09 20 21 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session September 20, 2021
Page 1
City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
September 20, 2021
Northwood 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:
Council absent:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
John Elder, Council Member
Staff present:
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Vicki Holthaus, AEM
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager
Aaron Thelen, Recreation Supervisor
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
DIALOGUE WITH
CAC
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Dialogue with Citizens Advisory
Commission.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation and staff liaison to the citizens
advisory commission introduced commission members in attendance: Jill Kaufman,
Scott Kulzer, and Bill Wills. Members Randall Herman (chair), Carrie Neuburger, Rick
Riley, and Mike Terres were not in attendance.
Mr. Scott Kulzer, vice chair, reported on 2021 activities. Discussion ensued regarding
the Adopt a Park program and the Citizens Advisory Commission’s involvement with
city‐wide park inspections/monthly reports.
Mayor Hemken commended the commission on the city‐wide garage sale initiative.
She relayed a few comments she received from the public regarding the date and
duration of the garage sale event.
Council Member London called attention to the meeting held with Three Rivers Park
District. He noted the bike path through Northwood and asked if Three Rivers shared
whether there are plans to add bike trails to any other New Hope parks.
City Council Work Session September 20, 2021
Page 2
Ms. Rader stated the meeting focused on the French Park master plan and gaining
input from commissioners. She stated the Three Rivers Park District may share the
master plan to Council at a later date and the inquiry regarding future bike paths could
be presented at that time.
Discussion ensued regarding the commission’s activities. Mr. Bill Wills noted the
commission strives to promote eve nts that build community and ones that can be
implemented by commissioners rather than asking city staff to take on additional
responsibilities.
Director Rader noted the snowman contest and garage sale events were initiatives led
by the commission. She also noted the commission assists with some parks and
recreation programs/events.
Mayor Hemken explained the Back Acres Garden Club formerly planted flowers in the
13 planters along 42nd Avenue to beautify the city. She wondered whether this might
be an endeavor of interest to the Citizens Advisory Commission.
Council thanked the commission for adopting Liberty Park, conducting park
inspections/reports, and for their community outreach.
2022 GENERAL FUND
BUDGETS
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion of 2022 general fund
budgets with city manager, AEM and department heads.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated the 2022 general fund budget is $16,179,193,
which is an increase of $242,216 (1.5%) over 2021. He stated the tax levy for the general
fund is $11,393,354 which is a $513,889 or 4.72% increase over the 2021 general fund
levy; and the total tax levy for 2022, is $18,231,011 which is a 4.67% increase over the
2021 levy. He noted the 4.67% increase is less than levies proposed by the cities of
Robbinsdale and Crystal. He stated directors will review their respective budgets and
if any matter requires extensive discussion he recommended postponing it until the
October work session to permit the review of all 25 budgets at this meeting. Mr.
McDonald advised Council the enterprise and utility fund budgets will be presented
at the October 18 work session.
The city manager and department directors reviewed major projects or changes
planned for 2022 as outlined in the budget narratives:
Mr. McDonald reported on the proposed budgets for Mayor and Council, City
Manager, Assessing, City Hall, Elections, and Fire Services.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of human resources, reported on the proposed
budgets for Human Resources, Finance, Communications, and IT.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, reported on the
proposed budgets for Planning, Inspections, Legal Services, and EDA.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, director of police, reported on the proposed budgets for Police,
Police Reserves, and Animal Control.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, reported on the proposed budgets
for Streets, Engineering, Street Infrastructure Fund, and Central Garage.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, reported on the proposed
budgets for Recreation, Parks, Swimming Pool, and Park Infrastructure Fund.
City Council Work Session September 20, 2021
Page 3
Staff discussed several proposed minor title changes for staff and the re‐allocation of
staff time between planning and EDA budgets and Human Resources and IT budgets.
Staff addressed questions from Council including the equity of IT charges, ways to
clarify performance measures, increased electronic fee transactions/credit card fees,
newsletter publication changes, increased funding for the Emerald Ash Borer tree
replacement program, and adapting tennis courts for pickleball play. Director Rader
reviewed statistics from the first season of the new aquatics center and received
feedback regarding swim club pool rental fees for 2022.
Council thanked the department heads for their presentations.
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