04 11 22 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 1
City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes April 11, 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
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member Elder,
to approve the work session meeting minutes of March 21, 2022. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg; and the following voted against the same:
None; Abstained: London; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve the executive session meeting minutes of March 21, 2022. Voted in
favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg; and the following voted against the
same: None; Abstained: London; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member London, seconded by Council Member
Hoffe, to approve the regular meeting minutes of March 28, 2022. 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.
AGENDA ORDER Council agreed to allow the presentation from Representative Omar prior to
Commissioner Lunde’s presentation.
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 2
PRESENTATIONS:
COMMISSIONER JEFF
LUNDE UPDATE
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Update from Hennepin
County Commissioner Jeff Lunde.
Commissioner Lunde commented on the recent apartment fire at 5600 Boone
Avenue North and noted the Red Cross acts as the county’s agent to assist persons
with finding temporary shelter.
Mr. Lunde shared the public safety funding initiatives including gun violence
prevention, auto‐theft prevention efforts, victim resources, and public defenders
to address COVID‐19 pandemic related case backlogs. He also reported on public
safety expanded services including the embedded social work program, North
Metro Range Public Safety Training Facility, and 911 mental health co‐responder
program.
Commissioner Lunde thanked Chief Hoyt for his work with public safety and for
testifying at the capitol regarding violence prevention.
Council thanked Commissioner Lunde for the update.
REPRESENTATIVE
ILHAN OMAR
UPDATE
Item 5.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.2, Update from Representative
Ilhan Omar representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
Representative Omar thanked the Council for the opportunity to provide an
update. She highlighted components of the proposed $5.8 trillion 2023 federal
budget including education, health care, housing, and energy projects. She
reported in the 2022 budget the 5th Congressional District was provided $70 million
for ten community projects and the District is planning 15 community projects for
2023. She encouraged anyone with questions to contact her office.
Council thanked Representative Omar for the update.
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.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through April 11, 2022.
RESOLUTION 2022‐38
Item 6.4
Resolution proclaiming April 17‐23, 2022, as National Volunteer Week in the city
of New Hope.
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 3
RESOLUTION 2022‐39
Item 6.5
Resolution proclaiming April 17‐23, 2022, to be the “Great Shingle Creek
Watershed Cleanup Week”.
RESOLUTION 2022‐40
Item 6.6
Resolution proclaiming April 24‐30, 2022, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
in the city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐41
Item 6.7
Resolution proclaiming the month of May, 2022, as Arbor Month in the city of New
Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐42
Item 6.8
Resolution proclaiming the month of May, 2022, as Building Safety Month in the
city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐43
Item 6.9
Resolution proclaiming May 15‐21, 2022, as National Public Works Week in the
city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2022‐44
Item 6.10
Resolution approving renewing the agreement with Solution Builders to provide
information technology support services for the city effective May 1, 2022 to April
30, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2022‐45
Item 6.11
Resolution approving agreement with The Morris Leatherman Company to
conduct a community‐wide survey.
RESOLUTION 2022‐46
Item 6.12
Resolution declaring adoption and implementation of State performance
measures.
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.
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1084
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution approving plans
and specifications for the 2022 seal coat and fog seal project and ordering
advertisement for bids (Improvement Project No. 1084).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, reviewed the project area in the northern part of
the city recommended for seal coat work. He stated two alternate bids have been
included for work north and south of Holiday Park to be considered if pricing is
favorable. He stated the 2022 CIP budget is $458,622, and the estimated cost is
$399,920. He noted a 15% contingency was included in the estimated cost due to
changes in gas prices. Mr. Boyum stated if Council approves the plans and
specifications, the bid opening would occur May 5 or 12, and the bids would be
presented to Council at the May 23 meeting.
Council Member London inquired of the typical number of bidders.
Mr. Boyum stated there are usually only two bidders on seal coat projects.
RESOLUTION 2022‐47
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
THE 2022 SEAL COAT AND FOG SEAL PROJECT AND ORDERING
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1084).” The
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 4
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.
ADMINISTRATIVE
FINES
ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM
ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Ordinance No. 2022‐01, An
ordinance amending section 2‐60(h) of the New Hope City Code related to the
administrative fines enforcement program (and summary ordinance for
publication purposes).
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated the ordinance amendment is a
housekeeping item to update section 2‐60 of the code concerning fees for the
administrative fines enforcement program. He explained the city adopted a Fee
Schedule in 2017 which outlines fees for various programs. The schedule is
updated annually and the city code references the fee schedule so that ordinance
amendments are not required with every fee increase. The ordinance amendment
eliminates the reference to a 40% late fee and references the Fee Schedule.
ORDINANCE 22‐01
Item 10.1
Council Member London introduced the following ordinance and moved its
adoption: “ORDINANCE NO. 2022‐01, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTION 2‐60(H) OF THE NEW HOPE CITY CODE RELATED TO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (AND SUMMARY
ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION PURPOSES).” The motion for the adoption
of the foregoing ordinance 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 ordinance was declared duly
passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
ANIMAL KENNELS
ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT
Item 10.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.2, Ordinance No. 2022‐03, An
ordinance amending sections 1‐2, 7‐4 and 7‐7 of the New Hope City Code related
to animal kennels (and summary ordinance for publication purposes).
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated the ordinance amendment is a
housekeeping item to amend language in sections 1‐2, 7‐4 and 7‐7 regarding
animal‐related issues. He stated during review of the Café Meow application there
was discussion on whether the cat lounge/adoption site adjacent to the café should
be classified as a kennel or a pet store, and it was determined the cat lounge is
similar to a pet store which is classified as a retail use. The ordinance amendment
clarifies language regarding kennels and eliminates zoning code references in
chapter 7. He stated each zoning district code section lists the permitted uses so
the zoning code does not need to be listed elsewhere.
ORDINANCE 22‐03
Item 10.2
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following ordinance and moved its
adoption: “ORDINANCE NO. 2022‐03, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTIONS 1‐2, 7‐4 AND 7‐7 OF THE NEW HOPE CITY CODE RELATED TO
ANIMAL KENNELS (AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION
PURPOSES).” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance was
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 5
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 ordinance was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the
mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
UTILITY CARGO
TRAILER PURCHASE
Item 10.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.3, Resolution authorizing the
purchase of equipment and appropriation of funds in the amount of $61,724 for
the purchase of an enclosed utility cargo trailer, ancillary equipment and set up
costs.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, explained the new trailer will replace
a 2012 trailer that is used regularly by the utilities department for water main
breaks, sewer repairs and other maintenance activities. The purchase would be
made through the state’s cooperative purchasing program. The replacement fund
contains $26,436.37 for the equipment purchase. The total cost including set‐up is
$61,724 leaving a $35,287.63 shortfall to be funded by the Central Garage
Replacement Fund. Mr. Weber noted the shortfall is due to inflation and a higher
quality trailer being purchased. He stated the 2012 trailer will be auctioned which
will offset the funding shortfall.
RESOLUTION 2022‐48
Item 10.3
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT
AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,724 FOR THE
PURCHASE OF AN ENCLOSED UTILITY CARGO TRAILER, ANCILLARY
EQUIPMENT AND SET UP COSTS.” 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.
LMCIT INSURANCE
PREMIUMS
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.1, Motion approving renewal of
insurance premiums for general liability, property damage, employee bond and
worker’s compensation for the period April 20, 2022 through April 20, 2023
through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT).
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, explained the city clerk coordinates renewal of
the general liability insurance, and the director of human resources and
administrative services handles the workers’ compensation insurance renewal.
Mr. McDonald stated the premium for the property/liability coverage decreased
from $210,795 to $192,262 or $18,533 from last year primarily due to a decrease in
liability exposure.
Mr. McDonald stated the workers’ compensation premium based on a $0
deductible was quoted at $388,611 which is an increase of $106,878 from last year.
He stated staff is recommending the city change to a $5,000 deductible for work‐
related medical expenses to achieve a premium credit of $22,316, resulting in a
premium of $366,295. He stated the most significant factor for the increase is due
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 6
to the cost of post‐traumatic stress disorder claims filed across the state in the past
several years.
Mr. McDonald stated the total insurance expense is $558,557 which is below the
2022 budgeted amount of $590,137.
MOTION
Item 11.1
Motion was made by Isenberg, seconded by Council Member Hoffe, approving
renewal of insurance premiums for general liability, property damage,
employee bond and worker’s compensation for the period April 20, 2022
through April 20, 2023 through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
(LMCIT).Voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the
following voted against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion
carried.
LMCIT STATUTORY
LIMITATIONS
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.2, Motion to accept statutory
limitations of $500,000 for individual claimant recovery for insurance provided by
League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT).
Council Member Isenberg asked why the city would ever consider waiving the
statutory limits.
City Clerk Leone responded that the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
requires the city to make a decision annually regarding the statutory tort limits in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes.
MOTION
Item 11.2
Motion was made by London, seconded by Council Member Isenberg, to accept
statutory limitations of $500,000 for individual claimant recovery for insurance
provided by League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). Voted in
favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted
against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Item 12.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, to appoint Jennifer Leondardson to the Bassett Creek Watershed
Commission as the city’s alternate representative. All present voted in favor.
Motion carried.
Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
Hoffe, 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 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
New Hope City Council April 11, 2022
Page 7