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In Touch_May/June 2022MAY/JUNE 2022 NO. 214 What's Inside Getting In Touch NEW HOPE CITY HALL4401 Xylon Avenue North New Hope, MN 55428 763.531.5100 CITY WEBSITE newhopemn.gov EMAIL cityhall@newhopemn.gov NEW HOPE CITY COUNCIL Mayor - Kathi Hemken khemken@newhopemn.gov | 763.537.7990 Council Member - John Elder jelder@newhopemn.gov | 612.578.4322 Council Member - Andy Hoffe ahoffe@newhopemn.gov | 763.537.2647 Council Member - Michael Isenberg misenberg@newhopemn.gov | 612.568.2337 Council Member - Jonathan London jlondon@newhopemn.gov | 763.546.1293 Acting City Manager - Tim Hoyt thoyt@newhopemn.gov | 763.531.1203 FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS Inspections: 763.531.5127 Parks and Recreation: 763.531.5151 Public Works: 763.592.6777 Utility Billing: 763.592.6760 Police (non-emergency): 763.531.5170 NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 1 A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA A great place to grow! 4401 Xylon Avenue North New Hope, MN 55428 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2330 Current resident or CITY OF NEW HOPE Improvements Coming to Hidden Valley Park PAGE 2 Food Truck Friday Returns this Summer Only Rain Down the Storm Drain Curbside Appeal Reimbursement Program CEE Offers Home Improvement Loans Mark Your Calendars PAGE 3 Farmers Market Returns June 18 Being Bee Friendly It's Bonfire Season Streetlight Problem? Call Before You Dig Parks & Recreation Corner PAGE 4 Austin Recognized as Employee of the Quarter Thank You, Public Works May is Building Safety Month Juvenile Curfew Reminder Stay Connected with the City! Changes are coming to Hidden Valley Park this summer! The park, located at 8800 32nd Avenue, will be updated with new playground equipment and overall site improvements. The project includes replacing the main playground equipment and the large playground container, the edging on the tot container, the path leading from the park trail to the playground containers, bench pads, the picnic table pad and the retaining wall. Project contracts were awarded at the May 9 New Hope City Council meeting. Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures were awarded contracts to purchase and install the playground equipment. Haho Companies, LLC was awarded the contract for the playground site work. The playground equipment at Hidden Valley Park is currently the oldest in the New Hope parks system, last replaced in 1998. The tot area, replaced in 2017 following an arson incident, will not be replaced as part of the project. In 2011, the City began using a playground vendor who had a program to refurbish equipment. Landscape Structures, currently represented by Flagship Recreation, was the only playground equipment company to offer a program. They are also listed on the State of Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Venture. In the long-term, using Landscapes Structures enables the City to update playgrounds by re-using and updating some pieces of equipment or structure posts rather than replacing the entire structure. This only works with existing Landscape Structures playgrounds. The equipment currently at Hidden Valley Park was not purchased through Landscape Structures, so it cannot be refurbished. The project is funded by the Park Infrastructure Fund, which is levy-funded annually, with an estimated total cost of $318,262. The total budgeted for the playground project was $250,000, with an additional $75,000 budgeted for concrete and trail work. The City has also applied for a 2022 Hennepin Youth Sports Program Playground Grant for $50,000, which, if awarded, would reduce the funding required from the Park Infrastructure Fund. The City previously received grant awards for the Fred Sims Park, Sunnyside Park and Corner Park Playground projects. New Hope staff engaged neighborhood residents in the planning process for the new playground. In the fall of 2021, a survey was sent to area residents gathering initial feedback and inviting them to participate in the planning process. In February, a committee comprised of neighborhood representatives, Flagship Recreation, New Hope City Council, New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission, city staff and the city engineer met to view initial playground plans. Following discussion at the meeting, modifications were made to the project plans and reviewed at a second committee meeting in early March. Construction is anticipated to be completed later this summer. National Night Out is Aug. 2 New Hope’s 2022 National Night Out, Night to Unite celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. While the traditional “lights on” and front porch vigils remain a part of the event, activities have expanded to include block parties, cookouts and much more. The goal of the event is to help build and grow neighborhood camaraderie, police-community relationships and crime prevention awareness. Visit newhopemn.gov/nno or contact Officer Kallio at bkallio@newhopemn.gov or 763.398.1229 to register or for more information. It's Almost Time! Aquatic Park to Open for Season Spend your summer at the New Hope Aquatic Park! In 2022, the Aquatic Park is open June 4-5 and June 9-Aug. 21. Features include a shallow water recreation area with zero-depth entry, fast and slow body slides, current channel, vortex pool, tot slide and play features. A separate 50-meter pool features one- and three-meter diving boards, a drop slide and an all-new Wibit (floatable water play) which is set up on the weekends. The facility offers seating throughout and a concessions area with a wide range of menu items. Individual memberships are as low as $60 per person and allow unlimited access during open swimming. Adults can participate in morning or evening (new this year) lap swimming or water walking at no extra charge with a membership! Don’t delay- membership rates increase after June 3 at 4:30 p.m. For details about Aquatic Park hours, memberships, swimming lessons, cabana rentals and more, call 763.531.5151 or visit newhopemn.gov/aquatics. The City will begin offering funds for exterior improvements to single- and two-family homes through the Curbside Appeal Reimbursement Program on June 1. The program is intended to encourage homeowners to make upgrades to the exterior of their homes and garages in areas that are visible from the street. The City will reimburse a portion of the costs for projects that meet eligibility requirements while funds are available. Goals of the program include improving the city’s housing stock, instilling confidence into neighborhoods and increasing home values. Eligible properties include owner-occupied one-and two-family homes that do not have past due taxes, citations, or utility bills. Eligible improvements to a house or garage must take place in a front and/or side yard that abuts a street. REIMBURSEMENT All projects must be pre-approved by city staff and completed within 180 days. Work cannot begin until the City has approved an application. Projects eligible for reimbursement must cost at least $4,000. The City will reimburse property owners 25% of costs with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000. Funds will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis. Property owners who do work themselves can submit material lists and get paid for material costs but not labor. PROJECT COST RESIDENT COST CITY REIMBURSEMENT $3,999 or less 100% of cost (not eligible)$0 $4,000 $3,000 $1,000 $8,000 $6,000 $2,000 $12,000 $9,000 $3,000 $16,000 $12,000 $4,000 $20,000 $15,000 $5,000 $20,001 or more 100% of cost above $20,000 $5,000 ELIGIBLE PROJECTS • Alteration to roofline • Addition of covered front porch • Installation of new front door with window(s) • Installation of new storm door with window(s) • Installation of new garage door that includes windows and/or is comprised of solid, stained or composite wood • Addition of windows above and/or on side(s) of front door (sidelight and transom windows) • Installation of column(s) • Addition of brick or stone façade/accents • Incorporation of address numbers into stone façade • Installation of shutters, shakes, and/or board and batten siding • Enlargement of window(s) by at least 25% or addition of window(s) to area that did not previously have window opening Learn more about the Curbside Appeal Reimbursement Program online at newhopemn.gov/curbsideappeal or by calling 763.531.5119 or 763.531.5114. Mark Your Calendars JUNE June 4-5, June 9 Aquatic Park Open for Season June 4 Vehicle Fair June 6 Human Rights Commission Meeting June 7 Planning Commission Meeting June 8 Music in the Park, Dirty Shorts Brass Band June 10 Food Truck Friday Begins June 11 Young Mudder June 13 City Council Meeting June 14 Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting June 15 Morning Music in the Park, The Jolly Pops June 16 Movie in the Park, “The Lego Movie” June 17 & 18 City-Wide Garage Sale June 18 Farmers Market Opens for Season June 20 Council Work Session June 22 Music in the Park, Mitchell Hall & The Tennesse Trio June 27 City Council Meeting JULY July 4 Independence Day, City Offices Closed July 6 Music in the Park, Sawyer’s Dream July 12 Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting July 14 Movie in the Park, “The Lion King” July 15-17 Aquatic Park Closed for Swim Meet, No Food Truck Friday or Farmers Market July 25 City Council Meeting July 27 Music in the Park, Blue Ox Trio July 21-Aug. 6 New Hope Summer Theatre City council and commission meetings begin at 7 p.m. City council work sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave N unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome to attend. NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 2 New Curbside Appeal Reimbursement ProgramFood Truck Friday Returns this Summer! Food Truck Friday is back! Join your neighbors and end the week with the deliciousness of Food Truck Friday at New Hope City Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fun runs from June 10 to Aug. 19 (no Food Truck Friday, July 15). Most Fridays will feature three to four food trucks with occasional special activities and events. Find complete details, including the schedule of trucks and special events, on the City's website at newhopemn.gov/foodtruckfriday. Center for Energy and Environment Offers Home Improvement Loans Considering a home improvement project this year? The City partners with the local nonprofit Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to offer residential property owners access to a comprehensive array of financing and rehabilitation services. Project examples include, but are not limited to, interior remodels (kitchen, bathroom, basement, etc.), roofing, siding and windows. There are no income limits, however, funding is limited. Curbside Appeal Reimbursement Program projects are eligible for the loan. The CEE also offers emergency deferred loans for emergencies that make a house uninhabitable, extremely dangerous to the occupants or capable of causing severe health problems. CEE’s loans offer low monthly payments and flexible terms. Loans are only available while funds last, so beat the spring rush and get started on your home improvement projects early this year. You can find more information about New Hope’s and statewide loans at mncee.org/newhope and mncee.org/loans or call the CEE at 612.335.5884 for more information. Only Rain Down the Storm Drain Public waters are sources of drinking water and provide recreational opportunities such as swimming, boating and fishing, which can all be negatively affected by the pollutants stormwater carries. An illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is harmful to the health and welfare of people, wildlife or surface waters. Illicit discharges include the dumping of items such as: • Sediment washing from construction sites • Chemical or oil spills • Pesticides, herbicides, wash water from cleaning up paint and household cleaners • Sewage from broken sewer lines WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED ILLICIT DISCHARGES? Waterline flushing, residential car washing, draining dechlorinated swimming pools (left to rest for seven or more days after treatment), firefighting and lawn watering are not considered to be illicit discharges. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE? The City of New Hope is committed to eliminating illicit discharge into its storm sewer system. If you notice illegal or suspicious dumping into a storm sewer inlet or curb ditch, you should report the problem online at newhopemn.gov/reportanissue or by calling New Hope Public Works at 763.592.6777. For any issue requiring immediate attention, dial 911. Remember, only rain down the storm drain! NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 3 Recreation Corner GYMNASTICS Spend your summer tumbling, spinning and twisting. Our quality gymnastics staff will provide their expertise to help participants to achieve better physical fitness, coordination and gymnastics skills all while having a great time! This program has an ability-level curriculum designed to help you determine which is the best class for your child. JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUES It’s not too late to grab some friends and enjoy your summer playing golf in our junior league! Youth of all skill levels between the ages of 8 and 17 can participate in this 10-week league. This league focuses on recreation, learning and fun and features weekly instruction with events and prizes. There will be a pizza party on the last league day. SPORTS CAMPS Sign up for one of our exciting sports camps in June. We have opportunities for kids of all ages and skill levels. The sports in June include baseball, boys and girls basketball, golf, lacrosse, ninja warriors and girls volleyball. SUMMER BALL & PLAYGROUND PROGRAMS Are you looking for something fun to do this summer? Youth ages 4-10 can participate in a T-Ball or Pitch by Coach baseball program in the evenings at Meadow Lake Elementary fields. Or, youth ages 7-12 can join our playground staff at various New Hope Parks for our Playground Pals program from 9:30-11:30 a.m., or the Super Summer program from 1 to 3:30 p.m. SUMMER ICE SKATING LESSONS This summer, cool off with some summer skating lessons. Lessons are available for skaters 3 years of age and older and rental skates are also available. Lessons are held on Monday evenings starting June 13 through Aug. 22 at the New Hope Ice Arena. YOUNG MUDDER Youth ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to run through unique obstacles that are challenging and messy. There will be 10-12 obstacles that participants will complete before getting washed up by West Metro Fire-Rescue on the giant slip-n-slide. The event will take place at Valley Place Park in Crystal on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to noon; parents can participate from 11 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25/person. For more information about these programs or to register, visit newhopemn.gov/rec or call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763.531.5151. Vehicle Fair is June 4 Families are invited to see vehicles that come and go through their neighborhood. A wide variety of trucks and cars will be on display to explore such as police, fire, public works, tow trucks, food trucks and much more! This FREE event is Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr. A free-will donation of non-perishable food items for the local food shelf will be accepted. Music, Movies in the Park Join us for FREE musical entertainment on several Wednesday evenings this summer at 7 p.m. and movies once a month on Thursday evenings at dusk! The seven music performances range from blues, rock, jazz, folk, pop, instrumental, children’s music to Caribbean dance. Summer Movies in the Park include “The Lego Movie”, “The Lion King”, and “Remember the Titans”. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on the built-in seating in the grass. All movies and music will take place at the New Hope Performance Center (4401 Xylon Ave N). For a complete schedule visit newhopemn.gov or call 763.531.5151. City-Wide Garage Sale The third annual city-wide garage sale will take place on June 17-18. Find those treasures you seek or host a sale of your own. New Hope residents can sign up to have their garage sale listed on a map that will be published on the City’s website. No charge to participate. To register your sale, call 763.531.5151 or go to newhopemn.gov/rec by June 9. Farmer's Market Returns June 18 The New Hope Community Farmers Market is back this summer! Shop the market for fresh fruits, vegetables, locally prepared food, handicrafts and more. Located at New Hope Civic Center, 4401 Xylon Ave N, the market is open on Saturdays, June 18 to Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no market July 16. The New Hope Community Farmers Market is a 501c4 non-profit corporation led by a volunteer board of directors from the community. For more information, visit newhopemarket.org. Being Bee Friendly Did you know that New Hope is a designated “Bee Friendly City”? The City of New Hope supports pollinators and pollinator habitats. It is committed to creating a safe and healthy community for people and pollinators through the implementation of pest management best practices on New Hope city property. Citywide practices include refraining from using systemic pesticides that are harmful to pollinators, including those containing neonicotinoids, and making every effort to plant flowers favorable to bees and other pollinators. To learn how you can help support pollinators and pollinator habitats, visit the University of Minnesota Bee Lab at beelab.umn.edu. As a reminder, New Hope City Ordinance states that beehives must be located 500 feet from any other property, and a special permit is required. It's Bonfire Season! Don’t get burned - recreational fires are permitted, but restricted, in New Hope: • Fires must be in an approved outdoor fireplace or pit, at or below grade, and no more than three feet in diameter. • Fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible materials. • Use portable outdoor fireplaces according to the manufacturer’s instructions and not within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. • Do not use fires to dispose of yard waste or household trash. • Fires are not allowed if winds exceed seven miles per hour or if the Minnesota DNR issues a fire ban. • A property owner or a designated adult must constantly attend to the fire until completely extinguished. • A garden hose must be available within 15 feet for emergency purposes. • Fires must be extinguished by 11 p.m. If you have questions about recreational fires or other fire-related topics, contact West Metro Fire-Rescue at 763.230.7000. Streetlight Problem? Most of the streetlights in New Hope are owned, operated and maintained by Xcel Energy. If a streetlight has burned out, malfunctioned or been damaged, residents may call Xcel Energy at 1.800.960.6235 or New Hope Public Works at 763.592.6761. New Hope Public Works shares reported issues, as appropriate, with Xcel Energy. Residents may also call Public Works if they have general questions about streetlights. Call Before You Dig Are you planning to plant a tree, install a fence or put footings in for a new deck? Protect yourself and those around you by using Gopher State One Call (GSOC). Minnesota state law requires that you contact GSOC to have utilities located before beginning any project that requires digging. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Contacting Gopher State One Call is easy and can be done online at gopherstateonecall.org or by calling 811. Required information includes contact information, type of work, dig location details and project timing. Utility companies will mark the location of underground utility lines with either paint or flags. Respect the utility markers and dig carefully. The process is easy, free and available 24/7. NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 4 Juvenile Curfew Reminder In Hennepin County, there is a county-wide curfew ordinance for anyone under 18. The curfew intends to protect children and teens from being involved in or victimized by crime during nighttime hours. There are exceptions for employment, school, religious observances, sponsored recreational activities, emergencies, errands at the direction of a parent or guardian and engaging in activities protected by the First Amendment. The law applies if the child is in any public place after curfew hours, including walking, biking or driving a vehicle. If young people are in a public place or business after the above hours without a parent, guardian or another responsible adult, they may be cited by police. A public place means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes streets, highways, and common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities and shops. The complete ordinance can be viewed on Hennepin County Attorney's website at hennepinattorney.org/curfew. Contact the New Hope Police Department at 763.531.5170 with questions. Austin Recognized as Employee of the Quarter Britni Austin, New Hope Police Department Investigator, was named New Hope’s Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2022. Investigator Austin was nominated for her initiative in leading the police department’s mental health efforts. The nomination stated, “Britni coordinates with our embedded social worker, the group home social worker, and caseworkers to see that people get in contact with services that can reduce calls for emergency police services. Britni represents the NHPD on various collaborative projects within the west metro and Hennepin County. She is also part of the county-wide discussion of response options to crisis calls.” The nomination further described Austin’s passion for her work and the benefit seen both internally within the department and externally in the community. Thank you, Investigator Austin! The City commends you for this work that has continued to rise in importance within the community. Austin joined the department in 2012 and has received several commendations and letters of appreciation for her work. Stay Connected with the City! Visit the city website and follow New Hope on social media to stay informed about all the latest news, projects, events and happenings. • City of New Hope Website: newhopemn.gov • City of New Hope Facebook: facebook.com/newhopeminnesota • New Hope Police Department Facebook: facebook.com/newhopepd • New Hope Parks & Recreation Facebook: facebook.com/newhoperecreation • City of New Hope Instagram: instagram.com/newhopemn • Nextdoor: nextdoor.com/agency/city-of-new-hope REPORT AN ISSUE Community members can share concerns with city staff via the website or from a mobile device using Ready 311. Report potholes, graffiti, property maintenance issues and more at newhopemn.gov/reportanissue or using the Ready 311 App for iOS or Android. SUBMIT ANONYMOUS CRIME TIPS Sign up for tip411 to submit anonymous crime tips and receive alerts from the New Hope Police Department. Learn more at newhopemn.gov/tip411. 1. Send anonymous text tips to 84711 using the keyword “NHPD.” 2. Submit anonymous tips using the FREE smartphone app for iOS or Android. 3. Use the anonymous web tip form at newhopemn.gov/tip411 from a computer. Note: Always use 911 when immediate assistance is needed, to report a crime in progress or in an emergency. New Hope proclaimed May 15-21, 2022, as National Public Works Week to honor the dedication and valuable contributions made by public works personnel. Public Works Week is observed annually in the United States to recognize those who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works. Public works personnel design, build, operate, maintain and protect the transportation systems, water supply infrastructure, sewer systems, public buildings, parks and other structures and facilities. Public works infrastructure, facilities and services play a pivotal role in the health, safety and quality of life in communities throughout the country. In New Hope, public works personnel maintain and service nearly 65 miles of city streets, 630 miles of sidewalks, 65 miles of water mains, 716 fire hydrants, 75 miles of sanitary sewer pipes and 57 miles of storm sewer pipes. They also maintain city parks, playgrounds and ball fields. Public Works crews diligently ensure that they respond when needed, and often that need is outside of regular business hours. In addition to their usually scheduled work week, these crews often work throughout the night, on weekends and holidays to ensure the community’s infrastructure is safe and functional. The City of New Hope extends a sincere message of appreciation to public works personnel for their dedication and commitment to the community! Thank You, Public Works! May is Building Safety Month May is Building Safety Month, a world- wide campaign presented by the Internal Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “Safety for All: Building Codes in Action,” raises awareness about the importance of building codes in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work and learn. The City of New Hope recognizes that confidence in the buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, laborers, plumbers and others in the construction industry who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings. “New Hope’s code enforcement officials are a critical part of public safety in the community,” said New Hope Community Development Director, Jeff Sargent. “Building Safety Month creates awareness about the important work these individuals do on a daily basis to ensure safety in the spaces where individuals live, work and learn.” Thank you to the building code and inspections staff and West Metro Fire-Rescue officials for ensuring the safety and desirability of New Hope properties through their work! City of New Hope Inspections Staff