010924 CAC Agenda PacketCitizen Advisory Commission Meeting
New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave N
January 9, 2024
7 p.m.
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of December 12, 2023 minutes.
4. Approval of 2023 Annual Report.
5. West Metro Fire update with Chief Sarah Larson.
6. Election of 2024 officers.
7. Discuss 2024 agenda items.
8. Brainstorming — Ideas to bring attention to New Hope.
9. Parks and Recreation project updates.
10. Other business.
11. Adjournment.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or srader@newhopemn.gov
Citizen Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
December 12, 2023
New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m.
Chair Kulzer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Randy Herman, Scott Kulzer, Carrie
Neuburger, Rick Riley, Bill Wills
Absent: Commissioners Jeffrey Harper, Jill Kaufman (arrived 7:01)
Staff Present: Susan Rader, Staff Liaison
Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/Project Coordinator
Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works
Richard Buller, Meadow Lake Watershed Association
Jodi Taitt, Meadow Lake Watershed Association
Jennifer Leonardson, Friends of Northwood Lake Association
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Wills made a motion to approve the minutes of the November
14, 2023 meeting as written. Commissioner Neuburger seconded the motion.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills.
Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioners Harper, Kaufman. Motion carried.
RAIN GARDEN ALLIANCE Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/ Project Coordinator, informed the
DISCUSSION commissioners that a group of residents had brought forth a proposal for a
Neighborhood Rain Garden Alliance. He explained that this would be a
public/private partnership opportunity designed to encourage residents to
construct rain gardens on their property.
Jodi Taitt addressed the commissioners. She reported that she served as the
secretary for the Meadow Lake Watershed Association and noted that her
property bordered Meadow Lake. She introduced Richard Buller, who served
as the president of the Meadow Lake Watershed Association and Jennifer
Leonardson, who served on the Friends of Northwood Lake Association.
Ms. Taitt explained that the partnership of the Rain Garden Alliance would
include the City of New Hope, the Friends of Northwood Lake Association,
and the Meadow Lake Watershed Association. She briefly reviewed that both
Meadow Lake and Northwood Lake had been listed as impaired waters and
noted that total phosphorus in both lakes had continued to exceed MPCA
standards of 60 micrograms per liter. She expressed the desire to install rain
gardens on private properties as a best management practice to improve water
quality.
Ms. Taitt reported that in 2021 the New Hope City Council had adopted the
Meadow Lake Community Action Plan, which had been created to address the
level of phosphorus in Meadow Lake. She explained that one way to achieve
this would be to construct more rain gardens and noted that goals would
include curb cuts for private rain gardens, assistance with grant applications,
and exploration of a pilot program with private homeowners.
Ms. Taitt briefly reviewed that a rain garden was a bowl -shaped garden
designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff and remove sediment. She
also reviewed the two types of rain gardens. They included curb cut, which
utilized the public right-of-way as well as private land to manage stormwater
runoff in city streets, and residential, which utilized private land only to
manage residential runoff from hard surfaces.
Ms. Taitt displayed a photo of her property with a newly constructed curb cut
rain garden and reported that she had received a grant through Hennepin
County to assist with the project. She explained that her garden area was 465
square feet and collected runoff from three properties as well as the street. She
shared a photo of sediment she had collected following a small rain event.
Commissioner Riley inquired about the sediment and any potential uses.
Ms. Taitt stated the organic material had been added to her compost barrel
and the remainder, which included asphalt material, was placed in the trash.
Ms. Taitt displayed photos of small residential rain gardens. She also reviewed
that the goal for the New Hope Rain Garden Alliance would be to return
Meadow Lake and Northwood Lake to a clear water state by reducing
phosphorus, inflow contaminants, and stormwater runoff volume. She
explained that the purpose of the Rain Garden Alliance was to remove barriers
for homeowners, including the high cost, lack of knowledge and expertise, and
concerns regarding aesthetics.
Ms. Taitt further reviewed that the proposed Rain Garden Alliance would
develop curb cut and residential rain gardens and would align with Metro
Blooms for technical assistance and Conservation Corps for installation labor.
She also reviewed potential funding sources.
Richard Buller referred to a handout that he had distributed and stated that he
hoped to start a pilot program in 2025 that would include the design and
installation of five residential rain gardens approximately 150 square feet each.
He mentioned a program offered through the City of St. Louis Park and
encouraged the commissioners to review it.
Mr. Buller further explained that the pilot program would require a buy -in of
$500 from the resident and a contribution of $1400 from the City of New Hope.
He also reviewed the proposed timeline for the Neighborhood Rain Garden
Alliance.
Commissioner Wills wondered if the watershed commissions would be
willing to assist with funding.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission December 12, 2023
Page 2
Mr. Macklem thought it might be possible.
Commissioner Neuburger inquired whether the program would be targeted to
individuals who lived around the lakes and wondered how properties would
be selected.
Mr. Buller explained that the program would be open to all New Hope
residents and commented that the properties could be selected based on a
lottery if needed.
Ms. Taitt added that the focus would be to start small, with five residential
rain gardens in the first year and possibly expand to include one curb cut rain
garden in the second year.
Commissioner Wills wondered whether Ms. Taitt's property would be able to
handle a rainfall event greater than one inch.
Ms. Taitt replied that an outflow had been incorporated into her project to
prevent runoff into neighboring properties.
Commissioner Riley wondered if the City was able to track the amount of
sediment removed based on the neighborhood.
Mr. Macklem replied yes and noted that the level of sediment was
documented any time staff worked on a grit chamber.
Commissioner Riley wondered about the difference between a rain garden
and an overgrown lawn of grasses, weeds, and wildflowers.
Ms. Taitt explained that a rain garden required a basin as well as a method for
collection of sediment.
Mr. Macklem noted that he would be the City's main point of contact for the
Rain Garden Alliance.
MOTION Commissioner Wills made a motion in support of establishing a
Neighborhood Rain Garden Alliance in the City of New Hope as well as the
implementation of a pilot program to begin in 2025. Commissioner Riley
seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Herman, Kaufman,
Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioner
Harper. Motion carried.
DISCUSS 2024 AGENDA Chair Kulzer reviewed 2024 agenda items that had been finalized.
ITEMS
Ms. Rader mentioned other potential topics including a Cooper High School
collaboration and updates on Emerald Ash Borer and the 10-Year Pavement
Management Plan.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission December 12, 2023
Page 3
Commissioner Kaufman reported that she had not heard back from Cooper
High School regarding a collaborative project.
There was some interested in receiving updates from the Community
Development and Police departments.
Ms. Rader stated that she would follow up with those two departments.
BRAINSTORMING - IDEAS Commissioner Wills thought that the Citizen Advisory Commission could
TO BRING ATTENTION TO help promote the Rain Garden Alliance when the time comes.
NEW HOPE
Commissioner Riley encouraged the commissioners to look at their individual
neighborhoods for potential rain garden locations.
Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether the Citizen Advisory Commission
could assist with getting the word out at National Night Out.
Ms. Rader replied that she would follow up with staff.
Chair Kulzer wondered whether anyone had volunteered to coordinate the
farmers market in 2024.
Ms. Rader replied no.
PARKS AND RECREATION Ms. Rader reported that improvements to Lighted Baseball Field were mostly
PROJECT UPDATES complete but noted that the batting cage as well as a few punch list items
would be completed in the spring.
OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Riley mentioned a holiday lighting program in a neighboring
city in which residents submitted their address to be included on a published
map. He expressed interest in offering a similar program in New Hope.
Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that the Toy Drive would conclude at
the end of the week. She added that the Food Drive was ongoing. She also
noted that Skate with Santa would take place on Friday evening at the New
Hope Ice Arena.
Ms. Rader informed the commissioners that Commissioner Riley had declined
reappointment to the Citizen Advisory Commission, and this was his last
meeting. She thanked him for his years of service and noted that he would be
recognized at the first council meeting in January. She added that Chair Kulzer
and Commissioner Harper had renewed their appointments for two-year
terms.
Commissioner Riley stated that he appreciated the opportunity to serve on the
Citizen Advisory Commission and commented that it had been enjoyable as
well as informative.
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission December 12, 2023
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Riley made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the
Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Herman seconded the motion.
All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at
8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Spitzer
Recording Secretary
New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission December 12, 2023
Page 5
NEW HOPE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
The following is a listing of items discussed during 2023 by the New Hope Citizen
Advisory Commission. The Commission met eight times in 2023.
• Accepted the 2022 Citizen Advisory Commission Annual Report.
• Elected Scott Kulzer to serve as Chair in 2023.
• Elected Bill Wills to serve as Vice Chair in 2023.
• Elected Jill Kaufman to serve as Secretary in 2023.
• Received an update on Community Development projects.
• Reassigned parks for 2023.
• Discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) planning with Human
Resources staff.
• Received an update on Communications projects within the city.
• Conducted the 2022-23 Snowman/Snow Sculpture Contest and discussed plans
for the 2023-24 contest.
• Discussed plans for the 2023 City -Wide Garage Sale and assisted with posting
signage for the event.
• Received an update on the Ice Arena and toured the facility.
• Received an update on recycling programs from Hennepin Recycling Group
(HRG) manager Tim Pratt.
• Received an update on Public Works projects.
• Participated in an annual dialog with the City Council.
• Attended Commissioner Bus Tour of New Hope.
• Received an update on the City's 2024 budget process.
• Discussed a proposal for a New Hope Rain Garden Alliance and made a motion
supporting the alliance as well as the implementation of a pilot project in 2025.
• Discussed brainstorming ideas to bring attention to New Hope.
• Received updates on Parks and Recreation projects including the Liberty Park
playground improvement project, the Lighted Baseball Field improvement
project, and the pickleball court construction at Meadow Lake Elementary.
• Planted flowers in the planters along 42nd Avenue.
• Volunteered for several Parks and Recreation events.
• Participated in two clean-up events at Liberty Park.
• Commissioners Harper and Kulzer were reappointed for additional 2-year terms.
• Commissioner Riley declined reappointment to the Citizen Advisory
Commission.
Citizen Advisory Commission 2
2023 Annual Report
CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2024
AS OF 1/2/24
The following is a tentative listing of major agenda items that have either been assigned to the CAC, a
CAC member has asked that the item be discussed, or city staff has asked that the item be discussed by
the CAC.
January 9 - West Metro Fire Update with Chief Larson
February 13 - Police Dept Update with Chief Hoyt, Community Relations and Crime Prevention
Officer Kallio
March 12 -
April 9 - Three Rivers Parks 2 People Initiative (tentative)
May 14 - Adopt a Park? Plant planters later in month?
June 11-
July 9 -
August 13 - No meeting
September 10 - Adopt a Park?
September 16 - Council Work Session
September TBD - Commissioner Bus Tour?
October 8 -
November 12 - No meeting
December 10 - Budget Update
*Note: A meeting may be cancelled if there are no agenda items.
On -going
• Continue to sponsor Snowman Contest, City-wide Garage Sale
• Ideas to bring attention to New Hope
• Promotion of existing City programs: In Focus, RAVE, Outstanding Business
• Volunteering at P&R/City events
• Adopt a Park (2x/year)
Updates
• Park/Facility Projects
Possible Future Topics
• Community Development update
• P&R update
• THC Ordinance update/discussion
• PW 10-year pavement management plan
• Cooper High School students
• Emerald ash borer update