06 22 20 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council June 22, 2020
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes June 22, 2020
Regular Meeting City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via WebEx
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 Pledge was not recited since the meeting was not held in the council chambers.
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
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
Brandon Bell, Community Development Assistant
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Katelyn Croteau, Crime Analyst
Tim Fournier, Director of Police
Megan Hedstrom, Stormwater Specialist
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member Elder,
to approve the work session minutes of May 18, 2020. Voted in favor thereof:
Hemken, Elder, Frazier, Hoffe, London; and the following voted against the same:
None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Frazier, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 8, 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.
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POLICE DEPT 2019
ANNUAL REPORT
Chief Tim Fournier and Crime Analyst Katelyn Croteau reviewed highlights of the
police department’s 2019 annual report. Chief Fournier reviewed the mission
statement and department divisions including investigations, patrol, support
services, K‐9, reserves and explorers, animal control, and SWAT. Ms. Croteau
explained her responsibilities as crime analyst.
Chief Fournier responded to inquiries by Council regarding statistics and crime
trends and how the city is handling calls for lift assists at nursing homes.
Council thanked police personnel for the report.
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. Kirk McDonald, city manager, reviewed the consent
items.
BUSINESS
LICENSE(S)
Item 6.1
Approval of business license(s)
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through June 22, 2020.
RESOLUTION 2020‐68
Item 6.4
Resolution designating polling places in the city of New Hope.
City Clerk Leone responded to questions from Council Member Frazier regarding
notification to voters of the polling location change for precinct 6 and
communications to voters encouraging absentee voting by mail.
COVID‐19 PLAN
Item 6.5
Motion adopting the COVID‐19 Preparedness Plan for the city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2020‐69
Item 6.6
Resolution to adopt the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.
RESOLUTION 2020‐70
Item 6.7
Resolution approving change order no. 4 with American Liberty Construction, Inc.
for the theatre construction project (Improvement Project No. 941).
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve the Consent items. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
PLANNING CASE
20‐05
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution approving variance
to setback requirement, 7821 44th Avenue North (New Hope Planning Case 20‐
05).
Mr. Brandon Bell, community development specialist, explained the request is for
a five‐foot rear yard setback variance to accommodate the construction of a three‐
stall detached garage at 7821 44th Avenue North. He explained the applicant’s
intention to demolish the existing two‐stall garage and construct a new one that is
14 feet wider. He stated the existing garage has a six‐foot rear yard setback that is
New Hope City Council June 22, 2020
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considered a legally non‐conforming structure. The proposed garage would
require a five‐foot variance for the rear yard setback. He illustrated the site and
pointed out the unique lot size of the corner lot with a curve that limits placement
of the three‐stall garage.
Mr. Bell stated Planning Case 20‐05 was considered by the Planning Commission
at its June 2 meeting and the Commission recommended approval of the five‐foot
variance with certain conditions (no business or home occupation is allowed in the
garage; garage cannot be used for living quarters; the area around the new garage
shall be seeded or sodded prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy).
Council Member London inquired of the home occupation prohibition. Mr. Jeff
Sargent, director of community development, stated city code does not allow home
occupations in accessory buildings.
Mr. Seth Gagnon, petitioner, was recognized. He indicated agreement with the
conditions of approval.
RESOLUTION 2020‐71
Item 8.1
Council Member London introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING VARIANCE TO SETBACK
REQUIREMENT, 7821 44TH AVENUE NORTH (NEW HOPE PLANNING
CASE 20‐05).” 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, 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.
PLANNING CASE
20‐06
Item 8.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.2, Resolution approving
Conditional Use Permit, site plan review and variances for Furniture Industries,
Inc. at 3101 Louisiana Avenue North (New Hope Planning Case 20‐06).
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, explained the Council is asked
to approve a site plan review, conditional use permit (CUP), and two variances for
Furniture Industries at 3101 Louisiana Avenue North. He stated the business
would like to expand the building by 15,000 square feet to the west to allow for
additional office and warehouse space and would create seven new jobs. He
illustrated the site and stated the CUP would allow placement of a loading bay
fronting a public street, and the two variances allow the reduction of rear yard
setback (west) from 30 feet to 10 feet and reduction to the required curb cut setback
from the public street at the intersection of Louisiana and 31st avenues from 40 feet
to 25 feet. He noted the applicant revised the plan and removed parking stalls
facing residential property in response to public comments. He indicated all east‐
facing stalls have been removed and are identified as proof of parking area (allows
for additional stalls to be constructed at later date if needed). Mr. Alger reviewed
grading, drainage and wetland requirements and the zoning code criteria. He
stated Planning Case 20‐06 was considered by the Planning Commission at its June
2 meeting, and the Commission recommended approval subject to the conditions
outlined in the resolution.
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Mayor Hemken inquired of the snow storage areas. Council Member London
inquired of the potential for a rain garden and noted the expense of snow removal.
Mr. Alger stated the applicant has agreed to haul snow off site. He indicated the
grading and storm water plans must be approved by the city engineer.
Mr. David Fystrom, architect for the project, was recognized. He stated the
business currently hauls snow off site and will continue to do so. He pointed out
the full parking lot is needed for truck maneuverability. He stated the project will
begin as soon as possible and should be finished by November.
RESOLUTION 2020‐72
Item 8.2
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, SITE
PLAN REVIEW AND VARIANCES FOR FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AT
3101 LOUISIANA AVENUE NORTH (NEW HOPE PLANNING CASE 20‐06).”
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Council
Member Hoffe, 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.
LOCAL SURFACE
WATER
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Item 8.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.3, Resolution to adopt the Local
Surface Water Management Plan.
Ms. Megan Hedstrom, storm water specialist/project coordinator, was recognized.
She explained the plan was prepared by Stantec after a full review of the 2008 plan.
The city began developing the plan in 2018 as part of the comprehensive planning
process. Ms. Hedstrom stated the plan will guide the city in conserving, protecting
and managing its surface water resources. The plan includes an inventory of land
and water resources, describes past and future studies and plans regarding surface
water management, lists goals and policies to address surface water management
needs, and summarizes planned capital improvement projects. Ms. Hedstrom
stated the major changes included updates regarding the capital improvement
program, buffer zone regulation, infiltration requirements, and mitigation
requirements. She stated the plan is consistent with the goals and policies of the
Metropolitan Council, the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission,
and the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission. She noted the priority
areas include water quality (Meadow Lake, Northwood Lake), flooding issues, and
BMPs in underserved areas.
Ms. Hedstrom pointed out that city code relating to surface water management
will require updates, and ordinance amendments will be presented to Council this
fall.
Council Member London inquired how this plan impacts the city’s inflow and
infiltration (I&I) reduction programs.
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Ms. Hedstrom stated the references in the surface water management plan deal
with the rate of ground water infiltration. She noted this is not an issue since the
majority of New Hope has clay‐based soils.
City Engineer Dan Boyum explained that the city’s I&I reduction efforts (re‐lining
of pipes) pertain to the city’s sanitary sewer system.
Mayor Hemken thanked Ms. Hedstrom for the presentation.
RESOLUTION 2020‐73
Item 8.3
Council Member London introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE LOCAL SURFACE WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN.” 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.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Item 12.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
Council Member Frazier reported that the Robbinsdale Human Rights
Commission is sponsoring a program on June 24 at 7 pm to discuss best methods
to collect questions, comments, concerns, experiences and/or ideas for a moderated
forum to be held in July on the path forward toward racial equity.
Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
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 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk