05-11-04 WSMay 11, 2004
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -May 11, 2004
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell
at 6:30 p.m. on May 11, 2004, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Rowan and
Thompson were present. City personnel present were: City Manager Steve Mielke, Police Chief
Craig Reid, Police Captain James Liddy, patrol officer Craig Kreiling, Public Works Director
Steve Stadler, Utilities Superintendent Mike Lauseng, Doug Anderson of the water department and
Finance Director Lori Yager.
Tazer Usage by Police Department
Recently Hopkins Crime Fund Board donated 2 conducted energy weapons - Tazers - to
the Police Department. The police wished to inform Council about the new weapons. Officer
Kreiling showed several videos on the usage of Tazer. Police Chief Reid stressed that the use of
force policies are very specific on when extreme force may be used, and that 99 % of police calls
are handled simply by police presence. Only rarely is force more than "empty handed force"
involved. Tazer will simply be anon-lethal way to employ force to save lives and/or avoid serious
injury. He noted use of force policies are based on United Nations guidelines; the only state
control is control over his post authority. All uses of force are carefully documented; Captain
Liddy reviews them every day. Mr. Kreiling said he was one of two officers sent for training. As
part of that he was actually shot with Tazer; after the five-second effect wore off he had no ill
effects. It poses no danger for people with heart conditions. While the 50,000 volts sounds large,
the amperage is very low; no deaths have been caused by its use. Each unit costs $900, and
automatically records every usage.
Answering Council questions, Captain Liddy said the last time a policeman used a pistol in
line of duty was about the late 1970's or early 1980's; the last time a person was actually shot at
was in the 1960's. Chief Reid said Tazer is in the same class as pepper spray, but pepper spray
requires medical washing afterwards, Tazer does not. He added Mr. Kreiling is a member of a
specially trained team for high-speed entries. Officers will not be allowed to own their own Tazer
guns. Captain Liddy said training would start May 24 and 26 for all police personnel who want it;
all officers will be required to train.
Commercial Water Meter Replacement Program
Mr. Stadler said this was an update from last July. He showed a redrafted city code
covering commercial water meters, plus sample letters and registration forms. Mr. Rowan noted
the word should be "fine" rather than "fee" in the violation notes. Mr. Brausen asked if the permit
fee could be waived to help property owners. Mr. Lauseng said he thought that might work. Mr.
Brausen asked if the meter change could be required when properties sell. Ms. Yager said the city
finds out only if title companies call or final readings are requested. It was suggested later that
property sellers would have to verify the meters were still accurate for sales after 2007. Perhaps
the assessors department could be utilized.
Answering further Council questions, Mr. Anderson said he could think of only 2
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properties needing $3,000 meters - Supervalu and one school. He said some readings have tripled
when meters have been replaced to obtain accurate readings. This means the city has been losing a
lot of income, besides paying for more sewage disposal. Residential meters have been changed 3
times since 1978; commercial ones have not been changed in that time. The city owns the 1"
meters. Mr. Lauseng said Badger meters are required because that is what the remote readers read.
Mr. Mielke will have staff check if the company might give property owners a price break due to
the volume. Mayor Maxwell noted the code already says owners are to get them checked every
ten years; owners have the option to have theirs checked. However, the checking itself is an
expense they may not want to incur.
General Consensus was to go ahead. Letters should be sent in June explaining what the
city wants to do. A first reading of the ordinance should be held at the end of June.
Street Restoration Standards
Mr. Stadler said if a street is not in the CIP plan for the next five years, replacement
standards require a full depth patch the full width of the traffic lane and extending some distance
on each side. If the street is in the CIP, then all that is required is the full depth patch with a
couple extra feet all around. There is a $750 cap for street replacement costs for single and duplex
residences.
Answering questions he said the problems on 5`'' Avenue were not caused by street repair
but a break in service. A permit for street work has a time frame that varies by conditions; one in
winter may allow final patch in May. Mr. Mielke said if the city shares the cost, the city should
have a say m who does the work. Mr. Thompson said the city having final say could be part of
the application for reimbursement. Mr. Mielke said this could work as they apply before work is
done.
General Consensus was to continue work on the program.
Hockey Rinks Plan Changes
Mr. Stadler said that when actual groundwork was assessed, staff realized the open skating
rink and hockey rink should be switched in position. If the plan stays as laid out, soil removal
costs would be $30-60,000 more than estimated. It was planned originally to have contiguous
green space for the school. The switch would relieve drainage problems and move the hockey rink
farther from the driveway. The Katherine Curren school principal is unhappy to lose the play area
green space, but seems understanding of the problem. General discussion followed.
General Consensus was that there must be a written sign-off from the school before going
ahead with the change.
2005 Budget Objectives
Ms. Yager stressed these were simply guideline figures to help Council before looking at
specific departments, etc. The debt levy will need to increase 3.5 % ($269,000). This will affect
each homeowner by an additional $17 provided TIF 1-1 is decertified; if 1-1 is not, the impact
would be $95. She is not suggesting an HRA levy. She is proposing the franchise fee stay at $1.
Mayor Maxwell asked if some of the money from TIF 1-1 decertification wasn't to be
earmarked for parking lots. Mr. Mielke said that is still an option to consider.
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It will be July before Ms. Yager has numbers from departments. The CIP can be done
before then.
Other
Mr. Thompson asked about Mr. Rosener. Mr. Brausen said he had talked to him. Mr.
Mielke said he had taken out a permit.
Mr. Thompson asked about the a-mail from Blake. Mr. Mielke did not receive it. Mr.
Rowan will forward a copy to Ms. Johnson.
Mr. Rowan asked that a no smoking in public bars or restaurants ordinance be considered.
General discussion followed. Mr. Mielke suggested the issue be added to the general community
survey to be sent. General consensus was to put the issue on a later work session agenda.
Mr. Mielke said he received a call from Mr. Barbario of Stages, which is having severe
financial issues. He is asking that June and July rent be forgiven. He said that if things get better
in future years, he would try to see Hopkins gets repaid, but could not promise that. Salaried
employees will be on half pay for six weeks. The contract with Mainstreet School would make the
next year profitable, and each year of the school will bring in larger contract payments. He has
had one discussion with Mr. Strachota, who suggested perhaps Stages could be contracted with to
provide services to take the place of at least part of the rent. Mr. Rowan excused himself from the
discussion as he is connected with Stages. General discussion followed. General Consensus was in
favor of Mr. Strachota's suggestion and to try to work with Stages.
Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Mr. Brausen seconded. On a 4-0 vote, the meeting
adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
Euge a J. axwell, Mayor