In the Pipeline - 06 June 2020A monthly news brief from the city of New Hope, Minnesota • newhopemn.gov
June
2020
Over
June/July
City Council regular meetings: June 8 and 22, July 27 at 7 p.m.
City Council work sessions: June 15 at 6:30 p.m. (no July work session)
Citizen Advisory Commission meetings: No June or July meeting
Human Rights Commission meetings: June 1 at 7 p.m. (no July meeting)
Planning Commission meetings: June 2, July 7 at 7 p.m.
Events: Independence Day (observed) - July 3, city offi ces closed
All activities are at City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave. N. unless otherwise indicated.
Agendas and minutes for meetings are available on the city’s website.
Schedule is subject to change. Call 763.531.5100 for more information.
COVID-19 City Operations Update
Th e city of New Hope is committed to
reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our
community while continuing to provide
critical city services including police,
fi re-rescue, inspections, utilities, elec-
tions and the administrative support
functions associated with these services.
After six weeks of almost all staff work-
ing remotely, staff began the process of
returning to work at city hall and public
works on May 4. In order to do so safely,
and while protecting the health and wel-
fare of our residents and employees, city
staff has been coordinating several pro-
tective measures, including the addition
of glass partitions at city hall counters,
procuring necessary supplies and equip-
ment, and developing internal standards
and procedures to operate effi ciently and
with reduced risk. Although city facili-
ties including city hall, public works and
the ice arena remain closed to the public
as these changes are implemented, the
city of New Hope remains committed to
serving the community and is ready to
assist via phone, email and the website.
Public Meetings
Going forward, while city hall will be
open for public meetings, including city
council meetings, these meetings will be
held virtually until further notice. Resi-
dents and businesses are encouraged not
to attend meetings at city hall, but instead
participate virtually. Meeting agendas
can be viewed on the city website at
newhopemn.gov as usual. City council
meetings are held the second and fourth
Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Th e
meetings are broadcast live and replayed
at ccxmedia.org.
Police/Fire-Rescue
Residents will not notice any changes to
emergency service provided by police and
fi re-rescue departments. With emergency
During this time, all city programs and events are subject to change. Please check newhopemn.gov for up-to-date information.
response continuing to be the main prior-
ity, public fi ngerprinting services are
suspended until further notice.
Elections
As the pandemic is expected to continue
for the foreseeable future, the city clerk
is working closely with Hennepin County
and the Secretary of State’s election of-
fi ces to monitor the evolving situation
and make plans for any changes.
Public Works
Th e public works facility remains closed
to the public at this time. Utility bill pay-
ments can be made online at
newhopemn.gov/utilitybill or dropped off
to public works or city hall drop boxes.
Messages related to utility bills may be
left at 763.592.6760 and staff will respond
as soon as they are able. Th e city will not
disconnect water for non-payment.
Parks & Recreation
Although in-person activities, classes
and programs are currently canceled and
postponed, New Hope Parks & Recre-
ation has many virtual off erings available.
Additional information is available on the
website or by calling 763.531.5151. Th e
golf course is also open for the season,
with updated processes in place to
minimize contact. Tee times must be
booked in advance and can be scheduled
by calling 763.531.5178.
Community Development
New Hope’s Community Development
department is busy issuing permits for a
wide variety of projects. Applications for
building, plumbing, mechanical and elec-
trical permits are available online and
completed applications may be emailed
to newhopeinspections@newhopemn.
gov. Although in-person inspections
are suspended, virtual inspections may
be scheduled by calling 763.531.5127.
Inspections of other permits (right-of-
way, stormwater, etc.) are postponed at
this time.
Moving Forward
Th e New Hope Emergency Management
Team and city of New Hope are closely
monitoring and responding to the spread
of COVID-19 and following the guidance
of experts at the Center for Disease Con-
trol and the Minnesota Department of
Health regarding precautionary measures
and actions taken.
We look forward to opening back up to
the public when it is safe to do so. Until
then, we’re here for you (virtually).
Recreation Corner
Virtual Youth Tennis Lessons
Tennis from anywhere! Youth ages 5-13 join the coach from CHEM Ath-
letics for 12 tennis lessons over six weeks beginning Tuesday, May 26.
Each week you will receive an exclusive 15-20 minute video lesson going
over techniques and drills for that week. You can practice along with this
video and refer back to it as often as you like! Th en, on Th ursdays at 6 p.m.
beginning May 28, join coach and the rest of the class for a 30-minute
Zoom lesson. Coach will go over each student’s technique and answer
questions at that time.
At-Home Science Kits Available
Parks & recreation is off ering Science Explorers Activity Kits for sale to
help keep your kids stimulated at home! Kits available include: Young
Inventors, Art Bot and STEM Sampler. Kits include all materials and
instructions. After registration, participants will be notifi ed of New Hope
City Hall pickup details.
Virtual Vehicle Fair
Families are invited to join us in the 2020 Virtual Vehicle Fair taking
place the fi rst part of June. Th e recreation departments of Crystal, Golden
Valley, New Hope and Robbinsdale have collected videos from participat-
ing businesses and organizations, providing an up-close view of various
vehicles including police cars, fi re trucks, tow trucks and much more.
Visit the New Hope Parks & Recreation website (newhopemn.gov/rec) for
more details as the event approaches.
For more information about these programs or to register, call the
New Hope Parks and Recreation offi ce at 763.531.5151 or visit
webtrac.nhrecexpress.com.
In Minnesota, voters are eligible to vote early by absentee ballot starting 46
days prior to Election Day. To vote early by mail, apply to have an absentee
ballot mailed to you. You do not need to be an already registered voter to
apply. Remember this important information when voting by mail:
1. Read the instructions that come with the ballot carefully.
2. You will need a witness when you vote. Th e witness can be either a regis-
tered Minnesota voter or a notary.
3. Make sure to allow plenty of time for mailing when returning your ballot.
It must arrive to election headquarters on or before Election Day.
An absentee ballot application and additional information is available by
visiting mnvotes.org or by calling the city of New Hope elections line at
763.531.5160.
Vote Early By Mail
Th e city of New Hope is now recruiting election judges for the Aug. 11 Pri-
mary Election and Nov. 3 General Election. Election judges administer voting
procedures to ensure a fair and accessible election for all eligible voters. Full
details, a list of required and desired qualifi cations, and an application are
available at newhopemn.gov/elections. Applications must be returned by May
31, 2020. Questions? Contact the city clerk at 763.531.5117.
Safety Tip of the
Month
It’s road construction season in
Minnesota! Everyone plays a role in
maintaining a safe work zone. Fol-
low these safety tips when driving
through a construction zone.
DO:
Pay attention to the orange di-
amond-shaped warning signs or
electronic message boards posted
in advance of a road construction
project.
Drive carefully and slowly
through the construction site;
always obey the posted speed
limits in the work area. In Min-
nesota, speeding fi nes double in a
work zone.
Stay alert . Avoid distractions.
Dedicate your full attention to
driving.
Be patient . Expect delays, espe-
cially during peak travel times.
Expect the unexpected . Lane
shifts and closures can change
day-to-day.
Keep an eye out for construc-
tions workers, their equipment
and vehicles, as well as the ve-
hicles around you.
Move over one full lane when
approaching a road maintenance,
construction or emergency
vehicle that is parked or stopped
with its warning lights activated.
If moving over is not possible,
slow down.
Use the zipper merge . Use both
lanes until the merge point, resist
the urge to merge early, and take
turns at the merge point.
DON’T:
• Resume normal speed until after
you emerge completely out of the
work zone area
• Tailgate. Most of the accidents
within a work zone are rear-end
collisions.
For real-time traffi c and travel
information in Minnesota, call 5-1-1
or visit 511mn.org.
Seeking Election Judges