07-12-2011 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:40 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, Acting City
Manager Jim Genellie, Christine Harkess, Finance Director and City Manager Search
Firm Representative Richard Fursman.
New business:
City Manager Candidates discussion
Council members reflected on their thoughts about the City Manager candidates
and discussions they have had with staff & community members on the interview
panels. Council discussed at length the strengths and concerns about the
candidates, reasons for their tough decision and what is best for the City of Hopkins.
Council narrowed the selection to Mr. Mornson and Ms. Luger. Council discussed the
top two candidates at length but felt they needed until Friday to process all the
information and decide if they should bring Mornson and Luger back for a second
interview.
2010 City Budget
Ms. Harkess, Finance Director discussed the first 2012 budget information to date.
Despite some big unknowns due to the state shutdown preliminary data suggests a
proposed levy increase of 2.24% to balance the budget. There was discussion about
2012 health insurance premiums, revenue line items and the unknown status of the
state Market Value Homestead Credit Program.
There was discussion about the franchise fees, the new deadlines imposed by the
State, the possibility of raising the fee or converting it to a percentage and
educating the public on why they are raising the fee and the benefits. Staff will
come back with more solid numbers for Council to look at prior to the September 6
City Council meeting when the franchise fee will be on the agenda.
Staff is working on budgets and by the next work session there should be a first look
at what general fund budget will look like. There was discussion how the state shut
down is affecting budget preparations.
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Council member Rowan expressed his approval how the city manager search
process is going and doesn't see the need to rush a decision.
Mr. Genellie discussed electrical inspection and how it is affected by the state shut
down. An emergency ordinance will be on the next council agenda which would
allow the City to contract for electrical inspection. If approved by the City Council, it
would take effect the same day if it is passed.
Mayor Maxwell discussed the upcoming meeting with the Watershed District
regarding the Cottageville Park area. There was much discussion about the vision for
the area, the possible loss of single-family homes and the steps the Council & staff
have taken to reinvigorate the area. Mr. Genellie stated that this Council and
previous Councils had worked hard to preserve and increase the number of owner
occupied housing units in the City, the success of these efforts being demonstrated
by the 2010 Census. However, enlarging and improving the Cottageville Park area
presented a unique opportunity to revitalize an entire section of the City.
There will be a Booth at Hopkins Raspberry Festival Family Days, 9 am - 2 pm, staffed
by Council and city staff.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Youakim
and a second by Council member Brausen to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugene J. M xwell, Mayor