02 21 23 Work Session Minutes
City Council Work Session February 21, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
February 21, 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:
Council absent:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
John Elder, Council Member
Staff present:
Tim Hoyt, Acting City Manager
Sarah Larson, WMFRD Chief
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Shawn Markham, Forester/Contract Manager
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
WMFRD Update
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Update from West Metro Fire‐
Rescue District.
Ms. Sarah Larson, WMFRD Chief, reported there were 2,128 calls for service in
calendar year 2022 of which 1,099 were in New Hope. She indicated the Santa for
Seniors program was a success and more than 300 bags of gifts were collected and
delivered to Crystal Care Center, Good Samaritan, and North Ridge. She explained
there were 11 fire fighters who resigned/retired in 2022 and a recruitment process
yielded 15 persons.
Chief Larson stated July 6, 2023, is the District’s 25th anniversary. She asked Council to
provide suggestions for an anniversary event at station 3 such as a community BBQ
and open house.
She reported three of the four existing fire engines have been sold and delivery of the
first new engine is expected in March.
Chief Larson reported in 2022 there was a total of 1,057 inspections/plan
reviews/meetings of which 410 required a re‐inspection. She stated 38 home safety
surveys were conducted in 2022, and the adopt a hydrant program has 102 residents
(from both cities) participating in the program.
Chief Larson stated the district did not receive the SAFER grant. She indicated there
was a large pool of applicants and district staff intends to re‐apply.
City Council Work Session February 21, 2023
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Council Member London inquired of the types of calls for service and corresponding
percentages. Chief Larson stated about half the calls are fire calls and half are for
medical. She noted the mutual aid calls are all fire‐related calls.
Council thanked Chief Larson for the update.
VALUES AND
VISION STATEMENT
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Reaffirm Values and Vision
Statement.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, indicated as part of the state performance
measurement program, Council must reaffirm the values and vision statement on an
annual basis.
Council discussed whether the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement should be
incorporated with the Values and Vision Statement. It was agreed to retain the two
statements as separate documents.
MOTION
Item 11.2
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
London, to reaffirm the Values and Vision Statement. All present voted in favor.
Motion carried.
NO MOW MAY
DISCUSSION
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Discuss “No Mow May”.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, indicated staff would like to discuss
“No Mow May” with the City Council and provide information about the conservation
initiative that encourages people to stop mowing or mow less often for the month of
May to create habitat and provide resources for bees and other early‐season
pollinators.
Mr. Shawn Markham, forester/contract manager, explained the pros and cons of
adopting “No Mow May”. He stated the city has already taken steps to provide
resources for bees and other early‐season pollinators. He stated the city modified its
weed ordinance in 2012 to promote native plantings and maintaining shoreline buffer
strips; and the Council adopted a resolution supporting pollinators and pollinator
habitat in 2017. Mr. Markham also stated the city has incorporated pollinator friendly
habitats into city projects with rain gardens, adopt‐a‐plot, storm water pond plantings
and the RAVE program.
Mr. Markham shared how the city could implement a “No Mow May” through a
registration program. He also reported that typically the first weed notices of the
season are issued mid to late May.
Ms. Rader stated if the city adopted the program, an option would be to limit it to back
yards only (front yards could still be mowed).
As an alternative to “No Mow May” Council Member London recommended
promoting the planting of flowering trees/shrubs/bushes to support pollinators.
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Council decided against adopting a formal program at this time. Staff was directed to
post resources on the city’s website to help educate the community regarding
pollinator habitat.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk