12-16-2008A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on December 16, 2008, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council Members Youakim, Brausen, Rowan, and
Halverson. Also, present were staff members Getschow, Genellie, Stadler, Elverum,
Harkess, and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA -PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were none.
III. PRESENTATIONS
1. Ten Outstanding Young Minnesota (TOYM) Award
Jason Gadd, president elect of the Minnesota Jaycees and Jerry Steinlage, president of
the Hopkins Area Jaycees presented the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesota Award to
Rick Getschow. Mr. Gadd explained that every year, the Minnesota Jaycees recognize
ten outstanding people between the ages of 18 and 41 for their outstanding community
leadership qualities. The Jaycees presented the award to Rick Getschow on December6,
2008. Ms. Steinlage gave a brief history of the Jaycees in Hopkins and stated the
mission of the Jaycees. Mr. Gadd shared a video clip of the achievements of Mr.
Getschow that was presented at the awards dinner. Rick Getschow thanked the Jaycees
and stated that this really is a community award.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1 . Minutes of December 2, 2008 City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of December 2, 2008 City Council Work Session
3. Minutes of December 8, 2008 Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing
4. Minutes of Monday, December 8, 2008 City Council Work Session
5. Authorize Call of a Serial Bond for Meadow Creek Condominium Project Area
One (CR2008 -108)
6. Second Reading for Ordinance 2008-1005 to Vacate a Small Portion of 1 S` St N
for the Excelsior Crossings Development (Memo)
7. Approve 2009 Insurance Contribution for Non-Union Employees (CR2008-1 17)
8. Approve 2009 HMEA Contract (CR2008-1 14)
9. Approve Contract Amendment with Police Officers (CR2008-1 16)
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Youakim 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 Rowan, aye; Council
Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Adopt Resolution 2008-068, Approving 2009 Tax Levy and General and Special
Revenue Fund Budgets (CR2008-1 18)
The City Council held several meetings during 2008 to prepare for the 2009 general fund
budget and 2009-tax levy. A public hearing was held on December 8, 2008 for input
from the residents.
Budget goals were adopted this spring and were instrumental in guiding the staff as it
prepared budget requests. The budget in its current form recommends spending in the
general fund at $10,075,492 and a total tax levy of $9,553,1 14, as well as a $50,000
HRA Levy. The tax levy includes provisions for general fund operations, PERA
contributions, capital funding and debt obligations.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution 2008-068 approving the 2009 tax levy and adopting the 2009 General
and Special Revenue Fund Budgets. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member
Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council
Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Adopt Resolution 2008-067, Approving Proposed Water and Sanitary Sewer
Utility and Refuse and Recycling Rate Increase (CR2008-1 12)
In 2007, staff prepared a Utility Master Plan which sets forth operational, debt, and
capital requirements of the water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer systems for the next
ten years. As a result of that plan, a schedule for rate adjustments over that same period
of time was also submitted. The rate adjustments would allow the City to meet the
needs of the utility system while maintaining utility infrastructure. These proposed rate
increases are the result of the prior adoption of the Utility Master Plan. The water service
usage will change from $ 1 .65 to $1 .86 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Sanitary sewer
service charge will change from $2.70 to $3.10 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Refuse
rates would be $15.85 fora 30 gallon container, $18.55 fora 60 gallon container, and
$21 .25 fora 90 gallon container. Recycling service would rise from $3.25 to $3.50 per
unit. Storm Sewer rates would be set at $5.00, up from $4.50.
Ms. Harkess listed some of the major capital projects that will need to be completed in
the next ten years.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution 2008-067, which increases water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utility and
refuse and recycling rates effective for service provided in January 2009 and billed in
February 2009. A poll of the vote was as follows: Council Member Youakim, aye;
Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
3. First Reading to Approve Ordinance 2008-1004, Ordinance Amending Section
310 of the Hopkins City Code (CR2008-1 15)
Section 310.09 of the Hopkins City Code states that City contracts shall be let, executed,
and delivered as provided in Minnesota Statutes, Section 471 .345, and the City Charter.
During the 2008 Legislative Session, section 471 .345 was amended to raise the dollar
amount of a contract that required bids from $50,000 to $100,000. The City Charter
currently sets the limit at 525,000, but allows the City Council to adopt an ordinance that
conforms to the State Statute.
Requiring bids is costly. The costs of biding are for legal notices, consultant's fees, and
additional time from beginning to end of process.
The City Council discussed the issue of being sure that the City is getting the best
possible price on projects without the bid process. Staff assured the Council that getting
quotes or proposals and being able to discuss the cost with vendors would oftentimes
result in a lower cost than sealed bids.
Jerry Steiner, City Attorney, stated that changing the City's ordinance was pretty much
of a formality. The Statute requires uniformity.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion to
approve Ordinance 2008-1004 for first reading. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
4. Approve 2009 City Council Meeting Calendar (CR2008-1 19)
Since 1998, the City Council has adopted a City Council Meeting Calendar at or before
the first meeting in January. Staff has reviewed potential conflicts and made adjustments
to the calendar to accommodate those conflicts. Mr. Getschow reviewed the conflicts
that are in 2009.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
approve the 2009 City Council Meeting Calendar. A poll of the vote was as follows:
Council Member Youakim, aye; Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Rowan,
aye; Council Member Halverson, aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried
unanimously.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member moved and Council Member seconded a
motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at
8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
~~:
Eugene J. a~,well, Mayo
COUNCIL MEMBERS