02 18 20 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session February 18, 2020
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Valerie Leone, City Clerk