09-13-2011 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:36 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Rick Brausen, Kristi Halverson, Bruce Rowan, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager
Mike Mornson, Art Center Director Amanda Birnstengel, Finance Director Christine
Harkess and staff and board representatives of the Depot Coffee House, Ted
Duepner, Jo Clare Hartsig, Alex Aronovich and Jesse Pedersen.
New business:
Hopkins Center for the Arts Staffing Update
Ms. Birnstengel, Arts Center Director, addressed the Council about the staff position
at the Arts Center. Ms. Birnstengel would like to expand the expectations and role of
the current position and revise the position title to a Sales and Development
Manager, keep it in the same pay range, and include an outbound sales role to
increase rental revenues. Ms. Birnstengel explained the new duties & responsibilities
assigned to the position, restructuring of the part-time Volunteer Coordinator
position, salary ranges, the hiring process, the current and proposed staffing chart at
the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the priority of marketing the Arts Center.
There was much discussion by Council about Art Center needs, funding,
restructuring of open positions, hiring timeline and the added value of the part-time
Volunteer Coordinator position. Staff will follow-up with Council on the Volunteer
Coordinator position & how the position has accomplished the original goals the
position was designed to do, growth in memberships & volunteers, and rental
potential at the Arts Center. Council discussed the possibility of an online scheduling
system, but staff feels the financial investment in the software would not be
beneficial at this time.
Ms. Harkess, Finance Director, discussed with Council how the restructuring of the
Arts Center Director position affected the budget, Art Center funding and how
maintenance and custodial costs are budgeted.
Special Revenue Funds
Ms. Harkess, Finance Director, reviewed the 2012 Special Revenue Fund budgets
with the Council.
Depot Coffee House:
Ms. Harkess addressed the council about the budget challenges of the Depot
Coffee House. Funding sources and grants have been harder to obtain and staff is
exploring other funding options. Ms. Harkess would like to explore the option of
earmarking dollars from the 2012 General Fund budget. Mr. Johnson, Recreation
Director, has proposed adding fifty cents to Recreation Fees designated for the
Depot Coffee House. Staff is also investigating possible funding from the Three Rivers
Page 2
Park District.
Depot Coffee House staff and board representatives Ted Duepner, Jo Clare Hartsig,
Alex Aronovich and Jesse Pedersen addressed the Council about the shift in focus of
past funders, voluntary reduction of staff hours, student fundraising & program
activities, status of the 501 c3 Foundation, energy saving measures and the
importance of the Depot for teens in the Hopkins area.
Council directed staff to evaluate how many dollars could be generated from the
Recreation Department fee increase, continue to look at the General Fund and
other funding sources for dollars to maintain the successful program at the Depot.
Art Center:
Ms. Harkess addressed the council about the Art Center budget. Ms. Birnstengel
explained their aggressive attempt to address the loss of LGA funds including
fundraisers, free & low cost events, adapting to trends such as how people purchase
tickets and focusing on increasing rentals. There was much discussion about different
options to generate additional dollars such as Local Options Sales tax, ticket tax &
grants.
Parking:
Ms. Harkess proposed an increase of $15 for the annual parking fee and $5 for the
quarterly parking fee. Additional fees will help keep the fund supported for future
maintenance issues. After discussion, Council supports the parking fee increases and
it will appear on the October 4th City Council agenda for approval.
Ms. Harkess gave a review of the Chemical Assessment, Economic Development, E-
911 Service Fee, Housing Rehab, and Communications Funds.
OTHER:
• Blake School will give an update on the neighborhood house acquisitions at the
October 1 1 or 25 Work Session.
• Beard Group Construction site - the staff has not heard of any issues.
• Council member Youakim gave an update from the Southwest Light Rail Steering
Committee.
• Council member Brausen is unable to attend the SWLRT meeting on Thursday, Mr.
Mornson will check to see if city staff is available to attend.
• Hopkins in Motion event is on September 17th and Somalia event is on September
18th.
• Hopkins Jaycees 601h Anniversary event on October 8th
• Next Work Session will be at Rosewood Apartments on September 20th.
• Mr. Mornson gave an update on the Shady Oak Road Project
• Klodt Inc., developers of the Park Nicollet site, requested a 60 -day extension to find
an equity partner. Klodt Inc. is still very interested in the project but the company
owner is currently dealing with health issues. Council agreed to the 60 -day
extension.
Page 3
• Mr. Mornson presented Council with Resolution No. 2011-049 from the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District about property acquisition of 325 Blake Road. The
Council reviewed the resolution and feels the concept for use and redevelopment
of the property is consistent with the City's intent for the area. Council directed Mr.
Mornson to have Mr. Steiner, City Attorney review the resolution.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a
motion to approve Resolution 2011-049 supporting the acquisition of the property
at 325 Blake Road. 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.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Rowan
and a second by Council member Youakim to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTESSTT-
Eugene J. N"xwell, Mayor