071222 CAC Agenda PacketCitizen Advisory Commission Meeting
City Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North
July 12, 2022
7 p.m.
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of June 14, 2022 minutes.
4. Public Works update with Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works and
Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/Project Coordinator.
5. Garage Sale update.
6. Brainstorming — Ideas to bring attention to New Hope.
7. Parks and Recreation project updates.
8. Other business.
9. Adjournment.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or sraderCnewhopemn.gov
CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2022
AS OF 7/5/22
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.
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 - Commissioner Bus Tour
September ? - Liberty Park Clean-up (no regular meeting)
September 19 (6:30 p.m.) - Annual Dialogue with Council
October 11- Budget Discussion
November 8 - No meeting due to General Election
December 13 - ?Update from Community Development; ?Discussion with Cooper HS students
*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)
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
Regular Meeting New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Wills called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Jeff Harper, Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman,
Rick Riley, Bill Wills
Absent: Commissioners Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger
Staff Present: Susan Rader, Staff Liaison
Also Present: Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District
Alex Koumoutsos, Toole Design Group
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Herman made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 12,
2022 meeting as written. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. Voting
in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Riley, Wills. Opposed:
None. Absent: Commissioners Kulzer, Neuburger. Motion carried.
UPDATE ON CP RAIL Danny McCullough, Regional Trail System Manager for Three Rivers Park
REGIONAL TRAIL PLAN District, addressed the commissioners. He reviewed that back in February
Three Rivers Park District staff had presented a master plan project for a
regional trail through the city. He explained that the goal of tonight's meeting
would be to view and discuss route options for the regional trail. He stated
that those options would then be presented to the city council for approval,
followed by a period of public engagement. He added that Three Rivers staff
would then return in the fall to present those findings and begin writing the
plan.
Alex Koumoutsos, a consultant with Toole Design Group, conducted a brief
PowerPoint presentation. He displayed a map of existing as well as proposed
Three Rivers Park District regional trails and identified the study area. He
commented that many of the existing trails traveled from east to west and
noted that the addition of a north/south corridor would offer connections to
those trails.
Mr. Koumoutsos informed the commissioners that he had previously worked
with Three Rivers Park District on the development of a regional trail on the
southern end, from the Minnesota River to Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail.
Mr. Koumoutsos displayed a map of the study area that had identified the
potential routes. He explained that staff from the cities of New Hope, Crystal
and Golden Valley had previously participated in a driving tour and noted
that potential city projects had been identified within the study area. He also
pointed out that potential destinations including parks, shops, schools and
more had been identified within the study area as well.
Mr. McCullough reported that public engagement thus far had included the
Vehicle Fair in Crystal and the Bike Rodeo in Golden Valley. He added that
broad questions had been asked of the participants including whether the
person lived in the study area and where they would like to bike or walk. He
noted that many of the respondents had expressed interest in traveling to
parks.
Mr. Koumoutsos displayed maps identifying all potential trail routes and
noted that all routes were located between Winnetka Avenue and Douglas
Drive. He briefly summarized each of the routes:
• Route A: Begin at Luce Line Trail at Winnetka Avenue, travel north on
Winnetka Avenue to 4911' Avenue or jog over to Quebec Avenue and
travel north, then travel east on 49th Avenue to Douglas Drive or
connect with Corvallis Avenue at 51st Place N to Douglas Drive, travel
north on Douglas Drive to Becker Park.
• Route B: Start at Luce Line Trail at Douglas Drive, travel to Honeywell
site via different options, travel north to Valley Place Park, take Bassett
Creek Regional Trail to Winnetka Avenue, then select from the same
options as Route A for the remainder of the route.
• Route C: Start at Luce Line Trail at Douglas Drive and travel north
along Douglas Drive to Becker Park.
Mr. Koumoutsos displayed a stock image of a regional trail and described the
ideal trail as approximately ten feet wide with a buffer between the curb and
the regional trail.
Commissioner Kaufman asked for an opinion on whether the trail would be
used primarily for recreation or for transportation to local businesses and
shops.
Mr. McCullough felt that it could accommodate both types of users.
Commissioner Riley wondered why the trail was referred to as the CP Rail
project.
Mr. McCullough stated that at some point the name would be changed and
explained that the CP rail line had been designated as the established corridor
by the Metropolitan Council. He added that it was preferred that the trail be
placed within one-half mile of the rail line in either direction. He also
mentioned that the plan would be written to place the trail on the rail bed but
noted that it was currently an active rail line with no indication that it might
be abandoned in the future.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
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Commissioner Harper wondered how a trail could be incorporated along
Winnetka Avenue or Douglas Drive without abutting the roadway.
Mr. McCullough explained that a buffer of three to five feet of green space
would typically separate the trail from the roadway. He added that while he
would prefer a trail that did not travel close to a roadway, he acknowledged
that this was not always possible in a developed area.
Commissioner Riley added that it would basically serve as a replacement for
sidewalk and would be available to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Ms. Rader pointed out that a large portion of the Bassett Creek Regional Trail
through New Hope had been placed next to the roadway, except for the
portion that traveled through Northwood Park.
The commissioners then reviewed the maps and engaged in discussion.
Mr. McCullough wondered whether there were any planned improvements
for 42nd Avenue.
Ms. Rader replied that improvements were planned for the area west of
Winnetka Avenue but commented that she was not aware of any projects
planned for the roadway east of Winnetka Avenue.
Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether e-bikes would be allowed on the
trails.
Mr. McCullough replied that e-bikes are allowed wherever bicycles are
allowed.
Mr. McCullough commented that there appeared to be some interest in a route
along Quebec Avenue and wondered whether there were any improvement
plans for Sunnyside Park.
Ms. Rader replied no but added that staff could consider a loop through the
park.
Vice Chair Wills wondered whether an alternate route could be considered
that would avoid Winnetka Avenue altogether and perhaps travel down
Maryland Avenue.
Ms. Rader expressed concern that it might be difficult for trail users to cross
36f Avenue at Maryland Avenue, as this was not a controlled intersection.
The commissioners concluded their discussion regarding potential trail routes.
Mr. McCullough thanked the commissioners for providing feedback and
stated that he would return in the fall to discuss further revisions to the
potential routes.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
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The commissioners thanked Mr. McCullough and Mr. Koumoutsos for the
opportunity to provide input. They excused themselves from the meeting at 8
p.m.
GARAGE SALE UPDATE Ms. Rader reported that 69 residents had signed up to participate in the city-
wide garage sale. She stated that staff would be posting signs throughout the
city this week advertising the upcoming sale.
BRAINSTORMING - IDEAS No new ideas were brought forward.
TO BRING ATTENTION TO
NEW HOPE
PARKS AND RECREATION Ms. Rader referred to the playground project at Hidden Valley Park and
PROJECT UPDATES reported that separate contracts for the site work and equipment had been
awarded at the council meeting in May. She stated that removal of equipment
would occur within the next few weeks. She informed the commissioners that
there would be a gap between the completion of the site work and the
installation of the equipment, as there had been a manufacturing delay on the
equipment. She added that installation was expected to take place in
September. A project update would be sent to approximately 450 homes in the
neighborhood within the next few weeks.
Vice Chair Wills wondered whether the equipment supplier would guarantee
the September installation.
Ms. Rader replied that staff had not been given a guarantee but noted that the
company had not communicated any additional delays.
Ms. Rader reported that court improvements would include crack repair at the
Begin Park tennis courts and filling a large crack on the basketball court at
Liberty Park. She noted that this court was on the list for a full replacement in
2023. She also mentioned that the basketball court at Lions Park would be
crack -filled and resurfaced.
Ms. Rader reported that engineered wood fiber would be added to some of the
playground containers and noted that fiber was typically added to
approximately one-third to one-half of the playgrounds each year.
Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that Aaron Thelen, Recreation
Supervisor, had worked on a grant project for additional signage at Sunnyside
Park disc golf course that would be placed at each hole. She stated that
installation should occur within the next few weeks. She added that
replacement of the dasher boards at the ice arena had been completed.
Vice Chair Wills wondered whether any new trees would be planted at Liberty
Park this year.
Ms. Rader stated that the city forester had recently met with a tree company to
select locations for future trees and anticipated that most planting should
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
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occur this fall. She also mentioned that the removal of diseased Ash trees
within the parks would continue over the next five years. She informed the
commissioners that there were approximately 850 Ash trees within New
Hope's parks and noted that many were located within the natural areas of
Northwood and Dorothy Mary parks.
Commissioner Riley mentioned that the tennis courts at Lions Park had been
removed approximately five years ago and wondered if there were any plans
for that space.
Ms. Rader replied no and noted that the budget for additional park
improvements will be limited due to costs associated with Ash tree removal.
She informed the commissioners that the park infrastructure fund would be
transferring $100,000 annually to the forestry budget over the next several
years to assist with removal costs.
OTHER BUSINESS Vice Chair Wills mentioned the RAVE award program and encouraged the
commissioners to make a nomination. He added that nominations were due
by July 22.
Ms. Rader thanked the commissioners for planting flowers in the containers
along 42nd Avenue.
Ms. Rader also thanked Commissioner Herman for volunteering at the Young
Mudder event.
Ms. Rader made the following announcements:
• Food Truck Fridays began on June 10.
• Farmer's Market would open for the season on June 18.
• Music in the Park would include "The Jolly Pops' on June 15 at 10
a.m.; "Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio" on June 22 at 7 p.m.; and
"Sawyer's Dream" on July 6 at 7 p.m.
• "The Lego Movie" would be shown on a jumbo screen at the
performance center on June 16 at 9:15 p.m. She added that the movie
was sponsored by the West Metro Fire Rescue Auxiliary.
Commissioner Riley wondered whether community development staff could
attend the December 13 meeting to discuss new Curb Appeal Program.
Commissioner Kaufman reminded the commissioners that student
representatives from Cooper High School might also attend the December 13
meeting. She added that she would follow up in the fall, once their student
council was in place.
Commissioner Harper expressed appreciation for the update on the Emerald
Ash Borer program that had been given at the April meeting. He admitted that
he, as well as many of his neighbors, had been unaware of the problem and
wondered if that information could be better communicated.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
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Vice Chair Wills stated that information had been published in multiple city
publications as well as the website over the years but acknowledged that it
could be challenging to get residents to take notice.
Ms. Rader also felt that people sometimes set information aside, intending to
read it later. She stated that she would share those comments with the city
forester and communications coordinator.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kaufman made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the
Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Harper seconded the motion.
All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at
8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Spitzer
Recording Secretary
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022
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