08 28 23 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council August 28, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes August 28, 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
Reece Bertholf, City Manager
Jeff Alger, Community Development Specialist
Dan Boyum, City Engineer
Sarah Larson, WMFRD Chief
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member Elder,
to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 14, 2023. All present voted in
favor. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
2023 RAVE! AWARDS
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Presentation of the 2023 RAVE!
Awards.
Mr. Jeff Alger, community development specialist, described the RAVE! Award
program, which originated in 2006 to promote well‐maintained and improved
residential properties. He stated the award recognizes residential property owners
who have accomplished outstanding property maintenance and improvements.
Mr. Alger stated categories were created as guidelines and were intended to be
flexible to accommodate the types of nominations received. He stated the award
categories include:
General property maintenance and improvements
Remodel, renovation, or addition
Landscaping
Gardens
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Environmentally sensitive improvements (e.g., use of rain gardens, green
techniques, and storm water management strategies)
Mr. Alger reported there were 8 properties nominated for awards. He stated a
panel of three judges toured the properties and selected award recipients. He
illustrated the properties recommended for awards:
Xeriscaping (landscaping in a style which requires little or no irrigation)
Peter & Mark Schreiner‐Sturm
8404 Meadow Lake Road East
Outstanding Property Maintenance
Stephanie Boesen
4709 Winnetka Avenue North
Outstanding Landscaping & Gardens
Cheri Thompson
3901 Xylon Avenue North
Environmentally Sensitive Design
Fred & Diane Rose
8500 39th Avenue North
Neighborhood Inspiration
Susanne Luebesmier
3929 Boone Avenue North
Outstanding Gardens
Mary Jo & James Faustgen
9200 40 1/2 Avenue North
Outstanding Exterior Renovation
Jose Cortez
4075 Gettysburg Avenue North
Mr. Alger stated in addition to the engraved stone for display in the yard, the
award recipients will have their names and addresses displayed at city hall, and
recognition articles and photographs will be included in city publications.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Hemken presented the residents with their
awards. Council congratulated the residents and conveyed their gratitude to
Donna Meyer, Barb Kuchenbecker and Bill Wills for volunteering their time to
serve as the judging panel.
INTRODUCTION OF
BERTHOLF FAMILY
Item 5.2
City Manager Bertholf introduced his wife and children.
Council welcomed the family to Minnesota.
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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. Reece Bertholf, city manager, reviewed the consent
items.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through August 28, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2023‐91
Item 6.4
Resolution approving Three‐Year Contract Renewal with Abdo for Professional
Management Services for Years 2024‐2026.
MOTION
Item 6.5
Motion waiving permit fees for temporary signs for New Hope Women of Today
Cooper Craft Fair fundraising event on October 28, 2023.
MOTION
Item 6.6
Motion approving temporary on‐sale liquor license on September 16, 2023, for
House of Hope Lutheran Church at 4800 Boone Avenue North.
RESOLUTION 2023‐92
Item 6.7
Resolution authorizing final payment to Insituform Technologies USA, LLC., in
the amount of $10,865.29 for the 2022 and 2023 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project
(Improvement Project No. 1086).
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.
INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 1107
Item 8.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 8.1, Resolution authorizing the
preparation of a feasibility report for construction of the 2024 Infrastructure
Improvement Project (Improvement Project No. 1107).
Mr. Dan Boyum, city engineer, illustrated the project location in the southwest part
of the city and three streets in the north part of the city and described the proposed
improvements. He noted the city has a pavement management plan in place and
since 2013 the city has improved approximately 39 miles of streets.
Mr. Boyum stated the estimated project cost is $2,436,850. He stated the feasibility
report will identify proposed improvements and identify all tax‐exempt properties
that will be affected by the project.
Council Member London inquired if the funding source is the street infrastructure
fund or if bonds are proposed to pay for the project. Mr. Boyum stated the project
will be funded by the street infrastructure fund and MSA funds.
RESOLUTION 2023‐93
Item 8.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF A
FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2024
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
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NO. 1107).” 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.
WMFRD 2024 BUDGET
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution approving West
Metro Fire‐Rescue District 2024 Budget.
Mr. Reece Bertholf stated this item approves West Metro’s 2024 budget of
$3,364,500 of which New Hope’s share is $1,729,883. He noted Chief Larson
reviewed the budget with the Council at its August 21 work session. The budget
increase from last year is $333,310. The cost of fire services is included in the city’s
general fund budget. The increases are for salaries, PERA, health insurance,
workers comp insurance, financial services and communications. The Fire Board
unanimously recommended approval of the budget at their July 12 board meeting.
The joint powers agreement requires both cities to approve West Metro’s budget
by August 31, and the Crystal City Council approved the budget at their August
15 Council Meeting.
Mr. Reece Bertholf indicated Chief Larson is available for questions.
Council Member London inquired if the fire district leases all of the large trucks.
Chief Larson responded that the district owns squad one and leases the engines
and tower.
Mr. Bertholf pointed out there were two recent significant fires in New Hope, and
he commended the district for their quick response and professionalism in
providing emergency services.
RESOLUTION 2023‐94
Item 10.1
Council Member Isenberg introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING WEST METRO FIRE‐RESCUE
DISTRICT 2024 BUDGET.” 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.
MAINTENANCE OF
VEGETATION AND
WEED ELIMINATION
Item 10.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.2, Ordinance No. 23‐06, An
ordinance amending section 9‐70, maintenance of vegetation and weed
elimination.
Mr. Reece Bertholf, city manager, stated this item approves an ordinance
amendment regarding natural landscapes so the city’s code aligns with recent state
law changes. The ordinance was drafted by the city attorney and is supported by
the city forester who handles weed complaints. He stated turf grass lawns must be
mowed.
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Council Member London pointed out he has noticed many instances of long grass
this season and while he supports the use of landscaping to reduce water
consumption, weeds that turn to seed impact other lawns and should not be
permitted. He thanked staff for initiating the ordinance amendment.
ORDINANCE 23‐06
Item 10.2
Council Member Elder introduced the following ordinance and moved its
adoption: “ORDINANCE NO. 23‐06, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
9‐70, MAINTENANCE OF VEGETATION AND WEED ELIMINATION.” The
motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance was seconded by Council
Member London, 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 ordinance 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.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Isenberg, seconded by Council Member
London, 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 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk