06-14-2011 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:34 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, Acting City
Manager Jim Genellie, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning &
Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Finance Director Christine Harkess, City
Engineer John Bradford, Representatives of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
James Wisker, Tom LaSalle, Mark TenEyck & Jeff Casale, Hopkins Homeowners Paul
Sicard, Christopher DeAlwis, & Rachel Seurer, Representatives from the City Manager
Search Firm, Jim Brimeyer and Richard Fursman.
Minnehaha Watershed District:
Ms. Elverum gave a recap of the Minnehaha Creek corridor development and
goals. More discussion is needed in regards to possibly acquiring additional
properties on the north and south sides of Lake Street NE. A neighborhood meeting
was held and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District did an analysis of the area.
James Wisker, Tom LaSalle, Mark TenEyck, Jeff Casale representing the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District (MCWD) gave a presentation and historical background
information about the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, reviewed the
Cottageville Park project, drainage analysis of the area and what are next steps in
the project.
Area Homeowners in attendance: Paul Sicard, 1320 Lake Street NE, Christopher
DeAlwis, 1309 Lake Street NE & Rachel Seurer, 1316 Lake Street NE.
Mr. Wisker reviewed the Minnehaha Creek Stream Channel from the 1930's to today
and the water quality goals of the Watershed District. The goal is to have a healthy
meandering creek system with water soaking into the landscape rather than run off
directly into the Creek. Mr. Wisker reviewed the MCWD project at Methodist Hospital
and the district would like to possibly extend these concepts upstream.
The Cot tageville Park partnership with MCWD was reviewed. Mr. Wisker discussed
the north vs. south property acquisition for drainage of untreated storm water into
the Creek. The MCWD felt that it could meet its water purifying goals by routing &
treating the storm water through the south properties.
There was a great deal of discussion from the Council members about balancing
the recreational opportunities vs. the acquisition costs. Mr. Wisker explained that
there are multiple benefits; improved water quality, neighborhood connectedness,
recreational opportunities and making the creek an asset for the community over
the long term.
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Council also discussed the benefits of acquiring properties on the south side of Lake
Street NE vs. the north side for drainage issues, what the natural characteristics of the
area would look like, how much area is needed to treat the storm water and could
fewer homes be acquired.
A neighborhood resident asked about the cold storage facility. Council stated that
the Cold Storage Facility is in the long-range vision of the Council to be redeveloped
and enhance the area for multiuse.
Ms. Elverum also stated that there is the possibility of looking at row houses to
complement the neighborhood in order to keep some tax base to justify the cost of
the project.
A neighborhood resident asked if the drainage problems could be solved without
removing homes on south side. Her family moved to Hopkins because of the quality
of life, schools and the creek and her family wants to stay in the area. The MWCD
stated that they would need to evaluate that option further.
The neighborhood residents stated they appreciate the City Council looking at the
big picture and doing the project right.
Council members stated they would continue to look at the big picture, long-term
values of the project, educating and keeping in contact with the neighborhood and
looking at all the possibilities with more opportunities for open discussion. Council
realizes this is a very sensitive issue and they do not take it lightly when talking about
acquiring people's homes.
The next step will be to take the feedback from the Hopkins City Council and the
preliminary analysis findings before the MCWD Board to determine if there is interest
in continuing the process of acquiring properties along the Minnehaha Creek
Corridor.
City Manager Search:
Jim Brimeyer and Richard Fursman of the City Manager Search Firm reviewed the
scoring process of the city manager candidates. There were 65 applicants; 18 were
interviewed and there are 11 semifinalists.
The search firm reviewed the categories:
• Community and Economic Development: Search Firm felt that all the
candidates were strong in this area.
• Financing category: all candidates have been involved in budgeting and the
budgeting process.
• Leadership & Team Building category showed the biggest difference between
candidates. The Search Firm gave an overview of the different strengths and
weaknesses of the candidates; these conclusions came from a written
test/personality exam.
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• HR functions & Accountability: all candidates scored very high.
• Green initiatives: all candidates have worked in this area.
• Infrastructure repair/replacement: all the candidates have worked on the CIP
& grants for redeveloping their communities.
• Metro Transit Experience: either the candidates had experience or didn't have
experience in this area.
• Citizen Engagement: all the candidates were very connected to the citizens in
their communities.
The Search Firm feels the Council has a very tough choice because the aggregate
of characteristics did not show a lot of differences between candidates.
The City Council members were asked to write down their top five or six individuals to
be interviewed.
The Search Firm tallied the results:
Candidate # 1 - 4 votes
Candidate #2 - 4 votes
Candidate #3 - 0 votes
Candidate #4 -1 vote
Candidate #5 - 4 votes
Candidate #6 -1 vote
Candidate #7 - 3 votes
Candidate #8- 4 votes
Candidate #9 - 5 votes
Candidate # 10 - 1 vote
Candidate #I 1 - 1 vote
Council felt it would be beneficial to interview 6 candidates.
The Search Firm reviewed the interview schedule, possible candidate questions,
hiring process and compensation package.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Ms. Harkess reviewed the first draft of the 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Plan
(C.I.P.)
Council questioned whether funds from the Watershed District could be used for the
$45,000 Cottageville Park playground equipment. Mr. Bradford stated that the
Watershed District probably wouldn't fund playground equipment but staff could
look for other funding sources/grants.
The biggest item in the CIP for 2012 is the HVAC system at the Hopkins Activity
Center. Council asked if there are any energy efficient grants available. Staff stated
that the system is currently deficient and changing to a hot water boiler system will
allow for better control and reducing of energy costs. The steam piping is currently
beyond its life expectancy.
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Mr. Stadler and Bradford explained the reason for the 2012 Mainstreet signal
upgrades; ADA compliant, audible countdowns and more energy efficient LED
lights. Two signals will be upgraded per year over a 5 -year period along Mainstreet
starting on the corner of Main and 11 th.
Ms. Harkess reviewed the projects, state aid funds, PIR funds, water funds, working
capital projections, storm sewer fund, pavilion fund, cash flows and debt payments.
Mr. Bradford & Mr. Stadler added further explanation of future road projects, storm
sewer projects and water treatment upgrades.
Council had questions regarding park dedication funds, payments to the city and
timing of payments.
OTHER:
Council members expressed concern about the recent roadwork repairs along 1 St
Street North and felt the Contractor used no traffic controls. Mr. Stadler would
discuss this matter with the Contractor.
Council members discussed the recent car vandalism and Mr. Genellie stated that
notices had been sent out to the public.
Council discussed the removal of petroleum tanks at the BP station on Blake Road.
Council had further discussion about which city employees & community groups to
include in the City Manager interviews.
Mr. Genellie stated that $7000 was raised for the Officer Brian DeDomines fundraiser.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Brausen
and a second by Council member Youakim to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
a�-ly
Eugene J. ax II, Mayor