IV.1. Minutes of the September 5, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
1010 1st Street South.
Mayor Hanlon called the meeting to order with Council Members Beck, Garrido and
Hunke attending. Council Member Balan was absent. Others attending included City
Manager Mornson, Assistant City Manager Lenz, Deputy City Clerk Osman, Finance
Director Bishop, City Planner Krzos, Planner Howard, Economic Development Director
Elverum, Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean, Fire Chief Specken and
City Attorney Riggs.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Garrido. Second by Beck.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
PRESENTATIONS
III.1. Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic
Heritage Month; Imihy Bean
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean summarized Council Report 2023-
093. Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual observance in the United States that
celebrates the cultural contributions, achievements, and history of Hispanic and Latino
Americans.
Motion by Garrido. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the August 15, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings
2. Ratify Checks Issued in August 2023; Bishop
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Rail Facility Review/Shady Oak Station Update; Krzos
City Planner Krzos summarized Council Report 2023 -088. The Metropolitan Council via
Metro Transit’s METRO Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) Extension project is
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
proposing to construct an approximately 24,000 square foot maintenance facility at 1515
6th Street South. Council Member Beck clarified that the resolution proposed tonight is
not a land use approval, City Planner Krzos clarified that tonight’s presentation is an
opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed plans. Ryan Kronzer, Assistant Director
for Design and Engineering, Jim Alexander, METRO Green Line LRT Extension Project
Director, and Joe Johnson, Design Lead from the Metropolitan Council provided an
update on METRO Green Line LRT Extension construction and Shady Oak Station.
Mayor Hanlon complimented Metropolitan Council staff for their responsiveness to
opening trails in this area. Mayor Hanlon asked about how long the deferral of parking on
the parcel labeled “Deferred Parking” might be. Mr. Alexander responded that they are
still having conversations about what this parcel might look like in the future, and that the
timeline is unknown. Mayor Hanlon expressed that he desires Hopkins to continue to be
a part of the conversation regarding the future of this parcel. Council Member Beck noted
that there is frustration about the timeline of the project, that property within Hopkins has
been taken off the tax rolls without benefit to the City, and that the project is overbudget.
He wondered what the Council should tell upset residents regarding the project
challenges. Mr. Alexander expressed that he hears the concerns, is also frustrated but
the new timeline is 2027, and the timeline is over 70% complete. He noted that Hennepin
County and the Metropolitan Council are working through funding challenges to complete
the project. Mayor Hanlon recognizes that there are frustrations with the project, but wants
to look ahead to how to move forward and catalyze on the opportunity in front of the City.
Mayor Hanlon asked whether or not they have looked at Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
dollars were available to increase sustainability like solar and Air-Sourced Heat Pumps.
Mr. Kronzer said yes, they would look into this. Council Member Hunke complimented the
new design and pedestrian-oriented design but encouraged them to include solar and
sustainable design elements such as decreasing the asphalt on the site. Council Member
Beck also agreed the design was better but wanted to especially thank City Staff for
getting this item in front of the City Council despite it not being required by State law, as
he feels that Council and Staff review has improved the project significantly. Council
Member Garrido requested clarification about the area identified as a future building
expansion and it was clarified amongst the Council, that yes this might be a building
expansion.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2023-029 finding that the proposed Hopkins Rail
Support Facility is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
VII.2. First Reading: Ordinance 2023-1198 Amending Chapter 102 of the City Code
Regarding Attached Garage Setbacks for New Construction in N3-B Zones; Howard
Planner Howard summarized Council Report 2023-087. In July of 2022, the City’s zoning
code update established new provisions related to setbacks for attached garages relative
to the main principal building’s front façade in neighborhood zones and the allowed
locations for garage doors in order to encourage development that is human-scaled and
pedestrian-oriented. Specifically, the code update originally required attached garages in
N3-B, Small Lot Traditional Neighborhood zones to be set back 30 feet from t he main
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
principal building’s front façade and only allowed garage doors to be located on the rear,
side, or side street façade. These standards reflect that most properties located in N3-B
zones are served by improved alleys. However, this presented design challenges to
properties in N3-B zones that are not served by an improved alley, including a home
proposed at 13 Harrison Avenue South for which variances were requested. Council
Member Beck commented that the porch idea was a nice addition. Council Member
Hunke clarified that this only applied to new construction, thus limiting the number of
homes which would be applicable under this ordinance.
Motion by Beck. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Adopt for First Reading, Ordinance 2023-1198 Amending Chapter 102
of the City Code Regarding Attached Garage Setbacks for New Construction in
N3-B Zones.
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
VII.3. First Reading: Ordinances Adopting Gas and Electric Franchise Fees
Beginning on January 1, 2024, Bishop
Finance Director Bishop summarized Council Report 2023-091. City Council has had four
meetings to discuss gas and electric franchise fee ordinances that expire on December
31, 2023. City Council directed staff to increase fees for a five-year term and to continue
subsidizing the general fund and supporting the parks and capital improvement funds.
City Council was in support of increasing the fees for parks and sustainability. City Council
directed staff to pursue a franchise fee model based on utility revenues. Mayor Hanlon
noted that they have gone back and forth on this issue to ensure the charges were not
regressive, he complimented staff on the final proposal but acknowledged that larger
utility users may have sticker shock on the increase. Council Member Beck also
appreciated the new proposed schedule and the potential sticker shock, but also noted
that we were much below other communities on what the City charges for Franchise Fees.
Gary Devan, 16th Avenue North, Hopkins, voiced support for the franchise fees and the
use of the Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund.
Motion by Beck. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt for First Reading on An Ordinance Setting a Franchise Fee on
Electric Operations within the City of Hopkins – Northern States Power D/B/A Xcel
Energy.
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Garrido.
Motion to Adopt for First Reading on An Ordinance Setting a Franchise Fee on
Gas Operations within the City of Hopkins – Center Point Energy Resources
Corporation D/B/A CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
Ayes: Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Absent: Balan. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following residents shared their concerns with the health, safety, welfare and fees at
their rental units owned by IPG Properties: Lee Vang, 1010 Lake Street NE, Apt. #603;
Gavin Lawrence, 1010 Lake Street NE, Apt. #415; Allana Quaday, 1010 Lake Street NE;
Julia Bakken, 1010 Lake Street NE, Apt. #707; Kayla Boswell, 1010 Lake Street NE, Apt.
#411; Catherine Cross, 1510 Mainstreet, Apt. 104; Elaine (last name not provided) 1510
Mainstreet; David Knol, 1510 Mainstreet, Apt. 405; Joy Iwaszko, 460 5 th Ave. N., Apt.
201; Rachel Kindt, former resident at 1510 Mainstreet; Dustin Fader, 1010 Lake Street
NE; and Chad Sweeny. Mayor Hanlon and Fire Chief Specken acknowledged the
comments and concerns raised by the residents. Staff will continue to work with IPG
Properties on these matters.
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
Beck, second by Garrido, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk