01 25 21 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council January 25, 2021
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes January, 25, 2021
Regular Meeting City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in regular session pursuant to due call and notice
thereof; Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some members of the Council, city staff, and
consultants participated remotely.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was not recited since the meeting was not held in the council chambers.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Staff present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Brad Kallio, Crime Prevention Officer
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Marty Williams, Police Sergeant
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member Elder,
to approve the work session meeting minutes of January 19, 2021. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
PRESENTATIONS:
SHOP WITH A COP
DONATIONS
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Motion accepting donations
received for Shop with a Cop.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, police chief, explained in the past, Shop with a Cop has literally
been just that - going out to a store and shopping with police officers during the
holiday season. Due to the global pandemic, the structure was changed to assure
the safety of the families. Parents provided Christmas lists to Community
Relations Officer Brad Kallio, who then did the shopping for them. The families
were invited to city hall, Northwood Conference Room, one -by-one for
approximately 45 minutes each. There was a half hour between each family to
clean and disinfect the room. Four families were hosted on December 16th, and four
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on December 17th. In total, 21 children between the ages of 2 years and 16 years old
received gifts. The parents also received Hy-Vee, Target and Chik-Fil-A gift cards.
He emphasized the costs for the event was funded 100% by donations. He thanked
the following donors for their generous contributions: Mike and Allison Isenberg
(Toy Fest), New Hope Crime Fund Board, Frankies Pizza, Chik-Fil-A, Good
Samaritan/Lodge of New Hope, and the New Hope Police Department.
MOTION
Item 5.1
Motion was made by London, seconded by Council Member Elder, accepting
donations received for Shop with a Cop. Voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder,
Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same: None;
Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
ROTATING VOTES
Please note that votes taken on each agenda item are called by the secretary on a
rotating basis; however, the written minutes always list the mayor’s name first
followed by the council members’ in alphabetical order.
CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Hemken introduced the consent items as listed for consideration and stated
that all items will be enacted by one motion unless requested that an item be
removed for discussion. Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, reviewed the consent
items.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through January 25, 2021.
MOTION
Item 6.4
Approval of April 1, 2021, as date for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
Meeting.
RESOLUTION 2021-16
Item 6.5
Resolution approving final payment to Omann Brothers, Inc. in the amount of
$210.63 for the New Hope water tower driveway and restoration improvements
(Improvement Project No. 1008).
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, to approve the Consent items. All present voted in favor. Motion
carried.
TOBACCO/LIQUOR
VIOLATIONS
Item 7.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 7.1, Appearance by licensees
regarding consequences for failing tobacco or liquor compliance checks.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated tobacco and liquor compliance checks
were conducted on December 23, 2020, by the Police Department. A total of sixteen
businesses were checked and there were six tobacco failures and one off-sale liquor
failure.
He explained in accordance with city code, the businesses that failed have been
invited to the Council Meeting regarding the alleged violation. The licensee must
admit or deny the allegation. All seven of the alleged violations are considered first
violations relative to the fine schedule. He noted the penalty, as outlined in the code,
for a first time tobacco violation within a 36–month period is a $300 fine and either
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a suspension of tobacco sales for 3 days or training of all employees by the police
department. The fine for a liquor failure within 24 months is $250 fine and either a
suspension of tobacco sales for 3 days or training of all employees by the police
department. Mr. McDonald informed Council that Sergeant Williams and Chief
Hoyt are in attendance to address any questions regarding the failures. He
recommended that after calling upon each business, the Council make one motion
to impose the fines.
Mayor Hemken called upon representatives of the following businesses:
Business Address Violation
Now Mart 7201 Bass Lake Road Tobacco
New Hope Fuel & Wash 9400 49th Ave N Tobacco
Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits 8202 42nd Ave N Tobacco and Liquor
New Hope Smoke Shop 2767 Winnetka Ave N Tobacco
Family Dollar 2733 Winnetka Ave N Tobacco
Big B’s BP Gas 7800 27th Ave N Tobacco
Mr. Chris Robbins of Now Mart admitted to the alleged violation and requested the
identification training in lieu of the three-day suspension.
It was noted that Mr. Adam Schlangen of New Hope Fuel & Wash called the city
prior to the meeting and admitted to the alleged violation. He requested the three-
day suspension.
Mr. Jack Stortenbecker of Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits admitted to the alleged violations
and requested the identification training in lieu of the three-day suspension.
Mr. Maamoun Askri of New Hope Smoke Shop admitted to the alleged violation
and requested the identification training in lieu of the three-day suspension.
Mayor Hemken requested information regarding Family Dollar. Ms. Valerie Leone,
city clerk, indicated Family Dollar did not respond to the city’s initial
correspondence or phone call. It was noted that a licensee who fails to appear at the
meeting waives his right to contest the allegation of the illegal sale, and the city may
impose the fine and suspension.
Kim and Brad Carlson of Big B’s BP Gas admitted to the alleged violation and
requested the identification training in lieu of the three-day suspension.
Mayor Hemken asked the businesses to be more diligent regarding tobacco sales
to prevent sales to minors. Mayor Hemken thanked everyone for participating in
the virtual meeting. Businesses were advised that the city clerk will mail notices
regarding the fine and option for training in lieu of a license sus pension.
MOTION
Item 7.1
Motion was made by Elder, seconded by Council Member London, to impose
fines as outlined in city code 8-7 and 10-23. Voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder,
Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same: None;
Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
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PUBLIC WORKS
FACILITY
IMPROVEMENTS
PHASE 1
(IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1039)
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution authorizing
preparation of plans and specifications for Phase 1 improvements at the Public
Works facility (Improvement Project No. 1039).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, reported at its January 19 work session, Council
reviewed the proposal to complete the public works facility improvements in two
phases. He stated the estimated cost of Phase I improvements is $1,690,001.83 and
the funding source is the building replacement reserves fund that was created in
2017. Mr. Boyum reviewed the proposed schedule with presentation of plans and
specifications at the April 12 Council Meeting and construction to occur in June.
RESOLUTION 2021-17
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS FOR PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PUBLIC
WORKS FACILITY (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1039).” The motion for the
adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Council Member Hoffe, and
upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Hemken,
Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same: None;
Abstained: None; Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was declared duly
passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
JUST DEEDS
COALITION
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution condemning the
use of discriminatory covenants and approving participation in Just Deeds
coalition.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated the City Council directed staff to prepare
a resolution in support of the Just Deeds coalition at the January 19, 2021, work
session. The coalition “is committed to acknowledging and addressing systemic
racism in housing in Minnesota.” Staff recommends that the City Council pass a
resolution disavowing and condemning the past use of discriminatory covenants,
prohibiting discriminatory covenants from being used in the future, and directing
city staff to participate in the work of the Just Deeds Coalition to educate the
community about this and other historically discriminatory practices.
RESOLUTION 2021-18
Item 10.1
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY
COVENANTS AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN JUST DEEDS
COALITION.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was
seconded by Council Member Isenberg, and upon vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the
following voted against the same: None; Abstained: No ne; Absent: None;
whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted , signed by the
mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Item 12.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to adjourn the meeting, as there was no further business to come before
the Council. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The New Hope City
Council adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk