01-19-2010A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on January 19, 2010, 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, and City
Attorney Jerry Steiner.
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. PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition for John McLaughlin, Joint Community Policing Partnership (JCPP)
Chief Reid introduced Mr. John McLaughlin. The JCPP was founded by Hennepin County in
1995. The goals were defined as 1) Educate diverse population so they would have a better
understanding of Law Enforcement and the roles of the Police; 2) Educate the Police Officers
so they would have a better understanding of the various ethnic communities; and 3) improve
the interactions between the Police Department and the various ethnic communities. The
program includes 4 cities in Hennepin County that have diverse populations. JCPP has been
recognized internationally for its outreach to the communities.
John McLaughlin is the Sr. Policy Analyst for Hennepin County that developed the program
and budget for JCPP. The 4 participating cities asked Hopkins to present the award of
appreciation to Mr. McLaughlin because he is a resident of Hopkins.
Mayor Maxwell presented the plaque with 4 shields representing the 4 police departments.
2. Organic Recycling
Louise Miller gave a presentation of what organic recycling is, how it is collected, and how it is
composted and then sold for use as rich top soil.
Ms. Miller started the program at the Depot Coffee House, has worked with City staff to
implement the collection of organics in the other City buildings and hopes to eventually have
citywide participation.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the January 5, 2010 City Council Minutes
2. Minutes of the January 5, 2010 City Council Work Session Minutes
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3. Second Reading Amending Sections 605 and 710 of the Hopkins City Code
Regarding Municipal Waste Collection (CR2010 -011)
4. Approve Single Stream Recycling Contract Extension Between The City of Hopkins
and Waste Management (CR2010 -012)
5. Ratify Checks Issued in December 2009 (Memo)
6. Approve Entering the Minnesota Department of Health 2009 Environmental Health
Services Delegation Agreement (CR2010 -009)
7. Approve the Pay Equity Implementation Report (CR2010 -010)
Chris Kearney and Larry Myers came forward to answer questions about the Environmental
Health Services Delegation Agreement.
Council Member Brausen 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 Rowan, aye; Council Member Halverson,
aye; Mayor Maxwell, aye. The motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve the First Reading of Vacant Property Registration Ordinance (CR2010 -005)
The City has more vacant properties than in the past because of an increase in foreclosures.
Vacant properties increase the potential for vandalism and property damage, other criminal
activity, squatting, threats to the health and safety of neighbors and the loss of tax base.
The ordinance would require that all vacant properties, vacant for 90 days or more, be
registered with the City, thereby ensuring that vacant properties do not create health, safety
and crime issues and discourage the holding of vacant properties. The ordinance would
require the installation of a gas shut -off valve to decrease the risk of fire, explosion or
dangerous conditions. The fee for the registration would be $500 for one vacant property,
increasing to $1000 each subsequent year the property is vacant. The fee for two or more
vacant properties within 500 feet of each other would be $1000 per property the first year and
$2500 per property for each subsequent year of vacancy. The Inspection department would
enforce the ordinance.
City Attorney Jerry Steiner came forward with Ms. Elverum, who presented the item. The
ordinance was drafted by the City Attorney's office.
Council Members discussed the definition of actively marketing, exceptions for homes that are
being remodeled /rehabbed, determining what a vacant property is and when it is vacant,
insurance on properties, and notifying property owners in the City.
The City Council agreed that before the second reading, Mr. Steiner should include an
exception for properties that hold a current building permit for remodel or rehab, should tighten
up the definition of "actively marketing should research if the City can require proof of
insurance on vacant properties and if the City can require that the owners of vacant properties
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post no trespassing signs on the property. The Council also asked Mr. Steiner to have the
League of Minnesota Cities review the ordinance.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to approve
for first reading, Ordinance 2010 -1012, relating to vacant properties in residential zoning
districts with the changes and direction to the City Attorney as stated. 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. Approve First Reading Amending Ordinance Regulating the Demolition of
Residential Property (CR2010 -005)
In October 2008, the City approved an interim ordinance prohibiting the demolition of single
family homes. The purpose of the moratorium was to give the City time to review the existing
institutional ordinance for possible amendments before any single family homes were
removed.
It has been a goal of the City for a long time to preserve the City's single family homes. That
goal is documented in the Comprehensive Plan.
The City Attorney recommended an amendment to section 420.01 of the Hopkins City Code to
ensure that when a single- family home is demolished, a new home be constructed in its place.
The majority of the requirements for a demolition permit are currently part of the permitting
process. New requirements are the agreement to construct and complete a new dwelling and
to post security with the City equal to 10% of the cost of the home to be constructed.
The Council discussed the 10% security deposit, adding a penalty or fine for non compliance,
and demolition of two homes to combine lot and build one home.
The Council agreed that prior to second reading, Mr. Steiner should verify that the
Administrative Citation penalties would apply to this ordinance, include an exception for
demolishing two homes to combine the lots and build one home, and add language to return
the 10% security fee in increments as the building progressed.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion to approve
Ordinance 2010 -1013, amending Section 420.01 of the Hopkins City Code related to
demolition of homes in residential zoned districts for first reading with the inclusions as stated
by the City Attorney. 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.
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member
Brausen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by
unanimous consent at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Euge a J. axwell, Mayor
COU CIL MEMB
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