Loading...
01-09-07 WSJanuary 9, 2007 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -January 9, 2007 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:30 p.m. on January 9, 2007, at the Hopkins Pavilion. Council members Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Jay Thompson and Cheryl Youakim were present. City personnel present were City Manager Rick Getschow. Also present were State Senator Ron Latz and State Representative Steve Simon. State Legislative Delegation Discussion Mr. Getschow outlined areas of concern to Hopkins: Southwest Light Rail Transitway, which is important to the development and redevelopment of Hopkins, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka; MVST, with the ratio staying 60/40 for roads and transit; property tax relief, keeping in mind the LGA formula problems; eminent domain, especially the definitions of "blight" and "slum"; Glencoe train switching yard, which needs to be restrategized in relation to the federal government funding; levy limits; Clean Water Legacy, which Hopkins supports but is also against supporting through municipal utility collection or property taxes; housing, which would be helped by re-enacting "This Old House" legislation. Hopkins is not current]y asking for any special legislation just for itself. Sen. Latz said when he was elected the first time; he was astonished how few legislators had local government experience. He has been informed that the Southwest Transit is second in line after the Central Corridor linking Minneapolis and St. Paul. Rep. Simon said he had been impressed by the forum at the Depot last fall. He had asked at the end of it what the "dream scenario" was for Southwest Corridor and was told operation in 2015. Mr. Getschow said he feels that should be formalized by the Met Council. Mr. Rowan noted the passing of MVST helps. Rep. Simon noted that the transit is really a federal project as that government pays 80°Jo of the cost. Sen. Latz said the Glencoe project had been earmarked by the Senate last year, and then dropped. He is working with others to get it going again. He added if highway work is need at Hopkins, it should be gotten "into the mix" as soon as possible. Sen. Latz said he would support a street utility fee and oppose levy limits. Sen. Latz asked if Hopkins wants LGA, keeping in mind it will never overcome its volatility. Mr. Getschow said it would depend on the formula. Hopkins, of course, would accept such money. He added the car accident part of the formula made it even more volatile. Mayor Maxwell commented LGA money is something a city cannot rely on. Rep. Simon said LGA is being talked about. He added he does not see any support for levy limits. There is not much support for street utility fees. Mr. Getschow noted the stormwater fee had made a big difference in Hopkins. Rep. Simon said he sees the street utility fee as an option for cities, not that it would be a requirement. Sen. Latz says he does not worry about constitutional tax limits being passed. He noted about 1/3 of the legislature comes from suburbs. Answering Mr. Rowan, he said there is tallc of raising gas taxes for road work and raising sales tax for roads and/or transit. Sen. Latz said the current 20¢ has been in place since 1988. Rep. Simon said there is talk of raising it to 30¢ in stages. Sen. Latz said that the general tenor of the January 9, 2007 Page 2 legislature seems to be to raise present taxes rather than impose new ones on such things as clothes or services. Mayor Maxwell asked about This Old House legislation. Sen. Latz said he thinks it ended because of a sunset clause. He would like to see it come back, as well as property tax deferments for the elderly. Rep. Simon asked if the note an telecommunication in the Hopkins memorandum referred to wireless. Mr. Getschow said it did. Rep. Simon asked if any resident has asked about the availability of wireless. Mr. Getschow said the city gets a couple calls a week. Mayor Maxwell said he wants to wait and see what happens in St. Louis Park. Rep. Simon said realtors are very much against a deed tax. Mr. Getschow noted the federal government has much influence due to CDBG, Section 8, etc. Sen. Latz noted the governor had had a good plan for helping the homeless, but there wasn't enough funding. He would like to see that plan renewed. Sen. Latz noted that if cities start coming to the legislature about eminent domain that might be changed. Mr. Simon noted he had carried the amendment to soften its impact, but got only 29 votes for it. He has not heard anything from the League. Sen. Latz added there are some enemies to TIF, but he does not think it will become an issue. Mr. Rowan asked that the word "unethical" be removed in the City memorandum section on eminent domain. Sen. Latz said he and others are trying to get all our Congressmen in Washington, D.C. behind the Glencoe project, especially the new members. Ms. Youakim asked about the withdrawal of the nine million dollars for redevelopment of the Shady Oak Road area by the County Commissioners. Rick Getschow said the withdrawal means there may be no money for early takes and for some redevelopment in the business areas. The cities are working with County to get the funding back in. Both Sen. Latz and Rep. Simon said they may be able to talk with select County Commissioners. Mayor Maxwell asked council members to comment. Mr. Thompson said anything that helps senior housing is a top priority, mentioning This Old House. He said the old 35-year and 75-year old house levels had been good. Mayor Maxwell said senior housing is why Hopkins got involved with NORC. Ms. Youakim asked if limited market value for property taxes would come back. Rep. Simon said it would be difficult. Mr. Getschow noted either choice would affect half the Hopkins residents. Ms. Youakim asked if the living wage program in St. Paul was likely to become state-wide. Sen. Latz felt it was not likely as it would be so hard to administer. Mayor Maxwell said he feels the major concerns are Highway 7 and Blake Road; This Old House; sales tax for special education needs; and transportation. LGA will not be any help unless the formula changes. Eminent domain will take care of itself when development rebounds back. Ms. Youakim asked Sen. Latz and Rep. Simon to notify the Council if there is any talk about eliminating TIF. Mr. Getschow noted that anything that helps schools also helps the city as people see one tax bill and live in one community. General Consensus was Sen. Lang and Rep. Simon should return in a few months to update the Council on legislative issues. Both agreed to return. January 9, 2007 Page 3 State of the City Mr. Getschow said that while the State of the City program is a couple months away, advertising is starting. Updating the Council, he said the Art Center has been reserved. However, the play that evening is in the Jaycee Room so State of the City will take place in the large theater. Mayor Maxwell asked about using the fire station. Mr. Getschow said it is not big enough. Mr. Rowan said the stage should be looked at as a place for displays, etc. as well as for spealung. Mr. Getschow said the food and beverages will be in the lobby, starting at 4:30. Twin West and HCBA will kick off the event at 5:00. The Council will be on from 5:15 to 6:00. Mr. Rowan said he would be at the State of the City, but not at the Council meeting. Mr. Getschow said it will be advertised on the web site, in the newsletter, and in the Sailor. HCBC and Twin West will be making postcards. Mayor Maxwell asked about using the cable station; Mr, Getschow will check on that. Ms. Youakim suggested invitations be sent to Citizens' Academy alumni. Mr. Getschow said they would also be sent to board and commission members. Ms. Youakim suggested sending to Cargill and the developers. Mr. Getschow moved on to the actual program itself. He said this year the power point would be more visuals and less text than before. Staff will still give Council members text to use, but less text on the screen gives them more freedom in speaking. He felt branding should be covered as HBCA is a co-sponsor. There will be an annual report, which is being done in-house, available. A rough draft will be available in a week or two. Mayor Maxwell said it should center on what people want to hear. Think Hopkins should be the general theme. General discussion followed. Other Mr. Thompson asked about the lighting on the Walser parking lot, which has been affecting homeowners on the north side. Mayor Maxwell said they are trying leaving the last row off and screening the next one in. Mr. Thompson brought up cable access for public broadcast. He thought universal service required by law that residents should not have to subscribe to cable to be given access to local shows. Could staff see if that is still in effect? Mayor Maxwell said it might have been a franchise requirement, not a state law. Mr. Thompson asked if universal service is not available, what the least expensive option is. Mr. Thompson asked about Xcel not completing their work on Excelsior Blvd. Mr. Getschow said the community service person will meet with staff. Mr. Rowan said a directional sign has been bent over on Monroe Avenue South at its north end. Ms. Youakim said someone had told her that the Glen Lake project is being turned into hotel suites. Mr. Getschow said some are proposed to be turned into apartments. Mayor Maxwell said he has talked to Mr. Genellie about the cable sound difficulties for city broadcasts. He noted the films are fine; it is the live broadcasts that are unable to be understood. Mr. Getschow will look into it again. Mr. Getschow noted there will be Planning and Zoning training before the next Council meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Raspberry Room. January 9, 2007 Page 4 Mx. Getschow said the HCA Inc. Board met with the staff. HCA Inc.wants to re- evaluate and explore changes in its arrangement with the city. He, Jay, Susan and the Board will be meeting for several Tuesday nights before the Council meetings. Would a Council member like to be involved? Mr. Thompson said he might be able to. Mr. Getschow noted the city manager review will be at the next work session. He handed out the forms, asking Council to get them to Bish next week. She will compile the results for the review on January 23. - On motion by Ms. Halverson and second by Mr. Thompson, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Euge J. axwell, Mayor