03 15 21 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session March 15, 2021
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
March 15, 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
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Megan Hedstrom, Stormwater Specialist
Vicki Holthaus, AEM
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Also present: Jim Atchison, Hennepin County Assessor
LOCAL BOARD OF
APPEAL AND
EQUALIZATION
MEETING
DISCUSSION
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discussion with representatives
from county assessor’s office regarding Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
meeting.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, explained that the city’s meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, April 1, 2021.
Mayor Hemken introduced Jim Atchison, county assessor.
Mr. Atchison reviewed the primary function of the assessor’s office, assessment
process, property classification, training of appraisers, appeals process, and the
responsibility of the local board of appeal and equalization. He reported that each year
the estimated market values are analyzed along with sales data from the market. A
recalculation of land and building values was made to all property types. He stated the
city has a total market value of approximately $2,373,278,000 which includes
$29,153,000 in new construction improvements. The overall value increase for all
property types in the city is 5.87%.
Mr. Atchison responded to questions from Council Member London regarding the
number of banking institutions. Mr. Atchison acknowledged the figure should be three
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and he will report back through the city manager regarding why the extra parcels are
listed incorrectly on the document.
Mr. Atchison reported that Rob Winge will be assisting the city with the April 1
meeting.
Council thanked Mr. Atchison for the update.
ENSIGN AVENUE
STOP SIGNS
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discuss stop signs on Ensign
Avenue near 40‐1/2 Avenue North.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, provided a brief history of the stop sign
that was installed mid‐block on Ensign Avenue in 2017 during a road construction
project. He stated after the project was completed, the neighborhood was split on
whether to leave the stop signs in place. The city conducted a traffic study in 2018 and
Council decided to leave the stop signs in place.
He stated a resident requested Council re‐visit the issue.
Chief Tim Hoyt reported on traffic violation statistics between 2017 and 2020 that
showed a reduction (26 violations in 2017 compared to one violation in 2020) as well
as a reduction in speeding violations (eight violations in 2017 compared to zero in
2020). He recommended leaving the stop signs in place.
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, commented that engineering firms follow the
Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices which states stop signs should
be placed within 50 feet of an intersection. He stated stop signs are placed in areas
where warranted and Council has discretion on their placement. It was noted that
based on past surveys the neighborhood is evenly divided for and against the stop
signs.
Mayor Hemken questioned whether the stop signs could be replaced with “Watch for
Children” signage. Mr. Boyum stated such signage does not get the same reaction as
stop signs. Mr. Boyum advised Council that the city could institute lower speed limits.
Council Member London pointed out that Ensign is used as a cut‐through for traffic
avoiding the light at Boone Avenue. He noted that traffic is currently lower due to
many people working from home during the pandemic. He stated he believes any
measure that increases safety is beneficial.
The consensus of the Council was to leave the stop sign in place. The city manager was
directed to notify the resident of Council’s decision.
MEADOW LAKE
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
MEADOW LAKE
COMMUNITY
ACTION PLAN
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Receive presentation on Meadow
Lake Management Plan and the Meadow Lake Community Action Plan.
Ms. Megan Hedstrom, storm water specialist, explained in the spring of 2019 Shingle
Creek Watershed Commission (SCWC) engineers met with the Meadow Lake
Watershed Association (MLWA) to discuss the status and health of Meadow Lake, and
to see if there was any interest from MWLA for an in‐lake management project. The
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lake association expressed interest in a lake management plan and project, and city
staff began discussions with watershed engineers about the potential project.
She explained over the summer and fall, the Meadow Lake Management Plan was
developed by the watershed engineer. This plan targets reducing the internal
phosphorus loading in Meadow Lake. The plan includes preliminary monitoring and
a winter drawdown of Meadow Lake. Following the drawdown, Meadow Lake will
be monitored for at least two years to evaluate the effects of the drawdown. A partial
summer drawdown may be necessary to stimulate native plant growth. Finally, an
alum treatment will be applied to Meadow Lake. Overall, it is anticipated this plan
would take place between 2021 and 2028. The city has been funding work on this
project in 2020 and early 2021.
Ms. Hedstrom stated in addition to the Meadow Lake Management Plan, the city and
MLWA have been working to develop the “Meadow Lake Community Action Plan”.
This plan targets reducing the external phosphorus loading in Meadow Lake. While
the city and MLWA have both worked diligently installing storm water treatment in
this watershed, more improvements are still needed to meet state water quality
standards. The Meadow Lake Community Action Plan identifies ways that both the
city and residents can help make improvements to water quality in Meadow Lake.
The Meadow Lake Community Action Plan also acts as a guide for storm water
education city‐wide. Many of the goals identified in this plan align closely with new
permit requirements from the MPCA. The city will need to renew the MS4 permit with
the MPCA in April of 2021, and portions of this plan will need to be executed city wide
to meet more stringent new requirements by the state.
Ms. Hedstrom reviewed the project costs and stated the city has funded $18,546 of
design and planning costs that will be fully reimbursed by the commission in July of
2021 through grant funds.
Mayor Hemken inquired of the plan to reduce the potential dead fish odor.
Ms. Hedstrom stated the fish will die in the winter months and in the spring it will be
necessary to expedite removal of the dead fish.
Council expressed support of the draft plan and requested that the city’s egg addling
program for the golf course and Meadow Lake be added to the action plan. Ms.
Hedstrom stated she will make the revision and present the plan for adoption on
March 22, 2021.
Council Member London questioned whether the goal is to achieve the shallow lake
standards. Ms. Hedstrom noted the shallow lake standards are challenging and likely
unattainable. She stated the goal is to return the lake to a clear water state.
Council Member London pointed out the negative impacts of road salt to water
quality.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, explained that the city uses less salt than
in past years. He stated intersections are the only places where salt is distributed.
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Council thanked Ms. Hedstrom and the residents of the Meadow Lake Watershed
Association for their efforts.
PARKS AND REC
AND PUBLIC WORKS
CIP
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discussion regarding city’s capital
improvement program (CIP) for parks and recreation and public works departments
for 2021‐2030.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated Ms. Vicki Holthaus, AEM, prepared a
summary memo providing an overview of each fund over the ten‐year period. He
recommended staff review two years of CIP items in detail with Council.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, reviewed CIP expenditures for 2021
and 2022 for the golf course, ice arena, parks, and community gyms. Mr. Bernie Weber,
director of public works, reviewed planned CIP expenditures for 2021 and 2022
including central garage, public works facility improvements, street infrastructure,
storm water, and water funds. Directors Rader and Weber also highlighted major
projects planned for years 2023 through 2030.
Council also discussed the proposed improvements on Winnetka at the railroad track
crossing, security improvements at the ice arena including parking lot lighting, and
drainage issues at Civic Center Park playground.
Ms. Vicki Holthaus, AEM, explained that the memo and report that were distributed
include projections of the CIP for street, park, central garage, sewer, water, storm
water, street light, ice arena, and golf operational expenses using an inflationary factor
and capital expenses based on the equipment replacement schedule. She stated a full
scale analysis of the CIP and funds was presented last November. She indicated based
on data provided by the directors, the CIP is reviewed at this time to ensure there are
no cash flow issues. She noted the only fund that may need attention is the street light
fund.
Discussion ensued regarding the inflationary percentage. Ms. Holthaus noted a 4% rate
was utilized for the revenue instead of a 5% rate.
Council thanked staff for the update.
GOLF COURSE
BUSINESS PLAN
Item 11.5
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, Discuss metrics for Golf Course
Business Plan.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, explained a three‐year business plan
was developed in 2018 as a result of discussions regarding the construction of the west
patio at the golf course. She stated the key objectives for 2019‐2021 included: to provide
additional opportunities for social gatherings and to encourage golfers to stay longer;
make use of relationships and word‐of‐mouth to make the golf course an attractive use
for the Ironwood Apartment residents; and expand facility amenities to allow for a
variety of opportunities for non‐golf activities.
Director Rader stated several of the metrics have been updated for Council review. At
AEM’s recommendation, the metrics will be included in future quarterly reports.
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Ms. Rader reported on golf revenue between years 2019 and 2020. Discussion ensued
regarding possible kitchen facility upgrade and ways to increase beer sales.
Council Member London commended staff on the business plan. He noted the city is
fortunate to offer amenities that can cover operational costs.
Director Rader credited Mark Severson, recreation facilities manager, for his efforts.
She also thanked Council for its support of the recreation facilities.
OTHER BUSINESS Council discussed correspondence from a resident at Wingate Apartments
recommending that overnight on‐street parking be permitted on 49th Avenue. Council
determined that no action was necessary on the matter.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk