12-21-04A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on December 21,
2004, in the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Thompson,
Johnson, and Rowan. Also, present were staff members Genellie, Stadler,
Harkess, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
Don Roesner, 618 Park Valley Dr W, voiced a concern about feeding wild
animals. Mr. Roesner said that there is a high population of squirrels and
raccoons in his neighborhood and they have done damage to his home. He
feels that the population is so high because neighbors are feeding them. He
asked that the Council consider an ordinance making it a nuisance to feed wild
animals. Mr. Roesner also stated that there is still a problem with people
parking several vehicles on their lots.
Jim Genellie stated that Elizabeth Page and Nancy Anderson are enforcing the
vehicle ordinances, but there is no ordinance that regulates the feeding of wild
animals.
Mayor Maxwell stated that the issues would be referred to Nancy Anderson.
III. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1. Chemical Health Commission
Bert Schmidt reported on the December 6th Chemical Health Commission
Meeting. Vidya Rao was not there for an update on The Depot. The
Commission discussed the upcoming Battle of the Bands that will be held by
the Depot on New Years Eve.
The Hopkins High School will be putting on a program through KHOP on the
canine searches. The results of the Minnesota Student Survey have come in
and look very promising.
It has been brought to the Commission's attention that the Teens Alone has
been holding meetings with youth and has found that teens know that
drinking and driving is not okay, but see nothing wrong with driving and
smoking pot.
December 21, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
• Reduce the Use is preparing for the Town Hall Meeting scheduled for
Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The keynote
speaker will be David Walsh.
The Commission discussed the liquor violation ordinance. Kathy Magdal
reported that tobacco compliance checks were performed on November 2. All
31 sites that were checked passed.
Mr. Schmidt stated that Barbara Mackintosh was re-appointed to the
Commission several months ago. The appointment has not been
acknowledged by City Hall. Mr. Schmidt asked if staff would do so.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of December 7, 2004 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of November 30, 2004 City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of 2004 Budget Public Hearing, December 13, 2004
4. Second Reading, Ordinance Amending City Code, re: Liquor (Memo)
5. Friends of the Library Financial Request (CR200~-196)
Council Member Brausen asked to have item five explained. Mr. Genellie said
that the Friends of the Library appeared at the November 9`h Work Session
and requested a donation of 55,000 from the City to complete the stained
glass window project. Mr. Genellie said that the funds would come from the
contingency fund.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye.
The motion carried unanimously.
V. PROCLAMATION
1. Jim Rhodes Day
Mayor Maxwell read a proclamation, proclaiming December 21, 2004, as Jim
Rhodes Day in Hopkins. Mayor Maxwell and the Council presented the plaque
to Mr. Rhodes and thanked him for the items that he has helped the City of
Hopkins with during his term as a legislator.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
December 21, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes
Page 2
1. Approve Feasibility Report, Order Public Hearing, 2005 Street
Improvement Project (CR2004-194)
On October 4, 2004, the City Council approved an amendment to the CIP
designating the Presidential Avenues North area for street improvements in
2005. At the same meeting, the City Council authorized Bolton & Menk, Inc.
to prepare a feasibility report for the planned 2005 street improvements.
Marcus Thomas reviewed the scope of the project as outlined in the report.
Mr. Stadler then reviewed the financing and the proposed schedule.
Robert Shaw, 309 Monroe Ave N, came forward and asked if the roadway by
ABM could be expanded. Mr. Stadler said that it will be considered and staff
will look at the cost associated with an expansion. Council Member Johnson
stated that the no parking restrictions are there since Honeywell and asked if
the parking restrictions could be removed. Mr. Stadler stated that they could
relax them.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Thompson seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2004-093, Resolution Ordering. Public Hearing,
2005 Street Improvement project, Project 03-10. A poll of the vote was as
follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye;
Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Revision of Legislative Policy 8-B, Roadway Improvements
(CR2004-195)
Changes to the current Legislative Policy 8-B that would allow the City to
partner with property owners in regards to replacement of water services
during a street improvement construction project are being proposed. The
changes were discussed at the November 30th City Council Work Session.
Mr. Stadler reviewed the changes.
Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2004-094, resolution amending Legislative Policy
8-B, Roadway Improvements to institute a trial policy wherein the City will
pay 1 /3 of the cost of private water service replacements for single-family
residential properties on the 2005 street improvement project. A poll of the
vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member
Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye;
Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
December 21, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
2. Adoption of 2005 Tax Levy and 2005 General Fund Budget
(CR2004-193)
The City Council and staff have held several meetings in 2004 to prepare for
the 2005 general fund budget including two meetings soliciting public
comments. The Council adopted budget goals in the spring. Theses goals
guided the staff as it prepared budget requests. The budget in its current
form recommends spending in the general fund at 58,921,764 and a total tax
levy of $8,120,078. The levy includes provisions for general fund operations,
PERA contributions, HRA levy, capital funding, the new facility debt and other
debt obligations.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Johnson seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 2004-092, approving the 2004 tax levy collectible
in 2005 and adopting the 2005 General Fund budget. A poll of the vote was
as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye;
Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Authorize Renewal of LMC Insurance Trust Policy (CR2004-192)
The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust carries the City's Liability and
property insurance. The statutory municipal tort liability limits are 5300,000
per claimant or $1,000,000 per occurrence. The City has, in the past, waived
the 5300,000 per claimant limit.
The insurance premium will increase approximately 56,000 or 3.9% over last
year's premium. The current deductible is $20,000/$40,000 with S 1,000 per
occurrence after reaching the maximum of 540,000. There is 593,655 in the
insurance risk fund to cover the deductible amounts.
Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a
motion to renew the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust policy and
continue to waive the statutory tort liability limits to the extent of the
coverage purchased. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye;
Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
becember 21, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Mr. Genellie announced that there are no items for the December 28"' Work
Session. Mayor Maxwell said that the December 28th Work Session is
cancelled unless something important comes up.
There being no further business, Council Member Johnson moved and Council
Member Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting
was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
erry rmaier, City Clerk
December 21, 2'004 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5