12 20 21 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session December 20, 2021
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
December 20, 2021
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
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Kirk McDonald, City Manager
Tim Hoyt, Director of Police
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
DIALOGUE WITH
PLANNING
COMMISSION
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Planning Commission Dialogue
with the City Council.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development and staff liaison to the planning
commission, explained the commission provides periodic updates to the City Council.
He noted due to the pandemic, the last update was provided at the council meeting of
October 21, 2019. He stated the planning commission currently has five members: Jim
Brinkman, Heather Koshiol, Roger Landy, Matt Mannix and Michael Redden. Persons
in attendance were recognized (Roger Landy, Matt Mannix and Heather Koshiol).
Mr. Matt Mannix explained over the past two years the commission has reviewed and
recommended 15 text amendments. He reported on redevelopment activities (one
variance and several conditional use permits).
Discussion ensued regarding commission membership and whether it should be
reduced. Mr. Sargent stated he hopes appointments can be made to bring the Planning
Commission to its full nine-member composition. He explained that the members of
the Planning Commission also serve on subcommittees. The Codes & Standards
Committee reviews text amendments, and the Design & Review Committee reviews
land use requests before matters are formally presented to the Planning Commission
and City Council.
Mr. McDonald noted residents may serve on city commissions and New Hope also
allows members of the business community to serve on city commissions.
Council encouraged commissioners to make staff or Council aware of any issues they
believe the planning commission should review.
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Council Member London inquired of benchmarking or comparisons with other cities.
Mr. Sargent indicated prior to considering ordinance amendments, staff and the city
planner research other cities’ regulations and provide the information to the planning
commission.
Commissioner Landy commented on the planning commission’s review process to
ensure that proposed developments meet city code. He emphasized the importance of
safety such as traffic circulation in parking lots and ingress/egress.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, noted St. Therese Nursing Home will be
undertaking a three-year phased expansion/renovation of its existing campus.
Mayor Hemken thanked the Planning Commission for diligently reviewing planning
applications and text amendments.
TREEHOUSE
PROPERTY
4201 BOONE AVENUE
NORTH
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion on TreeHouse
property at 4201 Boone Avenue North.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, explained that TreeHouse
recently merged its New Hope and Plymouth locations and is preparing to sell the
property at 4201 Boone Avenue North. He stated the property is large enough to
subdivide into two lots. He stated TreeHouse is a nonprofit and two new homes would
generate approximately $4,800 in new taxes to the city per year. He stated the value of
the property is estimated at $250,000, and staff could negotiate a sale price with
TreeHouse representatives contingent upon approval by the EDA.
Council expressed support in pursuing the property acquisition.
Council Member London supported the acquisition but noted the location may have
challenges due to the busy roadway.
Mr. Sargent stated natural screening could be a requirement of the RFP process.
RECREATIONAL
VEHICLES
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Discussion on possible regulation
of recreational vehicles.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, stated the Codes & Standards
Committee of the planning commission discussed the potential limitations on the
number and size/height of recreational vehicles stored at residential properties. He
stated the committee did not recommend a code amendment. He stated additional
restrictions may be difficult to enforce. He asked Council whether they would like
staff to explore options to further regulate recreational vehicles.
Mayor Hemken commented regarding the complaints regarding a large boat stored in
a residential neighborhood.
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Ms. Stacy Woods, city attorney, indicated the boat is near the house and does not create
a sight line issue. She noted parking multiple cars in a driveway is allowed by code
and does oftentimes create a sight line issue.
Mr. Sargent commented that the boat meets all storage criteria (setback, hard surface,
and front yard). He stated imposing a height standard would also restrict the parking
of taller RVs at residential properties.
Council Member London noted he believes New Hope’s ordinances should be stricter
relative to storage of vehicles and equipment. He cited various storage situations in his
neighborhood that are unsightly. He stated there are many nearby storage rental
facilities that can accommodate recreational vehicles.
Council directed staff to research other city’s ordinances including cities with lakes
such as the city of Minnetonka.
Council Member Isenberg pointed out the Council should be careful not to make
substantial ordinance changes to address just one storage issue.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
STAFFING LEVEL
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discussion regarding staffing
level of sworn police officers in the police department.
Mr. Kirk McDonald, city manager, stated a recruitment process is underway for a
police officer to fill the vacancy created by a recent retirement.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, director of police, stated there are many personnel changes occurring
in 2022, and it would be advantageous to hire two additional officers besides filling
the vacant position. He spoke of the competitiveness within the field and the need to
be proactive.
Mr. McDonald stated the wages of the new officers would be covered by the savings
from the veteran officers’ wages. He stated the budget is based on 34 sworn officers.
Council expressed support for hiring additional officers to maintain staffing levels.
Council Member Elder questioned whether the city has adequate field training officers
to train three new officers. Chief Hoyt indicated that three is the maximum number the
city can handle for training purposes.
Council Member London expressed support as long as the city does not permanently
maintain more than 34 officers.
CITY MANAGER’S
2021 PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Item 11.5
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.5, City Manager’s 2021 Performance
Evaluation.
Mayor Hemken explained the performance review will include a review of the city
manager’s 2021 goals and accomplishments. She noted after conducting the
performance, the city manager will be excused from the meeting while the Council
considers a potential salary increase.
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Council reviewed the city manager’s 2021 goals and accomplishments and discussed
redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, repairs to the railroad crossings on
Winnetka and Boone avenues, operation of the new aquatics facility, public safety
including implementation of body worn cameras, finance and IT contractual
arrangements, operations during coronavirus pandemic, staff transitions,
communications with staff and Council, and grant revenue received by the city.
Council Member London commended staff for the redevelopment and noted some of
it was due to favorable interest rates. He expressed appreciation that proper repairs
were made during the 2020 infrastructure project on Northwood Parkway.
Council commended the city manager for achieving the goals and maintaining good
communication.
Mr. McDonald stated he has drafted his proposed goals for 2022 and welcomes
Council’s input. He stated the District 281 bus garage site is included as a proposed
redevelopment activity. Council was supportive of the goals as presented.
Mr. McDonald excused himself from the meeting to allow the Council opportunity to
privately discuss his employment agreement.
The Council reviewed the city manager’s salary and compared it to New Hope’s 12
comparable cities.
Council supported the previously approved 3% COLA and approved a 2% merit wage
increase based on 2021 performance for a base salary of $189,018 effective for calendar
year 2022.
Staff was directed to have the city attorney prepare an employment agreement
addendum for consideration at the January 10, 2022, Council Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk