02 24 20 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council February 24, 2020
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes February 24, 2020
Regular Meeting City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in regular session pursuant to due call and notice
thereof; Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The City Council and all present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Staff present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Cedrick Frazier, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Tim Fournier, Director of Police
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member
Frazier, to approve the work session minutes of January 21, 2020. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Frazier, Hoffe, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
ROTATING VOTES
Please note that votes taken on each agenda item are called by the secretary on a
rotating basis; however, the written minutes always list the mayor’s name first
followed by the council members’ in alphabetical order.
CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Hemken introduced the consent items as listed for consideration and stated
that all items will be enacted by one motion unless requested that an item be
removed for discussion. Mr. Jeff Sargent, community development director,
reviewed the consent items.
BUSINESS LICENSES
Item 6.1
Approval of business licenses.
Council Member London asked staff to ensure that lawn fertilizer applicators are
in compliance with all laws concerning wetlands. Director Sargent stated he
believes the issues are addressed through the licensing requirements, and noted
he will confirm with the forester.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through February 24, 2020.
New Hope City Council February 24, 2020
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RESOLUTION 2020‐26
Item 6.4
Resolution approving agreement between the city of New Hope and Home Free
for the 2020 Domestic Assault Intervention Project.
MOTION
Item 6.5
Motion waiving permit fees for temporary signs for New Hope Lions Pancake
Breakfast on April 26, 2020.
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve Consent items 6.1 and 6.5. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
HOME FREE
AGREEMENT
Item 6.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 6.4, Resolution approving
agreement between the city of New Hope and Home Free for the 2020 Domestic
Assault Intervention Project.
Council Member Elder commented regarding the 15% fee increase. He noted the
rate was flat for the past three years. He stated Home Free is a dedicated partner
to the northwest metro in aiding persons of domestic abuse.
Mr. Tim Fournier, director of police, explained that funds are in the 2020 budget
to cover the $36,900 contractual arrangement. He stated the services provided by
Home Free greatly benefit the community. He introduced Elsa Swenson of Home
Free.
Ms. Swenson, Program Manager of Home Free, explained the funding increase
represents the cost of .5 full‐time equivalent legal advocate dedicated to the city of
New Hope. She reported that Home Free provides an immediate response to
domestic assault for victims in northwest Hennepin County, responding to over
100 incidents of domestic assault in the city of New Hope annually. She indicated
although the number of people served since 2016 has not significantly increased,
the advocates are working with people for a longer period of time and also deal
with a greater variety of issues (mental health and chemical abuse). She also spoke
of the housing shortage and the need for safe housing.
Council thanked Ms. Swenson for the work provided by Home Free.
RESOLUTION 2020‐26
Item 6.4
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF NEW HOPE AND HOME FREE FOR THE 2020 DOMESTIC ASSAULT
INTERVENTION PROJECT.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing
resolution was seconded by Council Member Frazier, and upon vote being taken
thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Frazier, Hoffe,
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.
PUBLIC HEARING
2020 CDBG FUNDS
Item 7.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 7.1, Resolution approving
application for 2020 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program funds and authorizing execution of sub‐recipient
agreement with Urban Hennepin County and any third party agreements.
New Hope City Council February 24, 2020
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Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, explained the purpose of
the public hearing is to consider the projected use of CDBG program funds. He
stated the city is projected to receive $107,000 in 2020 of which 15% (or
approximately $16,000) will be allocated for Public Service Activities. Similar to
last year, Public service agencies will apply for the funding directly through
Hennepin County. Taking into account the unspent 2019 grant funds of $61,000
and the 2020 allocation of $91,000, the city has a total of $152,000 to allocate to
eligible programs. He noted at the February work session Council discussed
resources for housing programs and Council expressed support for splitting the
funds between the single‐family housing rehab program and the scattered site
housing program that could aid in the construction or rehab of an affordable home
for low‐income families.
Council Member London recalled discussion at the work session regarding the
rehabilitation loan program for residents to make repairs to single‐family homes.
He noted Habitat for Humanity may not be prepared to undertake a project this
year.
Mr. Sargent stated the county has 11 people on the waiting list for the housing
rehab loan program and the $152,000 would likely satisfy the funding needs of all
the applicants. He stated he believes Habitat for Humanity is interested in
pursuing a project in New Hope for an income‐qualified family to live in New
Hope.
Mayor Hemken opened the public hearing for comments. There was no one
present to address the Council for the public hearing.
Council Member Frazier noted by splitting the funds between the two programs,
it allows the city to assist current residents and to attract new residents.
Mayor Hemken explained the housing programs have been successful and the city
will continue to retain options.
CLOSE HEARING
Item 7.1
Motion was made by Council Member Frazier, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to close the public hearing. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2020‐27
Item 7.1
Council Member Frazier introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION FOR 2020 URBAN
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SUB‐
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY AND ANY
THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing
resolution was seconded by Council Member Elder, and upon vote being taken
thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Frazier, Hoffe; and
the following voted against the same: London; 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.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
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Item 12.1 Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
Motion was made by Frazier, seconded by Elder, to appoint Scott Kulzer to the
Citizen Advisory Commission and Wendy Brostrom to the Personnel Board.
Voting in favor: Hemken, Elder, Frazier, Hoffe; Abstained: London. Motion
carried.
Council Member Frazier explained there were several good candidates, and the
Council thanks everyone who expressed interest in serving the city.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Frazier, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to adjourn the meeting, as there was no further business to come before
the Council. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The New Hope City
Council adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk