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02 18 20 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 1 City of New Hope 4401 Xylon Avenue North New Hope, Minnesota 55428 City Council Minutes Work Session Meeting February 18, 2020 Northwood Conference Room CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in work session pursuant to due call and notice thereof; Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Council present: Kathi Hemken, Mayor John Elder, Council Member (arrived at 6:37 pm) Cedrick Frazier, Council Member Andy Hoffe, Council Member Jonathan London, Council Member Staff present: Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist Brandon Bell, Community Development Assistant Dan Boyum, City Engineer Megan Hedstrom, Stormwater Specialist Valerie Leone, City Clerk Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney AGENDA ORDER The work session discussion began with item 11.3, followed by 11.2, 11.1, 11.4, 11.5, and 11.6. 2020 SURVEY WITH MORRIS LEATHERMAN Item 11.1 Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discuss professional community- wide survey in 2020 with Morris Leatherman. Mr. Brandon Bell, explained Council previously agreed to conduct a professional community survey every five years and the last professional community survey was conducted in 2015 by the Morris Leatherman Company. Mr. Bell explained that Mr. Peter Leatherman has been invited to the meeting to discuss the content of the proposed 2020 survey. Mr. Bell stated some of the questions from the 2015 survey are no longer relevant (replacement of the city hall and pool facility). He stated Council Member Frazier previously suggested including questions regarding community engagement, and city staff would like a question asked regarding digital versus paper publications of city communications. Mr. Bell stated the cost of the 134-question survey in 2015 was $20,500. He stated the cost for a 2020 survey by the Morris Leatherman Company will not exceed $22,000. The city receives a small grant from the state for participating in the performance measurement survey. Mr. Peter Leatherman was introduced. Mr. Leatherman explained the process of the telephone survey that includes land lines and cell phone numbers of 400 randomly City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 2 selected New Hope residents. He stated the survey could be conducted this spring or summer. Council reviewed survey questions. Mr. Leatherman indicated he would provide a draft survey based on input from Council and staff. Council thanked Mr. Leatherman. MEADOW LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN Item 11.2 Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Receive presentation on Meadow Lake Management Plan and discuss funding information. Jeff Strom, Wenck Associates, Inc. (Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission engineer) and Megan Hedstrom, stormwater specialist, presented information regarding Meadow Lake’s management plan including studies undertaken to date and proposed improvements. Mr. Strom stated the proposed plan for Meadow Lake includes two phases: Phase 1 – cost $190,000  Year 1 – winter drawdown to control fish and SAV; install fish barriers  Year 2 – chemical treatment of fish and SAV if necessary  Year 3 – summer drawdown or chemical SAV treatment Phase 2 – cost $175,000  Year 4 – alum treatment  Year 5 – alum treatment Mr. Strom discussed project funding including watershed commission levy, grant funds, and city funds. In order to begin the project in 2020, the city would need to fund $70,000 for the first year of the project and all funds would be reimbursed in 2021 by Shingle Creek Watershed Commission once they levy the county for the project funds. Ms. Hedstrom stated the lake drawdown requires agreement from 75% of the lake shore landowners. The city and watershed commission staff have been working to educate homeowners about the project and the process. She noted delaying the project to 2021 would potentially lose the momentum that has been gained in the process. Council Member London noted the watershed should implement an on-going lake maintenance plan to protect the investment. Council Member Elder commented that the Meadow Lake Homeowners Association is a proactive group and city partner. Council expressed support for the plan. Ms. Hedstrom stated the request for funding will be presented at a future council meeting. POOL/CIVIC CENTER PARK/CITY HALL LANDSCAPING PROJECTS UPDATE (IMPROVEMENT Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Update on Pool/Civic Center Park/City Hall Landscaping projects by Stantec Engineering (Improvement Project Nos. 995/941/994). Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, and Dan Boyum, city engineer, provided an update to Council regarding the pool and park project. City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 3 PROJECT. NOS 995/941/994) Item 11.3 Mr. Boyum reported on the progress made in the bathhouse and the interior pool work. Ms. Rader reported that the first reimbursement request for the state grant funds has been completed. Ms. Rader highlighted new items that will require a change order (thicker grade beam at shade structures). She stated in the next month the activity will increase at the exterior of the pool. She indicated staff still anticipates opening the 50-meter pool on June 6 and the remaining areas in early July. Council acknowledged the community’s excitement for the new facility. 2020 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Item 11.4 Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Update regarding 2020 Construction Projects. Ms. Megan Hedstrom, stormwater specialist, and Bernie Weber, director of public works, reported on 2020 construction projects. Ms. Hedstrom stated a $14,000 retainage is being held for the 2018 seal coat project that had material failure on Boone Avenue. The contractor tried to resolve the problem but it may be necessary for public works to make necessary repairs and fund the costs from the retainage. Mr. Weber stated the signal at Boone and 42nd avenues will be replaced in 2020 as a coordinated effort between the city and county with a 50/50 cost share. He stated the changes will provide a safer intersection. Mr. Weber stated a hydrant was relocated last summer to accommodate the new signals. He stated flashing yellow arrows can be added to the eastbound and westbound signal lights; and protected left turn phase and flashing yellow arrows can be added to the northbound and southbound signal lights. Mr. Weber stated the 2020 infrastructure project is scheduled to begin this spring. He recommended a temporary road to 36th Avenue for residents residing on 36-1/2 Circle during construction. Discussion ensued regarding burial of power lines and the need to make 42nd Avenue safer for pedestrians. TOBACCO REGULATIONS Item 11.5 Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, Discuss Potential Changes to Tobacco Regulations. Mr. Brandon Bell, community development assistant, explained at the December 2019 work session Council requested a public input meeting be conducted by the Citizen Advisory Commission regarding changes to the city’s tobacco ordinances. Mr. Bell stated the Citizen Advisory Commission held a public input meeting on February 11, 2020. He stated Gretchen Garman from Hennepin County Public Health presented options regarding tobacco use prevention ordinances. At the meeting four members from the public spoke (three were owners of gas stations that sold tobacco City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 4 and one was a resident). The resident stated they would like to see the city adopt measures similar to Golden Valley. The tobacco license holders stated that they are fully supportive of any across the board state or federal regulations and greatly appreciate attempts at trying to keep nicotine and tobacco out of the hands of the city’s youth. However, they expressed concern that any dramatic changes to the city’s tobacco ordinances, mostly any ban on menthol, mint, and wintergreen; would be extremely harmful to their businesses as their customers would simply drive a few blocks (or in one case across the street) to a different city that does not have a total ban on tobacco flavors. The five CAC members present gave some differing recommendations on what changes they felt could be made to the city’s tobacco ordinances, but there were three options that were almost unanimously agreed upon: 1. Ban all flavored tobacco products from being sold in the city except for menthol, mint, and wintergreen. 2. Set a cap on the number of tobacco licenses sold in the city. 3. Raise the age of those legally allowed to sell tobacco products to 18. Mr. Bell indicated the fourth most popular option, which was not preferred by the CAC, was banning the sales of tobacco products in pharmacies. All three of the majority recommended options were also received well by the three tobacco license holders that attended the CAC meeting. Approving these options would be fairly similar to the actions that Robbinsdale took, although all flavored tobacco products are allowed in adult only tobacco stores. Another issue that Council might want to review is the elimination of possession, use and purchase laws (PUP). With the increase in the legal age to 21, public health groups highly encourage eliminating PUP laws because they would be potentially penalizing people that were of legal age to purchase and are now addicted to tobacco; but are no longer of the legal age to purchase these products due to the new regulations. Mr. Bell stated staff agrees with the Citizen Advisory Commission’s recommendations that were made by a majority, and would also recommend that the Council pursue changing the current tobacco ordinance to reflect the new federal regulati ons. This would include raising the age for a person that can be sold tobacco products, from 18 years of age to 21 years of age; and a ban on all flavored cartridge -based e-cigarettes except for menthol and tobacco flavors. Staff would also recommend making some of the changes advised by the Mitchell Hamline Public Health Law Center that would update some of the verbiage in the current code that would mostly be adding definitions such as “electronic delivery device” to bring the city’s tobacco ordinance more up to date. Lastly, staff would recommend that Council consider the removal of the city’s PUP laws. Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff on how to proceed with the issue of tobacco prevention ordinances and have the City Attorney make the appropriate changes which could be brought forward to a future Council meeting for approval. Council Member London stated he is in favor of increasing the age to purchase tobacco products to 21. City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 5 Discussion ensued regarding a ban on all flavored tobacco products, whether or not to prohibit pharmacies from selling tobacco products, and whether to raise the age of those legally allowed to sell tobacco products to 18. Council acknowledged concerns expressed by the business community. Council supported removing the language that makes the purchase of tobacco products by someone under the age 21 a punishable offense. A reduction of the city’s 21 tobacco licenses through attrition was discussed; the city clerk commented gas stations frequently change owner ship and reduction of tobacco licenses through attrition may be difficult to administer. Council Member Elder recommended banning the flavors that target youth. Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance amendment raising the legal age to 21 to purchase tobacco products, banning cartridge based e-cigarettes except for tobacco flavor and banning flavored tobacco products except for menthol, mint, and wintergreen flavors. Mr. Bell stated the proposed ordinance amendment will be presented to Council at a future work session. AFFORDABLE SCATTERED SITE HOUSING PROJECTS Item 11.6 Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.6, Discuss affordable scattered site housing projects. Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, and Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, updated Council regarding affordable scattered site housing projects. Mr. Sargent explained that the scattered site housing program has allowed the city to remove deteriorated homes and increase property values through new construction. Staff has been directed to target distressed single-family properties throughout the city, with the goal of improving residential neighborhoods. He stated since 2014, the city has coordinated the rehabilitation of two single-family homes and the construction of 20 new single-family homes on 16 lots. Mr. Sargent stated at the council meeting of November 12, 2019, Council Member Frazier requested that the city broaden its scattered site housing program to include affordable housing projects for first time homebuyers. As a result, staff met with representatives from Habitat For Humanity and Homes Within Reach in January of 2020. The city has worked with both organizations in the past on affordable scattered site housing projects, most recently in 2012. Mr. Sargent reported the city will be receiving $91,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be utilized between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The funds can be used for Habitat For Humanity and Homes Within Reach projec ts, including acquisition, rehabilitation, and in some cases, demolition. Owners of the new and/or rehabilitated homes would need to adhere to income restrictions specific to the program(s), equating to 60% of the AMI levels. He stated the city has a couple of options to use the CDBG funds for 2020. The two areas the city has historically dedicated the funds towards include the single -family housing rehabilitation loan program and the scattered site housing program. The home City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 6 rehab loan program enables income-qualified residents to request loans to make needed improvements to their homes. The scattered site housing program funds would have to be used towards acquisition/rehabilitation, where the home would be sold to an income-qualified individual or family. The city could pursue this option on its own, or help support outside organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or Homes Within Reach. Hennepin County staff recently informed the city that the city has approximately $61,000 that it still needs to allocate from the 2019 CDBG funding cycle. In 2019, the city allocated $30,000 towards the single-family housing rehabilitation loan program, however that money was quickly used up, and there are still 11 people on the waiting list in need of these resources. In 2019, no money was allocated towards the scattered site housing program, since Hennepin County indicated that funds may no longer be used for acquisition/demolition of structures. For 2020, the city can disperse the CDBG funds in a couple ways. First, the city could allocate the total $91,000 towards the single-family housing rehabilitation loan program, along with the $61,000 left over from 2019. This would fund the program with $152,000, which would most likely be able to help all 11 people on the waiting list. Second, the city could divide the funds between the housing rehab and scattered site housing programs. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on how the funds should be used. He stated the public hearing for the CDBG program funds will be held on February 24, 2020. President Hemken polled the commissioners on their preferences for use of the funds. Council Member Frazier indicated he would like to focus on the single-family housing rehabilitation loan program and the scattered site housing program that would aid in the construction or rehabilitation of an affordable home for low -income families. Council Member London recommended adding higher end housing to attract higher income residents and/or using the funds for rehab loans for single-family homeowners to benefit existing residents. Council Member Hoffe expressed support for the scattered site housing program. Council Member Elder and Mayor Hemken supported splitting the funds between the rehab program and the scattered site housing program. Mr. Sargent stated by allocating half of the $152,000 funds, about six families would benefit by the single-family rehabilitation loan program. He stated the other half of the funding could be used for a Habitat for Humanity house. Mr. Sargent stated the EDA budget could supplement the scattered site housing program. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m. as there was no further business to come before the Council at its work session. Respectfully submitted, City Council Work Session February 18, 2020 Page 7 Valerie Leone, City Clerk