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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 07-26-2012CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) July 26, 2012 EVENTS/MEETINGS Plymouth Human Rights Committee Agenda 8/2/12........................................................................... Page 2 Planning Commission Agenda 8/1/12.................................................................................................. Page 3 July, August, September 2012 Official City Meeting Calendars......................................................... Page 4 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 7 Third Generation Watershed Management meeting 7/30/12, Maple Grove City Hall, 7 pm ............... Page 8 Yanik Pitches Large Medical Office Along I-394, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal ............... Page 9 Closed Plymouth Gun Range Angers Some, StarTribune................................................................. Page 11 Filling Receptionist Shoes with Telephone Answering System, StarTribune................................... Page 14 Announcement - Candidate Forums, Golden Valley League of Women Voters ................................ Page 17 Flyer - IOCP Information Event, Learning for a Lifetime, August 16 ................................. Page 18 Letter from Police Chief Mike Goldstein to Daniel Coan Re: Peddlers License ................. Page 19 Letter from Three Rivers Park District Re: Luce Line Trail Bridge Project ........................ Page 20 Invitation to Simonson's Lifestyle Commons II Groundbreaking Ceremony ...................... Page 23 Request for Contested Case Hearing of the LMC and MN Cites Stormwater Coalition ..... Page 24 Letter from Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Re: Invasive Species Resolution......... Page 28 Used Twin Cities Play Sets Go Where Fun Is In Short Supply, StarTribune ............................ Page 30 Letter from Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission Re: Possible Implementation Of a Water Management Pilot Project in Hennepin County.............................................................. Page 34 Letter from Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission Re: Possible Implementation of a Water Management Pilot Project in Hennepin County...................................................................... Page 39 REPORTS Revenue Collection/Disbursement - Hennepin County District Court .............................................. Page 44 Recycling Program Update................................................................................................................ Page 46 MINUTES Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Suburban Rate Authority, 7/18/12 .................................... Page 50 PLYMOUTH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE AGENDA August 2, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Medicine Lake Room 1. Call to Order 2. Introductions 3. Approve Agenda 4. Approve Minutes of the May 3, 2012, Regular Meeting 5. Incorporating Public Comment Time into Meeting Structure 6. Reports of Committee Members a. League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions b. Events Attended and Actions Related to Human Rights 7. Community Concerns and Human Rights Issues a. Police Bias Crimes Report b. Other Reports 8. Old Business a. Domestic Partner Registration Ordinance—Final Committee Discussion and Vote b. Continued Work Plan and Goal Planning 9. New Business a. Essay Contest Planning b. Community Educational/Human Rights Event Brainstorming 10. Articles and Announcements 11. Adjournment Attachment 1: Proposed Minutes for the Plymouth HRC Regular Meeting of May 3, 2012 Attachment 2: City Council Approved 2012 Work Plan and Goals Attachment 3: List of Social Services Funded by the City of Plymouth Attachment 4: Metropolitan Council Article: "Increased Economic Growth, Diversity Forecasted for Region" Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2012 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve the July 18, 2012 Planning Commission meeting minutes. B. Steven Anderson. Approve a variance for a construction of a detached garage exceeding 700 square feet at 210 Niagara Lane. (2012051) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. U.S. Home Corporation dba Lennar. Rezoning and preliminary plat for "Kirkwood", for 47 single family homes to be located at 5205, 5250, 5330 and 5350 Dunkirk Lane. (2012041) B. City of Plymouth. Zoning ordinance amendment to the text of the regulations pertaining to wall signage. (2012053) 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 r,�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5:00 PM MUSIC IN INDEPENDENCE PLYMOUTH DAY Hilde Performance Center CITY OFFICES CLOSED CANCELLED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 8 9 10 7:00 PM 11 12 13 14 REGULAR CANCELLED ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING QUALITY COMMITTEE Council Chambers (EQC) MEETING Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 7:00 PM 19 20 21 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 22 23 24 25 7:00 PM 26 7:00 PM 27 28 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING REGULAR ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) STUDY SESSION Medicine Lake Room 29 30 31 CITY COUNCIL FILINGS OPEN Modified on 07119112 Page 4 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life August 2012 Modified on 07119112 Page 5 1 2 3 4 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2:30-5:00 PM 7:00 PM NIGHT TO UNITE ENVIRONMENTAL KICKOFF QUALITY Plymouth Creek Center COMMITTEE (EQC) MEETING 6:30-9:30 PM Council Chambers NIGHT TO UNITE 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 PRIMARY 7:00 PM ELECTION DAY PLANNING COMMISSION 8:00 PM MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers CITY COUNCIL FILINGS CLOSE 5:00 PM 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING Budget Study Session ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Medicine Lake Room COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 26 27 28 29 30 31 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers Modified on 07119112 Page 5 r�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life September 2012 Modified on 07119112 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION LABOR DAY L MEETING Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK ft REC MEETING QUALITY ADVISORY Council Chambers COMMITTEE COMMISSION (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 16 17 18 7:00 PM 19 7:00 PM 20 21 22 REGULAR COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING COMMISSION Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers Rosh HoShanah Begins at Sunset 23 24 25 26 7:00 PM 27 7:00 PM 28 29 PLYMOUTH H PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING FIREFIGHTERS 5K ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Fire Station #2 COMMITTEE ON 11:30 AM TRANSIT (PACT) PLYMOUTH ON STUDY SESSION PARADE Medicine Lake Room CELEBRATION i City Center Area Yom Kippur /q o Begins at Sunset Modified on 07119112 Page 6 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items August 14, Regular, 8:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Authorize agreement with the Invitation Health Institute for reimbursement funding for underage alcohol compliance checks • Consider amending the Tax Increment Financing Plan for TIF District 7-8 (Quest Development, Inc.) (Tabled from July 24) August 21, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Budget August 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve 2013 proposed budgets, preliminary tax levies and budget hearing date • Announce Plymouth Firefighters 5K Run on September 22 September 25, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce Plymouth on Parade on September 29 October 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Appoint additional election judges for the General Election • Announce Fire Department Open House on October 20 October 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce Halloween on the Creek on October 31 November 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Canvass 2012 General Election results • Announce Plymouth Arts Fair on November 17-18 November 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce Old Fashioned Christmas on December 2 December 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Recognize Police Citizen Academy Graduates • Announce New Year's Eve Event on December 31 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Page 7 Subject: Shingle Creek/West Mississippi Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:11:57 -0500 From: judie(&jass.biz To: alindquistkci.osseo.mn.us; ahartkopf?.ci.osseo.mn.us; rapolzin ct,msn.com; anne.norris@ci.crystal.mn.us; cjacobsenga,ci.new-hope.mn.us; dan.ruizgbrooklynpark.org; darrellgerber(kearthlink.net; dasche(a-)ci.pllymouth.mn.us; lois.eberhart(�),ci.minneapolis.mn.us; psylvester(&ci.new-hope.mn.us; rlestinagci.maple-,grove.mmus; rpearson(kci.robbinsdale.mn.us; slillehaugkci.brooklyn-center.mn.us; ttuominen(kci.champlin.mn.us CC: dreeder(&ci.osseo.mn.us; amadsengci.maple-erove.mn.us; anne.norrisgci.crystal.mn.us; bheitkamp(kci.champlin.mn.us; cboganey@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us; jamie.verbruggekbrooklynpark.org; judiegjass.biz; kmcdonaldkci.new-hope.mn.us; lahrenskci.plymouth.mn.us; lois.eberhart(&ci.minneapolis.mn.us; m lg ickgci.robbinsdale.mn.us; bruce.irish(&state.mn.us; christopher.longka,stantec.com; dspector(kwenck.com; ematthiesen(kwenck.com; judiekjass.biz; kevin.larson@,brooklynpark.org; kspringobkci.pllymouth.mn.us; lisa.chemey(kci.minneapolis.mn.us; lois.eberhartkci.minneapolis.mn.us; Pat.Byrne@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; pcoonegci.new-hope.mn.us; rmccoy ,ci.robbinsdale.mn.us; rlestinakci.maple-grove.mmus; smarshkci.brooklyn-center.mn.us; slillehaug@,ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us; ttuominenkci.champlin.mn.us; tmathisenkci.crystal.mn.us Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for participating in the public input process for the Commissions' Third Generation Watershed Management Plan. The third Citizens Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for: Monday, July 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m — 9:00 p.m. Maple Grove City Hall 12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy N Maple Grove, MN This is a joint meeting of representatives from all ten cities who are members of the two watersheds. The attached memo provides more information about this meeting and includes a link to a survey intended to identify various problems and issues and asks respondents to rate the priority of each and the time frame for addressing them. Also attached is some material that will be discussed at the July 30 meeting. Please send as many individuals as you like to represent your city. Thank you. Judie A. Anderson JASS - Watershed Administrators 3235 Fernbrook Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 PH: 763.553.1144 FX: 763.553.9326 email: judie @iq5Ls.biz We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Native American Proverb E-MAIL CONFIDENTIALITYNOTICE: Information in this message or an attachment may be government data and thereby subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, may be subject to attorney-client or work product privilege, may be confidential, privileged, proprietary, or otherwise protected, and the unauthorized review, copying, retransmission, or other use or disclosure of the information is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please immediately notify the sender of the transmission error and then promptly delete this message and/or any attachments from your computer system. Page 8 Yanik pitches large medical office along I-394 Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal by Sam Black, Senior reporter Date: Monday, May 7, 2012, 3:16pm CDT - Last Modified: Monday, May 21, 2012, 6:07am Yanik Cos. is marketing a 372,000 -square -foot medical office building on a 3 -acre site in St. Louis Park. The project, as envisioned, could cost $50 million to $100 million to develop. The site is the former Santorini Tavern and Grill restaurant that relocated to Eden Prairie a few years ago. Yanik created a website detailing the 3 -acre site at the intersection of Highway 169 and Interstate 394, and its potential to accommodate a 9 -story building. Spring Park, Minn. -based Yanik is representing the owner of the site, a joint venture that goes by the name 9920 Hotels LLC, based in St. Louis Park, said Jane Price, executive vice president of Yanik. 9920 Hotels is a partnership between the Nicklow family, which owns the parcel with Santorini restaurant, and the Kolas family, which owned an adjacent parcel, along with several liquor and convenience stores in the Rochester area. The group's name refers to a previous development plan that was floated in 2008 by the same owners for a 140 -room extended -stay hotel. Price declined to say how the partnership planned to finance the medical office project or how much equity it was committed to investing. "We're not going to build until this is 75 to 80 percent either leased or sold," Price said. The project could be developed in phases, according to conceptual plans provided by RSP Architects, based in Minneapolis. RSP's John Rode is the project architect. To market the site, Yanik officials are setting up a series of meetings with potential users and brokers. They mailed nearly 700 individual fliers. A large sign will be posted on the site soon. "We believe that right now along the 394 area that there is an opportunity for office space. There seems to be a shortage of that. We also know that the medical community is starting to make more capital dollars available in their attempts to grow their businesses as well," Price said. There's a strong opportunity for outpatient or ambulatory care, she said. Price confirmed that for more than a year Yanik has been having discussions with one particular tenant —Minneapolis-based Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) — about its potential interest in growing its capacity, Price said. There's been no commitment of any sort, she said. Page 9 "We're exploring options with multiple health care clients throughout the metro area as well as out of the metro area." Greer, economic development coordinator for the city of St. Louis Park, said he's met with representatives from Yanik and talked about various options for the site. The site is underused and the city supports adding more density there, Hunt said. "We haven't gotten into specifics about particular tenants, but it could involve restaurant, retail, hotel or medical office users," Hunt said. "They've got some really pretty pictures and very attractive buildings, but they've got to find the lead tenants," Hunt said. Yanik has done health care projects in Akin and Warren, Minn. in addition to rural projects in several other states. The company is owned by Chester Yanik. This would be the company's largest development in its 20 year history. Page 10 6 9 x !AW Gracie Tripp, 15 of Plymouth, wants to use the city's gun range to complete a gun safety course this summer so she can compete in her school's trapshooting club. Photo: Marlin Levison, Star Tribune I& ar Tribune photo galleries Vview laraer Plymouth city leaders suddenly shut down their police shooting range last week, upsetting residents and volunteer firearms safety instructors who planned to use the range next month to train kids to shoot. They say the abrupt closing was directed at them because they initiated legislation for a new state law that requires publicly funded ranges to open for youth gun training -- a law that Plymouth leaders had opposed. City leaders counter that the basement shooting range has mold problems and outdated equipment and needs costly renovations. Shutting it down now will save taxpayers money, they say. "This facility is a subpar facility at best," Police Chief Mike Goldstein said. "I'm concerned about [the students'] safety." He acknowledged that the prospect of public use of the facility speeded up its closing. "Is it coincidental? Yeah. Was it on purpose? No," he said. "But the fact that the public would have access did weigh in on the process." The new law requiring public ranges to be opened for youth gun training, which passed in April, was widely opposed by police and city leaders from around the metro who feared it would mean added costs and liability. Each year, about 24,000 Minnesota kids -- 7,000 in the metro -- take the youth firearms safety course from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While Maple Grove has long hosted DNR classes at its range, some cities -- Minnetonka, for example -- have never allowed public use because of liability concerns. The South Metro Public Safety Training Facility in Edina, which is used by Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina police, has refused to host DNR classes for several years because it must staff the facility for classes. Because of the new law, they're opening to classes one day a week. "None of the public safety facilities care to have it forced on us," said Deb Fields, executive director at the South Metro range. "Believe me, [kids are] lined up down the sidewalk [for the classes], so I do support the cause. But the state never showed up to support us." If the state would raise the tuition for the class, and give facilities a portion to cover expenses, she said, "it would probably be a different story." The new law was initiated by Plymouth resident David Larson, 58, a firearms safety instructor. Struggling to find a shooting range for his class, he noticed one in the fire station near his home. When the city declined to open it, he went to the Capitol. An amendment that was tacked onto the omnibus fish and game bill requires metro -area shooting ranges that get public money -- except those in Minneapolis and St. Paul -- to be made available twice in the spring and twice in the summer for DNR firearms safety classes. Goldstein wrote legislators that Plymouth opposed it, saying the provisions "are too broad." Page 12 But the bill passed and Larson planned an Aug. 18 gun safety field day in Plymouth. Goldstein said he gave the OK but told Larson that he would need to go elsewhere if water continued to leak into the facility as it has for the last few years. When Goldstein told City Council members on July 10 that the leak was still there, they agreed to close the range immediately. City: Leak prompted closure Goldstein told council members that the range, in use since 1989, needed $150,000 in renovations. The city has spent about $170,000 renovating and dealing with mold problems in addition to annual operating costs of about $50,000. "There are certain tactics we can't carry out," he said. "And it's not a safe place." While council members didn't mention the DNR classes, most agreed they'd save money closing a range that has "run its course," Mayor Kelli Slavik said at the meeting. She declined to comment for this story. Larson said he feels targeted for pushing for the new law and that he's disappointed by the closure. "I was hoping Plymouth would be the poster child for success and the first seven -county city to have a police range [used for firearms safety courses]," Larson said. "We're having a resurgence in the shooting sports and a big, big part of that is in Plymouth." Although it oversees the classes, the DNR isn't involved in the dispute. DNR Maj. Roger Tietz said that many cities, especially in outstate Minnesota, long have had police partnerships with sportsmen's clubs and vice versa. "It just seems like it would be a natural fit," he said. While cities that oppose opening ranges to the public may have legitimate concerns, he said, "It's not like instructors are going to be there every day." Plymouth will keep the basement closed to manage the mold, but keep the other three floors of the fire station open. Students such as 15 -year-old Gracie Tripp of Plymouth now must look elsewhere for the field training she signed up for. She must finish the course in order to compete in her school's new trapshooting club. Her mom has scoured the Twin Cities for classes near their home. Page 13 StarTribune Minnetonka City Hall receptionists Trisha Sauer, left, and Bonnie Rislund, answered questions and gave directions to visitors. Photo: Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune When Rosemount's longtime City Hall receptionist retired recently after 20 years of answering phones and greeting residents, officials moved swiftly to save money by filling her shoes with a telephone answering system. Weeks into the switch, few are complaining. "I certainly don't see any sign that the community is objecting to the change so far," said Rosemount City Manager Dwight Johnson. Driven by budget considerations, the retirement of longtime receptionists, new phone technology and city websites loaded with information, front desk duties are changing at Minnesota city halls. Smaller cities are increasingly finding the receptionist a luxury they can no longer afford. South St. Paul has not had a receptionist since volunteers stopped performing the duty years ago. Robbinsdale and Richfield eliminated their receptionist positions and now assign other workers to fill the role. Inver Grove Heights went to a telephone answering system when its receptionist retired this year. Page 14 "We want to make sure that we take care of our customers, but traffic through the front desk is very low," said Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste. Some people enjoyed walking down to City Hall, speaking to a pleasant receptionist and paying the utility bill, but now it's difficult to justify that cost, Droste said. With more people getting information from the Internet, calls to the switchboard have dwindled as well, Droste said. "We have a new phone system and can route and track calls easily now, and we are in the process of redoing our home page. If you have a good website, people should be able to find almost anything they need." Bigger suburbs such as Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington, Minnetonka and Plymouth still have enough phone calls and walk-in traffic to keep people busy answering phones and greeting visitors. But the receptionists also perform any number of other duties. Robbinsdale's last receptionist who ran the switchboard retired in 2003, said City Manager Marcia Glick. "By then we all had direct -dial numbers, and not every call was going through the switchboard," she said. Splitting duties After the retirement, the city dropped the receptionist position and moved two clerks -- one from recreation and one from finance -- to the City Hall information counter. Even with the split duties, "if you call City Hall, someone is going to pick it up 95 or 96 percent of the time," Glick said. Similarly, Richfield dropped its receptionist position and has a deputy registrar clerk acting as City Hall greeter. The new municipal building was designed with that in mind, said City Manager Steve Devich. "When people come into City Hall, I still feel it's important that someone be there, a face that they can walk up to and ask where something is." Back in the day, hundreds and hundreds of calls went through the city switchboard every day, Devich said. "This day and age, there are less and less phone calls because of e-mail, and everybody has a direct number and voice mail." South St. Paul has operated without a receptionist for as long as anyone can remember with no problem, said City Manager Steve King. One of three people in the finance division picks up the phone. "The technology has changed and the standard has become self help," King said. "People who are below a certain age, they don't need the personal interaction. They just search for the information they need online." West St. Paul, also a small city, is an exception. Mayor John Zanmiller said as long as he is mayor there will be a receptionist: "Residents deserve to speak to a human being." Page 15 Other cities agree that having a receptionist is still well worth the cost. "We have one and we plan on continuing to have one," said Eden Prairie City Manager Rick Getschow. "The savings in efficiencies that one person can provide as a receptionist or at the front desk of city hall actually more than covers the position." 'A welcoming face' The city requires the receptionist to issue dog licenses, serve as a notary and receive all deliveries. In many cases, the front desk person answers questions without referring residents to other staff, Getschow said. "If you are coming in for any reason into City Hall, to have that welcoming face as a first impression of the city is important," Getschow said. Minnetonka feels so strongly about its receptionists that it often has two on duty at the same time. "Our focus is customer service," said City Clerk David Maeda. "In many interactions with the residents, they are the face of the city. Sometimes they are the only people that the resident deals with." Trisha Sauer, in her 13th year as a Minnetonka receptionist, said no two days are alike. She starts the day by checking the meeting calendar to see who is expected to come in that day. She also updates herself on various projects because she fields a lot of questions on those. "People are so grateful to get a live person to talk to," Sauer said. "I can't tell you how many times I answer the phone and there is a small pause and they say 'Oh my gosh, you're a live person."' Laurie Blake • 952-746-3287 Page 16 GOLDEN VALLEY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ANNOUNCES TWO PRIMARY CANDIDATE FORUMS On Wednesday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road there will be a Candidate Forum for the 4th Judicial District Seat 22 in the August 14 Primary Election. This forum is co-sponsored by the LWV of Wayzata/Plymouth. All candidates have been invited to participate. The candidates are: Steve Antolak, Elizabeth Cutter, Diane Krentz and Deborah Russell. Candidates will have an opportunity to make an opening statement and then will answer questions from the audience. On Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in the Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road, there will be a Forum for the Hennepin County Commissioner District Two. This Forum is co- sponsored by the LWV Minneapolis. The Primary Election is August 14. Nine candidates have filed for this office. All have been invited to participate. They are in alphabetical order: Leslie Davis, Steve Dehler, Rolf Erickson, Linda Higgins, Tonia Johnson, Kathleen Murdock, Paula Pentel, Roger Smithrud, Blong Yang. The format for the Forum will be the same as the Judicial Forum. This Forum will be cable cast live on Channel 12 and rebroadcast on Channel 12 Sunday, July 29 at 8:30 and 11 p.m and Tuesday, July 31 at 8:30 and 11 p.m. The League invites and urges all voters to attend and participate in these Forums. Information provided to the Secretary of State by the candidates may be found under elections at the Secretary of State's website: www.sos.state.mn.us. Submitted by: Mary Anderson for LWVGV 763-588-8578 Page 17 C,0r4 Learning for a Lifetime August 16, 2012 *10-11:3o a.m. or 5:30-7 p.m. Discover the life-long learning opportunities IOCP offers. Follow an IOCP family story through various interactive stations and experience firsthand how IOCP responds to education and training needs. Learn how you can be part of our community response! FREE event but registration is required. Register today at: https:Iliocp.ejoinme.org/LifetimeLearning2012 *Morning session includes separate service activity for youth ages 6-14 and childcare for ages 1-5. INTERFAITH OUTREACH & COMMUNITY PARTNERS 1,2P City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 23, 2012 Mr. Daniel Blake Coa.n 2614 Green Valley Street Valrico, FL 33596 RE: City of Plymouth Peddlers License Dear Mr. Daniel Coan: Police Department Tel: 763-509-5160 • Fax: 763-509-5167 Due to your conduct within the City of Plymouth, MN while working for Arm Security on July 20, 2012, your peddler's license has been suspended. As such, I am forwarding this matter to the Plymouth City Manager for a formal review. The City Manager has the authority to revoke your license. If this should occur, you have the ability to contest that action as stated in Plymouth City Code 1140. That said, it has come to the City's attention from your cmployer, Arm Security, that you have been terminated from their company and will be leaving the State of Minnesota. Being that the license was under their company name; your license is now null and void. The Plymouth Police Department case number regarding this matter is 12-31932 if you should need to reference the case at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact our department at 763-509-5160. Sincerely, Michael S. Goldstein Chief of Police Cc: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk Officer Scott Whiteford 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-9482 • www.d.plymouth.mn.us Page 1 9 i nreelfivers PARK DISTRICT Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners July 18, 2012 Ms. Laurie Ahrens City Manager City of Plymouth Sara Wyatt District 1 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Subject: Luce Line Trail Bridge Project Marilynn Corcoran, Project Memorandum District z SP 091-090-073 Three Rivers Park District, Plymouth, Minnesota l = `%ED JUL 2 3 2012 Dir. Dear Ms. Ahrens: Joan Peters District 3 Three Rivers Park District is completing a Project Memorandum (PM) for the proposed grade separated bicycle and pedestrian bridge over CSAH 61 (Xenium Lane) in Plymouth for the Luce Line Trail. The existing at -grade trail crossing and portion of sidewalk on the east side of CSAH 61 between 13th Avenue North and the Dale Woodbeck, trail will be removed when the bridge is in place. Sidewalk improvements may also Vice Chair be completed; these improvements would be completed by others but tied to the District 4 bridge project. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with early notification of the project and request your input regarding issues of concern and recommendations. This John Gibbs information will be used in the PM. We would appreciate it if you could respond by District 5 August 8, 2012 with any initial concerns or recommendations. If you have any questions, I can be reached by phone at (763) 559-6758, by email at ameyer@threeriversparkdistrict.org, or by mail at the address below. Larry Blackstad, Chair Appointed Sincerely, 0 O Barbara Kinsey Alex Meyer Mak/ Appointed Landscape Architect Cris Gears Superintendent Enclosures Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN iPar 55441-12P � Information 763.559.9000 • TTY 763.559.6719 • Fax 763.559.3287 9 www.Three org Ave y 13th Ave- 12th 'Avd12th Ave 1 Mille Kanabec Nine Hennepin Lacs, _Cou1} 1�-]MW Isanti ...ty,J urne Chisago Anoka c Wright Washington Hennepin Ramsey Meeker City of 0 Plymouth, MN McLeod Carver Renville Scott Dakota Sibley Goodhu Project Location Luce Line Trail Bridge over 61 SP 091-090-073 Plymouth, MN c, ._.. 16th�_- h 15th A. C. START rr1'rp�rrr�r� iAcade' `O ti►r��r SP 091-090-073 ENDXfliAve ♦' rrr�r��r Orchard �} r11� lith Ave m .J p X ■111■Ili Project Location 10th .Ave Gleanloch Luce Line Trail Trails Railroad mom, 4_ a sso son �,oao s 6th Ave®w — Figure 1 Page 21 .. T o42. P d' -- - ._ QD- VVN J I { y y SP 091-090-073 START16 i 1 Mille Kanabec Pine n C �y Flen neP Lacs � Cqunty; MN Isanti CO 0 burne Chisago E ris Anoka Wright Washington21 , f Hennepin Ramsey Meeker City of o Plymouth, MN ; e McLeod Carver � Renville Dakota ._._..v.�. Sibley Scott Goodhu.- �e- .,'mI Ir , w • �� Yib a SP 091 090-073 END] �1• 4 11111111OF Project Location �— Luce Line Trail R. Trails Railroad 0 F.1 Project Location — USGS 24K Luce Line Trail Bridge over 61 Figure 2 S'P 091-090-073 Plymouth, MN Page 22 =_&Zir■Ar=_WWTeIMMIMEre OPEN JANUARY 2013 -' Friday July 27 9:39am SINN NS()1` 'S' 2855 Glacier Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 �i ti��"'Akilm Refreshments will be served! RSVP by July 24 to DCardoni@simonsons.com rogress stay in -the -know with the -- -=--�- happenings of the Simonson's Plymouth relocation to AILLifestyle Commons 11 at: u. yoUr.L - Sul o 500 IDS CENTER ® 80 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-3796 ® MAIN: 612.632.3000 FAX: 612 632.4444 • • July 23, 2012 Mr. Duane Duncanson Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Municipal Division Stormwater Policy & Technical Assistance Unit 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 NANCY QUATTLEBAUM BURKE ATTORNEY DIRECT DIAL: 612.632.3029 DIRECT FAX: 612.632.4029 NANCY. BURKEC$GPMLAW. COM Via Messenger and Email duane.duncansonR-state.mn.us Re: Public Comment and Petition for Contested Case Hearing of the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition on Intent to Issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit) Dear Mr. Duncanson: Enclosed for service on and filing with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in the above matter please find the Public Comment and Petition for Contested Case Hearing of the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition with its attachments in connection with the MPCA's Public Notice of Its Intent to Issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Newer Systems (MS4 General Permit) on May 21, 2012. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Very truly yours, GRAY, PLANT, MOOTY, MOOTY & BENNETT, P.A. By _ n�A- �� Nancy Quattlebaum Burke NQB/Imr Enclosures cc: See Attached Service List _ms4permitprogram.pca(a)_state.mn.us John Linc Stine - Commissioner, MPCA (via email - john.stine@state.mn.us) GRAY, PLANT, MOOTY, MOOTY & BENNETT, P.A. A FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM Pa((��e 24 MINNEAPOLIS, MN • ST. CLOUD, MN • WASHINGTON, DC b WWW .GPMLAW COM Mr. Duane Duncanson Page 2 July 23, 2011 Rebecca Flood — Asst. Commissioner for Water Policy, MPCA (via email — rebecca.floodAstate.mmus) Lisa Thorvig, Director, MPCA Municipal Division (via email — Iisa.thorvi-qstate.mn.us) Beth Lockwood, Section Head, MPCA Stormwater Section (via email — bethjockwood@state.mn.us Thomas L. Grundhoefer (via email — TGrundho(&_lmc.org) Craig Johnson (via email — c ohnsonRi mc_.org) Jim Hafner (via email — ihafner(+e�.ci.blaine.mn.us Randy Neprash (via email — Randy. Nep rash(q)_stantec.com Barbara J. Huberty (via email — BHuberty rochestermn.gov Leslie A. Stovring (via email — LStovringCcDedenprairie.org) GP3208661 vl Page 25 In Re: Public Notice for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 Permit) Permit MNR040000) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ) ss. COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) Linda M. Robertson, being first duly sworn, deposes and states that on July 23, 2012, she served the following: Public Comment and Petition for Contested Case Hearing of the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition upon the following: See Attached Service List by arranging for the delivery by email and U.S. mail of such documents to the addresses listed on the attached Service List. /Linda M. Robertson Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of July, 2012. �F Notary Public GP:3011130 Q ELVIRA R. SHEA NOTARY PUBLIC -MINNESOTA My Commission Expires Jan. 31, 2015 r � Page 26 SERVICE LIST In Re: Public Notice for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit) Vicki Schindeldecker, Administrator John Linc Stine, Chair MPCA Citizens' Board MPCA Citizens' Board 520 Lafayette Road North 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 Via U. S. Mail Via U.S. Mail Brian J. Bensen Chester A. Wilander MPCA Citizens' Board Member MPCA Citizens' Board Member 45454 US 71 582347 th Street SE LaPorte, MN 56461 St. Cloud, MN 56304 Via U.S. Mail Via U.S. Mail Eric Gustafson Daniel D. Foley, M.D. MPCA Citizens' Board Member MPCA Citizens' Board Member 1581 Tamberwood Trail 7 223 Lanham Lane Woodbury, MN 55125 Edina, MN 55439 Via U.S. Mail Via U.S. Mail Dennis Jensen David P. Newman MPCA Citizens' Board Member MPCA Citizens' Board Member 4219 W Arrowhead Road 437 South Broadway Duluth, MN 55811 Stillwater, MN 55082 Via U.S. Mail Via U.S. Mail Carolyn Sampson MPCA Citizens' Board Member 3110 Dean Court Minneapolis, MN 55416 Via U.S. Mail GP:3009329 Q Page 27 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Dear Friends and Users of Minneapolis Parks: Minneapolis parks are among the state's most treasured assets. As you may know, there are more than 18 million visits to Minneapolis parks made each year. In fact, the City's celebrated Chain of Lakes is the second most visited attraction in the state, with thousands of recreational users accessing the water to swim, sail, kayak, canoe or fish. As stewards of Minneapolis' renowned park system, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners is proud of the leadership position it has taken in combating the many invasive species that threaten our park system. In addition to partnering with local, regional, state and national organization to address this important issue, in 2012 alone the Park Board will spend nearly $3 million on initiatives to prevent or manage invasive species, including: • preventing the spread of emerald ash borer; • reducing the spread of Dutch elm disease; • removing buckthorn, garlic mustard and other invasive plants; • harvesting Eurasian water milfoil. The Board also restricted lock use on the Mississippi River to its river boat cruise vendor to slow the migration of Asian Carp. But that is not enough. We believe that we must take an aggressive, proactive role in protecting out lakes against aquatic invasive species. We do this for both environmental and financial reasons. Zebra mussels, spiny water fleas and other aquatic invasive species are on the doorstep of Minneapolis lakes. That is why — at its June 20 board meeting — the MBRB Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an emergency resolution requiring inspections for any boats or water -related equipment launching from the public boat launches on Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis. The resolution takes effect this Friday, July 13. On that date, launches will be open and inspectors will be on duty at each boat launch: • Monday through Thursday 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. • Friday. Saturday and Sunday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. It's important to note that sailboats moored on the lakes, or canoes and kayaks entering the water from storage racks or other access points are not affected. Also, watercraft may exit the lakes through the public boat launch at any time without penalty. However, Page 28 boaters entering the water through the public boat launch on Calhoun, Harriet and Nokomis during non -staffed hours may be cited and fined by Minneapolis Park Police. Full details about the resolution, including frequently asked questions, may be found on the MPRB's website at www.minneqpolisparks.org/ais. The inspections are for the 2012 season only. Over the next six months, Park Board staff will seek input from the public, including representatives from nearby neighborhoods and the boating, fishing and sailing communities, the DNR and other interested groups to help draft a final policy for 2013 and beyond. Anyone interested in participating in public meetings regarding the AIS prevention policy can sign up for updates at www.minneapolisparks.org/ais. Additionally, an online survey will be posted on the Park Board website in mid-August, and public comments regarding the AIS prevention policy may be left at 612-313-7782 or emailed to dpilger&minneapolisparks.org. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this issue, please feel free to contact me at jerwingminneapolisparks. org or Superintendent Jayne Miller. The MRPB is committed to ensuring that our City's parks can be enjoyed for generations to come and we appreciate your support in this important work. Thank you. Sincerely, John Erwin President Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Page 29 St rTir i b n e Megan Tan, Star Tribune Used Twin Cities play sets go where fun is in short supply • Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER • Star Tribune • July 25, 2012 - 12:11 AM A dozen volunteers wielding hammers and wrenches descended upon an Eden Prairie playground this week with an unusual mission: to dismantle the colorful play set, lug it to a nearby truck and give it a new home somewhere on this planet. By the day's end, the swings, tunnel slides and climbing towers were on the highway to Illinois. They will get a face-lift and safety tuneup before being shipped to Zambia, where a new batch of children will give the playground a second life. Across the metro, suburban playgrounds are making their way to such unlikely places as Kyrgyzstan, Ghana and Haiti. A playground from East Bethel is now on a ship to Uganda. A St. Louis Park set is heading to the Dominican Republic. "This isn't about just donating playgrounds; it's about changing communities," said Paul Bierhaus, a Twin Cities board member of Kids Around the World, an Illinois -based nonprofit that coordinates the project. Offering children a safe place to play provides a central and safe community gathering place for families, he said. Playgrounds teach social skills, develop physical dexterity and offer a chance for "kids to be kids" in countries torn by poverty and war. Minnesota, Illinois and California are the national leaders in providing playgrounds to developing countries, said Bierhaus. Of the three, Minnesota is the only state that has no paid staff. In the past two years, Kids Around the World shipped 139 playgrounds to every part of the globe, he said, including 17 from the Twin Cities. That number will only climb as more communities learn of the unusual option. Page 30 "We have 43 playgrounds in Plymouth," said Lowell Luebeck, parks maintenance supervisor for Plymouth. "As we replace them, we'll be more than happy to donate them to Kids Around the World." Effort takes off with used gear Kids Around the World, a Christian organization with a roughly $3 million annual budget, was launched in 1994. It initially focused on donating new playground equipment, sending more than 100 sets abroad through 2010, said Bierhaus. But when it decided to refurbish equipment rather than send it new, the number of donated playgrounds exploded to 139 in just two years. The Eden Prairie play set will be sent in the months ahead to a camp outside the Zambian capital of Lusaka, he said. The camp is home to about 1,000 children, including AIDS orphans, street children and impoverished kids. Doug Ernst, the city's parks and recreation supervisor, stood near the playground as a noisy bobcat yanked up the metal poles and teams of men hauled away chunks of equipment. Eden Prairie typically would recycle as much of the equipment as possible, he said, and send the rest to a landfill. Donating it is a far better option, he said. Eden Prairie youth have nothing to fear, however. They're about to get a state-of-the- art, $1.6 million playground to replace the one being hauled away, he said. From Plymouth to Poland Plymouth kicked off the trend in the Twin Cities. Bierhaus and his volunteer crews hail from Wayzata Evangelical Free Church in Plymouth. Bierhaus, a former police officer from Wichita, Kan., said he approached the Plymouth Police Department about the program two years ago. Since then, Plymouth has sent two playground sets abroad, including one to Poland and one that will land in Mongolia next year. Last year, a representative from the Polish town of Glogow even came to thank Plymouth -- and Woodbury, which also donated a playground -- for their donations. "They came to a City Council meeting and we had a reception for them," said Luebeck, adding that they brought a slide show showing how the playground equipment looked in its new home. No word for'playground' Page 31 The donations all come with stories. After the playgrounds are sent, Bierhaus typically flies to their new home and works with volunteers recruited from across the globe who give their time and money to be part of the experience. "I remember in Uganda, there was no word in Swahili for'playground,"' said Bierhaus. "Like in most places, the kids had come to watch. But as soon as the colorful posts went up, they knew this was something they'd enjoy." After volunteers erected a playground in Glogow, Poland, the mayor couldn't believe his eyes, said Bierhaus. The idea of people donating something -- and asking nothing in return-- was emotionally overwhelming. The mayor went on to organize volunteer crews to build play areas in the city, too, he said. Kids Around the World doesn't do all this work alone, Bierhaus said. The organization often works with Rotary Clubs and other groups that suggest a country that could benefit from a playground. They then join forces to make it happen. Meanwhile, Landscape Structure, a Delano -based manufacturer that built many of the playgrounds heading overseas, provides replacement parts and hardware to make sure the equipment arrives ready for the trample of little feet. And those feet hit the play sets running. "There's something in kids' genes," said Bierhaus. "They see a playground and automatically know what to do." Jean Hopfensperger • 612-673-4511 © 2011 Star Tribune John Hunnus and Joe Miller helped dismantle a playground in an Eden Prairie park that was being donated to Kids Around the World. Megan Tan, Star Tribune Page 32 Bud Nadeau, a volunteer with Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, helped carry part of a playground from Round Lake Park in Eden Prairie on Monday. The playground is being shipped to Ukraine. Page 33 Shin - reek July 24, 2012 City Councils Watershed Management Commission (VV w ,SS(SS�d( ®�uters�e� �iiu�c�reywewt Cot,.w,issm� 3235 Fernbrook Lane N • Plymouth, MN 55447 Tel: 763.553.1 144 • Fax: 763.553.9326 Email: IudieP'ass.biz • Website: www.shinglecreek.org Member Cities via USPS and email Shingle Creek / West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions Hennepin County, Minnesota Dear Mayors and Councilors: As you may be aware, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson has been discussing the possible implementation of a water management pilot project in Hennepin County. These discussions are a result of a 2011 study and report on county water management completed by the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota for the Hennepin County Board. In the report, the U of M recommended, among other things, consolidation of watershed districts and watershed management organizations in Hennepin County, essentially creating four (later reduced to 3) watershed districts covering the entire county. The link to the Hennepin County Water Governance Project report is posted on the Commissions' website at http://shinglecreek.org/pages/Meetings/. Concern was expressed at the Shingle Creek/West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission July 12 meeting that news of progress toward draft legislation to create this pilot project has not been widely circulated. In fact, representatives from a number of the Commissions' member cities were not aware of the possible impacts of this legislation on the Commissions and, as a result, their cities. Attached is a copy of an email from Jim Haertel, Metro Region Supervisor at the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), providing an update on this issue. Included in the email is Commissioner Johnson's response to Haertel's email. In his response Commissioner Johnson asserts that the WMOs will be receiving copies of the proposed language in the next few weeks and that a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the draft language prior to proposing anything to the legislature. Please review this email as well as the attached article that appeared in the Maple Plain Pioneer on July 10, 2012. We will continue to forward updated information as it becomes available. Sincerely, I -I Judie A. Anderson Administrator JAA:tim Encls. Z:\Watersheds - Shared\Consoldiation\L_to member cities SCWM July 24.doc Brooklyn Center • Brooklyn Park • Champlin • Crystal • Maple Grove • Minneapolis • New Hope • Osseo • Plymoutpat*t3Wale From:Jeff.R.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us [mailto:Jeff.R.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us] Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 11:16 AM TO: jim.haertel@state.mn.us; raybohnmga@aol.com; eevenson@minnehahacreek.org; pforster@rileywd.org; kbigalke@ninemilecreek.org; terrys@lowermn.com; Judie Anderson; ginny.black@q.com; mjewelch@gmail.com; dsnyder@mwmo.org; kasher@cityofrichfield.org; smanderson@ci.bloom ington.mn.us; tina@rwmwd.org; Iwhalen@ci.minnetrista.mn.us; dougbaines@yahoo.com; john.jaschke@state.mn.us; steve.woods@state.mn.us; brad.wozney@state.mn.us CC: Mike.Opat@co.hennepin.mn.us; Peter. McLaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us; Gail. Dorfman@co.hennepin.mn.us; Janis.Callison@co.hennepin.mn.us; Randy.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us; Carl. Michaud@co.hennepin.mn.us; Richard.P.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us Subject: re: Consolidation of Watershed Management Organization in Hennepin County I received a copy of the email below from BWSR regarding work on a potential water management pilot project in Hennepin County. My work on this issue arose after the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota completed a study and report on county water management for the Hennepin County Board last year. In the report, the U of M recommended, among other things, consolidation of watershed districts and watershed management organizations in Hennepin County, essentially creating four watershed districts covering the entire county. The U of M study also recommended that each of the new watershed entities have taxing authority. Over the past decade, watershed organizations within Hennepin County have budgeted expenditures totaling over $230 million with an average annual increase exceeding 5%. These investments, combined with cities' focus on storm water management, building standards and developer requirements and initiatives, have contributed to reducing the number of declining lake quality grades. The most recent lake quality trends indicate that water quality in Hennepin County lakes has stabilized in the past ten years, with the majority of county lakes showing no significant upward or downward trend. The average lake grade in Hennepin County over the past decade is a "C", regardless of watershed organization. Despite this stabilization success, water governance in the county is still fragmented and often reactive, spending varies dramatically depending on location and, in some ways, transparency and accountability are lacking. There are many of us who believe we can improve upon the current system. Over the past several months, I have been talking to members of city councils, watershed management organizations, watershed districts and the state legislature about the U of M study and how we might implement the theory behind it through a Hennepin county pilot or demonstration project. We held a well -attended discussion on this topic earlier in the year with city and watershed stakeholders. My office has been working with the non-partisan House Research Office (through a state legislator) to talk through this issue and put together draft language for a bill. Just to clarify, "Hennepin County" is not drafting legislation at this point; I am. My intent has been, and still is, to have proposed language drafted before holding another meeting for stakeholders. Once we have that language, I do intend to distribute it to city officials and watershed officials throughout Hennepin County and schedule a meeting to ensure we incorporate the best ideas of everyone involved. Prior to that, I also intend to seek feedback from my colleagues on the county board. I see this eventual proposed legislation as a way to start a conversation regarding how we manage water in the county. Frankly, my ideal solution would look different from the draft legislation that is being prepared, but the U of M proposal appears to engender fairly broad support — at least in theory — so it seems to be the appropriate framework to start that conversation. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me in the short-term, but otherwise know that we will be getting you proposed language at some point in the next few weeks and schedule a meeting to discuss it prior to proposing anything to the legislature. Thanks! Jeff Jeff Johnson Hennepin County Commissioner 612-348-7887 Page 3 5 A-2400 Government Center 300 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 From: "Jim Haertel (BWSR)" <iim.haerteIAstate.mn.us> To: Raybohnmga(a,aol.com, "Eric Evenson" <eevensonkminnehahacreek.org>, pforsterkrileywd.org, kbigalke(as,ninemilecreek.org, "Terry Schwalbe" <terrs(a)lowermn.com>, iudie(s jass.biz, "ginny black" <ginn, .by lackg..com>, mjewelchLgmail.com, dsnyder a,mwmo.org, kasherLcityofrichfield.org, smanderson(a)Ci.bloomington.mn.us, tinaLrwmwd.org, lwhalen(kci.minnetrista.mn.us, dougbainesLyahoo.com Cc: "John Jaschke (BWSR)" <john.jaschke =,state.mmus>, "Steve Woods (BWSR)" <steve.woods(kstate.mn.us>, 'Brad Wozney (BWSR)" <brad.woznevgstate.mn.us> Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2012 10:23:45 AM Subject: Consolidation of Watershed Management Organization in Hennepin County The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and the Environmental Services Department has been evaluating consolidation of Watershed Management Organizations (WMOs) for several years. This includes joint powers agreement WMOs and watershed districts. They have had a few studies completed. Consolidation to four WMOs had been discussed and recently consolidation to three WMOs has been the focus. Many of you are already aware of this. We have just learned that Hennepin County is actively drafting legislation to have three WMOs in Hennepin County. We do not know if they would be watershed districts and/or joint powers agreement WMOs. The WMOs would have taxing authority. The members would be elected city officials. Once the draft legislation has been completed they will probably schedule a stakeholder meeting. This is all the information I have at this point, however I wanted to inform you promptly of what we know. I have not been able to get further information today which is no surprise given the number of people on vacation. I will forward more information as it becomes available, hopefully early next week. Jim Haertel Metro Region Supervisor MN Board of Water and Soil Resources 520 Lafayette Road North Saint Paul, MN 55155 Voice: 651-297-2906 FAX: 651-297-5615 Email: iim.haertel(aD-state.mn.us Z:\Watersheds - Shared\Consoldiation\J Johnson response to Haertel email.docx Page 36 � i o pi r -,,F -R N) r,_,A 0 o R - n K A- 10 Jeff Johnson proposing to lower number of watershed organizations �( Ely Amanda schwarze ! V staff writer Published: Friday, July 6, 2012 1:36 PM CDT A Hennepin county commissioner is working on a proposal that would reduce the number of agencies that are in charge of the county's watersheds. commissioner Jeff Johnson (Dist. 7) outlined his plan for the Maple Plain City Council at its June 25 meeting. Johnson said he was still working on the plan and that he would need support from his fellow county commissioners before he would present a proposal to state lawmakers. .Johnson said that there are currently 11 watershed districts or watershed management organizations operating in the county. some parts of the county, he said, spend very little money on watershed agencies while others spend a great deal of money on the agencies. To help spread the money more equitably around the county, Johnson said he wanted to consolidate the 11 agencies into three agencies. Each of the three watershed districts, Johnson said, would have taxing authority and all of district board members would be elected officials - either city councilors or mayors from the area. currently, some watershed officials are appointed rather than elected. Minnehaha Creek watershed District (MCWD) Administrator Eric Evenson said that he can understand concerns about money and appointed officials. Evenson said that the difference in money that watershed agencies receive could at least be partly attributed to the size of the watersheds. The MCWD includes Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha creek. In all, the MCWD includes eight major creeks, 129 lakes and thousands of wetlands. Evenson said that the MCWD has more projects to undertake than smaller watersheds. The question of having elected officials rather than appointed officials serve on the watershed boards is a philosophical one, Evenson said. He said that he understands that some people want elected officials to run agencies with taxing authority. The MCWD is governed by a seven -member board of managers. Evenson said that the Hennepin and carver County Hoards appointed the board members, so they are then held accountable to the county commissioners. In addition, Evenson said, county officials can appoint people with specific backgrounds that could be of most benefit to the watershed. If a district is having money problems, they can appoint someone with a financial background or if it is in a mainly agricultural area they can appoint someone with an agricultural background. "I can understand both sides," Evenson said. During the June 25 Maple Plain City council meeting, Councilor Jerry Young questioned why .Johnson was proposing to consolidate the 11 agencies to three rather than to just one agency. Johnson said that having one agency was an option and that the Hennepin county Board could serve as the water management organization. "1'm not thrilled about that because Iprefer to have people who are focused more on the water issues than we would be as a board since we, focused on so many other things," Johnson said. He also said that there could be interest in having more than one group overseeing the different watersheds in the county. Young asked if consolidating the agencies would save money. Johnson said that a little money would be saved on administrative costs. The two biggest changes with Page 1 Page 37 Untitled his proposal, he said, would be spreading money somewhat more equitably around the county and requiring watershed boards to be governed by elected officials. Johnson said he would take time to continue working on his plan until the start of the next Minnesota legislative session. Prior to presenting his proposal to lawmakers, 7ohnson said he would have it available for city officials to review. Page 2 Page 38 elm creek Watershed Management Commission ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 3235 Fernbrook Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 PH: 763.553.1144 FAX: 763.553.9326 e-mail: judie@jass.biz July 24, 2012 City Councils Member Cities Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission Hennepin County, Minnesota Dear Mayors and Councilors: TECHNICAL OFFICE Hennepin County DES 417 North 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55401-1397 PH: 612.596.1171 FAX: 612.348.8532 e-mail: Ali.Durgunoglu@co.hennepin.mn.us As you may be aware, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson has been discussing the possible implementation of a water management pilot project in Hennepin County. These discussions are a result of a 2011 study and report on county water management completed by the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota for the Hennepin County Board. In the report, the U of M recommended, among other things, consolidation of watershed districts and watershed management organizations in Hennepin County, essentially creating four (later reduced to 3) watershed districts covering the entire county. The link to the Hennepin County Water Governance Project report is posted on the Commissions' website at http://elmcreekwatershed.org/pages/Meetings/. Concern was expressed at the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission July 11 meeting that news of progress toward draft legislation to create this pilot project has not been widely circulated. In fact, representatives from a number of the Commissions' member cities were not aware of the possible impacts of this legislation on the Commissions and, as a result, their cities. Attached is a copy of an email from Jim Haertel, Metro Region Supervisor at the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), providing an update on this issue. Included in the email is Commissioner Johnson's response to Haertel's email. In his response Commissioner Johnson asserts that the WMOs will be receiving copies of the proposed language in the next few weeks and that a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the draft language prior to proposing anything to the legislature. Please review this email as well as the attached article that appeared in the Maple Plain Pioneer on July 10, 2012. We will continue to forward updated information as it becomes available. Sincerely, I'I Judie A. Anderson Administrator JAA:tim Encls. Z:\Watersheds - Shared\Consoldiation\L_to member cities EC July 24.doc CHAMPLIN - CORCORAN - DAYTON - MAPLE GROVE - MEDINA- PLYMOUTH - ROGERS page 39 From:Jeff.R.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us [mailto:Jeff.R.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us] Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 11:16 AM TO: jim.haertel@state.mn.us; raybohnmga@aol.com; eevenson@minnehahacreek.org; pforster@rileywd.org; kbigalke@ninemilecreek.org; terrys@lowermn.com; Judie Anderson; ginny.black@q.com; mjewelch@gmail.com; dsnyder@mwmo.org; kasher@cityofrichfield.org; smanderson@ci.bloom ington.mn.us; tina@rwmwd.org; Iwhalen@ci.minnetrista.mn.us; dougbaines@yahoo.com; john.jaschke@state.mn.us; steve.woods@state.mn.us; brad.wozney@state.mn.us CC: Mike.Opat@co.hennepin.mn.us; Peter. McLaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us; Gail. Dorfman@co.hennepin.mn.us; Janis.Callison@co.hennepin.mn.us; Randy.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us; Carl. Michaud@co.hennepin.mn.us; Richard.P.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us Subject: re: Consolidation of Watershed Management Organization in Hennepin County I received a copy of the email below from BWSR regarding work on a potential water management pilot project in Hennepin County. My work on this issue arose after the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota completed a study and report on county water management for the Hennepin County Board last year. In the report, the U of M recommended, among other things, consolidation of watershed districts and watershed management organizations in Hennepin County, essentially creating four watershed districts covering the entire county. The U of M study also recommended that each of the new watershed entities have taxing authority. Over the past decade, watershed organizations within Hennepin County have budgeted expenditures totaling over $230 million with an average annual increase exceeding 5%. These investments, combined with cities' focus on storm water management, building standards and developer requirements and initiatives, have contributed to reducing the number of declining lake quality grades. The most recent lake quality trends indicate that water quality in Hennepin County lakes has stabilized in the past ten years, with the majority of county lakes showing no significant upward or downward trend. The average lake grade in Hennepin County over the past decade is a "C", regardless of watershed organization. Despite this stabilization success, water governance in the county is still fragmented and often reactive, spending varies dramatically depending on location and, in some ways, transparency and accountability are lacking. There are many of us who believe we can improve upon the current system. Over the past several months, I have been talking to members of city councils, watershed management organizations, watershed districts and the state legislature about the U of M study and how we might implement the theory behind it through a Hennepin county pilot or demonstration project. We held a well -attended discussion on this topic earlier in the year with city and watershed stakeholders. My office has been working with the non-partisan House Research Office (through a state legislator) to talk through this issue and put together draft language for a bill. Just to clarify, "Hennepin County" is not drafting legislation at this point; I am. My intent has been, and still is, to have proposed language drafted before holding another meeting for stakeholders. Once we have that language, I do intend to distribute it to city officials and watershed officials throughout Hennepin County and schedule a meeting to ensure we incorporate the best ideas of everyone involved. Prior to that, I also intend to seek feedback from my colleagues on the county board. I see this eventual proposed legislation as a way to start a conversation regarding how we manage water in the county. Frankly, my ideal solution would look different from the draft legislation that is being prepared, but the U of M proposal appears to engender fairly broad support — at least in theory — so it seems to be the appropriate framework to start that conversation. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me in the short-term, but otherwise know that we will be getting you proposed language at some point in the next few weeks and schedule a meeting to discuss it prior to proposing anything to the legislature. Thanks! Jeff Jeff Johnson Hennepin County Commissioner 612-348-7887 Page 40 A-2400 Government Center 300 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 From: "Jim Haertel (BWSR)" <iim.haerteIAstate.mn.us> To: Raybohnmga(a,aol.com, "Eric Evenson" <eevensonkminnehahacreek.org>, pforsterkrileywd.org, kbigalke(as,ninemilecreek.org, "Terry Schwalbe" <terrs(a)lowermn.com>, iudie(s jass.biz, "ginny black" <ginn, .by lackg..com>, mjewelchLgmail.com, dsnyder a,mwmo.org, kasherLcityofrichfield.org, smanderson(a)Ci.bloomington.mn.us, tinaLrwmwd.org, lwhalen(kci.minnetrista.mn.us, dougbainesLyahoo.com Cc: "John Jaschke (BWSR)" <john.jaschke =,state.mmus>, "Steve Woods (BWSR)" <steve.woods(kstate.mn.us>, 'Brad Wozney (BWSR)" <brad.woznevgstate.mn.us> Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2012 10:23:45 AM Subject: Consolidation of Watershed Management Organization in Hennepin County The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and the Environmental Services Department has been evaluating consolidation of Watershed Management Organizations (WMOs) for several years. This includes joint powers agreement WMOs and watershed districts. They have had a few studies completed. Consolidation to four WMOs had been discussed and recently consolidation to three WMOs has been the focus. Many of you are already aware of this. We have just learned that Hennepin County is actively drafting legislation to have three WMOs in Hennepin County. We do not know if they would be watershed districts and/or joint powers agreement WMOs. The WMOs would have taxing authority. The members would be elected city officials. Once the draft legislation has been completed they will probably schedule a stakeholder meeting. This is all the information I have at this point, however I wanted to inform you promptly of what we know. I have not been able to get further information today which is no surprise given the number of people on vacation. I will forward more information as it becomes available, hopefully early next week. Jim Haertel Metro Region Supervisor MN Board of Water and Soil Resources 520 Lafayette Road North Saint Paul, MN 55155 Voice: 651-297-2906 FAX: 651-297-5615 Email: iim.haertel(aD-state.mn.us Z:\Watersheds - Shared\Consoldiation\J Johnson response to Haertel email.docx Page 41 � i o pi r -,,F -R N) r,_,A 0 o R - n K A- 10 Jeff Johnson proposing to lower number of watershed organizations �( Ely Amanda schwarze ! V staff writer Published: Friday, July 6, 2012 1:36 PM CDT A Hennepin county commissioner is working on a proposal that would reduce the number of agencies that are in charge of the county's watersheds. commissioner Jeff Johnson (Dist. 7) outlined his plan for the Maple Plain City Council at its June 25 meeting. Johnson said he was still working on the plan and that he would need support from his fellow county commissioners before he would present a proposal to state lawmakers. .Johnson said that there are currently 11 watershed districts or watershed management organizations operating in the county. some parts of the county, he said, spend very little money on watershed agencies while others spend a great deal of money on the agencies. To help spread the money more equitably around the county, Johnson said he wanted to consolidate the 11 agencies into three agencies. Each of the three watershed districts, Johnson said, would have taxing authority and all of district board members would be elected officials - either city councilors or mayors from the area. currently, some watershed officials are appointed rather than elected. Minnehaha Creek watershed District (MCWD) Administrator Eric Evenson said that he can understand concerns about money and appointed officials. Evenson said that the difference in money that watershed agencies receive could at least be partly attributed to the size of the watersheds. The MCWD includes Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha creek. In all, the MCWD includes eight major creeks, 129 lakes and thousands of wetlands. Evenson said that the MCWD has more projects to undertake than smaller watersheds. The question of having elected officials rather than appointed officials serve on the watershed boards is a philosophical one, Evenson said. He said that he understands that some people want elected officials to run agencies with taxing authority. The MCWD is governed by a seven -member board of managers. Evenson said that the Hennepin and carver County Hoards appointed the board members, so they are then held accountable to the county commissioners. In addition, Evenson said, county officials can appoint people with specific backgrounds that could be of most benefit to the watershed. If a district is having money problems, they can appoint someone with a financial background or if it is in a mainly agricultural area they can appoint someone with an agricultural background. "I can understand both sides," Evenson said. During the June 25 Maple Plain City council meeting, Councilor Jerry Young questioned why .Johnson was proposing to consolidate the 11 agencies to three rather than to just one agency. Johnson said that having one agency was an option and that the Hennepin county Board could serve as the water management organization. "1'm not thrilled about that because Iprefer to have people who are focused more on the water issues than we would be as a board since we, focused on so many other things," Johnson said. He also said that there could be interest in having more than one group overseeing the different watersheds in the county. Young asked if consolidating the agencies would save money. Johnson said that a little money would be saved on administrative costs. The two biggest changes with Page 1 Page 42 Untitled his proposal, he said, would be spreading money somewhat more equitably around the county and requiring watershed boards to be governed by elected officials. 3ohnson said he would take time to continue working on his plan until the start of the next Minnesota legislative session. Prior to presenting his proposal to lawmakers, 3ohnson said he would have it available for city officials to review. Page 2 Page 43 Hennepin County District Court / Fourth Judicial District (HCDC) Revenue collection / disbursement (FY 2011) Background • HCDC is a significant revenue source for the state, cities and other governmental subdivisions. • It provides this critical service by collecting / disbursing fines (from criminal, traffic, parking, and ordinance violations), state surcharges, court fees, and forfeited / unclaimed bail. • This $56.9 million "collection agency" does not retain any revenue; all of it is disbursed. • In FY 2011, disbursement by HCDC (to the 50 recipients noted below) exceeded... o its $46.9 million operating budget by 22 percent ($10 million); and o the Minnesota Legislature's combined appropriations for the Senate, House of Representatives and Governor's Office ($55.8 million). Revenue recipients • State of Minnesota $37,113,386.41 o General Fund: $36,263,343.60 o Department of Public Safety (State Patrol): $833,177.81 o Department of Natural Resources: $16,865.00 • 44 municipalities of Hennepin County $17,706,903.33 • Hennepin County $1,110,803.57 o Law Library: $ 999,751.18 o Sheriff's Office: $76,129.14 o Attorney's Office: $25,668.82 o Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation: $9,254.43 • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis campus) $539,005.63 • Metropolitan Airports Commission $301,427.37 • Lake Minnetonka Conservation District $68,314.28 • Three Rivers Park District $50,951.09 Total: {$56,890,791.68} Page 44 Hennepin County District Court / Fourth Judicial District Revenue collected for / disbursed to 44 municipalities of Hennepin County (FY 2011) Bloomington 1,122,188.72 Brooklyn Center 323,771.46 Brooklyn Park 408,749.94 Champlin 326,578.87 Corcoran 37,387.63 Crystal 253,811.84 Dayton 80,818.64 Deephaven 52,439.92 Eden Prairie 503,235.62 Edina 1,126,397.95 Excelsior 64,064.82 Golden Valley 300,790.06 Greenfield 9,364.20 Greenwood 5,887.80 Hanover 4,519.80 Hassan Township 26,027.84 Hopkins 130,955.24 Independence 32,646.63 Long Lake 17,139.04 Loretto 12,619.25 Maple Grove 413,825.62 Maple Plain 17,974.09 Medicine Lake* 809.20 Medina 136,337.91 Minneapolis 9,205,062.32 Minnetonka 588,949.01 Minnetonka Beach 9,053.60 Minnetrista 63,704.26 Mound 46,650.74 New Hope 233,317.73 *This amount was disbursed to the state General Fund as this city did not prosecute these cases. Orono 120,417.31 Osseo 50,539.42 Plymouth 779,089.70 Richfield 302,103.57 Robbinsdale 239,303.32 Rockford 2,829.20 Rogers 123,801.80 St. Anthony 102,404.06 St. Bonifacius 24,742.39 St. Louis Park 254,972.84 Shorewood 51,569.87 Spring Park 14,965.76 Tonka Bay 6,646.04 Wayzata 73,569.79 Woodland 5,677.71 TOTAL $17,707,712.53 Page 45 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Lffe To: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager From: Sarah Hellekson, Transit / Solid Waste Manager Memorandum Date June 20, 2012 Item: Recycling Program Update In February, 2011, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Comprehensive Municipal Recycling Services that included curbside collection, collection at the recycling drop-off center, recycling collection at city -operated buildings and other facilities and events designated by the city. On August 23, 2011, the City Council approved an agreement with Allied Waste / Republic Services for recycling. This new recycling agreement has the following changes from the previous program: • City receives 100% of revenue from recycling materials sold after processing • Increase hauler involvement in public education, events and community involvement • Wheeled recycling carts with lids • Multi -family recycling. Multi -family complexes can be included in the City contract. • Commercial recycling. Small commercial and non-profit structures can be included in the City contract. Residents began using the blue and gray, single -stream recycling carts in January, 2012. The curbside recycling is now collected bi-weekly. Some households have requested larger or smaller carts than the 68 -gallon carts which were delivered to every household in the curbside program in November and December, 2011. The amount of material initially being collected curbside dropped but has since risen to previous levels. 525 tons of recycling were collected curbside in May 2012 as compared to 490 tons in May 2011. Beginning in 2012, the City receives 100% of the revenue from the sale of recycled materials as compared to 75% in 2011. As revenue is tied to tons collected, the revenue correspondingly declined as tons collected declined in January 2012. However, tons and revenue are increasing the first half of 2012 which will result in a decrease in overall City costs under the new contract. Allied Waste reports that 85% of Plymouth households set out carts each collection day. In 2011, the household participation rate in the weekly recycling program varied from 75% to 82%. Page 46 rp) Recycling Tons Collected Curbside per Month 2011 - May, 2012 700 45 A, 615 1 33 35 29 600 32 Ilk 28 32 32 2 5 41116 oe� za ly 537 26 27 525 528 529 525 490 498 507 497 500 457455 479 pop 14 17 \0VII11pr 438 412 469 T 400 O N S 300 200 Recycling carts delivered Nov -Dec, 2011 New program began Jan, 2012 100 0 N N N N N N N N N -1 r-1 1- 71 1-1 11i C -6 T C - 00 O_> U C -6 y m o_ z v u 0 N is a m v > 11 a a g a O Z o LL g a g rp) 50 45 40 35 T 30 O N 25 S 20 15 10 5 0 N c -I a -I N N N N N ci iy N N N N N N N 71 C i T CCZ C bA L > U C -0 c� T LL Q ; Q VI O 0 9 LL ¢ 2 C C Recycling Tons Collected Drop -Off per Month January, 2011- May, 2012 45 A, 1 33 35 29 32 Ilk 28 32 32 2 5 41116 oe� za ly 26 27 '1422 X22 14 17 \0VII11pr Page 47 Tons by Material per Month from January, 2011 - May, 2012 (Glass, Cardboard, Mixed Paper, Newspaper) 300 301 263 257 259 259 257 249 249 244 250 235 228 30 230 240 23 _. 202 -4—Mixed Glass 200 —OCC (cardboard) -4--Mixed Paper Cart program begins Jan uary,2012 150 ON (newspaper) 118 103100 101 101 97 97 95 100 100 94 84 79 103 90 gg 89 89 85 85 84 90 78 S1 82 79 76 74 79 69 17 15 19 17 18 22 17 19 19 16 19 18 16 17 18 18 19 0 Jan -11 Feb -11 Mar -11 Apr -11 May -11 Jun -11 Jul -11 Aug -11 Sep -11 Oct -11 Nov -11 Dec -11 Jan -12 Feb -12 Mar -12 Apr -12 May -12 Page 48 r;b 70,000 60,000 50,000 D 40,000 O 11 a r 30,000 s 20,000 10,000 I 0 Total Revenue Share by Month (Curbside and Drop -Off) January, 2011 -April, 2012 c -I N .-1 N N rl ci N $57,32 N N -4 N N N N a -0 i T N C - Oo > a> 50,615 0 u N C -0i N Q $51,20 Q D Q N Ln O Z LL Q $48,008 $49,182 $48,374 #11000 $42,566 36,983 $44,623 $42,219 $36,767 $28,695 28,110 Recycling carts delivered November through December, 2011 $23,279 *00 $21,289 New program began January, 2012 Revenue reporting is one month behind 18,820 c -I N .-1 N N rl ci N N N N -4 N N N N a -0 i T N C - Oo > a> U 0 u N C -0i N Q LL Q D Q N Ln O Z LL Q Page 49 MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY July 18, 2012 Pursuant to due call and notice, the quarterly meeting of the Suburban Rate Authority was held at the City of Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, Minnesota on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, commencing at 11:30 a.m. order. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Executive Committee Chair, Mr. Gates, called the meeting to 2. ROLL CALL: Bloomington Jim Gates Brooklyn Park Kevin Larson Circle Pines Jim Keinath Edina John Wallin Golden Valley Jeannine Clancy Hastings Tom Montgomery Lauderdale Heather Butkowski Maple Grove Harlan Van Wylie Maple Plain John Sweeney Maplewood Chuck Ahl Minnetonka Desyl Peterson Plymouth Doran Cote Robbinsdale Richard McCoy Roseville Duane Schwartz Also present was Jim Strommen, legal counsel for the SRA. It was determined that a quorum of votes was present for the Board to transact business at the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Having been previously circulated, Mr. Ahl moved to approve the minutes from the quarterly meeting in April. Ms. Clancy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 4. REPORTS OF OFFICERS. Mr. Wallin reported on the financial status of the SRA as of June 30, 2012. He noted that all members had paid the first half assessments and some had fully paid for the year. (Statement available upon request). The financial statement reflects similar costs to those incurred in 2011 and a good financial position relative to the budget. Mr. Wallin also requested board action on the question of waiver or non -waiver of statutory tort limits for the SRA, as required annually by the SRA's insurer, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). It was recommended that the board move not to waive liability limits afforded a joint powers organization under law. Mr. Wallin also noted that the LMCIT bill will be sent to him Page 50 sometime prior to the October meeting and he therefore sought authorization to pay that bill prior to the October meeting, subject to a stated limit. Ms. Peterson moved to approve a motion not to waive the SRA's statutory tort limits and to authorize Mr. Wallin to pay the LMCIT insurance coverage bill when received in an amount not to exceed $1,100 (an estimate slightly higher than last year's bill). Mr. Sweeney seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Wallin also circulated the bills from Kennedy & Graven and MMKR for legal and auditing services, respectively. The bills where to be taken up in Claims, below. Mr. Keinath moved to accept the Treasurer's report. Ms. Peterson seconded the motion which passes unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Strommen reported that there had been no communications received since the April meeting. 6. HIAWATHA COST RECOVERY PROCEEDING: Mr. Strommen reported that on June 28, 2012, the Commission met and decided the issue of the ratepayer group responsible for paying the additional cost for the undergrounded transmission lines along the Hiawatha project. The Commission voted three to one to designate the underground facilities as Standard based on the recommendations of the parties and the record established in the administrative hearing. This designation will result in all Xcel ratepayers in the five -state area, including wholesale ratepayers, paying the added cost. Under these circumstances the added cost is built into rates and is not separated out as a line item. Mr. Strommen reported that the estimated cost per ratepayer would be pennies per month, subject to final cost totals upon completion of the installation. Mr. Strommen reported on the preceding that involved four commissioners, the fifth commissioner was only recently appointed by Governor Dayton, Beverly Heydinger. She was not present. She had, however, presided as the Administrative Law Judge on the Hiawatha case and was clearly favoring a Standard designation for the transmission line in her report to the PUC. As described in the memorandum circulated to SRA membership before the meeting, each commissioner had a slightly different approach to the analysis but emphasized the case by case determination, the relevance of the urban setting, and the anticipation that there may be more such petitions regarding cost. Mr. Strommen noted that this outcome was the most favorable rate outcome possible given the positions of the commissioners. Only Commissioner Wergin voted against the Standard designation and stated that she favored a Special designation for the line with the Seven County Metro Area of Xcel's territory as the surcharge recovery zone (which would have resulted in higher rates for SRA ratepayers). Mr. Strommen observed that the Commission has now been exposed to the policy arguments in favor of the Standard and Special designation with a broader rate recovery area than the municipality in which the undergrounding occurs, as is the general rule under the City Requested Facilities Surcharge Tariff (CRFS) involving distribution or small transmission lines. Based on PUC discussion, statutory standards, compelling safety issues (Standard) and regional use of an area (Special) would be criteria that may warrant such a petition by a city ordering the undergrounding. Mr. Strommen expressed the view that any such petition would be challenging and would need to be evaluated on its particular merits before pursuing a petition with the PUC. Mr. Strommen noted that the PUC order on the cost recovery would be published within the next couple of weeks. Page 51 7. CENTERPOINT ENERGY -INVERTED BLOCK RATE: Mr. Strommen reported that the PUC will be taking up whether to revive the inverted block rate conservation program at its meeting on Thursday, July 19, 2012. The SRA has joined the state agencies and Centerpoint itself in recommending that the program be terminated. Mr. Strommen explained that the plan has too many build in inequities and complications to make it a fair and useful conservation program. 8. XCEL ELECTRIC OUTAGE PROCEDING: Mr. Strommen reported that after an unsuccessful negotiation attempts with Xcel, the matter has gone to a formal proceeding before the PUC. The SRA has submitted its proposal and Xcel's objections have been filed. The Board discussed the background to this matter, involving the City of Roseville ratepayers, and some examples where multiple, consecutive year outages have happened elsewhere. Mr. Strommen pointed out that the SRA proposal to provide credits to customers for multiple, consecutive year outages will give Xcel more incentive to repair the infrastructure necessary to eliminate the outages and compensate the inconvenienced customers who are victimized by the multiple year outages. Mr. Strommen also reported that Xcel's proposal to the PUC appears to limit the $200 credit for municipal customers that the SRA won in the rate case before last, and has resulted in thousands of dollars in additional annual credits to cities in their water/sewer operations. He expects that the PUC will hold a preliminary hearing on these proposals prior to the October SRA meeting. A copy of the SRA proposal is available upon request. 9. ADOPTION OF 2013 BUDGET: Mr. Strommen reported that there have been no unforeseen added budget items causing a change in the budget that the board preliminarily approved in April. No board member proposed modifications to the 2013 budget. Mr. Schwartz moved to adopt the 2013 budget. Mr. Ahl seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 10. XCEL BILLING CITIES FOR DAMAGE TO FIXURES: Mr. Strommen summarized the issue that has been noted in several SRA communities: that Xcel will send a bill in the form of its monthly energy bill to collect disputed damage claims for things like snowplow damage to Xcel facilities in the ROW. Board members discussed their awareness of such bills being sent and ultimately being settled after discussion with Xcel. Mr. Strommen pointed out that the objection here is not Xcel's right to claim reimbursement for damage to its facilities (which may or may not be justified), but the form in which Xcel chooses to bring such a claim. The form identified by multiple board members is the typical bill format that could well be paid by a clerk, thinking that the bill was a settled matter or even an energy bill. Contrary to an energy bill that is routinely paid absent a billing mistake, these are disputed items that may involve thousands of dollars and may be not owing to Xcel. Ms. Peterson moved to direct SRA board members to inquire at their cities whether such Xcel, or other utility bills have been sent to the city and paid without close scrutiny. The motion further recommended the forwarding of such bills to legal counsel within four weeks of this meeting for filing an objection to this billing format with the Department of Energy. Mr. Keinath seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The goal is to eliminate this misleading form used by Xcel - - bringing a claim completely separate from energy charges in an energy billing format. Page 52 11. OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY — UTILITY LOCATE PROCEEDING: Ms. Peterson requested that this issue be added to the quarterly meeting agenda. The issue involves a recently commenced Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety ("OPS") process soliciting comments for rule changes on the ongoing issue of locating underground facilities on public and private property. Public works representatives of cities are concerned that the rules will place additional responsibility for such location on cities, more so than on other parties. Mr. Strommen noted that the OPS addressed this issue some five years ago with rules not totally satisfactory to cities. There is a committee formed by the League of Minnesota Cities that will participate in this OPS proceeding. Given the League of Cities' participation in the OPS proceeding, with experienced municipal public works committee members, discussion ensued whether the SRA needs to be involved. After discussing the pros and cons of SRA and League participation, the Board consensus was for legal counsel to attend the initial August W" meeting at the OPS, where the proposed rules and issues would be presented and discussed. From that point on, legal counsel is directed to evaluate whether SRA presence and participation in follow-up meetings is duplicative or of value to the SRA. 12. CENTURYLINK FACILITY RELOCATION: Mr. Strommen added the issue of CenturyLink recently objecting to city requested relocation and undergrounding. In at least two cities, CenturyLink has taken the position that it is entitled to be reimbursed before it relocates. Mr. Strommen stated that the general rule gives CenturyLink no right to be reimbursed for its relocation (either overhead to overhead or overhead to underground) for a public improvement project. CenturyLink has no mechanism in its tariffs (as Xcel does) to recover any kind of surcharge for undergrounding. Notwithstanding this rule, CenturyLink has made demands for reimbursement from the City of Robbinsdale and the City of Cottage Grove before it will agree to move. This type of demand can create an impasse that runs the risk of delaying the constructing schedule. Mr. Strommen stated that cities should resist the CenturyLink demands and insist that it timely relocate at its own cost. 13. CITY OF ROSEVILLE CHALLENGE TO XCEL — CRFS: Mr. Schwartz reported that Xcel will be filing an objection to an Xcel cost associated with a project triggering the CRFS. The objection involves a cost for additional relocation that should not have been necessary and was apparently caused by Xcel. Mr. Schwartz asked if other cities had pursued an objection to a surcharge under the CRFS process. No city of the board members present could recall one and Mr. Strommen was not aware of any such objection that made it to the PUC. Mr. Strommen commented that this was a proper type of objection to a cost that the City of Roseville is justified in questioning within the CRFS process. 14. PUBLIC CONTROL OF PUBLICLY -PAID FOR UTILITY CONSTRUCTION: Mr. Schwartz and Ms. Clancy raised the issue of the lack of control cities have over the utility's costs for undergrounding when the city is paying for such costs for special facilities. Ms. Clancy noted that the project currently underway in Golden Valley involves a single page contract from Xcel in exchange for the City issuing a $1.2 million dollar check for the underground facilities. She noted her experience in Arizona where the public had greater control over such costs through the public bidding -city owner process, followed by a turn -over of the finished project to the utility. It was observed that normally when the city is paying for infrastructure, it is in control of the construction project through public bidding and the right to approve change orders. The review available to the city under current law when the utility Page 53 undergrounds is extremely difficult or nonexistent, thus creating a potential extravagance at public expense. Mr. Strommen noted that any change to the current process fully controlled by the utility would probably require new legislation. The Board's consensus was that this is an issue worth examining further, including the consideration of legislation. Ms. Clancy moved to form a work group to review greater public control in the utility installation in underground facilities paid for directly by cities, rather than through the CRFS (which would take it out of a public expenditure). Mr. Schwartz seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Ms. Clancy, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Strommen are directed to meet and discuss a review process including a possible meeting with Xcel personnel on the feasibility of a changed structure and project control. 15. LOCATION OF OCTOBER MEETING: Following discussion, Mr. Gates volunteered to host the October meeting at the City of Bloomington. 16. CLAIMS: Having been previously circulated, Mr. Cote moved to accept the Kennedy & Graven claim of $11,220.04 and MMKR claim of $3,400.00. Ms. Clancy seconded the motion which was passed unanimously. 17. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Attest: Chairman Secretary 407967v1 JMS SU160-3 5 Page 54