02 16 21 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session February 16, 2021
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
February 16, 2021
Civic Center Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in work session pursuant to due call and notice thereof;
Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Brandon Bell, Community Development Assistant
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Brad Kallio, Crime Prevention Officer
Beth Kramer, Communications Coordinator
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Mike TenEyck, Police Sergeant
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
Also present: Tim Pratt, HRG Administrator
ORGANICS
COLLECTION
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Review proposed revisions to
New Hope City Code regarding organics collection.
Mr. Brandon Bell, community development assistant, explained that cities in Hennepin
County must provide curbside collection of organics by January, 2022. The HRG Board
consisting of New Hope, Crystal and Brooklyn Center has decided that the best
approach to fulfilling this obligation with the county is to amend the city code so that
all garbage haulers licensed in the city are required to offer an organics collection
service to their customers. Mr. Bell stated in addition to the proposed code amendment
staff recommends other code revisions to address outdated verbiage and align city
code with state statutes. He reviewed the proposed ordinance amendments regarding
garbage, recycling and organics collection. Mr. Bell reported that Tim Pratt, HRG
Administrator, is available for questions. He also stated the licensed refuse haulers
have been notified of the work session meeting and the proposed ordinance
amendments, and staff has not received any calls from haulers.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated staff recommends adoption of the ordinance
prior to January 1 to allow time to notify haulers and the public.
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Ms. Stacy Woods, city attorney, recommended the city notify haulers after the
ordinance is adopted that the organics recycling requirement won’t be enforced until
January 1, 2022.
Discussion ensued regarding the type of container to be used for organics. Mr. Pratt
stated haulers will decide on the container they plan to offer such as bags or bins as
well as the price for collection.
Mayor Hemken inquired if the city can restrict haulers from using a separate truck for
organics collection.
Mr. McDonald commented that one reason the HRG Board recommended that each
garbage hauler be required to offer organics collection was to prevent an additional
separate truck for the collection of organics.
Ms. Stacy Woods, city attorney, commented that the licensed haulers may determine
it is more efficient to collect organics along with garbage collection (same truck). Mr.
Pratt noted it could depend on the compost site. Currently Randy’s Sanitation utilizes
a patented blue bag for organics that residents can place in their trash containers which
gets separated from the garbage at a facility. The service is offered at $4.83 per month.
Council Member London reported on the garbage hauler competition with rates. He
questioned whether the city can legally prohibit a separate truck for the collection of
organics.
Council directed the city attorney to research whether the city can restrict garbage
haulers from using a separate truck for the collection of organics.
Mr. McDonald indicated he will report the city attorney’s findings to Council at a later
date and the ordinance amendments will be presented to Council at a future meeting.
Council thanked Mr. Bell and Mr. Pratt for their work on the proposed ordinance
amendments.
CITY SERVICES
SURVEY
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discuss City Services Survey and
Reaffirm Values and Vision Statement.
Mr. Brandon Bell, community development assistant, stated the city has participated
in the statewide performance measures survey program since 2011 and receives
reimbursement of approximately $3,051 from the state. He explained a professional
survey is typically conducted every five years and was delayed in 2020 due to the
pandemic. He stated the city services was conducted instead. He asked Council to
consider whether the professional Morris Leatherman survey should be done in 2021
at a cost of $22,000 or delayed another year.
Council discussed the services and programs that were not offered or altered due to
COVID‐19. Council discussed postponing the professional survey until fall or delaying
it another year. It was determined it would be more beneficial to delay the professional
survey for another year. Council Member Isenberg suggested a question be posed
regarding how the city handled services during the pandemic.
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Mr. McDonald stated staff will prepare the questions for the 2021 city services survey
and present to Council at a later date.
Council reaffirmed the Values and Vision Statement.
BODY WORN
CAMERAS
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Discuss implementation of police
department’s body worn cameras (BWC).
Mr. Tim Hoyt, director of police, presented the proposed purchase of 35 body worn
cameras and 17 in‐car video systems for police officers and the animal control officer.
He stated the purchase (including licensing, warranty, and installation) is $203,000
from Watch Guard. Mr. Hoyt stated the 2021 CIP contains $156,000 for the purchase,
and it is recommended that the $47,000 shortfall be covered by the projected savings
of wages in the police department as a result of staff transitions. He stated the annual
projected cost is $33,640 for software, licensing, and server storage.
He explained the body‐worn camera program was originally proposed as a two‐year
phased approach but for safety reasons it is recommended that all 35 units be
purchased to ensure transparency and accountability.
Chief Hoyt reviewed policies, procedures, and guidelines for the use of the recording
devices. He reviewed the timeline for implementation, including education to the
public. He stated a public comment opportunity will be scheduled at the March 8
Council Meeting.
Council supported the purchase to protect officers and the public. The need for
community education and engagement was discussed. Mayor Hemken suggested
using the services of CCX for a news story. Council Member London recommended a
FAQ be posted on the city’s website. Mr. McDonald indicated the police department is
working with the communications coordinator on public education of the body worn
camera program.
ADMINISTRATIVE
POSITIONS
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discussion regarding vacant
administrative positions in the police department.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of HR/administrative services, provided an update on
staffing vacancies in the police department. He stated it has been determined to recruit
for an administrative specialist and not fill the crime analyst/prevention specialist
position at this time. He noted although the administrative specialist position was not
included in the proposed 2021 budget, the crime analyst position was included in the
budget. He also noted other vacancies in the police department will result in budget
savings.
Council supported the recruitment for an administrative specialist in the police
department.
TIP411
Item 11.5
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, Discussion regarding launch of
Tip411 community engagement tool.
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Officer Kallio, Sergeant TenEyck, and Communications Coordinator Kramer explained
the city’s launch of the tip411 community engagement tool. Staff shared that tip411 is
a custom, agency‐branded application that builds trust and provides transparency to
community members by enabling two‐way anonymous tip submission through text,
email, weblinks, or social media. Tip411 also allows administrators to send community
alerts through the app, email, text and social media.
Ms. Kramer pointed out a couple differences between tip411 and CodeRED. She stated
CodeRED can call a landline unlike tip411. Also CodeRED is for outgoing
communications whereas tip411 allows two‐way communication.
Council inquired of different levels of alerts. Police personnel advised Council that
when the app is downloaded, the user can select the group they desire to subscribe to
(crime alerts, business group, etc).
Council expressed support for tip411.
OTHER BUSINESS Mr. McDonald stated a resident has inquired about the stop signs on Ensign Avenue
near 40‐1/2 Avenue. Council directed staff to place the item on the March work session
agenda.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk