10-24-06 WSOctober 24, 2006
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -October 24, 2006
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30
p.m. on October 24, 2006, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Jay
Thompson and Cheryl Youalcim were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow,
Public Works Director Steve Stadler, and Finance Director Christine Harkens. Also present were Stephanie
Eiler of Parsons-Brinkerhoff; Cal Simmons, local chair for the 2008 US Women's Open; and
Championship Director Beth Pinkney and Volunteer and Operations Manager Laura Caleal of the USGA.
Update, Light Rail Transit
Public Works Director Stadler said that the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has made its
recommendation to the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) as to which route alternatives for the Southwest
Light Rail Transit to carry forward. On September 27 they recommended Routes lA, 3A and 3C be carried
forward. He noted the one ending at Shady Oak (#4) was not chosen: There is a possibility that the Federal
Transit Administration may ask for a minimum operating segment in the future. On October 26 there will
be an open house at the Eisenhower Community Center where the alternatives will be shown and public
input will be taken. Other open houses will be held in other affected cities. Once the Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is complete, Hennepin County will be done with its work, and the Met Council will
handle the project thereafter. At present the Southwest Light Rail is in Met Council's Tier 2. If the MVST
amendment is passed, he hopes it may move up to a Tier 1 classification, which would move it up 5 to 10
years in the schedule and would improve chances to get matching funds. On December 13 the input from
the open houses will be reviewed by the PAC.
Answering Council questions, he said he has been told verbally the 1 A alternative alignment will
not work. When Mayor Maxwell noted Living Waters Church has been bought, Mr. Stadler said the exact
location for the. transit station has not been chosen; it will be in that general area. Ridership on the
Hiawatha Line is more than 25,000 a day. They have had to order mare vehicles.
Ms. Eiler gave a power point presentation explaining the various options and explained that a very
complicated weighting scale involving new riders, total riders, cost effectiveness, etc. was used to
determine the best alternatives. She noted an "enhanced bus service" serves as a baseline for comparison.
Figures used for these comparisons were based on the 2000 census; those figures may change as the
process moves forward. She noted the "A" choices will interlink with the Hiawatha Line or Central
Corridor; the "C" choice will involve a transfer. She noted the public can now check their website at
www.soizthwesttransilwa .or« for updates.
US Open 2008
Ms. Pinkney showed an informational video. Mr. Simmons noted 3000 volunteers will be needed.
They expect 150,000 attendees during the week of June 20-28, 2008, mostly through the gate at
Meadowbrook Golf Course or Hopkins. There will be no parking at Meadowbrook so they are looking
throughout the county for parking locations; weekend lots are plentiful, but weekday parking will be
difficult. They are hoping to use Hopkins School Complex parking. He noted this is the premier world
tournament in women's golf, with over 100 international players. It will be broadcast in 44~ countries. This
will be a real boost for Minnesota as a whole, especially as the national Republican convention will be held
in the Twin Cities about 60 days later. It will be great exposure for the local communities, such as
Hopkins. There will be neighborhood meetings with residents of Interlachen Park, which will be a "no
parking" zone. Mr. Getschow added a letter will be sent out soon; the meetings will be held next spring
when details are worked out. There will be an agreement drawn up between Hopkins and USGA. Ms.
Pinkney noted the web site is up: www.2008uswomenso ~en.com. There will be a Hopkins link available.
Ms. Caleal noted 22 local groups have already volunteered to marshal the holes. She has been pleased at
the early response for volunteers. Mr. Simmons said Mr. Getschow has a "direct line" to both him and Ms.
Pinkney if the Council has any concerns or questions. Addressing any potential Interlachen resident
concerns is a top priority. Mr. Getschow added staff is already starting to strategize how to get attendees to
downtown Hopkins businesses. Mayor Maxwell suggested to Ms. Pinkney she look into the Art Center,
Hopkins School, Music in the Park, etc. for tie-ins for corporate hospitality events, etc.
October 24, 2006
Page 2
2007 Budget
Special Revenue Funds Finance Director Harkess noted the State Chemical Assessment is fully
funded through the fire department by grants. The $400,000 transfer for TIF 1-4 is for Marketplace II.
There is also a $500,000 TIF 2.11 transfer. Another transfer of $2,000,000 from TIF 2.11 will be for Block
64/GPS. The Depot is definitely moving in the right direction.
Enterprise Funds. The only fee increase will be 50~/month for recycling. Mr. Getschow said he
and Mr. Stadler have been discussing an internal study of rates. There is also discussion regarding a master
utility plan; they hope to start on this next year. Mr. Getschow also noted that of the 108 metro cities, we
are 98t on sewer rates; the only cities with lower rates are much larger cities. Of the 23 cities our size, the
average rate is $231; our rate is $150.
Mr. Rowan had a question on the Working Capital Projection for the Water Fund as to the
$135,000 projected 2008 capital improvements. Mr. Getschow said staff continues to work on "talking
points" for the Truth and Taxation meeting in December. He noted the sewer rate information will be
included from this work session. He added staff is still working on ways to lower the levy so that the
Council can assure residents the levy will be lower than the preliminary levy set. Ms. Harkess added a
sheet will be included in the next newsletter with information on Truth in Taxation. It will be in color, two-
sided, and advertise the meeting December 4. Mr. Stadler noted there have been many new stormwater
pipes put in the last 10 years. When those are paid off in 2010-15, that fund will be in very good shape.
Mr. Getschow added the Pavilion should be in good financial shape once the loans the city issued to the
School for the additions and improvements are paid. Ms. Youakim noted it may make sense to use park
dedication funds for capital improvements for the Pavilion. Answering Mr. Rowan, Mr. Stadler said big
balances are often used as "interfund loans" in lieu of bonding. Ms. Harkess added that these funds are also
billed for services from other departments, such as utility billing by her department.
Other
Ms. Youakim passed out a copy of a letter she received. She asked about property near Lift
Station 2, wondering if it could be used fora "pocket park." Mr. Getschow will look into it.
Answering Ms. Halverson, Mr. Getschow said the October 23 Human Rights event went well.
Mr. Thompson said the Cornerstone back lot is looking bad. Mr. Getschow will check on it.
Answering Mr. Thompson, Mr. Getschow said the former Dodge dealership property has several
developers looking at it.
Ms. Youakim noted the Police Reserve banquet was well done.
Answering Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Getschow said Edina city staff was not very responsive to a reciprocity
arrangement for the dog park. He is seeing if they would offer Hopkins residents a lower rate.
On motion by Kristi Halverson and second by Cheryl Youakim, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 on
a vote of 5-0.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATT
i~~~
Eugene ax ell, Mayor