04-09-2013 WSMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike Morrison, Public
Works Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer John Bradford, City Clerk Kris Luedke, City Planner
Nancy Anderson, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kersten Elverum, Assistant City
Manager Jim Genellie, Streets & Parks Superintendent Jay Strachota, Community Design Group
representatives Antonio Rosell and Colin Harris.
New business:
Pedestrian/Bike Master Plan
Mr. Bradford gave an overview of the Pedestrian and Bike Master Plan, a partnership with Hennepin
County and funded through a CDC Community Transformation Grant to create a Pedestrian and
Bicycle Plan for the City of Hopkins. The Community Design Group prepared the plan in
consultation with city staff and community outreach. The plan will be presented to City Council at a
future meeting for approval.
Mr. Rosell gave an overview of the Community Design Group and introduced the Pedestrian/Bike
Plan. Mr. Rosell gave an overview of the vision and goals, community engagement process,
recommendations, implementation of the plan and potential funding sources.
The vision of plan for the City of Hopkins is a community where walking and biking is safe,
comfortable, inviting and convenient everyday activities and where people choose to walk or bike to
nearby destinations and to have access to the new SWLRT line. The street network will be accessible
for all users regardless of mode, age or mobility and will promote economic wellbeing for the
community.
Mr. Rosell gave an overview of the community engagement and public participation process, which
included meetings in the community, public survey and electronic communications. Community
input identified assets in the city as well as problem areas for safe and comfortable travel by
pedestrians and cyclists. Mr. Rosell reviewed the next steps in the process for improved walkability
and bikeability in Hopkins. Recommendations include connections with the future SWLRT stations,
street crossings that calm traffic & lower speed limits, signals that facilitate crossing, bicycle lanes
that pull people towards downtown Hopkins, secure bike storage, education & encouragement of
young bike riders and open street events. Mr. Rosell reviewed a map showing the recommended
walking and biking route improvements in Hopkins. Mr. Rosell recommended a book to Council on
the role of walkability in communities titled "Walkable City" by Jeff Speck.
There was much Council discussion regarding the sidewalk & complete streets plan, focus on
movement to & from the SWLRT stations, how Green Bicycle Lanes work, the importance of
educating the public about Green Bicycle Lanes, width needed for cycle track configuration, the
$75,0004100,000 cost of installing midblock pedestrian crossings and bike share satellite locations.
Staff will be investigating future changes/upgrades to pedestrian crossing signals in the City. The
Council discussed the advantages of being designated a Bicycle Friendly community, including the
benefits of possible future funding.
Mayor Maxwell engaged the visiting University of Minnesota students in the discussion. The
students shared their ideas, including the importance of trail connections to the SWLRT, improved
signage for bicyclers, the potential for development along Blake Road and that bicycle traffic
promotes exploration of the area, making it an attractive place to live and creates a safer pedestrian
environment.
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The Mayor and Council thanked the Community Design Group and students from the University of
Minnesota for the efforts on the extensive Pedestrian/Bike Master Plan draft, a workable tool for the
City of Hopkins in the future.
SWLRT Operation and Maintenance Facility Candidate Sites
Mr. Stadler reviewed the SWLRT Operation and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Candidate sites and
criteria. There are 18 potential sites identified in the SWLRT area. The sites require 10-15 flat acres
with good roadway access, efficient train movement to site and compatible with adjacent land use.
Mr. Bradford gave an overview of the 4 possible sites in Hopkins. Three of the potential sites are
unacceptable due to the removal of the properties from the City of Hopkins tax base and the only site
staff would support examining for a possible OMF would be the landfill site. The Committee will be
narrowing sites down to 5-6 possible candidates by the end of April. Staff would like to have the City
Council draft a letter to the OMF committee and state elected officials that represent Hopkins to send
a message regarding the unacceptable OMF sites.
There was much Council discussion regarding the site needs, building size, challenges of the landfill
site, impacts to area and the size of the OMF work force.
Mr. Bradford will draft a letter to the OMF committee stating that three of the Hopkins sites are
unacceptable for the Operations and Maintenance Facility but will support examination of the landfill
site as a possibility. Mr. Bradford will send the draft letter to Council for their review.
2014 Street Improvement Project
Due to low bond rates, staff would like Council feedback about exploring the possibility of a street
improvement project in 2014. Currently there are no additional street projects in 2014 due to the
upcoming large Shady Oak Road Improvement project. Mr. Bradford reviewed the possible areas in
consideration, which include the Cottageville area or the Downtown. The downtown overlay would
not be an assessment project.
There was Council discussion regarding the possible street improvement project areas, moving up the
timetable for the Park Valley area, importance of reviewing the Cottageville/Blake Road area master
plan before starting a street project and financial impacts. A new bond issue would fund the possible
street project. Council approved staff to investigate the possibility and financial impacts of another
bond issue for a 2014 street project.
Mr. Stadler and Mr. Bradford updated the Council on the 2013 street & utility improvement project.
The city has received reasonable bids from plumbers for replacement of private water and sewer
services. The affected neighborhood will be receiving letters explaining the bids and payment
options.
Micro Brewery Discussion
Ms. Luedke gave an overview of brewer type licenses including brewpub with or without an off -sale
malt liquor license, brewer off -sale malt liquor license or a brewer Taproom license. The City has
received inquiries regarding the possibility for a brewpub license in the City of Hopkins. Staff would
like direction from the City Council in regards to this matter. Ms. Luedke gave an overview of the
current liquor license types and stated that in order to allow for additional licenses the liquor
ordinance and fee schedule would need to be amended.
Ms. Anderson discussed the Zoning Ordinances. Currently a bar/tavern is allowed in the B-2, B-3,
and B-4 zoning districts. The staff recommends that if brewpubs are licensed within the City, that
the be allowed in the B-2 zoning district. The B-2 zoning district is the downtown area from 8th to
11 t Avenues and approximately 1 st Street North to 1St Street South.
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There was much Council discussion regarding space requirements of a brewpub, food ratio and
brewpub conditions of strictly brewing beer with off -sale with the option for restaurants to possibly
serve beer from the brewpub. Council discussed truck traffic, fire safety, brewpub location in
industrial zoned areas and open house/tasting events.
Ms. Anderson will have the Zoning and Planning Commission review the zoning ordinance for a
brewpub.
The consensus of the City Council was that staff should pursue investigating licensing and zoning of
brewpubs in the City of Hopkins. Staff will update the Council.
Food Truck Discussion
Mr. Genellie said there has been an inquiry for a food truck to operate on Friday evenings on
Mainstreet in front of the Hopkins Tavern.
There was much Council discussion regarding food trucks. The consensus was that any food truck
should be locate in the Clock Tower Plaza are not in front of a particular business.
Staff will contact the food truck owner for details on desired location.
Massage Discussion
Ms. Anderson gave an overview of the Massage Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning and Planning
Commission has reviewed the possible zoning definitions for massage and massage establishments
that are the same as the licensing definitions. Currently a license is required, and under the zoning,
massage is placed under the clinic use allowed in the B-1, B-2, B- 3, and B-4 zoning districts.
Currently in the zoning ordinance there is not a definition for massage.
There was much Council discussion about limiting massage to certain zoning areas, only allowing
massage as accessory use, licensing of practitioners, currently only one massage business located in
the City, surrounding cities allow massage as primary use and current licensed massage businesses
would be "grandfathered" in. The downside of allowing massage as accessory use only would limit
franchises such as Massage Envy from locating in the City of Hopkins. Council directed staff to
investigate allowing massage as accessory use in the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Anderson will have the
City Attorney review the language in the Ordinance and have the Zoning and Planning Commission
review the ordinance before bringing it back to the City Council.
Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan
Mr. Stadler introduced Austin Holm, Forestry Dept. Maintenance Worker. Mr. Strachota gave an
overview of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management Plan. An EAB management plan is critical for
managing a pending infestation. Public Works is currently putting together an EAB management plan
and preparing pro -active strategies for EAB control. Mr. Strachota reviewed how EAB kills trees,
signs of tree damage, treatment options of ash trees, cost to treat a tree vs. tree removal,
approximately 1800-2000 public ash trees in the City and that there are no confirmed or known cases
of EAB in Hopkins at this time. Public Works will begin pre -infestation work this summer, which
includes selectively treating trees to prolong their life and selective removal of some public ash trees
that are in poor condition, hazardous, or miss -sited. The work this summer will help level the cost
and workload associated with hundreds of public ash trees dying in a short period of time in the
future. Mr. Strachota discussed the importance of good communication and education of residents
regarding EAB, educating residents about treating private trees & tree removal, diversity of
replanting and benefits of trees to the environment.
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There was much Council discussion regarding the EAB infestation, closest infestation to Hopkins is
approximately 9 miles away, timing removal of trees during street reconstruction projects, percentage
of ash trees in neighborhoods, type and sizes of replacement trees, importance to diversify tree stock,
financial costs of the EAB infestation and possible cost share program with residents.
Council directed staff to investigate a possible program to share or defray the cost of replacement
trees with residents and businesses, communicate with residents regarding the EAB problem and
investigate what the financial impact to the City was at the height of Dutch Elm disease. Council
feels it is important to have a plan in place to manage a pending infestation.
Mr. Stadler advised the Council that the EAB infestation program will be a part of future budget
discussions.
Yard Waste
Mr. Stadler discussed with Council the Call -In program for pick-up of yard waste. City Council
supports the program and advised staff to inform residents through city communications.
Other
• Quiznos restaurant location on Main Street remains vacant.
• Discussion of current lack of funding for the SWLRT project.
• Council Member Cummings discussed a resident suggestion for a "paint your front door
Raspberry project"
• Raspberry Renters kick off at MarketPlace and Main.
• Discussion of food trucks & the Farmers Market.
• Discussion of future Citizens Academy events.
• City Survey is nearing completion.
With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Youakim and a second by
Council member Halverson to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugen well, Mayor