03 20 23 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session March 20, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
March 20, 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
Brad Kallio, Community Relations and Crime Prev. Officer
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Bill Robberstad, Central Garage Supervisor
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Stacy Woods, Assistant City Attorney
HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION
UPDATE
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Update by Human Rights
Commission.
Mayor Hemken acknowledged the presence of Donna Meyer, chair of the HRC, along
with members Trista Rehnke, Mindy London, Allison Isenberg, and Matthew London.
Chair Meyer stated the purpose of the commission and reported the HRC is fully
staffed with ten members. She reported the staff liaison is Brad Kallio. She reviewed
2022 accomplishments including commission recruitment, Sunnyside Park
sponsorship, Colors of the World project continuation, community conversations,
partnered with city communications coordinator to publicize HRC events, Juneteenth
proclamation by the city, collaboration with HR team regarding DE&I policy and
statement adoption, connected with joint community policing program (JCPP) to re‐
establish partnership, reviewed HRC bylaws with proposed changes to be approved
by the City Council in 2023, volunteered at city‐sponsored events.
Chair Meyer reviewed the 2023 subcommittees and reported on 2023 objectives
including community conversations, Colors of the World, Outreach, Sunnyside Park
sponsorship, fundraising, Iftar dinner co‐sponsored with JCPP, and a Hispanic
heritage celebration.
Chair Meyer explained the HRC is interested in promoting a Hispanic heritage
celebration and asked for Council to consider such an endeavor. She also asked for
staff’s guidance on rules regarding fundraising.
City Council Work Session March 20, 2023
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Council discussed the joint community police partnership (JCPP). Acting City
Manager Hoyt pointed out the JCPP program is partially funded by Hennepin County
and co‐sponsored events should be approved by the county.
Council Member Isenberg expressed his willingness to assist the HRC in community
events such as park sponsorship. He inquired of the status of the HRC spotlight. Chair
Meyer stated the program hasn’t been implemented yet. Commissioner Isenberg noted
the HRC may wish to promote similar existing programs such as the “Good
Citizenship Award” program.
Discussion ensued regarding the HRC posting a diversity calendar similar to one
prepared by the school district. Council expressed support for the calendar and posting
it on the city’s website.
On behalf of the Council Member Elder expressed gratitude to the HRC for their
enthusiasm and willingness to serve the community.
Mayor Hemken asked the HRC to provide Council with the proposed diversity
calendar and the dates for community events in the parks.
Mayor Hemken thanked the HRC for the update.
PURCHASE OR
LEASE OF VEHICLES
AND EQUIPMENT
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Resolution approving purchase
or lease of vehicles and equipment in accordance with the city’s capital improvement
program for 2023 and 2024.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, stated in 2021 the city began leasing police vehicles
through Enterprise Fleet Management. He stated with the current supply and demand
issues it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure vehicles without a long delay.
Currently there is no state contract for purchasing vehicles. The city is able to obtain
large equipment (ie loaders, tractors, snowplows) through cooperative purchasing
agreements. Enterprise is able to obtain vehicles through the state cooperative
purchasing program due to the company’s volume purchases. Sometimes when a piece
of equipment is located, a quick decision must be made to secure the item, whether
through Enterprise or another vendor.
He stated the list of vehicles and equipment contained in the capital improvement
program through year 2024 was distributed to Council. He requested pre‐
authorization so the city will not miss ordering deadlines that have become
increasingly short. Mr. Hoyt stated the objective is to streamline the ordering process.
He stated staff recommends approval of the resolution approving the purchases in
accordance with the CIP. He pointed out in the past staff presented the equipment at a
council meeting before placing the order. He assured Council staff would continue to
work cooperatively between departments and also continue to delay purchases
whenever necessary.
Mr. Bill Robberstad, central garage supervisor, explained that equipment is regularly
reviewed and if maintenance has been minimal, the replacement of some vehicles may
be delayed.
City Council Work Session March 20, 2023
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Mayor Hemken recommended that staff present items to Council after an order has
been placed in order to ratify the action. Mr. Hoyt agreed that staff would provide
updates on the CIP and equipment purchase prices.
Council Member London cautioned against leasing all city vehicles. He also pointed
out the city’s financial management plan/purchasing policy that has limits on how
much the city manager can authorize for purchases. He commented that the city will
be hiring a new city manager soon and that individual should be consulted.
It was noted that the city would continue to abide by the cooperative purchasing
guidelines.
RESOLUTION 2023‐36
Item 11.2
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
“RESOLUTION APPROVING PURCHASE OR LEASE OF VEHICLES AND
EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM FOR 2023 AND 2024.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing
resolution was seconded by Council Member Hoffe, and upon vote being taken
thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London;
and the following voted against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None;
whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the mayor
which was attested to by the city clerk.
CALL FOR
CLOSED MEETING
Item 11.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.3, Resolution calling for a closed
meeting of the New Hope City Council authorized by Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(b)
to discuss and consider litigation defense and settlement strategies with Ashton
Homes, LLC; Berkeley Heights Homes, LLC; Sekou AM Dukuly; Dr. Sheikh K. Dukuly
II regarding group home at 3840 Boone Avenue North.
RESOLUTION 2023‐37
Item 11.3
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
“RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CLOSED MEETING OF THE NEW HOPE CITY
COUNCIL AUTHORIZED BY MINN. STAT. §13D.05, SUBD. 3(b) TO DISCUSS
AND CONSIDER LITIGATION DEFENSE AND SETTLEMENT STRATEGIES.”
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Council
Member Isenberg, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the
same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None; whereupon the resolution was declared
duly passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk