081021 CAC Agenda PacketIf you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or srader@newhopemn.gov
Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
City Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North
August 10, 2021
7 p.m.
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of July 13, 2021 minutes.
4. Community Development Department Update with Director Jeff Sargent.
5. Discuss October Agenda.
6. Brainstorming – Ideas to bring attention to New Hope.
7. Parks and Recreation project updates.
8. Other business.
9. Adjournment.
1
Memorandum
To: Citizen Advisory Commission
Susan Rader, Director of Parks and Recreation
From: Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Date: August 3, 2021
Subject: Community Development Update
The Community Development Department would like to thank the Citizen Advisory Commission for
the opportunity to give an update on the department and redevelopment activities throughout the city.
The last time the CD department gave an update to the CAC was on July 11, 2019. Some items that will
be discussed include:
Development/Redevelopment activities
o Cooper High School conditional use permit for Stadium rentals/usage
o Pocket Square Microdistillery; 7530 – 42nd Avenue, conditional use permit
o Windsor Ridge Development Update
o Hy-Vee Aisle On-Line Kiosk
o Escuela Exitos; 4741 Zealand Avenue, conditional use permit for Spanish Immersion
School
o P&C Family Daycare; 7700 – 42nd Avenue
Newly adopted ordinances
o Property Maintenance Guide
o Outdoor Dining
Scattered Site Housing Program
Effect of COVID-19 on the department/changes to procedures
o Virtual meetings
o Rental inspections
Staffing changes
o Linda Bergemann, Office Specialist
o Tom Evans, General Inspector
o Eric Hanson, Building Official
As always, staff encourages questions, comments or suggestions by the CAC.
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Citizen Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
July 13, 2021
New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Chair Herman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Staff Present:
Commissioners Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman, Scott Kulzer,
Carrie Neuburger, Rick Riley, Mike Terres (arrived 7:14), Bill
Wills
None
Susan Rader, Staff Liaison
Tim Hoyt, Police Chief
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Riley made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 11,
2021 meeting. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. Voting in favor:
Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills. Opposed:
None. Absent: Commissioner Terres. Motion carried.
UPDATE ON BODY WORN
CAMERAS AND COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
Police Chief Tim Hoyt addressed the commissioners. He shared an actual
body worn camera that the commissioners could view up close, and
conducted a brief PowerPoint presentation. He explained that initially cameras
had been budgeted for only 50% of the officers in 2021. He noted however,
that additional funding had been secured to cover all officers following
approval by the City Council. He reported that the city had selected Watch
Guard V300 cameras, and informed the commissioners that the cost of each
unit was $995. He also mentioned that the department would pay
approximately $31,000 annually for secure data storage in the cloud.
Chief Hoyt explained that six officers were currently participating in a pilot
program to ensure the cameras were performing as expected. He felt that
everything was working well, although battery life was shorter than
anticipated. He displayed an image of the in-car cameras that had also been
purchased, and commented that he felt the image and audio quality were
excellent. He added that the cost of those cameras was around $5,550 each,
although the department had received a bulk purchase discount.
Chief Hoyt informed the commissioners that the body worn cameras offered a
130 degree view and would sync with other officers at the scene. He added
that if a backup officer arrived at the scene, that officer’s camera would
activate automatically and begin recording. He also shared a brief video from
a body worn camera.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission July 13, 2021
Page 2
Commissioner Wills wondered whether nighttime clarity was as good as
daytime clarity.
Chief Hoyt replied yes.
Chief Hoyt displayed a copy of the policies and procedures. He explained that
prior to the adoption of these policies, the public had been given the
opportunity to provide feedback. He reported that drafts of the policies had
been published on the city’s website, and reviewed by the Human Rights
Commission, City Council and the Peace Officer Standards and Training
(P.O.S.T.) agency.
Chief Hoyt reviewed that officers were expected to activate body worn
cameras whenever they felt it was necessary or appropriate. He explained that
officers were expected to activate their cameras when dispatched to a scene,
beginning while still en route. He also mentioned that the recording would
include the 60 seconds prior to activation. He added that cameras would
remain on until the officer left the scene.
Chief Hoyt reported that in 2020, the original quote for body worn cameras
had been $180,000, but noted that the actual cost had been around $203,000 to
outfit every police vehicle and officer, including community service officers.
Ms. Rader wondered how long the cameras were expected to last.
Chief Hoyt replied that staff expected to replace them after five years, and
noted that the cameras were under warranty for five years.
Commissioner Wills wondered whether staff had any security concerns with
storing data in the cloud.
Chief Hoyt felt that the information was secure, and noted that access to the
data was extremely limited. He stated the department was bound by state
statute to keep data for a specified amount of time, and added that only two
people within the department were authorized to erase video. Chief Hoyt also
commented that per state statute and in an effort to provide transparency in
certain situations, he would have the discretion to release video to the public
without obtaining permission from the subjects involved.
Commissioner Kulzer mentioned a recent traffic stop involving a local
representative from another community, and wondered why consent was
required of that individual in order to release the video.
Chief Hoyt replied that due to the nature of that incident, consent was
required by both parties.
Commissioner Neuburger wondered whether the cameras could be operated
remotely.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission July 13, 2021
Page 3
Chief Hoyt replied that officers would need to manually activate their
cameras.
Chair Herman wondered how the officers felt about using body worn
cameras.
Chief Hoyt replied that officer feedback had been positive.
Commissioner Kulzer inquired about the number of officers currently utilizing
the cameras.
Chief Hoyt replied that six officers were currently wearing them, but added
that it was anticipated that all officers would be outfitted with them by the end
of July. He shared a sample video of a body worn camera that had been
activated from inside a squad car.
Chief Hoyt gave a brief update on the police department, and noted that
Officer Eric Dyer had retired, along with his canine partner. He added that a
new canine was currently working with Officer Miguel Robles. He also
reported that the city was in the process of hiring two more officers.
Chief Hoyt then discussed some of the community engagement events that his
department had been involved in, including Shop with a Cop, car seat safety
checks, Coffee with a Cop and Meals on Wheels. He also mentioned that staff
had increased their involvement with New Hope Treehouse, and would
continue to offer mediation services among neighbors.
Chief Hoyt reported that he, as well as Commissioner Kaufman, Mayor
Hemken and a few officers had begun a project to reestablish connections
between the police department and area grade schools.
Commissioner Kaufman stated that the goal would be to improve
communication and develop trust with young people. She added that they
hoped to create a proposal for the school district.
Chief Hoyt also reported that National Night Out would resume in 2021, and
noted that there were currently 45 neighborhoods registered for this event. He
added that a Citizens Police Academy would be planned in cooperation with
the cities of Crystal and Robbinsdale, and explained that the program was
designed to provide an in-depth look at police department operations.
Chief Hoyt briefly discussed the Joint Community Policing Partnership (JCPP)
with the cities of Crystal and Robbinsdale, and noted that it was designed to
enhance relationships between police and the community. He reminded the
commissioners that an embedded social worker had been hired to work for
cities of New Hope, Crystal and Robbinsdale to assist with mental health
crises and officer referrals. He added that the JCPP planned to hire two
citizens to work with marginalized communities, and also planned to create
cadet programs within their police departments.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission July 13, 2021
Page 4
Commissioner Kulzer inquired about New Hope’s mutual aid agreement with
neighboring communities.
Chief Hoyt replied that the New Hope police department participated in
mutual aid agreements with every neighboring community, including
Minneapolis and St. Paul. He explained that staffing levels sometimes made it
necessary to request assistance from other communities, and vice versa.
The commissioners thanked Chief Hoyt for his presentation. He excused
himself from the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
UPDATE ON GARAGE SALE Ms. Rader reported that 100 participants had registered by the deadline. She
explained that this year, staff had created an interactive map that had been
available online. She added that paper maps had also been available at city
hall. She noted that advertising had included the city’s website, the In Motion
brochure, social media, city signboards, and temporary signs placed at city
hall and in a few parks. She felt the event had been successful, and noted that
there had been a request to hold a second city-wide sale in the fall.
Chair Herman commented that he had visited a few sales and had received
positive feedback from residents.
Commissioner Neuburger also mentioned that she had attended several sales
and had heard positive feedback.
Commissioner Wills thanked staff for coordinating this event and offered to
assist in the future if needed.
BRAINSTORMING – IDEAS
TO BRING ATTENTION TO
NEW HOPE
Commissioner Kaufman considered promoting an activity that would occur
during the farmer’s market, and would offer families the opportunity to learn
more about the city of New Hope.
Commissioner Riley suggested reaching out to Board Member Kris Frey and
encouraged the commissioners to support the market.
PARKS AND RECREATION
PROJECT UPDATES
Ms. Rader reported that play equipment had been installed at Corner Park and
landscape restoration would begin in August. She stated that final grading
work was underway at Little Acre Park and bases for the basketball hoops had
been installed. She added that pavement had not yet been installed on the
basketball court at Little Acre Park, nor on the trail at Liberty Park.
Ms. Rader also reported that the ice arena roofing project had been largely
completed, and noted that the skylight on the east side of the south rink would
be replaced in August. She informed the commissioners that new siding had
recently been installed on the maintenance garages at Lighted Field and
Victory Park. She noted that a few commissioners had mentioned the need for
additional wood fiber at some of the parks, and stated that this would occur
over the next month.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission July 13, 2021
Page 5
Commissioner Riley pointed out that the playground container at Liberty Park
consisted of sand. He wondered whether that would be changed over to wood
fiber once the equipment was replaced.
Ms. Rader replied yes. She stated that all of the sand would be phased out,
with a few exceptions, and explained that the wood fiber was handicapped-
accessible, while sand was not. She reported that hot, humid temperatures had
contributed to the growth of slime balls in the wood fiber. She added that they
were not considered harmful and would be removed by staff as time allowed.
OTHER BUSINESS Chair Herman reported that he and Commissioner Kaufman had volunteered
for the Young Mudder event, which had been held in June.
Ms. Rader also mentioned other volunteer opportunities, including Wet and
Wild Water Fun Day on August 6 and a Halloween event in October.
Commissioner Wills commented that nominations for the RAVE Awards were
still being sought.
Ms. Rader added that nominations would be accepted through July 23. She
briefly reviewed the categories for the RAVE Awards. They included:
• General property maintenance and improvement
• Remodel, renovation or addition
• Landscaping
• Garden
• Environmentally sensitive improvement
• Other
Commissioner Kaufman reported on the Seven Dreams Education Foundation,
and noted that it was a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting
Robbinsdale schools. She added that the chair of this organization had
expressed interest in giving a brief presentation to the Citizen Advisory
Commission to discuss its goals as well as volunteer opportunities.
The commissioners agreed to review the information and consider the request
at the August meeting.
Commissioner Kaufman mentioned National Night Out and stated that she
had been approached by the organizers in her neighborhood to serve in an
official capacity to answer questions and receive feedback.
Ms. Rader encouraged her to proceed.
Mr. Rader made the following announcements:
• The next Movie in the Park, “Monsters, Inc.”, would be held on July 15
at 9:15 p.m.
• The summer musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
would begin on June 22, and would run for three consecutive
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission July 13, 2021
Page 6
weekends on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.
• There would be no Farmer’s Market on Saturday, July 17 due to a
regional swim meet.
• City Day has been scheduled for October 9.
Commissioner Riley mentioned a situation in another community in which
several homes in a neighborhood had been purchased by an outstate company
and had been converted to rentals. He expressed concern that this could
happen in New Hope.
Ms. Rader replied that Community Development Director Jeff Sargent could
address those concerns at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kaufman made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the
Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Kulzer seconded the motion.
All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at
8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Spitzer
Recording Secretary
CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2021
AS OF 7/26/21
The following is a tentative listing of major agenda items that have either been assigned to CAC, a CAC
member has asked that the item be discussed, or city staff has asked that the item be discussed by CAC.
*Regular Meetings:
September 9 – Commissioner Bus Tour
September 14 – No regular CAC meeting
September 20 – Work Session with the City Council
October 12 –
November 9 – Budget Update
December 14 – possible Legislative Update (Susan to work w/Mayor Hemken)
*Note: A meeting may be cancelled if there are no agenda items.
On-going
Continue to sponsor Snowman Contest, City-wide Garage Sale
Ideas to bring attention to New Hope (possible activities/events - skatepark event; curling;
food truck event)
Promotion of existing City programs: In Focus, RAVE, Outstanding Business
Volunteering at P&R/City events
Updates
Park Projects
Possible Future Topics
Planning Commission Update
?Residential Organics Recycling Implementation