01 17 23 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session January 17, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
January 17, 2023
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:
Tim Hoyt, Acting City Manager
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
DISCUSS 2023 CDBG
BLOCK GRANT
FUNDS
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discuss use of 2023 Community
Development Block Grant funds.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, explained the city has
historically allocated the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds it
receives to Hennepin County’s home rehab program and the city’s scattered site
housing program. He explained if the city’s CDBG allocation is less than $100,000,
instead of a direct allocation, the city will automatically be enrolled into a consolidated
pool of cities that receive less than $100,000 per year. He noted in 2018 service agencies
such as Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin, TreeHouse, and
HOME Line began applying directly to Hennepin County for funds that were pooled
countywide. He stated this arrangement has worked well and is similar to the
consolidated pool that is being proposed for the remainder of the CDBG funds. He
introduced Tonja West‐Hafner, program analysis supervisor with Hennepin County.
Ms. West‐Hafner explained the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program is a federal program authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974. It is an annual grant to municipalities and states to assist in
the development of viable communities with at least 70 percent being expended to
serve persons of low‐ and moderate‐income. She indicated the city’s allocation for 2023
is $92,000, and, therefore the city is automatically enrolled into a consolidated pool of
cities. She explained that weighted census numbers (population 25%, poverty 50%, and
overcrowding 25%) are used to determine funding.
City Council Work Session January 17, 2023
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Mr. Sargent noted being in the consolidated pool indicates the New Hope population’s
income level is healthy.
Ms. West‐Hafner stated as part of the consolidated pool, the city is not required to
conduct a public hearing as the county handles the administrative aspects. Ms. West‐
Hafner noted the city has worked with Habitat for Humanity in the past. She stated
Habitat for Humanity may be able to secure a higher funding amount through the
consolidated pool. She indicated the only disadvantage of the consolidated pool is that
someone on New Hope’s current wait list will be placed at the bottom of the larger
pool’s wait list, but requests advance quickly due to the larger pool of funds
(approximately $500,000).
Ms. West‐Hafner responded to questions from Council. She stated approximately 30
cities comprise the consolidated pool. She also stated the city will be notified of funding
distributions as it is public information.
Mayor Hemken thanked Ms. West‐Hafner for her presentation.
PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT UPDATES
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discuss public works project
updates.
Mr. Bernie Weber, director of public works, stated staff will provide its annual update
to Council on several 2023 projects.
Mr. Nick Macklem, stormwater specialist, provided an update on Meadow Lake
Management Plan which is a collaboration with Shingle Creek and the city. He
explained the 5‐7 year project began with the 2021 winter drawdown. He stated the
flathead minnow population was eliminated, but the phosphorous levels remained
high in lake bottom sediments and curly‐leaf pondweed still remained in the lake. He
noted the next steps could be aquatic vegetation treatment and alum treatment.
Mayor Hemken inquired regarding the cat tails. Mr. Macklem stated cat tails typically
migrate with water level of the lake and they grew towards the center of the pond due
to lower water levels. He noted there were no major drainage issues. He commented
when water rises the cat tails in the center of the pond will migrate to the edge of the
lake as people are accustomed to viewing.
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, provided updates on the following projects:
2022‐23 sanitary sewer lining – work will begin this winter.
MnDOT Hwy 169 noise wall (Bass Lake Road to 62nd Avenue North) – tree removal
began this month and construction of noise wall will begins this spring with
completion in the fall. The city pays 10% or approximately $250,000.
Highway 169 and 42nd Avenue Bridge and Interchange – two agreements will be
presented to Council on January 23 for MnDOT and Hennepin County. The work
includes a new bridge, new interchange/signals, and new signals. The work will
begin in spring of 2023. The 42nd Avenue bridge across TH 169 will be closed
during the summer months.
42nd Avenue improvements – watermain improvements from Xylon to Gettysburg,
trail built on south side of 42nd from Boone to Gettysburg, decorative lighting from
Xylon to Gettysburg. Plans will be presented to Council in February. Other
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improvements include 42nd/Boone Avenue signal, ADA, mill and overlay and
striping. Municipal state aid funds will be utilized. The work will be done in
conjunction with the TH 169 bridge project. He stated at the northeast corner of
42nd and Xylon there are paver bricks and the county would like to replace the
bricks with concrete but the city is resisting due to aesthetics.
2023 infrastructure improvements – work includes reclamation, mill and overlay,
and watermain improvements and several alternates. He stated plans will be
brought to the January 23 or February 13 meeting for approval.
TH 169/36th Avenue Bridge – MnDOT plans to replace this bridge in 2024. The city
is required to provide a waiver of municipal consent, and this item will be
presented at the January 23 Council Meeting.
Council thanked staff for the project updates.
DISCUSS
RECREATIONAL
VEHICLES
REGULATION
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Discussion on possible regulation
of recreational vehicles.
Mr. Brandon Bell, community development coordinator/management analyst,
explained at the work session last June staff was asked to develop potential options for
regulating recreational vehicles that are parked in front yard driveways. He stated
recreational vehicles are defined as self‐propelled vehicles or vehicles stored on
licensed trailers which are used primarily for recreational‐leisure time activities
including, but not limited to, campers, tent trailers, motor homes or other vehicles used
for temporary living quarters, boats, canoes, kayaks, all‐terrain vehicles, snowmobiles,
golf carts, race cars, stock‐cars, motorcycles, utility trailers, off‐road vehicles, and
similar vehicles or equipment. No more than three recreational vehicles or equipment
may be stored outside as exterior storage on a property.
Mr. Bell stated staff has developed four different options if the City Council chooses to
recommend an ordinance amendment:
1. The definition for boats would be separated from recreational vehicles.
Restrictions on boats would be set at 20 feet in length. Any boat over 20 feet in
length would be prohibited from being parked on any driveway.
The 20‐foot length restriction is completely arbitrary and could be set at any
length
Length could be determined by running the boat registration numbers
typically displayed on the side of the boat, assuming they are visible.
2. All recreational vehicles 30 feet and longer would be prohibited from parking on
any driveway.
Currently, RVs must be setback at least 15 feet from the curb and may not
obstruct sidewalks.
3. All recreational vehicles parked on a driveway must belong to, and be registered
with, the owner(s) of the property they are parked on.
This option would still allow for the storage of large recreational vehicles,
including boats, assuming that they meet all of the setback requirements.
Mr. Bell noted staff receives very few complaints about the size of recreational vehicles.
The Codes and Standards Committee met about this subject in August 2021 and
decided that no change should be made to the current New Hope City Code. He stated
staff agrees with the committee’s recommendation of no change.
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Mayor Hemken inquired how the city would monitor the recreational vehicles.
Mr. Jeff Sargent, director of community development, indicated city inspectors handle
on a complaint basis. He pointed out an ordinance restricting sizes of recreational
vehicles may be difficult to enforce due to access limitations onto private property to
obtain measurements. He stated staff may be able to determine the vehicle/equipment
length if registration numbers are visible. Mr. Sargent commented that Minnesota is a
state where many people have recreational vehicles. He noted the city currently has
regulations regarding where recreational vehicles can be stored on residential
properties. Mr. Sargent indicated staff will work with the city attorney to draft an
ordinance to limit size/height of recreational vehicles stored on residential properties
if so directed by Council.
City Attorney Stacy Woods concurred with Mr. Sargent that it is unlawful for staff to
access private property without permission (except during criminal situations).
Council agreed that no ordinance amendment is necessary at this time since
improvements have previously been made to the city code to address storage of
recreational vehicles on residential property and because the number of complaints
regarding the size of recreational vehicles has been low.
Mr. Sargent indicated staff will notify Council if there are recurring offenses.
DISCUSS BUSINESS
LICENSE RENEWAL
PROCESS
Item 11.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.4, Discussion regarding business
license renewal process.
Ms. Valerie Leone, city clerk, explained that business license renewals are considered
for approval in December for the following year. She stated Chapter 8 of the City Code
outlines the renewal process including required paperwork and deadlines. At the
December 12, 2022, Council Meeting, Council Member London inquired whether
performance criteria was taken into consideration with the license renewal process. He
asked if complaints were tracked, specifically for residential refuse haulers.
Ms. Leone reviewed the various types of business licenses and requirements for renewal.
She stated staff addresses licensing issues when they arise such as noncompliant food
vendors and reminding refuse haulers of the city’s designated day for trash collection.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager/police chief, stated staff strives to educate the public
and explain the requirements for licenses and permits.
Council Member London suggested implementing a procedure to enable the city to
track complaints of regular license holders, determine the number of complaints per
business, and address unresolved complaints.
City Clerk Leone indicated the city tracks complaints that are submitted via the city’s
website.
City Attorney Stacy Woods noted licensees are required to comply with city code.
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ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk