030822 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
March 8, 2022
7 p.m.
1.Call to Order.
2.Roll Call.
3.Approval of February 8, 2022 minutes.
4.Discussion with Brad Kallio, Community Relations and Crime Prevention
Officer.
5.Snowman Contest update.
6.Brainstorming – Ideas to bring attention to New Hope.
7.Parks and Recreation project updates.
8.Other business.
9.Adjournment.
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Citizen Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
February 8, 2022
New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Chair Kulzer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Staff Present:
Also Present:
Commissioners Jeff Harper, Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman,
Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger, Rick Riley, Bill Wills
None
Susan Rader, Staff Liaison
Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District
Kelly Grissman, Three Rivers Park District
WELCOME NEW
COMMISSIONER
The commissioners welcomed new member Jeff Harper to the Citizen
Advisory Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Herman made a motion to approve the minutes of the January
11, 2022 meeting as written. Commissioner Wills seconded the motion. Voting
in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger,
Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
CP RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL
INTRODUCTION
Danny McCullough, Regional Trail System Manager for Three Rivers Park
District, and Kelly Grissman, Director of Planning for Three Rivers Park
District, introduced themselves and conducted a brief PowerPoint
presentation. Ms. Grissman informed the commissioners that she and her team
were responsible for overseeing all long-term regional trail and park master
planning, including land acquisition, grants and research.
Mr. McCullough reported that Three Rivers Park District had begun the
process for a north/south regional trail connection through the communities of
Crystal, New Hope, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Edina, and Bloomington.
He displayed a map indicating the planning area and explained that the
north/south line on the map was referred to as the “search corridor”. He noted
that the search corridor basically followed the CP rail line but commented that
it was probably not a feasible option as it was currently an active freight rail
line.
Mr. McCullough displayed a map with the corridor divided into segments A
through F. He explained that master planning work had been completed for
segment A on the south end of the trail through Bloomington and Edina. He
stated that segments E and F impacted the city of New Hope and noted that
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022
Page 2
the trail was projected to start at Becker Park in Crystal. Mr. McCullough
explained that as the trail traveled south it was projected to connect with
several other regional trails including the Luce Line, Bassett Creek, and North
Cedar Lake regional trails. He stated that the Citizen Advisory Commission
would have the opportunity to review and approve the preferred routes prior
to and following the public engagement. He estimated that the approval
process would take around 15 months to complete for the three cities, the park
district board and the Metropolitan Council.
Mr. McCullough offered five questions for the commissioners to consider.
They included:
1. Any concerns with proceeding with master planning at this time?
2. Any local priorities/goals to consider/incorporate into the planning
process?
3. Any routes/destinations to consider/avoid?
4. Any projects/opportunities to try to collaborate with?
5. What are the City’s community engagement expectations/ideas?
Commissioner Herman wondered how many cities were being asked to
approve the project.
Mr. McCullough replied that approval for segments E and F was currently
being sought from the cities of New Hope, Crystal, and Golden Valley.
Commissioner Herman wondered how long the process would take before the
entire north/south trail was connected.
Ms. Grissman replied that the project had not yet been funded and noted that
the master plan would need to be approved by the city councils, the Three
Rivers Park District board and the Metropolitan Council prior to seeking
funding. She added that the park district would seek federal funding in
February for the south section, which had been approved, but commented that
the entire trail would most likely be constructed a section at a time due to
funding constraints and could take many years.
Mr. McCullough displayed examples of regional trail amenities including
benches, trash cans and wayfinding stations. He also displayed a tentative
schedule and reviewed that the park district would be working to identify
routes over the next few months, then meet again with the various city
commissions and councils to narrow down options and seek approval to move
forward with public engagement in the summer. He added that park district
staff would plan to return to the commissions and councils in the fall to
present that feedback and seek approval for a preliminary alignment. He
explained that once the alignment was approved staff would then begin
writing the master plan. He added that the various cities would be asked to
review the plan in the fall and staff would seek final approval in the winter of
2022-23.
Ms. Grissman added that she and Mr. McCullough planned to return to the
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022
Page 3
Citizen Advisory Commission in April for a work session.
Mr. McCullough discussed public engagement methods that had been used
for other master plan projects. They included:
• Project website with interactive map
• Online survey
• Virtual and/or in-person open houses
• Pop-up engagements at community events
• Direct mailing/newsletters
• Listening sessions and activities with underrepresented groups
Commissioner Wills mentioned that REI published a calendar of various
outdoor events and thought it might be possible to advertise public
engagements through them.
Chair Kulzer suggested a pop-up event at the aquatic park or perhaps at a
restaurant. He also suggested a pop-up event at the annual softball
tournament at Northwood Park in July.
Mr. McCullough addressed several questions Park District staff typically
received when discussing a trail master plan.
1. When will it be built? The commissioners were reminded that a master
plan must be completed before the park district could seek funding,
and construction could not proceed without funding.
2. Who will pay for design, construction, and maintenance? Mr.
McCullough stated that the park district was responsible for funding
the construction of the trail as well as operations and maintenance. He
added that the park district partnered with local cities to plow their
trails during the winter months.
3. Will Three Rivers use eminent domain? Ms. Grissman stated that
while it was one of many options, it would require city council
approval and was used as little as possible.
4. How will Three Rivers minimize impacts on private property? Mr.
McCullough replied that the park district preferred to avoid
constructing trails next to property lines wherever possible. He added
that trail projects sometimes included funding for fencing or
vegetation to serve as buffers to private property.
5. Who has the decision-making authority? Ms. Grissman replied that
city commissions and councils ultimately provided decision-making
authority for trail projects.
Commissioner Wills expressed his support for the trail and commented that he
would prefer a trail through natural areas versus adjacent to busy roads.
Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether the trail would be constructed of
aggregate or asphalt and whether the railroad might be able to usurp
jurisdiction of this trail in the future.
Mr. McCullough replied that it would be paved.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022
Page 4
Ms. Grissman added that it was unlikely that railroad property would be
utilized for this project.
Commissioner Kaufman also wondered whether the delay in the light rail
project would have an impact on this project.
Ms. Grissman replied no.
Commissioner Kaufman commented that she would prefer an option that
provided a streamlined trail with minimal stops. She also suggested contacting
the Major Taylor Bicycling Club as well as the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.
Ms. Rader mentioned that she and a few other representatives from the city of
New Hope had we met with Three Rivers Park District Commissioner Marge
Beard and Superintendent Boe Carlson to discuss the Parks to People
initiative. She wondered whether Three Rivers planned to offer any joint
engagements through that initiative.
Ms. Grissman thought so and explained that the Parks to People master plan
was designed to bring more of the Three Rivers experience through
programming within the first-tier communities.
The commissioners thanked Mr. McCullough and Ms. Grissman for their
presentation. They excused themselves from the meeting at 8 p.m.
PARK ASSIGNMENTS FOR
2022
Ms. Rader reviewed that each commissioner would be asked to visit a few of
the city’s parks during the warmer months and report back on their condition
or any areas of concern.
Parks were reassigned for 2022.
2022 AGENDA TOPICS Ms. Rader reviewed that the Emerald Ash Borer update had been moved to
the June agenda to accommodate Three Rivers Park District on this evening’s
agenda. She added that discussion of the trail project would continue at the
April meeting and would include a work session format. She also noted that
the discussion of Ice Arena operations that had previously been scheduled for
April had been postponed.
Commissioner Wills suggested that the December agenda topic remain open at
this time.
BRAINSTORMING – IDEAS
TO BRING ATTENTION TO
NEW HOPE
Ms. Rader reported that staff had received three entries for the
Snowman/Snow Sculpture Contest thus far. The contest would remain open
through March 31.
Chair Kulzer inquired about an update on a potential car show at Frankie’s.
Ms. Rader replied that she had not received any new information.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022
Page 5
Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether Duk Duk Daze or some other
type of summer event would be held in the future.
Ms. Rader reviewed that the New Hope Lions had previously organized Duk
Duk Daze in cooperation with the city and had been considering a one-day
event called Hey Day. She reported that an event had been tentatively planned
for last summer but did not occur. She added that she had not yet heard
whether there were any plans for an event in the summer of 2022.
Commissioner Riley wondered whether the annual softball tournament was
organized by the parks and recreation department or the New Hope Lions.
Ms. Rader replied that it was organized by the New Hope Lions and was
typically held the third weekend in July.
PARKS AND RECREATION
PROJECT UPDATES
Ms. Rader reported that the first meeting of the Hidden Valley Park
playground planning committee would be held on February 23. She stated that
around 20 residents had expressed interest in attending and noted that
Commissioner Riley would also participate. She explained that Flagship
Recreation/Landscape Structures, who would be working on this project, had
received the survey results and would prepare a few draft options based on
those results. She also mentioned that the hill and retaining wall presented a
challenge on the northwest side of the container but thought that expansion of
the container probably would not occur as survey respondents did not want
trees removed. Ms. Rader noted that a second meeting would be held a few
weeks later to finalize a plan. She added that staff anticipated presenting the
final plan to the city council around the end of March.
Ms. Rader reported that ice arena dasher boards had been ordered with
installation planned for the spring. She noted that a change order for
additional gates would go before the city council on February 14. She also
reported that camera installations continued at the ice arena and golf course
and turf restoration at Civic Center Park would continue in the spring. Final
restoration projects at Corner Park and Little Acre Park basketball court would
also be completed in the spring.
Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether any instructors from Sonnesyn
Elementary had utilized Hidden Valley Park for classroom instruction.
Ms. Rader thought so. She also mentioned that the school district was aware of
the playground project and a representative would be serving on the
committee.
Commissioner Riley mentioned that a section of the trail at Northwood Park
had been blocked off for a few days and wondered why.
Ms. Rader thought that it might be due to buckthorn removal.
Commissioner Riley commented that the cattails appeared to be taking over
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022
Page 6
between the bridge and Boone Avenue on the east side of Northwood Park.
He wondered if there were any plans to dredge that area in the future.
Ms. Rader replied that she was unsure but suggested that Public Works staff
address that at the July meeting.
Ms. Rader informed the commissioners that the softball fields at Northwood
Park would be renamed this summer in honor of former New Hope resident
Art Field, who had been an active member of the New Hope Lions Club and
had worked as a seasonal employee for several years in his retirement. She
also reported that one of the bridges at Northwood Park would be dedicated
to Harvey Feldman, the city’s first Parks and Recreation director.
OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Kaufman reported that she had contacted the Activities
Director at Cooper High School to discuss student governance within the
community as well as the potential for student involvement in the Citizen
Advisory Commission. She stated that she had heard back from staff advisors
for the student council and the National Honor Society, who had both
expressed interest and noted that they were considering some type of
collaboration at the December meeting.
Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that the State of the City presentation
had been held the previous week. She noted that a link to the presentation had
been provided in the Friday Update and on the city’s website. She also
mentioned that the summer recreation brochure “In Motion” should arrive in
the homes in early March.
Commissioner Neuburger inquired about the date of the commissioner bus
tour.
Ms. Rader replied that it had not yet been set.
Chair Kulzer mentioned the city manager’s upcoming retirement on June 1
and wondered about the hiring process.
Ms. Rader stated that the city council would be discussing the process at the
February work session.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wills made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the
Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Neuburger seconded the
motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at
8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Spitzer
Recording Secretary
CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2022
AS OF 3/1/22
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.
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 xx – Commissioner Bus Tour?
September 13 – Liberty Park Clean-up (no regular meeting)
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
• Ice Arena Operations Discussion w/ Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager & Tour
• CD Projects including 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
• Follow-up discussion with Three Rivers Park District re: CP Rail Regional Trail (later in 2022 or
early 2023)