12-06-2011A regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on December 6, 2011, in the
Council Chambers of the Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Mayor Maxwell, Council Members Brausen, Halverson, Rowan and
Youakim. Also, present were staff members Anderson, Bradford, Genellie, Hanlin,
Harkess, Johnson, Mornson, Reynolds, Smith, Stadler and City Attorney Jerry Steiner.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. OPEN AGENDA - PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS
There were no comments.
III. OATH OF OFFICE
1. Swearing in of Two Sergeants (Matthew Struck and Elizabeth White)
Chief Reynolds introduced the two officers who are being promoted to rank of
Sergeant in the Hopkins Police Department. Swearing in performed by Mr. Genellie.
Sergeant White's husband pinned on her badge. Sergeant Struck's wife pinned on his
badge.
2. Swearing in of Police Captain (Brent Johnson)
Chief Reynolds introduced Brent Johnson as new Captain for the Hopkins Police
Department. Swearing in performed by Mr. Genellie. Captain Johnson's father
pinned on his badge.
IV. PRESENTATION
1. Flag Presentation to Hopkins Police Department (HPD) from Staff Sergeant & HPD
Police Officer Mike Johnson
Officer Johnson presented a flag to Mayor Maxwell and Chief Reynolds in
appreciation for the support he received from the City of Hopkins and the Hopkins
Police Department during his deployment.
2. Two Retiring Reserve Officers (Richard Brasket and Reserve Captain Sue Rhodes)
Chief Reynolds introduced the two Reserve Officers retiring from the Hopkins Police
Department and presented them with a plague recognizing their years of service to
the City of Hopkins.
3. Community Image Awards
Shannon Smith introduced the winners of the 2011 Community Image Awards thanking
them for their vested interest in our community.
Commercial Winners: Holiday Stationstores, 530 Blake Road; Tuttle's Eat Bowl
Play, 107 Shady Oak Road; Wrap City Graphics, 62 Sixth Avenue South
Multi -family Winner: Fraser Hopkins Court, 41 Sixth Avenue North
Residential Winners: Jean Hammond, 338 Eighth Avenue North; Mike & Joan
Opitz, 245 - 16'h Avenue North
V. REPORT
Molly Cummings of the Zoning and Planning Commission reported on the following
items:
• The Zoning & Planning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary/final plat
for 115 Cottage Downs. Ms. Cummings explained that the lot meets all the necessary
conditions.
• The Zoning & Planning Commission unanimously approved the area variance for 115
Cottage Downs.
• The Zoning & Planning Commission unanimously approved the conditional use
permit for operation of a gas station at 1 120 Seventh Street South. Ms. Cummings
explained that the gas tanks passed inspection, the neighborhood meeting was
held and neighbors were happy with the improvements and the gas station
complies with all the necessary conditions.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the November 15, 2011 Election Canvassing Board
2. Minutes of the November 15, 2011 Council Meeting
3. Minutes of the November 15, 201 1 Work Session following the Council Meeting
4. Minutes of the November 22, 2011 Work Session
5. Ratify Checks for the Month of November
6. Second Reading of Amendment to Section 1155, Tobacco Ordinance
7. Second Reading to Amendment to Massage License Ordinance
8. Approve Lease Agreement for City of Hopkins and Elks Club
9. Approve Towing Agreement with Matt's Auto Services
10. Approve 2011-109 Temporary Liquor License for Augustana Chapel View Care
Center
11. Approve License for Gas Station (Hopkins Express Inc.) at 1 120 7th Street South
12. Renewal of General Liability and Property Insurance and Authorize Not Waiving of
the Statutory Tort Liability on the LMCIT Insurance Trust Policy
13. Approve Amendment to Cooperative Agreement with 9 Mile Creek Watershed
District
Captain Hanlin addressed Council about the towing agreement with Matt's Auto
Service. The agreement has been reviewed and updated with the City Attorney.
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Mr. Bradford updated the Council regarding the amendments to the 9 Mile Creek
Watershed Cooperative Agreement. Phase A construction work on 9 mile Creek will
resume shortly and Phase B construction will start after January 1, 2012.
Mr. Steiner and Mr. Genellie addressed the Council regarding amendments to the
Massage License Ordinance since the first reading.
Council Member Halverson moved and Council Member Youakim seconded a motion
to approve the Consent Agenda. 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.
VII. PUBLIC HEARING
2012 Budget Hearing
Ms. Harkess addressed the council regarding the 2012 Levy and Budget. Ms. Harkess
explained the taxation process, proposed fax levy & general fund budget, revenue
budget, breakdown of the expenditure budget and explanation of reason for
increases, three year comparison of the General Fund budget, residential property tax
changes and breakdown of where taxes go, changes to the market value homestead
program, responses to the budget challenges, grants that have held down costs in the
city departments and the value that Hopkins residents receive for their taxes.
Police Chief Reynolds, Fire Chief Specken, Public Works Director Steve Stadler,
Community Development Specialist Tara Beard and Recreation Director Dave
Johnson gave an explanation of the grants their Departments successfully received.
Ms. Harkess addressed the grants received by the Depot Coffee House and the Art
Center.
Don Roesner, 618 W. Park Valley Drive, came forward to address his concerns about
the sound system in the Council Chambers and his difficulty hearing the discussions.
There were no more public comments.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion to
close the Public Hearing. 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 hearing was closed by unanimous consent.
There was much discussion by Council regarding budget process and the hard work of
the city staff, work session budget discussions are open to the public, importance of
recognizing the value of grants made available to the city of Hopkins and flyers
explaining the Market Value Homestead Exclusion program will be made available on
the city website and at city hall.
No action was taken.
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VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve the Re -Plat of 115 Cottage Downs
Ms. Anderson, City Planner, reviewed the re -plat and variance request for 1 15 Cottage
Downs with the Council. Ms. Anderson stated that the Zoning and Planning
Commission unanimously approved the re -plat and the variance. The applicant,
Steven Streeter of Streeter Associates, appeared before the Council.
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Rowan seconded a motion to
approve Resolution 1 1-63, approving a preliminary/final plat at 115 Cottage Downs.
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.
2. Approve Area Variance for 115 Cottage Downs
Council Member Brausen moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion
to approve Resolution 1 1-64, approving an area variance for 115 Cottage Downs.
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.
3. Approve the Conditional Use for Gas Station at 1 120 - 7th Street South
Ms. Anderson, City Planner, reviewed the proposed gas station at 1120 -7th Street South
with the Council. Ms. Anderson stated that the Zoning and Planning Commission
unanimously approved the Conditional Use Permit. Ms. Anderson stated that the gas
station has been renovated and the gas tanks passed inspection.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion
to approve Resolution 1 1-65, approving a conditional use permit for operation of a gas
station at 1 120 Seventh Street South. 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.
4. Approve Feasibility Report - Order Public Hearing
Mr. Bradford addressed Council regarding the 2012 street & utility improvements.
Representatives of Bolten & Menk, Inc., Nick Amatuccio, Design Engineer and Sarah
Rippke, Project Manager, were available to answer Council questions.
Ms. Rippke gave an overview of the preliminary engineering report for the
reconstruction project & proposed improvements, utility & storm sewer improvements,
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Alice Smith Elementary School area pedestrian and vehicle safety proposed
improvements and crosswalk enhancements.
Mr. Bradford updated council about the master sidewalk plan, gave an overview of
the project area and the proposed assessment rates, public information meetings and
project timetable with the public hearing to be scheduled for January 17, 2012.
There was much discussion by Council regarding the timing of the project &
construction schedule, location of stop signs in relation to crosswalks, sidewalk
improvements, assessments and total project costs.
Council Member Rowan moved and Council Member Halverson seconded a motion
to adopt Resolution 2011-066, Ordering Public Improvement Hearing, 2012 Street and
Utility Improvements, Project 2011-10. 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.
5. First Reading of Pawn Shop
Mr. Genellie reviewed the changes to the Pawn Shop Ordinance with the Council. The
State of Minnesota made changes to the statutes regarding Pawn Shops; therefore
the City of Hopkins needs to revise the Ordinance accordingly.
Council Member Halverson moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion
to approve Ordinance 2011-1043 for first reading. 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.
6. Resolution of Utility Rate Increases
Ms. Harkess and Mr. Bradford addressed the Council regarding the Utility Master Plan,
reasons why the utility plan is being updated and the need for rate increases.
There was much discussion by Council regarding the plan that has been put in place
to provide continued funding for the needs of the water, sewer and recycling funds.
Council Member Youakim moved and Council Member Brausen seconded a motion
to approve Resolution No. 2011-062 increasing water, sanitary sewer and recycling
rates effective January 1, 2012. 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.
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Council Member Brausen moved and Council
Member Halverson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
Al