03 21 22 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session March 21, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
March 21, 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:
Council absent:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member (arrived at 6:44 pm)
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Vicki Holthaus, Abdo
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
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, introduced Jim Atchison, Hennepin County
Assessor. Mr. Atchison introduced Rob Winge, residential appraiser manager, and
Sarah Roers, primary residential appraiser for New Hope.
He stated the local board of appeal and equalization meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, April 14, 2022, and valuation notices have been mailed. He noted to date the
assessor’s office has received 80 phone calls from New Hope property owners.
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 $2,737,167,300 which includes $15,501,100 in new
construction improvements. The net percent increase for all property types is 14.62%.
City Council Work Session March 21, 2022
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Mr. Atchison stated the median market value of a single‐family home in New Hope is
$325,000 compared to $379,000 county‐wide. The net increase of all residential
properties in New Hope is 17.1%.
Mr. Atchison explained a sales ratio study is performed annually to determine how the
assessors’ values compare to actual sales prices. A sales ratio is the assessor’s estimated
market value (EVM) of a property divided by its actual sales price. The overall EMVs
should be within 90 to 105 percent of actual sales prices.
He stated the county reviews 20% of properties each year and uses building permits
and aerial and street‐view photography to assist in the process.
It was noted that state law requires at least one voting member of the local board of
appeal and equalization to have attended the training course within the past four
years. Mayor Hemken reported three council members have the necessary training.
The appraisers encouraged Council to refer residents’ inquiries to them regarding
property values.
Council thanked Mr. Atchison for the update.
PARKS AND REC
AND PUBLIC WORKS
CIP
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion regarding the city’s
capital improvement program (CIP) for 2022‐2031.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated Ms. Vicki Holthaus, Abdo, 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 and provide
highlights of the remaining eight years of CIP schedule. He pointed out long‐term
capital improvement programs have been developed for both the city hall building
(through year 2094) and fire station #3 located on Xylon Avenue.
Ms. Vicki Holthaus, Abdo, explained that the memo and report that were distributed
include projections of the CIP for street, park, central garage, sewer, water, storm
water, streetlight, 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 during review of the
long‐term financial plan. She indicated all funds have adequate balances.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, reviewed CIP expenditures for 2022
and 2023 for the golf course, ice arena, parks including Civic Center Park, and aquatic
facility. Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, reviewed planned CIP
expenditures for 2022 and 2023 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 2024 through 2031.
Ms. Rader requested Council’s input regarding a general skating rink or hockey rink
at Civic Center Park. She stated there is $220,000 identified for a 2022 hockey rink, but
staff is recommending a general skating rink with lights instead. She stated there has
been a decline in outdoor skating and a hockey rink requires significantly more
maintenance than a general skating area. She noted the cost for a hockey rink with
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lights is $384,000; the cost for a general skating rink with lights is $197,000; and the cost
of a general skating area without lights is $72,000. Director Weber noted an existing
storm water pipe could impact the ability to make ice in the proposed rink location.
Council Member Elder commented there are three other parks in the city that have
both a general skating area and a hockey rink. Director Rader asked if Council
supported a general skating rink at Civic Center Park. She emphasized the need to
balance the wants and needs of residents and make the best use of tax dollars. Council
did not support installation of a skating or hockey rink at Civic Center Park but
requested that it be kept in the Civic Center Park Master Plan.
Mr. Mark Severson, recreation facilities manager, discussed the need for secured
parking area to store golf carts at the golf course. He noted when the maintenance
building was constructed the city only had three golf carts compared to 18 golf carts at
this time.
Ms. Rader reviewed potential revenue from grant opportunities.
Mr. McDonald asked staff to address budgeting for contingencies in projects. Mr.
Boyum, city engineer, stated contingencies are specified in feasibility reports. Ms.
Rader indicated contingencies will be included in future large‐scale park projects.
During discussion of sidewalk replacement, Council Member Elder suggested
prioritizing areas near nursing homes. Director Weber explained that it is more cost
effective to target a specific geographic area at a time.
Mr. McDonald encouraged Council and staff to seek state bonding in 2024 for phase 2
of the public works facility.
Director Weber explained the need to remove many trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer
disease especially on Boone Avenue between 42nd and 49th avenues. Staff will be
coordinating with the 2022 infrastructure contractor to possibly remove additional
trees. Council directed staff to ensure communication is provided to residents. Mr.
Weber stated a project bulletin will be mailed to residents within the impacted area.
Council thanked staff for the update.
2022 SURVEY WITH
MORRIS
LEATHERMAN
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Review Preliminary 2022 Morris
Leatherman Survey.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, reported that at the February work session Council
provided input regarding changes to the proposed survey. He stated questions have
been added regarding the pandemic, organized trash collection, welcoming
community, and diverse/inclusive/ fair community.
Discussion ensued regarding the wording of the survey question on diversity and
inclusiveness. Council recommended revising the question to “Do you think the city is
doing enough to create a diverse, inclusive and fair community” along with a follow
up question on whether it should be a priority.
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DISCUSS ACTING
CITY MANAGER
APPOINTMENT
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discuss next steps regarding
acting city manager appointment.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated staff recommends a resolution be considered
at the March 28 Council Meeting to formally appoint Tim Hoyt as acting city manager
for a six‐month period and directing the city manager to coordinate with Hoyt on job
training. He also recommended preparation of a memorandum of understanding for
consideration at the April work session.
Mr. McDonald reminded Council of the city manager’s goals set in January that would
serve well for evaluating job performance.
Mayor Hemken and Director Hoyt emphasized the importance of continuous and
open dialogue while Hoyt serves as acting city manager to allow Council to plan
accordingly. Mayor Hemken noted there is no need to pursue an external recruitment
process at this time.
LABOR
NEGOTIATIONS
Item 11.5
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, Resolution calling for a closed
meeting of the New Hope City Council authorized by Minn. Stat §13D.03 to discuss
and consider labor negotiations strategy.
RESOLUTION 2022‐31
Item 11.5
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
“RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CLOSED MEETING OF THE NEW HOPE CITY
COUNCIL AUTHORIZED BY MINN. STAT §13D.03 TO DISCUSS AND
CONSIDER LABOR NEGOTIATIONS STRATEGY.” 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; and the following voted against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent:
London; whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by
the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk