Loading...
01 25 21 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council January 25, 2021 Page 1 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 New Hope City Council January 25, 2021 Page 2 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 New Hope City Council January 25, 2021 Page 3 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. New Hope City Council January 25, 2021 Page 4 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. New Hope City Council January 25, 2021 Page 5 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