07-10-2012 CCMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:34 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike Mornson,
Director of Planning & Development Kersten Elverum, City Attorney Jeremy Steiner,
representative of Solomon Real Estate Steve Johnson.
New business:
Update on BP Site
Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the BP property.
Mr. Johnson of Solomon Real Estate gave an overview of the redevelopment of the BP property
and the status of the acquisition of the MNDOT and Woody Ginkle properties. Mr. Johnson
stated there is interest by tenants and they are working on letters of intent with a possible
opening date of the retail center in April or May 2013. Mr. Johnson would like to begin
construction in October 2012 following the acquisition of the foreclosure property. The
redemption period of the foreclosure property ends September 28 or 29, 2012. Mr. Johnson
discussed with the Council the unique issues related to acquiring the foreclosure property.
Solomon Real Estate would like to begin the approval process despite not having ownership of
the foreclosure property until October in order to start construction prior to winter. Mr. Johnson
stated that a delay of construction until spring would increase the risk losing possible tenants.
MNDOT has signed off on approvals for the sale of their property but Solomon Real Estate still
needs an official letter to complete the acquisition of the property.
There was much discussion by Council about the number of tenants, building design, size of the
bays, timeline, risk of losing tenants by delaying the project, setting up a special Zoning &
Planning Commission meeting and looking at the project on a concept level then following up
with official action after Solomon Real Estate has taken ownership in October.
Mr. Steiner advised Council on the foreclosure process, the official approval process, and that it
would be a unique situation to give site plan approval to an owner that does not have the property
under contract. Mr. Steiner advised the Council that allowing someone that doesn't own the
property to go through an application process could possibly set precedence for future
applications, yet an application could be conditional upon final ownership of the property. Mr.
Steiner advised Council that they should not take an application because Solomon Real Estate
does not own the property at this time.
Council discussed the proces% once Solomon Real Estate takes ownership, the environmental
reports, demolition permits, application timeline after October 1, what can be done ahead of
time, such as examining the concept plan and the Public Hearing timeline.
Council directed Staff and the City Attorney to examine the timelines and what would be the
most streamlined process if the Council does not accept applications until the proof of ownership
of the foreclosure property. Council would like information on what work can be done prior to
the application process. Council would like to see the development move forward and would like
to facilitate the process any way they can.
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Art Dedication Fee Discussion
Ms. Elverum discussed with Council the Art Dedication Fee for the Mayon property
redevelopment project. The idea behind the Art Dedication Fee is to brand Hopkins as an art
community and expand the art pieces located within Hopkins. After review of the Mayon site
plan, staff suggested that bike racks, signage and a public art contribution would enhance the
project. The Art Dedication Fee would not be required but negotiated on a case-by-case basis
depending on the site and the developer. Currently the City of St. Louis Park has an Art
Dedication Fee.
Mr. Steiner advised Council that to make the Art Dedication Fee mandatory it would need to be
part of the Park Dedication Ordinance.
There was much discussion by Council regarding the Park Dedication Fees, Fees to offset the
impact on our city infrastructure, voluntary vs. mandatory fee, making the art a part of the design
element at the project or the developer could choose to donate to the art dedication fund. Council
members like the concept but would like to discuss further how the Art Dedication funds will be
spent. Council directed staff to research other cities that have Art Dedication Fees and to
investigate a fee framework.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Youakim and a
second by Council member Gadd to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
=CO I
ATTEST:
Eugene J. a ell, Mayor