03-12-2013 WSMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:32 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, City Manager Mike Mornson, Director of Planning &
Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer
John Bradford, Director of Arts Programs and Marketing Susan Hanna-Bibus, representative of
HKGI Mark Koegler, representatives of SW Project Office Dan Pheifer and Chris Weyer.
New business:
SWLRT Update
Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the proposed SWLRT, planning processes, design work, and
the community engagement plan.
Mr. Koegler, HKGI, presented an overview of the Transitional Station Area Action Plan
(TSAAP) process. The plan will promote opening day readiness of the rail line by evaluating
current conditions and future needs. Mr. Koegler gave an overview of the project team &
community liaisons that meet weekly for planning and engineering coordination with the overall
goal to complete municipal consent timeframe so the engineering plan can proceed.
Mr. Koegler discussed the results of the technical design charette for station planning along the
rail corridor. The results of the charette included drawings, graphic concepts and ideas for all 17
stations along the rail corridor. Mr. Koegler gave an overview of the three station drafts proposed
for Hopkins.
Blake Station: The Blake Station area has a dense, transit dependent population. Mr. Koegler
discussed the alternative sites in the Blake area, need for convenient access for users, traffic
circulation and future development in the area. There was Council discussion regarding
traffic/vehicle counts, required parking spaces and traffic access for alternative sites.
Downtown Station: Mr. Koegler discussed the station area location, connectivity between the
station site and downtown Hopkins along 8`" Avenue, pedestrian friendly access to the station,
bus circulation and neighborhood access. Ms. Elverum discussed the bike related
accommodations at the downtown station location. There was Council discussion regarding the
importance to accommodate bicycle traffic at one of the Hopkins stations.
Shady Oak Station: Mr. Koegler discussed the different possible alignments of the Shady Oak
station location due to parking considerations, future development potential, accessibility and
neighborhood access. Ms. Elverum addressed the consideration of impacts to area neighborhoods
and connecting south Hopkins to the Shady Oak station.
Mr. Koegler discussed the next steps in the TSAAP process and timeline. A
Hopkins/Minnetonka community open houses is tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2013.
Ms. Elverum discussed the review process to seek historical designation for City Hall, Main
Street and the Depot Coffee House.
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Mr. Weyer discussed the impacts of a bridge crossing at Excelsior Blvd. Mr. Bradford and Mr.
Stadler discussed the issues of preserving the Depot Coffee House in a park -like setting and
interaction with the SWLRT.
There was much Council discussion regarding plans for bus routings, surface vs. structure
parking, possible development opportunities at station sites, bicycle traffic, high
residential/neighborhood counts at two of the Hopkins stations, public input open houses will
help refine the station sites and the importance of the city planning for future infrastructure needs
surrounding the SWLRT.
Council members were encouraged to let staff know of any SWLRT issues that need to be
addressed at future meetings.
Art Policy
Ms. Elverum gave an overview of a draft Public Art Policy. Ms. Hanna-Bibus provided
background information to the Council regarding the need for a policy to handle public art. The
policy will provide uniform procedures to address artistic standards, staff responsibilities,
placement & maintenance, guidelines for retention & removal of art and direct use of the art
dedication funds and donations. Staff has reviewed similar public art policies already in place in
other communities. Ms. Elverum discussed the purpose and value of public art. Ms. Elverum and
Ms. Hanna-Bibus discussed the Public Art Policies & Procedures draft with the Council.
There was much Council discussion regarding the Art Committee members, grant writing
collaborative effort between staff, Art Committee terms of office & job descriptions, definition
& criteria of public art, selection process & number of permanent art pieces, appropriateness of
the public site will be reviewed by the committee and then final approval by City Council,
approval process for purchases of public art, consistency of installation, repairs, proof of
insurance & release of liability, removal of a piece of public art, fees set aside for maintenance,
community members engaged as part of the maintenance team and the importance of proper
placement of the art for community benefit.
The Council agreed it is important to have a policy in place to guide the public art process. Staff
will discuss the issue of proof of insurance and release of liability with the City Attorney. The
City Attorney will review the Public Art Policy draft and the policy will come to back to Council
for approval.
Other
• Trees in the presidential neighborhood are in the process of being removed for street
reconstruction project.
• League of Minnesota Cities Conference is June 19-21, 2013.
• City Survey begins Monday.
• Parking Survey begins next week.
• Engaging Raspberry Renters location is Marketplace & Main.
• Klodt development project pictures are on the website and information about the project
was sent to the Star Tribune newspaper.
0 St Patrick's Day Parade on March 17 at 2:30 pm
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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 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugene J. Ma well, Mayor