05-08-2012 WSMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:36 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, City Manager Mike Mornson, City Engineer John
Bradford, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church representatives Pastor Scott Searle & Mike
Bolin, Gethsemane Lutheran Church representative Pastor John Nelson, St. Joseph Catholic
Church & St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church representative Rev. Jim Liekus, Beyond the
Yellow Ribbon representative 1St Lieutenant Adam Kedrowski.
New business:
Faith Community and City of Hopkins
Mayor Maxwell welcomed the Faith Community representatives.
Lt. Kedrowski gave an overview of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, a program that creates
awareness for the purpose of connecting servicemembers and their families with community
support, training, services and resources. The local faith communities will be contacted in the
future about becoming involved in Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.
There was much discussion by Council and the Faith Community representatives about the
western suburb, civic organizations & faith community resources & involvement in the Yellow
Ribbon program, the process to activate the program; a faith step is a key area to the Yellow
Ribbon action plan, how to inform, create interest in the program & recruit community
volunteers, how to locate servicemembers and coordinating existing programs with the Yellow
Ribbon program.
Pastor Nelson gave an overview of the 4th annual Community Days of Service on May 19 & 20,
2012, a volunteer program that reaches out to needs in our community. There was much
discussion by Council about the program, how the process works, the success of the program and
the service project opportunities.
Mike Bolin gave an update on The Center for Service, a program that publicizes the volunteer
needs in the greater Hopkins area. The website is www.hopkinsvolunteers.ora. There was much
discussion about how the program works, how organizations can get connected with The Center
for Service and how the program is publicized to the community.
Rev. Liekhus gave an update on the St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph's Catholic Churches.
The churches are now considered one parish with two campuses.
There was much discussion by Council and Faith Community representatives about issues
relating to the upcoming Light Rail line, churches supporting shelter -type housing, importance of
building bridges with the multi -cultural community, education on various faiths within our
community, how to connect with more representatives from the Faith community and that the
local churches will be invited to the upcoming Business Forum in September.
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Mr. Morrison updated the Faith Community representatives on the City's mission and goals and
upcoming re -development opportunities occurring in the community.
2013 Street Improvements Schedule
Mr. Bradford updated Council about the 2013 street reconstruction project schedule. Staff is
proposing a revised schedule that will move the public hearing dates away from the holiday time
and backing up the remainder of the schedule approximately 2 months. Mr. Bradford gave an
overview of proposed schedule and the extended assessment pre -payment period. There was
much discussion by Council about earlier & longer notification of street projects would allow for
an extended time period for residents to save up to pre -pay assessments. There was also
discussion on the bond rates and contractors bidding on projects. Staff is also recommending
wording changes to the property owner's information letters. Staff will discuss the revised
schedule during the feasibility report at the June 5, 2012 City Council meeting and the
information will be on the city website and in the Hopkins Highlights.
Mr. Bradford gave Council an overview of the South Presidential neighborhood 2013 street
improvement project. Staff is recommending a 2 -year project due to the larger area and extensive
utility replacement. There was much discussion by Council regarding bidding a 2 -year project,
assessment timing & caps, contractors, phasing of the work, adding the West Park Road area to
the project due to the impact of the Shady Oak Road construction and a summary of remaining
projects in the 5 -year Capital Improvement Plan. Staff will review with Council what the
assessments would be on the front end vs. the back end of the 2 -year project.
Mr. Bradford updated the Council on the replacement of the sanitary sewer lift station. Staff has
not received any calls since a letter went out to residents. The Metropolitan Council will be
holding a public input meeting on May 30, 2012. Area residents will be informed with a mailing
and information boards at Oakes Park.
Staff will investigate the possibility of odor detection equipment.
Mr. Bradford update Council about the two assessment hearing appeal forms that the city
received for the 2012 street and utility improvement project. There was much discussion by
Council regarding the appeals, fair & equitable assessments, the appeal process, extending the
assessment time period, area -wide assessments, discussion of franchise fees for street
reconstruction and how other cities pay for street reconstruction. Staff will research how
surrounding cities pay for their street reconstruction.
Other:
• Councilmembers Halverson & Cummings gave an update on the Blake School Neighborhood
meeting
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Tour on Saturday, May 12
• Councilmember Gadd gave an update on Yellow Ribbon Project
• Mr. Mornson reviewed the resolutions for Support of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Project from
other cities and the Hopkins Resolution.
• Discussion of a Think Hopkins Smartphone app & costs
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With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Cummings and a
second by Council member Gadd to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugene J. axwe11, Mayor