06 20 22 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session June 20, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
June 20, 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
Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Tim Hoyt, Acting City Manager
Vicki Holthaus, Abdo Financial Solutions
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
CANADIAN PACIFIC
RAIL REGIONAL
TRAIL UPDATE
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Update on 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 indicated the last report from Three Rivers Park District
staff was at the January work session, and they also attended the February 8 Citizen
Advisory Commission meeting. Ms. Rader also introduced Marge Beard, Three Rivers
Park Commissioner for District 1.
Ms. Beard explained she is in attendance to observe the presentation.
Ms. Kelly Grissman, director of planning, and Mr. Danny McCullough, regional trail
system manager, provided an update of the trail and master plan process and potential
routes. Mr. McCullough explained the three proposed route options will be presented
during the community engagement process. He stated Council is not expected to make
any decisions at this time. He stated the trail will be separate from vehicle traffic, will
be a ten‐feet wide bituminous trail, and it will be constructed and maintained by Three
Rivers Park District.
Council commented regarding the pros and cons of trail options A, B and C. It was
noted that a trail along Quebec Avenue may conflict with the disc golf play at
Sunnyside Park. Ms. Grissman indicated existing infrastructure is taken into
consideration. She stated Sunnyside Park can be studied to see if there is a way to
prevent major impact to the park. It was noted that option B connects to many
amenities. Mr. McCullough stated bicyclists tend to enjoy trails that connect to other
parks and communities.
City Council Work Session June 20, 2022
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Mr. McCullough stated monthly updates will be provided to the parks and recreation
director. He indicated after the public engagement and analysis is complete another
meeting will be held with the City Council before drafting the master plan. Ms.
Grissman stated the process will be very transparent, and the city has the right to
approve the final design of the trail.
Mayor Hemken thanked Three Rivers Park District staff for the report.
RECREATIONAL
VEHICLES
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion on Possible Regulation
of Recreational Vehicles.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, explained at the December 2021
work session, the City Council discussed imposing potential limitations on the number
and size/height of recreational vehicles stored on residential properties. He stated the
conversation was initiated by a large boat that was stored during the off‐season in a
resident’s driveway. Recreational vehicles are defined as self‐propelled vehicles or
vehicles stored on licensed trailers which are used primarily for recreational‐leisure
time activities including, but not limited to, campers, tent trailers, motor homes or
other vehicles used for temporary living quarters, boats, canoes, kayaks, all‐terrain
vehicles, snowmobiles, golf carts, race cars, stock‐cars, motorcycles, utility trailers, off‐
road vehicles, and similar vehicles or equipment. No more than three recreational
vehicles or equipment may be stored outside as exterior storage on a property. Any
recreational equipment or vehicles stored on a property in excess of three must be
stored inside of a building. One or more recreational vehicles stored on a trailer
constitutes one vehicle for the purpose of the definition. Recreational equipment and
vehicles may be stored in the front, side, or rear yards except for recreational vehicles
and equipment not allowed to be operated on public streets, such as boats, all‐terrain
vehicles, off road vehicles, snowmobiles, golf carts, racecars, and stock cars. Such
vehicles or equipment must be stored inside of a building or placed on or inside of a
licensed trailer or licensed motor vehicle.
Mr. Sargent stated the city’s regulations do not limit height or length of recreational
equipment. He noted it could be difficult to gain access to a property to take accurate
measurements. He stated the Planning Commission’s Codes and Standards Committee
reviewed the topic in August of 2021 and recommended no change to the current city
code. He indicated the city planner and staff agree with the committee’s opinion but
is willing to conduct further research if so desired by the City Council.
Discussion ensued regarding the practicality of changing the code to address one
situation. It was noted the city has height restrictions on fences and there is technology
to measure objects from a distance. A suggestion was made to encourage the neighbors
to communicate with each other. It was also noted that the item should be owned by
the property owner (not stored for someone else).
Council directed staff to conduction additional research and present options for
amending the code to address storage of large boats in front yards.
2023 BUDGET
DISCUSSION
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Preliminary Discussion on 2023
Budget.
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Item 11.3
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, introduced Vicki Holthaus from Abdo, to review
the goals and priorities. He stated staff is also seeking feedback from Council on the
proposed budget and timeline.
Ms. Holthaus highlighted the goals and priorities including local government aid,
central garage funding, PERA contribution rates, administrative charges, IT charges,
election cost increase, council salaries, employee compensation and insurance, park
and street infrastructure levies, the EDA and HRA levies, and debt service levies. She
stated three scenarios have been provided showing the preliminary city levy: 1) a five
percent general fund levy increase would result in an overall 3.89% increase of the
property tax levy; 2) adding $50,000 CIP levies for fire, swimming pool, and city hall
would result in a 4.71% levy increase; and 3) adding $100,000 CIP levies for fire,
swimming pool, and city hall would result in a 5.53% levy increase. She explained that
she along with the directors and the acting city manager will be reviewing the
proposed budgets in detail during July and August.
Ms. Holthaus reviewed the budget timeline and asked Council their opinion on
holding a budget hearing on the same night that the Council adopts the budget. The
consensus of the Council was to continue holding the budget public hearing the week
prior to the budget adoption meeting.
Mr. Hoyt, acting city manager/director of police, reported on staffing for the police
department and recommended a full‐time embedded social worker which would
increase the current $20,000 one‐third cost (of a shared position) to $60,000. He also
recommended hiring an evidence/body worn camera technician for approximately
$70,000. Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, requested reinstatement of
the golf course superintendent position estimated at $83,000.
Mayor Hemken noted the cost of the new positions and impact to the budget. Council
Member London emphasized the need for directors to prioritize budget expenditures.
Ms. Holthaus noted the city may receive approximately $100,000 from the upcoming
opioid settlement that could be earmarked for salaries. She stated the police positions
would be funded by the general fund. Ms. Holthaus stated the golf course position
would be funded by the golf course budget and would not impact the city’s levy.
Council directed staff to strive for a maximum of 4% increase in the general fund.
Director Rich Johnson, director of human resources/admin. services, agreed with the
goal of keeping the levy as low as possible, but he added due to the current
employment landscape and increased costs to attract and retain qualified employees,
that goal may not be realistic.
Council thanked Ms. Holthaus and staff for the budget information.
2022 CITY EVENTS
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discussion on potential 2022 city
events.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, asked for Council’s input on holding the annual
commissioner appreciation event/bus tour on September 13, 2022. Council agreed to
the recommended date.
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Mr. Hoyt also asked Council to discuss discontinuing City Day or incorporating it into
other events. He explained the event has been held in conjunction with the fire station
open house. There was very low attendance at the last City Day in 2021. The
management team recently discussed whether the benefit is worth the costs associated
with equipment and vehicle set up and staff overtime. The group also discussed the
advantages of ongoing outreach versus a one‐day event and different ways to
incorporate aspects of City Day into other events. He reported that communication
with the community has been expanded by increasing the InTouch newsletter
publication from four to six editions per year. Another community outreach that began
last year is “Food Truck Friday” held at the city hall parking lot in the summer. The
police department’s community relations officer staffs a table at the event that
promotes approachability/accessibility. Other departments also periodically share
information at Food Truck Friday (ie parks and recreation programs).
Council discussed holding the event on a weekday instead of a weekend or in
conjunction with a food truck event.
Mr. Hoyt indicated he will meet with the communications coordinator and present
options.
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 2022‐77
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, 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.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk