes ~ 2
Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
close the public hearing. The public hearing was closed by unanimous consent at
8:09 p.m.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
adopt resolution 2003-16, approving the proposed program for the 2003 Urban
Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant CDBG Program and
authorizing its submittal to Hennepin County. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member
Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
1. Hennepin County HRA Resolution
Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority holds the authority to levy a
special tax in all but four Cities in the County. Hopkins is one of the four cities. The
four cities would have to request that the County levy in their cities each year. The
County does not believe that they can legally levy in some cities and not others.
-- - They are seeking legislation to change the current laws to allow them to levy in all
cities without removing the cities rights to levy. Hennepin County has asked the City
of Hopkins to support the legislative changes,
Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman came forward to address questions.
The bills sponsors will pull the bill if any language is added to diminish the City's
ability to levy HRA funds. If Hennepin is to undertake any project in collaboration
with a city, it will only be done at the invitation of the city. Senators Kelley and
Rhodes, the sponsors of the bill, are watching to make sure that the language does
not get changed. At this time, the County has not looked at doing a levy.
Council Member Jensen moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2003-8, Supporting Changes to MS 3836.77 Hennepin County
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA). A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member
Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan, nay; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion
carried.
2. Resolution Supporting Trails Grant Application (CR2003-18)
An application to receive grant funds from the DNR Local Trail Connections Grant
Program was submitted. Grants from the DNR Local Trail Connections Grant Program
February 4, 2003 City Council Meeting Minutes 3
are available for the construction of certain types of trails. The goal of the program is
to promote residential connections to state and regionally significant trails and other
facilities and to link existing trail segments. The grants have a 50% match
requirement. A resolution of support from the City Council and access to the 50%
cash match are required.
Two segments have been identified for the grant funds, the Lake Street/Cedar Lake
Trail segment and the 2"d St N/ Shady Oak Nature Area. The estimated cost for both
connections is $95,000. Funds may be granted for one or both. The City could
decide later to accept or decline any part of the grant.
The cash match could be paid from current funds and from the park dedication fund.
Both segments are identified in the CIP Plan and on the local Trail Plan.
Costs were discussed. Staff indicated that the estimates are solid.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2003-23, Supporting Application to the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources Local Trail Connections Grant Program. A poll of the vote was as
follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council
Member Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1 . Approve 2003 Local 49 Contract
The contract gives a 1 .5% wage increase effective on January 1 , 2003 and a 1 .5%
wage increase effective on June 29, 2003 plus an increase of $50 per year for
uniforms. Also, Maintenance Worker II employees will receive an increase in wage in
exchange for deleting contract language that required Maintenance Worker II
employees to be paid at a higher level when they operated certain equipment. The
total cost is approximately $10,000 less than budgeted.
The City Council and Staff discussed the possibility of a State wage freeze and how it
would impact the negotiations and contracts and the time frame of the State
proposals.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve the 2003 Contract for Local 49. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council
Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye;
Counci! Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve Increase in Non-Union Wages
February 4, 2003 City Council Meeting Minutes 4
The proposed increase was 1 .5% effective January 1, 2003 and 1.5% increase
effective June 29, 2003. This is $17,000 below the amount budgeted.
Council Member Rowan asked why this increase was being brought to the Council at
this time. Mr. Genel[ie responded that he is establishing a pattern for the other unions
to follow.
Council Members and staff discussed health care benefits. The employees realized
the greater savings, while the City stayed even after changing to the new company.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Jensen seconded a motion to
approve a 1 .5% increase in the current non-union wage schedule effective January 1,
2003 and a 1 .5 % increase effective June 29, 2003. A poll of the vote was as
follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Jensen, aye; Council
Member Johnson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The
motion carried unanimously.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Johnson moved and Council
Member Jensen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:44 p.m.
ATTEST:
Eugene J. xwell, Mayor
February 4, 2003 City Council Meeting Minutes 5
Respectively Submitted,
COUNCIL MEMBERS