01 10 22 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council January 10, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes January 10, 2022
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
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member
London, to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 13, 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 Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve the work session meeting minutes of December 20, 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.
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.
BUSINESS LICENSES
Item 6.1
Approval of business licenses.
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FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through January 10, 2022.
RESOLUTION 2022‐01
Item 6.4
Resolution appointing city attorney.
RESOLUTION 2022‐02
Item 6.5
Resolution appointing Dan Boyum of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. as city
engineer for sewer, water, street, and storm sewer projects and general work.
RESOLUTION 2022‐03
Item 6.6
Resolution appointing New Hope – Golden Valley Sun Post as official newspaper
for city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐04
Item 6.7
Resolution designating Wells Fargo as depository for payroll account and general
or special funds of the city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐05
Item 6.8
Resolution designating depositories for funds of the city of New Hope relative to
investments.
RESOLUTION 2022‐06
Item 6.9
Resolution delegating authority to the city manager to pay claims prior to city
council approval and make electronic transfers for the payment of claims for 2022.
RESOLUTION 2022‐07
Item 6.10
Resolution appointing city manager as director to the HRG Board for a term
expiring December 31, 2022.
WEED INSPECTOR
Item 6.11
Appointment of assistant weed inspector for 2022.
RESOLUTION 2022‐08
Item 6.12
Resolution ordering published notice and scheduling public hearing to approve
the projected use of funds for the 2022 Urban Hennepin County Community
Development Block Grant Program.
BOARD OF APPEAL
Item 6.13
Approval of April 14, 2022, as date for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
Meeting.
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.
HIDDEN VALLEY
PARK
(IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1078)
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Motion to authorize
preparation of plans and specifications for playground improvements at Hidden
Valley Park (Improvement Project No. 1078).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, stated Hidden Valley Park is located at 32nd and
Boone avenues, and most of the equipment was last replaced in 1998. He reported
the playground equipment in the tot area was replaced in 2017 due to an arson
incident. He illustrated the existing two containers and playground equipment. He
reported the proposed improvements include replacement of the playground
equipment in the larger container, using concrete edging to combine the two
containers into one, review options for eliminating the retaining wall, replacing
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sand with engineered wood fiber, new benches, remove ash and other trees
affected by the improvements, possibly add shade structure, and replace Hidden
Valley Park sign. He explained the neighborhood will be involved similar to other
past park projects, and following the neighborhood committee meetings, the
preferred design will be brought forward for Council approval. Mr. Boyum stated
the cost estimate is $250,000 and the project will be funded by the park
infrastructure fund.
Mr. Boyum reviewed the project schedule with construction to commence this
spring.
Council Member Elder inquired of the purpose of combining the two play
containers.
Mr. Boyum explained there would be a cost savings as less concrete would be
required for one container instead of two, and only one ADA ramp would be
required instead of two.
Discussion ensued regarding the removal of a mature maple tree. Mr. Boyum
stated the forester would be consulted and tree removal will depend on
neighborhood input and the final design plan. He noted new tree(s) could be
planted elsewhere within the park if so desired.
Council Member London encouraged staff to try to utilize the majority of funds
for actual playground equipment rather than other site amenities.
Mr. Boyum noted site improvements usually costs approximately $50,000.
Council Member Elder commented on the importance of undertaking site
improvements that provide durability. He provided an example of plastic edging
that lasts under five years versus concrete edging that is more permanent.
Ms. Susan Rader, parks and recreation director, stated if concrete is installed in
2022, it will not have to be replaced when a future play equipment replacement
project is undertaken at this park. Ms. Rader noted Hidden Valley Park is a popular
community park with high usage.
MOTION
Item 8.1
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to authorize preparation of plans and specifications for playground
improvements at Hidden Valley Park. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR PRO TEM
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution appointing a
council member as mayor pro tem for 2022.
City Manager Kirk McDonald noted the mayor pro tem position is rotated based on
seniority. Council unanimously supported the nomination of Council Member Andy
Hoffe as mayor pro tem for 2022.
RESOLUTION 2022‐09
Item 10.1
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPOINTING A COUNCIL MEMBER AS MAYOR
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PRO TEM FOR 2022.” 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.
2022 CITY MANAGER
GOALS
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.1, Motion approving city
manager goals for 2022.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated his employment agreement calls for
defining goals annually in January. Mr. McDonald stated he presented the initial
list of goals at the December 20 work session.
MOTION
Item 11.1
Motion was made by Council Member London, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, approving city manager goals for 2022. All present voted in favor.
Motion carried.
CITY MANAGER
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.2, Resolution approving 12th
amendment to city manager employment agreement.
Mr. Kirk McDonald stated the Council reviewed his performance at the December
20 work session and the city attorney has prepared the amendment to the
employment agreement per Council’s direction.
Council expressed their appreciation for Mr. McDonald’s job performance.
RESOLUTION 2022‐10
Item 11.2
Council Member Hoffe introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING 12TH AMENDMENT TO CITY
MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.” The motion for the adoption of the
foregoing resolution was seconded by Council Member Elder, 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.
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.
Mayor Hemken stated the Council conducted commission candidate interviews
prior to the council meeting.
Motion was made by Isenberg, seconded by Elder, to appoint Mike Terres, Ray
Alkalai, and Howard Kaplan to Planning Commission; Jere Gwin‐Lenth to the
Bassett Creek Watershed; and Jeffrey Harper to the Citizens Advisory
Commission. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
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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 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk