01 18 22 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session January 18, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
January 18, 2022
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:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Council absent: Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Vicki Holthaus, Abdo
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
CANADIAN PACIFIC
RAIL REGIONAL
TRAIL
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discuss Canadian Pacific Rail
Regional Trail with Three Rivers Park District Staff.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, introduced representatives with
Three Rivers Park District. She reported that the Park District has a general master plan
for the entire corridor but is starting the master planning for the local segment of trail.
She indicated staff from the cities of New Hope, Crystal, and Golden Valley attended
a meeting in December to discuss the trail planning process.
Ms. Kelly Grissman, director of planning, and Mr. Danny McCullough, regional trail
system manager, shared the purpose of the Master Plan for the Canadian Pacific Rail
Regional Trail that will be a multi‐year project. Ms. Grissman explained the Canadian
Pacific Rail Regional Trail is a 21‐mile regional trail corridor that will extend from
Becker Park in Crystal south to the Minnesota River, connecting six communities (New
Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Edina and Bloomington) The proposed
trail alignment will also connect to three regional trail search corridors and six regional
trails, including the Bassett Creek Regional Trail which runs east‐west through New
Hope mostly along 36th Avenue and through Northwood Park. She stated the current
focus is on possible routes between Luce Line and Crystal Lake Regional Trails.
Ms. Grissman requested the city’s input on concerns and goals to consider during the
planning process. Council discussed possible engagement ideas including city‐
sponsored events.
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Ms. Grissman and Mr. McCullough stated the city will be informed of the ongoing
progress and a proposal will be presented to the City Council prior to the community
engagement process. The city will be asked to adopt a resolution of support for
adoption of the master plan in the winter of 2022‐23.
Council expressed support for the master planning process.
MEMORIALS/
DONATIONS,
NAMING OF
FACILITIES AND
DEDICATIONS
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion on
memorials/donations, naming of facilities, and dedications.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, explained that staff is seeking
direction from the City Council on renaming the athletic fields at Northwood Park in
memory of Art Field and dedicating the bridge at Northwood Park in recognition of
Harvey Feldman.
Ms. Rader reviewed the naming of parks and facilities policy as well as practices on
acceptance of donations and memorials.
Ms. Rader stated on November 13, 2021, longtime New Hope supporter and volunteer,
Art Field passed away. In addition to his many volunteer hours with the New Hope
Lions, Duk Duk Daze, Farmer’s Market and other city events and activities, he also
worked as a seasonal employee for the parks and recreation department, including
parks, ice arena and golf course. His years of service and dedication to New Hope was
greatly appreciated and staff had been discussing various opportunities to honor his
dedication. Police CSO Scott Anderson made a request to the City Council and staff to
rename the athletic fields at Northwood Park in memory of Art and staff feels this
would be a perfect tribute. If Council is supportive, staff will purchase a sign similar
to the park name signs and have it installed near the softball fields. The purchase
would be made through the Parks Infrastructure Fund. She illustrated the proposed
sign.
Ms. Rader explained that the Field Family recognized Art’s love for the city of New
Hope and asked for memorial donations to be made to the parks and recreation
department in lieu of flowers. Staff will be working with the family this winter to
determine a specific use for the donations received. Once a decision has been made,
staff will share the details with the Council.
In December, Mary and Jere Gwin‐Lenth contacted Mayor Hemken and requested that
one of the bridges at Northwood Park be dedicated to Harvey Feldman. Mr. Feldman
was New Hope’s first parks and recreation director from 1963‐1969 and was
instrumental in creating the park system. He’s always had a special connection with
Northwood Park and is a neighbor of the park. The Gwin‐Lenth’s have offered to pay
for the signage. Staff supports recognizing Mr. Feldman’s contributions and if the
Council agrees, staff recommends purchasing a sign through the Parks budget and
installing it near the bridge.
Council acknowledged the contributions made by both individuals and expressed
support for renaming the Northwood Park athletic fields in memory of Art Field and
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dedicating the bridge at Northwood Park in recognition of Harvey Feldman. Ms. Rader
stated she would coordinate the purchase and be in contact with both families.
MINNESOTA
GREENSTEP CITIES
PROGRAM
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Update on city’s participation in
the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program.
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, stated the city has been involved
with the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program since 2015. He stated New Hope has
attained step 3 of the program and has completed 92 best practice actions. The city was
presented with the Sustainable City Award in 2017 by the League of Minnesota Cities.
He stated New Hope ranks fourth amongst 144 participating cities. Mr. Alger reviewed
the 2021 actions (participation in Hennepin County’s pre‐demolition inspection
program, LED lighting at the fire station, adoption of five storm drains near city hall
through the statewide “Adopt a Drain” program, and water bottle filling stations
throughout city hall/police and the public works facility).
He indicated steps 4 and 5 challenge cities to measure and report the aggregate and
quantitative results of multiple actions taken in an attempt to present the “state of
sustainability” achieved by a city. The purpose is to make cities accustomed to
gathering data annually and comparing the data over time. It gives cities the
opportunity to find out where they stand and compare to others. In order to receive
“Step 4” recognition, cities must record eight required core metrics selected by the
program and five metrics of choice selected by the city. Each metric contains multiple
metric elements, all of which must be completed. In order to receive “Step 5”
recognition, over the course of one year, cities must improve upon any three of the
eligible metric elements.
Staff does not believe all of the required core metric data is tracked and/or easily
attainable. It is estimated that it would take between 70‐100 hours of staff time to gather
and submit the required data.
Mr. Alger reported that in recent years the Council has directed staff to continue to
utilize the program as a resource to help achieve its sustainability through
implementation of the 29 best practices.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, noted sustainability is the key
element of the program.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, indicated the city will continue to track initiatives
and participate as time permits. He noted the city may realize additional best practices
as a result of the aquatics center and by installing electric vehicle charging stations
proposed for phase 2 of the public works facility improvements.
Council did not support pursuing steps 4 and 5 due to the significant amount of
required staff time, but encouraged staff to continue utilizing the program. Council
thanked Mr. Alger for the update.
2022 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discuss use of 2022 Community
Development Block Grant funds.
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Item 11.4
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, stated staff is seeking direction
from Council regarding the usage of 2022 CDBG funds. He stated it is estimated the
city will receive $118,000 in CDBG funds in 2022 of which 15% must be distributed for
Public Service Activities by Hennepin County. He stated the remaining $100,000 could
be used for Hennepin County’s home rehab loan program and/or the city’s scattered
site housing program. It was noted that there are 13 individuals on the waitlist for the
rehab loan program and the funds could provide three to five loans.
Following discussion, Council expressed support for directing the 2022 CDBG funds
to the rehab loan program to assist current residents.
Director Sargent stated the hearing for the CDBG funds will be held on February 14,
2022.
PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT UPDATES
Item 11.5
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, Discuss Public Works Project
Updates.
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, provided an update to Council regarding several public
works projects.
Mr. Boyum explained New Hope Public Works and engineering staff have been
meeting with representatives from MnDOT, Hennepin County, and the City of
Plymouth to discuss improvements along 42nd Avenue as a result of the replacement
of the TH 169 / 42nd Avenue (CSAH 9) bridge and interchange. The existing bridge is
nearing the end of its useful life. Staff provided the City Council with an update on
this project at past work sessions as well as other improvements (trails, signals,
watermain, lighting, and burying of power). The project was originally planned to be
constructed in 2024, but MnDOT moved up the construction year to 2023. Because
right‐of‐way is needed for ADA ramps, MnDOT has requested municipal consent from
the City of New Hope. MnDOT is requesting the city to pass a resolution for waiver
of municipal consent to help meet the 2023 construction schedule. The city will have
costs associated with the signal improvements at Gettysburg Avenue. It is proposed to
fund the signal‐related costs from the city’s municipal state aid account.
Council expressed support for the municipal consent resolution. Mr. McDonald
indicated the item will be placed on the January 24 Council Meeting agenda.
Mr. Boyum explained as part of proposed trails, signals, watermain, and lighting
improvements along 42nd Avenue from Boone Avenue to TH 169, staff has met and
worked with Xcel Energy on identifying the costs to bury power in order to place a
new trail along the south side of 42nd Avenue from Boone to Gettysburg Avenue. The
trail will connect to the trail that will be built as part of the new TH 169 bridge and
interchange. The cost to bury power is $727,515, and staff recommends utilizing Street
Infrastructure Funds. He indicated an agreement with Xcel Energy will be presented
to Council at a future Council Meeting.
Mr. Boyum stated the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency initiated a new planning
grant related to stormwater, wastewater, and community resilience as part of funding
approved during the 2021 State Legislative Session. He indicated the city is continuing
its efforts for inflow and infiltration (I&I) reduction. He recommended applying for a
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$41,768 grant under the wastewater resilience planning category. The grant requires a
10% match from the city which would be funded by the sewer fund.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, stated if the city is awarded a grant, the
funds could be used for additional I&I monitoring to determine areas that need
sanitary sewer lining.
Council expressed support for submission of the grant application.
Mr. Weber provided a brief update regarding the project underway at the public works
facility.
UPDATED
FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Item 11.6
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.6, Review updated financial
management plan with Abdo.
Ms. Vicki Holthaus, Abdo, explained verbiage within the Investment Policy are
recommended by the city’s investment advisor, PMA, to align with state statutes. She
stated the Purchasing Policy is also being updated to set the minimum threshold
required for quotations to $5,000 and adjust the amount the city manager has the
authority to approve to $20,000 to align with state statutes. She stated the city should
consider utilizing the state cooperative purchasing programs for any purchases over
$25,000.
Council approved the revisions to the Financial Management Plan.
FEDERAL FUNDING
Item 11.7
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.7, Discussion regarding federal
funding received.
Ms. Vicki Holthaus, Abdo, and Mr. McDonald, city manager, explained the city
received $1,641,664 from the Federal Government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (CARES). After completion of the 2020 audit, the general fund
had a fund balance of $1,786,383. Council approved a transfer of $1,641,664 to the
temporary financing fund for future capital projects. It was agreed to utilize the
funding for improvements to the public works facility, as noted in the Long‐term
Financial Plan, so that bonding was not necessary. To date only $900,000 of the $1.6
million was transferred, and Abdo and staff recommends the balance of $741,664 be
transferred to the central garage public works fund.
Council expressed support for the transfer. Mr. McDonald stated a resolution will be
placed on the January 24 Council Meeting agenda for formal action.
Next Ms. Holthaus reviewed the funds relating to the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA). She stated the original estimate provided to the city projected the city to
receive a total of $2,195,235 or $1,097,615 per year for 2021 and 2022. It was noted the
2021 amount was a total of $1,142,381 as the city received a subsequent allocation of
$36,223 from unclaimed funds in addition to the $1,106,158 payment. She stated the
city was originally required to submit a methodology/report to justify the use of the
funds, and the city’s justification is based on the loss of revenue for programs during
the pandemic. She indicated the federal government recently announced the report is
only required for entities receiving greater than $10 million in ARPA funds.
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Ms. Holthaus stated the long‐term plan recommends the funds be utilized for future
improvements at the public works facility so that Phase 2 project can be financed
internally without bonding. She stated a transfer of the 2021 funding could be made
after acceptance of the 2021 audit in May, 2022.
Ms. Holthaus commented that the federal funds cannot be used for general operations.
Mayor Hemken thanked Ms. Holthaus for the report and for her efforts in preparing
the spreadsheet confirming the city’s revenue loss of $2.5 million.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk