07-26-2011 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, July 26, 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, Jerry Steiner, City Attorney, Kersten Elverum, Director of
Planning and Economic Development, Christine Harkess, Finance Director and Bill
Beard of The Beard Group.
New business:
Fifth Amendment to PUD (Planned Unit Development) Agreement
Ms. Elverum explained that staff is recommending adoption of the Fifth Amendment
to PUD agreement for Marketplace & Main with the additional language that HUD
has added. Mr. Steiner reviewed the agreement and the new language added by
HUD.
Mr. Steiner expressed concerns about the 5th amendment because the language
that HUD requires states that if the project fails, and goes into foreclosure, the PUD
Agreement becomes null and void. Mr. Steiner stated that the developer's attorney
has said that HUD will not sign off on the loan guarantee without the new language
but the new language would only be an issue if the Marketplace & Main project
fails. The developer is scheduled to close on the property this Friday. Mr. Steiner said
that he was able to include language in the Amendment that states if a foreclosure
occurs, the project's design standards do not get cancelled but construction work
on the project stops and any new developer would have to go back to the City
Council for approvals.
There was much discussion by Council, the city attorney, Mr. Beard and staff
concerning the language added to the agreement by HUD, which is HUD's
standard set of documents. Council discussed that this is the first time in many years
dealing with HUD and now would know what contract language to expect from
HUD in the future.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a
motion to approve the Fifth Amendment to PUD (Planned Unit Development)
Agreement between the City of Hopkins and Marketplace Holdings, Inc. A poll of
the vote was as follows: Council Member Brausen, aye; Council Member Halverson,
aye, Council Member Rowan, aye; Council Member Youakim, aye, Mayor Maxwell,
aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 2
2012 City Budget
Ms. Harkess discussed the work done to date on the first draft of the 2012 General
Fund budget. Preliminary data suggests a proposed levy increase of 2.43%.
There was much discussion about budget expenditures & revenues, salaries, length
of contracts, insurance costs, vacant staff positions and discussion about the Market
Value Homestead Credit program effects on the city, homeowners and commercial
properties. Ms. Harkess is doing an analysis of the franchise fees and will present the
information to council at a future meeting. Mr. Genellie stated that Cable
Commission negotiations with Comcast are continuing and he will keep Council
informed. Council discussed the possibility of future discussions about voluntary staff
furloughs to help ease tight budgets.
Due to the recent state shutdown, Ms. Harkess still does not have all the factors
needed for the tax rate calculation for individual properties but hopes to have the
information by the next work session. Staff continues to work hard fine-tuning the
department budgets.
OTHER:
• Council member Brausen asked about the sidewalk situation on 8thAvenue. Staff
will provide an update.
• The Domestic Partnership Registry will be on the work session agenda on August
9th
• Council member Halverson asked Ms. Elverum there has been any interest in the
BP property on Blake. Ms. Elverum has not heard of anything at this time.
• Council member Halverson questioned if staff knew anything about the vacancy
in the building on the SE corner of Blake and Excelsior Blvd. Staff has no information
at this time.
• Council asked about Klodt Inc. development on 8th Avenue S. Staff stated that
Klodt is waiting to hear about the development grant for clean up dollars from the
Metropolitan Council.
• Council was wondering about the leasing of the Mayon Plastics building
redevelopment. Staff has not heard of any new developments.
• Council questioned when Pizza Luce will be blacktopping their parking lot. Staff
heard that work would be starting soon and will check on parking lot permits.
• Council member Halverson expressed concern over condition of the sidewalk on
the north side of Excelsior Blvd east of Blake Road. Staff will look into it.
• National League of Cities conference is in November. Mr. Genellie will check into
registration information.
• The Watershed District meeting regarding Cottageville Park area went well for the
most part.
• Council discussed the new city manager starting on August 22 and Mr. Mornson
will be visiting at the city department head meeting tomorrow.
Page 3
There was discussion about the success of the Raspberry Festival events.
Staff noted there will be road closures starting this weekend on Highwayl 69 and
Blake and Hwy 7.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Rowan
and a second by Council member Brausen to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugene . M ell, Mayor