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Council Information Memorandum 07-15-2011
CITY OF PLYMOUTH irp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO July 15, 2011 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Planning Commission Meeting Agenda July 20, 2011.......................................................... Page 1 Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting Agenda July 21, 2011 .............. Page 2 Teleflex Medical OEM Ribbon Cutting Ceremony July 22, 2011 ......................................... Page 3 New Hope for Our Children, October 11, 2011..................................................................... Page 4 July, August, September 2011 Official City Meeting Calendars ........................................... Page 5 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ....................................... Page 8 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Residents want more muscle put into stopping mussels StarTribune.................................. Page 10 Ehlers Market Residents oppose parks' open boat ramp policy StarTribune ...................... Page 13 No mowing at Edina city building draws complaints StarTribune...................................... Page 16 Cities aim lower, leaving behind dreams of utopia StarTribune......................................... Page 19 Minnehaha Creek headquarters pursued StarTribune.......................................................... Page 22 West news briefs: Wayzata High plan high tech scoreboard StarTribune ........................... Page 24 Plymouth's `Movies in the Park'— Brings in a Big Crowd! Press release .......................... Page 26 CORRESPONDENCE Memorandum, Charter Commission Appointments............................................................ Page 28 Letter, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District....................................................................... Page 31 Letter, Business Journal rank for Plymouth......................................................................... Page 36 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, July 20, 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 will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7;00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve the July 6, 2011 Planning Commission meeting minutes. B. City of Plymouth. Approve a site plan amendment to add a skate park, shade structure and batting cages at Plymouth Creek Playfield. (2011045) C. Mark and Lynn Eckerline. Approve a variance for a walkway in a structure setback to a wetland buffer at 1241 Vagabond Court. (2011049) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Oppidan, Inc. Land use guide plan amendment, preliminary plat and PUD amendment for Crossroads Commons at the former Plymouth Shopping Center site located south of Highway 55 between Cottonwood Lane and County Road 73. (2011014) (item continued from July 6, 2011 meeting) B. Cornerstone Auto. Rezoning and PUD general plan to expand the vehicle sales area at 3901 and 3955 Vinewood Lane. (2011037) 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 MEETING AGENDA PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011 - 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Parkers Lake Room City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from June 23, 2011. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Report. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing Report. D. CDBG. Accept Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Op,pidan Development. Consider request to revise Tax Increment Financing District 1-3 budget to facilitate a new development project. B. Senior Buildings. Review replacement schedules and Vicksburg Crossing Long Range Forecast. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Report. 4. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 Teleflex Medical ©EM cordially invites you to attend a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark the completion of our Plymouth facility expansion. Special Guest Congressman Erik Paulsen (R -MN) Friday, July 22, 2011 2.00 to 4:00 PM 3750 Annapolis North Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 Refreshments and appetizers will be served. Facility tour is available. Business casual dress. RSVP by July 12, 2011 to Cindy Skogstad, 763.553.3900 lfeleflex? MEDICAL OEM Page 3 Save the Date: Friday October 28th Page 4 r�ity Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 2011 Modified on 07108111 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7:00 PM 7 8 9 PLANNING COMMISSION INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE DAY MEETING DAY OBSERVED Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED 10 11 12 7:00 PM 13 7:00 PM 14 15 16 REGULAR SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING PACT MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room Metrolink Contigency Plans 6:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC) TOUR Plymouth Creek Center 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM 217:00 22 23 PLANNING PM COMMISSION HRA MEETING MEETING Parkers Lake Room Council Chambers 24 25 26 5:00 PM 27 7:00 PM 28 29 30 SPECIAL COUNCIL PLYMOUTH MEETING ADVISORY Budget Study Session COMMITTEE ON Medicine Lake Room TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING 7:00 PM Medicine Lake Room REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 31 Council Chambers Modified on 07108111 Page 5 r� Plymouth .w Adding Quality to Life August 2011 Modified on 07108111 Page 6 1 2 2:30.5:00 PM 3 7:00 PM 4 7:00 PM 5 6 NIGHT TO UNITE PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS KICKOFF COMMISSION COMMITTEE Plymouth Creek Center MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 6:30-9:30 PM NIGHT TO UNITE 7 8 9 6:00 PM 10 7:00 PM 11 12 13 SPECIAL COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL MEETING* QUALITY Medicine Lake Room COMMITTEE 7:00 PM (EQC) MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 6:00 PM 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING COMMISSION Budget Study Session MEETING Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 5:30 PM 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL HR A MEETING MEETING Parkers Lake Room 2012-2016 CIP Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 28 29 30 31 Joint meeting with PACT to discuss operations Modified on 07108111 Page 6 r�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life September 2011 Modified on 07108111 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 jjj� 6 7 8 9 10 6:00 PM CANCELLED 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING PARK & REC MEETING COMMISSION ADVISORY LABOR DAY Budget Study Session MEETING COMMISSION If Necessary Medicine Lake Room (FRAC) CITY OFFICES Medicine Lake Room s Council Chambers mbermber CLOSED 11 12 13 14 7:00 PM 15 16 17 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL REGULAR COUNCIL QUALITY MEETING, COMMITTEE Council Chambers (EQC) MEETING Parkers Lake Room 18 19 20 f217:00PM 22 23 249:ooAM 6:00-4:00 PM PLYMOUTH PLANNING OPEN HOUSE FIREFIGHTERS 5K COMMISSION FOUR SEASONS Fire Station #2 MEETING MALL STUDY Medicine Lake Room Plymouth Creek 11:30 AM Center PLYMOUTH ON 7:00 PM PARADE HRA MEETING CELEBRATION Parkers Lake Room City Center Area 25 26 27 7:00 PM 28 29 30 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Medicine Lake Room Rosh HaShanah (Begins at Sunset Modified on 07108111 Page 7 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items July 26, Special, 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2012/2013 Budget • Set Future Study Sessions July 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce "Night to Unite" on August 2 • Present Environmental Champions • Project hearing for Edge and Mill Overlay Project (11012) • Approve Ordinance amending Section 1305.02 Subd. 1 of the City Code concerning Traffic Control Officers • Approve the Final Plat and Development Contract for "Trillium Woods," for property located at County Road 47 and Juneau Lane (2008085-F) (Tabled.f •om Jzrly 12) • Approve extension of Site Plan Amendment and Conditional Use Permit Amendment for an expansion for property located at 12325 State Highway 55 (2008052) • Approve final payment for 2005 Street Reconstruction Project (8101) • Approve Bass Lake Wetland Drainage Improvement Project, Environmental Assessment Worksheet (9127) • Order Preliminary Engineering Report, Accept Preliminary Engineering Report, Calling for a Public Hearing, Declaring Costs to be Assessed, and Setting Assessment Hearing, Jamestown and Zachary Hills Edge Mill and Overlay Project (110 12) • Approve the Transit Contingency Plan recommended by the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) • Adopt "mid-term" updates to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code (2011012) • Approve denial of access to Sunset Trail for property located at 505 Jonquil Lane (2011044) August 9, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Joint meeting with Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit to discuss operations • Set Future Study Sessions August 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Presentation by County Commissioner Jeff Johnson August 16, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2012/2013 Budget • Set Future Study Sessions August 23, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Program • Set Future Study Sessions August 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 6, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2012/2013 Budget (if needed) • Set Future Study Sessions Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative-. Page 8 September 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve 2012/2013 proposed budgets, preliminary tax levies and budget hearing date September 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room October 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room October 251 Regular, 7:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Roam November 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers November 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers December 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Adopt the 2012 Budgets and Tax Levies and 2012-22016 Capital Improvement Program Page 9 Format Dynamics :: Clean -Print :: http://www.startribune.com/local/'west/124828909.litm1 Page 1 of 4 Paint your StarTribune mobile browser to , �P./Atartr ibune.com Residents want more muscle put into stopping mussels Article by: , Star Tribune Updated: July 1, 2011 - 11:12 AM As zebra mussels spread faster than expected in Lake Minnetonka, residents from Maple Grove to Chanhassen are pleading for more protection for surrounding lakes by closing public access when there's no one around to inspect boats. Hoping to persuade governments to take stronger stands, residents on Fish Lake, Christmas Lake, Lotus Lake, Lake Minnewashta and Medicine Lake are working to limit ramp use to times when an inspector can look over boats for evidence of the tiny, razor sharp shells that cluster on rocks, docks, boats and beaches. Closing a public lake access would contradict a long-standing Minnesota tradition of open lakes. The Department of N atural Resources, despite its concerns about spreading invasive species, has opposed it. Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed But the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, which includes Lake Minnetonka, sides with residents in contending that closing boat ramps when inspectors are not present should be tested. "It is extremely likely that zebra mussels will be introduced into Christmas, Minnewashta and other lakes surrounding Lake Minnetonka unless something is done to inspect boats and manage access at these lakes," said Eric Evenson, director of the watershed district. The district staff has found that "the spread of zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka is happening much faster than they anticipated and that mussels have now spread throughout most of the lake," Evenson said. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2010. Evenson joined several environmental groups in urging Gov. Mark Dayton to close public accesses at all state lakes and rivers infested with aquatic invasive species during a government shutdown. Support for restricted access At the Christmas Lake boat ramp in Shorewood, which is just a stone's throw Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_�PAGE_NUMBER=i;dcopt=i has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdeskCci.pymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By http://www.startribune. com/templates/fdcp?urique=1310414726073 0111 Dynamics Page 10 7/11/2011 Format Dynamics :: C1eanPrint :: littp://www.startribune.com/local/wcst/I24828909.html Page 2 of 4 pow- + Pbint your mobile btorowser StarTribune lihttw tartrliunm com from Lake Minnetonka, the watershed district wants to test an electronic access gate that boaters would lift by punching in an access code provided at an inspection site. Last week, the city of Shorewood endorsed the idea and provided up to $1,000 to install the electrical service for the gate, post signs and stripe the parking lot. The aim is to provide a common inspection site for Lake Minnewashta, Lotus Lake and Christmas Lake at nearby Lake Minnewashta Regional Park by August, said Joe Shneider, president of the Christmas Lake Homeowners Association. individual inspections at each lake would be too expensive, he said. Approvals are still needed from the city of Chanhassen, Carver County parks and the DNR, which is closely watching the proposal, Shneider said. Could Medicine Lake be next? On the north side of Lake Minnetonka, Terrie Christian is on a similar mission to persuade Three Rivers Park District to limit use of the public boat ramp on Medicine Lake at French Regional Park to times when inspectors are present. Advertisement This Page Cannot Be displayed "Vile want them to close the ramp when inspections are not happening," said Christian, president of the Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens. "We want 100 percent coverage, either inspections or closure." Taking its cue from the DNR, Three Rivers staff has already refused her. "From our perspective, having the gate closed at Medicine Lake forces a potentially contaminated boat into another lake and that really doesn't achieve our objective of slowing the spread of invasive species," said John Barten, director of natural resources for Three Rivers. The park district has 14 boat ramps and favors a regional and statewide approach to the problem. "It really is counter-productive to close one lake. We need to treat all lakes the same," Barten said. Christian called the response "very unsatisfactory" and plans to continue the discussion with park board members at a meeting on July 7. "I do not give up and I do not go away," Christian said. "This is not personal. This is only about doing what is best for the lake Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune—dp_print/NEWS_;FD PAGE NUMBER=2;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn,us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d - http://xvww.startn'bune.comitemplates/fdcp?unique-1310414726073 Dyriannics Page 11 7/11 /20 11 Fonnat Dynamics CleanPrint :: http://www.startribune.comAocal/west/124828909.litm1 Page 3 of 'Pokit your StarTribune mobile brows" to MtP',/$ta�rtribune.eom and that is what we have always done." Highways track the problem In April, Christian wrote Three Rivers that "Medicine Lake was infected with Eurasian water milfoil two years after it was first found in the state in Lake Minnetonka. We are the second-largest lake in Hennepin County with many boats corning from Minnetonka and Mille Lac which are now considered to be super spreaders of zebra mussels. We know we are at very high risk of infection through your ramp." Maps charting the spread of aquatic invasive species show that they are spread "exactly along the lines of highways where the lakes are most accessible," Christian said. To address concern about the spread of zebra mussels, Three Rivers has added 1,000 more hours of inspections this summer at Medicine Lake, Fish Lake and Lake Independence. At Medicine Lake, inspectors are on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, he said. Three Rivers invited volunteers to help beef Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed up its inspections and 14 people took training to do inspections. So far, only three have claimed spots on the inspection schedule. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota star tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;Fd_'PAGE NUMBER=3;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdeskcaici.pllymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d - "i http://www.startribune. com/templates/fdcp?unique=1310414726073 Dynamics Page 12� 7.11;'')O11 Format Dynamics :: Cleanfrint :: littp://www.startribune.com/local/west/125254414.litm1 Page l of 4 7lih, Point your StarTribune obile lbrowbune_ttp://startribun�rtotn Residents appose parks' open boat ramp policy Article by: , Star Tribune Updated: July 12. 2011 - 5:28 PM Medicine Lake area residents are continuing to press Three Rivers Park District to close the public boat launch on Medicine Lake when inspectors cannot be there to search boats for zebra mussels. Terrie Christian, president of the Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens, last week urged the Three Rivers Parks board to "take responsibility for the stewardship of the lakes you manage" and step up efforts to stop the spread of zebra mussels from Lake Minnetonka to Medicine Lake. In the two summers since their discovery in Lake Minnetonka in 2010, the mussels -- which cluster on boats and docks and foul beaches -- have spread rapidly throughout Lake Minnetonka, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District reported last week. Fearful that Medicine Lake is next to be Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed infested. Christian urged the park board to gate the public boat ramp in French Regional Park on Medicine Lake outside of regular inspection hours. "There is no remedy for zebra mussels," she told park board members. "Once they are in a lake, they are there forever. " Christian has worked on aquatic invasive species for 10 years as a member of the Minnesota Lakes Association and now serves on the board of Minnesota Waters, which promotes conservation on state lakes and rivers. She disagrees with John Barten, Three Rivers' director of natural resources. His view is that protecting just Medicine Lake from the spread of zebra mussels, without taking similar steps at the Park District's 13 other lakes, is a waste of time and money because if the other lakes become infested, Medicine Lake surely will, too. "The Park District doesn't believe that focusing on one lake is a very successful strategy," Barten said. "These organisms know how to spread." At the board's direction, Barten said he will revisit the idea of closing boat launches Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick net/adi/rninnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_; FD_ PAGE_NUMBER=1;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "'Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d http://www.startribune.corn/templates/fdcp?unique-1310566'433 915 _ -Dynamics Pag�/ 13/2011 Fonnat Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://www.startribune.comllocal/west/125254414.html Page 2 of 4 •PoW your StarTribune mobile browser to http:/jstartribune.e.cnm outside of inspection hours at all 14 of Three Rivers' lakes. Putting up gates and securing them so that people can't drive around them is not as simple as it may sound, Barten said. Even if gates were installed, the boat ramps would have to be accessible the majority of the time, Barten said, and that would require the Park District to spend more on inspections. Barten said he loves lakes, and has worked for 35 years to protect them. He is part owner of a lake place with his brothers on Roosevelt Lake in northern Minnesota. "I wish I could tell you that we are going to close these boat launches and that is going to solve the problem, but I am afraid that is wishful thinking," Barten said. "And I can't in good faith go to my board and recommend doing this when I know it's a failure. As a biologist, that is my belief." Christian said insisting that the Park District must treat all 14 of its lakes the same "is a convenient way of not taking action," and leaving ramps open after inspectors go off duty, "hoping for the best," amounts to Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed giving up the fight and "places district priorities over the needs of the people on a particular lake." To provide lakes more protection, Three Rivers has this year expanded inspections by about four hours a day at each of its lakes. At Medicine Lake, inspectors now are on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Closing the boat ramp outside of these hours is no different than the Park District closing park buildings outside of regular hours, Christian said. Unsupervised, people could damage buildings or deface park property, and the "same thing happens when someone comes to a lake with aquatic invasive species -- they steal value from the residents' property values, but even more importantly, they steal from all the public a healthy lake," Christian said. What it comes down to, she said, is this: "Would you endanger the health of the resource for the convenience of your park guests?" While it has been a longstanding Minnesota Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=2;dcopt= has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By http:/�'www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp?unique=1310566933915 d Dynami(�s Page 14 7/13/2011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/125254414.litm] Page 3 of 4 c . Point your Star"firibune ,.lhttp- nabile bror to tartr ibune.co /jsm tradition to allow open access to lakes at public boat launches, that tradition must be revisited in light of the zebra mussel infestation, Christian said. Barten said closing the boat ramp on Medicine Lake outside of inspection hours would bar fisherman from the lake in the early morning, when many prefer to be there. "What I am told by the walleye fishermen is that you need to fish early in the morning or right at sunrise to be successful," he said. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=3,dcopt=i has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d _ http://www.startribune.coiWtemplates/fdcp?unique=131056693 3915 Dynamics Page 15 1. Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://«rw.startribunc.coirdlocal/west/125276579.htinl Page I of 4 Ir hit Yom StarTribune �7�,Jwpr rr/sbroribu e. 4 htttrflstartribune.can+ No mowing at Edina city building draws complaints Article by: , Star Tribune Updated: July 12. 2011 - 5:32 P(vl Driving along Edina's Metro Boulevard, the corporate properties roll primly by: Sculpted lawns, flower beds brimming with daylilies, marigolds and petunias, and the occasional little sign warning people to stay off the grass because herbicide has been applied. Then you come upon the new Edina Public Works building at W. 74th Street and Metro Boulevard. There's a neat strip of mowed grass between the road and the sidewalk, and then wildness: Brown spires of rye gone to seed, bold clumps of pink swamp milkweed, and a spidery yellow wildflower waving in the breeze. It's like finding a hippie in a crowd of bankers. And the bankers are not pleased "We've had complaints from other property owners, not residents," said Wayne Houle, public works director for the city. "They're Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed very manicured down here, and we're kind of sticking out a little bit. A little bit more than I like." The public works building, which formally opened this spring, was built with sustainability in mind. It has geothermal heating and cooling and used recycled materials, and its landscape was designed to minimize the development's impact on the environment. A rain garden at the corner of 74th and Metro Boulevard holds and infiltrates water from sloping parking lots with curb cuts to direct the water. Native grasses and plants are already thriving in that area. Most of the complaints have centered on the no -mow areas between the sidewalk and the parking lot, where the native grasses have been very slow to establish themselves and cover crops like the rye are the most visible now. Once they're mature, those native plantings should need little care. That was the point, Houle said. "We're sort of leading the way on this," he said. "To me, that's good government. We're trying not to spend much time maintaining our site so we can be out maintaining the parks." Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=1;dcopt=ist, has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. IP you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By http://www.star,tr-ibune.com/templates/fdcp?unique=1310566462249 of _ - -_Dynamics Page 16 7: i „2011 Fonnat Dynamics ;: CleanPrint :: http://www.startribuiie.convlocal/west/125276579.liti-ni Page 2 of • - Point your StarTr lbune mobile browser to S http:/Jstartribune.cam But at last week's Edina City Council meeting Mayor Jim Hovland said he had heard the complaints and didn't like what he saw along 74th Street. "It just looks like dirt," he said. "People who are calling me are asking what the heck's going on there. I don't think it looks the way it should look." Matt Lasch, who is managing the project for Applied Ecological Services of Prior Lake, said the no -mow area is growing pretty much on schedule. The two grasses there -- blue grama grass and buffalo grass -- are warm -season plants that tend not to show up until later in the year, Lasch said. "Since we didn't seed until last fall, they need the right conditions to germinate and they will grow more vigorously later in the season," he said. "I'm a little surprised that hasn't happened yet, but it will," Small clumps of grass are visible in the soil along the sidewalk, and Lasch said bare areas will gradually fill in. But some of those native plants are slow growing and need a couple of years to establish themselves. Workers are visiting the site about once a month between April and October, mowing plants that need it and eliminating noxious Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed weeds with hand pulling or spot herbicide treatments. Houle said he will consult the landscape designers and Lasch and make a presentation about the site to the council in August. Lasch said the questions raised by Edina aren't new. He said he often has to prepare explanatory material for cities, homeowner associations and other clients who think sustainable plantings look scrubby in their early years. "We run into it all the time, though it's usually not this high-profile," he said. "People need some education.... They don't always understand what the concept is." He may have a tough audience. Hovland questioned the presence of milkweed in the rain garden and wondered if it was a noxious weed (milkweed is native to Minnesota and is a primary host for monarch butterfly larvae). Council Member Josh Sprague called the native area along the sidewalks "embarrassing." In an e-mail to constituents, Sprague said "efforts at austerity in this case may have led to some very bad aesthetics.... Somewhere between high -maintenance sod Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad,doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=2;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.pllymouth.mn,us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By http://www.startribune.cornJtemplates/fdcp?unique=1310566462249 d _ -Dynamics Page 17 7/13/2011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://www,startribune.com/local/west/125276579.htnil Page 3 of 4 ■ r Point your torTribuna �,�ileerort© #stip://startribune.cn�n and low -maintenance 'scrub,' there seems to Mary Jane Smetanka • 612-673-7380 be room for cost-effective, ornamental, native perennials that will better compliment the building and be more representative of its quality." Edina has had a previous clash between sustainable plantings and community expectations, and the natives lost. A roughly four -acre area bordered by walking trails in the Promenade near Centennial Lakes Park was planted with no -mow grasses a few years ago, The city began mowing the area regularly last year after bluegrass crept into the native plantings, grew tall and residents objected to the appearance. "We discovered it was better just to mow it," said Park Manager Tom Shirley. Lasch said if the city is patient with the public works site, it will be rewarded. "I think in a couple of years, it's going to look pretty darn fantastic with the rain garden," he said. "Around the building, it's going to fill in.. "It's never going to look like turf grass, it's a bit clumpier than that. But there won't be bare ground anymore." Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota star tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=3;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups° is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( heipdesk(Oci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By al Dynamics F-1 http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp`?unique=1310566462219 Pag � 1� $2011 Cities aim lower, leaving behind dreams of utopia I StarTribune.com Pagel of 3 YOURGUIDETOTHET15 IN CITIES Help Sub—bet Serrces Buy Ads Store Sdelnrlea to lh�E;ar TL�n: StarTribune i north metro News Local Sports Business Politics Opinion Lifestyle Entertainment Classifieds Autos Housing ,lobs Shopping North Metro Wasl Matto Sough Matin East Moiro Minneapotia St. Paul Your Voices Binge r Columns Nom© Lncai Nng4. Metro Cities airy lower, leaving behind dreams of utopia Article by: JENNIFER WORHUS , StarTnbune Upd : .. - - _�11 .r' In the post -recession era, some cities have had to scrap visions for complex development prgects. Page 19 http://www.startribune.com/local/north/125317153.html 7i 1 112011 Cities aim lower, leaving behind dreams of utopia I StarTribune.com Page 2 of from the homepage Gridlock: Gut punch to businesses ,3 comments *i zolextO print buyteprints Isas--si tk.a.tJd Obama challenges GOP to compromise on deb! �� n tau ida ra bei C1r pla co en way ohrfCii the ass�_ ybe The grand plan now? A Kwik Trip "White we were talking about maximizing opportunities, in walks one and we have to deal with it," said Bryan $chafer. Blaine's community development director "We need something to happen on the comer' For many Twin Cities' communities, lofty planning visions and harsh market realties have collided in the wake of the Great Recession. No one wants to say they are lowering aspirations, but compromises are emerging for redevelopment projects throughout the metro area. Condo projects have become apartments. Plans for dynamic, multi- use developments where people would live. work, eat and shop are in limbo - Instead of walkable shops. a big -box retailer may have to suffice. Fcr some, even a major retailer seems out of reach. It's all part of figuring out what development will be in a post - recession world, said John Shardlow, a principal at 'Roseville -based planner Bonestroo Inc "Cities have just kind of been hunkered down and it's only now, very recently, that some of the cities are finally saying, 'You know, we haven't seen our development fees.' or'[Ourj tax base isn't growing. Maybe we really need to start thinking about our standards."' Shardlow said "Its just slowly sinking in for everybody." Shifting expectations Take Apple Valley. The south metro suburb said It's going to wart and stay true to its vision for Central Village, a 60 -acre "new urbanist" housing -retail -restaurant project that's only partially built. One resident calls the empty fields and roads "post apocalyptic." Instead of the dense downtown -like vision with condos above stores or offices, the city may have to consider a more traditional suburban layout with apartments, its community development director said. Whatever the size and scope of the project, cities will have to he more flexible and creative now, said Jon Rausch, an executive in NorthMarq"s land division- "They all went to the same city planning school and had utopia in mind," Rausch said. "Utopia's not working anymore." Eagan, too, is shifting a few expectations for the Cedar Grove redevelopment, the core of which is a 65 -acre transit -oriented urban village -type project at Cedar Avenue and Highway 13. ICs considering apartments now instead of condos. Vertical is probably out. it didn9 want a standard suburban shopping center with a big box retailer, but it's now signaling a willingness to consider all options, said Jon Hohenstein, that citys community development director. James McCaffrey, an executive at Cassidy Turley which is marketing the site. applauds Eagan for casfing a broader net. "You have to be flexible because it may be 10 years before what you ideally wanted becomes even quasi -reality again," McCaffrey said. Accepting smaller fish Brooklyn Park, by contrast, originally wanted a big box first to anchor a major shopping and office area envisioned for 58 acres at H4ghway 610 and Zane Avenue. After plans for a Wal-Mart there felT through years ago, TCF Financial Corp. took the site back from the developer Now the approach to the site, being marketed as -610 Crossings," has flip flopped. The plan is to work with smaller retailers and other components of the site around its edges and hope that generates momentum to land the bigger fisll later, said Robert Schreier. director of community development. It too is talking to Kwik Trip about putting a gas station -convenience store on the edge of the bank -owned land "Naw, because everything is turned upside down, you're almost starting with the satellite pads before you get your big box or large grocery or home center tke a Lowe's." Schreier said. Hopkins had plans for redeveloping a stretch of Sth Avenue S. after Park N+collet closed a clinic there. Developers pitched plans. But instead of choosing the larger, complex project with retail, a greenway and a market plaza, the city opted for a smaller, straightforward apartment project because it was more feasible - "I think it was maybe more reality -driven, and who could in their minds get the financing for the project," said Karsten Elverum, Hopkins' director of planning and development of the decision Hwy. t0, cry. Rd. 10 rend to ger confused Fire damages tmssure trove of Lsson County history http-//www.startribune.com/local/nortli/ 125317153.htm1 Cities aim lower, leaving behind dreams of utopla Hwy. 10, City. 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Notification codes: . +a'3' -AT, ecc`__c- AAA17^AAAAAA,AAFAv- Page 20 711/2011 Cities aim lower, Ieaving behind dreams of utopia I StarTribune.com Sb coreernems 0res¢e1zd0 pNnt buyrepnnis R, - -- IV IV �s "I'm seriously concerned," said Caren Dewar, head of the Urban Land Institute in Minnesota. "Given that there hasn't been much going on, it's going to be a compelling choice for cities to take projects that are more straightforward, easier to finance and quicker to get done." read�a 'c 1 2 next Staffiribune Hews Local Spurts Business PoOtics Opinion Lifestyle Entertainment. 425- %It-" A. 5 C -Wu its Nru.sl-aver 4 All Arta— rA,ra+apalr WO 554A2 Company subscnbar 5—rices Website I$;1:67J-TCDD AluuE t!� St=ii rnbu'r Narrsc>ep� SuL c wans ian� �,-' Us Cun:nvr al R.aru+nu avreacaxt hlanags A:.c,aurt P,—"R'A'. Lf Rss FXrsxxaary - ;rr:,3u-s r=cir�n Saa Indy, Scty al �+le SbrTr:Lv=s Mews✓FY.=� ,_< S -'IES' =aiecn 1ht sial ?=mime Classibeds Autos Housing Jobs Shopping Page 3 of 3 Bvy Ads Store Connect wall, Us L rna Ads Phatcyrap,s C -Wu its Nru.sl-aver 4 All Arta— Fn v—k CaevlrraVr Inn.An E earn yyrsr, tta( mis Cun:nvr al R.aru+nu F.W— U_= Rerrn a9rilrs Lf Rss .'�I ISmr8FlL- ,A.4 1;4r'ft—� lura paosr Subs rphcns b ecd,rr 13 i1lcr;p 0 9Ss Q fTewslenx:s http://www.startribune.com/local/north/125317153.html a,Trl:—. —a c—ered ky C acs.Y; Page 21 7/11/2011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://wwv<l.startr7burse.coiMocal/west/124869684.html Pagel of 3 Paint your StarTribune `; mobile browser to #ttt p://sto rt r ib u n e. ca m Minnehaha Creek headquarters pursued Article by: , Star Tribune Updated: July 5, 2011 - 3:52 QM The city of Minnetonka and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District have agreed to split the $40,000 cost of a preliminary design for a building on city property overlooking Minnehaha Creek that could become the headquarters for the watershed district and a demonstration site for conservation measures. ,4 preliminary design will provide a sketch of the building and grounds along with cost estimates. The plans would be presented to the public before the city and watershed district would decide whether to proceed„ said Minnetonka Mayor Terry Schneider. The city's vision for the facility includes a broad deck overlooking the creek where a coffee shop or another business could sell refreshments and draw people to the spot, Schneider said. It also would be a location where people could put a canoe in the creek. Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed cuts through Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Edina and Minneapolis to the Mississippi River -- much of it hidden in backyards. To open up a view of the water and play up the presence of the picturesque stream, Minnetonka several years ago spent $800,000 for four lots on the creek -- a total of 8.9 acres -- and removed the houses. The property at 12510 Minnetonka Blvd., east of Minnetonka City Hall, has more than 2 00 mature trees and wetland habitat and, in the past, the city might have used it for a nature center, City Manager John Gunyou has said. But in tight financial times, the city is considering donating it for a watershed district building that would double as the city's venue on the creek for public meetings and gatherings. The watershed district, which controls creek flooding and works to improve water quality in the large area that drains to the creek, is considering moving its headquarters from Deephaven to the Minnetonka site, where it could demonstrate wetland restoration, storm water control and creek bank maintenance. This spring, the city and the watershed Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribunedp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_ NUMBER=1;dcopt=i has been blocked because the web category"Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( ftejpdesk@ci.pIymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp'unlque=131042 792 1 789 d Dynamics Page 22 7/11/2011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/ 124869684.11tml Page 2 of 3 Point your StarTribune mobile browser e http: fJst3rtribunn.com district agreed that a joint -use building would provide sufficient public benefit to justify the project -- such as being able to tell the story of Minnehaha Creels, demonstrating how to make wise use of land, water and energy, promoting recreational use of the creek with programs and amenities, and providing a public gathering space in a tranquil setting. Now the city and the district are advertising for a firm that would present a preliminary design of the building and grounds. It may be about four months before the design is ready„ Schneider said. City Council members are enthusiastic about the project but are withholding final judgment until they see the preliminary design, Schneider said. "Our goal is to not have any of this come back to the city taxpayer," Schneider said. The city wants to limit its contribution to the land, he said. As proposed, Minnetonka would finance, own and maintain the building. The watershed district would lease the building at a price that would cover the city's costs, Schneider said. The city would own the building because it has a staff for Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed maintaining buildings, Schneider said. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=2;dcopt=ist, has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdeskPcci.p_lymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By all http://www.startribune.com/teinplates/fdcp unique=1310427921789 - Dynamics Page 23 7 11 1-011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: llttp://wtivw.startribune.coin/local/west/124869409.litinl Page 1 of 6 Point your arTribu - m ale e. htt '•� p://st.�rtritAune.[am Vilest nevus briefs: Wayzata High plans high tech scoreboard Updated: July 5, 2011 -1:28 PM PLYMOUTH Wayzata High plans high tech scoreboard Wayzata High School last week received permission from the city of Plymouth to install a new electronic scoreboard on its football field that is five times taller than the current scoreboard and that will have a screen that can be changed to suit the sport being played on the field. The city amended its zoning ordinance to permit a scoreboard that is 25 feet wide, 36.5 feet high and 10 feet off the ground for a total height of 46.5 feet. The current 17 - year -old scoreboard is 8 feet tall, according to information in a city review. With city permission for a larger scoreboard, discussions will begin with school district athletic boosters and the school board about what kind of sign to buy and when, Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed said Jaime Sherwood, director of athletics and activities. The current scoreboard is chiefly for football. New scoreboard technology "would allow us to personalize" the face of the scoreboard for soccer, track and lacrosse as well as football, Sherwood said. Not only is the old scoreboard dated for its single purpose, its lights also burn more electricity than the new boards, Sherwood said. Minnetonka High also is planning to replace its scoreboard, which is 25 years old, with an electronic version in time for its first soccer game on Aug. 22, said activities director Ted Schultz. The board is being purchased with funds provided by booster donations and advertising revenues. "No taxpayer dollars are being spent," Schultz said. The Minnetonka sign will be able to display still shots of players but will not have live video. PLYM•0UTH Social host ordinttw�e approved by council Plymouth last week adopted "ocial host" ordinance which will make it a mis eanor to provide a place for kids under the legs Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota star tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=1;dcopt=ist has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5384 ( helpdesk(d)ci.pllymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d littp://wwtiv.startr-ibune.com/templates/fdcp'lunique=l 310427876400 Dynamic Page 24 7/11/2011 Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://wNvw.startribunc.comAocal/west/I24869409.html Page 2 of 6 -f � -pki�nt y�tir to Star"firm1buneFr /At& rt r e- cam drinking age to consume alcohol. The new ordinance will give the Plymouth Police Department another tool to use in discouraging underage drinking, said Police Chief Mike Goldstein. Until now, adults who had knowledge of a party and furnished alcohol could have been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. That is a more serious charge -- a gross misdemeanor, Goldstein said. The social host ordinance will allow police to hold adults accountable for knowingly providing a place for kids to drink. "It's a good tool and one we should have as part of our repertoire," Goldstein said. "Over the years there have been some missed opportunities. We have gone into the homes and cited underage drinkers but didn't have the ability to hold someone accountable." The ordinance is not solely focused on parents, he said. "Many times at these parties it's not the parents who are aware or have procured the alcohol, it's the older siblings or friends." Minnetonka adopted a social host ordinance in 2009, and Plymouth's is the same as M Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed innetonka's, word for word, Goldstein said. The City Council asked for a report back within a year on how the ordinance has been used. EN PRAIRIE BuNness person of the year named Marti Larson, general manager Bruns ick Zane in Eden Prairie as been named e Small Business P son of the Year by the E n Prairie Chamb of Commerce. Larson, who been gen al manager of the business for ven yea s, has been instrumental in rope) ng it to a top - performer statu ye -over-year in the Brunswick Bowlin Chain. The Brunswick Zone has 80 em ees in the fall and 45 in the summer, in udi many first-time fob applicants wh m the usiness trains and mentors, the hamber aid. It also noted Larson's c munity inv vement in fundraiser and charity ev nts. Other minees included Gr Albrecht from &A Executive Search, S ane Burgeson and nn Sangpan from Check E ine Ex ress, Katherine Forrester Wirth ith rthwestern Mutual Financial Netwo , Jon utsch of Auto Source and Todd Warner of Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/minnesota_star_tribune_dp_print/NEWS_;FD_PAGE_NUMBER=2;dcopt=ist; has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helpdesk@ci.plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By d http://www.startribune,coni/templates/fdcp?unique=l 310427876400 Dynamics Page/TP/2011 Plymouth's `Movies in the Park' - Brings in a Big Crowd! The first `Movies in the Park' event to be held this summer at the Hilde Performance Center was very successful. The movie, Despicable Me, was shown on Wednesday, July 13th starting at 4:20 p.m. Over 800 movie-goers were in attendance. The movie was projected onto a large inflatable movie screen set up on the Hilde's stage. The movie screen and projection system was purchased by the Parks €t Recreation Department in early 2011 utilizing Recreation Fund monies. The movie system links into the Hilde's existing sound system to provide the movie's audio. Movie rights and rental costs are generously covered by local sponsors including Mosaic, LifeTime Fitness, WestHealth, DJD Exteriors, Inc. and the Plymouth Arts Council. The entire set up worked wonderfully and combined with the beautiful weather provided attendees with a really great outdoor movie experience. Movie-goers started trickling in and establishing their viewing spots as early as 7:00 p.m. The event attracted a diverse mix of families and individuals ranging in age for infant to senior adult. Adults and kids enjoyed filling the open time until the movie's start with a variety of activities including picnicking, dancing, socializing, soccer, Page 26 frisbee and football. On-site food concessions provided movie treats for those families that didn't bring their own. Despicable Me was actually the second movie scheduled in our summer series. The first movie, Megamind, was postponed due to weather concerns. All the movies are scheduled at the Hilde Performance Center except for the rescheduled movie Megamind. That movie will be shown on the Plymouth Creek Center Fieldhouse turf field in conjunction with the Senior Program's Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Friday, September 23rd Upcoming, `Movies in the Park' • Wednesday, July 27th, Field of Dreams • Saturday, Aug 6th, Monsters Inc. • Wednesday, Aug 17th, Alice in Wonderland • Wednesday, Aug 24th, Simon Birch • Thursday, Sept 1 st, October Sky • Saturday, Sept 1oth, Secretariat (`Movie with the Mayor') • Friday, Sept 23rd, Megamind Page 27 rp)City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Cafe To: Mayor and City Council From: Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk Memorandum Date July 13, 2011 Item: Charter Commission Appointments The Chief Judge of District Court recently finalized the appointments to the Charter Commission. We had eight commissioners whose terms expired this spring/summer. All of these individuals applied for reappointment with the exception of Edward Clyman and Jeffrey Thompson, The Chief Judge reappointed those six individuals, and he appointed Torn Bengtson, 10525 40'11 Avenue North. I've attached the current roster and the above noted individuals are listed on the bottom of the roster with 2015 term expiration dates. If you have any questions, please let me know. Page 28 El r1b Officers Christian Preus Richard Dunn Terry Donovan Name Richard Dunn 178154 th Avenue N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Gregg Fishbein 3660 Xenium Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55441 Terry Donovan 1753 Evergreen Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55441 Lawrence P. Marofsky 2835 Medicine Ridge Road Plymouth, MN 55441 Donald Levens 10332 South. Shore Dr. Plymouth, MN 55447 Louise Speck 835 Vicksburg Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Lori Schwartz P.Q. Box 41479 Plymouth, MN 55441 Anne Andreasen 15725 2nd Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Terry Cheng 17615 48th Place N. Plymouth, MN 55446 (Revised 7/'1312011) Plymouth Charter Commission Chair Vice Chair Secretary Appointed Term Expires 3-01-04 3-01-12 7-09-09 2-19-12 6-9-97 6-10-13 6-9-97 7-09-13 7-09-09 7-09-13 6-09-00 6-24-13 6-9-97 6-08-13 6-08-07 5-25-15 5-30-07 5-25-15 Page 29 Revised 7`13/2011 Tom Bengtson 7-07-11 6-19-15 10525 40 Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55441 Thomas E. Murphy Jr. 9-18-98 6-19-15 4810 Orchid Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55446 Christian Preus 6-19-99 6-19-15 17330 Co. Rd. 24 Plymouth, MN 55447 James G. Willis 6-19-99 6-19-15 16511 26`h Avenue N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dharam Bobra 8-25-99 8-25-15 16105 391h Place N. Plymouth, MN 55446 Staff. Calvin Partner, Administrative Services Director, 763/509-5301 Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk, 7631509-5080 Appointments are made by the Hennepin County Chief Judge. Page 30 MINNEHAHA CREEK The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is committed to a leadership rote in protecting, improving and managing the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within the District, including their relationships to the ecosystems of v,,hick they are an integral part. We achieve our mission through regulation, capital projects, education, cooperative endeavors, and other programs based on sound science, innovative thinking, an informed and engaged constituency, and the cost effective use of public funds. QUALITY OF WATER , June 21, 2011 Manager Laurie Ahrens City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Manager Ahrens, I WATERSHED DISTRICT QUALITY OF LIFE As part of its ongoing effort to improve communications with elected officials, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) has developed a new publication. It's a quarterly newsletter that summarizes the District's activities during the past three months. You'll find the first volume for Spring 2011 enclosed. The MCWD Quarterly Newsletter contains highlights of the work that's being done in Planning, the Regulatory program, Operations and Maintenance, Water Quality, Land Conservation, Education and Communications. The goal of this publication is to keep you informed about the many projects and initiatives that are underway in the District. Also enclosed is an updated MCWD Program and Staff brochure that includes a description of each program as well as contact infoi-oration for each program manager and the Board of Managers. Please keep it as a reference. I hope you'll find the quarterly updates on the District's work helpful. Look for the Summer 2011 newsletter around Labor Day. Sincerely, 1 James Calkins, President MCWD Board of Managers Pae 31 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deepliaven, MIS 55391 9 Office: (952) 471-0590 • Fax: (952) 471-0682 0 www.minneJahacreek.org MANAGING WATER RESOURCES ACROSS 29 COMMUNITIES: CHANHASSEN DEEPHAVEN EDINA ExCELSIOR GOLDEN VALLEY GREENWOOD HOPKINS INDEPENDENCE LAKETOWN TOWNSHIP LONG LAKE MAPLE PLAIN MEDINA MINNEAPOLIS MINNETONKA MINNETONKA BEACH MINNETRISTA MOUND ORONO PLYMOUTH RICHFIELD ST. BONIFACIUS ST. Louis PARK SHOREWOOD SPRING PARK TONKA BAY VICTORIA WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP WAYZATA WOODLAND MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT QUALITY OF WATER, QUALITY OF LIFE MCWD PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS STAFF AND BOARD CONTACTS 2011 WELCOME TO THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT The Minnehaha Creek Watershed is a 181 square mile area of land that drains to Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek. Located in Hennepin and Carver Counties, the watershed includes all or portions of 27 cities and 2 townships. In total there are 129 lakes, 8 major creeks, and thousands of wetlands. The watershed features the iconic Minnehaha Falls, and popular lakes like Lake Minnetonka and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. OUR MISSION The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is committed to a leadership role in protecting, improving and managing the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within the district, including their relationships to the ecosystems of which they are an integral part. We achieve our mission through regulation, capital projects, education, cooperative endeavors, and other programs based on sound science, innovative thinking, an informed and engaged constituency, and the cost effective use of public funds. Page 32 Z�� P MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard Deephaven, MN 55391 952-471-0590 www.minnehahacreek.org Contact the MCWD Board of Managers Erie Evenson MCWD Administrator 952-641-4521 eevenson@minnehahacreek.org Eric has been MCWD administrator since 1998, and has worked to develop strong partnerships with its member communities to better engage its residents in the management of their water resources. In 2007, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor identified the MCWD as one of the most effective watersheds in the state of Minnesota. SECRETARY TREASURER James Calkins, Minnetonka 952-935-0682 (h) emmathegirldog@aol.com Brian Shekleton, Minneapolis 612-940-1091 (c) brian—shekleton@yahoo.com Lee Keeley, Plymouth 763-473-6808 (h) lekelee@aol.com Richard Miller, Edina 952-922-5647 (h) dickrmitter@gmail.com MANAGER Pamela Blixt, Minneapolis 612-724-2484 (h) / 612-919-3836 (w) pgblixt@comeast.net pam.blixt@ci.minneapolis.mn.us MANAGER Jeff Casale, Shorewood 952-949-1485 (c) jcasale@minnesotahomes.com MANAGER William Olson, Victoria 651-643-4402 (c) / 612-643-4444 (w) wsolson@ra.rockwell.com Page 33 MINNEHAHA CREEK ra WATERSHED DISTRICT QUALITY OF WATER, QUALITY OF LIFE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER SPRING 201 1 MANAGING WATER RESOURCES ACROSS 29 COMMUNITIES: OUR WORK It has been a busy spring at the Minnehaha Creek CHANHASSEN DEEPHAVEN Watershed District (MCWD). It began with the task EDINA of managing spring flooding, which involved the ExcELSIOR development of interactive maps of projected high GOLDEN VALLEY water, coordination with local governments on flood GREENWOOD response and managing water levels at the Gray's Bay HOPKINS Dam. In addition, the District launched new cost share INDEPENDENCE grant programs, continued its work to combat invasive LAKETOWN TOWNSHIP LONG LAKE species, wrapped up restoration work at Minnehaha Falls MAPLE PLAIN and the glen area and began new initiatives on land it MEDINA has acquired for conservation. The MCWD also welcomed MINNEAPOUS two new employees who will help educate and inform MINNETONKA residents about the ways to protect our resources and MINNETONKA BEACH MINNETRISTA ensure we all have clean water. MOUND ORONO PLYMOUTH OUR MISSION RICHFIELD The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is committed ST. BONIFACIUS to a leadership role in protecting, improving and managing ST. LOUIS PARK the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within SHOREWOOD the district, including their relationships to the ecosystems of SPRING PARK which they are an integral part. We achieve our mission through TONKA BAY regulation, capital projects, education, cooperative endeavors, VICTORIA and other programs based on sound science, innovative thinking, WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP an informed and engaged constituency, and the cost effective use WAYZATA of public funds. WOODLAND Page 34 Water Quality: 952-641-4524 1 admin@minnehahacreek.org The MCWD water quality program has kicked off another season of monitoring water quality on lakes and streams in the District. In 2011, water quality samples are being taken on 27 bays on Lake Minnetonka, 11 upper watershed lakes, and 15 limited access takes (canoe). Seven other lakes are being monitored by the MCWD Citizen Lake Monitoring Initiative. There are 10 locations along Minnehaha Creek and 30 locations on the Upper Watershed streams that are also being monitored for water quality. The annual take grades report for 2010 came out in May and showed water quality has held steady compared to previous years. Staff has been busy with a number of fish management pians this spring. Even before the ice was out, the MCWD conducted a carp removal project on Lake Wassermann in Victoria. Licensed fishermen attempted to remove carp once again on Lake Wassermann in late May. Although the fishermen netted fewer carp than hoped, plans were made to make another attempt next year. MCWD water quality staff also continued a fish bio -manipulation project on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. It's the second year of a three-year plan on Lake Nokomis, where the district is netting bullheads and stocking walleyes to reduce the number of fish that are stirring up the sediment on the lake bottom, increasing phosphorous which promotes algae growth. MCWD staff partnered with the Gleason Lake Improvement Association on the Gleason Lake Vegetation Management study, to help manage another invasive species, Curly Leaf Pondweed. The goal of the project, which is in its fifth and final year, is to allow the native plant species to reestablish themselves. That will help improve the water quality by increasing clarity and reducing internal sources of phosphorus. The MCWD water quality department has added a second boat to its take monitoring program. One boat, which is painted red, is being used exclusively on Lake Minnetonka, which is designated infested for zebra mussels. The other, which is painted blue, is being used on all other lakes in the district. Regulatory: Manager: Steve Christopher 952-641-4506 schristopher@minnehahacreek.org It's been an exciting spring for the MCWD regulatory department, which launched some new cost share grant programs this year. There has been considerable interest in the programs, which are designed to encourage the installation of stormwater management practices like raingardens, shoreline/streambank plantings and pervious pavers. The District also gives residents grants for the voluntary replacement of failing septic systems. Staff have been working on Low Impact Development projects including road reconstruction projects in the cities of Excelsior, Minnetonka and Wayzata, and coordinating permitting issues regarding the planned Woodland Cove subdivision in Minnetrista and the reconstruction of Highway 5 through parts of Chanhassen and Victoria. The MCWD regulatory program also has been busy following up with district residents who have stormwater ponds on their property. Malang sure these ponds are maintained is a big priority for the district. Page 3 5 l 1 YV1 ter c. 7(oo 3 Page 36