Hydrant Flushing Begins April 13

Don't be alarmed if your water is discolored: Hopkins Public Works utility crews will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the community April 13-May 1. Residents are cautioned against doing laundry - particularly light colored items - while crews are in the neighborhood.

Hydrant Flushing Schedule:

April 13-17: Hydrants north of Excelsior Boulevard and west of Highway 169
April 20-24: Hydrants south of Excelsior Boulevard and west of Highway 169
April 27-May 1: Hydrants east of Highway 169

If water is still discolored once crews leave, residents should run the cold water until it runs clear. More information is available here.

Garden Plot Registration Begins April 14

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, garden plot registration will be completed online this year. Registration has already opened to residents who held plots in 2019. Beginning Tuesday, April 14, all remaining garden plots will be available for purchase online only. An online form will be posted on the garden plots webpage on the City website on April 14. Learn more about garden plots here.

Free Yard Waste Pick-Up is April 20-30

Yard waste will be collected for free on your regular garbage day from April 20-30. You do not need to call to schedule this pickup. Bagged yard waste should be placed at your normal collection site at least four feet away from your garbage and recycling containers. More information on yard waste pick-up is available here.

COVID-19 Updates

Stay Home Executive Order Extended Through May 4
The governor's Stay Home executive order has been extended through Monday, May 4. This order asks Minnesotans to stay in their homes except for essential needs. Remember to practice physical (social) distancing when you must go out and avoid gathering in large groups, even when outdoors. Visit mn.gov/covid19 to learn more about #StayHomeMN.

Masks Recommended in Public Settings
The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (for example, grocery stores and pharmacies) to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. These critical supplies must be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items or made at home from common material. Find more information and instructions to make homemade cloth face here.

Minnesota Discrimination Helpline
Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan launched this week a Discrimination Helpline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesota residents who experience or witness bias and discrimination can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit this online form. Translation/interpretation services are available. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you have been the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.

Find more information about Minnesota's response to the COVID-19 pandemic here.

Rain Barrels Available for Purchase

The City of Hopkins, in cooperation with the Recycling Association of Minnesota, is holding a rain barrel sale. The cost for a single rain barrel is $79, but Hopkins residents can receive a $20 discount by using the coupon code HOPKINS20. Quantities are
limited. Rain barrels must be picked up on Monday May 11, or Tuesday, May 12, between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. To purchase a rain barrel, you must pre-order online here.

Meetings & Events

CANCELLED: April 9, 16, 23, 30 - Hopkins Academy
POSTPONED: April 14 - Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative community event
VIRTUAL MEETING: April 21 - City Council Meeting
CANCELLED: April 24-25 - Bulk Item Drop-Off event
POSTPONED: April 25 - Cops and Community Bingo

Quick Links

Ask the City | City of Hopkins Website | Think Hopkins Website