03-13-96 WSWORKSESSION MINUTES
- - March 15,1996
7 p.m.
A Council work session was held on Wednesday, March 13,1996 in the Raspberry Room at
Hopkins City Hell. The meeting began at 7 p.m. Present were Mayor Redepenning and
Council members Gene Maxwell, Fran Hesch, and Karen Jensen. Absent was Council mem-
ber Diane Johnson. Also present Mere City stall' members Steve Mielke, Jim Kerrigan, and
Paul Steinman.
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Redepenning. The first item of discus-
sion was the disposition of the dome and the status of the Tait's redevelopment project. Paul
Steinman reviewed a memorandum from the staff outlining the status of the dome project and
the Tait's redevelopment, indicating that demolition of the dome would cost roughly $10,000
to $12,000, and parking lot reconstruction estimated at $40,000. ff the dome was to be re-
tained, staff estimated a minimum expense of $60,000 to $65,000 to upgrade the dome to
acceptable levels, and the same cost for the parking lot construction.
Steinman reviewed the relevant points in the development agreement with Tait's and out-
lined the status of both the City and Tait's obligations. Council.discussion revolved around
issues relative to the likelihood of the redevelopment project being~completed, the likelihood
of the dome being retained,. and discussion on timing for'decisions about the projects. Mr.
Mike Tait of Tails Supe~1/alu and Mr. Ed Hanlon of Boston Garideri Restaurant were-both in
attendance and shared their views with the Council. No action was taken on this-item.
The next item was a discussion about the proposed community arts facility.
Paul Steinman reviewed with the Council the responses to the community questionnaire, as
well as the information received from the informational meetings. After discussion, it was the
consensus of the Council that staff should prepare some form of response, thanking those
who participated in the public input process and providing them with additional information, if
possible.
City Manager Steve Mielke reviewed with the Council, a memorandum wherein staff recom-
mended additional steps to help move the arts facility forward. The Council discussed and
indicated a consensus that the next appropriate step would be a resolution from the City indi-
cating and reaffirming the City's commitment to the project under various conditions, as well
as an endorsement of a community fundraising campaign. It was also the consensus of the
Council that staff should begin negotiating preliminary agreements with the tenants in prepa-
ration for construction should the fund raising campaign be successful. They also indicated
a willingness to designate a staff person as a coordinator for this project, subject to some ad-
ditional research on funding and staff availability.
The final item of discussion was that of providing assistance to employees as an incentive to
having employees purchase homes and living in Hopkins. It was the consensus of the Coun-
cilthat the City Manager should pursue the concept and investigate ways in which to encour-
age employees to move to town.
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