11-18-2008A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on November 18, 2008, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Youakim, Brausen, and Halverson.
Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Bradford, Elverum, and City
Attorney Jerry Steiner. Council Member Rowan was absent.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. OATH OF OFFICE
1. Audrey Chan, Human Rights Commission
The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Audrey Chan, appointed to the Human
Rights Commission.
IV. PRESENTATIONS
1. Life Safety Award, Fire Chief Dale Specken
Chris Norum and Brandon Feist smelled smoke and investigated. They saw smoke
coming from an apartment door. Chris pounded on the door and could not hear anyone.
Chris kicked in the door and found smoke to the floor a fire in the living room. Chris
attempted to extinguish the fire, but due to smoke, had to leave the building. Chris and
Brandon exited to the rear of the building and were yelling up to the apartment to see if
anyone was there. They then heard the glass break and saw a hand at the window.
Brandon and Chris reached up and pulled Michael Beagin from the window to safety.
Fire Chief Dale Specken presented the Award of Valor Certificate to Chris Norum and
Brandon Feist.
2. Hopkins Lions Club, Celebrating 70 Years
Mayor Maxwell proclaimed Friday, November 28, 2008 as Hopkins Lions Club Day. Lion
members came forward. David McCarville, president of the Hopkins Lions Club accepted
the proclamation. Bernie Braegelman, Lions District Governor, gave a history of the Lions
Club and spoke of the service work that is done by the Lions.
3. Chief Reid's State Human Rights Award, Judy Reinehr
Judy Reinehr, Chair of the Hopkins Human Rights Commission, gave the background for
the award. Chief Reid received the award for his work with the Blake Rd Corridor and for
working on bringing the various immigrant communities within Hopkins to resolve the
issues.
V. REPORTS -COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS
1 . Human Rights Commission
Judy Reinehr, Hopkins Human Rights Commission Chair, gave a report that included the
events and projects of the past year and the plans for the next year.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of November 3, 2008 City Council Meeting
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor
Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution 2008-064, Divestment from Companies Doing Business in Sudan
(CR 2008-106)
In June, Mark Turbak and Heather Schommer, from the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies, made a presentation to the Hopkins Human Rights Commission about
the Genocide Intervention Network and specifically about Darfur. They urged the City of
Hopkins to divest in companies working with Sudan and to pass an anti-genocide
resolution. Even though the City of Hopkins has no investments with companies that
work with Sudan, the symbolic action of adopting this resolution will help send a
message that Hopkins supports efforts to end the genocide in Darfur.
JoAnn Martin and Ryan Lehrman from the Hopkins Human Rights Commission and Mark
Turbak, Anna Donnelly, and Luke Wilcox from Genocide Project came forward. Ryan
spoke of the work his family has been doing to help victims of Genocide in Sudan. Anna
Donnelly and Luke Wilcox gave the Council information about the Genocide Project. Their
goal is for all of Minnesota to divest in companies working with Sudan.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2008-064, Divestment from Companies Doing Business in Sudan. A
poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member
Brausen, aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Maxwell wished all a Happy and safe Thanksgiving and reminded all of the tree
lighting on Friday, November 28, 2008.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member
Halverson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ATTEST:
Eu ene axwell, Mayor