01-10-2012 WSPage 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Raspberry Room - 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:32 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Molly Cummings, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike
Mornson, Director of Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Community
Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Dakota
Worldwide representative Teredle O'Connell.
New business:
Presentation on Grocery Store Market Study
Ms. Elverum gave an introduction to Council about the Grocery Store Market Study
prepared by Dakota Worldwide. The study was funded through a grant from
Hennepin County as part of the City of Hopkins involvement in the Active Living
Hennepin County initiative, which promotes access to healthy food within walking
distances. The need for the study was prompted by conversations with Scott Driskill,
owner of Driskill's grocery store. The stores current location with limited visibility and
smaller size has made it difficult for Driskill's store to be competitive. Scott Driskill's
lease expires in 2013. The Grocery Store Market Study was prepared to present
information to the Council to assist the City if the need arises in the future to retain a
grocery store in downtown Hopkins.
Mr. O'Connell addressed the council about the purpose of the Grocery Store Market
Study and how the grocery store can be successful in its current location. Mr.
O'Connell discussed how the current format of Driskills makes it hard to compete
with larger grocery stores in the area. Mr. O'Connell stated that some options for
Driskills include: re -format to a specialty type of store, relocate, or remodel in its
current location. Re -formatting the store to a natural food format would draw loyal
natural food customers from a greater area; remodeling to upscale format would
increase sales but continue to attract local customers or relocating to Excelsior
Boulevard would increase visibility. Mr. O'Connell stated that the existing store is
very important to downtown Hopkins but it is hard to attract customers because of
its location. A pylon sign on the heavily traveled Excelsior Blvd may help the store's
visibility.
There was much discussion by Council about customer loyalty to the natural food
format, co-op memberships & types of foods offered, convenience and walk -ability
of the current store, traffic counts, sign location & visibility, new housing
developments & large work force in Hopkins possibly helping customer counts,
amount of spendable dollars in the area, where stores are pulling customers from,
and the types of stores & price points that appeal to shoppers.
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Council discussed the importance of maintaining a grocery store in downtown
Hopkins and working with the current owners to help them be successful. A
downtown store is vital to the walkers and the senior citizens in our community as
well as generating traffic for other businesses in town. Council discussed ways to
reach out to residents to spend more and spend local.
Cottageville Park
Mr. Stadler updated Council on the property acquisition negotiations of the Blake
Road duplexes and the Met Council Lift station location, design, 2013 construction
timetable and public process. There was much discussion about different scenarios
if all the property acquisitions are not finalized.
Ms. Beard discussed with Council the park planning effort and outreach plan for the
Cottageville Park redesign. Staff from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
(MCWD), Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (BRCC), Hopkins School District, city of
St. Louis Park and city of Hopkins have outlined four strategies for the Cottageville
Park expansion project:
1. Educate residents that the park exists by hosting a Winter Fun Event on
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 3-5 pm
2. Educate residents about the park expansion
3. Promote "Day of Input"
4. Design effective "Day of Input"
Council and staff discussed the importance of input & dialogue with residents in our
entire community and the broader region to get a true vision what people want for
Cottageville Park which could be more than a neighborhood park but an amenity
to entire city and region. There was much discussion about the park design process
and Council would like to involve Three Rivers Park District, Hopkins Minnetonka Park
& Recreation & the Hopkins Park Board in the conversations about design & future
programming. Mr. Stadler discussed the funding & space constraints, storm water
improvement requirements, possible phased improvements and the design &
construction timeframe.
Cold Storage Site Discussion
Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the Hopkins Cold Storage site and redevelopment
planning efforts. The property owner, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD),
is interested in getting the Councils input for the vision for the redevelopment of the
area. There was much discussion about site access, rezoning, the creek amenity,
neighborhood compatibility and being supportive of light rail transit.
There was discussion about the possible types of uses that the Council envisions for
the site: office, housing, transitional senior housing, community space,
multigenerational spaces, hotel, global marketplace, educational user, disabled
workshop, open space or a destination location. Uses that the Council would like to
avoid are: Industrial, big box retail, as well as limiting the amount of retail space &
rental housing. Council realizes the importance of a clear vision and direction for the
site to insure the best possible use for the property and most beneficial for the
Hopkins community.
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Council would like to schedule a joint meeting with the Hopkins Park Board, Hopkins
Planning & Zoning Commission and city staff prior to meeting with the MCWD.
Staff will discuss a date for the joint meeting and keep Council informed.
OTHER:
• Ms. Elverum reported:
1. There are no new updates on the BP site.
2. There is a possible purchase of the Mayon building.
3. Staff is waiting on first draft of development agreement from Klodt, Inc.
4. Staff is looking for grant monies for the 8th Avenue redevelopment area.
5. Joint meeting on the Shady Oak Road project & ongoing discussion about Light
Rail Transit to be scheduled soon.
• Council Member Youakim would like a youth member on the Hopkins Park Board.
• Mr. Mornson reported on:
1. Overview of the proposed State of City presentation on February 28, 2012.
2. Goal setting meeting agenda for January 20, 2012
3. HBCA annual meeting on February 9, 2012
4. Hopkins Center for the Arts was awarded an $64,000 State Arts Grant for
Saturday Concert Series
5. A joint meeting with the Hopkins School Board and City of Minnetonka to be
scheduled.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Youakim
and a second by Council member Cummings to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
RHAIN
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Maxwell, ayor