05-15-07A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on May 1 5, 2007, in the Council
Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Youakim, Thompson, Rowan, and
Halverson. Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Kerrigan,
Harkess, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. OATH OF OFFICE
1 . Human Rights Commission, Sui Ru Shi Seberson
The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Sui Ru Shi Seberson. Judy Reihner,
Chair of the Human Rights Commission, came forward and gave a brief report of the
Commission's activities in the past few months. Ms. Seberson presented a Chinese Flag
to Mayor Maxwell, explaining the symbolization of the yellow stars on the red
background. Ms. Seberson also spoke of her background as an English Teacher in China
and the importance of the rights of all humans.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of May 1 , 2007, City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of May 1, 2007, City Council Work Session
3. Miscellaneous Licenses for Approval
4. Health Inspection Services (CR2007-051)
In response to Council Member Rowan's request to explain the item on Health Inspection
Services, Mr. Genellie stated that the main issues were local control and the cost of the
service. Contracting with another City or turning the service over to the County would be
more expensive. In addition, turning the service over to the County would mean that the
City could never provide this service again.
Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Youakim, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council
Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
1 . Revised 2007-201 1 CIP Related to Bond Refunding and Resolution Calling for
Bond Sale (CR2007-053)
May 15, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1
Minnesota Statutes now give cities the authority to issue bonds without having to issue
pure revenue bonds under anon-appropriation lease with option to purchase agreement
and without regards to an election if the bonds are issued under a 5-year capital
improvement plan. To qualify for this option, several qualifications must be met, among
which is to approve the capital improvement plan after a public hearing and the capital
improvement being financed must have a useful life of at least five years.
The city issued HRA Leased Revenue Bonds under the lease with option to buy program
in 2002 and 2003. The city now has the opportunity to refinance the 2002 bonds with
significant savings to the city and the taxpayers. The action by Council would refund
$9,550,000 of the 2002 HRA Leased Revenue Bonds as a straight G.O. issue.
Anticipated savings are estimated at just under $200,000 or approximately $18,000 per
year.
To do the refunding, the City needs to amend the 2007-201 1 CIP to include this project
as a specific capital improvement project.
Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers and Associates, came forward to explain the Capital Improvement
Plan as it relates to bonding and answer questions. This plan would not be a replacement
for the current detailed Capital Improvement. It would be more of an addendum to the
current Plan. The G.O. Bonds generally have a lower interest rate than the Leased
Revenue Bonds that were used to finance the Public Works Project. The Capital
Improvement General Obligation Bonds are subject to the referenda approval process.
After the public hearing, the public has 30 days to collect signatures to have the issue
placed on the ballot. The Bond sale will be held on June 19tH
Mayor Maxwell opened the public hearing at 8:01 p.m.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
close the public hearing. The public was closed by unanimous consent at 8:02 p.m.
Council Member Thompson moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2007-038, adopting an amendment to capital improvement plan and
providing preliminary approval for the issuance of bonds thereunder. A poll of the vote
was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Thompson, aye; Council
Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion
carried unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1 . 2006 Budget Carryovers and Additions (CR2007-052)
The preliminary 2006 year-end figures conclude that the general fund budget is currently
under budgeted by approximately 5260,000. The City Charter allows the City Council to
authorize the transfer of sums from unexpended balances to other purposes. Staff
recommended a total of $14,500 from the Activity Center budget to be carried over for
items that were delayed to this year. Staff also recommended a transfer of $150,000 to
May 15, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
the CIP Fund, $100,000 to the ERP Fund, and $75,000 for the annual write off of the
development loan for the TIF District 1-2 Fund.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
approve the recommended 2006 carry over budgets into 2007 in order to complete
projects originally budgeted in 2006 and to increase budgeted transfers in 2006. A poll
of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Thompson,
aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. First Quarter 2007 Financial Report (Memo)
Christine Harkess, Director of Finance, gave a presentation of revenues and expenditures
in the first quarter of 2007. In response to Mayor Maxwell's question, Steve Stadler
stated that the Commercial water meter program is very close to completion. Mayor
Maxwell asked Mr. Stadler if he could provide the Council with an update on the program,
including any changes to the revenues that have taken place since the start of the
program.
No action was taken
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member
Halverson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Euge ~ J. M well, Mayor
May 15, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
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