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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 12-06-2012CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO December 6, 2012 EVENTS / MEETINGS Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) Agenda 12/12/12............................................................ Page 1 Park & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Agenda 12/13/12 ................................................. Page 2 December 2012 and January and February 2012 Official City Meeting Calendars ............................ Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 6 CORRESPONDENCE Plymouth FD Incident of Interest RE: 1175 Weston Lane.................................................................. Page 7 Letter from MN Public Utilities Commission RE: Tekstar Communications request to amend Certificateof Authority.................................................................................................................. Page 8 Memo from Kevin Springob RE: 2012 Composting Grant Program .................................................. Page 9 Letter to Property Owners RE: Rezoning and Preliminary Plat for Terra Vista II (2012097) ......... Page 10 Ehlers Market Commentary, December 4, 2012............................................................................... Page 11 Plan calls for $20 billion in MN tax hikes for roads, transit, StarTribune........................................ Page 16 Plymouth Water, MN Dept. of Health WaterLine.............................................................................. Page 18 Cities Wean Themselves from State Aid, StarTribune...................................................................... Page 19 Shop With a Cop, City of Plymouth News Release........................................................................... Page 21 MINUTES Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) 08/22/12........................................................... Page 22 Planning Commission 11/07/12........................................................................................................ Page 24 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA December 12, 2012 WHERE: 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 Environmental Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. 3. 7:15 P.M APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda for discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. 7:20 P.M. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 5. 7:25 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve November 14th, 2012, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes (Asche) B. Approve 2013 Water Resources Grant Application (Asche) 6. 7:30 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS 7. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 8. FUTURE MEETINGS —January 9, 2013 9. 8:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 rp)City of Plymouth Adding Quality to life PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA DATE Et TIME: Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 7pm LOCATION: Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. OPEN FORUM: 3a. 4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS): 4a. Staff Presentation - 4b. 5. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE (NON ACTION ITEMS): 5a. 2013 PRAC Meeting Schedule 5b. Upcoming Community/Special Event 5c. Commission Photograph 6. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 6a. Neighborhood Park Master Plan 6b. Strategic Plan Review 6c. Public Information Et Relations, Communications Et Marketing Plans Review 6d. Park Fees 7. ADJOURNMENT NEXT REGULAR MEETING - January 10, 2013 at the Plymouth City Hall Page 2 r� City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life December 2012 Modified on 12105112 Plymouth Ice CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 3 1 2 3 4 5:30 PM 5 7:00 PM 6 7 8 SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING 2:00-5:00 PM MEETING COMMISSION OLD FASHIONED Council Goals and MEETING CHRISTMAS Priorities Council Chambers Plymouth Historical Medicine Lake Room Society Building Chanukah Begins at Sunset 9 10 11 6:00 PM 12 7:00 PM 13 14 15 SPECIAL COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL 7:00 PM MEETING QUALITY PARK ft REC Discuss Board Et COMMITTEE (EQC) ADVISORY Commission Interview MEETING COMMISSION Process Council Chambers (PRAC) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM Council Chambers 7:00 PM CHARTER REGULAR COUNCIL COMMISSION MEETING ANNUAL MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 CANCELLED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 23 24 CHRISTEVE AS 25 26 27 7:00 PM 28 29 HRA MEETING CITY / Medicine Lake Room OFFICES CHRISTMAS DAY LOSE AT/ NEW YEAR 12:00 P 'S CITY OFFICES / EVE 76:00 CLOSED PM New Years Modified on 12105112 Plymouth Ice CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 3 r� City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life January 2013 Modified on 12105112 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 7:00 PM PLANNING NEW YEAR'S DAY COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED 7 6:00 PM 9 10 11 12 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Et REC City Manager QUALITY ADVISORY Performance Review COMMITTEE COMMISSION Parkers Lake Room CLOSED SESSION E �C) MEETING Q ( PRAC ) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 6:00 PM 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING COMMISSION Board and Commission MEETING Interviews Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 20 21 22 2 3 24 25 26 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH ADVISORY 7:00 PM MARTIN LUTHER MEETING COMMITTEE ON HRA MEETING KING JR. Council Chambers TRANSIT (PACT) Medicine Lake Room BIRTHDAY STUDY SESSION Observed Medicine Lake Room CITY OFFICES CLOSED 27 28 29 30 31 Modified on 12105112 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 r� City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life February 2013 Modified on 12105112 Page 5 1 2 2:00 PM FIRE 13 ICE FESTIVAL Parkers Lake 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 10 11 12 7:30 AM 13 14 15 16 7:00 PM 7:00 PM STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Et REC CITY QUALITY ADVISORY Council Chambers COMMITTEE COMMISSION (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers Ash Wednesday 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:00 PM PLANNING PRESIDENTS COMMISSION DAY MEETING Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED 24 25 26 27 7:00 PM 28 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON HRA MEETING MEETING TRANSIT (PACT) Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers REGULAR MEETING Medicine Lake Room Modified on 12105112 Page 5 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items January 8, Special (Closed Meeting), 6:00 p.m., Parkers Lake Room • City Manager's Performance Review January 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Oath of Office to Councilmembers Johnson, Wosie, Stein, and Willis • Announce "Skate with the Mayor" • Appoint 2013 Health Officer • Appoint 2013 City Council Secretary • Appoint 2013 Official Depositories • Designate 2013 Official Newspaper • Approve a Preliminary Plat and Final Plat for Hampton Hills Investment, LLC/Hampton Hills South Plateau 3rd Addition (2012093) January 15, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Board and Committee Interviews January 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers February 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers February 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers March 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers March 14, Board and Committee Recognition Event, 5:30 p.m., Plymouth Creek Center March 19, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Page 6 PLYMOUTH FIRE -RESCUE PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 763-509-5120 FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST DATE: November 27, 2012 TIME: 11:57 a.m. ADDRESS: 1175 Weston Lane DETAILS: A quick response resulted in a fast knockdown of a well involved house fire. Utility 21 (Couser, Andersen) and Chief 2 (Springer) arrived to a 1 -story duplex with a working fire on the main level, C -D corner of the unit. Springer assumed Command reported fire showing from the C/D side of the dwelling. An Offinsive Mode of operation was announced, with Plymouth Captain 1 (Evenson) assuming the Interior Division. Plymouth Engine 21 (Nordby, Kauffmann, Tomczyk, Magy, T. Peterson) and Plymouth Utility 21 advanced a primary and back up line to the room of origin for primary search and fire control. Crews were able to contain the fire damage to the room of origin. Plymouth Captain 2 (Dreelan) was assigned to Division "C", and Wayzata Engine 11 given the assignment of checking for extension to the soffit/roof area. Additional crews arrived and were assigned ventilation, salvage and overhaul. The fire was placed under control 6 minutes after arrival. This call occurred during duty crew hours of operation. No injuries were reported. RESPONSE TIME: 5 minutes ON -SCENE PLYMOUTH FIREFIGHTERS: 18 FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: Origin: office/bedroom Cause: Undetermined ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: $40,000.00 P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS: Engine Companies: E-21 Ladder Companies: L-21, L-31 Support Units: U-12, U-21, G-21 Rescue Companies: Chief Officers: Chief 2 Auto Aid: Wayzata ASSISTING AGENCIES: EMS: North Yes Red Cross: No Salvation Army: No Public Works: No State FM: No INCIDENT MANAGEMENT: Command (Springer), Interior (Evenson), Division "C" (Dreelan), Page 7 November 29, 2012 City Clerk Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 DF*r � 2arz Re: In the Matter of the Application of Tekstar Communications, Inc. for an Amended Certificate of Authority to Provide Facilities -Based Services Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 237.16, subd. 10, and Minn. Rule 3810.0200, notice is hereby given that Tekstar Communications, Inc. has requested issuance of an amended Certificate of Authority from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to permit the provision of facilities -based local exchange, and toll services in the Twin Cities area served by incumbent local exchange carriers: Qwest Corporation ("Qwest") and Citizens Telecommunications Company of Minnesota, LLC ("Citizens"), Embarq Minnesota ("Embarq") and Frontier Communications of Minnesota, Inc., collectively the ("Proposed Service Area"). Comments or questions related to that application may be sent any of the following: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 122 Seventh Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101 Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 Seventh Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul, MN 55101 Michael Baso ACS 160 2nd Ave. SW Perham, MN 56573 Page 8 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 DATE: December 3, 2012 TO: City Council FROM: Kevin Springob, Water Resources Technician SUBJECT: 2012 COMPOSTING GRANT PROGRAM To encourage waste reduction and composting practices and to demonstrate potential for environmental protection while maintaining practicality, the City Council approved a grant program to support individual composting efforts. Eligible activities included purchasing or constructing compost bins and the purchasing of plants and garden materials. Composting can reduce the amount of garbage a household produces, it can reduce the amount of water and fertilizer required for yards, and can improve soil quality. The City of Plymouth received 41 composting grant applications in 2012. Two of the applications did not qualify for the grant because the proposed sites were multi -family dwellings where City Code prohibits composting. An additional three applicants did not qualify for funding because they failed to attend a required composting workshop. The vast majority of the projects involved purchasing a ready to use compost bin. Other applicants chose to build compost bins from scratch and submitted receipts for building materials. Seven of the applicants were already composting and wanted to either expand their composting capacity or purchase plants to create gardens for use of their compost. Twenty-nine applicants submitted receipts for reimbursement, with a total amount reimbursed of $2,236.01. Staff time amounted to approximately 44 hours and included time spent processing applications, setting up the workshops, and processing payment requests. C:\Documents and Settings\kspringo\Desktop\2012 Composting Grant PRoQ Plymouthr� Adding Quality to Life December 5, 2012 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REZONING AND PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR PROPERTY AT 5825, 5875 AND 5925 VICKSBURG LANE (2012097) Dear Property Owner: The city has recently received the subject application from GWS Land Development of Plymouth, LLC., under file no. 2012097, requesting approval of the following items for a proposed plat to be called "Terra Vista II": 1) a rezoning of the three lots on Vicksburg Lane from FRD (future restricted development) to RSF-3 (single family detached 3) and 2) a preliminary plat to create 32 additional single-family lots on the three lots on Vicksburg Lane and the east side of existing Terra Vista. A map showing the location of the subject property is provided below. This letter is being mailed to all landowners within 750 feet of the site in order to provide notice and information about the application — in advance of the official notice that will be sent out prior to the PIanning Commission's public hearing on the matter. The city will send out another letter notifying you of the Planning Commission public hearing date, not less than ten days prior to the hearing date. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow neighboring property owners to appear in front of the Planning Commission to ask questions and make comments relating to the application. You may also submit comments in writing. All written comments will become part of the public record. If you have any questions or comments concerning this application or the review procedures, please call Marie Darling, Senior Planner, at (763) 509-5457. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the community development information counter (lower level of City Hall), on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m, to 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. Sincerely, Y/UV V�wNmo Barbara G. Thomson, AICP Planning Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.p[ymouthmn.gov PaPlanning AppliraunnsSPC 1qori0si2012521112077 first-natire.Jocx Page 10 MarketCommentary LJ December 4, 2012 Wooly Bully Bond Yields Continue Two weeks ago, our market commentary likened the municipal bond market to a scratched vinyl record that kept repeating the same line: "bond yields set new record lows." In the last two weeks, the trend of record low yields continued. In fact, the last time municipal bond yields were this low was in 1965, when Billboard's top song of the year was "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. The table below shows several measures of tax-exempt bond yields. The yields reported by Thomson's Municipal Market Data (MMD) are the lowest ever recorded since MMD began reporting yields, and the Bond Buyer Index is at the lowest since September 2, 1965. Trends in Municipal Bond Yields November 16 to November 30, 2012 Source: * Thomson Reuters Municipal Market Data ** The Bond Buyer. Average yield on a portfolio of municipal bonds maturing in 20 years, with an average rating of AA/Aa2. We have discussed the reasons behind these trends in past commentaries, but some new trends have emerged since the election. Perhaps the best way to explain these trends is to say that investors are fearful of two things: 1) what will happen if Congress and the President fail to reach agreement this month on tax and budget changes, and the country goes over the "fiscal cliff'; and, 2) what will happen if Congress and the President DO reach agreement. EHLERS 4PEHLERS TRUSTC C1 K f' U K A 1 1 0 N LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE INVESTMENT PARTNERS 800.552.1171 800.717.9742 8662f*3 Ehlers Inc, Ehlers Investment Partners and Bond Trust Services are subsidiaries of Ehiers dolding Company November 16, 2012 November 30, 2012 Change AAA Yields* 5 Years 0.64% 0.64% 0.00% 10 Years 1.50% 1.47% -0.03% 20 Years 2.15% 2.10% -0.05% 30 Years 2.54% 2.47% -0.07% Bond Buyer 20 Bond Index** 3.41% 3.29% -0.12% Source: * Thomson Reuters Municipal Market Data ** The Bond Buyer. Average yield on a portfolio of municipal bonds maturing in 20 years, with an average rating of AA/Aa2. We have discussed the reasons behind these trends in past commentaries, but some new trends have emerged since the election. Perhaps the best way to explain these trends is to say that investors are fearful of two things: 1) what will happen if Congress and the President fail to reach agreement this month on tax and budget changes, and the country goes over the "fiscal cliff'; and, 2) what will happen if Congress and the President DO reach agreement. EHLERS 4PEHLERS TRUSTC C1 K f' U K A 1 1 0 N LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE INVESTMENT PARTNERS 800.552.1171 800.717.9742 8662f*3 Ehlers Inc, Ehlers Investment Partners and Bond Trust Services are subsidiaries of Ehiers dolding Company MarketCommentary General Economic Unease In many ways, the U.S. economy has improved in 2012. The unemployment rate has declined, although it is still high by historical standards. There are growing signs that the housing market is recovering. Many corporations have large cash balances. Stock prices have fluctuated, but the most widely tracked indices have generally increased; for example, the S & P 500 Index has increased by 12.6% since the end of 2011 and by over 4% in the last two weeks. Yet investors still seem generally nervous about the economy. Some of this may be due to the fears cited above about the impact of changes in federal tax and budget policies. There are also continuing fears about foreign economies — especially in Europe and China. This has led to what market experts call a "risk off' trade — investors selling stocks or other risk assets and investing in safe, fixed-rate investments. The result has been declining yields on U.S. Treasuries (the yield on the 10 year treasury has declined from 1.87% at the end of last year to 1.61% on November 30) and other relatively safe investments, including municipal bonds. In recent weeks, however, yields on municipal bonds have declined more than treasury yields. At the end of last week, the closely watched ratio of the ten-year AAA -rated municipal bond yield (as reported by MMD) to the ten-year U.S. treasury yield had declined to just over 90%. Although this is not low by historical standards, this ratio has been over 100% for much of 2012. Trends Specific to Municipal Bonds The primary reason that municipal bond yields have declined more than treasury yields appears to be that investors are expecting higher income tax rates and higher taxes on investment income in 2013 (the Affordable Care Act's 3.80% surcharge on investment income becomes effective January 1, 2013) . If Congress and the President don't reach agreement in December, the Bush -era tax rates will expire and tax rates will increase automatically. And if they do reach agreement, it seems likely that higher tax rates — particularly for income of high earners and for capital gains — will be part of the package. The November election results would seem to make this prospect more likely. If this occurs, the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds will make them more valuable compared to other investment options, potentially leading to continued declines in yields relative to taxable alternatives. Last week, The Bond Buyer (November 30, 2012) reported that since voters in California approved higher state income tax rates, yields on double tax-exempt bonds in that state have especially declined. All of these factors combined are leading to very strong demand for municipal bonds. For example, The Bond Buyer (November 29, 2012) reported that municipal bond mutual funds have seen net inflows of funds for 61 of the past 65 weeks. The sales results in the attached table also show evidence of very strong bidding for competitive bond sales. EHLERS 4PEHLERS TRUSTC C1 K f' U K A 1 1 0 N LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE INVESTMENT PARTNERS 800.552.1171 800.717.9742 866 2 3 Ehlers Inc, Ehlers Investment Partners and Bond Trust Services are subsidiaries of Ehiers dolding Company MarketCommentary At the same time, the supply of new bonds has been uneven. For the first 11 months of 2012, the volume of new municipal bonds is up 31 % over the prior year. But 2011 saw the lowest volume in many years, and much of the new issuance in 2012 is for refunding of prior issues, which may not increase the total amount of bonds in the market. And the volume of new bonds in November was 20% lower than in November of 2011. Over the next three months, there will be large volumes of existing bonds that will mature or be called. So bond investors will have cash to put back to work; this could increase demand for bonds and cause yields to stay low through the first quarter of 2013. What to Do If you have a bond sale scheduled in December, we offer our congratulations. You will be issuing bonds in the most favorable market conditions in almost 50 years. If you are considering issuing bonds — either to fund new projects or to refund existing bonds — we encourage you to discuss the timing of the sale with your financial advisor and to consider scheduling a sale early in 2013. Those issuers with new money needs should also be considering potential refundings, as combining new money with refinancing may reduce issuance costs and improve the results for both purposes. As always, your Ehlers team is ready to assist you in evaluating options and preparing for sales. EHLERS 4PEHLERS TRUSTC C' K f' U K A 1 1 0 N LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE INVESTMENT PARTNERS 800.552.1171 800.717.9742 866 2 3 Ehlers Inc, Ehlers Investment Partners and Bond Trust Services are subsidiaries of Ehiers dolding Company E - Competitive Sale Results November 19 -November 30, 2012 Sale Date Issuer St Par Amt (in millions) Issue Underlying Rating Credit Enhanced Rating BO TIC / NIC Maturities # of Bidders Winning Bidder KS 12.89 GO Bonds Aa2/AA/AA+ N 1.67% 2013-32 5 Baird 11/20/12 Eden Prairie, City MN 11/19/12 Orland Park, Village IL 5.22 GO Ref Bonds Aa1/AA+ 2015-21 Y 0.84% 2013-18 5 Raymond James 11/19/12 Orland Park, Village IL 18.00 Taxable GO Ref Bonds Aa1/AA+ 6 N 2.17% 2018-22 7 Piper Jaffray 11/19/12 Jefferson County Rural Water District No. 12 KS 1.38 Water Utility system Refunding Revenue Bonds NR Piper Jaffray Y 1.69% 2013-23 4 Central States Cap 11/19/12 Granite Falls, City MN 8.12 GO Temp Water Revenue Bonds SP -1+ Y 0.76% 2014 3 United Banker's Bk 11/19/12 St. Peter SD No. 508 MN 0.76 GO Alt. Fac. Refunding Bonds Aa2 Y Y 0.65% 2014-17 2 United Banker's Bk 11/19/12 Menahga SD No. 821 MN 1.42 IGO School Building Bonds AA+ Y Y 0.78% 2014-18 5 United Banker's Bk 11/19/12 Green Bay Area SD WI 10.28 1 Taxable GO Ref Bonds Aa1 N 1.56% 2013-21 4 BOSC 11/19/12 River Falls SD WI 7.62 IGO School Building Bonds AA Y Y 1.71% 2014-27 6 UMB 11/20/12 Manhattan, City KS 1.76 GO Temp Notes Aa2 N 0.66% 2013-15 3 UMB 11/20/12 Manhattan, City KS 12.89 GO Bonds Aa2/AA/AA+ N 1.67% 2013-32 5 Baird 11/20/12 Eden Prairie, City MN 10.25 GO Perm Improv Revoly Fund Bonds Aaa N 1.14% 2015-21 5 BMO 11/20/12 Lincoln County MN 4.30 GO Road Reconstruction Bonds AA- Y 1.80% 2015-29 6 FTN 11/20/12 Fox Valley Technical College District WI 50.45 Go School Facility Bonds Aaa N 1.72% 2013-27 10 Piper Jaffray 11/26/12 Worthington, City MN 2.57 GO Perm Improv Revolv Fund and Refunding Bonds AA- Y 1.24% 2014-28 5 UMB 11/26/12 Worthington, City MN 2.70 Taxable GO Sales Tax Revenue Bonds AA- N 1.19% 2013-19 6 BOSC 11/26/12 Northfield SD No. 659 MN 5.97 GO School Building Ref Bonds AA+ Y 0.63% 2014-17 8 KeyBank Cap Mkts 11/26/12 Northfield SD No. 659 MN 9.83 GO Alt Fac Ref Bonds AA+ Y Y 1.41% 2015-25 8 Stifel 11/26/12 Madison Metropolitan SD WI 9.10 GO Prom Notes Aaa N 1,51% 2013-22 6 Hutch 11/27/12 Oakbrook Terrace, City IL 2.81 GO Bonds AA Y 2.12% 2014-30 3 Baird 11/27/12 Community College District No. 519 IL 1.95 Taxable GO Bonds AA- N 1.26% 2016-18 4 BOSC 11/27/12 Riley, City KS 0.82 Go Bonds NR Y 2.27% 2015-29 2 Commerce Bank 11/27/12 Leavenworth County Rural Water District No, 7 KS 0.90 Water Utility System Revenue Bonds NR Y 1.37% 2013-20 4 First Bankers' Banc 11/27/12 St. Michael, City MN 3.44 GO Ref Bonds AA- Y 1.35% 2014-26 4 United Banker's 11/27/12 White Bear Lake, City MN 2.56 Go Improvement Bonds AA Y 1.50% 2014-28 3 United Banker's 11/27/12 Cook County MN 1 2.18 GO Capital Equip Notes AA- Y 1 0.93% 2014-20 1 3 UMB 11/27/12 Cook County MN 9.66 ITaxable GO Sales Tax Revenue Bonds AA- N 3.15% 2014-35 4 Baird 11/27/12 Douglas County MN 7.16 GO Cap Improv Plan Bonds AA Y 1.56% 2013-29 6 Piper Jaffray 11/27/12 Fillmore Central SD No. 2198 MN 0.97 Go Alternative Fac Bonds AA+ Y Y 1.75% 2016-28 2 United Banker's 11/27/12 Special District No. 1 (Minneapolis) MN 9.29 Go Ref Bonds Aa1/AA+/AA Y N 1.14% 2015-22 5 Baird 11/27/12 Special District No. 1 (Minneapolis) MN 10.95 GO Ref Bonds Aa1/AA+/AA Y N 0.53% 2014-16 8 PNC Cap Markets 11/27/12 Special District No. 1 (Minneapolis) MN 16.53 Taxable GO Ref Bonds Aa1/AA+/AA Y N 1.57% 2015-22 7 Baird 11/27/12 ISpecial District No. 1 (Minneapolis) I MN 18.55 Go Alternative Fac Bonds Aa1/AA+/AA Y N 2.27% 2014-33 6 Morgan Stanley 11/27/12 Special District No. 1 (Minneapolis) MN 21.24 Go School Building Bonds Aa1/AA+/AA Y N 2.21% 2014-33 6 Morgan Stanley 11/27/12 Madison, City WI 21.10 Water Utility System Revenue Bonds Aa1 N 2.41% 2014-33 1 10 Raymond James 0 EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota: (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin: (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 14 Competitive Sale Results November 19 -November 30, 2012 11/28/12 1Oakbrook Terrace, City I IL 1 1.10 1 Go Taxable Business Distict Bonds AA N 3.04% 2015-30 3 Baird 11/28/12 jArcadia, City I WI 1 2.12 IGO Refunding Bonds A+ Y 1 1.91% 2013-29 5 Baird 11/29/12 Elmwood Park Community Unit SD No. 401 1 IL 1 10.00 GO Limited School Bonds Aa3 Y 2.49% 2024-26 3 BMO 11/29/12 Glenview, Village I IL 1 7.73 IGO Refunding Bonds Aaa N 0.85% 2014-18 10 KeyBanc 11/29/12 1 Glenview, Village I IL 1 14.58 1 Taxable GO Refunding Bonds Aaa N 1 1.56% 2015-24 1 11 BA Merrill Lynch 0 EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota: (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin: (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 15 Par Amt Credit (in I Enhanced TIC / # of Sale Date Issuer St millions) Issue Underlying Rating Rating BO NIC Maturities Bidders Winning Bidder 11/28/12 1Oakbrook Terrace, City I IL 1 1.10 1 Go Taxable Business Distict Bonds AA N 3.04% 2015-30 3 Baird 11/28/12 jArcadia, City I WI 1 2.12 IGO Refunding Bonds A+ Y 1 1.91% 2013-29 5 Baird 11/29/12 Elmwood Park Community Unit SD No. 401 1 IL 1 10.00 GO Limited School Bonds Aa3 Y 2.49% 2024-26 3 BMO 11/29/12 Glenview, Village I IL 1 7.73 IGO Refunding Bonds Aaa N 0.85% 2014-18 10 KeyBanc 11/29/12 1 Glenview, Village I IL 1 14.58 1 Taxable GO Refunding Bonds Aaa N 1 1.56% 2015-24 1 11 BA Merrill Lynch 0 EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota: (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin: (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 15 StarTribune A gas tax hike is among the options being proposed to increase funding for transportation and transit in Minnesota. Darron Cummings, Associated Press Plan calls for $20 billion in Minnesota tax hikes for roads, transit • Article by: PAT DOYLE • Star Tribune • November 30, 2012 - 11:07 AM Higher local sales taxes, gas taxes and vehicle fees are being pushed by Gov. Mark Dayton's task force on transportation and could help shape the debate on highway and transit funding as DFLers take control of the Legislature next year. The draft recommendations call for raising taxes by $20 billion over 20 years and for shifting transit funding from the state to metro governments. "It will be the beginning of a lot of discussion about transportation and transit finance in the next legislative session," said Susan Haigh, chair of the Metropolitan Council, which oversees Twin Cities transit. She said recommendations were expected to go to the governor by the end of this week. Attempts to raise money for transportation met resistance during Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration and from Republican lawmakers. But new DFL leadership of the House and Senate as well as the governor's office -- the first time in more than 20 years -- injects transportation funding proposals with new life. Dayton created the task force a year ago amid growing calls to find new sources of revenue to pay for highways and transit. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has warned that the state faces tens of billions of dollars in shortfalls. Despite talk of such new strategies as taxation based on the number of miles driven, the panel proposed greater use of traditional revenue sources. Gas, transit taxes For statewide highways, the draft recommended increasing the gas tax to bring in an extra $15 billion and increasing the motor vehicle registration fees by 10 percent to raise another $1 billion. For metro transit, the panel proposed a half -cent increase in the Twin Cities -area sales tax to raise $4 billion. It also recommended trying to profit from expanding the MnPASS electronic tolling system instead of merely using its revenue to cover expenses. A summary of the draft recommendations was released this week by the Metropolitan Council. Page 16 It did not detail how much the gas tax would go up under the proposal, but said that MnDOT was aware of highway funding recommendations. MnDOT, which was represented on the task force, wouldn't comment Thursday on the gas tax recommendation or release a draft. MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht said the draft was still being worked over and "could be different" when released. All draft versions are public in Minnesota. Dayton spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci said Thursday that "final drafts" of the recommendations would be released Friday. But Haigh, who is a member of the task force, explained key elements of the draft during an agency presentation Wednesday on how the task force "voted to present the governor with ... recommendations." She focused mostly on greater use of the metro sales tax to finance transit. "It helps take the transit system funding out of the state general fund and allows us to really operate it without going back to the Legislature and competing with other needs," Haigh told other Met Council members. She noted that the recommendations call for having the state fund 37 percent of bus and light-rail transit operations instead of its current 61 percent. Fares would continue to pay for about 28 percent of bus and light-rail transit, with regional governments paying for the rest. Haigh predicted the sales tax hike wouldn't be so high as to reduce the competitiveness of the Twin Cities with other metro regions. Not all like tax shift idea Not everyone on the task force was pleased with shifting transit funding from the state to local governments. "There's a principle at stake," said Sen. Scott Dibble, D -Minneapolis, future chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "What we do in the metro region around transit is of statewide importance. The full state ... should participate in that." Dibble said he didn't expect major changes in the draft. Another member of the task force, called the Transportation Finance Advisory Committee, said the recommendation to increase the gas tax could relieve demand on property taxes for road funding. "If you're concerned about property taxes, this is a substitution of a user fee," said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. The 19 -member panel included two DFL and two GOP legislators, the commissioners of MnDOT and the Department of Employment and Economic Development, as well as business and labor leaders. Neither of the GOP legislators -- Sen. Joe Gimse, R -Willmar, and Rep. Mike Beard, R -Shakopee -- returned calls about the recommendations. Pat Doyle • 612-673-4504 Page 17 WAT E . wwwv NENVS AND INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC NVATER SUPPLIERS IN NIINNESOTA Getting a Taste for Water St. Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) has been using a Flavor Profile Panel since the mid-1990s to monitor the taste and odor of its water and determine if any chemical adjustments are needed. Water quality specialist Justine Roe (shown in the middle of the above photo on the left) oversees the panel, which is used between April and October each year. Flanking Roe, from left to right, are Andrew Magdziarz, Steve Schoenecker, Mark Cullen, Jodi Wallin, and Martha Burckhardt. (Another panelist, Mike Anderson, was unavailable for this meeting.) Roe says six SPRWS employees make up the panel, and she wants at least four present for the weekly gatherings with the goal of the group to come up with a similar descriptor for taste and odor. Flavor Profile Analysis is an approved Standard Method. Atypical session consists of panelists determining the descriptor of three samples, one of source water, one of treated water, and one of deionized water. The samples are in flasks and labeled with a letter so that the panelists don't know which type of sample they are sniffing. Panelists determine a descriptor (chlorinous, gassy, earthy, etc.) and then assign an intensity on a scale that runs from 1 (barely perceptible) to 12 (strongest). After analyzing odors, the panelists get three samples to taste, two consisting of treated water and one of deionized water. "It's similar to the sniffing portion," says Roe. "The objective is to describe the odor and intensity. It's just that currently we are working on determining the different samples from a group of three, with two of them the same. This is because several panelists are new, and we need practice in this area." SPRWS has dealt with taste and odor issues in its water during each summer and early fall, and the panel is a method of quality control. The utility also added granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment in 2007 with the biologically active filters breaking down troublesome compounds, especially geosmin, that contribute to taste and odor problems. Roe said that the number of calls they received about these issues declined significantly, from an average of 156 from 1999 through 2006 to 11 per year since 2007, after the GAC treatment was added. "You can do what you want with facts and figures," said Cullen, "but that one [reduction in customer complaints] really tells the story." Cullen had been quoted in a St. Paul Pioneer Press article several type of taste test (right) was conducted this year at the State F air. ine Minnesota Section of American Water Works Association and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) collaborated on a stage show in the Eco Experience building, inviting audience members to taste samples of water from across the state in a single -elimination tournament. Water from Golden Valley was selected as the best tasting with Melrose finishing second. Plymouth and St. Louis Park also made the Final Four.. In addition to water from these cities, Blaine, Apple Valley, Lino Lakes, Champlin, Bloomington, Minnetonka, International Falls, St. John's University, St. Cloud, St. Peter, and St. Paul entered the tournament. Winter 2012-2013 S Volume Twenty/2 Inside: Andrew Sullivan Honored for Liquid Assets Minnesota Eden Prairie Responds to Electrical Incident page 18 East Bethel Opens New Water Treatment Plant Cities wean themselves from state aid • Article by: LAURIE BLAKE , Star Tribune • Updated: December 2, 2012 - 11:38 PM Many municipalities have stopped counting on it altogether. Ten years into an era of reduced state aid, many metro cities have trimmed down, wised up and stopped expecting any of the funding that used to help them pay for plowing, police, parks and other services. The regrouping is remarkable given the sky -is -falling reaction when the cuts to local government aid (LGA) first hit in 2003 to help close a state budget gap. In the years since, cities spent reserves, raised property taxes, cut services and reduced staff to make ends meet and become less dependent on aid from St. Paul. As they prepare this month to certify 2013 budgets, more than 60 percent of metro cities have stopped getting LGA entirely, and others have stopped counting on it for operating cash. "As far as LGA is concerned, we don't expect it anymore," said Heidi Tumberg, finance officer for Excelsior. After raising property taxes to make up for the $130,000 it once counted on in state aid, "We have kind of weaned ourselves off of that and we are not ever going to put it back in our budget because it's so unreliable," she said. South St. Paul has made a similar move. The city received almost $3.3 million in LGA in 2002, but in 2012 that was down to $1.6 million. After spending years scrambling to make up for the erosion of LGA dollars, the city has stopped counting on a specific amount; it now sets aside any aid that does come through for park and street improvements or equipment purchases, which can be delayed if necessary so "the precipitous change of local government aid doesn't cripple us as it did in the past," said City Administrator Stephen King. Many municipalities have taken the same approach, said Gary Carlson, director of intergovernmental relations at the League of Minnesota Cities. "What South St. Paul is doing has become commonplace." City officials are waiting warily for the state budget forecast due to be released Wednesday -- a $1 billion deficit has been projected -- and to see what Gov. Mark Dayton will propose for LGA in the budget he will deliver in January. A legislative study group is also expected to deliver a report on local government aid in December. Diminishing program State legislators began LGA in 1971 to provide property tax relief and ensure that local governments could meet their needs, according to the House Research Department. Initially, all cities, townships and counties received payments. Counties were dropped in 1992 and townships in 2002. By the late 1980s and early '90s, legislators became concerned about big differences in the amount of aid going to similar cities. One legislative analyst remembers: "People were claiming that you could get a better distribution if you just threw the money out of the back of an airplane." Page 19 The state revised the formula, hoping to tie aid more directly to cities' unique needs, but it was not until 2003 that Gov. Tim Pawlenty, facing a budget deficit of $4 billion, forced a major change. He insisted that legislators eliminate "grandfathered" aid guarantees and deliver LGA based strictly on a formula for current needs. The formula has been tinkered with almost yearly since. Now, 124 of the state's 853 cities receive no LGA and most others receive much less than they once did, Carlson said. By his count, 89 cities in the seven -county metro area -- about 60 percent of all metro cities -- are scheduled to receive no state aid next year. In total, state aid has dropped from a high of about $565 million in 2002 to a recent level of about $427.5 million, Carlson said. In Richfield, to cover the loss of aid that accounted for 20 percent of its operating budget, the city raised property taxes by almost 7 percent in both 2010 and 2011, and by 4 percent for 2012, said City Manager Steve Devich. At the same time, the city reduced staff and cut programs. "The only thing we didn't reduce was fire and police on the street," Devich said. The story is different in rural Minnesota, where most communities get a much larger percentage of their funding from state aid than the central cities or suburbs because their tax bases are smaller. Outstate cities still need the aid to stay afloat, said Steve Peterson, senior policy analyst at Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. They have adjusted to the reductions by raising taxes and reducing services, Peterson said. "There is a lot of deferred maintenance," he said. One of the easiest things to do is put off buying a squad car or fixing a road, Peterson said. What's next? Some officials think the worst of the cuts may be over. In his first budget, Dayton made no cuts to any property tax relief programs, including LGA. However, LGA of about $527 million annually in Dayton's budget was later cut to $425 million during the 2011 legislative special session to balance the budget. Recently, Dayton has said he considers LGA an important tool for keeping property taxes down and helping cities maintain their qualty of life. His plan is to revise the formula for distributing the aid to make it simpler and easier to understand. To get guidance about how to do that, Dayton this year convened mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and 13 smaller cities for a series of discussions about LGA. "What we have heard from the mayors is that they have had to cut areas that they really don't want to cut," and they are putting off fixing things, said Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans. In recommendations to the governor, the mayors called for stable, adequate aid they can count on. Laurie Blake • 952-746-3287 Page 20 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release December 5, 2012 Contact: James Long, 763-509-5135 Community Relations Officer Plymouth Police Department Shop with a Cop Gives Kids an Opportunity to Experience the Rewards of Giving to Others Kids whose families are going through challenging times will have holidays that are a bit brighter thanks to the Plymouth Rotary and the Plymouth Police Department. The kids will participate in a Shop with a Cop day on Sat., Dec. 8 at Target, 4175 Vinewood Lane N. The holiday shopping trip, which pairs each child with a police officer who donates his or her time, is a result of a generous $1,000 donation that the Plymouth Police Department received last April from the Plymouth Rotary Club, according to Community Relations Officer Jim Long. Ten children were identified by two social agencies that serve Plymouth -- People Responding to Social Faith Ministry (PRISM) and Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners. The children and officers will meet at the Plymouth Target on Saturday, December 8 at 8 a.m. to begin their shopping spree. Each child will have a $100 gift card to spend — and the officer and child will work together to make the holidays brighter for both the kids and their families. As the shopping trip ends, Target team members will wrap the gifts the children have selected. According to Chief Mike Goldstein, "It is activities such as this that really help to build positive interactions with the department." Page 21 Pon low, e yeie/% Approved Minutes Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Committee Members Present: Bliss, Britton, Kedzuf (Chair), and Council Member Wosje. Staff Present: Plymouth Transit Manager Hellekson, Plymouth Transit Coordinator Maciej, and First Transit Representative Kasin. MOTION by Council Member Wosje to call the meeting to order. MOTION approved. Chair Kedzuf called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Discussion regarding packets. Staff will continue to place packets in the Dropbox and email to the Committee and staff. Committee members should not delete anything from the Dropbox. Approval of Agenda MOTION by Council Member Wosje to approve the agenda. MOTION approved. Approval of Meeting Minutes Council Member Wosje requested an amendment to page 3, and refer to the PACT as "the committee" in these and future minutes. MOTION by Council Member Wosje to approve the May 23, 2012 minutes as amended. MOTION approved. Review Plymouth Metrolink 2012 Survey Questions Manager Hellekson reviewed the changes to the 2012 annual transit survey questions with the committee. Committee members suggested changes for the surveys, discussed details of shared ride service and awareness and education. Review 2012 YTD Operations Report For first half of 2012, revenue was equal to expenses. Beginning in July 2012 the MVST revenue is reduced from $213,887 to $137,000, with a $461,322 deficit for 2012. Additional funds, separate from the MVST funds, are budgeted for Station 73. Review 2013 dates available for regular quarterly meetings Transit Manager Hellekson reviewed the dates available for regular quarterly meetings. By general consensus committee members scheduled working sessions January 23 and July 24. Discuss November meeting agenda PACT August 22, 2012 Minutes (Approved 11-28-12) Page I 1 of 2 Page 22 Transit Manager Hellekson said that Metropolitan Council staff confirmed that staff will attend the November meeting to address questions regarding Metropolitan Council and Transit Link. Marketing of Station 73 will be on the November agenda, including shared marketing, a February kickoff at Station 73 and updating the committee on signs at Station 73. Review Plymouth Metrolink performance measurements and customer service logs Transit Coordinator Maciej reviewed the performance measurements and customer service logs with the committee members. Chair Kedzuf requested that the service to Station 73 be included in the updates as separate data. Council Member Wosje suggested using a traffic counter at the entrance to Station 73. Chair Kedzuf asked if the A/C issues noted on the June customer service logs occurred on two different shuttle buses or the same shuttle bus on Route 771. Transit Coordinator Maciej responded that it was two different buses. These are two of the group of old buses overdue to be replaced. Transit Coordinator Maciej stated that the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee approved the purchase of replacements. Transit Manager Hellekson responded that the buses will be ordered as soon as they are approved by the Metropolitan Council. Chair Kedzuf asked staff to email committee members when Metropolitan Council approves the buses for Plymouth. The AC was fixed on the shuttle buses and the transmission will be replaced on one bus. Identify areas of concern and recommendations Committee Member Bliss expressed concern that the Route 790 and the Route 793 are always back to back and the second bus is not full. Transit Coordinator Maciej stated that there are two times in the a.m. and p.m. at the peak of the peak they are full and back to back. Committee Member Bliss stated that the second bus is not full. This situation will be more closely monitored by staff to determine whether a change is needed. Other business Transit Manager Hellekson stated that Council Member Wosje, James Clark (Suburban Transit Association and Messerli & Kramer) and staff will meet with Metropolitan Council Member Roxanne Smith who represents Plymouth's district next week to discuss how Plymouth Metrolink works with regional transit. She also mentioned the upcoming Metropolitan Council Thrive 2040 listening sessions including the September 6 session scheduled at the Plymouth Creek Center. See www.metrocouncil.org for more information. Transportation Committee Alliance Committee meeting is available. Committee members asked whether there would be a bus at the Plymouth on Parade. There will not due to crowding on the parade route. Staff and a bus at Night to Unite site at Plymouth Creek Center. MOTION by Committee Member Bliss to adjourn. MOTION approved. Regular meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. PACT August 22, 2012 Minutes (Approved 11-28-12) Page 1 2 of 2 Page 23 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting November 7, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Dick Kobussen, Scott Nelson, Bryan Oakley and Marc Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Nathan Robinson and Gordon Petrash STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Senior Planner Joshua Doty, Senior Planner Shawn Drill and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the November 7, 2012 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2012 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to approve the October 17, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. LUCKY'S 13 PUB (2012083) MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to approve the request by Lucky's 13 Pub for a variance to allow the size of a freestanding sign to be increased from 15 square feet to 49 square feet for property located at 3000 Harbor Lane North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOLS (2012080) Page 24 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2012 Page 2 Chair Davis introduced the request by Wayzata Public Schools for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment for a building expansion and related site improvements at Sunset Hill Elementary School located at 13005 Sunset Trail North. Senior Planner Doty gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Nelson asked if the chain link fence will run the length of the retaining wall. Senior Planner Doty answered affirmatively, and said it is a common safety feature. Commissioner Anderson asked who maintains the bio -filter in the rain garden. Senior Planner Doty said the school would maintain the garden, and added the City collects a financial guarantee before the project begins. The rain garden is monitored for a couple years to ensure native plants establish properly. Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Joe Matson. 17305 19th Ave. N. Commissioner Anderson asked the time frame of construction, and if it is during the school year how will the children be protected from the construction area. Mr. Matson said construction would begin when the school board gives approval and the contracts are processed. He said they are planning for December through August construction, and a barrier fence would be placed to separate children from the construction site. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Commissioner Anderson said it is nice to see an expansion at the school. Chair Davis said he lives near Kimberly Lane, Plymouth Creek and Greenwood and hears how crowded these schools are and commented that this expansion is at Sunset Hill Elementary School, which is the furthest away. Planning Manager Thomson stated that the Planning Commission will see two other school expansions soon. MOTION by Commissioner Kobussen, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the request by Wayzata Public Schools for a site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment for a building expansion and related site improvements at Sunset Hill Elementary School located at 13005 Sunset Trail North. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS (2012085) Page 25 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2012 Page 3 Chair Davis introduced the request by Visual Communications for a PUD amendment to alter the existing signage at the WestHealth Campus for property located at 3000 Campus Drive. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report and noted that the applicant will have to keep one of the signs that the report indicates would be removed. Chair Davis asked for more information about the change. Senior Planner Darling said that the staff report divided the signage request into three categories: 1) consistent with the previous sign plan; 2) signage to be removed; and 3) signs proposed larger than the existing signs. She explained that the sign at Location 18 (page L2) was previously included in the signage to be removed, but will now remain due to agreements in place with the other property owners. She indicated that the result is a decrease of 128 square feet rather than 168 square feet indicated in the table in the report. Commissioner Nelson asked if in the future they could increase their signage on the site by 128 square feet because the previous approval allowed that much. Senior Planner Darling clarified that the PUD amendment states that this is a replacement plan so they would not be able to increase the signage in the future without formal approval. Commissioner Anderson said the new sign at the main entryway is five feet deep and 12 feet high, and asked how the 24 -square feet was arrived at. Senior Planner Darling said the surface area calculation for a monument sign includes the most regular geometric shape that encloses all of the text. Commissioner Anderson asked if address numbers are included. Senior Planner Darling said address numerals are required by city code and are not counted in the total sign area. Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Cheryl O'Donnell, Visual Communications, 475 Cleveland Ave. N. Chair Davis asked what WestHealth will be called after January 7, 2013. Ms. O'Donnell said the sign will read, "Allina Health Abbott Northwestern WestHealth", but will probably still be referred to as WestHealth. Ms. O'Donnell said the pylon and wall sign have been reduced so the Allina Health logo isn't even on it and will include WestHealth and Emergency. Commissioner Kobussen asked which signs will be removed. Page 26 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2012 Page 4 Ms. O'Donnell said some small directional signs within the campus will be removed. She said at the main entrance vital signs are being added for Emergency and Urgent Care and you don't need secondary signs for that. Ms. O'Donnell said 133.18 will be removed from the back side of the building as that area will be primarily for employee parking, not public parking. Ms. O'Connell said B3.14 and B3.16 are to be left in the plan in case they are needed for future signs for the transitional care building that will hopefully be built on the site in the next couple years. Commissioner Nelson said B3.13 signage for patient drop off and pickup will be removed, and asked what would replace this. Ms. O'Donnell said B3.6 is for the Urgent Care and Emergency entrance. She said in "way finding" terms, A2.7 will be the main entrance signage for visitors. She said the majority of the parking will be in the north parking lot. She said they added Emergency and Urgent Care to the A2.7 sign to get people to go to northerly drive and not through an area of high pedestrian traffic. Commissioner Anderson asked if we are approving two signs for something that is not built yet. Ms. O'Donnell explained that the two signs already exist and their future would be determined when the transitional care unit comes in. There will be separate drives and parking at that time. Ms. O'Donnell said these two signs were to be removed but staff had the foresight to encourage planning for the future. She said since they were already in the signage plan it seemed smart to keep these signs in. Commissioner Anderson said he assumes the building functions as a medical office, but with transitional care and an emergency room it sounds more like a hospital. Tracy White, representing Allina Health, said they are planning for the future and look at this campus as a hospital without beds offering the right care at the right place at the right time. She said if there are in-patient needs, those patients would go elsewhere. Ms. White said Allina offers the same type of services since it was built in 1994. Chair Davis said he thought this was a medical office building and asked if other businesses would be forced out if they are not Allina businesses. Ms. White said people may have perceived it as a business office from the outside, but it really is a destination for many people for many services which include clinics, urgent care, pharmacy, and same day surgery. She reiterated they are just adding to it. Commissioner Anderson said there is certain zoning for a medical office building, and with the slow addition of services we are turning this into a hospital. Commissioner Anderson questioned if it is zoned and guided correctly for the direction it is going. Senior Planner Darling said the zoning is PUD (Planning Unit Development), so it is a custom zoning district for the uses proposed. She said the two primary buildings on site are still medical office buildings. Same day surgery is frequently offered in a medical office setting, rather than a Page 27 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2012 Page 5 hospital setting. Senior Planner Darling stated everything proposed is consistent with Commercial Office designation in the Comprehensive Plan and with the PUD zoning district. Planning Manager Thomson added same day surgery has been occurring at this location since day one. She said the only change is the signage, not the services. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Commissioner Anderson said it is great what they are doing here, and with the emergency room expansion it is great for Plymouth. He said he just wanted to make sure we didn't have a problem with the zoning down the road. Commissioner Nelson said he is in favor of making sure signage on these large campuses is efficient and functional as there is nothing more frustrating than not knowing where you are going. He said this is a plan for now and for the future. Commissioner Nelson said he assumes traffic flow will be monitored as you go forward and said he has no problem supporting this. Chair Davis said it is important when looking for an emergency room to be able to find it quickly and not have to navigate through that parking lot. He said it is a good thing to get to the second entrance in a quick manner. MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the request by Visual Communications for a PUD amendment to alter the existing signage at the WestHealth Campus for property located at 3000 Campus Drive. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Page 28