04 18 22 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session April 18, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
April 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:
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
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
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
Aaron Thelen, Recreation Supervisor
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
COMMUNITY
GARDEN
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discuss request for community
garden.
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, explained the history of the Hope
Grows Community Garden that the city helped establish at The Food Group’s property
at 8501 54th Avenue North in 2011. He reported The Food Group is discontinuing
hosting and managing the community garden. He stated a resident and gardener
inquired of public space for a community garden.
Mr. Alger reviewed current research as well as the research conducted by staff in 2014
when The Food Group had contemplated discontinuing the garden. He stated at the
present time, city staff has been referring gardeners to House of Hope Lutheran Church
which operates a private garden at 4800 Boone Avenue North, and staff learned they
are accepting gardeners from outside their congregation.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, explained that many factors must
be considered relating to a community garden including a location with sufficient sun
exposure, adequate soil, water access, parking, aesthetics to neighboring properties
and financial implications for start‐up costs and staff time. She stated staff from
community development and the parks and recreation department explored public
and private space in the city. She indicated there is no ideal location on public property.
City Council Work Session April 18, 2022
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Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, expressed the city’s gratitude to
The Food Group for hosting the community garden for the past 11 years. He
acknowledged that gardening is an activity enjoyed by residents. He stated at this time
staff believes the cons outweigh the benefits of installing a garden on city property due
to limited city resources. He asked Council for direction on whether Council desires to
have staff continue to explore possible sites or continue to refer gardeners to other
community garden sites.
Council Member Isenberg inquired of The Food Group’s plans for the current garden
space. Mr. Alger stated The Food Group desires to use the site for a program for
emerging framers to learn the farming trade. He noted a “training center” would meet
the intention of the zoning code.
Council agreed there is no ideal garden site on public property. Staff was directed to
discuss the issue with the Business Networking Group to possibly find a privately
owned site for a community garden. Council recommended that staff continue to
coordinate on other potential sites, including churches, non‐profits or industrial
properties.
DIRECTOR OF
POLICE AND
ACTING CITY
MANAGER
MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discuss Memorandum of
Understanding between Tim Hoyt and the City of New Hope for Director of Police
and Acting City Manager.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, explained at the March 28, 2022, Council Meeting
Resolution 2022‐37 was adopted appointing Tim Hoyt as Acting City Manager for a
six‐month trial period and directing preparation of a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) to define the terms of employment. Council reviewed each condition of the
MOU including position, term, training/salary, pension plan, general insurance,
seniority, personal leave and holidays (allowed to carry over excess of 400 hours PL
into 2023), acting Executive Director of EDA, financial authority, goals, informal
performance evaluation on August 15, dues/subscriptions, professional development,
commissioner positions, civic club membership, recusal relating to Carissa Hoyt
disciplinary matters, general expenses, hours of work, right to return to former
position as police director if not appointed city manager, and general conditions of
employment.
Mr. McDonald pointed out condition #3 sets the salary at $148,000 on April 1 during
the training period which is the same level as highest paid director with an increase to
$156,706 on June 2 which is step 3 of the city manager pay scale. Council supported the
salary terms.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of HR/admin. Services, explained condition #4 states that
Tim Hoyt would remain on the Police/Fire pension plan during the trial period. He
stated if Hoyt is appointed as city manager after the trial period, he would change to
the coordinated plan or defined contribution plan.
Mr. McDonald called attention to condition #14 that as Acting City Manager Hoyt will
serve on the West Metro Fire‐Rescue District Board of Directors, North Metro Mayors
Association, Hennepin Recycling Group (HRG) and the New Hope, Crystal, Golden
Valley Joint Water Commission. Mr. McDonald explained that he currently serves on
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the Northwest Suburban Cable Communications Commission and the CCX Media
Board of Directors, but the city’s representative does not have to be the city manager.
He stated Council Member Hoffe also serves on the cable commission. He stated many
other cities have their communications staff attend the cable meetings, and he
recommended that Beth Kramer, communications coordinator, be appointed to serve
on the Northwest Suburban Cable Communications Commission and CCX Media
Board of Directors instead of Hoyt. Ms. Kramer is willing to attend the meetings if
Council supports the decision. Council was supportive of appointing the
communications coordinator to both the cable commission and the CCX Media Board
of Directors. Mr. McDonald noted a formal resolution will be presented for
consideration at a future council meeting.
Council discussed condition #16 that in the event Carissa Hoyt (Tim Hoyt’s spouse
employed at Public Works) is the subject of disciplinary action during the trial term,
Tim Hoyt would recuse himself from any decision‐making regarding her employment.
Mr. Johnson noted the city would likely request assistance from a neighboring city
should the need arise. Council requested that the MOU specify the agency or person
that would handle such an event. Mr. Johnson stated he will reach out to the Crystal
city manager.
Mr. Johnson pointed out that condition #19 permits Hoyt to return to his former
position as police director if either party chooses not to proceed with a permanent
appointment.
Dialogue took place regarding whether there was a need for an acting police chief. Mr.
McDonald indicated he was not planning to name an acting chief. Chief Hoyt stated
the captains are assisting with his workload and meetings.
Council supported placing the updated MOU on the April 25 Council Meeting for
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk