07-08-2008 WSJuly $; 2008
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1VI~NUTES
C~TY~CQUIV~CIL~''~~R~~~SESS~C~hI~ -- July 8, 2008
~. work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene
Maxwell at 6:40 p.m. on July $, 2008, at the Hopkins City Hall. Council members Rick
Brausen, Rristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan and Cheryl Youakim were present. City
personnel present were City, Manager Rick Getschow, Finance Director Christine
Harkess, Public Works Director Steve Stadler and SW Coordinator Penny Cleve.
CIP Review
Finance Director Harl~ess said ,there are very few changes from the last draft the
Council saw. The largest change is the $80,000 for the City Hall lobby renovation has
been removed. > She .asked the Council to carefully review the 2009 and 2010 projects.
Answering Mr. Rowan, she said no 2008 projects had been pushed to 2009. Mr.
Getschow noted Assistant City Manager Genellie's memo on the Council Room projects,
pointing out the 2009 video and 2010 lighting and lectern monitors are replacements,
The 20 ~ l autoxnated~ replay would be an upgrade. Mayor Maxwell asked if equipment
from. the Art Center changes could be used. Mr. Rowan and Mr. Getschow thought not,
but Mr. -Getschow Will ~ check into ~i~: ,
M~., Getschow said City Planner Anderson had checked into the legal usage of
park dedica~i~on~ fees.. The X000 'revision of the ordinances, which was reviewed by the
city attorney, says those fees can be used for public recreational and cultural activities,
which would allow usage of the fees for the Art Center. Thus it is a policy issue. He
'feels it is a good back-up if~ these are. problems with capital funding. Mayor Maxwell
suggested a joint meeting `with the Fark' Board to discuss the issue. Ms. Youakim
suggested such. things as a new gy~xa floor in the Activity Center might be good projects.
Mr. Getschow suggested encouraging Fark Board members to become more involved
with the Art Center, ~Pa~vilion,~~ elc.; ~ one member now attends all the Depot Board
meetings. All. agreed it is good~,to know this option is available.
Steve Stadler noted the State Aid project is Sth Street South. Ms. Harkess noted
there will need to be bonds issued in late 2009 or 2010 to have money in the PIR Fund.
Answering Mayor Maxwell; she said she would put a TIP District spreadsheet in the
update packages. Mr. Stadler said the Blake Road project is an overlay south of
Excelsior $lvd. Answering ~ Mr. Brausen, he said the 2009 Park Ridge project is a
reconstruction; the 2010 Park Valley project does not include 6th, 7th and 8th as they were
done in the late 1990's.
Mayor Maxwell asked if local bids would be solicited for the Art Center carpets,
Mr. Getschow said yes.
1VIs. Harkess said the next step in the CIP process is to approve the plan at the first
Council meeting in August. Then staff will start planning the 2009 projects, each of
which will come before the Council for approval before they are started.
Recycling Fund discussion
Fublic Works Director Stadler said a maj or impact to the recycling budget was the
19% cut in Hennepin County grant money in 2003, along with a 1 % decrease each year
since. This is state money funneled through the County, and funding has been steadily
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July 8, 2008
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cut. Answering Council members, Ms. Harlcess said when she became Finance Director,
she redid the formula for administrative fees, which spreads the city's overhead costs
over the various departments. She eliminated the Met Council fees (over $1 million)
from the formula, and the overall result was to raise in the other enterprise fund's share.
If the administrative cyst shares are cut the general fund would have to cover the costs
and the levy would need to be raised. No sewer fees are covered by other utilities.
SW Coordinator Cleve said the rebate from Waste Management is based on their
total volume, not just Hopkins' volume. Not all cities get rebates; this is a contracted
item. The contract also stipulates Hopkins cannot be charged a surcharge for gas. Allied
(BFI) also does rebates. -
Mr: Stadler noted charges would need to be increased in 2010. After general
discussion, general consensus was rather than a 50¢ increase in 2010, it would be better
to have a 25¢ increase in 2009 and 2010. Answering Mayor Maxwell, Ms. Cleve said
staff is ~ discussix,g a $10/car or trailer fee for bulk drop-off. Mayor Maxwell commented
at did. ~~.ot seem fair td~ cha~g~e c~.rs ~:nd trucks the same; Ms. Cleve said she ~ thinks it is
rnand~.~ed by law, but .she will check. Staff is also considering a $25 curb pickup fee;
1VIr. Stadler noted this is still in the discussion stage. Mr. Brausen suggested that when
the infor~~nation goes to residents, a comparison to tub costs should be included. Mr.
Stadler said all the proposed rates,, etc. will came back to the Council during the budget
process..
Communication with Those Affected by Co. Rd 3 and Co. Road 61 Projects
Mr. Stadler said the County does have $1 million for acquisitions for each of the
next two years ,for Shady Qal~ Road; this is targeted for residential, not commercial,
property. At present there- is a 2012 deadline for acquisition, with construction to start
2013-14. The section-south of Excelsior Blvd. should be completed in 2010. There was
general discussion. It was suggested to confer with of Hennepin County. General
Consensus was staff should talk with Hennepin County and the City of Minnetonka.
Then a letter could ~ be drafted.
Mr. Stadler had a draft letter to Excelsior Blvd. residents. Answering Mayor
Maxwell, he said there are.no plans to take any land on the south side of the Boulevard.
There may be more median work. Hennepin County may help with landscaping by
reimbursement, but he feels if Hopkins goes ahead on its own, the County may not do so.
He could ask them if a small amount of money is available for standardized fencing.
General Consensus was that staff should see if any money can be obtained for
fencing before any letter is sent. If money is available, there should be a resident meeting
about the options available.
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July 8, 2008
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200$-2009 Goals
City Manager Getschow said he is sending the draft to all Commission members
and city employees so they can comment. The Council would approve the document at a
meeting in August. He has been asked to speak to the HBCA in mid-August. He asked
Council members to please send comments.
Other
Ms. Halverson said an Oakwood resident had asked if the city has a historical
preservation program. Mr. Getschow said ,there is not. He added that the owner of the
property discussed at the last work session has had the property replatted and has asked
for a variance.
Ms. Youalcim asked about the city employee picnic. It will be August 14,
M~. Getschow said there have been resident complaints about railroad train
whistle noise. He has called Twin City Western and hopes they will be as cooperative as
last year. ,
He said the County Assessor will attend the next Council meeting and give a
presentation bn how assessments are done. He will put a notice out to the public. He
hopes the presentation can be put on the web site.
On motion by Mr. Brausen and second by Ms. Youalcim, the meeting adjourned at
9:05 p.m. an a vote of 5-0.
Kasey Kester, Secretary
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