IV.1. Minutes of the September 19, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting ProceedingsHOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was
held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:30 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 City Manager Mornson, Assistant City
Manager Lenz, City Clerk Domeier, Deputy City Clerk Osman, Finance Director Bishop,
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean, Fire Chief Specken and Director of
Planning and Development Elverum.
ADOPT AGENDA
Mayor Hanlon stated further discussion would be held on the Consent Agenda for the
Second Reading: Ordinances Adopting Gas and Electric Franchise Fees Beginning
January 1, 2024.
Motion by Balan. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda with Consent Agenda item discussion.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Second Reading: Ordinances Adopting Gas and Electric Franchise Fees Beginning
January 1, 2024; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop provided a summary of the proposed ordinances. Mayor Hanlon
offered the public an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed ordinances.
Dan Meilke representing Plasman located 1302 5th Street South, Hopkins, provided
concerns about the proposed franchise fee s by explaining how the fees would impact
their business. He requested a tiered rate approach to avoid the large fee burden in one
single budget year.
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy Bean provided more information about the
Climate Solution Funds. Mayor Hanlon thanked Mr. Meilke for reaching out to the City
Council and providing comments on the issue.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Garrido. Second by Balan.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the September 5, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting Proceedings
2. Minutes of the September 12, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting Proceedings
3. Second Reading: Ordinances Adopting Gas and Electric Franchise Fees
Beginning January 1, 2024; Bishop
4. Amendment to Façade Improvement Program; Elverum
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
NEW BUSINESS
VII.1. Fire Study Presentation; Specken
Fire Chief Specken along with the City’s Fire Department Staffing Study consultants,
Raftelis presented the results of the Fire Department Study. The study is available at
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/1146/Fire-Department-Staffing-Study. The consultant’s
recommendation was to optimize the current paid-on call system by hiring an Assistant
Fire Chief and two full-time firefighters. Alternatives included a full-time staff model, a
regional/shared services model, or the public safety officer model.
Mayor Hanlon questioned the role Hennepin County plays in a regional approa ch. Fire
Chief Specken stated that the current hazardous inspections would not change . He noted
that there have been some issues with collecting call response data so moving to a better
reporting system is an option. Mayor Hanlon supported a tiered approach for the
inspections model and questioned the cost recovery models. Raftelis representatives
spoke to escalating reinspection fees recognizing that inspections are a tool attain
compliance.
Council Member Beck questioned if any research was done to staff an ambulance. Fire
Chief Specken explained the primary service area restrictions and the task force that is
looking into other options. Council Member Beck opposed a regionalized service mode l
and the public safety model. He shared his concerns with the community growing faster
than the department. Council Member Garrido did not support the public safety model.
She questioned the salary calculations for the new positions proposed. Raftelis
representatives shared the data used was based on Hopkins salary models and benefits.
Council Member Hunke did not support the regionalized service model or the public safety
model. Council Member Balan was against the shared service model and the public safe ty
model. The general consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the enhanced
paid on-call model.
VII.2. Adopt Organizational Equity Goals; Imihy Bean
Special Projects and Initiative Manager Imihy Bean summarized Council Report 2023-
095. Ms. Imihy Bean sought the City Council’s feedback and approval of the following
goal statements: The City of Hopkins is reflective and inclusive of our diverse community
in all roles across the organization; the City of Hopkins makes decisions informed by
equitable and authentic community engagement, genuine partnerships and relationships
with the community; and the City of Hopkins is committed to equity, diversity, and
inclusion in the development and evaluation of services and programs.
Motion by Balan. Second by Garrido.
Motion to adopt equity goals as presented in the staff report.
Ayes: Balan, Beck, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: None. Motion carried.
VII.3. Resolution Approving Proposed 2024 General Fund Budget and Set Budget
Meeting Date; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop summarized City Council Report 2023-098. The City is required
to certify a proposed tax levy and submit it to Hennepin County by September 30. This
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
will be the maximum levy for 2024 and can only be reduced. The certified levy amount is
also used for truth in taxation notices. The proposed date of Monday, December 4 would
allow time to consider comments heard at the public hearing before passing a final tax
levy and budget.
Motion by Hunke. Second by Balan.
Motion to Approve Resolution 2023-030 approving proposed 2024 Tax Levy,
Setting Debt Service Levels at Levels Under Those Required in the Bond
Documents, Approving the Proposed 2024 Budget and Setting the Budget Meeting
Date.
Ayes: Balan, Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: Beck. Motion carried.
VII.4. Resolution Approving Proposed 2024 HRA/EDA Tax Levy; Bishop
Finance Director Bishop summarized Council Report 2023 -099. The City is required to
certify a proposed HRA/EDA tax levy and submit it to Hennepin County by September 30.
There are levy limits based on 0.1850% of the City’s estimated market value. The market
value used for the 2024 levy is $2,682,722,500, resulting in a max imum tax levy of
$497,414 which would be an increase of $45,883 or 10.16% from 2023. The HRA/EDA
Levy was set at the maximum allowed in 2023 and lesser amount in 2021-2022.
A brief discussion was held about the façade improvement program funding. Mayor
Hanlon requested the levy be at 10% to allow for additional façade improvements. Council
Member Beck did not support the 10% levy increase. Assistant City Manager noted that
this is the preliminary levy so it can only be lowered going forward. Council Memb er Balan
supported a higher levy increase. Council Member Hunke and Garrido supported a levy
increase but not at 10%. Mayor Hanlon proposed 8% wanted to leverage the opportunity
for additional businesses to participate in the program. Council Member Hunke supported
an 8% increase but wanted additional program details before the final levy is set.
Motion by Hanlon. Second by Hunke.
Motion to Approve Resolution 2023-031 Approving the Proposed 2024 HRA/EDA
Tax Levy with an amendment of an 8% levy increase.
Ayes: Garrido, Hanlon, Hunke
Nays: Balan, Beck. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Riyad Saad, 1209 Landmark Trail South, Hopkins expressed concerns about parking on
Landmark Trail North. Staff will follow up on the issue.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Hanlon reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule.
HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, and upon a motion by
Balan, second by Beck, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk