04 26 21 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council April 26, 2021
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes April 26, 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.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The City Council and all present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
Brandon Bell, Community Development Assistant
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Beth Kramer, Communications Coordinator
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 15, 2021. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
Hoffe, to approve the work session meeting minutes of April 19, 2021. Voted in
favor thereof: Hemken, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: Elder; Absent: None. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
PRESENTATIONS:
2021 NEW HOPE
SNOWMAN/SNOW
SCULPTURE
CONTEST WINNER
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Awards presentation for the
2020‐2021 New Hope Snowman/Snow Sculpture Contest Winners.
Mr. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, stated this is the fourth year of
the contest that was open to New Hope individuals, families, neighborhoods, and
groups. She introduced Rick Riley, citizens advisory commissioner, in attendance
New Hope City Council April 26, 2021
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to assist with the awards presentation. Ms. Rader shared photos of the 14 entries
and congratulated the contest winners:
Third place – Dagda, created by the Hodgson family
Second place – Flash and Frosty, created by Jasper and Jordan Noll
First Place – the Snowmen of New Hope are also Slowing the Spread,
created by Caroline, Isaac and Owen Donnay
She stated winners were given a choice of a cash prize or a certificate towards a
parks and recreation program.
Mayor Hemken thanked the contestants for participating and thanked the Citizen
Advisory Commission for sponsoring the fun winter contest.
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 April 26, 2021.
RESOLUTION 2021‐52
Item 6.4
Resolution declaring adoption and implementation of State performance
measures.
RESOLUTION 2021‐53
Item 6.5
Resolution approving a joint powers agreement between the city of New Hope and
the city of Crystal for utility reconstruction work on Louisiana Avenue North
between 36th Avenue North and Markwood Avenue North which shares a
common boundary between the cities (Improvement Project No. 1072).
RESOLUTION 2021‐54
Item 6.6
Resolution approving a joint powers agreement with the city of New Hope and
Canadian Pacific Railway for the replacement of the crossing surface at the
Canadian Pacific railroad crossing at railroad mile post 8.62 on the Paynesville
Subdivision (Boone Avenue Railroad Crossing Project No. 1067).
RESOLUTION 2021‐55
Item 6.7
Resolution approving a contract with Reliakor Services, Inc. for disposal of debris
collected during the spring 2021 street sweeping operation.
RESOLUTION 2021‐56
Item 6.8
Resolution approving agreement with the New Hope/Crystal/Plymouth Swim
Club for use of the New Hope Aquatic Park for summer practices and meets.
RESOLUTION 2021‐57
Item 6.9
Resolution approving an agreement with Off Broadway Musical Theatre for the
2021 season.
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
London, to approve the Consent items. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
New Hope City Council April 26, 2021
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CUP
CSDC FACILITIES
CORPORATION
(PLANNING CASE
21‐04)
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution approving
Conditional Use Permit for CSDC Facilities Corporation at 4741 Zealand Ave. N.
(New Hope Planning Case 21‐04).
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, stated CSDC Facilities
Corporation submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow
for a charter school to be located at 4741 Zealand Avenue North. Escuela Exitos
(“School of Successes”) would rent the building from the CSDC Facilities
Corporation and operate a K‐8, two‐way dual language Spanish/English
immersion school. The property is currently owned by New Hope Church and is
used for youth ministry and auxiliary church functions. The proposed
redevelopment would include predominantly interior renovations of the existing
31,500 square foot structure. The proposed plans involve enlarging the parking lot
to the north and east of the existing building and constructing a bus access lane
along the north side of the site from Boone Avenue North. Escuela Exitos intends
to serve 165 students during the 2021‐2022 school year with enrollment increasing
and capping out at 390 students by the 2023‐2024 school year. According to the
applicant, the school model would meet “a growing demand of families in New
Hope and surrounding communities that currently sit on long waitlists for
immersion school options.”
The applicant has provided supplemental materials in response to two topics that
were discussed at the April 6, 2021, Planning Commission meeting:
Possible Change of Hours at Cooper High School
The District 281 School Board is in the process of discussing school start/end times
and may change class hours for students in the future, with high school students
beginning class at 8:35 a.m. and ending at 3:35 p.m. This could potentially affect
Cooper High School, which is located directly to the east of 4740 Zealand Avenue
North. Escuela Exitos intends to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Swing Traffic
Solutions investigated the traffic impact of the potential change to high school
start/end times and amended the traffic study to state, “Given the relative size of
high schoolʹs trip generation, the proposed charter school has a negligible impact
on the overall traffic conditions compared to the high school.” At full enrollment,
it is anticipated that Escuela Exitos would have a maximum of eight buses and 26
personal vehicles traveling to the school twice per day.
Loading and Unloading of Personal Vehicles
There were some concerns about the safety of students being dropped off and
picked up by personal vehicles. It is estimated that 10% of students will arrive by
personal vehicle, resulting in an estimated 26 pick‐ups and drop‐offs each day. In
the morning, vehicles dropping off students would enter the south parking lot
access on Zealand Avenue and circulate through the parking lot in a clockwise
pattern. Students would be dropped off adjacent to the front entrance. Staff would
be outside to help safely direct these transactions. The vehicles would then
continue out the north parking lot access onto Zealand Avenue North. Subsequent
to the Planning Commission meeting, additional safety zones and parking lot
striping were added to the site in order to further segregated bus traffic, car
transactions for pick‐up/drop‐off, and car travel through the site. As stated in the
applicant’s supplemental transportation narrative, “the majority of arriving
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students will ride in the back seat of vehicles. All arriving student passengers will
be provided orientation and will be required and reminded to exit cars from the
driver side, closest to the building. In the more limited event of front passengers,
the striped safety zones provide additional buffer between cars picking
up/dropping off students and any through traffic vehicles on the site. The striped
safety zones also provide clear crosswalk areas from the cars to the school
building.” Additionally, the applicant states, “School staff will always be present
in the morning and afternoon at multiple locations in the parking lot, bus zone,
and pick‐up/drop‐off zone to coordinate and direct bus and car traffic. For car pick‐
ups, all parents are provided a numbered card that is displayed in the dash. Staff
use walkie‐talkies to then radio for the students associated to that number to exit
the building. This procedure ensures close monitoring of students, ensures timely
departure, limits idling vehicles, and limits pedestrian traffic.” Cones and movable
signage may also be used to slow traffic and delineate between bus zones, safety
zones, and pick‐up/drop‐off zones.
Prior to submitting an application, the applicant explored the possibility of having
personal vehicles enter the site from the north driveway on Zealand Avenue North
and then following a counter clockwise traffic pattern. Such a configuration would
require two‐way traffic within the north drive aisle as buses would be unable to
maneuver in order to exit via the south driveway. This would result in buses
exiting via the north driveway and crossing paths with passenger vehicles. After
completing the analysis, the applicant’s engineering team determined that the
clockwise flow, as proposed with the application, was the safest option for the site.
Staff agrees that the clockwise flow is the safest option. The Police Department also
reviewed the proposed traffic circulation patterns and drop‐off/pick‐up plans for
the school and agreed with the recommendation from the Planning Commission
to approve the CUP.
Mr. Alger stated subsequent to the April 6 Planning Commission meeting, House
of Hope Lutheran Church submitted a letter in support of the project. The church
borders the subject property directly to the north.
Mr. Alger stated the Planning Commission considered the request for a CUP
allowing for a charter school to be located at 4741 Zealand Avenue North and
recommended approval with a 9‐0 vote, subject to the following conditions:
1. Driveway off Boone Avenue North shall be used for buses and deliveries
only, with both sides striped/signed as fire lanes. Appropriate “walk closed”
signage shall be installed to direct pedestrians to west side of Boone Avenue
North during construction of driveway.
2. Signage reserving parking spaces for staff shall be installed in areas where
access will be restricted due to staging of buses in the afternoon.
3. Snow storage shall not be allowed within three‐foot and five‐foot setbacks
along north property line. If snow storage areas shown on site plan do not
provide sufficient space, snow shall be removed from site.
4. New sidewalk entrance at Boone Avenue North shall meet ADA
requirements.
5. Fence up to six feet in height shall be allowed to enclose proposed play area.
6. Applicant shall provide detailed elevation of trash enclosure sides and rear,
illustrating that exterior materials meet city design standards. Trash pick‐up
New Hope City Council April 26, 2021
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shall be scheduled at times when vehicles will not be parked in adjacent
stalls.
7. Protections/preservation measures for trees on adjoining property north
of proposed driveway shall be instituted during construction. Subject trees
shall not be damaged or injured as a result of any trimming required to
accommodate bus traffic.
8. Photometric plan shall meet minimum lighting standards for buildings,
parking lots, and pedestrian areas.
9. Grading, drainage, storm sewer, and erosion control plans shall be subject
to review and final approval by city engineer.
10. Applicant shall enter into storm water maintenance agreement with city
(to be prepared by city attorney).
11. As‐built drawings shall be provided to city following completion of
project.
Council Member London noted staff advised the proposal is good for the overall
community and it meets the city’s comprehensive plan. He pointed out that
students of the charter school will likely be drawn from the Robbinsdale School
District community. He asked whether any consideration was given regarding the
potential financial hardship this may cause the Robbinsdale School District.
Mr. Alger stated the proposal was reviewed from a land use and site
improvements perspective. The proposal is consistent with the comprehensive
plan. He stated the applicant may wish to comment on the student population
issue.
Council Member London asked if the building needed improvements.
Mr. Alger stated the applicant intends to make significant upgrades to the interior
(for classrooms) and the footprint of the building will not change.
Council Member London inquired regarding the timeframe of the traffic study.
City Engineer Boyum stated the traffic estimates were based on 2016 traffic counts
with an annual 0.5 percent growth assumption plus the school‐generated traffic.
He commented on the inability to conduct a traffic study at this time as it would
not be accurate due to decreased traffic during the pandemic.
Council Member London shared his experience as a parent picking up children
from school and the long lines of cars. He stated he believes there will be greater
than the estimated 26 cars for student dropoff/pickup. He also inquired whether
the applicant has developed a capital reserve plan for future improvements and if
the charter school will relocate if additional space is needed.
Council Member Hoffe inquired whether Escuela Exitos has other school locations.
Council Member Elder asked whether the building is large enough to
accommodate the school.
Mr. Louis Vanegas, executive director of Escuela Exitos, was recognized. He
explained his background in education and responded to questions from Council
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regarding the proposed Spanish/English immersion school. Mr. Vanegas stated he
believes there is a great need for Spanish immersion schools. He stated the school
will be their first one in Minnesota and he is hopeful to expand elsewhere in the
state. Mr. Vanegas commented on the advantages of New Hope’s central location
and noted they will utilize four to five buses for the majority of students and the
bus rides should take less than 45 minutes. He stated the building will be divided
to provide 20 classrooms. He noted the Robbinsdale School District owns property
near the site that could possibly be purchased for future expansion. He thanked
the city planner and staff for working collaboratively and commented on the
positive application experience with the city.
Council Member London asked the applicant to explain how he intends to meet
performance standards and to elaborate on the goal to reduce the achievement gap.
Mr. Vanegas explained his 16 years’ experience in improving student performance.
He noted the two‐way dual language learning environment and also commented
on his vision for a parent literacy program that will help with student academics.
Council welcomed Mr. Vanegas to the city.
RESOLUTION 2021‐58
Item 8.1
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
CSDC FACILITIES CORPORATION AT 4741 ZEALAND AVE. N. (NEW HOPE
PLANNING CASE 21‐04).” 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: None;
Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted,
signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NOS. 1055 &
1059
Item 8.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.2, Resolution awarding low bid
of $81,871 to T. A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. for playground site work at Corner Park
(Improvement Project No. 1055) and for basketball court replacement at Little Acre
Park (Improvement Project No. 1059).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, stated bids were solicited from eight contractors for
playground site work at Corner Park and for basketball court replacement at Little
Acre Park. T.A. Schifsky & Sons submitted the low quote of $81,871 for the work
which includes replacement of the playground container, entrance ramp,
pedestrian curb, replacement of the sidewalk, and a concrete pad for a bench. The
basketball court portion of the project includes removal and replacement of the
existing court and hoops at Little Acre Park. He stated the projects were combined
for design and construction efficiencies. Mr. Boyum pointed out that T.A. Schifsky
& Sons was recently awarded the 2021 street infrastructure project. He reviewed
the project costs, funding, and schedule.
RESOLUTION 2021‐59
Item 8.2
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AWARDING LOW BID OF $81,871 TO T. A.
SCHIFSKY & SONS, INC. FOR PLAYGROUND SITE WORK AT CORNER
PARK (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1055) AND FOR BASKETBALL
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COURT REPLACEMENT AT LITTLE ACRE PARK (IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1059).” 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.
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1055
Item 8.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.3, Resolution awarding contracts
with Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures for $96,862.22 for playground
equipment and installation at Corner Park (Improvement Project No. 1055).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, stated the play equipment at Corner Park was last
replaced in 1997. He stated staff recommends awarding a contract with Flagship
Recreation and Landscape Structures for $96,862.22 for playground equipment at
Corner Park located at 4653 47th Avenue North. The contract includes purchase
and installation of playground equipment, pea rock, playground mats, geotextile
fabric, and engineered wood fiber. The equipment purchase will be through
Landscape Structures, and the installation will be handled by Landscape
Structures. Both vendors are part of the state cooperative purchasing program. As
a cost‐savings measure, public works staff will remove the old play equipment and
procure and install two new benches and a park sign. In 2011 the city began using
a playground vendor who offered a program to refurbish equipment. Similar to
past projects input was sought from the neighborhood. He stated there is $185,000
earmarked for the project.
Discussion ensued regarding neighborhood participation on park projects.
Director Rader explained that the city conducted two mailings to the
neighborhood soliciting input on design and play equipment through a survey.
She stated in addition to the surveys, two residents served on the committee and
provided a high level of involvement.
Council Member Elder applauded parks and recreation staff on the community
engagement. He noted many cities have the playground equipment vendor select
the equipment instead of determining the type of equipment that would best serve
the neighborhood.
Director Rader informed Council that one of the benches will have a plaque in
memory of Mary Arnold who served on the Personnel Board for many years and
resided near Corner Park.
RESOLUTION 2021‐60
Item 8.3
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACTS WITH FLAGSHIP
RECREATION AND LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES FOR $96,862.22 FOR
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION AT CORNER PARK
(IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1055).” 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:
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None; Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and
adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS FOR
OUTDOOR DINING
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Ordinance No. 21‐03, an
ordinance amending Sections 4‐16 CB, Community Business District and 4‐17 CC,
City Center District of the New Hope City Code related to performance standards
for outdoor dining.
Mr. Brandon Bell, community development assistant, stated staff is recommending
a text amendment to the city code to allow freestanding restaurants in the CB and
CC districts to exceed 30 percent of their outdoor dining size restriction provided
they meet parking and setback conditions. He stated the application was
submitted by Pub42 as they would like to expand their outdoor dining area. Mr.
Bell reviewed the outdoor dining performance standards. He stated the Planning
Commission considered the ordinance amendment at its April 6 meeting and
recommended approval with a 9‐0 vote.
Mr. Bell responded to questions from Council. He stated other freestanding
restaurants such as Hy‐Vee and Country Kitchen could benefit from the text
amendment. He explained the 30 percent of outdoor dining size restriction is
designed to prevent overcrowding of areas, meet setbacks and parking
requirements. He noted freestanding buildings would not have the parking
overlap that is common in multi‐tenant buildings.
Council Member London asked whether Pub42 is expanding the restaurant
capacity with the outdoor dining expansion and if they have sufficient parking.
Mr. Bell stated the fire marshal has reviewed and approved Pub42’s application
related to occupancy. He stated the parking lot meets the city’s requirements.
Mr. Steven Wagenheim, owner of Pub42, was recognized. He thanked the City
Council for their support to small businesses and retail businesses during the
pandemic. He noted the patio will allow more customers to be seated outdoors.
He also spoke of the visibility and stated outdoor dining areas tend to draw new
customers.
Council thanked Pub42 for being a great community partner.
ORDINANCE 21‐03
Item 10.1
Council Member Elder introduced the following ordinance and moved its
adoption: “ORDINANCE NO. 21‐03, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTIONS 4‐16 CB, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT AND 4‐17 CC, CITY
CENTER DISTRICT OF THE NEW HOPE CITY CODE RELATED TO
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR DINING.” The motion for the
adoption of the foregoing ordinance 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: None; Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was declared duly
passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
New Hope City Council April 26, 2021
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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.
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 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk