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031423 CAC Agenda PacketCitizen Advisory Commission Meeting City Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North March 14, 2023 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of January 10, 2023 minutes. 4. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan Discussion with Rich Johnson, Director of Human Resources/Administrative Services and Walker MacBeath, Human Resources Specialist. 5. Snowman Contest Update. 6. Brainstorming — Ideas to bring attention to New Hope. 7. Parks and Recreation project updates. 8. Other business. 9. Adjournment. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or sraderCnewhopemn.gov Citizen Advisory Commission Regular Meeting CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 January 10, 2023 New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. Chair Kulzer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Present: Commissioners Jeffrey Harper, Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman, Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger, Rick Riley, Bill Wills Absent: None Staff Present: Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kaufman made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 meeting as written. Commissioner Riley seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF 2022 ANNUAL Commissioner Wills made a motion to approve the annual report as written. REPORT Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development, conducted a brief UPDATE PowerPoint presentation of some of the more recent projects taking place in the city. He began by discussing a proposal for outside storage at Pallet One MN, located on Science Center Drive. He explained that a portion of the parking lot had been modified to accommodate the outdoor storage of tractor trailers and noted that trees had been planted to serve as a buffer for neighboring properties. Mr. Sargent briefly reviewed the Windsor Ridge development and reminded the commissioners that 32 single-family homes had been constructed. He stated that designs included ranch, split entry and two-story, and noted that the average sales price of the homes had been approximately $430,000. Mr. Sargent referred to Padagis US, LLC, a privately held pharmaceutical manufacturer, and reported that the city had entered into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to help support a Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) loan of up to $960,000 for this company. He explained that up to $5 million worth of new machinery had been planned for this facility and noted that approximately 60 high -paying jobs were expected to be added over the next few years. Commissioner Wills wondered if the loan presented a risk to the city. Mr. Sargent replied no and explained that if the company defaulted or was unable to meet the minimum requirements to receive funding, the city must attempt to recover any funds that had already been distributed; however, it would not be held liable if it failed to recoup any of the funding. The Scattered Site Housing Program was then discussed. Mr. Sargent explained that goals of this program were to remove distressed and blighted properties, provide step-up housing opportunities, improve housing stock, revitalize neighborhoods, and instill confidence in new buyers. He explained that since 2014 the city had acquired and created 29 lots for new construction or rehabilitation. He stated that most existing properties had been demolished and the lots had been sold to developers following a bid process. He noted that five lots had been split into two and three of the properties had been remodeled rather than demolished. Commissioner Riley referred to the information Mr. Sargent had provided and noted the approximate value of new homes the year after completed was $7.6 million. He stated that the information he had reviewed with Mr. Sargent the previous week had indicated a change in value from acquisition to completion was about $4.7 million and the change in value from acquisition to 2022 was around $6.5 million. He wondered about the difference in valuation. Mr. Sargent supposed that the difference was likely due to market values at the time or recently updated information. He pointed out that the value of the properties had nearly tripled from the original value of around $2.85 million. Commissioner Wills wondered if $2.85 million had been the city's purchase price for those properties. Mr. Sargent clarified that $2.85 million was the market value of the 29 properties at the time of purchase. He also displayed before and after photos and briefly discussed two properties that had been purchased through the Scattered Site Housing Program. The Curbside Appeal Reimbursement Program was then discussed. Mr. Sargent stated that the program had been launched in June 2022 to encourage homeowners to make improvements to the exterior of their homes and garages that would be visible from the street. He explained that eligible projects would be reimbursed at 25% of cost in amounts ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a $5,000 maximum. Mr. Sargent reported that eligible projects included: • Alterations 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 garage door that includes windows and/or is comprised of solid, stained wood or composite wood • Addition of windows above and/or on side(s) of front door • Installation of column(s) • Installation of brick or stone fagade/accents New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 10, 2023 Page 2 • Incorporation of address numbers into stone facade • Installation of shutters, shakes and or board and batten siding • Enlargement of window(s) by at least 25% or addition of windows Chair Kulzer wondered how much of the funding had been used thus far. Mr. Sargent estimated that around half of the funding had been used and stated that the remaining funds would be rolled into the 2023 program. He explained that in the future, this program might be funded through HRA and EDA levies. He also reported that some applications had been rejected as they had not met the program's requirements. Commissioner Wills asked for examples of projects that had been rejected. Mr. Sargent explained that maintenance -type projects, including driveway resurfacing and replacement of windows had been rejected. He also mentioned that an application for a new garage door had been rejected, as it would not be visible from the street. Commissioner Wills noticed that a roof replacement was not currently eligible but wondered whether utilizing upgraded materials could make it eligible. Mr. Sargent stated that based on feedback, staff planned to discuss the possibility of expanding the requirements with the city council in the future. Mr. Sargent reported that the city had adopted a Fair Housing Policy in February 2022 which offered a clear mission statement. He briefly reviewed the policy and noted that it was available on the city's website. The RAVE! Award program was also discussed. Mr. Sargent explained that this program was designed to formally recognize residents for exceptional property maintenance. He displayed photos of the 2022 winners and thanked Commissioners Wills and Riley for serving as judges over the past several years. Commissioner Kaufman referred to the Curbside Appeal Program and wondered how the city addressed properties that might be considered unattractive. Mr. Sargent replied that staff would typically not become involved unless there was a code violation. Commissioner Riley inquired about issues like peeling paint. Mr. Sargent replied that staff may consider contacting the owner to bring it to their attention. Commissioner Harper wondered about overgrown shrubs or excessive weeds in the lawn. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 10, 2023 Page 3 Mr. Sargent replied that tall grass would be addressed but overgrown shrubs would not, unless they posed a nuisance to a neighboring property. Commissioner Riley mentioned that the previous home at 4511 Boone Ave N had been fire damaged and had stayed boarded up for about 18 months. He wondered if it had been a safety hazard and why it hadn't been addressed sooner. Mr. Sargent replied that the property had been boarded up properly and until it was transferred or sold, the city could do nothing. He added that the city eventually purchased the property following a foreclosure. Commissioner Riley referred to the Scattered Site Housing Program and pointed out that information regarding property valuations and the city's actual purchasing costs were available on the city's website. He cited 5213 Pennsylvania Ave N and noted that the city had been in arrears by $133,000 following the sale of the newly constructed home. He felt that based on the return on investment it would still be in arrears by 32% after 30 years. Commissioner Wills felt this was an issue for the city council. Mr. Sargent stated that another intention of the program was to increase tax base and noted that the return on investment could change over time due to market forces. Commissioner Riley suggested that the Curbside Appeal Program be expanded to include interior remodeling, as this also added value. Commissioner Herman mentioned that he had been a licensed real estate agent since 2006 and felt that upgrades that were visible from the street would get more attention from potential buyers. Commissioner Riley mentioned that property values in the city had increased by an average of 18% over 2022 and noted that of the 29 scattered site properties, only three had increased by 18% or more. Chair Kulzer asked for an update on the property at 42nd and Boone avenues. Mr. Sargent reported that requests for proposals had been sent to developers with a deadline of January 20. He stated that proposals would be presented to the city council at the next EDA meeting, along with staff recommendations. He added that if no qualified proposals were received the city would hold off on development for the time being. Chair Kulzer referred to the Windsor Ridge development. He thought that the city of Crystal owned the property on the east side of Louisiana Avenue and wondered whether they had developed that property as well. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 10, 2023 Page 4 Mr. Sargent replied yes and noted that the city of Crystal had created three lots along the western edge of Iron Horse Park that could be accessed from the new section of Louisiana Avenue. Chair Kulzer asked for an update on the noise issue with Dakota Growers Pasta. Mr. Sargent replied that the company had spent over $25,000 on noise dampening improvements. He stated that the city had been working with the company as well as the MPCA to address a slight overage in the nighttime noise level. The commissioners thanked Mr. Sargent for his presentation. He excused himself from the meeting at 8:05 p.m. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Riley nominated Scott Kulzer to serve as Chair in 2023. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. Voting in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Motion carried. Chair Kulzer nominated Bill Wills to serve as Vice Chair in 2023. Commissioner Riley seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. Commissioner Riley nominated Jill Kaufman to serve at Secretary in 2023. Commissioner Neuburger seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. PARK ASSIGNMENTS FOR Following a brief discussion parks were reassigned for 2023. 2023 BRAINSTORMING — IDEAS Commissioner Kaufman offered to bring Snowman Contest flyers to Sonnesyn TO BRING ATTENTION TO Elementary. NEW HOPE PARKS AND RECREATION Ms. Rader reported that the new playground equipment had been ordered for PROJECT UPDATES Liberty Park. She added that lighting would be retrofitted at Lighted baseball field and Meadow Lake Elementary pickleball courts in the next month or so. She added that the south rink floor project at the ice arena was scheduled to begin in mid -March. Commissioner Riley inquired about the lighting for the Meadow Lake Elementary pickleball courts. Ms. Rader explained that those lights would be retrofitted with LED lighting. Commissioner Wills noted that approximately one dozen trees had been planted at Liberty Park last fall. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 10, 2023 Page 5 Commissioner Riley mentioned that approximately 17 or 18 ash trees had been removed from the boulevard adjacent to the YMCA property. He noticed an equal number of diseased trees across the street from that property and wondered if those would be removed next. Ms. Rader replied that she was unsure of the schedule but noted that ash tree removals would continue over the next few years. Commissioner Neuburger inquired about 2023 city -sponsored events. Ms. Rader replied that upcoming events would be advertised in the summer brochure, which was scheduled for distribution in early March. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Rader reported that the city had recently rehired the Golf Superintendent position which had been vacant for the past 10 years. She informed the commissioners that Ricky Plemel would start on January 20. Commissioner Kaufman mentioned that she had submitted a letter to the editor of the Sun Post Newspaper, thanking the Cooper High School Student Council for their presentation at the December meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wills made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Neuburger seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 10, 2023 Page 6 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION PARK ASSIGNMENTS (as of January 10, 2023) Jeffrey Harper Civic Center Park (north) Northwood Park Hidden Valley Park Randy Herman Holiday Park Lighted Field Park Jaycee Park Jill Kaufman Lions Park Terra Linda Park Scott Kulzer Fred Sims Park Sunnyside Park Civic Center Park (south) Carrie Neuburger Corner Park Little Acre Park Begin Park Rick Riley Elm Grove Park Meadow Lake Park Dorothy Mary Park Bill Wills Liberty Park Victory Park CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2023 AS OF 3/6/23 The following is a tentative listing of major agenda items that have either been assigned to the CAC, a CAC member has asked that the item be discussed, or city staff has asked that the item be discussed by the CAC. March 14 - DEI Plan Discussion with Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin Services April 11- Communications Update with Beth Kramer, Communications Coordinator May 9 - Adopt -a -Park June 13 - Ice Arena Operations Discussion w/Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager & Tour (Meet at ice arena) July 11- Hennepin Recycling Group (HRG) Update with Tim Pratt, Manager August 8 - September 12 - ? Commissioner Bus Tour September 18 - Annual Dialogue with City Council October 10 - November 14 - Budget Discussion December 12 - Note: A meeting may be cancelled if there are no agenda items. On -going • Continue to sponsor Snowman Contest, City-wide Garage Sale • Ideas to bring attention to New Hope • Promotion of existing City programs: In Focus, RAVE, Outstanding Business • Volunteering at P&R/City events • Adopt a Park (2x/year) Updates • Park/Facility Projects Possible Future Topics • Police Department - Joint Community Police Partnership; violent crime; violence in schools; hate speech • P&R Update • THC Ordinance update/discussion (late summer/fall?) CD? • Tobacco licenses 0 Fire Department update