IV.1. Minutes of the June 20, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 6:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010
1st Street South.
Mayor Hanlon called the meeting to order with Council Members Balan, Beck, Garrido
and Hunke attending. Others attending included Assistant City Manager Lenz, City
Planner Krzos, Planner Howard, Finance Director Bishop, Assistant City Attorney Sathe
and Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Balan. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
III.1. Update from Hopkins Raspberry Festival; LouJean Gleason
Lou Jean Gleason and Nick Knutson with the festival committee provided an update on
the events.
III.2. Proclamation Recognizing July as Disability Pride Month; Imihy Bean
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean summarized City Council Report
2023-062. 2023 marks the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring the civil rights of citizens with disabilities. Nearly one in
four people have a disability, and people with disabilities in our community and our staff
make tremendous contributions to the City of Hopkins.
Motion by Garrido. Second by Balan.
Motion to Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing July as Disability Pride Month.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Hunke. Second by Beck.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the June 6, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Second Reading: Ordinance Granting Comcast a Cable Television Franchise;
Lenz
3. Resolution Approving an Owner Requested Special Assessment Agreement;
Bishop
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REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 20, 2023
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
VI.1. Second Reading: Ordinance Amending Chapter 102 of the Hopkins City Code
Regarding Attached Garages in N3-B Zones; Howard
Planner Howard summarized City Council Report 2023-066. The City Council reviewed
the proposed ordinance at the June 6, 2023 meeting. The City Council expressed some
support for the ordinance as proposed, but also expressed interest in exploring potential
options to further amend the code to find the appropriate balance between pedestrian -
oriented design standards and the ability to capitalize on limited remaining opportunities
to construct single family homes in Hopkins. It was agreed that the first readin g of the
ordinance should be approved as proposed, but that further discussion of options for
further amending the code should be had when considering the second reading.
Council Member Beck restated the applicants request and would like the code to be
further amended to allow the applicants design. Council Member Hunke expressed the
desire that the zoning code stay true to character of existing single-family housing in the
community. Assistant City Manager Lenz recommended the Council proceed on the
current item and then offer staff direction on whether another amendment should be
brought forward separately.
Motion by Beck. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt for Second Reading, Ordinance 2023-1191 Amending Chapter
102 of the Hopkins City Code Regarding Attached Garages in N3-B Zones.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
The property owner, Brianna Frederick, came forward to share regarding her application.
Mayor Hanlon stated that he appreciates the diversity of housing stock within the
community and is supportive of asking staff to find a solution to accommodate the design.
Council Member Balan expressed his hesitancy to change the code for a singular
situation given the recent update to the code. Council Member Garrido would be
interested in seeing what solutions may be available to assist the resident. Council
Member Balan asked if staff could limit changes to the code to this property, and Planner
Howard clarified that amendments would impact more than one singular property. Mayor
Hanlon asked if there was anything within the code changes may have been unclear to
the applicant and City Planner Krzos stated that the builder did not due diligence on the
exact zoning, which was stated by the developer during the Plannin g Commission
meeting. Assistant City Manager Lenz recommended staff take the direction from the City
Council and work to develop an ordinance to be brought to the Planning Commission and
City Council.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 20, 2023
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Proposed Franchise Fee Increase; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided information on proposed gas and electric franchise
fees.
Mayor Hanlon stated his support for utilizing an increase in fees for sustainability. Council
Member Balan also stated his support for the proposed increases and uses. Council
Member Garrido asked for clarification around where the City is budgeting for equity work
as a City, and Finance Director Bishop clarified funding for equity is being worked on by
staff in conjunction with the City’s Equity Strategic Action Plan and will likely be apart of
the General Fund budget for 2024. Mayor Hanlon asked Special Projects and Initiatives
Manager Imihy Bean about clarification regarding equity within the Hopkins Climate
Solutions Fund. Council Member Beck brought forward franchise fees are a regressive
tax which will be felt more by low-income households and Mayor Hanlon asked if staff
could look at a less regressive structure structured by usage, and also has an escalator
built into the fee structure. Council Member Hunke also noted his support for funding
sustainability and parks. Finance Director Bishop will return to the meeting on July 11,
2023, with options reflecting the City Council’s discussion.
VII.2. Discussion on Regulating Adult Use Cannabis; Lenz/Sathe
Assistant City Attorney Sathe provided an overview on options to regulate Adult Use
Cannabis. Mr. Sathe’s recommendation was to adopt a moratorium in July to allow the
City Council the opportunity to review yet-to-be-drafted state-level administrative rules an
provide the time to have discussions about what regulations, if any, should look like for
Hopkins.
Mayor Hanlon asked for clarification on the regulations between the State and the City .
Council Member Balan asked if there were rules yet regard ing cannabis sales in retail
stores will sell other items. Assistant City Manager Lenz clarified staff does not yet know
many answers to the questions being asked by both the City Council and local residents
and businesses since there is not a model ordinance, and that a moratorium would allow
time for Council to be informed and review as better direction comes from the State.
Mayor Hanlon expressed concern about the length of the moratorium. Council Member
Beck asked for the moratorium length to be shortened to 30 days to ensure action is taken
on this matter. Council Member Garrido commented that 30 days felt too short but
recommended 90 days as an alternative. Assistant City Manager stated staff would come
back with language for a moratorium at the next meeting.
VII.3. First Reading: Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of Hopkins City Code
Regarding Salaries of the Mayor and City Council and Compensation for Park
Board and Planning and Zoning Commission Members after January 1, 2024; Lenz
Assistant City Manager Lenz summarized City Council Report 2023-064. The proposed
ordinance would adjust City Council salaries and implement a $50 stipend for Park Board
and Planning and Zoning Commission members.
Council Member Hunke noted his surprise at Council wages between Hopkins and
adjacent communities. Mayor Hanlon noted that without the COVID-19 pandemic, there
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JUNE 20, 2023
would have been an increase in the past and expressed compensation does help reduce
barriers to those wishing to participate. Council Member Garrido also noted her pleasure
to see wages for board and commission member salaries were included. Mayor Hanlon
echoed the support for board and commission member salaries. Assistant City Manager
Lenz clarified if approved tonight, these changes would not go into effect until January 1,
2024.
Motion by Garrido. Second by Balan.
Motion to adopt for First Reading Ordinance 2023-1193 Amending Chapter 2 of
Hopkins City Code Regarding Salaries of the Mayor and City Council and
Compensation for Park Board and Planning and Zoning Commission Members
after January 1, 2024.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hanlon reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, and upon a motion by
Balan, second by Hunke, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk