05 08 23 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council May 8, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes May 8, 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
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member London, seconded by Council Member
Elder, to approve the work session meeting minutes of April 17, 2023. Voted in
favor thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted
against the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
London, to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 24, 2023. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
Isenberg, to approve the special meeting minutes of May 2, 2023. Voted in favor
thereof: Hemken, Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: None. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
Mr. Ron Stoffel, 8004 55th Lane North, spoke regarding flag etiquette of flags at
half mast. He indicated the city’s state flag and the POW/MIA flag at the police
station should be lower than the American flag. Council thanked him for the
information.
New Hope City Council May 8, 2023
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Mr. Stoffel inquired regarding the status of the Shell Gas Station at 7900 Bass Lake
Road. Mr. Tim Hoyt, acting city manager, indicated he will ask the community
development director to contact Mr. Stoffel with a report.
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.
BUSINESS
LICENSE(S)
Item 6.1
Approval of business license(s).
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through May 8, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2023‐66
Item 6.4
Resolution proclaiming May 25, 2023, as National Missing and Exploited
Children’s Day in the city of New Hope.
RESOLUTION 2023‐67
Item 6.5
Resolution approving agreement between the city of New Hope and Hennepin
County for Elevate Hennepin.
MOTION
Item 6.6
Motion waiving permit fees for temporary signs and tent for Can Do Woofaroo
walk and fundraising event on September 23, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2023‐68
Item 6.7
Resolution declaring adoption and implementation of State performance
measures.
RESOLUTION 2023‐69
Item 6.8
Resolution approving a contract with ABCities Consulting, LLC for city planning
services through 2024.
MOTION
Consent Items
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve the Consent items. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
LIGHTED BASEBALL
FIELD
(IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1095)
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution awarding contract
to New Look Contracting Inc. for $483,606.75 for field improvements at Lighted
Baseball Field (Improvement Project No. 1095).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, stated lighted baseball field is located at 8810 49th
Avenue North and was last rebuilt in 1995. He explained the scope of the work
includes regrading infield grass, leveling a portion of the outfield where there are
low spots, restoration with sod to allow play to resume in spring of 2024,
rebuilding the pitcher’s mound, fence replacement, gate replacement, replacement
of a bituminous trail and pedestrian ramp, and removal of the park shelter, walk,
and retaining wall. He stated the low bid was submitted by New Look Contracting,
Inc. for $249,762.25 (base bid). He reported that seven alternates were sought, and
New Hope City Council May 8, 2023
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staff recommends approval of Alternate 1 (full fence replacement for $123,257.50);
Alternate 4 (shade structure for $11,500); Alternate 6 (infield grading for $18,665);
and Alternate 7 (batting cage replacement or $80,422) for a total contract amount
of $483,606.75. He explained the batting cage was added during the bidding
process based on staff discussions.
Mr. Boyum stated the total estimated project cost with contingency and indirect
costs is $670,326. He reported the budgeted amount was $828,000 although some
of the funds were allocated to the lighting retrofit project. He stated a $10,000 grant
award was received for the project from the Twins Community Fund.
He reviewed the project schedule with construction substantially completed this
fall and final completion in spring of 2024. He recommended approval of a contract
for $483,606.75 to New Look Contracting, Inc. Mr. Boyum stated New Look
Contracting has performed work in the city in the past with good results.
Council Member London commented on the batting cage cost and asked whether
the netting will be removed each fall to extend its life.
Parks and Recreation Director Susan Rader confirmed that it is anticipated the
netting will be removed from the batting cage structure each fall. It was noted that
teams prefer the netting material compared to chain link fencing. Ms. Rader
reported on the various users of the field.
RESOLUTION 2023‐70
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT TO NEW LOOK
CONTRACTING INC. FOR $483,606.75 FOR FIELD IMPROVEMENTS AT
LIGHTED BASEBALL FIELD (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 1095)” 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, 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.
CITY MANAGER
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution appointing Reece
Bertholf as city manager for the city of New Hope effective June 12, 2023, and
approving employment agreement.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of HR/Admin. Services, stated the recruitment firm
DDA Human Resources assisted the city in the city manager search. He explained
a tentative agreement has been reached with Reece Bertholf effective June 12, 2023.
Council expressed support for the appointment of Reece Bertholf.
RESOLUTION 2023‐71
Item 10.1
Council Member Hemken introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPOINTING REECE BERTHOLF AS CITY
MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF NEW HOPE EFFECTIVE JUNE 12, 2023, AND
APPROVING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT” The motion for the adoption of
the foregoing resolution was seconded by Council Member Isenberg, and upon
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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.
EXCHANGE OF
COMMUNICATION
Item 12.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of communication
between members of the City Council.
Motion by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Isenberg,
appointing Natalie Brown to the Planning Commission. All present voted in
favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hemken reported on upcoming events.
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 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk