11 27 23 City Council MinutesNew Hope City Council November 27, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes November 27, 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
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Susan Rader, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Sargent, Director of Community Development
Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager
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 and executive session minutes of
November 13, 2023. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present desirous of addressing the council.
PRESENTATION
ACYHA DONATION
Item 5.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 5.1, Motion accepting a monetary
donation from the Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association.
Ms. Susan Rader, director of parks and recreation, stated the Armstrong Cooper
Youth Hockey Association would like to present a $5,000 donation to the city. She
stated to date the organization has donated over $67,000 which greatly benefits the
ice arena. She noted ACYHA is also involved with the ice arena concession stand,
dasherboard advertising, and co‐sponsoring several movies at the arena.
Mr. Brian Thul, president of ACYHA, presented a $5,000 check to the city on behalf
of the ACYHA’s 400 players and leadership. He expressed the association’s
gratitude for the strong partnership with the city. He praised the ice arena staff for
their commitment in maintaining the facility and rinks.
Mr. Mark Severson, recreation facilities manager, emphasized the vital role that
ACYHA provides the hockey community and noted they create the foundation
supporting the Armstrong Cooper boys and girls high school hockey teams.
New Hope City Council November 27, 2023
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Council Member Elder thanked the ACYHA for being a valuable stakeholder.
Council thanked the ACYHA for the generous donation.
MOTION Motion was made by Council Member Elder, seconded by Council Member
London, to accept the $5,000 donation from the Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey
Association. All present voted in favor. 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 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.
BUSINESS
LICENSE(S)
Item 6.1
Approval of business licenses.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS
Item 6.2
Approval of financial claims through November 27, 2023.
MOTION
Item 6.4
Motion accepting additional donations for the Trick or Trot event and Movie at the
Ice Arena.
MOTION
Item 6.5
Motion accepting donations from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber for the New
Hope Crime Prevention Fund and the 2024 Safety Camp.
RESOLUTION 2023‐123
Item 6.6
Resolution approving final pay request to Haho Companies, LLC for playground
site work at Hidden Valley Park in the amount of $2,000 (Improvement Project No.
1078).
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.
CLOSED MEETING
Item 10.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion Item 10.1, Resolution calling for a closed
meeting of the New Hope City Council authorized by Minnesota Statute §13D.05,
subd. 3(b) to discuss and consider litigation defense and settlement strategies.
Mayor Hemken noted the closed meeting will be held immediately following
adjournment of the regular council meeting to discuss potential legal action by
Independent School District 281 regarding the use of the industrially zoned
property at 5420/5440 Highway 169.
RESOLUTION 2023‐124
Item 10.1
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 MINNESOTA STATUTE §13D.05,
SUBD. 3(B) TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER LITIGATION DEFENSE AND
New Hope City Council November 27, 2023
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SETTLEMENT STRATEGIES.” The motion for the adoption of the foregoing
resolution 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 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.
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 7:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk