04-23-2013 WSMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Raspberry Room — 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was started at 6:33 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly
Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike Morrison,
Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie, Hennepin County Assessor Department representatives
Duane Scheurer and Michael Smerdon
New business:
Hennepin County Assessors Update
Michael Smerdon, Hennepin County Residential Appraiser, reviewed the 2013 residential market
values of housing in Hopkins. Mr. Smerdon gave an overview of market data, open book
procedures, and property information from a sample of sales used to develop the Estimated
Market Values for the 2013 assessment. Mr. Smerdon used 122 residential home sales for the
analysis. There have been an increase in home sales over last year and homes are selling faster.
There was much discussion by Council about the housing foreclosure outlook, increase in
residential sales; higher valuations for similar properties can be attributed to the location, home
assessment inspections, attendance at the Open Book meetings, Real Estate listing prices vs.
assessed value, Condo market, and the financial health of homeowners associations.
Council requested that Mr. Smerdon investigate the current rental -housing trend in Hopkins.
Council suggested that information regarding the home assessment inspection schedule be
publicized to residents in publications such as the Hopkins Highlights.
Duane Scheurer, Hennepin County Commercial Appraiser, reviewed the commercial market
values of apartments, commercial and industrial buildings in Hopkins. The commercial and
industrial market was stable in 2012 and there was an increase in the apartment market due to
new construction projects.
There was Council discussion regarding retail & office vacancies, business opportunities for sale,
comparison to surrounding communities and the difficulty in evaluating of long term care
facilities.
Brew Pub Discussion
Mr. Genellie addressed the Council regarding Brew Pubs. Staff is clarifying information with the
State of Minnesota and relooking at zoning districts for Brew Pub locations. Staff will bring the
discussion back to Council at a future Work Session.
There was much Council discussion regarding location and licensing of Brew Pubs.
Other
• Council member Cummings gave an update on Helping Paws service dogs as a resource for
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon project.
• Discussion regarding the SWLRT Operations Maintenance Facility possible sites and the
need for affected cities to work together to identify sites. A public information meeting is
tentatively scheduled for May 14.
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• Council member Gadd gave an overview of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and the participating
cities, which include Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina and St Louis Park.
• Discussion regarding possible format for future Citizens Academy.
• Citizens Academy Alumni event tentatively scheduled for September 18.
• Discussion of the Bulk Pick Up and how different location and weather issues affected it.
• Jay Strachota will be speaking on sustainability efforts in Hopkins at upcoming League of
Minnesota Cities Conference.
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 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
ATTEST:
Eugen . Ma ell, Mayor