HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-11-2011CITY OF PLYMOUTH
rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO
March 11, 2011
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Planning Commission Agenda 03/16/11.............................................................................................. Page 1
Protecting Our Water Resources Forum Series, Starting 03/23/11...................................................... Page 2
Metro Cities Forum, Dialogue with Susan Haigh, 04/04/11................................................................ Page 4
Human Rights Regional Forum, 04/07/11........................................................................................... Page 5
March, April, May 2011 Official City Meeting Calendars.................................................................. Page 6
Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 9
INFORMATION
News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ...
MLC Residential Property Tax Burden Report .................................................................................. Page 10
Meet the City Council and Ask the Experts @ City Sampler, News Release ................................... Page 12
Minnesota cities' finances have crumbled, Article, Star Tribune ...................................................... Page 14
Plymouth may add organics to its next recycling contract, Article, Star Tribune ............................. Page 16
Hutchinson Technology laying off hundreds, Article, Star Tribune .................................................. Page 18
Minnesota's buy -American law has rocky first year, Article, Star Tribune ...................................... Page 20
D.J. Tice: A myth -busting look at property taxes, Article, Star Tribune .......................................... Page 22
Who belongs on Met Council?, Article, pioneerpress.com................................................................ Page 26
Chanhassen residents on the hook for sewage mess, Article, Star Tribune ....................................... Page 30
MEETING MINUTES
Human Rights Commission 11/04/10 Meeting Minutes................................................................... Page 34
EQC 02/09/11 Meeting Minutes........................................................................................................ Page 38
Wayzata Communities in Collaboration 03/09/11 Meeting Minutes ................................................. Page 41
STAFF REPORTS
Fire -Rescue Incident of Interest, 03/08/11, 15300 18`' Ave N ........................................................... Page 45
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter to Minnehaha Creek WSD, RE: Chelsea Mews Assoc. possible flooding ............................. Page 46
Letter to Hennepin County, RE: County Directed Clean Water Grant Funding ............................... Page 47
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011
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 wilt 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 March 2, 2011 Planning Commission meeting minutes.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Hampton Hills Investment, LLC. Rezoning and preliminary plat for Hampton
Hills 3rd Addition for 114 single family lots to be located on the former
Hampton Hills golf course. (2011002) (item continued from the March 2,
2011 meeting.)
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Cancel April 6, 2011 Planning Commission meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Page 1
Protecting Our Water Resources
— A Forum Series for Policy Makers
The West Metro Water Alliance (WAWA) is hosting a three-part series of forums for policymakers.
The series will provide information and management tools to help shape critical decisions that impact
water quality, property values and the effective use of tax dollars. The forums will also give you an
opportunity to network and share success stories with peers in other cities, counties and watershed
organizations.
Representatives from the Bassett Greek, Elm Creek, Pioneer -Sarah Creek, Shingle Creek and West
Mississippi River watershed management commissions, Hennepin County, and cities with a common
interest in water quality and stormwater management have been meeting as a working group re-
ferred to as the West Metro Water Alliance (WMWA). This series is presented by WMWA in partner-
ship with Hennepin County, the Three Rivers Park District and the Freshwater Society.
Forum topics
The first two forums have been customized to address urban and rural areas. These workshops will
be offered as two sessions - one tailored to urban and developed suburban communities and the
second to developing suburban and rural communities.
Forum blame
Date
Time
Location
Forum 1:
Wednesday,
5:30 to
Maple Grove City Hall
A Path to Clean Water —
March 23
9 P.M.
12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy,
Understanding Volume Management
Maple Grove
Urban/Suburban
Forum 1:
Wednesday,
5:30 to
Baker Park, Near Wilderness
A Path to Clean Water —
March 30
9 p.m.
Lodge
Understanding Volume Management
4001 County Road 24,
Subruban/Rural
Maple Plain
Forum 2:
Wednesday,
5:30 to
Clubhouse at Edinburgh USA
A Path to Clean Water -
May 18
9 p.m.
8700 Edinbrook Crossing,
Understanding Nutrient Management
Brooklyn Park
Urban/Suburban
Forum 2:
Wednesday,
5:30 to
Hennepin County Public Works
A Path to Clean Water -
May 25
9 p.m.
Building
Understanding Nutrient Management
1600 Prairie Drive,
Suburban/Rural
Medina
Forum 3:
Wednesday,
5:30 to
Brookview Community Center
A Path to Clean Water -
September 21
9 p.m.
200 Brookview Pkwy,
Understanding TMDLs and Watershed
Golden Valley
Planning
A description of each forum is available at www. hennepin.us/waterforums.
Protecting Our Water Resources — A Forum Series for Police Makers
www.hennepin us walerforwns �i 1; , *1 ;a
WEer METRO WATER ALLIANCE
Page 2
Each forum will include:
• Networking
• Keynote speaker
• Presentation covering the latest techniques and planning tools
• Presentations of case studies, specific examples, successful projects, research, development, and
regulation
• Panel discussion
A light dinner will be served.
To register, visit www.hennepin.us/waterforums.
Forum cost and registration
The cost for each forum is $10.
The registration deadlines are:
• Friday, March 18 for Forum 1 - Understanding Volume Management (Urban/Suburban)
• Friday, March 25 for Forum 1 - Understanding Volume Management (Suburban/Rural)
• Wednesday, May 11 for Forum 2 - Understanding Nutrient Management (Urban/Suburban)
• Friday, May 20 for for Forum 2 - Understanding Nutrient Management (Suburban/Rural)
• Friday, September 16 for Forum 3 - Understanding TMQLs and Watershed Planning
Who should attend these forums?
These forums will offer information that will be useful to anyone with a role in making decisions and
developing policies regarding water quality and the management of water resources.
The series is targeted to policymakers, including city council members, city officials, planning com-
mission members, other advisory committees, city staff, and parks and rec officials and staff.
Why are the topics covered in these forums important?
Your residents think water quality is an important issue. In a telephone survey conducted for WMWA,
75 percent of respondents believe that clean water is very important, even considering all the other
issues and needs facing their communities.
For more information
For more information, including forum registration, descriptions and agendas, visit
www. hennepin. us/waterforums,
Protectine Our Water Resources — A Forum Series for Polie) Nlakers
y.
t9°11°11.henrrenirr.rrs irctleriarrurts
WEST METRO WATER ALUANCE
Page 3
Please be our guest...
Metro Cities Forum
Dialogue with Susan Haigh
Chair, Metropolitan Council
Monday—April 4, 2011
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. METRO
LMC Bldg. 145 University Ave NV, St. Paul CITIES
(St. Croix Room, first floor)
Join us for an informative discussion with new Metropolitan Council Chair Susan
Haiflh. This is an opportunity for cities to hear from Chair Haigh on her vision for
the Met Council and to have an opportunity for open dialogue and questions.
Please plan to join us! RSVP 651-215-4000 or Lau:•ie(ii),MetroCitiesNii`I.ora
Coffee and pastries will be served.
Page 4
HUMAN
RIGHTS Human Rights
Regional Forum
ORU
.
Thursday, April 7, 2011 • 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
5:00-5:30 registration, networking and light refreshments
Focus on ... State and Local Efforts to Enforce the Minnesota Human Rights Act
A FREE FORUM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT THIS FORUM
This forum focuses on state government efforts to
enforce the Act and local and state initiatives to
promote human rights through education,
outreach and engagement.
Audience members can ask questions of the
panelists and share human rights concerns they
see in their community.
DATE &TIME
Thursday, April 7, 2011
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Registration and networking begins at 5:00 p.m.
Light refreshments will be available
LOCATION
Roseville City Hall
2660 Civic Center Drive
Roseville, MN 55113
Please RSVP your participation at 651-792-7026 or
carolyn.curti@ci.roseville.mn.us
cin' aF� ��.,
/1 LB
ITY OF
1� OOMINGTONS6oreview .o
Minamts, USA „ MINNESOTA
Minnesota Department of
HUMAN RIGHTS
Page 5
City of
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
March 2011
Modified on 03111/ it
Page 6
1
2 7:30 AM
3 7.00 PM
4
5
STATE OF THE
POLICE DEPT.
CITY MEETING
ANNUAL
Council Chambers
RECOGNITION
EVENT
Plymouth Creek
7:00 PM
Center
PLANNING
COMMISSION
MEETING
Council Chambers
6
7
8 7:00 PM
9
10
11
12
REGULAR COUNCIL
7:00 PM
MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL
Council Chambers
QUALITY
COMMITTEE (EQC)
MEETING
Medicine Lake Roam
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
7:Ofl PM
4:00 AM—
PLANNING
12:00 PM
COMMISSION
CITY SAMPLER
MEETING
Plymouth City Hall
Council Chambers
Daylight Savings
Time Begins
24
21
22
23
24
25
26
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
HRA MEETING
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
Council Chambers
27
28
29
30
31
Modified on 03111/ it
Page 6
r� Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
April 2011
Modified on 03111/ It
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2
3
4
5
6 7:00 PM
7
8 6:00-8:00 PM
99:00 AM -1:00 PM
PLANNING
YARD Ft GARDEN
YARD Et GARDEN
COMMISSION
EXPO
EXPO
MEETING
Plymouth Creek
Plymouth Creek
Council Chambers
Center Fietdhouse
Center Fieldhouse
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
5:00-9:00 PM
10:00 AM—
Board of
ENVIRONMENTAL
PRIMAVERA
4:00 PM
Equalization
Plymouth Fine
PRIMAVERA
Council Chambers
QUALITY
Arts Council
Plymouth Fine
COMMITTEE
7:00 PM
(EQC) MEETING
Show
Arts Council
REGULAR COUNCIL
Council Chambers
Ply reek Centemouth r
ow
Plymouth Creek
MEETING
Center
Council Chambers
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
1:00-4:00 PM
10:00 AM -4:00 PM
10:00 AM -4:00 PM
7:00 PM
PRIMAVERA
7:00 PM -8:30 PM
PRIMAVERA
PLANNING
Plymouth Fine
PRIMAVERA
Plymouth Fine
COMMISSION
Arts Council
Plymouth Fine
Arts Council
MEETING
Show
Arts Council
Show
Council Chambers
Plymouth Creek
Show
Plymouth Creek
Center
Plymouth Creek
Center
Passover Begins
Sunset
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
6:00 PM
Board of
7:00 PM
Equalization
HRA MEETING
Reconvened
Parkers Lake Room
Council Chambers
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
Easter Sunday
MEETING
Council Chambers
Modified on 03111/ It
Page 7
r�P�ymouth
Adding Quality to Life
May 2011
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
PLANNING
HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
MEETING
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
Parkers Lake Room
8
9
10
11 7.00 PM
125:30-8:00 PM
13
14
7:00 PM
ENVITRONMENTAL
REGULAR COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY FAIR
MEETING
QUALITY
Zacharay Lane
Medicine Lake Room
COMMITTEE
Elementary School
(EQC) MEETING
7:00 PM
Parkers Lake Room
PARK & REC
ADVISORY
COMMISSION
(FRAC) MEETING
Parkers Lake Room
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION
MEETING
Medicine Lake Roam
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH
HRA MEETING
REGULAR COUNCIL
ADVISORY
Parkers Lake Room
MEETING
COMMITTEE ON
Medicine Lake Room
TRANSIT (PACT)
MEETING
Parkers Lake Room
30
31
MEMORIAL
DAY
y
Observed
CITY
OFFICES
CLOSED
Modified on 03 /11/ 11
Page 8
Tentative Schedule for
City Council Agenda Items
March 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Approve 2011 Refuse Haulers License Renewals
• Approve 2011 Renewal of Consumption and Display Licenses for VFW Hamel and West
Medicine Lake Community Club
• Approve a final plat for Arbor Grove 2nd Addition located south of the intersection of 46'1'
Avenue and Yellowstone Lane. (2011004)
• Announce Yard and Garden Expo on April 8-9 at the Plymouth Creek Center Fieldhouse
• Announce Primavera on April 15-19 at the Plymouth Creek Center
• Set Assessment Hearing, South Shore Drive Rehabilitation Project (10002)
* Set Assessment Hearing, 8"' Avenue Street Reconstruction Project (10004)
• Approve Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids, 2011 Crack Repair
Program (11 O09)
• Award Contract, 2011 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project (110 13)
• Approve Staff Comments, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Stonnwater Management
and Administrative Rules
• Approve Filling of Wetlands and the Wetland Replacement Plan Application, Speak the
Word Church
• Public hizprovement Hearing, Assessment Hearing, Approve Public Improvement
Assessment Agreement, Approve Easement Agreement and Award Contract, Cimarron
Ponds Reconstruction Project (9113)
• Public hnprovement Hearing, 2011 Mill and Overlay Project (11007)
April 12, Board of Equalization, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
April 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
April 26, Board of Equalization Reconvened, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
April 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
Note: Special Meeting topics har,e been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. page 9
LMUNEIPAL
LEGISLATIVE
( COMMLSSON
Residential Properly Tax Burden Report
The Residential Propert} Tat Burden Report "as prepared by the MN Dept. or Revenue to look
at property tax rairness throughout the state by matching homeowners' proper[\ tares paid with
their actual incomes, usino a new tool called the "Voss" database.
Findings of this report shoe a concerning discrepancy bet even property tax burdens in the metro
versus Greater Minnesota:
• Median properh, tax burdens after Properly Tax Relief (PTR):
o Metro: 3.17% of income
o Greater MN: 2.30% of income
• Net tax burdens after PTR:
o Metro: $2,279
o Greater MN: $1,210
High (SW Hennepin)
Net Tax
Before
$4,272
PTR (mean)
$120
Net Tax After
PTR (mean)
$4,152
Net Tax After
PTR (median)
$3,257
Low (SW MN)
998
64
934
726
Metro
2,945
213
2,732
2,279
Greater MN
1.510
110
1.400
1.210
i Statewide
2,311
167
2,144
1,810
Y
2%
R
5
� 1
2,07% 2.08%
2.2
1.79% 2.24% 2.38%
I_- --- -`- --- - - -
.-1ho1*e: 111tH) ofregional 111c°clian lcax hurclens (Dep. oj'Reventie. 01 1nclicaie
1)1•n1)er1r luxes a.v a 17elvenl4kiJe o 1ncolne.
Page 10
Claims of a property tax crisis outstate may be overbloNvn*
Posted: 1: 17 pm Fri. February 11. 2011
By MARK HAVEMAN
Association: NAIOPIMinnesota Taxpayers Association
A strong push is being made, principally from Greater Minnesota communities, to
tap into the fear of rising property tax bills and to enlist local business and chamber
support to maintain the status quo.
Aid cuts would trigger at least some levy increases. The first question that needs
to be asked is whether- all property tax payers, including business, are able to pay
more for their local services. The answer varies considerably depending on what
part of the state you look at.
Homeowner property tax burdens are a good proxy for local property tax
conditions, and the Homestead Property Tax Burden report from the Minnesota
Department of Revenue sheds light on the issue. Data for property taxes payable
in 2008 have recently been released and reaffirm that there are significant
geographical variations in local property tax burdens. If there really are significant
affordability problems, it is much more likely to exist in the seven -county metro
area - not outstate. Consider the following findings:
• Homeowners in the metro area had an 89 percent higher median net property
tax than homeowners in Greater Minnesota ($2,387 vs. $1,254).
• On the whole, homeowners in the metro area devoted 3.19 percent of their
income to property taxes - a 39 percent higher- share than their Greater
Minnesota counterparts, who devoted 2.30 percent of their income.
• In seven of the 10 Greater- Minnesota regions, net property taxes for all
levels of government, including schools, were less than $1,000 for more than
40 percent of all homesteads. In two regions the total net property tax bill
was less than $500 for more than a quarter of homesteads.
*Theafidloiving is excerpts• froln the f dl article relalecl to properi-v teLy burden comparisons and the
Herr estecul Property Tccr Bureleu Relmn
Page 11
City of Plymouth
News Release
For Immediate Release Contact:
March 7, 2011 Helen LaFave,
763.509.5090
Meet the City Council and Ask the Experts at March 19 City Sampler
Plymouth, MN — The fourth annual Plymouth City Sampler, slated for Sat., March 19
from 9 a.m. to noon, promises an informal opportunity to meet the Plymouth mayor and city
council members while serving up a sampling of city information, a chance to win prizes and
refreshments.
The City Sampler will be held at City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Residents are
encouraged to stop by anytime during the morning and stay as long — or short — as they'd like.
Free native plants and wheel kits for recycling bins will be available on a first-come, first
serve basis. If you need a replacement recycling bin, you can pick one at the Sampler.
If you or the kids need a bike helmet, look no further than the Sampler. The Fire
Department will sell bike helmets for $10, 12 and $15, depending on the model. Firefighters will
also have sample car and booster seats available for viewing so that you can learn about the
city's low-cost child safety seats as well.
A city forester will be on hand to share information about the city's annual tree sale as
well as answer questions about emerald ash borer and seasonal tree care.
The City Sampler was initiated by the City Council so that residents would have an
informal venue to meet their elected city officials, provide feedback and get city information.
The Sampler has been successful in meeting that goal. Past years have drawn from 200 to 400
people.
Page 12
"The event is structured so that people can easily fit it in as they run Saturday morning
errands. It's low-key a chance to have a cup of coffee and chat with the mayor and council.
The City Council enjoys it because it brings people from all over the city — some just stop by to
say `hi' and enjoy refreshments, and others come to speak with them about specific issues," said
Communications Manager Helen LaFave.
Ask the Experts
City staff members will be on hand to answer questions and share information about an
array of topics, including:
+ Parks and Recreation Programs;
• Child Safety Programs;
• Home Improvement Projects;
• Crime Prevention;
• Planting for Water Quality;
• Fire Safety;
• Plymouth Metrolink; and
• Recycling.
Page 13
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StarTribunexom
Minnesota cities` finances have
crumbled
An audit shows that by nearly every
measure, city finances were
whipsawed between 2000 and 2009.
By BOB VON STERNBERG', Star Tribune
Last update: March 3, 2411 - 8:28 PM
Fewer city snowplows. Aging police cruisers
not replaced. Park restrooms not built.
Pothole repairs left undone. Municipal
employees laid off.
In those ways and many more, the first
decade of the new century has proved a
brutal one for Minnesota's cities.
A new evaluation by the state auditor shows
that by nearly every measure finances in the
state's 800 -plus cities were whipsawed
between 2000 and 2009.
For more than two years, the League of
Minnesota Cities has been tracking cities'
budget -cutting actions, compiling a list of
more than 4,500 of them.
"So much work is being delayed or pushed
out that the cost of doing the work has
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become much greater, so the strategy of
delay only works for so long," said Lena
Gould, policy analyst for the league.
Page 1 of 2
The report also found that as federal and
state aid shrank during the decade, property
taxes have filled in the gap. In 2009, property
taxes provided 37 percent of cities' revenue,
up from 23 percent in 2000.
Between 2003 and 2004, corresponding with
a large cut in local government aid, revenue
from property taxes for the first time
surpassed revenue from state and federal
aid, the audit found. The gap has continued
to grow.
Overall, in inflation-adjusted dollars, cities'
revenues decreased by 11 percent between
2000 and 2009, while their spending
dropped by 8 percent during that period, the
audit concluded.
During 2008 and 2009, corresponding with
the depths of the recession, cities' revenue
declined as did their spending, even as
capital spending on infrastructure projects
encountered what State Auditor Rebecca
Otto called "a steep decline." Spending on
everything from street maintenance to new
construction has "just tanked," particularly
since 2006, she said.
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During the decade, the audit found that total
spending by cities increased from $4.12
billion to $5.38 billion, but when adjusted for
inflation that actually represents a decrease
of 8 percent.
Despite the grin statistics, Otto said that
"we're not seeing a crisis by any means" for
Minnesota's cities." Despite reports of
impending municipal defaults and possible
bankruptcies of cities elsewhere in the
nation, Otto said that she's "not aware of
that possibility facing any of the state's cities.
Bob von Sternberg • 651-222-0973
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Plymouth may add organics to its
next recycling contract
Contractors have been invited to
propose expanded recycling services f
or both residents and businesses.
By LAURIE BLAKE', Star Tribune
Last update: March 9, 2011 - 9:38 AM
Plymouth is hoping to add organics recycling,
commercial recycling and recycling at multi-
family housing to its next citywide recycling
contract to encourage residents and
businesses to recycle more trash.
In contract bids due March 24, Plymouth has
invited competing companies to propose a
price for the three new targeted services and
to describe how they would educate people
to encourage more recycling.
Firms that include these proposals in their
bids can gain points toward winning the
three-year contract.
"This is an attempt to improve our recycling
participation," said Public Works Director
Doran Cote. "These are all options. We want
to see what it would cost our residents to
have that service
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Inviting these proposals signals that the city
wants expanded recycling service available in
Plymouth, said City Council Member Ginny
Black. "It's moral support that we want this
to happen in our city."
Adding the recycling of organics -- which
include food, grass, leaves, tissues, paper
towels and similar items -- typically boosts
overall recycling by 3 to 5 percent, Black
said.
Plymouth has been careful to stress that this
expanded recycling would not be a city
service. if the city chooses a firm that offers
organics, multi -family and commercial
recycling, it would be up to residents and
businesses to subscribe for the service
directly with the recycler, Cote said.
Current contract
Waste Management provides Plymouth's
recycling service now. That contract will
expire at the end of the year, and the new one
would start in 2012. The City Council is
expected to discuss the new contract in April
or May.
Currently, Plymouth contracts for curbside
recycling for households and offers a city
dropoff center.
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For the next contract, the city has asked
recyclers to give residents the choice of
having a rollout container or traditional
recycling bin, Cote said.
If a container change requires the purchase
of new collection trucks, the city would
consider extending the contract beyond
three years, Cote said.
Commercial recycling collection is difficult
because business containers are not uniform
-- they vary from bins to dumpsters -- and
the commercial proposals would address
this challenge, Cote said.
Recycling firms also were asked to include
recycling education programs in their
proposals.
"It's very widely shown that education does
improve recycling," Black said. Requiring
recyclers to do some of their own education
in addition to city efforts is important
because "with the cuthacks at the local
government level often, what is getting cut is
the education piece," Black said.
Hennepin County is in the midst of meetings
with cities to talk about what more can be
done to expand recycling. Collection of
organics is an idea the county has proposed.
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Hutchinson Technology laying off hundreds
PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Far fewer people will be working for Hutchinson Technology due to the Minnesota
company's plan to restructure and move its components operations from Minnesota to
its facility in Eau Claire, Wis.
Hutchinson, based in its namesake city west of the Twin Cities, said Tuesday that it will
cut its current U.S. workforce of about 2,275 by 30 to 40 percent. That would mean
eliminating between 700 and 900 jobs.
The company, maker of a key component of computer disk drive storage units that read
and write data while suspended above a rapidly spinning disk, will keep its headquarters
in Hutchinson, along with research and development and other specialized operations.
These actions are expected to unfold over the next year. When the moves are
complete, the savings are expected to range from $45 million to $60 million annually,
the company said.
The looming layoffs follow many others in recent years. Since 2008, Hutchinson has
reduced its workforce by more than 2,000. That year, Hutchinson lost its largest
customer, disk drive maker Seagate Technology.
Hutchinson's annual revenues were $347.2 million in 2010, down 14.9 percent from the
previous year. It also failed to reach its goal in 2010 of positive earnings before taxes.
In the second quarter of the current fiscal year, Hutchinson expects its suspension
assembly shipments to decline by as much as 5 percent. That prompted a production
slowdown.
Company President and CEO Wayne M. Fortun said Hutchinson will work with state
officials to help those laid off find jobs "during this difficult time."
The company added that it is taking other unspecified actions to resize the company,
reduce costs and improve cash flow as it tries to grow its business in the future.
Hutchinson Mayor Steve Cook said city leaders were given no warning about the
layoffs, but acknowledged that executives had to "be careful what they put out there"
because they have a stock price to protect.
"They aren't able to give advance warning, but there were enough rumors going around
that there was something happening," Cook said.
Fortun said in a statement that deciding on another round of layoffs "was a difficult one,
and we understand the impact it will have on our employees, their families and the
communities we live and work in."
Page 18
Those being let go "have a variety of skills in manufacturing, technical and support
functions," he added. "Their experience in producing quality products would be an asset
to any employer."
Chad Czmowski, a Hutchinson City Council member and bike shop owner downtown,
said residents in the city of about 12,000 "are just almost numb" to the steady layoff
drumbeat that has come from the company in recent years.
"The management team should be ashamed of running this once -profitable company in
the ground," Czmowski said. "The board of directors should wonder why they have let
Wayne Fortun run the company as long as he has.
"It's unfortunate, but it kind of has become business as usual. Hutchinson has
weathered the storm. We always have."
Czmowski pointed to an increasingly diverse business base in town, along with longtime
employer 3M, which "has saved our bacon. They are very stable and never have
layoffs."
Mayor Cook, a 28 -year-long Hutchinson resident, said, that while the layoffs are
"obviously a concern ... [the city's] emphasis has been on bringing new businesses to
town." He pointed to the recent expansion of its industrial park, with "shovel -ready" sites
for any business seeking to relocate.
Hutchinson Technology estimates that over the next 12 months it will spend $8 million
to $10 million on severance and other expenses and $5 million to $10 million in other
costs related to consolidating operations.
Along with Hutchinson and Eau Claire, the company has a facility in Plymouth.
Overseas, it has operations in the Netherlands, Thailand, China, South Korea and
Japan.
Paul Walsh - 612-673-4482
Page 19
Minnesota's buy -American law has rocky first year
MARIA ELENA BACA, Star Tribune
What could be more patriotic?
If you're a public agency funded by American tax dollars, you use some of that money to
support home-grown businesses and help create American jobs. It's a win -win-win,
right?
In the case of a year-old Minnesota law, the reality isn't so clear-cut, as good intentions
have run into thorny details.
The law says uniforms or protective equipment bought by public agencies must be
made in the United States. Today, officials trying to comply often find themselves
wrestling with a premium price for U.S.-made goods and difficulty getting equipment
with the right specifications.
The original idea was to give Minnesota-based makers of protective equipment a
fighting chance against discount imports, said state Sen. Dave Tomassoni, DFL -
Chisholm, the law's Senate sponsor.
"You run into this when you're passing laws," he said recently. "What the intent was,
why the bill was passed, who the bill is aimed at and whether or not you actually end up
putting the words on the piece of paper that actually came out the way you wanted it to."
He said he'd be willing to take another look at the law, for issues of clarity, but insisted it
should remain on the books.
In Plymouth, police officers have spent the year test -wearing a variety of American-
made products for durability, comfort and utility. But Chief Mike Goldstein said the
department is not yet in compliance.
"No one is intentionally trying to usurp what the law is requesting, but until there are
products available to us, we have to use things that meet our specifications, based on
their wear and tear and wearability and affordability and accessibility," he said. "So
we're caught in a quandary. We could find a very inexpensive product that is sole -
sourced here in the U.S., from stem to stern, but we would go through it so quickly and
spend more money over time replacing these items over and over and over.... Trying to
achieve that balance has been difficult."
A liberal interpretation
Eagan had just completed a trial with several brands of equipment and uniforms, both
imported and U.S.-made, when the law took effect. The statute's language now is city
policy. But Police Lt. Duane Pike said the city has taken a liberal interpretation of the
Page 20
law, which says agencies can use goods "manufactured outside of the United States if
similar items are not manufactured or available for purchase in the United States."
According to Eagan's reading, "similar" can apply to features including color, pocket
configuration and price.
"A lot of the stuff, like clothing, it just isn't made here," Pike said. "We already did tests
that included everything. We weren't looking for American- or foreign -made, and when
we were pulling stuff together, we realized almost all of it is made out of the country."
The statute does not spell out enforcement strategies or penalties. While the
Department of Administration enforces the law for state agencies, it's up to cities and
counties to police themselves, said Scott Kelly, staff attorney for the League of
Minnesota Cities.
Last year, Rep. Jenifer Loon, R -Eden Prairie, moved to repeal the law in response to
complaints that it amounts to an unfunded mandate at a time of financial stress for
cities. "They're cutting back employees and reducing jobs," she said, "and we're telling
them we know you can buy this T-shirt for $8 but you have to buy the $25 version
because it's state law. I didn't think it was appropriate for the state to put that kind of
mandate on local government."
That bill stalled, but Loon said last week that she plans to introduce it again this year.
Successes, too
There have been successes. The Minnesota State Patrol is largely in compliance.
Lt. Jean Cemensky, the patrol's purchasing agent, said she worried about the law's
budgetary effect. It turned out the agency was already using U.S. vendors for almost the
entire uniform, which has some distinctive specifications (maroon, anyone?) that haven't
been among'the mass-produced items made cheaply overseas.
The agency had only to change its patch vendor, from a Chinese company to one
based in Florida. Plus, the patrol's hefty buying power, for about 565 uniformed
employees, meant it could demand better pricing than it could for only a few dozen, she
said.
Rep. Tom Rukavina, D -Virginia, the House sponsor of the law, said he doesn't buy the
notion that U.S.-made merchandise is either that much pricier or different from similar
items made overseas. Even if it were, he said, the investment is worthwhile.
"I don't think this is a big part of their budgets," he said. "But it's a point to be made, to
make people think and a lot of people are starting to think. At least that's a start."
Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409
Page 21
D. J. Tice: A myth -busting look at property taxes
Star Tribune
Just about everyone agrees that property taxes are a heavy burden on too many
Minnesotans.
Gov. Mark Dayton is determined to shield households of modest means from any more
of the property tax hikes he and other DFLers fault Republicans for forcing in recent
years.
The main way Dayton aims to do that is to end years of reductions in state aids to local
governments, which flow most generously to rural communities and to the big cities of
Minneapolis and St. Paul. Property -rich suburbs get relatively little state aid.
To decide whether this approach is likely to solve the inequity problem, one might want
to know where, in fact, the Minnesotans live who suffer most cruelly from property
taxes. Let's define a suffering household.
How about home -owning households with modest total incomes, between $10,000 and
$48,000, who pay more than 5 percent of their slim incomes in total property taxes, after
all credits and refunds are accounted for?
In 2008, according to new state research, just more than 16,000 of these struggling
households were in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The pain was more widespread outstate,
where nearly 28,000 heavily burdened households lived.
But by far the biggest population of these property -tax -poor Minnesotans resided in
suburbs in the seven -county Twin Cities area -- more than 44,000 households, slightly
more than in the core cities and greater Minnesota combined.
Surprised? Get used to it.
An extraordinary, little -noticed study by the state Department of Revenue is filled with
myth -busting revelations about property taxes. Dryly titled the Residential Homestead
Property Tax Burden Report, it is dubbed the "Voss Report" for short, after former
state Rep. Gordon Voss of Blaine, who advocated for this kind of research years ago.
The study links property tax and income tax records for more than 1.3 million home -
owning Minnesota households, all the better to tell us, really for the first time, who is
actually getting hammered by property taxes -- and who is getting pampered.
The key breakthrough is that the Voss report measures property taxes as a percentage
of income.
A confusing and perverse feature of the property tax is that how much you pay is largely
based on the value of your property.
Page 22
This approach to taxation is something of an historical relic, and it "doesn't say anything
about ability to pay," according to Eric Willette, who heads the Voss project as director
of property tax research for the revenue department.
Property value is an especially crude measure of wealth nowadays, when many
homeowners carry large mortgages on their houses and when the market value of one's
four walls often says more about how much one owes than how much one owns.
Nor does house value have much to do with the cost of services a city, county or school
district must provide.
The Voss report does for the property tax debate what the Revenue Department's
much-discussed Tax Incidence Study does for debates over fairness in Minnesota's
overall tax system.
Declaring the department to be the definitive authority on tax matters, Dayton often cites
the Tax Incidence research, which measures overall taxes as a portion of income, to
support his view that Minnesota's rich pay less than their fair share.
Voss sheds the same kind of eye-opening light on geographic differences in property
taxes.
Metro miseries
The Voss report confirms two common complaints about property taxes in Minnesota.
First, it shows that the tax is sharply regressive, taking a bigger bite from smaller
incomes than it does from larger incomes. Second, it documents that residents of the
state's largest city, Minneapolis, bear some of the heaviest property tax burdens around.
But the Voss data contradict something else we often hear from advocates for local
government aids -- the belief that residents of greater Minnesota bear a disproportionate
property tax burden compared with those in the wealthier metro area, or at least with
those in the suburbs, and can't be asked to pay any more for their own local services.
Mayors Vern Rasmussen of Albert Lea and Dave Larson of Bemidji sounded this
theme in a recent commentary, lamenting recent state aid cuts "leading to higher
property taxes and reduced services ... in greater Minnesota and the inner city, while
those located in high property wealth cities, particularly in the suburbs, have remained
unscathed."
But what if it turned out that homeowners with similar incomes are likely to pay higher
property taxes if they live in the suburbs than they would if they lived almost anywhere
in greater Minnesota -- and about the same as they'd pay in the central cities?
That's the story the Voss report tells.
Page 23
Let's focus on homeowners with incomes near the middle of the range -- between
$45,000 and $65,000 a year.
In greater Minnesota as a whole, the median household in that income range (the one
right in the middle), paid 2.4 percent of its total income in property tax in 2008, after all
credits and refunds.
In the metro area as a whole, the median household in that range paid 3.5 percent of
income -- 46 percent more.
The disparities are bigger when we compare smaller regions. The Voss report divides
the state into 20 regions -- 10 outstate regions, 8 suburban regions, and the two big
cities.
Our middle-income homeowners faced the state's highest median property tax burdens
in southwest Hennepin County, a region including communities like Eden Prairie and
Plymouth.
The median middle-income household there paid 3.8 percent of income in property tax.
The second-highest burdens for this group, at 3.7 percent, were in Minneapolis and in
North Hennepin County (Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center, etc.).
The state's lightest median burden for the middle-income group was 1.6 percent of
income -- less than half the rate in the metro area. It was found in the southwest corner
of the state, embracing communities like Worthington and Pipestone.
The second -lightest median burden, 1.8 percent, was in the opposite corner of the state,
the Arrowhead region including Duluth and the Iron Range.
And so it goes. The heaviest outstate burden for middle-income homeowners -- 3.0
percent in the Central region that surrounds St. Cloud -- was lower than the median
burden for this income group in any region of the metro area.
And this basic pattern holds for every income group.
Some disparities exist within the metro area as well. As noted, Minneapolis has high
burdens. Its 2008 median burdens ranked a close second to southwest Hennepin
County in every income group except the highest (above $125,000), where Minneapolis
ranked first.
St. Paul, however, has modest burdens by metro standards. Its burden was below the
metro average in every income group.
But in general burdens differ much less among metro regions than they do among rural
regions, and between urban and rural areas.
Page 24
How much is that in dollars?
The Voss report also sheds light on the dollar cost of property taxes, and perhaps on
the question of whether it would be unreasonable to allow property tax increases for
some Minnesotans to play a continuing part in balancing government's books.
Statewide, one home -owning household in five paid less than $1,000 in total net
property taxes in 2008. Just over one in five paid more than $3,000.
In some places, property taxes may cost some homeowners less than cell phone
service.
In four of the 10 greater Minnesota regions (all across northern Minnesota plus the
state's southwest corner), more than half of all home -owning households paid less than
$1,000 in 2008 net property tax.
In the Arrowhead region, 30 percent of households paid less than $500. In the metro
area as a whole, just 1.4 percent of households paid an amount that low.
Willette notes that property taxes vary from place to place for many reasons. Not least,
residents in some areas simply receive far less in local government services and
amenities.
But will continuing to shower rural Minnesota governments with state tax dollars correct
the real inequities in Minnesota's property tax? Or should relief be targeted to specific
taxpayers, wherever they live, who actually face high relative property tax burdens?
Before you answer, spend some time with the Voss report.
D.J. Tice is the Star Tribune's commentary editor.
Page 25
Who belongs on Met Council?
Many want an overhaul, but few agree on how
By Frederick Melo
finelo@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 03/05/2011 09:22:16 PM CST
Does the Metropolitan Council, the Twin Cities' regional planning agency, need a
governance makeover?
The Minneapolis City Council thinks so. So do state Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles
and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities, better known as Metro Cities, has been advocating for
changes for more than a decade.
Even outgoing Met Council Chairman Peter Bell and newly appointed Chairwoman
Susan Haigh have said revisiting the setup of the 17 -member council is probably
warranted.
"The idea of changing the structure of the Met Council, it isn't an easy issue, and
it's really going to require some serious discussion among all the stakeholders to
come up with a solution that's workable and good," Haigh said in an interview. "I
think that it's certainly something we should be thinking about and talking about.
The reality, though, is it's going to take a while."
The problem is, prominent officials have disagreed for years, even decades, over
exactly how they'd like to see the council reorganized. Formed in 1967, the council,
which has taxing authority over the seven -county metro area, oversees a $760
million budget and a staff of about 3,700 employees. It maintains planning
authority or direct, hands-on control over sewers and wastewater treatment; the
Metro Transit bus system, light-rail and transit projects; affordable housing;
regional parks; and the cities' and counties' overall growth and development plans.
The council is a key conduit for federal funding in all those areas.
By any definition, that's a lot of responsibility, and a lot of power.
Should there be local elected officials on the council, or will that make the body too
parochial? Should they serve staggered terms? Perhaps counties or major cities
should be able to appoint a handful of their own picks to the board. Maybe 17
members is too many, or perhaps too few. After all, the metro area, to some, has
grown to include more than just the seven counties.
Most public officials who have dealt with the Met Council have strong opinions about
it — but they're not all on the same page. Currently, the governor appoints all 17
members, raising the possibility that the entire council could be replaced at once.
(Gov. Mark Dayton appointed the newest members last week, retaining one from
Page 26
the previous council.) Some feel the current structure gives the governor's office
too much power while limiting the council's credibility and accountability to the
municipal regions it represents.
Dayton's spokeswoman, Katharine Tinucci, said last week that the governor is
"willing to consider all possibilities" but reorganizing the council hasn't been the first
thing on his mind.
Some agencies are calling for a drastic overhaul. On Jan. 3, the "Planning to
Succeed?" report from the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Transit for
Livable Communities and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
criticized the Met Council for not doing more to combat sprawl and limit the metro
area's growth to key transportation corridors, with denser development focused
around transit stations. The report called the Met Council's governance structure
part of the problem.
"More and more, the Met Council, as presently constituted, is a relic," the report
says. "Its complex and unclear lines of authority and accountability give metro
residents no direct stake in their destiny. With nearly all power for metro affairs in
the hands of state officials, local elected officials are left with no incentive to think
and act regionally."
The report goes on to propose that "the membership of the Met Council include a
majority of local elected officials as well as certain heads of state agencies, and
citizens, as designated by the governor." Under that vision, the Met Council's 33 -
member Transportation Advisory Board — which meets monthly to rank highway
and transit projects competing for federal funding — would be abolished.
In January, Nobles released a separate assessment on transit governance in the
Twin Cities. He said the metro area's transit system works relatively well as far as
operations go, but the Met Council's role "as the regional transit planner has been
hampered by how members are appointed. As a result of its structure, the Council
lacks adequate credibility and accountability" with transit providers, funding and
advocacy groups, and the 17 geographic districts it represents.
(Bell, the former Met Council chairman, has disputed those findings by pointing to
public surveys that show the council probably has never enjoyed more credibility
than it does now. Haigh, too, has called the council's work the envy of many
regional planning bodies across the country.)
The legislative auditor's report goes on to say the Legislature should restructure the
Met Council so it includes a mix of elected and appointed members, all serving
staggered terms. His conclusion has been praised by Washington County
commissioners. The Minneapolis City Council recently passed a resolution
supporting the concept of having mayors, council members and county
commissioners make up a majority of the Met Council, with the governor appointing
the rest.
Page 27
Not so fast, say some skeptics. What incentive does a mayor or city council
member from, say, Apple Valley have to support a new transit station in Lakeville
over one in her own town, even if it makes perfect sense from a planning
perspective? Serving on both a local and regional body could be construed as a
conflict of interest, putting members in the crosshairs of their constituents.
"I really value the work of local elected officials. I was one for 10 years," said
Haigh, a former Ramsey County commissioner. "As you do regional planning,
sometimes there's a conflict between what's good for a local district and what's
good for a region.... You really want people that can bring this regional perspective
to their work. I'm not saying I'm opposed to local elected officials, per se, serving
on the Met Council. I'm saying you've got to resolve these issues before you can
make it work."
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman disagrees with the idea of adding elected officials to
the Met Council. He thinks that would make the council more parochial, like the
Legislature and Congress, with different regions fighting for their interests rather
than the good of the whole.
He'd prefer to see the Met Council organized more like the Metropolitan Airports
Commission, which consists of a chairman and 14 commissioners who serve four-
year, staggered terms. St. Paul and Minneapolis each are allowed to appoint one
commissioner.
"I believe one of the Metropolitan Council's biggest strengths is that it is a
nonpartisan body," Coleman wrote in an e-mail. "The addition of elected officials
could serve to politicize the work being done, potentially detracting from its focus
on the implementation of regional plans."
Staggered terms, said Coleman, "would allow for continuity between governors
and, potentially, a range of perspectives on the council at any given time."
On the other side, Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt is among those
who want elected officials on the council, so cities and counties have direct
representation.
"Local elected officials work collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries, and
believe that is what is needed for the Metropolitan Council to be successful in
moving our region and state forward," she wrote in an e-mail.
Patricia Nauman, executive director of Metro Cities, said a bill that would have
instituted staggered terms passed the Legislature in 2008, with her organization's
and the Met Council's support, but was vetoed by then -Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Other
bills supporting direct elections have withered in the Legislature as well.
"Appointed members of the Met Council serve at the will of the governor, and the
terms of the council members end with the term of the governor," Pawlenty stated
Page 28
at the time in his veto letter. "This structure was the result of reforms intended to
increase Met Council accountability, and this bill reduces that accountability."
Now, Metro Cities is taking a different tack. Rather than push for specific changes to
the governance structure, Nauman said, Metro Cities is advocating for a
comprehensive, top -to -bottom study of what the Met Council does and why it does
it. A better understanding of its role in the seven counties — and even in
neighboring "collar" counties like Sherburne and Wright — would better inform any
proposed changes to the governance structure.
"There's an argument for an elected council, and there's an argument against an
elected council," she said. "I guess what it boils down to is, what problem are we
trying to solve? The council has been around for 40 years, and there's been various
studies done, but a comprehensive analysis that includes input from a variety of
stakeholders would be warranted. Obviously, we would want local governments to
have input into such a study."
Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172.
Page 29
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Chanhassen residents on the hook
for sewage mess
Paul Klauda, Dml -
From one side of Chanhassen Hills Drive to the
other, residents learned that something was terribly
wrong in their homes Wednesday night when a
geyser of sewage began spewing from toilets on the
lower level. For Amy Powell and her husband, Carlos
Puig, the ensuing mess, caused by a broken water
main, ruined the last of a seven-year remodeling
effort. As much as 3 inches of sewage had covered
the floor of their split-level home. On Thursday
roils of ruined carpet were heaped in the snow next
to their driveway. It was much worse across the
street at Shari Hoeft's house. Her driveway sported a
big blue dumpster, and it was filling up fast as
clean-up crews tore apart her previously finished
basement. The night before Hoeft heard a rushing
sound, opened her basement door and looked down
the stairs to "three feet of poop" on the floor, she
Advertisement
Page 1 of 4
said. Two of her three daughters had their
bedrooms down there. At least 18 homes in the
neighborhood had suffered flooded basements from
thousands of gallons of water that gushed into
sewer lines and caused backups. Officials dug test
holes to locate where the unusual break occurred.
Why It happened could take longer to determine.
Shari Hoeft, mother of three, lives at 8600
Chanhassen Hills Drive. She's sitting in the
basement in a daughter's bedroom. Another
daughter also had a bedroom in the basement.
Wading through sewage up to 3 feet deep last night,
they recovered a few items, including a TV, high
school yearbook and sleeve of kid photos, before
they gave up. A big blue dumpster sits in the
driveway today. She was planning to move out
anyway (house in foreclosure, she says) and had
moved lots of her possessions to the basement,
which filled with "3 feet of poop" last night.
The city's insurer is denying liability
for a water main break that caused a
sewage backup.
By TOM MEERSMANI, Star Tribune
Last update: March 5, 2011 - 4:13 PM
It was bad enough when sewage gushed up
through basement toilets and Boor drains in
a Chanhassen neighborhood.
Now 25 homeowners who've been cleaning
up the iness have learned that the city's
insurance company will pay them nothing for
dainages that in some cases exceed $25,000.
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"My heart goes out to the homeowners and I
can sympathize with what they're going
through," said Chanhassen city manager
Todd Gerhardt.
Travelers Insurance informed the city last
week that it is denying all claims by the
homeowners. Though the sewage backup
was triggered by a city water main break, the
insurer maintained that the city was not at
fault through any negligence, and that its
crews responded quickly to the problem.
That news sent unhappy homeowners --
some who have insurance, others who don't -
- scrambling to review their options. That
could include reviewing a 2009 flooding
situation in Edina, where the insurer also
refused to pay but the city still offered relief
to some homeowners.
Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the
nonprofit Insurance Information Institute,
said that sewer backup is usually not part of
a homeowner's policy, and needs to be
purchased separately. Other problems can
also cause sewer backups, she said,
including major downpours, aging pipes and
blockage from roots. "It's typically maybe 40
or 50 dollars additional premium annually,"
she said.
Advertisement
The problem in Chanhassen on Feb. 23
began with a lateral crack in a 12 -inch water
main, apparently caused by shifting soil.
Water flooded a manhole and caused sewage
to back up into the homes. Two dozen
basements along Chanhassen Hills and Lake
Susan drives started filling quickly with
sewage, ranging from a few inches to nearly 3
feet.
Most of the homes had finished basements,
and the filthy water ruined washers, dryers,
furnaces, carpets, lower walls and other
furnishings.
Dave Jacobson and his wife noticed the
problem when they went downstairs at 8 p.
m. to tuck in their daughter.
"My wife stepped on the carpet and it was
soaking," he said. "Then we noticed it was all
over the entire basement and it was coming
tluough the floor drain in the furnace room."
As the couple raced to move clothes and
other belongings out of harm's way, their
doorbell rang. The next-door neighbor was
having the same problem. Then another
neighbor rushed over.
River of sewage
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At Kelly Seltun's home, the basement toilet
started bubbling, and within minutes was
spewing sewage. So were the floor drains in
the shower and laundry area.
Seltum and her husband watched helplessly
as the basement filled with three or four
inches of the slop, and opened a sliding glass
door to let the overflow run out of the house.
"It flowed out our door like a river for two
hours," she said. "Had we not been home and
caught it right away and allowed the water to
escape, it would have been much worse."
Meanwhile, Chanhassen crews responded to
frantic calls and popped a manhole. When t
hey saw what was flooding the sewer line,
they shut off the water main immediately,
officials said.
Jacobson has a $10,000 rider on his
homeowner's insurance that will cover most
of his structural damage, but not the loss of
camping equipment and other personal
belongings. Seltun said her policy will cover
$5,000 in damage, but the first estimate of
her losses is $27,000.
Both say that many of their neighbors had no
coverage, and had never heard of sewer
backup insurance. They're extremely
unhappy to be receiving no financial help
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from the city or from Travelers.
Page 3 of 4
"The city has washed its hands of us, and it
doesn't seem right," Seltun said. "It's not like
I own and maintain the water system in
town."
Amy Powell, whose home sustained $14,000
in structural damage, said that if a regular p
ipe burst in her home and caused a flood,
that would be covered by most insurance.
"But because it's the city's sewage backing
into our houses, that's not covered by
anybody?" she said. "We didn't do anything
wrong, and couldn't stop it once it staited."
Insured or not
Travelers spokesman Matt Bordonaro said he
could not answer questions about the case
because of "company privacy guidelines."
Powell and others say that the city may bear
some fault, and neighbors have joined forces
to research whether other water main breaks
might indicate a wider problem.
Gerhardt said that the line that broke has
been tested routinely, and that it's about 20
years old. It would not typically be replaced
for at least another 10 to 20 years, he said.
JUST DAUB ITS
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Although it's unfortunate, said Gerhardt, the
incident should be a reminder to all
homeowners to check their insurance
policies, and consider adding extra
protection against sewer problems if they
don't have that coverage.
Gerhardt said that Chanhassen is prevented
by state law from compensating homeowners
on its own for damage, since its insurance
company has found that the city has no
liability.
Another recent case
However, Edina took a different approach
after a similar problem on Feb. 19, 2009,
flooded 21 homes and one commercial
building on Wooddale Avenue. Edina's
insurance company also refused to pay.
After complaints from the homeowners,
Edir4s city council decided that those with
documented claims could apply for up to
$15,000 in assistance for certain damages if
they signed a waiver not to sue. Ceil Smith,
assistant to Edina's city manager, said the
city paid a total of $215,000 to the
homeowners from the city's utility fund,
which comes from the sale of water.
Edina resident Laura Ericksen said she
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benefited from a $15,000 payment, but it
didn't come close to paying the $35,000 it
cost to replace a furnace, water heater,
washer and dryer, and other damage. Only
two of her neighbors had full insurance
coverage, she said, and her policy covered
only $5,000.
"I've upped my coverage to $50,000," she
said.
Tom Meersman • 612-673-7388
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Adopted Minutes
Regular Human Rights Commission Meeting
November 4, 2010
Chair Klevom called a meeting of the Human Rights to Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the
Parkers Lake Conference Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 4, 2010.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Garber, Klevorn, Dockman, Trites Rolle, and Haag.
ABSENT: Commissioners Alden and Mitelman.
STAFF PRESENT: Administrative Services Director Portner, Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol, and
Deputy City Clerk Olson.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Klevorn removed Item 4b since Wayzata Liaison Lofton was not able to attend the meeting.
Item 4c was moved to Item 4b.
Motion was made by Commissioner Garber, and seconded -.by Commissioner Haag, to approve the
amended agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the September 2 meeting were presented for approval. It was requested to amend the
minutes to reflect that Commissioner Haag was present.
Motion was made by Commissioner Haag, and seconded by Commissioner Dockman,_to_appr_ove the
amended September 2, 2010 minutes. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Reports of Commissioners
(4.a) LMHRC Update
Chair Klevorn gave an update on the League meeting in Onamia. She stated that Conunissioner Alden
reported a very nice welcoming ceremony with local Native Americans.
Commissioner Garber reported he and Commissioner Mitelman will be presenting a session on Fair
Housing Law at the state conference in December.
(4.b) Education Equity
This item was removed from the agenda.
Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 1 of 4 Regular Meeting of November 4, 2010
Page 34
(4.c) FBI Training
Deputy Chief Plekkenpol reported that the training covered federal hate crime statutes, He stated that
the Police Department's goal was to learn about changes in federal law. He stated that if some crimes
occur in Plymouth, they can now be covered federally if they deal with assaults, weapons, etc. Some
additional categories are now covered if they involve interstate commerce.
Community Concerns and Human Rights Issues
(5.a) Police Updates
Deputy Chief Plekkenpol reported that there have been no hate crimes since the last meeting.
(5.b) Housing Equity
Chair Klevom reported that she attended the October 28 Housing and Redevelopment Authority
(HRA) meeting at the request of several residents from Plymouth Towne Square. The goal was to ask
the HRA to share the rent increase among all renters. She stated that the rents are very burdensome to
the few that were least able to pay. She stated that if the residents want to pursue the issue further, they
would need to contact the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. She stated that unless she is
specifically asked to do more, she is not sure the Commission has an ongoing role.
Commissioner Dockman asked how this situation ties in with human rights. Chair Klevorn replied that
it deals with possible rent discrimination in a number of protected categories.
Chair Klevorn reported that now the HRA will inform new tenants that minimum rent will be 37% of
their income and old tenants will be 35%. Chair Klevorn's concern was that minimum rents are going
up to 40-44% and tenants are not receiving cost of living increases.
The Commission had questions on how Plymouth Towne Square was initially funded. Administrative
Services Director Portner responded that as a member of the community, the commissioners have a
right to that public information.
Old Business
(6.a) Work Plan and By Laws
A draft work plan in bulleted format was distributed by Chair Klevom.
Motion was made by Commissioner Dockman, and seconded by Commissioner Haag, to review the
work plan and submit it to the City Council in February 2011. With all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
Chair Klevom stated that she will update the log of volunteer hours the commissioners have put forth
so far. It is over 300 hours so far and she asks that this be attached to the report to the City Council.
The connnission set the following goals:
Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 2 of 4 Regular Meeting of November 4, 2010
Page 3 5
• Rejuvenate the 5HRC collaboration between Plymouth, New Hope, Golden Valley,
Robbinsdale and Crystal
• School collaboration and equity
• Youth Group speaking
Nicki Ziegler, resident, asked the commission to research the Municipal Domestic -Partner Registration
Ordinance. She suggested asking an attorney from OutFront Minnesota to attend the next meeting to
talk about the ordinance and what other cities have done.
Commissioner Trites Rolle suggested inviting someone from Project 515 to also speak. They're a
group that advocates equal rights for committed same-sex couples and identifies at least 515 Minnesota
state laws that discriminate against families based on marriage.
The Commission discussed holding training on this issue and Chair Klevom asked for a subcommittee
to look into it further. Commissioners Trites Rolle and Haag offered to look into it.
(6.b) Multicultural Calendar
The commission discussed a multicultural calendar which could be published on the City's website,
the LMHRC website, and providing it to the schools. No calendar was handed out at the meeting.
This item would be placed on a future agenda.
(6.c) Essay Contest
Chair Klevorn stated that she was concerned with how the essay competition information is being
submitted to the schools and how quickly. She felt that the essay competition should be available to all
classes, not just language classes. Chair Klevom will try to talk to individual schools as well as
Interfaith Outreach who has a tutoring program.
(6.d) School Equity
Chair Klevom stated that she met with Wayzata Public Schools, Interfaith Outreach, and TLC about
the after school tutoring program in the Willow Woods area. She reported that they have noticed a
tremendous change in the students.
New Business
(7.a) Nominations for 2011 Chair and Vice Chair
Deputy Clerk Olson reported that she has received nominations Cornmissioners Garber, Mitelman and
Trites Rolle for Chair. The election of these positions will occur the next meeting after the City
Council has made their appointments to the boards and commissions.
(7.b) Bremer Grant Request
Chair Klevorn stated that the final mini grant will be awarded in March 2011, with an application
deadline of December 31, 2010.
Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 3 of 4 Regular Meeting of November 4, 2010
Page 36
The Commission discussed applying for another grant to be used again with Wayzata High School,
Mr. Turner suggested sharing that same effort with Robbinsdale School District. There was discussion
regarding the Commission providing civility training for the schools.
(7.c) Departing Commissioners
Chair Klevorn thanked the departing commissioners for all their work on the Commission.
Articles and Announcements
(8.a) Evening Prior to Annual Human Rights Conference
Chair Klevorn encouraged commissioners to attend this event prior to the conference as it is a fun way
to meet others.
(8.b) Human Rights Commission Roster
Chair Klevorn requested changing the font for Kenneth Turner's information and adding
Administrative Services Director Portner to the roster.
Adiournment
(8.a) Evening Prior to Annual Human Rights Conference
Chair Klevorn reminded everyone that the tasks between now and the next meeting would be to review
the proposed by-laws and to set dates for the OutFront and Project 515 speakers.
It was motioned by Commissioner Dockman, seconded by Commissioner Trites Rolle, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:24 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Kimberly A. Olson
Deputy City Clerk
Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 4 of 4 Regular Meeting of November 4, 2010
Page 37
Approved Minutes
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
February 9, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Kathy Osborne, Committee Members Carlos Gutierrez, Andy
Polzin, Tawnia Johnson, Ken Zieska and Student Member Joanne Kuria
MEMBERS ABSENT: Committee Member Katie Kendrick
STAFF PRESENT: Environmental Education Coordinator Margie Vigoren, Water Resources
Manager Derek Asche and Office Support Specialist Patty Hillstrom
1. Call to Order — 7:04 p.m.
2. Public Forum
Larry Adams, 11735 48"' Place N., distributed a handout and provided a brief update on efforts
by homeowners to improve the water quality of Schmidt Lake. He reported that an aeration
system is being considered for Schmidt Lake and requested the EQC's support for placement of
a pump on city property near the landing on Larch Lane.
Committee Member Gutierrez asked Mr. Adams how noisy the pumps are. Mr. Adams replied
that the pumps are noisy enough to be annoying and that an extra $1,000 has been allocated to
reduce the noise the pump generates. He added that the pump will run 24/7 from April through
November.
3. Approval of Agenda
Chair Osborne added the introduction of the new EQC member, Andy Polzin, and an update
provided by herself from Councilmember Ginny Black on the recycling contract.
Motion by Committee Member Johnson, seconded by Committee Member Zieska,
recommending a roval of the amended February 9,- 2011 Environmental Quality Committee
meeting agenda, With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
4. Public Information Announcements
A. Introduction of New EQC Member
Water Resources Manager Asche introduced new EQC member, Andy Polzin, and stated that
Mr. Polzin has participated in the Shingle Creek Watershed and has a long history of work in the
environmental field.
Page 38
Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
February 9, 2011
Page 2
5. Consent Agenda
Chair Osborne suggested removing item No. SB from the Consent Agenda and placing it under
General Business as item No. 7D.
A. Approval of January 12, 2091, Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
Motion by Committee Member Johnson, seconded by Committee Member Zieska,
recommending_ approval of the January 12, 2011, Environmental Quality Committee meeting
minutes. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
6. Public Hearing
7. General Business
A. EQC Refresher, Orientation, and Organization
Water Resources Manager Asche provided a refresher on EQC procedures and organization.
B. Election of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Motion by Committee Member Zieska, seconded by Committee Member Gutierrez, nominating
Kathy Osborne to the position of Chair for the EQC in the year 2011. With all members voting
in favor, the motion carried.
Motion by Committee Member Gutierrez, seconded by Committee Member Johnson, nominating
Ken Zieska to the position of Vice Chair for the EQC in the year 2011. With all members voting
in favor, the motion carried.
C. 2011 Education Activities
Environmental Education Coordinator Vigoren provided an overview of the environmental
education activities in 2010 and a preview of 2011 environmental education activities.
Student Member Kuria stated that an organics program has been implemented at Wayzata High
School and added that it is going really well. She has observed that students unfamiliar with
recycling and composting are not participating and suggested that programs begin in elementary
and middle schools.
Committee Member Polzin noted that a composting program has been started at Oakwood
Elementary and asked about any educational and outreach plans for the next SWPPP. Water
Resources Manager Asche replied that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has not reissued
the new permit and the conditions of the permit are unknown at this time.
Page 39
Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
February 9, 2011
Page 3
Chair Osborne stated that she enjoys the ads at the theater and suggested an environmental trivia
game. She also suggested education efforts provided by the hauler in the recycling RFP, an
environmental choice for the City-wide Read, and awarding the Environmental Champion
Award to the boy scouts that planted the floating island at the Millennium Garden.
D. Approve EQC 2010 Annual Report and 2011 Work Plan
Water Resources Manager Asche provided a brief overview of the EQC 2010 Annual Report and
2011 Work Plan.
Motion by Committee Member Johnson seconded by Committee Member Gutierrez receivin
the EQC 2010 Annual Report and 2011 Work Plan. With all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
E. Update on Request for Proposals (RFP) for Recycling
Chair Osborne reported that the following additions to the RFP for recycling were approved by
the City Council:
• Organics as an open option
• Education efforts provided by the recycling hauler twice a year
• The requirement that residuals be reported by weight
8. Reports and Staff Recommendations
9. Future Meetings — March 9, 2011
Water Resources Manager Asche informed the EQC that the May and June EQC meetings will
be held in the lower level of City Hall in the Bass Lake Room due to the council chamber
renovation.
10. Adiournment
With no objection, the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Page 40
MINUTES
WAYZATA COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATION COUNCIL
March 9, 2011
PRESENT
Becca Fink, Bob Wittman, Judy Hanson, Becky Halvorson, Brenda Heim,
Kristin Tollison, Lynn Zemlin, Susan Gaither, Susan Sommerfeld, Judi Nelson,
Katie Jackelen, LaDonna Hoy, Linnea Fonnest, Angela Bernhardt, Laurie Ahrens,
Leah Hughes, Kathy Ernst, Marcia Treno, Janet Carlson, and Carol Bergenstal
CALL TO ORDER
• Chair Becca Fink called the meeting to order.
FEBRUARY MINUTES
• The minutes were approved, as written.
CAPSH PRESENTATION
Kelly Goddard was unable to join us and will share an overview of the services of
Community Action Partnership for Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) at a later date.
HOME BASE and BRIGHT START
• Lynn Zemlin, Home Base Coordinator, provided an overview of the Home Base
and Bright Start programs in the Wayzata School District.
• Home Base started 30 years ago in the District.
• It is now in all seven elementary schools and provides before and after school
child care for elementary students, a "middle" program which serves kindergarten
children in the half of the school day they are not in kindergarten, and the Bright
Start program for children the year before they start kindergarten.
• Home Base operates 12 hours a day.
• The staff of 100 is more diverse, both by race and gender, than staff in the rest of
the district, and many employees have been with the program for a long time.
• It is a fee-based program, but some families receive scholarship help or County
assistance, based on income.
• Approximately 1,300 students participate during the school year and 900 during
the summer. Wayzata's program is one of the largest in the state.
• The programs are accredited which assures high quality.
• The programs are inclusive and serve the needs of special ed students.
• The program offers a very flexible schedule to meet parents' needs, which makes
Wayzata's program unique and highly desirable.
• Monitoring of homework is one component of the program, along with many
options for activities and play.
• The challenges faced by Home Base and Bright Start include the on-going effort
to be flexible and accommodate the needs of families, and the need to balance
budget constraints with the growing costs of providing extra activities, especially
those that include transportation.
Page 41
• Bob Wittman lauded Lynn for her excellent job as coordinator of these programs
and shared his appreciation for all of the principals in the District who work in
partnership to accommodate the needs of Home Base and Bright Start.
2-23-11 FAITH -SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
• Bob Wittman (one of the two facilitators of the event, along with Bridget
Gothberg) reported that 91 people attended the event which included
representation from the Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim faiths and school
district leadership.
• The goal of the morning was to build relationships and to provide an opportunity
to learn from one another.
• Bob reiterated the importance of the role to convene community conversations
like this.
• Bob expressed his thanks to the Table Hosts (Charlene Barghini, Kristin Tollison,
LaDonna Hoy, Judy Hanson, Becky Halvorson, Linnea Fonnest, Angela
Bernhardt, Laurie Ahrens, Katie Jackelen, Brenda Heim, Becca Fink,
Marcia Treno) for the critical role they played in the success of the morning.
• CICC table hosts reported that it was very interesting to hear the stories that were
shared.
• General themes that emerged included the need to understand more clearly how
the referral process for families/students in need might work more effectively
between faith communities and the school, continued angst over the interpretation
of the issue of the separation of church and state, and the importance of the
development of relationships to ensure the sharing of resources, where
appropriate.
• In follow-up, participants in the Community Conversation will be given the
contact information for everyone who attended and will be encouraged to connect
with each other. Participants will also be invited to receive CICC minutes if they
would like and/or participate in CICC meetings, if there is an issue or speaker that
may be of interest to them. Finally, the CICC will review how our meetings
might be structured next year to address some of the issues that were identified
during the Conversation.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Potential IOCP-WWata,School District Partnership
• Bob Wittinan explained that progress is being made on the lease agreement for
this partnership.
• It is hoped that a final decision will be made by the end of April or beginning of
May.
Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) Grants
• Kristin Tollison, member of the LCTS Grant Committee, reported that seven
grants were reviewed today by the Grant Committee, chaired by Donna Marget.
• Preliminary approval, pending review of evaluation data that will be received in
the next month, was given to the following grants:
Camp CONECT $35,000
Caring for Kids Initiative $35,000
2
Page 42
Chem/Mental Health
$24,960
Infant Parent Home Visits
$ 5,000
Primary Project
$30,000
School Readiness
$15,000
Y After School/Y Nights
$14,500
TOTAL
$1591460
• Kristin explained that grantees will be notified early in the process next year
regarding the possible reduction in the availability of LCTS funds for 2012.
Plymouth Library
• Linn6a Fonnest reminded us of the 2nd Annual Citywide Read, now underway, of
the book Chasing Vermeer.
For details go to: http://plylnouthartscouncil.org/calendarcityread.html
Linn6a noted that the Plymouth Library will soon celebrate its one year
anniversary!
• For updates on all the activities at the library go to: www.hclib.orm
Minnetonka Center for the Arts
• Leah Hughes announced that 4 murals created by children who live in the
CONECT neighborhoods will be among 8 murals that will be on display at
Ridgedale within the next few weeks. Check them out!
• About Face: Portraits from the Minnesota Museum ofAmerican Art will be on
display at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts until March 26.
• There will be a FREE Spring Art Celebration at the Art Center on Saturday, April
16 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
IOCP
For more information go to: http://www.minnetonkaarts.org
LaDonna Hoy invited everyone to attend IOCP`s Annual Meeting on April 13.
The focus for the meeting will be IOCP's "thank you to the community" for
stepping up to support the new home for IOCP in Plymouth that will open the end
of June.
Exact time and place of the Annual Meeting will be announced soon.
CONECT
• Katie Jackelen explained that CONECT is in the process of recruiting summer
counselors for the 8 week sessions of Camp CONECT that will take place in four
of the CONECT neighborhoods this summer.
• For more information go to: http://www.iocp.org/what-we-do/conect
• Bob Wittman added that it is hoped that, if approved, the leased space at IOCP
would provide opportunity to extend CONECT homework clubs to students who
do not live in CONECT neighborhoods, but have similar needs.
• Leah Hughes suggested that the Enigma Teen Center in Shakopee is a good
model of a well-run program. hltp://www.ei.shakgpee.mn.us/engima.efin
CfKI Annual Breakfast
Brenda Heim reminded everyone of the Caring for Kids Initiative Breakfast,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 7:15 AM to 8:30 AM, Wayzata Country Club.
Speaker: Mark Scally, Minnesota Business for Early Learning, "Why Business is
Interested in Early Learning".
3
Page 43
• Free, but reservations are necessary.
• Contact Brenda Heim for details: bheim a,iocp.oa
City of Plymouth
• Laurie Ahrens reported on the many Spring events that will take place in
Plymouth.
• City Sampler, an opportunity in a casual setting to meet the mayor and council
while sampling city information, light refreshments and the chance to win prizes,
will take place at City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd, on Saturday, March 19 from 9
AM to Noon.
• Primavera will take place April 15-19 at Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 43th Ave
N and is FREE.
• Primavera showcases the work of area adult and high school artists.
• There will be Citywide Read Author Presentation on Monday, April 18 at 7 PM
(also FREE) as part of the Literary Night at Primavera.
• Author, Blue Balliet, will discuss Chasing Vermeer, the Citywide Read book.
• Plymouth's Healthy Living Fair will take place on Sunday, March 20, 1-4 PM at
Plymouth Creek Center.
• 30 medical, health, fitness and food industry exhibitors will be on hand to answer
questions.
• The Fair is FREE and open to the public.
• The Plymouth Yard & Garden Expo will take place on Friday, April 8, 6-9 PM
and Saturday, April 9, 9 AM to 1 PM at Plymouth Creek Center.
• Admission $5. Youth under 16 free.
• This summer watch for Movies in the Park in Plymouth!
• For more information on all of these events go to www.plMouthmn.gov
The meeting was adjourned at 4:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Bergenstal
NEXT MEETING:
April 13, 2011
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Room A 413, Central Middle School
4
Page 44
PLM M011n,
FIRE -RESCUE
PLYMOUTH FIRE
DEPARTMENT
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
763-509-5120
FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST
DATE: March 8, 2011 TIME: 1:35 p.m. ADDRESS: 15300 18'.Avenue N.
DETAILS: The Duty Crew was paged to a reported fire alarm sounding at Parkers Lake
Apartments. While enroute, Hennepin County Dispatch updated the fire department that they had
a grease fire on top of the stove and that everyone was evacuating the building. Plymouth Engine
21 (Nordby, Magy, Starr, Tomczyk) requested a general alarm for Plymouth Fire and automatic
aid from Minnetonka Fire.
Plymouth Engine 21 arrived and reported a working fire in apartment 803. Plymouth Captain 1
(Evenson) arrived and assumed command. Plymouth Captain 1 requested a second alarm
assignment and a Rapid Intervention Team from Golden Valley Fire to be dispatched. The crew
from E-21 quickly extinguished the fire and confirmed no extension past the kitchen. Minnetonka
Engine 8 arrived and was given the assignment of ventilation. Plymouth L-21 and L-31 assisted
with overhaul operations inside the apartment.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area in the apartment. There were no firefighter or civilian
injuries. This call occurred during Duty Crew hours of operation.
RESPONSE TIME: 9 minutes ON -SCENE FIREFIGHTERS: 24
INCIDENT CONTROL TIMES: From Dispatch: 14 min. From Arrival: 5 rein.
FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: Cooking
ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: $10,000.00
P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS:
Engine Companies: E-11, E-21
Ladder Companies: L-21, L-31, TW -11
Support Units:
Rescue Companies:
Chief Officers: MTKA C-2, C-3, C-5
Mutual Aid: Minnetonka
ASSISTING AGENCIES:
EMS: Yes
Red Cross: No
Salvation Army: No
Public Works: No
State FM: No
CERT - No
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT: Plymouth Captain 1 (Command), Plymouth
Lieutenant 21 (Interior Division), Minnetonka Chief 5 (Ventilation)
Page 45
HANDORFF LAW OFFICES, P.C.
R Professional Corporation
Attorney: 1660 South Highway 100, Suite 500 Phone: (952) 697-3656
Thomas F. Handorff St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Fax: (952) 697-3657
March 4, 2011
L. Eric Evenson
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
18202 Minnetonka Boulevard
Deephaven, MN 55391
Re: Chelsea Mews Association, Inc. — Plymouth, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Evanson:
I represent the Chelsea Mews Association, Inc. located in Plymouth, Minnesota. I am writing
you regarding a creek that transverses through the Chelsea Mews property. There is a concern of
potential flooding onto the property later this spring and into the future.
For the past few weeks there has been a heightened sense of concern in Minnesota of potential
flooding of river and creek waters. Nearly every evening there are one or more news stories
focused on flooding and the impending effect. These events have caught the attention of Chelsea
Mews concerning the creek the travels through its property.
The creek in question runs off the Steeplechase Development, between Vicksburg and Dunkirk,
and onto the Chelsea Mews development. The creek borders many condominiums within
Chelsea Mews. If this creek were to overflow it would cause serious and costly flood damage to
the development. Has there been any discussion within your department regarding this creek? Is
there a plan in place to prevent flooding of the creek? Do you know if any action will be taken if
the level of the creek rises?
At your earliest convenience, please contact me to discuss.
Very truly yours,
HANDORFF LAW OFFICES, P.C.
�--t
W—V�x
Thomas F. Handorff
cc: Laurie Ahrens — City Manager, City of Plymouth
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
William Nelson — Chelsea Mews Association, Inc.
Page 46
Plymitouthr�
Adding Quality to Life
Ms. Rosemary Lavin
Assistant Director, Environmental Protection Division
417 N. 5tj' Street, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55401-3206
SUBJECT: COUNTY DIRECTED CLEAN WATER GRANT FUNDING
Dear Ms. Lavin:
March 7, 2011
In 2010, the cities of Plymouth and Golden Valley were awarded Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank
Stabilization Grants totaling $290,000 for two stream restoration projects, one in Plymouth and one in
Golden Valley. These Hennepin County directed funds will have a significant impact on improving the
water quality in Plymouth Creek, Medicine Lake, and Bassett Creek. These projects are currently
underway and will repair eroded stream banks and enhance stream function. In addition, these projects
will reduce pollutant loading in the City of Plymouth, the Bassett Creek Watershed, and improve the
water quality of our resources into the future.
The Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization funds have been combined with another grant
from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) totaling $360,000 and ad valorem funds from the
Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) totaling $951,000. By having multiple
partners on these projects, the cities of Plymouth and Golden Valley as well as the BCWMC have been
able to take on other water quality improvement projects.
It is also important to know that the City of Plymouth was able to utilize the Tree Trust for tree removals
associated with this project. The Tree Trust worked extremely hard under difficult winter conditions and
proved themselves to be a very capable organization. Plymouth is proud to work with the Tree Trust
organization and their youth groups to make long lasting improvements to our environment and we look
forward to working with them again in the future.
Plymouth residents have consistently supported water quality improvement projects and with future
grant funding, Plymouth, Golden Valley, and the BCWMC can continue to make resource improvements
in our respective cities and throughout the Bassett Creek Watershed. Hennepin County's leadership on
this funding is having a direct impact on water quality in the City of Plymouth and the Bassett Creek
Watershed and we encourage the State Legislature to promote further improvements through
additional County directed grant funds.
Sincerely,
G111_�
Derek Asche
Water Resources Manager
Cc: CIM
Geoff Nash, BCWMC Administrator
3400 Plymouth Blvd - Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 - Tel: 763-509-5000 * www.ci.plymouth.mn.us ,++r
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