HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01-29-2008 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 29, 2008
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:00
p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on January 29,
2008.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Murdock, Willis, Bildsoe, Stein,
and Hewitt.
ABSENT: Councihnember Black.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Police Chief Goldstein, Public Works
Director Cote, Administrative Services Director Portner, Deputy Fire Chief Hurr, Finance
Manager Bursheim, Community Development Director Juetten, Fire Chief Kline, Park
and Recreation Director Blank, and City Clerk Engdahl.
2008 Goals
The Council discussed the following items as their goals for 2008:
1. Complete and Implement the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Continue Emphasis on Street and Utility Maintenance and Reconstruction (review
procedures relating to reconstruction projects so that property owners are notified about
proposed reconstruction projects and expected costs two years prior to project
commencement).
3. Address Transportation Issues (partner with other jurisdictions and groups to advocate
on transportation and transit issues that will improve area roadways and highways and
reduce congestion.
4. Pursue Northwest Greenway/Park Initiatives (continue acquisition of greenway and
park land, and begin Phase 2 of the Millennium Garden).
5. Continue Proactive Public Safety Initiatives (build on the successes of fire prevention
and fire service programs as well as the proactive policing strategies initiated in 200).
6. Conduct Long -Term Financial Planning (analyze factors affecting Plymouth's
financial status to ensure continued financial health and prudent financial management.
Conduct studies of utility rates, internal service funds, and reserve finds).
7. Work with the Watershed Districts on Unfunded Water Quality Mandates (collaborate
and communicate with watershed agencies to ensure efficient, effective progress on water
quality mandates from state and federal agencies).
Adoption of the above goals would either be on the February 12 or February 26 Council
agenda.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of January 29, 2008
Page 2 of 3
Legislative Priorities
The Council discussed the following items as their Legislative Priorities for 2008:
1. Local Control. The City opposes legislation that erodes local control or creates
mandates without a corresponding state appropriation or funding mechanism.
2. Levy Limits. The City opposes the reenactment of levy limits. State -imposed limits on
local decision making are inconsistent with local accountability.
3. Market Value Homestead Credit. The City supports full funding of the Market Value
Homestead Credit in order to remove unpredictability in budgeting and improve
transparency.
4. Transportation and Transit Funding. The City encourages the legislature to identify
long-term funding sources with growth potential to allow the building of high quality,
efficient transit and highway systems. The City supports preservation of suburban transit,
and the expansion of the transit taxing district.
5. Firefighter Staffing. The City encourages the State to enact legislation to enhance
recruitment and retention of paid -on-call firefighters.
6. Affordable and Life Cycle Housing. The City urges the legislature to maintain and
increase resources to the extent possible in order to encourage the development of
affordable housing.
7. Sales Tax Exemption on Local Government Purchases. The City supports legislation
to reinstate the sales tax exemption for all local government purchases.
8. Utility Relocations. The City supports efforts to ensure relocation of utilities in a
timely manner, as well as efforts to increase service reliability.
9. Cable Franchise Authority. The City supports the continued authority of local
government relating to franchising of cable services.
10. Primary Seatbelt Law. The City supports legislation for a primary seatbelt law.
11. Fiscal Disparities. The City encourages the legislature to reexamine the fiscal
disparities program. Many of the factors which supported the original fiscal disparities
law in the early 1970's may no longer be valid.
12. Fair and equitable distribution of Local Government Aid funds.
13. Evaluation of Metropolitan Council. Encourage possible expansion of this agency's
jurisdiction of a broader area other than just the seven -county metro area.
Advisory Commissions' 2008 Work Plans
Motion was made by Councilmember Willis, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe,
to approve the 2008 Work Plans for the Environmental Quality Coumnittee, Human
Rights Commission, Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit, Park and Recreation
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of January 29, 2008
Page 3 of 3
Advisory Commission, Planning Commission and the Youth Advisory Council. With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
The Council stated that the future of the Youth Advisory Council would be discussed in
June when the current terms expire.
The Council also stated that at a future Study Session, they would like to discuss Housing
and Redevelopment Authority's policy issues.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8: 0 p.m. /
Sandra R. Engda 7, City Clerk