In Touch_March/April 2024MARCH/APRIL 2024
NO. 225
What's Inside
Getting In Touch
NEW HOPE CITY HALL
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, MN 55428
763.531.5100
CITY WEBSITEnewhopemn.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
City Manager - Reece Bertholf
rbertholf@newhopemn.gov | 763.531.5112
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
PAGE 2
Special Materials Drop-Off Day
Bins and Barrels Sale
Name-a-Snowplow Contest
Spring Street Sweeping
Water Service Line Inventory
PAGE 3
Bike Rodeo
Summer Brochure
Citywide Garage Sale
Summer Golf Leagues
Recreation Corner
PAGE 4
Employee of the Quarter
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Junior Police Academy
Bulky Curbside Waste Collection is April 1-11
Hennepin Recycling Group's bulky waste curbside cleanup is April 1 to April 11. This
event is held biennially, during even years, to enable residents to dispose of large,
unusable items easily and responsibly. In March, Hennepin Recycling Group sent a
postcard with additional information to eligible addresses, including the address-speciıc
collection day.To verify your collection day, visit hrg-recycling.com/bulky-waste.
ACCEPTED ITEMS AND LIMITS
The program accepts old/unusable furniture, mattresses, carpet, general household
junk (up to 100 lbs. per item), vacuum cleaners and appliances. As a result of the cost of
the program more than doubling in the past ıve years, limits have been placed on the
amount of material collected per household.
• General junk and household building materials: Pile is limited to ONE level truck
bed (Generally 4' x 8' x 2')
• Unusable furniture: Limit TWO
• Mattresses or box springs: Limit TWO
• Appliances: Limit TWO
The hauler will not collect items exceeding these limits, and residents will be responsible
for their disposal.
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED
The cleanup event does not accept electronics (TVs, computers, etc.), hazardous
material, paint, concrete, railroad ties and tires. If you need to dispose of these items,
the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility at 8100 Jefferson Highway in Brooklyn Park
accepts hazardous material and paint for free. The facility also accepts electronics and
tires, some of which require a small fee. Many of these items are also accepted at
Special Materials Drop-Off Day on April 27 (more details on page 2).
COLLECTION DAY DETAILS
On the collection date for your address, all material should be on the curb by
7 a.m. Three separate trucks will go through each neighborhood throughout the
collection day — one for appliances, one for bulky items and one for trash. Please
note that each truck will go through the area only once and at different times.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about the program, submit them through the Brooklyn Park
HRG Recycling app, call 763.493.8006 or email BPOM@BrooklynPark.org.
Questions about the 2024 estimated
market value for your property?
Call the Hennepin County Assessor's
Ofıce at 763.531.5108. After calling
the assessor's ofıce, property owners
who still have concerns should attend
the New Hope Board of Appeal and
Equalization Meeting on April 11 at
7 p.m. at New Hope City Hall, 4401
Xylon Ave N.
Call 763.531.5117 with questions.
Upcoming Election Dates
May 21 Candidate ıling period opens for mayor and council member seats
June 4 Candidate ıling period closes
June 28 Vote early by mail or in person for the Primary Election through Aug. 12
July 23 Last day to pre-register to vote before the Primary Election
Aug. 13 Primary Election Day
Questions? Contact the city clerk at 763.531.5117.
New Hope is taking steps to ensure the safety of
our community by reducing lead exposure in the
water system. As per the regulations of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under its Lead
and Copper Rule, municipalities are required to
conduct an inventory of residential water service
lines to minimize the presence of lead in the water
system. As part of the new federal requirements,
the City of New Hope is compiling an inventory
of each water service line in the city to determine
the pipe’s composition and to see if it is lead,
galvanized steel, non-lead or unknown. WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE!
COMPLETE THE WATER SERVICE LINE SURVEY
New Hope residents are requested to complete the water service line survey by
visiting newhopemn.gov/waterservicelinesurvey or scanning the QR code. The
survey will ask for contact information, pipe information and a photo of the service
line where it meets the water meter. The water meter is usually found in the
basement utility room, crawl space or near an exterior tap. We encourage you to
complete the survey as soon as possible.
For more information, visit newhopemn.gov/waterservicelineinventory or contact
the New Hope Public Works Department at 763.592.6766.
Get a discount on rain barrels and compost bins and do your part for the environment
and your budget. Simply head to the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) website
at recycleminnesota.org/work/compost-bins-rain-barrels and order your rain barrel
and/or compost bin at a reduced price.
Residents of New Hope, Crystal and Brooklyn Center can save $20 with discount code
HRG20OFF and may choose to pick up their order at the Brooklyn Park Operations &
Maintenance Facility on Saturday, May 4.
Composting is a great way to reduce your trash volume and beneıt your garden.
Simply add food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, stale bread, wilted lettuce,
coffee grounds and ılters, weeds,
faded lowers and dead plants to
your compost bin. The ınished
compost can then be used as mulch
in your garden.
Meanwhile, rain barrels are a smart
way to save money and help the
environment. By collecting rainwater,
you'll have a free source of water to
keep your garden healthy. Plus, rain
barrels can help keep moisture away
from your foundation and prevent
debris from washing into storm
sewers.
If you have a collection of items to discard after spring
cleaning, you may be able to recycle some items that
can’t be put in your curbside recycling cart.
On Saturday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brooklyn
Park’s Operations & Maintenance facility, located at
8300 Noble Ave N, is accepting mattresses, electronics,
appliances, tires, scrap metal, bikes, batteries and more
at Special Materials Drop-Off Day. Free paper shredding
services will also be provided at the event.
Note that fees may apply for some items. Special Materials
Drop-Off Day is exclusively for New Hope, Crystal, Brooklyn
Park and Brooklyn Center residents. For more information, including a complete list of
accepted items, visit hrg-recycling.com or call 763.493.8006.
Mark Your Calendars
APRIL
April 1 Maple Grove Yard Waste Site Opens
April 1-11 Bulky Waste Curbside Cleanup
April 1 Human Rights Commission Meeting
April 2 No Planning Commission Meeting
April 8 New Hope City Council Meeting
April 9 Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
April 11 Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting
April 15 New Hope City Council Work Session
April 22 New Hope City Council Meeting
April 27 Special Materials Drop-Off Day
MAY
May 2 Bike Rodeo
May 1-28 Step to It Challenge
May 6 Human Rights Commission Meeting
May 7 Planning Commission Meeting
May 11 Golf Course Plant Sale
May 13 New Hope City Council Meeting
May 20 New Hope City Council Work Session
May 21 Candidate Filings for City Ofıce Open Through June 4
May 27 City Holiday, City Ofıces Closed
May 28 New Hope City Council Meeting
May 29 Music in the Park, Absolutely Elvis
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
The City of New Hope's new
snowplows have arrived, and we're
so excited that we can't wait until
next winter to name them!
To participate in the naming contest,
residents can submit their favorite
names for the plows by visiting
newhopemn.gov/nameasnowplow
through April 12. The City will
choose 15 names from the entries
and put them up for public voting on
the same website between April 17
and May 1. The two names with the
most votes will be featured on the
two new snowplows.
The residents who submit the winning
names will be invited to a city council
meeting to be recognized and have
a photo opportunity with the named
snowplow.
The City of New Hope uses its leet
of ıve snowplows to maintain nearly
65 miles of roadway during winter
weather events.
Spring Street Sweeping
Street sweeping is an important activity
that helps protect wetlands, lakes and
streams from trash, salt and debris that
accumulates on streets and along
gutters throughout the year. To ensure
that all streets are thoroughly cleaned,
New Hope contracts with a company
that conducts sweeping twice a year -
once in the spring and once in the fall.
City crews have already started sweep-
ing sensitive stormwater-related areas
in advance of the citywide sweep which
is expected to begin sometime in April.
The exact dates will be communicated
via the City's website and social media.
It takes about one week to complete the
sweeping process. During this time, it's
requested that residents avoid parking
on the road. As a remember, it is illegal to
dispose of grass, leaves or any other yard
waste into the street or gutter.
Do Clean Up the Doo-Doo
Four-legged friends don’t always wait to
get home to do their business. However,
owners are required to clean it up when
it happens in public. It’s not just common
courtesy; it’s the law.
Pet waste carries harmful bacteria and
parasites which can affect both humans
and other pets. When not cleaned up, it
can pollute waterways and promote the
growth of harmful vegetation.
As a responsible pet owner and good
neighbor, it is important to clean up after
your pets and dispose of their waste
properly. Let's all do our part to keep our
environment and community clean and
healthy.
We Need Your Help! Complete the Water Service Line Inventory
Special Materials Drop-Off Day is April 27
Bins and Barrels Sale
NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 3
Recreation Corner
AQUATIC PARK EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Looking for a way to beat the upcoming summer heat and humidity? Look no
further than the New Hope Aquatic Park and take advantage of our Early Bird
Special on season passes. With a season pass, you and your family can enjoy
unlimited access to the aquatic park during all open swim hours throughout the
season. Plus, adult season pass holders can enjoy free water walking and lap swimming
on weekdays before open hours. But hurry - the early bird rates end on May 31 at
4:30 p.m. To purchase your season pass or for more information, visit
newhopemn.gov/aquatics or call 763.531.5151.
COMMUNITY TRIPSTERS
Community Tripsters is a program for adults who enjoy getting away and meeting
new friends. These trips allow participants to dine at wonderful restaurants and
experience a host of remarkable recreational activities. Registration is now open
for many fun day trips throughout the spring and summer including:
Minneapolis Library and Fire Museum – May 14
Lake City Boat Cruise – June 11
Two Harbors and Split Rock Lighthouse – July 23
Hudson Boat Cruise – Aug. 15
Leinenkugel Brewery Tour – Sept. 19
REVSPORTS YOUTH ATHLETICS
This spring and summer, youth can participate in various RevSports athletic
programs. RevSports classes are non-competitive and instruction-based, designed
to develop the skills of each player at all ability levels according to their age. Each
session begins with foundational skills instruction, focusing on building on the
previous session's topics, and concludes with a scrimmage. The programs offered
include T-ball for ages 2-5 (with a parent), coach pitch baseball/softball for ages
4-8, tennis for ages 3-5 (with a parent) and 5-9, pickleball for ages 6-16 and soccer
for ages 3-5 (with a parent) and 5-9.
YOGA AND ZUMBA
Whether you prefer the relaxing movements and breathwork of yoga or the high
energy of Zumba, New Hope Parks and Recreation offers a variety of classes to
suit your interests. Yoga classes are available for all skill levels, with sessions run-
ning from May through June and July through August. If you're a fan of Zumba, you
can choose from three sessions that run in April and May, June and July or July and
August. Sign up for one session or all three!
For more information about these programs or to register, visit
newhopemn.gov/rec or call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763.531.5151.
NEW HOPE IN TOUCH | PAGE 4
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes in Minnesota, and it is important to
note that it is not just limited to using cellphones or texting. It can also include day-
dreaming, looking at something outside the vehicle, eating, grabbing objects, chang-
ing music and dealing with rowdy passengers, children or pets. From 2018 to 2022,
over 32,000 accidents were caused by distracted driving, contributing to 1 in every 11
crashes in Minnesota.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and from April 1-30, there will be extra
distracted driving enforcement on all Minnesota roads. The Minnesota Department of
Public Safety and the New Hope Police Department urge everyone to take action to
prevent distracted driving.
It is a myth to think that drivers can multitask while driving.
Any distraction can be deadly. Visual distraction can occur when you look away from
the road. Physical distraction happens when you take your hands off the steering wheel
to do something else. Cognitive distraction can arise when you are lost in thought.
There can be a combination of all these distractions, such as texting while driving.
Texting while driving can make you take your eyes of the road for up to 4.6 out
of every six seconds, which is like covering the length of a football ıeld at 55 mph
without looking up.
No one intends to cause harm by driving distracted, but good intentions do not prevent
accidents- smart choices do.
Drive smart and park your phone and other distractions out of reach. Before you start
driving, do what you can to eliminate distractions, like setting your music, putting your
phone away or using hands-free devices. The Hands-Free Law, which went into effect
on August 1, 2019, allows drivers to make calls, send texts, listen to music or podcasts
and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without
holding their phone. Fines for violating this law include $100 or more, including court
fees for a ırst offense, and $300 or more, including court fees for a second and/or
subsequent offense. Drivers can no longer hold their phones while driving. Accessing
or posting on social media, streaming videos, checking scores or searching for infor-
mation on a device while driving is still against the law in Minnesota, even in hands-
free mode. If you cause harm or death to someone while violating the hands-free law,
you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.
For more information, visit handsfreemn.org and drivesmartmn.org.
New Hope’s Community Develop-
ment Administrative Specialist, Linda
Bergemann, was selected as New
Hope’s Employee of the Quarter for
the fourth quarter of 2023.
Linda was nominated for her accom-
plishments during the short time she’s
been in her current role including
covering the department’s busy front
counter while her replacement was
hired as well as training them. Her
nominators also described her efforts
in assisting with training the depart-
ment’s temporary housing and code
enforcement inspector, willingness to
help where needed and ability to ınd
ways to improve processes.
Linda began working for the City in 2020 as the Community Development ofıce
specialist before her promotion to her current role in April 2023.
Community Development Administrative Specialist is Employee of the Quarter