Reasons to Participate: Prostitution, Smoking and School Facilities

Discuss a strict new discharge ordinance: Hopkins staff are proposing a new ordinance “to regulate pollutants to the storm sewer system, prohibit illicit connections and discharges, and establish legal authority for inspection and enforcement procedures.” The goal is to give the city more ability to protect local waterways. Learn about the proposal at Tuesday’s City Council work session.

Learn about massage license restrictions: Hopkins wants to change its massage licensing requirements because of problems with prostitution at a massage parlor at 1209 Mainstreet. Undercover police arrested a massage therapist on suspicion of prostitution Aug. 24. But because the city licenses the masseuse, not the business, the massage business quickly reopened with new masseuses.  At Tuesday’s meeting, City Council will discuss options to keep this from happening again.

Debate closing a possible loophole in the smoking ban: Some businesses in other cities have used an exception in the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act to establish smoking bars and lounges. City staff say Hopkins’ tobacco ordinance was meant to let businesses sell tobacco, not allow indoor smoking. Council will discuss whether to specifically forbid smoking.

See what’s in store for school facilities: School buildings aren’t cheap, so the district puts considerable effort into planning out their future. School officials kick off development of a 10-year plan. Find out more at the Thursday’s School Board work session.

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Meeting schedules

Hopkins City Council

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
• Raspberry Room,

Hopkins School Board

• 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Boardroom,