Loading...
03-25-2008 WSMarch 25, 2008 Page 1 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -March 25, 2008 A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell at 6:35 p.m. on March 25, 2008, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Riclc Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan and Cheryl Youakim were present. City staff present were City Manager Riclc Getschow, Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Director of Planning and Development Kersten Elverum and City Attorney Bob Dielce. Also present were Mary Hall Smith and Jim Uttley of the Met Council; and Fran Hesch, Diane Bangerter, and Virg Evenstad of the Marketing Committee. Met Council Update City Manager Getschow and Mayor Maxwell welcomed Ms. Smith and Mr. Uttley, noting this was an informal "visit" so that the city and Met Council could work together better. Ms. Smith said Mr. Uttley is the staff person she works with most closely and later noted he is the person to contact on most matters. Transportation Ms. Smith said that even though the legislature overrode Gov. Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill, mass transit is still underfunded. The MVST "pot" keeps getting smaller so mass transit's share is fewer dollars even though it gets a larger percentage. Fuel cost increases are another problem. The Council is facing having to raise fares or cut routes; this is especially sad as the Twin Cities ranks third in transit growth for the nation. Grants/Housing She noted that Hopkins ranks fourth in awarded grant money in Hennepin County. Mr. Getschow said that Hopkins has more affordable housing than most cities, which makes the requirement for further units a real burden. The city feels Hopkins should be given credit for its achieved high level when it applies for redevelopment grants. Mr. Uttley noted Eden Prairie faces the same difficulty and added Hopkins has done a good job of balancing its housing. Ms. Smith said the problem is exacerbated by the small amount of money the Met Council has to give as grants. Mayor Maxwell noted 63% of Hopkins rental housing is affordable housing. Mr. Uttley said there is still a possibility of counting the rest of the block, Hopkins needs to provide more information. Mr. Brausen noted the development would be a new type of housing for Hopkins. Section 8 Mayor Maxwell commented the Section 8 change had mixed reviews, largely because it happened so quickly with no city input. Ms. Smith later apologized for the communication breakdown. Sewer Charges Mayor Maxwell said the public needs better information on sewer charges. Mr. Uttley said there are annual meetings, usually in March or April. Moreover, he would be glad to arrange for someone to come to Hopkins at a Council meeting. Both Mayor Maxwell and Mr. Getschow said that would be appreciated. It would also be good to have information to put on the city website. Mr. Uttley said the constant increases are largely due to stricter clean water standards. Answering Ms. Youakim, he said all city charges are used for operating costs. Capital costs are covered by commercial enterprise fees. Ms. Smith noted some cities not only pass the costs on to users, as Hopkins does, but also add a further fee for the city. March 25, 2008 Page 2 Comp Plans Mr. Uttley said the Met Council appreciates getting comprehensive plans before the end of the year. He encouraged Hopkins to send in their draft plan when they send it to neighboring cities; the Met Council would do an informal review, which would spot problems before the plan is official. Mayor Maxwell thanked Ms. Smith and Mr. Uttley for taking the time to visit with the Council. Marketing Committee Ms. Beard presented a power point summarizing the branding and marketing process. The plan was funded by $15,000 from the City and $5,000 from HBCA. Funded projects include posters, postcards, notecards, window clings, bumper stickers, theater ads at Hopkins Cinema 6, LED lights on Mainstreet, and a walking tour brochure. There was a carryover of about $8500; she hopes to not carry over so much this year. Ms. Elverum noted that there was no charge for staff time so the figures don't reflect what was actually spent. Mr. Rowan commented he thinks this was a good use of staff time. Ms. Beard noted some promotional ventures did not cost any money; she mentioned free ads in the Lakeshore Weekly News, a billboard for two months at no cost, and booths at various events. Plans are now being made for the 2008 budget. Projects already under consideration include a Photo Contest, a Shopping and Dining Guide, and advertising located outside of Hopkins. The committee is also considering a complete set of brochures -housing, antiques, recreation -that would follow the walking tour brochure format. A dining and shopping guide would be a booklet rather than a brochure, but follow the same size and format. She noted all brochures refer readers to the city website for further information. Ms. Hesch noted she is often asked by Depot customers about "sit-down" dining in the area. Ms. Beard has found out that an ad in Minnesota Monthly would be $5,000 per month. Ms. Youakim suggested the recreation brochure include information on renting the Pavilion and include the bike trails, Art Center, and Music in the Park. She wondered if advertising Hopkins at the Elko Speedway might be feasible. Mr. Rowan said he felt money would be spent better on theater ads than an antique shops brochure. Ms. Beard replied she has learned the antique dealers are redoing their own brochure and hopes to get them to agree to design it to fit in with the Hopkins brochures. Mayor Maxwell commented he feels the City cannot pinpoint certain businesses. He suggested getting Hopkins canvas shopping bags. Ads paid for by merchants could be printed on them along with the Think Hopkins logo. Ms. Youakim suggested the committee spend money developing free media. If we could participate in a school district mailing, 80% of those sent to would be in neighboring communities. She feels a City Pages ad would do more good than a highway billboard. She noted area realtors have asked about postcards for their customers; Ms. Beard said to have them contact her. Ms. Youakim would like to see flower baskets on Mainstreet; Mayor Maxwell said they can be very expensive. Ms. Youakim also suggested having a booth at retailer conventions to attract new businesses. Ms. Beard said the Marketing Committee wants to welcome Cargill to the area. . The HBCA and the committee will be looking at ways to bring this about. Mayor Maxwell said a "Cargill Days" downtown might be a good approach. Ms. Youakim March 25, 2008 Page 3 noted celebrating after work hours rather than on a Saturday might bring in more Cargill people. Mr. Rowan felt something at both the Cargill building and downtown would involve more employees. Ms. Beard said the committee is also trying to find a way to distribute more of the Hopkins history books. Ms. Kersten said one idea was to underwrite the cost and give a copy to new residents. Mr. Rowan said he thinks a better idea would be to announce the City has a limited number available, either free or at low cost, and residents may come pick one up at City Hall. That way we know the books would be appreciated. Ms. Beard noted that city funding for the Marketing Committee was for two years. The Council will need to decide if they want to continue the program in 2009. Ms. Beard said the photo contest rules are being formulated now. There should be a draft brochure on April 1. Plans are to have 8 categories with a grand prize of $100 and a basket in each category. Winners will be displayed at the Depot in January. They are considering video clips which would be put on the city website. Ms. Hesch noted the video clips could cause a "logjam" for Kristie as she works in Hopkins only two days a week. Fifth Avenue Flats Ms. Elverum briefly summarized the progress on this redevelopment project. Mr. Dieke discussed the legal issues and the amended redevelopment agreement. General Consensus was for city staff to continue to work with the property owner and developer to negotiate a compromise acceptable to all parties. Ms. Elverum said she would send a recap on tonight's Zoning and Planning meeting to Council members. Other Ms. Youalcim asked if anyone planned to attend the State of the County on April 10. Mayor Maxwell said ICA has invited the Council to tour their facility during a work session. He thanked Mr. Getschow for all the work he put into State of the City. Mr. Getschow noted the following: The last Citizens' Academy session will be Thursday. Graduation will be next Tuesday at 7:00. City staff is still working with the neighborhood and the U.S. Women's Open's for NBC use of Interlachen Parlc during the 2008 Golf Tournament. A neighborhood meeting is in the offing. Any money raised will go into the Park Fund and is earmarked for Interlachen Park. Testimony at the legislature on the TIF bill has been taken by the Senate. We will testify at the House next Tuesday. He asked if the Council favored the amendment of the ordinances to reflect a 350 ft. distance be required for both 3.2 and regular alcohol off-sale licenses. General Consensus was yes. He would like input from the Council on the proposed Rotary Park off of the regional trail between 8th and 9th on 1St. Avenue North.. March 25, 2008 Page 4 2008 Property value notices will be sent out this Friday for 2009 taxes. Residential values slightly decreased; commercial and industrial properties increased for a total taxable value increase of 1.49% The assessors will be at the April 22 work session to answer any questions from the Council prior to a May open book. On motion by Mr. Brausen and second by Ms. Halverson, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. on a vote of 5-0. Kasey Kester, Secretary ATTEST: Euge J. axwell, Mayor