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02-01-05A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on February 1,2005, in the Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Brausen, Thompson, and Johnson. Council Member Rowan was absent. Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Bradford, Kerrigan, Anderson, Strachota, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Maxwell introduced the new City Manager, Rick Getschow and welcomed him to Hopkins. Steve Stadler introduced the new Assistant City Engineer, John Bradford. Mayor Maxwell welcomed him to Hopkins. PRESENTATION 1. Steve Simon, State Representative Representative Simon appeared to inform the Council of the issues that are being discussed at the Capital. The Governor has released his budget. Representative Simon said that all are reacting to it, but there will be a lot of changes made to it before it becomes a finished product. This is just the starting point. They have until May 23rtl to complete the budget. Other issues discussed are gambling at the Mall of America, education and health care, property tax market values, conceal to carry law, and transportation. Answering questions from the Council, Representative Simon said that he is authoring a bill to continue the limits on market values that are being phased out in the next few years. The Northstar will start this year. There is a lot of support for it. The next light-rail line will probably be between the two downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The House has passed a smoking ban in restaurants only. They are discussing an increase in gasoline tax. That tax has not been increased since 1988. This is the longest period of time that any state has gone without an increase to the gas tax. Business groups favor an increase to the gas tax. The Governor wants to put it on the ballot. The turbo charge -reverse referendum does not seem practical and would be costly to administer. It sends a message of distrust of local officials. It would be an unreliable and volatile program. Representative Simon stressed that he would like Council Members, staff, and the public to call him at any time with their concerns. III. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS There were none. February 2, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 IV. REPORTS-COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS 1. Park Board There was none. 2. Zoning and Planning Commission There was none. V. OATH OF OFFICE The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Toyin Akinde, Human Rights Commission. VI. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of January 18, 2005, City Council Meeting 2. Minutes of January 25, 2005, City Council Work Session 3. Approve Prior Month's Disbursements 4. Miscellaneous Licenses 5. Hopkins Fire Department Relief Association Pension Increases (CR2005-011) 6. Order Public Hearing on March 1,2005, for Property Right-of-way Vacation, Goodrich Street (CR2005-021) 7. Accept Work, Order Final Payment, 2004 Street Improvement Project (CR2005- 018) 8. Authorize Execution of Depot JJAC Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs for 2005 (CR2005-017) Council Member Johnson asked for comments on the JJAC grant. Jay Strachota came forward and stated that this is the last year the Depot will receive this grant. The Depot has received the grant two years previous to this year for a total of three times. There are two other grants that staff has requested information about. Council Member Brausen said that staff has done an excellent job for getting the grant for the total of three years. Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Thompson 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 Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Concept Review, SuperValu (CR2005-019) SuperValu is proposing to construct a 120,000-square-foot addition to the existing building at 300 2ntl St S. The addition will be located on the south side of the existing building. The existing fence will be removed and the building face would act as the fence. The Fire Marshal February 2, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 will not allow the fence if the addition is constructed. There would be no dock doors or truck traffic on the south side. When the existing building was corutructed, a height variance was granted. A height variance will have to be granted for the addition if it is to match the existing building. A neighborhood meeting was held with 19 people in attendance. The issues were the building height and landscaping, the trees and the fence. Another meeting will be held before SuperValu comes to the Council for plan approval. There will be six to eight doors along the wall with small lights above the doors. No other lighting is planned unless the neighborhood requests it. Mayor Maxwell asked that mature evergreens be planted to screen the wall. Bob King, SuperValu Facilities Manager, Minneapolis District, came forward and reviewed the site plan. They are planning aggressive landscaping with large evergreens to screen the wall. Some of the attendees of the neighborhood meeting asked if some of the trees that would be removed for the project could be relocated. Color and texture will be used on the wall to lessen the impact of the length and height of the addition. Answering the Mayor's question, M r. King stated that the fire protection main will be relocated and they will be adding a small amount of impervious surface. The neighborhood wants to retain the fence, but the Fire Marshall wants it removed. The next neighborhood meeting will be held the week of the 14`". M r. King explained to Council Member Thompson that the flow of equipment would be in a north/south direction. If they do the addition on the west side, it will not be conducive to that traffic. Also, they would have to remove the docks on the west side and that would not work well for them. Council Member Thompson commented that the property has been well maintained. The Council discussed parking and the schedule with Mr. King. Steve Olson, 215 Maple Hill Rd, came forward and stated that he had not heard a valid hardship. He said that a hardship has to be established. He expressed concerns about the size of the structure and future expansion requests. He asked the Council to vote against any expansion. No action was taken. 2. Easement Vacation, 3310'" Ave S, 50 9"' Ave S When 3310"' and 50 9'" Aves S were re-platted as the Parkview Office Addition, the plat was approved wfthout drainage and utility easements. When the plat was signed, the surveyor added drainage and utility easements to the entire plat, including where the buildings are located. The drainage and utility easements are not needed where the buildings are located. This vacation will remove the easements where the buildings are located. February 2, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended approval. Council Member Johnson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2005-14, approving for first reading Ordinance 2005-939, Approving the Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easements for the Parkview Office Addition Plat. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Johnson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, U erry O aier, City Clerk ATTEST: ~' rir~~ Eugene J. axwell, Mayor February 2, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS