HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 07-27-2006 SpecialAgenda
City of Plymouth
Special City Council Meeting
Thursday, July 27, 2006
6:30 p.m.
Medicine Lake Room A & B
1. Call to Order
2. Discuss park survey
3. Set Future Study Sessions
4. Adj ourn
DATE: July 20, 2006
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEETING JULY 27 — MEDICINE LAKE ROOM
The City Council will meet with Dr. Bill Morris from Decision Resources on Thursday, July 27,
at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to review the results of the survey questionnaire done
by Decision Resources regarding a possible referendum dealing with parks and open space. Dr.
Morris will interpret the results of the survey and answer any questions from the City Council.
Attached for your review is an executive summary of the findings that Dr. Morris has prepared in
advance of the meeting. The only hard deadline the City Council faces regarding this issue is
notification of the county by September 15 if we wish to have a question on the November
ballot.
Communications Director Helen LaFave is putting together an outline of a public information
campaign including time line and estimated cost for a November referendum. This will be
handed out at Thursday night's meeting.
EB/np
Pill 1 11 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
2006 City of Plymouth Referendum Communications Study
Methodology:
This study contains the results of a telephone survey of 400 randomly selected residents of the
City of Plymouth. Survey responses were gathered by professional interviewers across the
community between June 19th and 27"', 2006. The average interview took eight minutes. In
general, random samples such as this yield results projectable to the entire universe of adult
Plymouth residents within V 5.0 percentage points in 95 out of 100 cases.
Key Findings:
1. By a 77%-15% majority, residents support the purchase of open spaces and natural areas
to complete the City=s Greenway; but, only 13% Astrongly support@ this action. To fund
the acquisition of open spaces, the typical adult resident would accept a $1.64 per month
B or $19.68 per year B increase in his/her city property taxes. In fact, a moderately low
26% are unwilling to accept any tax increase for this purpose.
2. By a 73%-19% majority, residents support expanding purchasing land and developing
parks and community playfields; a lower eight percent Astrongly support@ this proposal.
To fund the expansion of parks and playfields, the typical resident would accept a $1.38
per month B or $24.00 per year B increase in city property taxes. This time 30% are
unwilling to accept any tax increase for this purpose.
A $7,000,000.00 bond referendum proposal to fund both the acquisition of open spaces
for the Greenway and the expansion of parks and community playfields registers strong
majority support B 72%-19%, with nine percent uncertain. The Aquick differential@ B
the difference between Astrong support@ and total opposition B is -4%, a small deficit
indicative of a solid potential electoral success of this proposal. Supporters cite
Apreservation of open space,@ Agood for community,@ Areasonable cost,@ and Abenefits
for children.@ Opponents point to Aalready high taxes@ and Alack of need.@
4. Using three different survey questions to identify Avery likely@ November referendum
election voters, turnout is estimated at 82%, consistent with other Gubernatorial Election
Year turnouts of registered voters. Each of the three methods yields the same result: 74%
will support the referendum question, 19% will oppose it, and 7% are uncertain. These
results assume that no events on either the national or state scene between now and the
election will seriously diminish current voter interest levels.
Conclusions:
our
The seven million dollar bond referendum proposal enjoys solid support among the
upblic. Both components post approximately the same level of support and opposition; in
fact, the combination of the two components into one ballot question held the support of
each. In addition, the requested property tax increase is well within the combined
Aranges of acceptability@for most home owners.
In communicating aspects of the proposal, both the City of Plymouth and grassroots
supporters should focus on three keymessa es:
ANeighborhood parks, trails, athletic fields and open space are an important legacy for
children.@
Alf the land is not set-aside now, further residential and commercial development will
consume most of it.@
AThe City Greenway will be a valued asset for the entire community.@
Mobilization of supporters to vote must be the top strategy for grassroots supporters. In a
very low turnout election, such as an off-year or special election, there are still sufficient
numbers of opponents to jeopardize electoral success at the polls. In a typical
gubernatorial election, though, the possibility of an upset is remote.
Decision Resources, Ltd.
3128 Dean Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416
City of Plymouth
Park Bond Study
FINAL JUNE 2006
Hello, I'm of Decision Resources, Ltd., a polling firm
located in Minneapolis. We've been retained by the City of
Plymouth to speak with a random sample of residents about issues
facing the city. This survey is being taken because your city
representatives and staff are interested in your opinions and
suggestions. I want to assure you that all individual responses
will be held strictly confidential; only summaries of the entire
sample will be reported. (DO NOT PAUSE)
1. Approximately how many years have
you lived in City of Plymouth?
Turning to parks and recreation....
LESS THAN TWO YEARS .... 6%
TWO TO FIVE YEARS ..... 15%
SIX TO TEN YEARS ...... 21%
11 TO 20 YEARS........ 350
21 TO 30 YEARS........ 14%
OVER THIRTY YEARS ...... 8%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 0%
I would like to read you a list of parks and recreation facilities
in the City of Plymouth. First, please tell me if you or members
of your household use that facility. Then for each one used,
please rate that facility as excellent, good, only fair, or poor.
As you may know, the northwest corner of the city is the last
portion of Plymouth to be developed. As the area is developed the
City will need to provide parks and recreation facilities for new
residents.
In order to provide these facilities, the City of Plymouth is
considering a park referendum to fund acquisition of open space
for the city's Greenway corridor. The Greenway would consist of a
2.5 mile corridor that preserves Plymouth's natural areas, trees
and wetlands. The Greenway corridor will include a public trail
that extends between Cheshire Lane on the east and Peony Lane on
NOT VIS VIS VIS VIS DK/
VIS EXC GOO FAI POO REF
2. Small neighborhood parks? 24% 29% 43% 3% 1% 0%
3. Large community parks? 260 310 42% 1% 0% 1%
4. Community playfields? 49% 17% 31% 3% 0% 0%
S. Trails? 26% 310 400 2% 0% 0%
As you may know, the northwest corner of the city is the last
portion of Plymouth to be developed. As the area is developed the
City will need to provide parks and recreation facilities for new
residents.
In order to provide these facilities, the City of Plymouth is
considering a park referendum to fund acquisition of open space
for the city's Greenway corridor. The Greenway would consist of a
2.5 mile corridor that preserves Plymouth's natural areas, trees
and wetlands. The Greenway corridor will include a public trail
that extends between Cheshire Lane on the east and Peony Lane on
the west. It would also include a trail around the wetland complex
east of Wayzata High School.
6. Do you support or oppose the pro-
posed referendum to purchase open
spaces and natural areas to com-
plete the City's Greenway? (WAIT
FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strong -
Ly that way?
7. How much would you be willing to
see your property taxes increase
in order to fund the acquisition
of open space and natural areas?
Would you be willing to pay $
per month? (CHOOSE RANDOM START-
ING POINT; MOVE UP OR DOWN DEPEND-
ING ON ANSWER) How about $ per
month? (REPEAT PROCESS)
STRONGLY SUPPORT...... 13%
SUPPORT...............64%
OPPOSE.................9%
STRONGLY OPPOSE........ 6%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 9%
NOTHING...............26%
1.00 .................15%
2.00 .................22%
3.00 ..................9%
4.00 ..................5%
5.00 ..................60
6.00 ..................1%
7.00 ..................0%
8.00 ..................3%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 14%
The City would also need funds to purchase land and develop parks
and community playfields as part of the referendum proposal. The
new facilities would include additional athletic fields for
baseball, soccer, lacrosse and other activities.
8. Do you support or oppose the land STRONGLY SUPPORT....... 8%
purchase and development of parks SUPPORT...............65%
and community playfields? (WAIT OPPOSE................12%
FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel STRONGLY OPPOSE........ 7%
strongly that way? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 9%
9. How much would you be willing to
see your property taxes increase
in order to fund the land purchase
and development of parks and com-
munity playfields? Would you be
willing to pay $ per month?
CHOOSE RANDOM STARTING POINT;
MOVE UP OR DOWN DEPENDING ON
ANSWER) How about $ per month?
REPEAT PROCESS)
NOTHING...............30%
1.00 .................16%
2.00 .................22%
3.00 ..................8%
4.00 ..................4%
5.00 ..................4%
6.00 ..................0%
7.00 ..................0%
8.00 ..................3%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 14%
The City of Plymouth is considering a $7 million bond referendum
to fund both the acquisition of open spaces and natural areas to
complete the city's greenway, as well as purchase land and develop
parks and community playfields.
If the referendum were successful, the owner of a $350,000 home
would see a property tax increase of $2.25 per month, or $27.00
per year for fifteen years. And, the owner of a $500,000 home
would have a tax increase of $3.15 per month or $37.90 per year
for fifteen years.
10. If the election were held today, STRONGLY SUPPORT...... 15%
would you support or oppose this SUPPORT...............57%
2%.
referendum proposal? WAIT FOR OPPOSE................10%
perty taxes in your community to ABOUT AVERAGE ......... 38%
RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly STRONGLY OPPOSE........ 9%
that way? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 9%
IF A RESPONSE IS GIVEN, ASK: (N=363)
11. Why do you feel that way?
GOOD FOR COMMUNITY, 24%; MORE PARKS ARE NEEDED, 3%;
COST IS REASONABLE, 9%; TAXES ARE TOO HIGH, 15%; CITY
HAS ENOUGH PARKS, 3%; PRESERVE OPEN SPACE, 27%; NEED
PARKS AND BALLFIELDS FOR CHILDREN, 9%; NEED MORE
TRAILS, 3%; GOOD FOR PROPERTY VALUES, 4%; SCATTERED,
2%.
12. In comparison with neighboring VERY HIGH.............11%
areas, do you consider total pro- SOMEWHAT HIGH......... 35%
perty taxes in your community to ABOUT AVERAGE ......... 38%
be very high, somewhat high, about SOMEWHAT LOW........... 2%
average, somewhat low, or very VERY LOW...............0%
low? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 15%
Changing topics....
13. Do you currently use the Internet
at home? (IF "YES," ASK:) How do
you connect to the internet -- on
a dial-up modem at 28K, on a dial-
up modem at 56K, DSL, Comcast High
Speed Internet, or some other way?
IF "OTHER," ASK) How?
NO....................20%
YES/DIAL-UP AT 28K.....4%
YES/DIAL-UP AT 56K....10%
YES/DSL...............19%
YES/COMCAST HIGH SPD..45%
YES/OTHER..............1%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 2%
Now just a few more questions for demographic purposes....
14. How interested are you in the up-
coming November election - ex-
tremely interested, very interest-
ed, interested, not very interest-
ed, or not at all interested?
EXTREMELY INTERESTED..17%
VERY INTERESTED ....... 35%
INTERESTED ............ 33%
NOT VERY INTERESTED... 11%
NOT AT ALL INTERESTED..4%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 1%
15. What is your likelihood of voting ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN .... 50%
this November - absolutely certain,VERY LIKELY ........... 34%
very likely, about half and half, ABOUT HALF AND HALF ... 10%
not too likely, or definitely will NOT TOO LIKELY ......... 4%
not vote? DEFINITELY WILL NOT .... 1%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 1%
From time to time, cities and school districts ask voters to
approve referendum proposals...
16. Thinking about past city and
school district referendum elec-
tions, would you say you always
vote, often vote, sometimes vote,
rarely vote or never vote?
ALWAYS VOTE ........... 43%
OFTEN VOTE ............ 35%
SOMETIMES VOTE........ 12%
RARELY VOTE ............ 8%
NEVER VOTE.............2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 0%
Could you please tell me how many people in each of the following
age groups live in your household. Let's start oldest to
youngest, and be sure to include yourself....
17. First, persons 65 or over?
18. Adults under 65?
19. School -aged or pre-school
children?
NONE..................800
ONE...................10%
TWO OR MORE ........... 10%
NONE..................14%
ONE...................150
TWO...................62%
THREE OR MORE.......... 9%
NONE..................59%
ONE...................18%
TWO...................18%
THREE OR MORE.......... 5%
20. Do you own or rent your present . RENT..................20%
residence? (IF "OWN," ASK:) Which OWN/UNDER $250,000....10%
of the following categories con- OWN/$250,000-$350,000.32%
tains the approximate value of OWN/$350,001-$450,000.23%
your residential property -- under OWN/$450,001-$550,000..8%
250,000, $250,000-$350,000, OWN/OVER $550,000......5%
350,001-$450,000, $450,001- DON'T KNOW.............1%
550,000 or over $550,000? REFUSED................2%
21. What is your age, please?
22. Gender. (DO NOT ASK.)._
23. REGION OF CITY
18-24 ..................3%
25-34 .................10%
35-44 .................28%
45-54 .................23%
55-64 .................21%
65 AND OVER ........... 16%
REFUSED................0%
MALE..................50%
FEMALE................50%
WARD ONE..............28%
WARD TWO..............24%
WARD THREE ............ 24%
WARD FOUR.............25%
en a um er:
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager
SUBJECT: Set Future Study Sessions
DATE: July 19, 2006, for City study session of July 27, 2006
1. ACTION REQUESTED: Review the pending study session topics list, set study sessions
and amend the topics list if desired.
2. BACKGROUND: Attached is the list of pending study session topics, as well as calendars
to assist in scheduling.
Pending Study Session Topics
at least 3 Council members have approved the following study items on the list)
Other requests for study session topics:
Update with City Manager
Possible ordinance on feeding of wildlife (fall), Black
Consider garbage collection changes (Stein)
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
Auzust 2006
Sunday I Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
5:30 PM
NATIONAL NIGHT
2
7:00 PM
PLANNING
3 4 5
Ju12006
S M T W T F S
1 OUT COMMISSION,
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Council Chambers
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16 17 18 19 .20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Couneil Chembem
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
EQC), Council
Chambers
7:00 PM PARK &
REC ADVISORY
COMMISSION
PRAC), Council
Chambers
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM HOUSING 8
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (HRA),
Medicine Lake Room
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
11:45 AM PLYMOUTH
BUSINESS COUNCIL,
11111 Ridgedele Drive,
Minnetonka
7:00 PM PLYMOUTHADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT (PACT) ,
Medicine Lake Room A
5:00 PM SPECIAL
COUNCIL MEETING:
BUDGETSTUDY
SESSION, Madiune Lake
Rooms A 8 B
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
27 28
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
29
6:00 PM SPECIAL
COUNCIL MEETING:
BUDGET STUDY
SESSION, Public Safety
Training Room
30 31
Sep 2006
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
CITY COUNCIL
CANDIDATEFILING
PERIOD OPENS
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
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OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
September 2006
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Oct 2006
1 2
Aug 2006
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
LABOR DAY - City
Offices Closed
7:00 PM SPECIAL CITY
COUNCIL MEETING:
BUDGETSTUDY
SESSION (IF NEEDED),
Medicine Lake Rooms A
B
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM HUMAN
RIGHT$
COMMISSION
Parkers Lake
Room
9:00 AM -3:00 PM CITY
OFFICES OPEN FOR
ABSENTEE VOTING
9:00 AM -3:30 PM
PLYMOUTH CLEAN-UP
DAY, Public Works
Maintenance Facility
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
CITY OFFICES OPEN
UNTIL 7:00 PM FOR
ABSENTEE VOTING
5:00 PM CITY
COUNCIL CANDIDATE
FILINGS CLOSE
8:00 P.M. REGULAR
COUNCILMEETING,
Council Chambers
STATE PRIMARY
ELECTION: Polls open
7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
EQC), Council
chambers
5:00 PM DEADLINE
FOR CITY COUNCIL
CANDIDATES TO
WITHDRAW
7:00 PM PARK&
REC ADVISORY
COMMISSION
PRAC), Council
Chambers
Autumn Art Fair
10:00 AM - 5:00
PM and Plymouth
on Parade 1:00 PM
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM HOUSING &
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (HRA),
Medicine Lake Room A
ROSH
HASHANAH
BEGINS AT
SUNSET
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
11 A5 AM PLYMOUTH
BUSINESS COUNCIL,
12201 Ridgedale Driee,
Minnetonka
7:00 PM PLYMOUTH
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT (PACT) ,
Medicine Lake Room A
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
modified on 7/19/2006
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
October 2006
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
YOM KIPPUR 7:00 PM 7:00 PM HUMAN
BEGINS AT PLANNING RIGHTS
SUNSET COMMISSION, COMMISSION
Council Chambers Parkers Lake
Room
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
EQC),Council
Chambers
7:00 PM PARK &
REC ADVISORY
COMMISSION
PRAC), Council
Chambers
COLUMBUS DAY
OBSERVED), Public
Works Division closed
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM HOUSING &
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY(HRA),
Medicine lake Room A
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORYCOUNCIL,
Parkers Lake Room
11:45 AM PLYMOUTH
BUSINESS COUNCIL,
12201 Ridgedale Drive,
Minnetonka
7:00 PM PLYMOUTHADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT(PACT) ,
Medicine Lake Room A
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
CounciChambers
29 30 31
Sep 2006 Nov 2006
DAYLIGHT
SAVINGS ENDS -
set clocks back 1
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
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hour 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
November 2006
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
2
7:00 PM HUMAN
RIGHTS
COMMISSION
Parkers Lake
Room
3 4
10:OOAM-3:00 PMCITY
HALL OPEN FOR
ABSENTEE VOTING
Oct 2006
S M T W T F S
Dec 2006
S M T W T F S
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31
5 6
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,ENVIRONMENTAL
Medicine Lake Room
7
STATE GENERAL
ELECTION,
POLLS OPEN 7:00
A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
8
7:00 PM
GUALITY COMMITTEE
EOC), Council
Chambers
9
7:00 PM PARK &
REC ADVISORY
COMMISSION
PRAC), Council
Chambers
10 11
VETERANS
DAY
OBSERVED),
City Offices
Closed
12 13 14
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
15
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
16
7:00 PM HOUSING 8
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORrrY(HRA),
Medicine Lake Room A
17 18
19 20
7:00 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room A
21 22
7:00 PM PLYMOUTH
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT (PACT) ,
Medicine Lake Room A
23
City Offices
closed
THANKSGIVING
HOLIDAY
24
City Offices
Closed
THANKSGIVING
HOLIDAY
25
26 27 28
11:45 AM PLYMOUTH
BUSINESS COUNCIL,
12201 Ridgedale Drive,
Minnetonka
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
29 30
modified on 7/19/2006