09-25-07 WSSeptember 25, 2007
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Halverson, Brausen and Rowan and Youakim. City personnel present were City Manager Rick
Getschow, Assistant City Manager Genellie, Finance Director Christine Harkess, Public Works Director
Steve Stadler, Police Chief Reid, Fire Chief Specken, Planning and Economic Development Director Kersten
Elverum, MIS Director Alex Hepp, and Park and Recreation Director Dave Johnson.
Emergency Management Exercise:
Emergency Management Director Specken led city staff and the City Council through a table top exercise for
emergency management. The exercise was conducted between 6:30 and approximately 8:30 p.m.
1306 Ordinance:
Fire Chief Specken discussed the 1306 ordinance which was adopted as part of a building code update
requiring commercial businesses to provide sprinkling after certain improvements and/or expansions are
made to their buildings. This is an item that Council previously had chosen not to enforce. Almost every
other community in the Metro area is enforcing the 1306 ordinance. Council discussed potential businesses
that would undertake an improvement, whereby, the sprinkling regulations would come into effect. Council
consensus was to enforce this sprinkling ordinance that is a part of the building code.
Section 8 Housing Program:
Planning and Economic Development Director Elverum discussed the contract that the city has with
Metropolitan Council for management of the Section 8 Housing Program in the City of Hopkins.
Other:
City Manager Getschow stated that the franchise ordinance will be coming at an upcoming Council
meeting for atwo-year extension.
City Manager Getschow stated that the Snyder drive-through discussion will come back to Council at the
next meeting for discussion and then we will be on the October 16th regular agenda.
• City Manager Getschow stated that the bridge on 73 and 5 opened today.
City Manager Getschow stated that the first reading on an ordinance for a enhanced graffiti program will
be coming at the next Council meeting. Staff will also talk about proactive measures taken by the city to
combat the graffiti in addition to the ordinance revisions.
Council discussed recent discussions at the State Legislature and other communities regarding the
operation and location of group homes.
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Council member Halverson and seconded by Council member Brausen. The
motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm. ~
Rick Getschow, Secretary
ITY
ATTEST:
Eugene J. 1Vi~xwell!Mayor