04 24 23 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council April 10, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes April 24, 2023
Regular Meeting City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
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.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The City Council and all present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 10, 2023. All present voted
in favor. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
PRESENTATION
OATH OF OFFICE
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Oath of office for Police Jared
Gray and Sabrina DeMars.
Police Chief Tim Hoyt shared the backgrounds of Officer Jared Gray and Sabrina
DeMars and City Clerk Valerie Leone administered the oath of office. Council
extended their congratulations and thanked the department and family members
for attending the ceremony in a show of support.
PRESENTATIONS:
SNOWMAN/SNOW
SCULPTURE
CONTEST
Item 5.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.2, Awards presentation for the
2022‐2023 New Hope Snowman/Snow Sculpture Contest Winners.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, stated this is the sixth year of
the contest that was open to New Hope individuals, families, neighborhoods, and
groups. She introduced Scott Kulzer, citizens advisory chair, in attendance to assist
with the awards presentation. Ms. Rader shared photos of the 15 entries and
congratulated the contest winners:
New Hope City Council April 10, 2023
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Third place – Happy Snail, created by Miles Witter and The Witter Family
Second place – Freezy, created by The Johanneson Family
First Place – T‐Rex Snowman, created by Rocky and Lake Cheney
She stated winners were given a choice of a cash prize or a certificate towards a
parks and recreation program. Mayor Hemken thanked the contestants for
participating and thanked the Citizen Advisory Commission for sponsoring the
fun winter contest.
RELAY FOR LIFE
Item 5.3
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.3, Resolution approving special
event at Cooper High School, Relay for Life, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, under the
supervision of District 281 personnel and parents.
Ms. Julie Nordstrom and Ms. Hailey Namie addressed the Council and requested
authorization to hold the annual Relay for Life event at Cooper High School. The
students reported on the components of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for
Life fundraising event and noted last year’s event raised over $26,000.
It was noted there will be no use of amplified sound after 11 pm and stadium
lighting is decreased after 11 pm. The event requires adoption of a resolution as
it’s a special event under the Cooper High Schools conditional use permit.
Mayor Hemken invited the public to participate in the May 6 event in the fight
against cancer (information available at www.relayforlife.org/rdalehsmn).
The Council thanked the high school students for their participation in the
important community event.
RESOLUTION 2023‐54
Item 5.3
Council Member Elder introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIAL EVENT AT COOPER HIGH
SCHOOL, RELAY FOR LIFE, ON SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023, UNDER THE
SUPERVISION OF DISTRICT 281 PERSONNEL AND PARENTS.” 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.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT
INTERVENTION
PROJECT
Item 5.4
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.4, Resolution approving
agreement between the city of New Hope and Home Free for the 2023 Domestic
Assault Intervention Project.
Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager/police chief, explained the Home Free Domestic
Assault Intervention Project is a program of Missions, Inc. He stated Elsa Swenson,
program manager of Missions, Inc. was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, but she
has provided statistics that he will share with Council.
Mr. Hoyt stated in 2022 Home Free Community Program served 566 individuals.
Included in this number is 115 new incidents for 113 distinct individuals that were
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referred from the police department. He stated Missions, Inc. made contact with
and provided safety planning, criminal and civil advocacy, and emotional support
services for at least 103 New Hope families in 2022. They provided at least 1,402
services to residents of New Hope, or people who had an incident occur in the city,
which averages near 350 hours of advocate time working with New Hope
residents.
He stated Missions, Inc. is committed to the city of New Hope and is a tremendous
partner. He explained the contractual arrangement guarantees shelter space for
New Hope women and children fleeing intimate partner violence. This is a really
important partnership for New Hope residents as there is a chronic shortage of
shelter bed space. The shelter has an average turn away rate of 70% due to capacity,
and the same is true across the state because the need is so high. He stated
Missions, Inc. strives to meet the needs of the residents and be proactive and
innovative to respond to and end domestic violence in New Hope.
Council Member London asked that the 70% average turn away statistic be shared
with Commissioner Lunde as this was an issue he mentioned when he recently
addressed the Council. Acting City Manager Hoyt indicated he would relay the
information.
RESOLUTION 2023‐54
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF NEW HOPE AND HOME FREE FOR THE 2023 DOMESTIC ASSAULT
INTERVENTION PROJECT.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing
resolution was seconded by Council Member Elder, and upon vote being taken
thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Hemken, Hoffe, Elder, Isenberg,
London; and the following voted against the same: None; Abstained: None;
Absent; whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed
by the mayor which was attested to by the city clerk.
ROTATING VOTES
Please note that votes taken on each agenda item are called by the secretary on a
rotating basis; however, the written minutes always list the mayor’s name first
followed by the council members’ in alphabetical order.
CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Hemken introduced the consent items as listed for consideration and stated
that all items will be enacted by one motion unless requested that an item be
removed for discussion. Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, reviewed the consent
items.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through April 24, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2023‐56
Item 6.4
Resolution proclaiming May 14‐20, 2023, as National Police Week in the city of
New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2023‐57
Item 6.5
Resolution approving LG214 Premises Permit Application for Armstrong Cooper
Youth Hockey Association to conduct lawful gambling at Winnetka Pizza, dba
Frankie’s Pizza, at 3556 Winnetka Avenue North.
New Hope City Council April 10, 2023
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RESOLUTION 2023‐58
Item 6.6
Resolution approving agreement with the New Hope/Crystal/Plymouth Swim
Club for use of the New Hope Aquatic Park for summer practices and meets.
RESOLUTION 2023‐59
Item 6.7
Resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds in the amount of $25,207.97 to
rebuild the ice compressors at the New Hope Ice Arena.
RESOLUTION 2023‐60
Item 6.8
Resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds in the amount of $37,018.60 for
the purchase and installation of skate tile at the New Hope Ice Arena.
RESOLUTION 2023‐61
Item 6.9
Resolution authorizing the purchase of equipment and appropriation of funds in
the amount of $10,000 for the purchase of batteries from R&R Specialties of
Wisconsin Inc. for the New Hope Ice Arena.
RESOLUTION 2023‐62
Item 6.10
Resolution approving an agreement with Abdo Financial Solutions to assist the
city in evaluating and selecting a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
and to perform chart of accounts mapping.
RESOLUTION 2023‐63
Item 6.11
Resolution adopting Juneteenth (June 19) as a City holiday, effective in conjunction
with the date it becomes a State of Minnesota holiday.
MOTION
Item 6.12
Motion approving issuance of a Request for Proposal to conduct a Compensation
Study in 2023 for the City of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2023‐64
Item 6.13
Resolution approving a cooperative construction agreement with Hennepin
County for the 42nd Avenue Signal Light, Trail, and Utility Project
(Improvement Project No. 1029).
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, to approve the Consent items. All present voted in favor. Motion
carried.
42ND AVE SIGNAL
LIGHT, TRAIL, AND
UTILITY PROJECT
(IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1029)
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution awarding
contract to GMH Asphalt Corporation for construction of the 42nd Avenue
Signal Light, Trail, and Utility Project (Improvement Project No. 1029).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, stated the project involves replacement of the
Boone/42nd Avenue traffic signal, mill and overlay and ADA improvements
between Gettysburg and Winnetka avenues, pipe burst watermain improvements,
burying Xcel power from Boone to Gettysburg Avenue, installation of decorative
lighting from Gettysburg to Xylon Avenue, and paving a trail on the south side of
42nd Avenue from Boone to Gettysburg Avenue and connecting to the new trails
being constructed from the TH 169/CSAH 9 bridge.
Mr. Boyum reported there were four bids received on April 13, and the low bid
was submitted by GMH Asphalt Corporation for $2,576,553.37. The total project
cost is $3,526,625 which includes indirect costs, contingencies, and previously
approved materials (decorative street lights and traffic signal pole assemblies). The
funding sources include state aid, street light fund, water fund, and county funds.
Mr. Boyum reviewed the project schedule with construction beginning this spring.
New Hope City Council April 10, 2023
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Council Member London asked whether the medians on 42nd Avenue will be
included in the project. Mr. Boyum responded that the medians will remain in
place as the work includes mill and overlay and turn lanes only. He noted some
areas will require curb and gutter replacement.
Council Member London expressed safety concerns as much of the curb that abuts
the sidewalk along 42nd Avenue does not provide adequate protection (height). He
indicated he is grateful for the county project and is hopeful that a full street
reconstruction will occur in less than ten years.
Council Member Isenberg inquired regarding options of the city monument sign.
Mr. Boyum stated the monument sign will be installed after completion of the TH
169/42nd Avenue bridge project. He indicated various monument sign options will
be shared with Council at a later date.
RESOLUTION 2023‐52
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT TO GMH ASPHALT
CORPORATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 42ND AVENUE SIGNAL
LIGHT, TRAIL, AND UTILITY PROJECT (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO.
1029).” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by
Council Member Elder, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in
favor thereof: Hemken, Hoffe, Elder, Isenberg, London; and the following voted
against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent; whereupon the resolution was
declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested to by
the city clerk.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Item 12.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
Council Member London thanked residents for picking up trash on Earth Day last
Saturday.
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 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk