In Touch_July/August 2022JULY/AUGUST 2022
NO. 215
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 | 763.398.1203
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
What's Your Voting Plan?
PAGE 2
Mark Your Calendars
2022 Infrastructure Improvement Projects
City Council Accepts 2021 Audit Report
City Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Don't Forget About Energy Efficiency This Summer
PAGE 3
CP Rail Regional Trail: Feedback Wanted!
Music, Movies in the Park
Fall Fun Arriving in Your Mailbox
Recreation Corner
Growing Problem
Get Involved, Join a Commission
PAGE 4
Trash, Organics Drop-Off and Event Recycling
Employee of the Quarter
Food Truck Friday
Public Safety Happenings This year is an election year. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 9. Voters will
narrow the field of candidates for two at-large city council seats and several county,
state and federal offices. General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. The polls are open
from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both election days.
REGISTRATION
Residents must be registered to vote. Voters who have not voted within the last four
years or whose name or address has changed may need to re-register. Voter pre-
registration ends 20 days before each election. The last day to pre-register before the
primary election was July 19. The last day to pre-register for the general election is
Oct. 18. Eligible voters may also register when absentee voting or at their designated
polling location on Election Day.
ABSENTEE (EARLY) VOTING
Voters may also vote by casting an absentee (early) ballot. Request an absentee ballot
online by visiting mnvotes.org and selecting “Other Ways to Vote.” The absentee
voting process can be completed entirely by mail. New Hope voters can also absentee
vote for the primary election at New Hope City Hall through Aug. 8. Absentee voting
for the general election is available beginning Sept. 23.
If absentee voting by mail, allow enough time for county election staff to process and
mail your ballot. Returned ballots must be received by Election Day. Ballots returned in
person must be delivered to New Hope City Hall no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day.
Ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day. Voters can check the
status of their absentee ballot at mnvotes.org.
POLLING LOCATIONS AND SAMPLE BALLOTS
On Election Day, voters must vote at their designated polling location. New Hope has
eight polling locations throughout the city. The Polling Place Finder on the Secretary
of State’s website at mnvotes.org allows voters to enter their address to find their
polling location, sample ballots and other information about voting on Election Day.
TIME OFF TO VOTE
State statute gives eligible voters the right to arrange for time away from work to vote
on Election Day without penalty or loss of salary or wages.
Additional election information is available on the City’s website at newhopemn.gov/
vote or the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at mnvotes.org. Questions may
also be directed to the City’s election line at 763.531.5160.
Election Dates to Know in 2022
PRIMARY ELECTION
Now – Vote early by mail or in
person for the primary election
through Aug. 8
Tuesday, Aug. 2 – Direct balloting
begins (absentee voters may insert
ballot directly into tabulator)
Saturday, Aug. 6 – Absentee voting
at New Hope City Hall from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 8 – Absentee
voting at New Hope City Hall ends
at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 9 – Primary Election
Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to
8 p.m.
GENERAL ELECTION
Friday, Sept. 23 - Vote early by mail
or in person for the general election
from Sept. 23 through Nov. 7
Tuesday, Oct. 18 – Last day to pre-
register before the general election
Tuesday, Nov. 1 – Direct balloting
begins (absentee voters may insert
ballot directly into tabulator)
Saturday, Nov. 5 – Absentee voting
at New Hope City Hall from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 7 – Absentee voting
at New Hope City Hall ends at
5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 – General Election
Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to
8 p.m.
For more information, go to
newhopemn.gov/vote or
mnvotes.org.
2021 Water Quality Report
The City of New Hope works hard to
provide safe, reliable drinking water that
meets federal and state water quality
requirements. To do so, city staff works
with the Minnesota Department of
Health to test the water for more than
100 contaminants.
The test results are published in the
annual water consumer confidence
report, which outlines details about the
water quality for the previous year.
The 2021 Water Quality Report is
available at newhopemn.gov/waterquality.
Questions? Contact New Hope Public
Works at 763.592.6777.
Mark Your Calendars
AUGUST July 27 - Aug. 6 New Hope Summer Theatre
Aug. 1 Human Rights Commission Meeting
Aug. 2 National Night Out, New Hope’s Night to Unite
Aug. 3 Planning Commission Meeting
Aug. 5 Food Truck Friday
Aug. 6 Saturday Absentee Voting at City Hall
New Hope Community Farmers Market
Aug. 8 City Council Meeting
Aug. 9 Primary Election Day
Community Conversations
No Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
Aug. 10 Music in the Park, Salsa del Soul
Aug. 12 Food Truck Friday
Aug. 13 New Hope Community Farmers Market
Aug. 15 Council Work Session
Aug. 19 Food Truck Friday
Aug. 20 New Hope Community Farmers Market
Aug. 21 Aquatic Park Closes for Season
Aug. 22 City Council Meeting
Aug. 25 Movie in the Park, “Remember the Titans”
Aug. 31 Music in the Park, Teddy Bear Band and Rich & The Resistors
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 3 New Hope Community Farmers Market
Sept. 5 Labor Day, City Offices Closed
Sept. 6 Planning Commission Meeting
Sept. 7 Human Rights Commission Meeting
Sept. 10 New Hope Community Farmers Market
Sept. 12 City Council Meeting
Sept. 13 No Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
Sept. 19 Council Work Session
Sept. 26 City Council Meeting
Sept. 30 Crime Prevention Fund Golf Tournament
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
City Council Accepts 2021 Audit Report
In May, the New Hope City Council received the 2021 audit and annual comprehensive
financial report, showing positive results for the city.
Highlights of the report include:
• The City's assets and deferred outflows of resources exceeded its liabilities
and deferred inflows of resources at the close of the most recent fiscal year
by $96,073,515 (net position). Of this amount, $29,882,377 (unrestricted net
position) may be used to meet the City's ongoing obligations to citizens and
creditors.
• The City's total net position increased by $11,034,386. This was a result of
governmental activities and business-type activities increasing net position by
$8,193,901 and $2,840,485, respectively.
• As of the close of the current fiscal year, the City's governmental funds reported
combined ending fund balances of $30,054,786, an increase of $2,599,535 in
comparison with the prior year. Approximately 22.1 percent of this total amount,
$6,646,030, is available for spending at the City's discretion (unassigned fund
balance).
• At the end of the current fiscal year, the unassigned fund balance for the General
Fund was $8,624,063, or 51.2 percent, of total General Fund 2021 expenditures
and transfers out.
• The City's total bonded debt decreased by $4,925,562 (9.1 percent) during the
current fiscal year
The full report and presentation may be found at newhopemn.gov/finance.
City Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and Canada
(GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting to the City of New Hope for its
annual comprehensive financial report for
the fiscal year that ended on Dec. 31, 2020.
The report has been judged by an impartial
panel to meet the program's high standards,
including demonstrating a constructive "spirit
of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its
financial story and motivate potential users
and user groups to read the report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of
governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a
significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
2022 Infrastructure Improvement Project Updates
New Hope city and engineering staff rate approximately one-half of all New Hope
streets annually. This rating data is incorporated into annual budgets and project
forecasting parameters to create a street infrastructure management plan.
Focusing on short-term and long-term street and utility issues, staff identify and
prioritize street maintenance activities to maximize the return on each dollar
invested. Depending on the roadway and underlying maintenance conditions,
maintenance strategies are identified as mill and overlay, reclaim and overlay, or total
reconstruction.
Here are some updates on current city projects, as well as anticipated work coming
in 2023:
• The street and utility infrastructure improvement project in the Liberty Park west
neighborhood is mostly complete. This work includes mill and overlay, reclaim
and overlay, and water main and stormwater utility improvements.
• The city awarded a contract to Allied Blacktop Company and Fahrner Asphalt
Sealers in May for the 2022 crack repair and seal coat project. This project
includes crack repair with mastic, seal coat, and fog seal on Boone Avenue
between 42nd and 49th avenues and crack repair with mastic between 49th
Avenue and Bass Lake Road. Streets in the Sunnyside Park, Holiday Park and
Begin Park neighborhoods are also scheduled to have varying degrees of crack
repair, seal coat and fog seal. This work began this summer and is expected to be
completed by fall. More information is available at newhopemn.gov/2022seal.
• In the next month, city and engineering staff will begin preparing the feasibility
study for the potential 2023 Infrastructure Improvement Project. This proposed
city project includes street and utility improvements in the Northwood Park and
Sonnesyn neighborhoods east of Boone Avenue.
The complete 10-year pavement management plan is available on the City's website.
Don't Forget About Energy Efficiency This Summer!
As you use your AC to fight the humid summer, you may see energy bills start to
climb. A Home Energy Squad (HES) visit can help ensure your home is as efficient as
possible to save on energy costs all summer.
During a HES visit, an energy auditor will come to your house to assess your home's
energy efficiency. They will provide instant energy savings by installing free materials
like LED lights, door and attic weather stripping and high-efficiency water fixtures.
The energy auditor will also inspect your insulation, heating and cooling systems and
water heater to determine potential upgrades for future energy savings. After the
visit, you'll receive a customized report with upgrade recommendations and their
potential savings, so you have all the information to decide what upgrades make the
most sense for you.
There are two visit types available, the Energy Saver Visit (for homes built in or after
2000) and the Energy Planner Visit (for homes built before 2000). New Hope's
partnership with HES means residents receive a discount on their visit. Visit
mncee.org/newhope to see eligible savings.
If you are ready to schedule, you can visit mncee.org/home-energy-squad or call
651.328.6220.
The Home Energy Squad is provided by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy and
delivered by the local nonprofit, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE).
NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 3
Recreation Corner
FALL GOLF LEAGUE REGISTRATION
Fall is an excellent time of year to play golf! Courses are less busy, temperatures
are cooler and course conditions are perfect. Enjoy the outdoors this fall and
sign up for a golf league at the New Hope Village Golf Course. Leagues begin
the first full week of September and go through mid-October. There is a senior
league on Monday mornings, a men’s league on Monday afternoons/evenings,
morning women's leagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and women’s leagues on
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings. Registration begins on Aug. 8.
Stop by or call the golf course at 763.531.5178 to register.
AUGUST SOLAR POWERED CAMPS
Join us for some fun and exciting camps to learn about solar power this August!
All classes will take place at the Crystal Community Center.
• Solar Powered (ages 8-12) Aug. 15-18 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Solar Go-Carts (ages 6-12) Aug. 15-18 from 1-4 p.m.
• Solar Cars, Robots & Machines (ages 5-8) Aug. 22-25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Growing & Cooking with the Sun (ages 9-12) Aug. 22-25 from 1-4 p.m.
AUGUST SPORTS CAMPS
Join one or more sports camps in August. Camps will be held for ultimate
Frisbee, flag football, gymnastics, quidditch, archery and sports extravaganza.
Each of these camps will concentrate on the skills of that sport, so you can
become more proficient in the sports you love to play.
PICKLEBALL LESSONS
Sign up today for a fall session of pickleball lessons. Pickleball is a game played
on a court similar to a tennis court where players hit a whiffle ball with a paddle
similar to a ping-pong paddle. These adult classes (ages 18+) are available for
beginner and intermediate players on Wednesdays, Sept. 14-Oct. 5. The classes
are held at Civic Center tennis/pickleball courts located at 4401 Xylon Ave N
next to the police station.
For more information about these programs or to register, visit
newhopemn.gov/rec or call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763.531.5151.
Music, Movies in the Park
Families and friends, come out to enjoy
free entertainment and movies at the
New Hope Performance Center!
Upcoming Music in the Park concerts
include Salsa del Sol on Aug. 10 and the
Teddy Bear Band and Rich & the Resistors
on Aug. 31. Both begin at 7 p.m. Join us
for the last summer Movie in the Park on
Thursday, Aug. 25 at 8:30 p.m. for a free
showing of “Remember the Titans”. Bring
a blanket or lawn chair to sit on the built-
in seating or in the grass.
All movies and music take place at the
New Hope Performance Center (4401
Xylon Ave N). For a complete schedule
visit newhopemn.gov or call 763.531.5151.
The New Hope Community is invited to provide feedback about route options
for the future CP Rail Regional Trail through Crystal, Golden Valley and New Hope
between the Luce Line and Crystal Lake Regional Trails through Labor Day.
The CP Rail Regional Trail is envisioned as a north-south multi-use, nonmotorized
recreational trail corridor between the Crystal Lake Regional Trail in Crystal at
Becker Park and the Minnesota Valley State Trail in Bloomington. The regional trail
is being planned in segments to allow for thoughtful community engagement and
detailed route analysis.
The master planning work through your community is critical, as the original
vision for the regional trail was to utilize the CP Rail corridor; however, this is not
currently feasible and alternative routes are needed to provide a safe,
comfortable and continuous north-south regional trail for people walking and
biking in the near future. The master plan efforts will identify and study alternative
routes to determine which option(s) best balances public preference, feasibility,
cost, private property impacts and safety.
You can share your feedback about the route options by:
• Visiting ThreeRiversParks.link/CP-Rail to comment on the interactive map,
take a survey or leave general feedback.
• Emailing comments or requesting a one-on-one meeting at CPRailRegional-
TrailMasterPlan@ThreeRiversParks.org.
CP Rail Regional Trail: Feedback Wanted!
Fall Fun Arriving in Your Mailbox!
The fall issue of In Motion is available at newhope.gov/rec and
has been mailed to all New Hope residences.
Offerings include activities, classes and events for participants
of all ages including dance, gymnastics, private piano lessons,
skating lessons, defensive driving, adult trips and much more!
Call New Hope Parks & Recreation at 763.531.5151 for more
information or to register today!
Growing Problem?
City ordinance requires property
owners to prevent weeds from
maturing and spreading, and
prohibits grass or weeds in excess
of eight inches in height.
Complaints about weeds or
unmowed grass may be made at
newhopemn.gov/reportanissue or
by contacting the city forester at
763.592.6763.
Get Involved, Join a Commission
The City is accepting applications for
openings on the New Hope Human
Rights Commission. Applicants must be
New Hope residents or members of the
business community. Meetings are
usually held one night per month.
Interested? Commission descriptions
and applications may be found at
newhopemn.gov/boardsandcommissions
or by calling 763.531.5117.
NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 4
Want To Be a Firefighter? Now's Your Chance!
West Metro Fire-Rescue District (WMFRD) is accepting
applications for firefighters. No experience is necessary.
Positions are part-time, paid-on-call with an hourly wage
and pension eligibility.
Applicants are required to have a permanent residence
within six minutes of a WMFRD station, a valid Minnesota
driver’s license, a high school diploma or equivalent, pass
physical and psychological evaluations and have a positive
attitude and desire to help others.
Interested? Join the department for an informational meeting and BBQ on
Wednesday, Aug. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at WMFRD Headquarters, 4251 Xylon Ave N.
More information and an application can be found at wmfrd.org or by contacting
Assistant Chief Joel Nelson at jnelson@westmetrofire.com or 763.230.7007.
Applications must be returned to WMFRD Headquarters by Aug. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Sign Up for a FREE Home Safety Survey
Home safety surveys are provided free of charge by the West Metro Fire-Rescue
District. A member of the fire department will walk through your home with you to
identify hazards and provide measures to improve your safety. They will also check
all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to verify that they are working and in the
proper locations. You will receive the following items from a survey:
• A walk-through of your home checking for fire hazards (the fire department
will show you how to correct the hazard)
• Assistance with developing a fire escape plan and how to conduct a fire drill
• Verification that your smoke detectors are in proper locations
• Free replacement of old smoke detectors
• Free replacement of batteries in your smoke detectors with 10-year lithium
batteries
• Free additional smoke detectors installed where needed
• Verification that you have a properly located carbon monoxide detector
• Free digital carbon monoxide detector, if needed
• Free fire extinguisher, if needed
Contact Shelby Wolf, Deputy Fire Marshal, at swolf@westmetrofire.com or
763.230.7006 to schedule your FREE survey today!
Community Police Academy
The Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale
Community Police Academy is designed
for the average community member
who wants to get to know their city’s
police department.
Participants can be adults of any age and
background, living or working within the
city limits of Crystal, New Hope or
Robbinsdale. Most instructors are from
the New Hope, Crystal or Robbinsdale
police departments and class topics
include patrol tactics, investigations,
court procedures, crime prevention
strategies and much more.
Community Police Academy classes are
free and held on Tuesday evenings for seven weeks beginning in September. Space
is limited and participants must commit to attending all seven classes. The deadline
to apply is Sept. 13 at 3 p.m.
Learn more at newhopemn.gov/crimeprevention or contact Officer Kallio at
bkallio@newhopemn.gov or 763.398.1229.
Safe Exchange Zone
The New Hope Police Department’s designated
safe exchange zone provides a safe location to
complete public transactions.
Community members are encouraged to use the
location when conducting transactions for online
sales, child custody exchanges or when conducting
any transaction with someone you may not know
or feel comfortable meeting at a private location.
The zone is not monitored at all times; however, it
is well-lit and under 24/7 video surveillance. The
safe exchange zone is in the west parking lot of
New Hope City Hall and is identified by safe
exchange signage.
Let's Talk Trash
City ordinance requires every household and business in New Hope to have trash
collection at least once per week. The city uses an open collection system, which
means that residents are allowed to use any of the six service providers licensed by
the city for residential collection. Each hauler provides their own refuse cart.
Licensed garbage haulers collect trash on Tuesdays for New Hope homes south of
42nd Avenue and on Wednesdays for homes north of 42nd Avenue. Refuse
containers should be set at the curb either the night before or the day of the
scheduled pickup by 6 a.m. and returned to a storage location that is either inside or
screened from view from the street. Note: A number of haulers are currently
experiencing unprecedented driver shortages, resulting in occasional collection
delays.
For more information about waste and recycling or to see a list of licensed providers,
visit newhopemn.gov/trash.
Organics Recycling Drop-Off Open
Drop-off organics recycling is available at the Crystal Cove Aquatics Center, 4848
Douglas Dr in Crystal. The drop-off is in the northeast corner of the parking lot with a
brown organics recycling sign on the gate.
Access to the drop-off is restricted to registered users. Residents may register at
hrg-recycling.com. Once registered, residents will receive an email with specifics.
Organics must be in BPI-certified compostable bags or paper shopping bags. A list of
accepted items is available on the HRG website at hrg-recycling.com.
Residents may also sign up for curbside organics recycling service with their refuse
hauler. It is an optional add-on service for which there is an additional fee. As an
incentive, Hennepin Recycling Group will pay 50 percent of the cost for the first year
of service, up to $100.
For more information, visit hrg-recycling.com or call 763.493.8006.
Event Recycling
Are you hosting a summer gathering? Don’t
forget to collect recyclables and organics!
Residents can borrow recycling containers
and bags for free for any event in Hennepin
County. To reserve, visit brooklynpark.org/
eventrecycling. Once reserved, pick them up
at the Brooklyn Park Operations and
Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Ave N.
After the event, bring the recycling and
organics to the Hennepin County Drop-Off
Facility, 8100 Jefferson Hwy in Brooklyn
Park.
Residents may also empty recycling into curbside collection containers.
Organics may be added to curbside organics recycling carts or dropped off at the
Crystal Cove organics drop-off location (users must be registered).
Accounting Tech Selected as New Hope's Employee of the Quarter
Congratulations to Andrea Phinney,
accounting technician, on being selected
Employee of the Quarter for the second
quarter of 2022. Andrea started with the
city in January 2020 and has led many
projects and initiatives, greatly benefiting
the city and its staff. A few named
explicitly by her nominator include SWAT
cost management, vehicle leasing,
electronic invoicing and online alarm
registrations. She's also used her
knowledge of spreadsheets and
organization both within her department
and to the benefit of other departments.
Her nominator noted that Andrea
"always has a smile, a kind word and a
wonderful sense of humor!" Andrea is
always eager to help with the daily
questions finance receives. Thank you, Andrea, for all your contributions to the city
and congratulations!
Feeling Famished? Fix It at Food Truck Friday!
Join your New Hope neighbors and end the week with Food Truck Friday from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. at New Hope City Hall. The fun runs through Aug. 19. Find a complete list of
scheduled trucks and fun at newhopemn.gov/foodtruckfriday.
Please note: Trucks are subject to change without notice.