09 11 23 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council September 11, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes September 11, 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 Pro tem Isenberg 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:
Absent:
Staff present:
Michael Isenberg, Mayor Pro tem
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
Reece Bertholf, City Manager
Erin Enstad, Abdo
Sarah Larson, WMFRD Chief
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Aaron Thelen, Recreation Supervisor
Stacy Woods, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Motion was made by Council Member Hoffe, seconded by Council Member Elder,
to approve the work session meeting minutes of August 21, 2023. Voted in favor
thereof: Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same:
None; Abstained: None; Absent: Hemken. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe,
to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 28, 2023. Voted in favor
thereof: Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same:
None; Abstained: None; Absent: Hemken. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
PRESENTATION:
2023 SAFETY CAMP
CONTRIBUTIONS
Item 5.1
Mayor Pro tem Isenberg introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Motion accepting
contributions for the 2023 Safety Camp.
Mr. Aaron Thelen, recreation supervisor, reported on the success of the 2023 Safety
Camp which had 63 participants. He acknowledged the cash donations and
contributions of services and goods provided by many businesses and
organizations. He also expressed appreciation to the safety camp volunteers,
coordinators, and leaders. Mr. Thelen illustrated photos of the three‐day program.
New Hope City Council September 11, 2023
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MOTION
Item 5.1
Motion was made by Elder, seconded by Council Member Hoffe, accepting
contributions for the 2023 Safety Camp. Voted in favor thereof: Elder, Hoffe,
Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same: None; Abstained:
None; Absent: Hemken. Motion carried.
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 Pro tem Isenberg 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 September 11, 2023.
RESOLUTION 2023‐95
Item 6.4
Resolution providing for hearing on assessments for 2023 delinquent utility service
charges, administrative citations, and alarm and mowing charges.
RESOLUTION 2023‐96
Item 6.5
Resolution approving Memorandum of Understanding with Minneapolis
Regional Chamber regarding New Hope Golf Outing.
RESOLUTION 2023‐97
Item 6.6
Resolution calling for a public hearing to consider ordering project for the 2024
infrastructure improvement project (Project No. 1107).
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.
2024 PRELIMINARY
HRA LEVY
Item 10.1
Mayor Pro tem Isenberg introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution
authorizing the preliminary HRA levy for 2024.
Mr. Reece Bertholf, city manager, stated the proposed HRA levy for 2024 is
$459,743, and it must be approved by both the Council and the EDA.
RESOLUTION 2023‐98
Item 10.1
Council Member London introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRELIMINARY HRA LEVY
FOR 2024.” 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: Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against
the same: None; Abstained: None; Absent: Hemken; whereupon the resolution
was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the mayor which was attested
to by the city clerk.
2024 GENERAL FUND
BUDGET AND
PRELIMINARY
PROPERTY TAX LEVY
Item 10.2
Mayor Pro tem Isenberg introduced for discussion Item 10.2, Resolution approving
2024 proposed budget and preliminary property tax levy, and setting public
hearing date for the 2024 budget and preliminary property tax levy.
Mr. Reece Bertholf, city manager, introduced Erin Enstad, a representative of Abdo
(the city’s financial consultant), to assist with the budget presentation. He stated
New Hope City Council September 11, 2023
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the City Council is asked to adopt the resolution for the preliminary 2024 budget
and to approve the maximum preliminary property tax levy. He outlined the
budget process and timeline for submission of a preliminary and final tax levy to
the county auditor. He stated the general fund budgets will be reviewed at the
September 18 work session, and the utility and enterprise fund budgets will be
reviewed at the October 16 work session. He stated a public comment meeting is
proposed for November 27, 2023, with the final budget to be adopted at the
Council Meeting of December 11, 2023, to enable certifying the final levy to the
county and the department of revenue.
Ms. Erin Enstad, Abdo, reviewed the budget process, proposed revenue and
expenditures for 2024, and major changes over the prior year. She stated the total
2024 proposed tax levy is $20,075,245 which is an increase of $1,021,929 or 5.36%
over last year. Ms. Enstad stated the total tax levy includes the general fund, street
and park infrastructure funds, EDA levy, HRA levy, and prior debt levies.
She explained new levies for future capital needs are being funded at $100,000 each
for the fire station, aquatic center, and city hall/police facility. She also reported the
Ms. Enstad explained the median home value in 2023 is $326,050, and the estimated
tax impact on residential homes based on the city’s tax levy is minimal. She stated
the estimated total tax rate is 125.204%.
Ms. Enstad stated more budget discussions between Council and staff will take
place over the next several months before Council is asked to approve the final tax
levy.
Council Member London inquired of the difference between taxable revenue and
non‐taxable revenue. Ms. Enstad reported the non‐tax receipts include local
government aid, state aid, franchise fees, licenses and permits, recreation fees and
intergovernmental charges.
RESOLUTION 2023‐99
Item 10.2
Council Member London introduced the following resolution and moved its
adoption: “RESOLUTION APPROVING 2024 PROPOSED BUDGET AND
PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX LEVY, AND SETTING PUBLIC HEARING
DATE FOR THE 2024 BUDGET AND PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX LEVY.”
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: Elder, Hoffe, Isenberg, London; and the following voted against the same:
None; Abstained: None; Absent: Hemken; 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 Pro tem Isenberg introduced for discussion Item 12.1, Exchange of
communication between members of the City Council.
Mayor Pro tem Isenberg reported on upcoming events.
New Hope City Council September 11, 2023
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Council Member London commended the New Hope Police Department for their
cooperation with Robbinsdale School District to provide school resource officers
at Cooper High School.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Elder, 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 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk