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020822 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 February 8, 2022 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Welcome new Commissioner Jeffrey Harper. 4. Approval of January 11, 2022 minutes. 5. Canadian Pacific Rail Regional Trail introduction with Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District. 6. Park Assignments for 2022. 7. Continue discussion of 2022 agenda topics. 8. Brainstorming – Ideas to bring attention to New Hope. 9. Parks and Recreation project updates. 10. Other business. 11. Adjournment. CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2022 AS OF 2/1/22 The following is a tentative listing of major agenda items that have either been assigned to the CAC, a CAC member has asked that the item be discussed, or city staff has asked that the item be discussed by the CAC. February 8 – Canadian Pacific Rail Regional Trail Introduction with Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District March 8 – Discussion with Officer Brad Kallio, Community Relations and Crime Prevention Officer April 12 – Canadian Pacific Rail Regional Trail additional discussion with Three Rivers Park District staff May 10 – No meeting May 17 (?) – Liberty Park Clean-up; pick up plants for 42nd Avenue pots June 14 – Emerald Ash Borer update with Shawn Markham, Contract Manager/Forester July 12 – Public Works Update w/Bernie Weber, PW Director and Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/Project Coordinator August 9 – No meeting due to Primary Election September 13 – Liberty Park Clean-up (no regular meeting) September xx – Commissioner Bus Tour September 19 – Annual Dialogue with Council October 11 – Budget Discussion November 8 – No meeting due to General Election December 13 – *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 • Promotion of existing City programs: In Focus, RAVE, Outstanding Business • Volunteering at P&R/City events Updates • Park/Facility Projects Possible Future Topics for 2022 • Ice Arena Operations Discussion w/ Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager & Tour • CD Projects incl St. Therese Renovation • Organics and HRG Reimbursements, Curbside Cleanup and Load Limits • Police Department – Joint Community Police Partnership • P&R Update • Discussion with Cooper High School students CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 Citizen Advisory Commission Regular Meeting January 11, 2022 New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Herman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Also Present: Commissioners Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman, Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger (arrived 7:02), Rick Riley, Mike Terres (arrived 7:02), Bill Wills None Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Emily Wallace-Jackson, Seven Dreams Foundation APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Wills made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2021 meeting. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioners Neuburger, Terres. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Motion was made by Commissioner Wills to approve the 2021 Annual Report as written. Commissioner Kulzer seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Terres, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. DISCUSS SEVEN DREAMS EDUCATION FOUNDATION Emily Wallace-Jackson, Executive Director of Seven Dreams Education Foundation addressed the commissioners and conducted a brief PowerPoint presentation. She reported that the foundation had been established in 2003 by board members of the Robbinsdale School District. She stated that a separate board of 16 members provided oversight for the foundation and noted that there were currently two vacancies on the board. She explained that the organization was an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit whose goal was to support the school district through grant initiatives. Ms. Wallace-Jackson reported that teachers and staff could apply for small, hands-on learning grants of $500 to $3,000, although this year the amount had been capped at $2,500. She also mentioned that one large initiative, typically around $50,000, would be distributed as well and was usually determined through a collaborative effort with the school district. Ms. Wallace-Jackson reported that over $1 million had been raised since 2003 and listed the primary ways funds had been raised. They included: New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 11, 2022 Page 2 • Bird Bash gala and fundraiser • Annual giving campaign • Donations from individuals and businesses • Community-sponsored events • Staff Appreciation events • Instruments 4 Kids program • Staff charitable giving campaign Ms. Wallace-Jackson reported that approximately 245 grants had been awarded to teachers and staff thus far. She stated that approximately $14,000 had been awarded last spring but noted that pre-pandemic grant awards had totaled between $30,000 and $37,000 annually. She explained that grants were awarded annually in the spring but added that she hoped to expand that to the fall as well. The Instruments 4 Kids program was then discussed. Ms. Wallace-Jackson reported that approximately 50% of the 12,000+ students within the district were considered low income and commented that many students were not able to rent or buy an instrument to participate in band or orchestra. She explained that the foundation collected instruments, paid for repairs, then donated them to the school district for students to rent at a lower rate. Ms. Wallace-Jackson then reported on the Bird Bash. She stated that this gala event had first been held in 2014 and was considered their primary fundraiser. She explained that the event typically raised around $50,000 to fund a large project. She displayed a list of projects that had been funded since 2014 and noted that they had included engineering and STEM, flexible learning spaces, literacy and diversity, media center upgrades, virtual and augmented reality equipment, social/emotional mental health, and the purchase of multicultural books for secondary media centers. Ms. Wallace-Jackson announced that funding from the 2022 Bird Bash initiative would be used for band and orchestra programs within the district and would include: • Purchase additional gently used instruments • Increase music library to include more composers of color and a broader range in styles of music • Partner with music professionals from the community to work directly with students or to provide professional development to teachers Ms. Wallace-Jackson informed the commissioners that the Bird Bash was scheduled for February 5 but noted that it might be postponed due to the surge in COVID cases. She added that the event, which typically attracted 350- 400 people, included a one-hour program as well as dinner and an auction. Chair Herman wondered whether the music professionals would also provide musical tutoring to the students. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 11, 2022 Page 3 Ms. Wallace-Jackson replied that the objective for music professionals would be to inspire students by demonstrating a particular style of music or discussing their career. She guessed that a short-term artist in residence might have the opportunity to speak with students on a more informal level or to teach different ways of engaging students in music. Ms. Rader wondered how the foundation determined how the Bird Bash funds would be used each year. Ms. Wallace-Jackson stated that the Seven Dreams board met to discuss ideas which were then narrowed-down and shared with school administrators and department heads. She added that school officials would ultimately submit a proposal for their idea of choice. Commissioner Kaufman wondered if staff had ever worked with outside organizations to award grants that ultimately benefitted the school district. Ms. Wallace-Jackson replied no and stated that grants were only available to District #281 staff. Commissioner Kaufman explained that she was currently working with the New Hope Police Department on an initiative with Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion and wondered whether a grant could be awarded if it included an outside collaborator such as a police department. Ms. Wallace-Jackson replied that it might be possible, depending on the details. Commissioner Kaufman inquired whether there was any expectation that grants that had been awarded would be sustainable. Ms. Wallace-Jackson replied that sometimes grants were sustainable for a time and cited the example of science equipment. She also supposed that funding for successful projects could be assumed by the school district once grant funding had been depleted. Commissioner Wills wondered about a grant opportunity that would involve the Bakken Museum and the potential for seeking sponsorship from Medtronic. He stated that he would search for a potential contact within Medtronic and provide that information to Ms. Wallace-Jackson. The commissioners thanked Ms. Wallace-Jackson for her presentation. She excused herself from the meeting at 7:33 p.m. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Ms. Rader reported that Commissioner Terres would be resigning from the Citizen Advisory Commission following this meeting and would be moving to the Planning Commission. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 11, 2022 Page 4 Ms. Rader also reported that new member Jeffrey Harper would be joining the Citizen Advisory Commission next month. Commissioner Riley made a motion to nominate Scott Kulzer to serve as Chair in 2022. Commissioner Wills seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Terres, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Commissioner Wills nominated himself to serve as Vice Chair of the Citizen Advisory Commission in 2022. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Terres, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Commissioner Kulzer to nominate Jill Kaufman to serve as Secretary in 2022. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Terres, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. 2022 AGENDA TOPICS Ms. Rader noted that a discussion of Ice Arena operations had been scheduled for April 12 and noted that it would include a brief tour of the facility. She also mentioned that a Public Works update had been scheduled for July 12. Ms. Rader reported that a representative from Three Rivers Park District would like to attend a future meeting to discuss the proposed CP Rail Regional Trail, however she was unsure on the timing of the meeting. Ms. Rader also mentioned that Commissioner Kaufman had brought up the idea of contacting the Cooper High School student council to discuss the possibility of adding a student representative to the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Kaufman suggested that this topic be moved to “Other Business”. Commissioner Kulzer mentioned that Hennepin County had implemented the curbside organics recycling program and wondered whether a sustainability expert on staff would be willing to speak on that topic. Ms. Rader replied that Tim Pratt, Administrator for Hennepin Recycling Group and Recycling Manager for the city of Brooklyn Park, could best address that topic. BRAINSTORMING – IDEAS TO BRING ATTENTION TO NEW HOPE Chair Herman brought up his idea “Shop Neighborly” to encourage residents to shop locally. He mentioned “Small Business Saturday”, which typically occurred the Saturday following Thanksgiving, but wondered if there was interest in promoting another day during the year. Commissioner Terres reported that he had spoken with Kent Garber, owner of Frankie’s Pizza who supported the idea of holding a car show at his location New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 11, 2022 Page 5 once per month during the summer. Commissioner Wills wondered if it was permissible for the Citizen Advisory Commission to assist with sponsoring an event at a private business. Mayor Hemken requested the floor and responded yes. She also mentioned that a Shop Neighborly New Hope campaign had been held many years ago and had been planned in cooperation with the Business Ne tworking Group. Commissioner Neuburger wondered who published the Town Planner, which included coupons for local businesses. Ms. Rader replied that it was a private company who worked closely with the city and area businesses. PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECT UPDATES Ms. Rader reported that the City Council had approved moving forward with authorizing plans and specifications for the Hidden Valley Park playground project. She stated that 677 surveys had been sent to the neighborhood last fall and around 70 responses had been received. She also mentioned that 24 of the respondents indicated their interest in selecting the equipment. She added that planning meetings would be held in late January or February with final designs to council in March and installation planned for this summer. Ms. Rader also reported that picnic tables at Hidden Valley Park would be replaced at the pavilion. Staff also planned to finish installation of the new park signs at several parks. She noted however that the wooden sign at Dorothy Mary Park would remain, as staff felt it was a better fit for the natural area. Commissioner Terres wondered if there were any “supply chain” concerns for the new playground equipment. Ms. Rader replied no but noted that inflationary factors could affect pricing for the site work. Ms. Rader informed the commissioners that indoor and outdoor cameras were currently being installed at the golf course and ice arena. She added that new concession equipment had been purchased for the Golf Course and included an ice maker, refrigerator, freezer, and a new keg cooler. She also mentioned that some large cottonwood trees would be taken down at the golf course. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Rader reported that a Winter Golf event would be held on Saturday, January 29. Commissioner Kaufman expressed interest in holding a dialog with representatives of the Cooper High School student council and offered to contact an advisor to invite them to a meeting. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission January 11, 2022 Page 6 Commissioner Neuburger wondered why Armstrong High School had not been considered. Commissioner Kaufman replied that she had selected Cooper High School due to its location within the city but would be open Armstrong High School as well. Commissioner Neuburger pointed out that a portion of New Hope fell within Armstrong High School’s boundary. Discussion ensued. The commissioners felt it might be difficult to schedule a dialog prior to the end of the school year due to current agenda items. Commissioner Kulzer suggested inviting student representatives to come and observe a meeting in the future. Commissioner Kaufman stated that she would follow up with Cooper High School. Ms. Rader made the following announcements: • One submission had been received for the Snowman Contest. • State of the City presentation would be held on February 2 at 8:30 a.m. at New Hope City Hall. Commissioner Riley inquired about any potential projects that the commissioners could take on at Liberty Park. Commissioner Wills stated that he would contact Shawn Markham. Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that the play equipment, and potentially the basketball court at Liberty Park were scheduled for replacement in 2023. She thought a potential project could be to plant around the new park sign once it had been installed. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Terres made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION PARK ASSIGNMENTS (as of March 9, 2021) Randy Herman Hidden Valley Park Holiday Park Lighted Field Park Jill Kaufman Jaycee Park Terra Linda Park Scott Kulzer Fred Sims Park Northwood Park Carrie Neuburger Civic Center Park Corner Park Little Acre Park Rick Riley Begin Park Meadow Lake Park Mike Terres Elm Grove Park Lions Park Sunnyside Park Bill Wills Dorothy Mary Park Liberty Park Victory Park CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION PARK ASSIGNMENTS Begin Park – 5407 Wisconsin Ave N Civic Center Park – 4401 Xylon Ave N Corner Park – 4653 47th Ave N Dorothy Mary Park – 8030 60 ½ Ave N Elm Grove Park – 5500 Quebec Ave N Fred Sims Park – 4350 Nevada Ave N Hidden Valley Park – 8800 32nd Ave N Holiday Park – 9024 47th Ave N Jaycee Park – 3028 Independence Circle Liberty Park – 9015 60th Ave N Lighted Field – 8810 49th Ave N Lions Park – 3810 Oregon Ave N Little Acre Park – 4948 Zealand Ave N Meadow Lake Park – 8400 E. Meadow Lake Rd Northwood Park – 3815 Boone Ave N Sunnyside Park – 8808 27th Ave N Terra Linda Park – 2701 Lamphere Drive Victory Park – 5550 International Pkwy