01 03 23 Special City Council Minutes
New Hope City Council January 3, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes January 3, 2023
Special Meeting Northwood Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in regular session pursuant to due call and notice
thereof; Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Staff present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Tim Hoyt, Acting City Manager
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Beth Kramer, Communications Coordinator
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Walker MacBeath, HR Specialist/IT Coord.
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
CITY MANAGER
VACANCY
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.1, Continued discussion
regarding options for the City Council to consider in filling the city manager
vacancy.
Acting City Manager Tim Hoyt indicated after careful consideration, he has
decided not to pursue the blended role or the city manager position. He thanked
the City Council for its past support and expressed his willingness to continue
serving as Acting City Manager until Council appoints a city manager.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of human resources/admin. services, reported earlier in
the year four recruitment firms were discussed by Council and in March of 2022
Council requested and received presentations from two firms, Baker Tilly and
Mercer Group, which described the process of utilizing a recruitment firm for a
nationwide search for city manager candidates.
Mr. Johnson indicated Jim Miller of Mercer Group has since retired. He inquired
of Council’s interest in hiring Baker Tilly and noted their fee is approximately
$24,000. He stated he recently contacted Baker Tilly, and the firm could assist New
Hope if a decision is made soon as they have pending proposals with other
agencies.
Discussion ensued regarding utilizing a recruitment firm or conducting a search
utilizing city HR staff with advertisement through the League of Minnesota Cities,
and whether the Personnel Board could assist with interviews.
New Hope City Council January 3, 2023
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City Clerk Leone noted per city code the Personnel Board is charged with
recruitment of civil service positions, not the city manager position.
Acting City Manager Hoyt recommended utilizing an outside search firm to assist
with the entire process and to obtain a broad pool of candidates.
Council Elder supported obtaining proposals from more than one search firm.
Council Member London recommended the search firms have a nation‐wide
network, more than 10 years’ experience and proven track record with
municipalities.
Council directed staff to contact additional recruitment firms and arrange
presentations for a special meeting tentatively scheduled for January 12, 2022, at 6
pm.
COMMUNICATION
WITH MEDIA
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 11.1, Discuss communication with
media.
Ms. Beth Kramer, communications coordinator, reminded Council to include her
any time a sensitive topic is being dealt with so a unified voice is provided. She
advised Council she is finalizing a briefing that will be distributed at the next
council meeting which will include an official statement, highlighting policies
regarding fair housing, equity statement, city code related to revocation of rental
registrations, and a number of FAQs with answers. She stated she is also drafting
a media relations policy for all staff outlining the city’s policies.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to adjourn the meeting, as there was no further business to come before
the Council. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The New Hope City
Council adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk