06-21-05 WSJune 21, 2005
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• MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AT CONCLUSION OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 21, 2005
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 8:34 pm at the conclusion of the regular City Council
meeting at City Hall. Council members present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Thompson,
Brausen, and Rowan. City personnel present was City Manager Rick Getschow. Council member Johnson
was absent.
Injured Employee
Council member Brausen requested an update on the public works employee that had been recently
injured. The City Manager provided an update on his status.
Speed Limit Signs or Speed Control Signs
Council member Brausen stated that he could just pick up the speed control signs and distribute
them. City Manager Getschow stated that he will talk with public works director Stadler on getting him
those signs.
Publicity
Council member Brausen stated that we need to be sure to have someone taking pictures at Council
meetings of newly appointed commission members, committee members or new employees. Also, it would
be good to get pictures of special donations that are given,similar to tonight when the Youth Hockey
.Association presented $1000. Also, a letter should be sent to the Youth Hockey Association thanking them
for the donation at tonight's meeting.
Street Light on Monroe Avenue/2005 Street Improvements
Council member Thompson asked about the status of the streetlight that was part of the 2005 street
utility improvements but may not be wanted by the residents on that street. City Manager Getschow stated
that the light was in the plans previously as a result of a resident request. Getschow has talked to Stadler
about this issue. Stadler has made contact with the residents that Council member Thompson had talked to,
and stated that if they would put a letter together or a petition from the residents of the street stating that
they did not want the street light, the public works director would remove the street light from the plans for
the project.
Gatewood Elementary Letter
Council member Thompson asked for an update on this issue. City Manager Getschow stated that
he and Police Chief Reid went to Gatewood Elementary and spoke to the students of Gatewood, regarding
the letter that they had sent to the City regarding a racial incident that had occurred on Mainstreet with a
Mainstreet business. Also in that classroom was the principal of the school and the parent that was
involved in this incident. The Council felt that this was a good resolution to this issue. Getschow also
stated that the Human Rights Commission, in addition to the City Council and the business involved, were
given copies of the letters that came from the Gatewood Elementary students.
~ehicle Damage Claim 2005 Street Utility Improvements
Council member Rowan stated that he had forwarded a concern from a resident regarding a vehicle
that was owned by the resident and that she felt had been damaged by the contractor involved in the 2005
street improvements. Getschow stated that the Assistant City Engineer and Public Works Director had been
June 21, 2005 '
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m contact with her regarding this incident. Getshow then handed out a draft response to this resident
regarding the vehicle damage. It is difficult to ascertain how the damage had occurred and when it had
occurred, but the City would assist the homeowner if necessary in pursuing a claim with the contractor.
Unfortunately, it can never be guaranteed that the claim would be successful or that the homeowner could
prove that it happened as a part of the project.
Antique Meeting
Mayor Maxwell stated that he had a tentative meeting of the newly formed or soon to be formed
Antique Association of Hopkins. He stated that the group has requested how the City could help them
market their organization and antiques in Hopkins. The Mayor stated that any list put together or any
information put together by the antique group would be forwarded to the City Manager.
Hopkins Farmers Market
The Mayor stated that he had talked with a previous vendor of the Hopkins Farmers Market that is
apparently not being allowed to be a vendor this year at the Farmer's Market. This vendor would sell bread
at the Market. The City Manager stated that he would check the by-laws and that he would follow up with
the Farmer's Market regarding this person's apparent inability to be a part of this year's Farmer's Market.
Qwest/Cornerstone
City Manager Getschow stated that city staff had met with Qwest regarding the Market Place II
Project and the concerns that arose at the last City Council Work Session regarding Qwest's relocation of
telephone lines as part of that project. Getschow stated at that meeting that the lines that need to be
~erouted are 1940 vintage phone lines and that the cable consists of over 6,000 pairs that may individually
need to be spliced. The process is very expensive and very time consuming, so it is possible that this
project could take several months. Either way, the representative from Qwest that is working with the City
has worked with the City on other projects and will be putting together a report and will be meeting again
with City officials and Cornerstone next week.
Downtown Building Project
Getschow stated that staff had met with the owner of the former mattress site regarding the
construction of a new two-story building on Mainstreet. It is very early in the process but more details on
this project will be coming within the next few months.
There being no further items, a motion was made by Council member Thompson, seconded by
Council member Brausen to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was
adjourned at 9:10 pm.
June 21, 2005
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Rick Getschow, Secretary
ATTEST:
Eugene J. M well; Mayor
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