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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-09-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH COUNCIL INFO MEMO kuj January 9, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Special Council Meeting 01/12/09....................................................................................................... Page I EQCAgenda 01/14/09.......................................................................................................................... Page 2 January, February, March 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars....................................................... Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings..................................................... Page 6 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Census findings: Edina isn't so rich, and other surprises, Article, Star & Trib................................... Page 7 Flush with riders, transit is short on money and options, Article, Star & Trib..................................... Page 9 Property tax hikes prompt meeting with Hennepin County assessor, Article, Sten• & Trib ................ Page 12 Lower Level draws a crowd, Article, Lakeshore Weekly.................................................................... Page 15 DLI gathers input about residential fire sprinklers, CCLD Review .................................................... Page 16 Metro Transit to close 2 park-and-ride lots, Article, Star & Trib....................................................... Page 17 MEETING MINUTES Wayzata CICC Minutes 12/10/08...................................................................................................... Page 19 Planning Commission Minutes 12/03/08 .............................................. .........Page 23 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Property Owner, RE: Plan Amendment for the City of Plymouth 2008116 ....................... Page 27 Letter from ISD 281, RE: Thank you for donation............................................................................ Page 28 Letter from MPGA, RE: Storage Tank Release Investigation, LEAK 17487 ..................................... Page 29 Letter from CenterPoint Energy, RE: Increase in natural gas rates .................................................... Page 31 Letter from Three Rivers Park District, RE: 2008 Proposed Ordinance Changes .............................. Page 33 Memo from City Manager, RE: Teen Advisory Group...................................................................... Page 36 ATTACHMENTS Metropolitan Council Metro Stats, Overview of American Community Survey Data (2005-2007) ........Attached January 6, 2009 I hereby call a special ineeting for Monday, January 12, 2009, for the puipose of meeting with School District 251 officials to discuss the potential closing of Pilgrim Lane Elementary School. The meeting will be held at the school administrative offices, 4145 Winnetka Ave., Neuf Hope, MN. The meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. page 1 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA Wednesday January 14, 2009 WHERE: COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda` are considered to be routine by the Environmental Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Conunittee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. L CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about an item not contained in the regular agenda. A rna-y nlnrn of 15 minutes 1s allotted for" the F61'11171. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EOG rneinbers may, add items to the agenda inchal ng items contained in the EQC Iirfo rLlento for cliscatssion ptttposes or staff direction onh'. The EQC" tivill not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the November- 12, 2008, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes B. Approve the December 10, 2008, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes b. PUBLIC HEARING 7. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Discussion on best management practices for volume control 8. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 9. FUTURE MEETINGS — February 11, 2008 10. ADJOURNMENT C 1Xxi menet and SelifRgs Ihatrd1L a1 Settines,Tengw racy Inlemm files 6LK IS .011401)div Page 2 irp)City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life January 2009 Modified on 01/09/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 3 1 M�j 2 3 NEW YEAR'S DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING PARK Et REC COMMISSION ADVISORY COM - MEETING MISSION (PRAC) Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers 11 12 4:00 PM 13 5:30 PM 14 15 16 17 SPECIAL COUNCIL SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM MEETING MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL School Administrative Medicine Lake Room QUALITY Offices Board 8 Commission COMMITTEE 4148 Winnetka Ave. Interviews (EQC) MEETING New Hope Medicine Lake Room Meeting with School 7:00 PM District 281 to Discuss REGULAR COUNCIL Pilgrim Lane Elem MEETING School Closing Council Chambers 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM 7:00 FM PLANNING HRA MEETING MARTIN LUTHER COMMISSION Medicine Lake Room KING JR. MEETING BIRTHDAY Council Chambers Observed CITY OFFICES CLOSED 27 28 29 31 25 26 30 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH MEETING ADVISORY Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room A Modified on 01/09/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 3 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life February 2009 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00-7:00 PM PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS Fire and Ice COMMISSION COMMISSION Festival MEETING MEETING Parkers Lake Council Chambers Parker's Lake Conference Room 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Ft REC MEETING QUALITY ADVISORY COM - Council Chambers COMMITTEE MISSION (PRAC) (EQC) MEETING MEETING Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM PLANNING PRESIDENTS COMMISSION DAY MEETING Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room A Modified on 01109/09 Page 4 r�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 2009 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7:00 PM 9:00 AM -1:00 PLANNING PM COMMISSION RECYCLING MEETING TOUR Council Chambers Waste Management Facility 8 9 10 11 7.3 0-9,30 AM 12� 7:00 PM 13 14 Daylight 7:00 PM STATE P RK & REC ADVI- Savings REGULAR COUNCIL OF THE CITY MEETING SORY COMMISSION Commences Set Clocks Ahead MEETING Medi cine Lake Room MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 1 Hour 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL 5:30-8:00 PM QUALITY Environmental COMMITTEE (EQC) Quality Fair MEETING Birchview Medicine Lake Roam t 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 - 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room A 29 30 31 Modified on 01/09109 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 5 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items January 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing for Plymouth Radisson Liquor License • Consider rezoning and planned unit development general plan to allow an addition to the southeast corner of the Tri-State Drilling building and related site improvements for property located at 16940 State Highway 55. Wayne Jeske.rlssociates. (2008109) • Plymouth Economic Revolving Loan Fund — Consider revisions to Program Guidelines and application from Seacole —CRC, Inc. February 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Consider increase in non-resident fees for Recreation Programs • Presentation by Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek on their collaborative efforts with local police departments February 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve Park and Recreation Advisory Commission's Annual Report and 2009 Work Plan March 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers March 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special tvleetin topics have been set biv Council; all other- topics are tentative. Page 6 Ce11S115 findings: Edina isn't so rich, and other surprises hap_ilwww.startribune.conittempIatesiPritit This Story?sid=3701-5214 StafTYibune,C4t'iii MINNEAPOLIS -ST_ PAUL, MINNESOTA Census findings: Edina isn't so rich, and other surprises By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune January 7, 2009 A Metropolitan Council analysis of three years of U.S. Census Bureau data from 2005 to 2007 provides some revealing and surprising details about 41 Twin Cities communities. Edina isn't as rich as you think. Eden Prairie isn't swamped with seniors despite being ranked by a national magazine as a prime place to retire. And if you hear Spanish or Somali being spoken by someone in a bank or grocery in Richfield, they're very likely to be a resident of that city. The following snippets are from the report, which can be viewed on the Web at www.i-netrocouncil.org/Census/ACS/Overview.odf. Not all that old ... Edina does skew old, with almost 21 percent of its residents age 65 and older. Among all 41 Twin Cities communities, only Roseville has a higher share of senior citizens. But with almost one-quarter of its residents under age 18, Edina also has a higher proportion of young people than Minneapolis and 13 of the 19 suburbs that are classified as fully developed, including Bloomington, Burnsville and Minnetonka. In Eden Prairie, which U -S. News & World Report last fall ranked the third-best place in the nation to retire, just 6.5 percent of residents are 65 and older. And not as wealthy, either The stereotype of Edina as rich flies out the window compared with other cities in the report -- at least when looking at annual incomes. Edina residents' median household income of $76,805 ranks fifth among fully developed suburbs, behind Champlin, Minnetonka, Golden Valley and Shoreview. But income trends higher in younger suburbs like Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Savage and Woodbury, all of which had median household incomes that topped $92,000, dwarfing that in the older cities. Met Council analyst Libby Starling said that may be because the newer cities have more young families with two wage earners in good jobs. Of course, these numbers don't reflect accumulated wealth. Hey, neighbor Page 7 1 01-1 1 1%L 200 Census tindinQs: Edina isn't so rich, and other surprises hap: wu\,,.startribune.com/templates/`Priiii This Story?sid=37015214 If you've known your neighbors for a long time, you most likely live in Shoreview, Crystal, Andover, Ramsey, Roseville or Edina, where less than 43 percent of residents moved in after 2000. Cities with the highest proportions of new residents include Shakopee, with 70 percent of newer residents, and Woodbury, with 60 percent. Among fully developed suburbs, higher shares of new residents were found in St. Louis Park (54 percent), Burnsville (58 percent) and New Hope (52 percent). �Habla Espanol? Richfield is remarkably diverse, with more than 22 percent of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Only St. Paul, Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park have a higher share of residents whose primary language is something other than English. Linguistically speaking, the least diverse cities are Hastings and Prior Lake. Housing stress While residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul were most likely to report that paying for housing was a "severe burden" -- almost 20 percent of residents in both cities reported that they spend at least half of their income on housing -- more than 16 percent of residents in Richfield, Brooklyn Center and Burnsville said the same thing. Perhaps not coincidentally, housing costs were a relatively low source of concern in communities where people have large incomes, including Eden Prairie, Lakeville and Woodbury. At least it's a tax deduction In all but three still -developing suburbs (Chaska, Hastings and Inver Grove Heights), more than 80 percent of homeowners still are paying off their mortgages. Who owns their house outright -- or at least doesn't have a mortgage? Almost 40 percent of Roseville residents lead the way, followed by homeowners in Fridley, Edina, New Brighton, Richfield and Bloomington. With almost 43 percent of households comprised of just one person, Minneapolis has more people living alone than any other city in the report. In St. Louis Park, Roseville, St. Paul and Richfield -- some with populations that tilt young, others skewing old -- at least 37 percent of households have just one person. For "Leave It to Beaver" neighborhoods with married couples who have kids, try Andover, Chanhassen, Lakeville and Savage, where more than 40 percent of households have that traditional family structure. SINGLES POPULATION HOUSEHOLD INCOME GROWING DIVERSITY Page 8 Flush with riders. transit is short on money and options http:lhvwNv.startribunz.coiii/teniplates/Print_Thi1 Story?sid-37071091 StarTribunexom MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Flush with riders, transit is short on money and options By JIM FOTI, Star Tribune January 4, 2009 The dark joke in transit circles is that if you don't want fares to go up again, you should buy a car and then keep riding the bus. Revenue from the sales tax on motor vehicles, which provides about 38 percent of the funding for Metro Transit's bus operations, has plummeted as car sales slumped. State government, already plagued by a shortfall in the billions, isn't in a great position to help ease a transit funding deficit estimated at $11 million for the current year and at $60 million for the next two-year budget period. One remedy -- raising fares by as much as 50 cents in 2009 — isn't leaving anybody laughing. And it would fill only part of the gap. Such an increase, which has already received preliminary approval by the Metropolitan Council, would come on top of the 25 -cent hike of a few months ago and could be coupled with service cuts at a time when buses around the region are packed. This "perfect storm" of increased ridership, sagging revenues and volatile fuel prices is happening nationally, said Virginia Miller of the American Public Transportation Association in Washington. In some cities, she said, transit funding comes from a tax on mortgage transfers, hardly a reliable source during the housing meltdown. Other cities use revenue from sales taxes, which also decline during a recession. At Metro Transit, the main operator in the metro area, ridership is at its highest levels since 1981, but in the past few months the growth in riders has slowed considerably. The year -over -year ridership increase was nearly 8 percent for the first nine months of the year. In October, the increase fell to 3 percent, and in November it was down to 0.4 percent. The fare increase that took effect Oct. 1 -- non -rush-hour rides went from $1.50 to $1.75 -- played a role, said Gibbons, as did the big drop in gas prices and a rise in unemployment. "About 75 percent of the people who use our services are going to and from work," he said. "Less work, fewer rides." To cope with the budget crunch, service cuts are on the table, said Steve Dornfeld, a Met Council spokesman, but "given the way our ridership has been growing, that is absolutely our last choice, our least desired option." In a statement last month outlining the funding challenges, Met Council Chairman Peter Bell noted that a third of transit customers don't own cars or have the ability to drive. "The other thing is that if we are forced to reduce service, that could harm our chances of Page 9 I of 1 S Flush with riders, transit is short on money and options http:'.%Y%%,w-stal-tribLiiie.com/teiiiplates/Priitt_Tliis Story"sid=37071091 winning funding for the Central Corridor light-rail project," Dornfeld said, "because if we can't operate the transit service we have right now, the feds will be less inclined to fund any more." That 11 -mile line from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul is projected to cost about $915 million, with half the money coming from the Federal Transit Administration - Relying on car sales taxes The Legislature and governor hold the keys, Dornfeld said. The motor vehicle sales tax has "virtually collapsed," said state Sen. Scott Dibble, a Minneapolis DFLer who is on the Senate Transportation Committee. Recurring funding shortfalls have him concerned about the system's viability, and he noted that raising fares by a total of 75 cents in less than a year would amount to a 50 percent increase in non -rush-hour fares. Fares cover about 30 percent of transit operating costs in the Twin Cities. Finding more money is "a tall order," Dibble said, but "this is not the time to pull in our horns on transit services.... People need ways to get where they're going in a time that's economically difficult-" Operating funding was shifted from a regional property tax to the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax in the 2001 tax bill, Dibble said. Some property taxes are still levied for transit, but only for capital expenses. It seemed like a good idea at the time because property -tax revenues weren't growing much in the core communities that Metro Transit serves, said Bob Gibbons, a spokesman for the agency. "Before we switched over ... it was a rocket ship. It was going to be the answer," he said. But vehicle sales tax revenue "has fallen short of predictions consistently since they substituted it for the property tax," Dornfeld said, adding that the Legislature has made some appropriations to fill the gap. This past year, legislators came up with $31 million by diverting the first revenues of a new transit sales tax being levied in Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties. But that tax was created to develop and operate transitways — light-rail lines or special bus lanes or busways -- and is not legally available for regular Metro Transit operations after the one-time plug - That provision was part of a massive transportation bill that Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed and the Legislature enacted with a historic and acrimonious override that may hint at battles to come in this year's session, Comments accepted, but... When it approved the recent 25 -cent increase in the cost of a bus ride, the Metropolitan Council included a provision that any of its fares "may be increased by up to an additional fifty cents at any time after January 1, 2009," as long as public input is received of t. 8 Page 10 Flush a ith riders, transit is short on money and options http:; �N �v�v.starts•iiiune.comftentplates�Print This Story?sid=37071094 beforehand. The most recent comment period proved to be little more than an opportunity to vent. Of the 429 comments. 325 opposed changes to the fare structure, but the new structure was approved almost entirely as proposed. The one element that the council did reject would have started the more expensive "peak period" fares at 5:30 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. "We felt this was an area where we were able to exercise some flexibility," Bell said at the time. Four of the public comments opposed the "peak period" change - Jim Foti • 612-673-4491 02009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. of3 1, s Page 11 Property tax hikes prompt meeting with Hennepin County assessor http://w%vw.startribLIne_Com'templates/Prillt This Story?sid=3i_'43964 SfarTribune.com MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Property tax hikes prompt meeting with Hennepin County assessor By HERQN MARQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune January 8, 2009 Not all lake bays are created equal. Neither are all neighborhoods, streets or houses. As a result, some residents on Lake Minnetonka find themselves paying more property taxes than others who live off the lakeshore. That disparity prompted Hennepin County Assessor Tom May this week to take the extraordinary step of going out to Mound to answer questions from dozens of angry residents upset by the valuations his office has placed on their homes. "We're glad to talk to anyone at any time about their market value," said May, who spent more than two hours explaining the procedures of his office and how values are reached. May tried to explain that the location of a property -- the bay it is on, the street and neighborhood where it is located -- determine the value of the house because the appraiser is judging what it might sell for. Those explanations, at times technical, did little to ease the residents' concerns. Lakeshore residents believe they are paying higher property taxes than those living off the lake, although they use no more city services than other residents, they said Tuesday. "We do believe we are subsidizing others," said Connie Szarke, who is part of an informal lakeshore owners' group that spontaneously formed to investigate the issue. Nothing changed Although the meeting was civil, those who attended indicated they had not changed their minds about their valuation or been convinced that estimated property values -- some of which have gone up by double-digit percentages this year alone -- are accurately reflecting today's Twin Cities' real estate market. "Most people that are being assessed don't believe that their value is being assessed accurately," Mound Mayor Mark Hanus told May and two appraisers who joined him. Residents asked May to change the way the appraisals are done -- something he said he can't by law do on his own — and charge everyone at the same rate. "We would like to see some equitable tax reform," said Szarke. "A lot of lakeshore owners are being taxed right OLA of their homes." May said the tax rates are set by county and city governments to meet their budgets and of 3 Page 12 ] 1'. Property tax hikes prompt «ieetinig with Hennepin COMM astietis01- http://w%vw.startribu11e.coiii, temp]ates/Print This Story?sial- 3724396 4 thus are not up to the assessor's office to decide. He said the estimated market value of the house, which determines how much tax is paid, is made by his office but is also subject to review by the state to make sure valuations on houses are equally applied. One of the major problems this year. May said, is the elimination of the state's limited market value provision that artificially kept down property tax increases by limiting how much a property's market value could go up each year. The elimination of that provision, May and his colleagues said, might be one reason some people saw tax increases of 15 to 20 percent this year. "You're paying for the relief you had," said Phil Jensen, a senior county appraiser. "it happened to me. I lost the limited market value on my property, and it went up 20 percent." The lag The biggest issue people had with their property tax bills was the lag that exists between when the estimated valuations are made and when the notices are received, which can be as much as 18 months. May said the appraisals are based on home sales during a fiscal year, from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The county valuations are set on Jan. 2 of the following year, then mailed out in March or April. So they could be based on home sales that occurred as much as 18 months earlier. Given how much the real estate market has deteriorated in the past 18 months, the Mound residents are not happy with the estimates they are seeing for their properties. "They should have been going down sooner," said one resident who identified himself as a Realtor who sells homes in the area. "I think you are hurting the lake people ... disproportionately." Of even more concern is that with this lag, the values of some properties might go down while those of other, more desirable properties continue to go up, even when there is a slow real estate market. "The lag is the lag," said Mayor Hanus, himself a lakeshore property owner. "But the lag should be the same for all properties. I've had reports of off -lake property going down [in value] and the lakeshore going up." May and his appraisers tried to explain that this is because higher -demand property will hold its value a bit longer when a downturn starts, but that eventually it will even out because that property will come down in value like other properties. He pointed out that in Mound, about 57 percent of the properties are going to see a valuation decrease because of the soft housing market. "We don't make changes arbitrarily," said Jensen, who does appraisals in the area. "We try to look at what is going on. When we have evidence that [a valuation] didn't make Page 13 of3 Ir8, Property tax mikes prompt meeting with Hennepin County assessor sense, I back off." Heron Marquez Estrada • 612-673-4280 http./lwww.startribrMe.coniltemplateslPrint Tllis_Story?sid=372113964 Q 2009 Star Tribune. Al rights reserved. Page 1 �4 1 a� t ')i s Lower Level draws a crowd Page 1 of 2 Search t.1 I—_� Lakeshore OT Search Advanced Se arch - �.� - eeklyNews News Sports Covering The Greater Lake Minnetonka Arca, s Commentary ra,ras: r ws January 08, 2009 City Hall Happenings 1IW2W99:45:00AM - vt:i<<?� z n7aecee Community ldar Lower Level draws a crowd Senior Calendar Business Around the Lake By Amy Lyon Police Reports Special Sections "Every city should have a place for teens," said Thomas Buchanan, a senior at843 flu Will sued WonY52,3i3.311}i Legals Wayzata High School and drummer in the band, Calhoun. Classifieds - r X14 `!1x45 This Weeks Real The band, made up of Buchanan and some buddies, has played at teen venues and ' wadda' Ism" Estate Ads community events around the area, and most recently played at the Plymouth Creek Real Estate Form Center's teen hot spot, the Lower Level �S Contact Us Media Kit "They have a really cool stage set up and there's always lots of energy from the I Archives bands," said Buchanan. "Everyone always seems really excited to see the show." i�do0l. `. Advertising With Us Everyone typically includes 15-18 year olds and a few proud parents sprinkled into Job Opportunities the mix to see their sons and daughters play before an audience. Guest Book Area Chambers of In fact, Calhoun's show in November 2008 drew 120 visitors, a number that was Commerce encouraging to Plymouth Recreation Supervisor Erica Anderson, who took over responsibilities for the Lower Level last March. r .tet Acts have performed off and on for three years and Anderson would like to see a regular schedule of one show per month. All Day Play Indoor/ouldoor "This is a place where kids can hang out with friends, onjoy concessions and just "Recreation Overnight groove to the music," said Anderson. staff is on hand to ensure safety, but there has been little need to limit the kids' independence." The facility has a concession stand. and while there is some snacking and chatting, Anderson said most of the kids come for the music. "Bands like to have an audience and kids like to have a place to hang out, their own E space," said Anderson. "This is a place to gather outside of the house where the only other option is usually a parent's basement." The price seems right, too. Three dollars at the door. "Everyone really likes that it's cheap to get in," said Buchanan. "Places like the 7th * r Street Entry in Minneapolis are eight to 10 bucks, and the Plymouth Creek Center is really close. It's one of my favorite venues to play." In fact, the Lower Level was one of the first venues for local band, Half Demon Doll, which landed a record deal after winning a nationwide contest tate in 2008 through Your Teen Vogue magazine. Ad Here Anderson said there are a core group of bands that like to perform at the Lower Level. but she is always searching for up-and-coming musicians_ Those interested can contact her at 763 -509 -5225 - The Plymouth Creek Center is located at 14800 34th Ave. N. in Plymouth. The next Lower Level music event will take place on Feb. 27 from 7-10 30 p.m. The band playing that night has yet to be determined. Article Comment Submission Form Please feel free to submit your comments. Article comments are not posted immediate$y to the Web site. Each submission Page 15 http.,/hvu-w.weeklynews.corri/main.asp?SectionlD=10&SLibSectionID=10&Article1D=5613 0 DLA gathers input about residential fire sprinklers Findiltigs from town hah meebrigs will be given to IRC advisory group Commissioner Steve Sviggum and representatives from the Department of Labor and Industry's Construction Codes and Licensing Division hosted three town hall meetings in December throughout Minnesota to gather input on potential changes to the building code that could affect homeowner safety and housing affordability. The Minnesota Building Code currently uses the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) as the base for its residential code and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will soon begin the rule adoption process for the updated residential code, which will be based on the 2009 IRC. In September 2008, the International Code Council (ICC) voted to add the fire sprinkler provision to its 2009 IRC. This provision will require fire sprinkling in all one- and two-family homes and townhouses that build to the code as of Jan. 1, 2011. Since Minnesota amends and adopts the ICC codes to form the Minnesota Building Code, the state needs to review this fire sprinkler provision for possible inclusion when it adopts the 2009 IRC. "The new fire sprinkler requirements will have an impact on Minnesotans," said Steve Sviggum, DLI commissioner. "I appreciate the additional safety features that residential sprinklers can provide for Minnesota families and firefighters, but I also recognize the potential of a steep price tag attached. We need to discuss the potential changes to the building code that could affect homeowner safety and housing affordability." Meeting attendants agreed on the importance of homeowner safety, and praised existing safety measures, but differed on whether or not the sprinkler portion of the code should be required in new construction in Minnesota. Assistant Commissioner Thomas Joachim, right, and DLI Commissioner Steve Sviggum, left, address attendants at a December town hall meeting in Rochester. The meeting - one of three - was organized to obtain input on possible changes to the state building code. Also pictured is Rep. Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester). Home builders shared concerns about added costs to new construction a required sprinkler system would bring and that it could eliminate some first-time buyers. Those in the fire safety fields countered that homeowners would see reduced insurance premiums with a sprinkler system and the added safety would save lives. The design and construction materials used in newer homes can cause a fire to burn hotter and spread quicker, fire officials said. Sprinkler heads installed in homes — which they said would require little to no maintenance — could douse a fire before it gets out -of -hand. Builders and inspectors said that while a sprinkler could reduce fire damage, the systems have long been an available option in new construction, yet very few homeowners choose to have sprinklers installed. DLI plans to forward any information and comments from the meetings to the IRC advisory committee that will make recommendations regarding potential changes to the residential code in Minnesota. 413 Lafayette Road N. • St. Paul, MN 55155 - u-mv.doli.state.mn.us • Phone. (651) 284-5012 • Fax: (651) 284-5743 • TTY: (651) 297 - Page 16 Metro Transit to close 2 park-and-ride lots Page 1 of 2 StarTribune.colm MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL. MINNESOTA Metro Transit to close 2 park-and-ride lots By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune January 8, 2009 Pressed for money by a looming budget deficit, Metro Transit will close two smaller park- and-ride lots in Minnetonka and Brooklyn Park on Wednesday and shift about 150 commuters to other nearby transit parking. The metropolitan area transit system, which includes Metro Transit, suburban bus systems and Metro Mobility for the disabled, is facing a $72 million budget shortfall for the next 2 112 years, and closing lesser -used park-and-ride lots is one way to cut costs, said Bob Gibbons, director of customer services for the transit agency. "About 38 percent of the Metro Transit bus budget comes from motor vehicle sales taxes, and nobody is buying cars," Gibbons said. By closing the Minnetonka lot, Metro Transit expects to save about $17,000 a year on snow plowing and $16,000 a year on lighting. Commuters who park and ride the bus to downtown Minneapolis from the Minnetonka lot on the north side of Interstate 394 at County Road 73 will be urged to use a parking ramp on the south side of 1394. The lot has about 288 parking spaces with 148 now used on a typical day. The ramp has 732 spaces with 319 in use, Gibbons said. Buses will continue to stop at the parking lot bus stop for people who walk to the stop, Gibbons said. In the future, Metro Transit will use the lot for State Fair service and could re -open it if the ramp fills up, he said. Minnetonka understands the ramp can accommodate the lot parkers, "but whenever we lose spaces it is concerning because we have a lot of commuters on 394 and it is a high - traffic corridor," said Julie Wischnack, community development director for Minnetonka. In Brooklyn Park, Metro Transit will close a lot at Hwy. 252 and 73rd Avenue where only 13 of 117 spaces are in use. The commuters will be urged to use the lot across the street at the Church of the Nazarene, which has 115 spaces, of which 58 are in use. Metro Transit owns the land and will keep it in case the lot is needed in the future, But closing it now will save about $1,100 a year on lighting, Gibbons said. Although these two lots have been underused, use of park-and-ride lots in general grew Page 17 http://xN,ANAv.startribLille. cofiIltemplate s/Print_This— Story'Is id -37310 369 1 /Q/_ Metro Transit to close 2 park-and-ride lots Page 2 of 2 by almost 7 percent last year and about 2,000 new spaces were added in 2008 to meet demand, Gibbons said. Around the metro area, 26,700 park-and-ride spaces are available and 18,300 are in use, Metro Transit estimates. There are no plans for closing any other lots at this time, Gibbons said. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 ep 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. http:/l,�,,titi��N,.startribtine.comltempl�itesIPrint_This`Story'?sid=37 310369 1/9/2 Page 18 MINUTES WAYZATA COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATION COUNCIL December 10, 2008 Next Meeting: WEDNESDAY, January 14, 2009 3 to 4:30 PM Room A 413, Central Middle School PRESENT Brenda Heim, Fran Beard, Kristin Tollison, Bob Wittman, Donna Marget, Charlene Barghim, Gloria Lundberg -Jorgenson, Lynn Zemlin, Linnea Fonnest, Maggie Frick, Susan Soinmerfeld, Marcia Treno, Angela Hasernan, Leah Hughes, Cheryl Lubinski, Mary Kay Williams, Jessica Cardwell, Katy Henlmah, Steve Mumma, Greg Rye and Carol Bergenstal Chair Brenda Heim welcomed our guest speakers Steve Mumma and Katy Herrimah and our new representative from CAPSH, Kelly Goddard! NOVEMBER CICC MINUTES • November CICO minutes were accepted as written. LOTS • Donna Marget, Wayzata's LOTS Coordinator. presented the recommended allocation for the Hennepin County LOTS fiends earned in 2009 that was agreed upon by the LCTS Financing Framework Committee on November 19, 2008: State of Minnesota 5% 5> Hennepin County 5% �- Alliance 0% Children's Mental Health Collaborative 5% : Family Services Collaboratives 85% A motion was made by Greg Rye and seconded bj, Bob 1G>:'ittnran to accept file 2009 Financing Fraine►vork as presented. ,Motion passed unanimously. • Donna also presented the 2009.Interagency Agrecment that describes the decision-making structure and financial allocation framework that applies to all Family Services Collaboratives, Children's Mental Health Collaboratives. and partner agencies operating in Hennepin County participating in the LOTS revenue enhancement proguam_ A motion was made by Greg Rye and seconded by Susan Sommer, feld to accept the 20091iiterage►:cj, Agreerrret:t as presetrterl. Motion passed unanintousltr. • Donna explained that new rules for LCIS claiming will go into effect in January 2009, and they will require additional documentation. Also, LCTS revenue will be reduced in 2009 due to a change in the claiming methodology. The LCIS claim will be calculated using statewide time study results effective January 1, 2009. This is a change from the "group claiming` that is currently in place. Up until now, Hennepin County was its own "group". This Page 19 change will result in lower earnings for all of Hennepin County, including Wayzata. • Donna reminded its that the moratorium allowing states to claim school-based Medicaid administration (one of the funding sources for LOTS) is still scheduled to end on April 1, 2009. • Donna is optimistic that new federal legislation will be passed to extend the moratorium. • Donna reported that Wayzata currently has an LOTS reserve of approximately S90,000. • Donna will convene the LCTS Grant Committee on January 7, 2009 to determine the process for allocation of these remaining fields to grantees in the Wayzata School District. • Fran Beard expressed concern that cuts in LOTS -supported programs in our community will result in significantly increased needs in the future. ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRANIS • Steve Mumma explained that Alternative Learning Programs currently serve students in grades K through 12 in the Wayzata School District_ • The goal is to provide educational opportunities to students in an alternative, supportive setting that will result in increased graduation rates. • Funding for these programs is based on the Graduation Incentive Rule that is established by state statute. • Eligibility to participate in these programs is also based on statute and includes students with chemical dependency issues, mental health issues, pregnant teens, students who have been abused, homeless students, ELL students, etc. • Every student involved in these programs has a `continuous learning plan" to provide focus and direction and to help with transitions. • There are two programs at WHS: FOCUS (9`11 and 10111 graders) and TAP (11 `h and 12th graders). • The goal of FOCUS is to help students get back in the mainstream. About one half of the students return to mainstream between 91" and 10`' grade, although the number diminishes as the years go by. The drop-out rate is about 10 to 12%. • There is also an after school independent study program at WHS. • Alternative programs are in place at East and Central Middle Schools, staffed by teachers and paraprofessionals, and have the same student eligibility requirements as listed above. • Targeted Services are also available at the elementary level. • Recently, approval was given to provide off-site targeted services programming in conjunction with the CONECT programs that serve children who live in multi- unit apartment neighborhoods in Plymouth. • Summer school is also under Steve's jurisdiction and the program continues to grow. It is anticipated that 500 students will be served in the sununer school program in 2009, up from 125 students five years ago. Page 20 • For the first time last summer, it was clear there was a need to serve breakfast to summer school students. • WHS is currently experiencing the highest incidence of pregnancies and homeless teens ever. • Bob Wittman congratulated Steve on all of these efforts and explained that conversations will be forthcoming with Steve and Community Education staff to look at additional, creative ways to accommodate students with different learning styles. FAMILY SCHOOL LIAISON ■ Katy Hemmah explained that she has served in the new Wayzata School District position of Family School Liaison since its inception in February 2008. • Katy's work is devoted to help to bridge the gap between students and parents in the CONECT neighborhoods and the schools to help improve school success. • Katy's efforts are focused on Blrchvlely. Gleason Lake, Oakwood, Plymouth Creek, Sunset Hill and the CONECT Homework Clubs that serve those elementary school students. • Katy is working to make sure that every child in Homework Club has an individual plan that is based on input from that child's teacher. • The first step in the process is to secure a data privacy release from the child's parent. • An impressive 42'%0 of CONECT students who are registered for Homework Club now have a signed Family School Liaison release. • Thanks to the support from Targeted Services (as described above by Steve Mumma) more teachers are now coming to Homework Clubs. • Some teachers are also coming to Homework Clubs as volunteer tutors. • The school district has also been extremely generous in the provision of academic resources for use at all the Homework Clubs. All eight Homework Club sites now have math curriculum binders which are very useful to the Homework Club volunteer tutors. • Katy has also been successful in gaining teachers' support in encouraging their students who live in CONECT neighborhoods to participate in Homework Clubs. • Another important component of the FSL is Parent /Meetings. The goal of these meetings is to help parents feel welcome and comfortable at school --- and understand the expectations the schools have of their children. • Teachers reported this fall that thanks to Katy's efforts, there was improved attendance at parent -teacher conferences. • Katy will continue to seek input from parents about the issues and/or concerns they would like to have addressed at Parent Meetings. One topic of particular concern is computers (access to computers, safety on computers, etc.) • IOCP social workers try to identify students who might benefit from Homework Clubs but do not live in a CONECT neighborhood. Although some Homework Clubs are operating at near capacity, an effort is always made to find a spot for a student in need of this support. One of the continuing barriers, however, is transportation. Page 21 • The school attendance of students who attend CONECT Homework Clubs is also being tracked this year and is showing improvement. COMMUNITY CHECK-IN and UPDATES Computers for CONECT Homework Clubs — Following Kris Korsmo's plea in November for more computers at the CONECT Homework Clubs, Greg Rye contacted the School District. As a result, the District tech office has made available 4 laptop computers. IOCP (who oversees the CONECT programs) is working with the District tech office to identify logistical and on-going technical support needs. Itis hoped these computers will be up and running soon. Camp CONECT — The dream to provide an overnight camping experience for children who participate in Camp CONECT in 2009 is under discussion. A meeting will be held in January to identify funding sources and develop a plan to pursue those funds. Partners in Prevention — Fran Beard explained the need to educate students in the Wayzata School District about resources they can safely access to confidentially report drug/alcohol/mental health concerns without fear of recrimination. Kristin Tollison said she would carry this message to Judy Hanson, Chemical Health Coordinator at WHS, and the PIP planning committee. After School Program at Wayzata High School — PrincipaI Mike Trewick reported at the PTA Liaison Meeting on December 5`� thanks Charlene Barghini's support to identify volunteer tutors, the after school program is going well. About S volunteer tutors and 35 students are involved. Parent Support at Vicksburg Commons — Marcia Treno reported that the monthly dinners for Vicksburg Commons' residents sponsored by the Family Learning Center have now expanded to twice a month. Strong and trusting relationships are being forged with the families who attend. Transportation — Steve Mumma commented, after listening to the discussion during the meeting, that transportation continues to be a major barrier to services for families in need in our community. All agreed this is a critical issue --- and it is time to bring this issue to the City of Plymouth for more discussion, despite the current budget woes. Everyone also agreed that a more creative approach is necessary. NEXT CICC MEETING: WEDNESDAY, January 14, 2009 3 to 4:30 PM Room A 413, Central Middle School The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Carol Bergenstal 11 W Page 22 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting December 3, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chair James Davis, Conumissioners Erik Aamoth, Karl Neset, Scott Nelson and Gordon Petrash MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner TerryJaffoni STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 PA -I. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to approve the December 3, 2008 Plamiing Commission Agenda. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES illOTION by Conmlissioner Aamoth, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the November 19, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. HOLLY HAMILTON (2006097) MOTION by Commissioner Aamoth, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the request by Holly Hamilton for an extension to the variance approvals for redevelopment of a non -conforming lot, impervious surface coverage and front setback for property located at 10620 30''' Avenue North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. C. WAYNE JESKE ASSOCIATES, INC. (2008108) MOTION by Commissioner Aamoth, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the request by Wayne Jeske Associates, Inc. for a site plan amendment for a parking lot expansion and variance for a second freestanding sign at West Lutheran High School located at 3350 Harbor Lane North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. Page 23 Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 3, 2008 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARING A. MCDONALD'S USA, LLC. (2008106) Acting Chair Davis introduced the request by McDonald's USA, LLC for a planned unit development amendment to allow changes to their parking lot to accommodate a second order station for drive-through service for the property located at 2705 Annapolis Circle North. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Petrash asked if there would be curbs along the drive-through lane and if so, where the curbs would be located. Senior Planner Drill said that there would not be any Curbs, other than an island for the second order station with curbing around it. He said that the applicant would also be removing the existing island in the parking lot and putting in two new islands with the parking lot revisions. Commissioner Petrash asked what would cause cars coming in for the drive-through to stay on the right side versus going straight through the parking lot to the drive through. Senior Planner Drill said that drive-through Customers would want to get in where the cars are stacked and if there were no cars at all, they could go through the parking lot. Commissioner Petrash asked if there is signage that tells drive-through customers to go to the right or if it is just on the pavement. Senior Planner Drill said that there would be pavement markings and deferred to the applicant whether they would be putting up small directional signage. He said that the applicant is allowed to do that to assist customers in locating the drive-through lane. Planning Manager Senness added that the problem of drive-through stacking in the public street became a more serious problem when the site to the east was developed. She said that east retail commercial development has noon -tune traffic as well. She said that City staff has been working with McDonalds for quite some time to come up with a solution. Acting Chair Davis introduced the applicant, James Hileman, representing McDonald's USA, LLC. Mr. Hileman said that this was an opportunity to make good improvements to provide better, faster and safer customer service. He said that it would also eliminate the stacking problem. He said that it would provide significantly more cars on site with the extended length of the drive-through lane and the split end combination of two drive- through lanes at the order points, which provides faster service to get two orders to the preparation line and separates the drive-through traffic from the walk-in customers. He said that the walk-in customers currently have to cross the drive-through lane and stacking Page 24 Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 3, 2008 Page 3 to get into the building. He said that lie would give the recommendation to the site planner to add drive-through signage. Commissioner Nelson asked about the constriction time and how traffic and parkin; would be dealt with during the change over. Mr. Hileman said that it`s not a real high - impact process, but that they are getting in to where the weather may come into the picture. He said that in the suunimer time, they send a person out on the parking lot to take orders with a headset to try to keep the traffic moving. He said that accommodation of the work would include coning off the areas in question. He said that they would be removing the center curb and restriping the lot, which is winter sensitive. He said that they would certainly prefer to do construction during the spring, but for the purpose of expediting what they see to be a positive direction on site utilization, they would try to do it this year. Mr. Hileman added that lie would estimate the time frame for the work that they are trying to accomplish would be in the neighborhood of three weeks duration. Commissioner Aamoth asked if they would be able to accommodate the customers with 49 stalls and if that would be sufficient. Mr. Hileman said that they have certain screens that they go through and that based on their volume of business, they meet the seating and Minimum parking screens. He said that they are comfortable that these changes wont impact their business profitability. Mr. Hilernan confirmed for Commissioner Petrash that the area between the two parking areas allows customers to drive straight through to go into the drive-through lanes. Commissioner Petrash asked if they would consider putting up some kind of barrier so that they can't do that. Mr. Hileman said that Planning staff required a "no right turn' sign to restrict people from trying to go through to the drive-through lanes. Commissioner Petrash asked if this was essentially a one-way drive. Mr. Hileman said that cars can go two ways in and out of the 90 degree parking lot but can only go north around the perimeter of the parking lot where the drive-through is. Acting Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Acting Chair Davis said that lie thought this was a good idea because he had seen the McDonalds in 'Wayzata, which has this loop, and customers can park their cars and not get rule over by someone rushing to the drive-through. He said that he would vote in favor of this request. MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the request by OvIeDonald's USA. LLC for a planned unit development aniendnient to allow changes to their parking lot to accommodate a second order station for drive-tlirough service for the property located at 2705 Annapolis Circle North_ Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Page 25 Approved Planning Commission Minutes December 3, 2008 Page 4 7. NEW BUSINESS A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH Acting Chair Davis announced that the December 17, 2008 Planning Commission meeting could be canceled. MOTION by Acting Chair Davis to approve the cancellation of the December 17, 2008 Planning Conunission meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Acting Chair Davis, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Page 26 Usti � City o l ou h Adflfi73 QuI G14f tu, Life January 9, 2009 SUBJECT: SITE PLAN AMENDMENT AND VARIANCE FOR THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH {2008116} Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by the City of Plymouth. Inc., tinder File No. 2008116, for a site plan amendment and variance to allow reconstruction of the existing Pike Lake Sanitary Sewer Lift Station for property addressed 11435 61'9 Avenue North. The lift station is located south of 60`h Place and east of Goldenrod Lane. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to beheld by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2009 in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 609-5450, Sincerely, Barbara G. Seatless. AICP Planning Manager 2008 116propnotice Plymau[hfMapfe Grave Boundary LA-, Page 27 O DIVTRICT 481 0 ODDIMALE v c w 0 w w` area schools December 30, 2008 City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Friends, ROBBINSDALE AREA SCHOOLS 4148 Winnetka Avenue North . New Hope SAN 55427 763-504-8000 On behalf of the school board of Independent School District 281, Robbinsdale Area Schools, I wish to express our sincere thanks for the gift of $500 given to Robbinsdale Armstrong High School. This gift was for the band's participation in a parade. Every gift makes a difference in the quality of education that we can provide to our students, and for each one, we are truly grateful. Sincerely, Stan F. Mack, II Superintendent of Schools Robbinsdale Area Schools • www.rdale.kl2.mn.us Page 28 iWdS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North I St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 1 651-296-63001 I 800-657-3864 1 651-2B2-5332 TTY I www.pca.state.mn-us December 31.2008 Mr. Roger Peterson Hennepin County Correctional Facility 1145 Shenandoah Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: Storage Tank Release Investigation and Corrective Action Site: Hennepin County Correctional Facility, 1 145 Shenandoah Ln. N., Plymouth, Hennepin County 55447 Site ID#: LEAK 17487 Dear Mr. Peterson: Notice of Release The Minnesota Pollution Control A-encv (MPCA) has been informed that a release has occurred or contamination has been encountered from storage tanks and/or storage tank facilities that you own and/or operate. The MPCA appreciates your timely notification so this site can be handled in an efficient manner, Legal Obligations Federal and state laws require that persons legally responsible for storage tank releases notify the MPCA of the release and/or discovery of contamination, investigate and, if necessary, clean up the release(s)/contamination. A person is considered legally responsible for a petroleum tank -release if the person owned or operated the tank either during or atter the release, unless specifically exempted under the laic. For releases of other substances, a person is considered legal ly responsible if the substance discharged was under the control of the person at the time of Che discharge or release or if the person was an owner or operator of the storage tanks and/or tank facility at the time the release occurred. If you believe that you are not legally responsible for this storage tank facility release, please contact the project mana`rer listed below. Request to Take Corrective Action The MPCA requests that you take steps to investigate and. if necessary, clean tip the release(s)/contamination in ace( -)rdance with the enclosed MPCA Fact sheets. The site investigation const fully define the extent and inwmitude of the soil andrur ground Ntater contatnination caused by the release(s)/contauhination. For pets-oieum release sites, the MPCA has facts sheets that will help you or your consultant properly investigate the release and report the results to the MPCA. Unless your site is considered "high priority" (see below), you trust submit a report to this office which details the results of the investigation or concludes that excavation was sufficient to clean up the release within 10 months of tlhe date of this letter. The MPCA reserves the right to reject proposed corrective actions if the requirements of the site investigation have not been fulfilled. Refer to the following web site for related guidance documents and information. lhttp://%G'1a1N,.pca.state.mn.us/programs/lust p.liiiii1. For sites contaminated by pollutants other than petroleum. the NIPCA requests that you or your consultant contact the MPCA project manager listed to discuss the investigation and reporting timeline that hvill be required for your site. The MPCA considers sites with "free product" (free-floating petroleum), that have affected or that threaten to affect drinking water supplies, sites where pollutants are being released to surface waters such as lakes or wetlands, sites where petroleum or other vapors have been detected within structures or that pose fire or explosion hazards, to be high priority for staff review. If one or more of these situations apply to your petroleum or non - petroleum facility, a Renhedial Investigation/Corrective Action Design report (refer to guidance documents) must be submitted within 90 days. The MPCA reserves the right to reject proposed corrective actions if the requirements of the site investigation have not been fulfilled. In addition, if you know or discover that there is free product in a well, excavation, or borehole. you ihulst notil',' the MPCA Avithin 24 hours and IMMEDIATELY heein interim tree product recovery (ref-er to guidance docunhents). If you have any question N\ ith regard to t\,hcthcr Nour site is "high priority" please contact the i IPCA project manager listed below. 111�7 St -Paul I Brainerd I Detroit Lakes I Duluth I Mankato I Marshall I Rochester I Willmar 1;0 ) E Alii rrli�.r Page 29 Mr. Roger- Peterson Page 2 Reimbursement for petroleum sites: In 1987, the legislature established the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund (Petrofund) to reimburse some responsible persons and volunteers (property owners not responsible for releases) who take corrective action for a portion of their costs. The Petrofund is administered by the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board (Petro Board), which is part of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If the release at your site is a petroleum release, the MPCA encourages you to learn more about the Petrofund reimbursement program by contacting Petrofund staff at 651/215-1775 or 1/800-638-0418 (in greater Minnesota only), or by reviewing the information that is available at the following website, litip.//\,,,-",Nv.pca.state.mn.us/programs/itist_p.litm]. Because there are rules governing eligible costs of cleanup, the MPCA strongly encourages you to familiarize yourself xvith the enclosed proposal and invoice forms and the other program requirements in order to maximize the available reimbursement. Please note that final decisions regarding the amount of reimbursement are made by the Petro Board, not the MPCA. If you have not already done so, the MPCA recommends that you hire a qualified environmental consulting ftrn to help you investigate and clean up the contamination on your site. To be qualified, the consultant should have experience in performing investigations of contaminated sites and in developing and implementing corrective actions. For petroleum investigations, the consultant must be registered with the Petro Board if you wish to have your costs considered for reimbursement. A list of registered contractors is available from the Petrofund staff. Please note that, under the Petro Board's rules, (see Minn. R. ch. 2890), you must solicit a rninirnum of two written competitive consultant proposals on a form prescribed by the Petro Board to incur costs eligible for reimbursement. and a minimum of two written competitive contractor bids must also be obtained for each contractor service. _gain. the MPCA stronvlti encourages you to contact Petrofund staff for answers to all_ofyour questions about bidding and the other Petrofund reimbursement program requirements. Required Response The MPCA requires that Vou respond to this letter within 30 days to indicate x\ hether you intend to proceed with the regtjc tcJ «ork. It". 011 CIO not respond +kithiu thi, time f=rame. the MpC1 will asstrnte that cru Jo not intend to comply, in which case the MPCA Commissioner may issue you an enforceable order that xill require you to take corrective action. Failure to cooperate with the MPCA in a timely manner may result in reduced reirnbursement from the Petro Board. see Minn. R. ch. 2890. If you do not cooperate. the N'IPCA has the nlation of tAing the corrective actions Oil %our behalf and recovering its costs front )uu. Ifvau have any questions concerning this letter or need additional information. please contact me at 651-757-2331. Please reference the above LEAK # in all correspondence. If you arc calling long distance, you nay reach the MPCA by calling 1-800/657-3861. Sincerelc. ndrew Eddy Project Manager Petroleum and Closed Landfill Section Remediation Division AJEAs Enclosure cc: Sand\ Engdahl, Clerk. Plymouth Richard Kline. Fire Chief. Plymrnrth Dave Jaeger. I-lenncpin County Solid Waste Officer Matt Anderson. City of Plvntntrth Fire Departnlern Page 30 CCenterPoint. Energy Ms. Laurie Ahrens Plymouth -City Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Ahrens: Boo Lasalle Avenue PO Box 59038 Minneapolis. MN 55459-0038 December 30, 2008 On November 3, 2008, CenterPoint Energy filed a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for an increase in natural gas rates of $59.8 million annually or 3.9 percent. On December 11, 2008, the Commission accepted our filing as complete and approved an interim (temporary) rate increase of $51.2 million annually or 3.39 percent. This interim rate increase for CenterPoint Energy customers takes effect January 2, 2009, and continues until the MPUC issues a final order and the company implements new rates in early 2010. State law requires us to distribute a Notice of Application for Rate Increase and Notice and Order for Hearing to all counties and municipalities in our service area (enclosed). We will send you the public hearing notices with details of the public hearing dates, times and locations once they are scheduled. That information will also be advertised in the newspapers of record for each county seat in our service area and in the communities where hearings are to be held. If you have questions or comments, please contact me or visit our Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com/ratecase. Sincerely, David Baker Regional Vice President Phone: (612) 321-4979 Fax: (612) 321-4758 E-mail: David.BakergCenterPointEnergy.coni Enclosures: Notice of Application for Rate Increase Notice and Order for Hearing Page 31 FOR CENTERPOINT ENERGY CUSTOMERS Notice to Counties and Municipalities Under Minn. Stat.§ 216B.16, Subd. 1 BEFORE THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION — STATE OF MINNESOTA In the Matter of an Application by NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR RATE CenterPoint Energy for Authority to INCREASE Increase Natural Gas Rates in Minnesota. MPUC Docket No. G-008/GR-08-1075 On November 3, 2008, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas (CenterPoint Energy), filed a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for a general rate increase of $59.8 million or 3.9 percent. At its meeting on December 11, 2008, the Commission accepted CenterPoint Energy's filing as complete. In accordance with Minn. Stat.§216B.16, Subd. 3, the Commission has approved a total interim increase of $51.2 million or 3,39 percent. CenterPoint Energy customers will receive a 3.39 percent increase on their bills. Below are examples of the affect of the proposed and interim increase on typical bills for CenterPoint Energy customers. Individual changes may be higher or lower depending on actual natural gas usage. Rate Type Average Average Average Average (usage in therms) monthly monthly bill: monthly bill: monthly bill: usage in current rates interim rates proposed therms Residential 75 $94 $97 $99 Commercial/Industrial - up to 1,499/year 66 $85 $88 $90 - 1,500 to 4,999/year 221 $271 $281 $279 - 5,000 or more/ ear 1,065 $1,265 $1,308 $1,283 Small Volume Dual Fuel - up to 119,999/year 3,750 $3,845 $3,976 $3,903 - 120,000 or more/ ear 16,250 $16,419 $16,976 $16,648 Large Volume Dual Fuel 69,000 $64,580 $66,770 $64,680 The Commission is generally allowed 10 months to issue a final decision on general rate filings, however we expect a final decision on this request in January 2010. If the final approved rates are less than the interim rates, the difference will be refunded to customers, with interest. To examine the current and proposed rate schedules, visit CenterPoint Energy's office at 800 LaSalle Avenue, 10 Floor, Minneapolis, Minn., 55402. The Company's business office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The filing may also be examined at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 Seventh Place East, Suite 500, St. Paul, telephone 651-296-9314 or TTY: 651-296-2860 or at the eDockets Web site at www.edockets.state.mn.us. The current and proposed rate schedules and filing for new rates may also be examined by visiting the Company's Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com/rate case. An administrative law judge will schedule public hearings. Public notice of the hearing dates and locations will be published in local newspapers in CenterPoint Energy's service areas. Persons who wish to intervene or testify in this case should contact the Administrative Law Judge, the Honorable Steve M. Mihalchick, Office of Administrative Hearings, Post Office Box 64620, St. Paul, MN 55164-0620. Page 32 Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners Sara Wyatt District 1 Marilynn Corcoran, Vice Chair District 2 Mark Haggerty District 3 Dale Woodbeck District 4 inreeRiverS PARK DISTRICT December 30, 2008 City Clerk Sandy Engdahl City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Engdahl, Three Rivers Park District is in the process of revising its Ordinance. The Park District is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 398, to promulgate ordinances to establish reasonable and necessary rules and regulations for park visitors. The Ordinance was adopted in 1985 and last revised in December of 2007 to meet the following objectives: To ensure the safe and peaceful public use of Park District areas and facilities, To promote educational and recreational benefits and enjoyment for park users, To protect and preserve Park District property, facilities and natural resources. A copy of the proposed revisions to the Ordinance is attached. One proposed change would allow Park District parks to remain open until 10 p.m. Another revision would require dog owners to keep their dogs on a non -retractable leash no longer than six feet. With this safety improvement, dog walking could be permitted on most paved trails. The proposed changes also include rules about bulk/tap quantities of beer or wine, disturbance of natural features and clarification of terms and definitions relating to metal detecting, beer, malt liquor and theft. Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MIN 55441-1299 page 33 Information 763.559.9000 • TTY 763.559.6719 • Fax 763.559.3287 • www.ThreeRiversParkD The current Ordinance is available on the Three Rivers Park District web site at http://wwyv.threeriversparkdistrict.org/shared/ordinance.cfm. If you would like a Rosemary nese copy or have any questions, contact Beth Nash, Public Affairs Coordinator, at 763- District riet5 559-6707 or bnash@threeriversparkdistrict.org. The Board of Commissioners has established a public hearing date of January 22, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Park District Administrative Center, larrytad.chair 3000 Xenium Lane N., Plymouth, MN 55441. Written comments may be sent to the Appointed Appointed above address or e-mailed to commissioners(cbthreeriversparkdistrict.org through the public hearing date. Please place the attached Ordinance revisions in your reference area for public view. Joan Peters, Sincerely, Appointed r� Cristofer A. Gears Cris Gears Superintendent Superintendent and Secretary to the Board Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MIN 55441-1299 page 33 Information 763.559.9000 • TTY 763.559.6719 • Fax 763.559.3287 • www.ThreeRiversParkD Chapter/Section 1 Chapter II, Section 1 (a) 2 Chapter Ii 3 Chapter III, Section 1 (d) 4 Chapter IV, Section 2 (b) 5 Chapter V, Section 1 6 Chapter V, Section I 7 Index THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT 2008 PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES RULE CHANGES Current Language Parks shall be open to the public from 5:00 a.m. until sunset. Possess or bring beer or wine into a parkin kegs, barrels, or other bulk tap quantities. It shall be unlawful for any person to: Bring a pet into an authorized area of a park unless 'r caged or kept on a leash... It shall be unlawful for any person to; (a. through e,) It shall be unlawful for any person to: (a. through f.) Proposed Change Change: "...until 10:00 p.m." Add: Section 4 -- Theft (Misdemeanor) It shall be unlawful to intentionally and Without right of ownership or consent take, use, transfer, retain or possess items of another. Add: "unless authorized by special permit." Change: "...kept on a non -retractable leash Add f. (Misdemeanor) engage in metal detecting Add: g. (Misdemeanor) transpoi=t possess, or _ burn firewood in Three Rivers Park District unless the firewood is purchased from the Park District; or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approved firewood vendor within _ 100 miles of the Park District facility. _ Add: Theft, Malt Liquor, Metal Detecting Add: Additional page number for definition of "Beer" Page 34 THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT 2008 PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS AND TERMS Chapter/Section Proposed Change Chapter I, Section 3: Define Beer: "Beer" is any beverage made from 1 Definitions malt by fermentation and containing not less than one-half of one percent alcohol by volume. Chapter I, Section 3: Define Metal Detecting: To use an electronico 2 Definitions mechanical device to locate metals or other artifacts that are underground or under water Define Theft: Whoever does any of the following commits theft: intentionally and without claim of Chapter I, Section 3; right takes, uses, transfers, conceals or retains 3 Definitions possession of movable property of another without the others consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of the property. Define Malt Liquor: Any beer, ale, or other'" Chapter I, Section 3: beverage made from malt by fermentation and 4 Definitions containing not less than one-half of one percent alcohol by volume. Page 35 M1EM0 CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: January 9. 2009 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager`✓ SUBJECT: Teen Advisory Group T.A.G. We're it! In 2008, the City Council disbanded the Youth Advisory Council and directed staff to pursue a different model for youth involvement. Recreation Supervisor Erica Anderson, who works with youth programming, has done a very nice job of heading up this effort. Erica has been working with the remaining members of the Youth Advisory Council and other local teens in Plymouth to form this group. The group has met three times with an average of five participants at each meeting. They have drafted a mission statement and chosen a group name. The new group selected the acronyin T.A.G. as their name, which stands for Teen Advisory Group. The mission statement is: Give teens in Plymouth a voice by serving as a platform to better the community through teen involvement, activities and volunteering. The group has also created a "wikispaces" web page for group members to brainstorm and communicate. We are excited about the possibilities for this group moving forward. The youth are happy with this format for involvement and are pleased that volunteerism can be a central focus of the group. Page 36 Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 The U.S. Census Bureau has released, for the first time, data covering all geographic areas having a population of 20,000 or greater, based on its American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS allows a look at detailed demographic and housing characteristics annually. The ACS, as a continuous survey, is based on a smaller sample each year than was covered in the decennial census. Therefore, the Census Bureau has been rolling out data for smaller geographic areas when there are enough data to provide statistically solid results. The data covered in this MetroStats highlight key findings from this latest data release, which covers three years of ACS data collection -2005 through 2007. The Census Bureau also provides the margin of statistical error associated with each of the data cells it publishes. Data users should be aware of the size of these reliability estimates when analyzing findings from the ACS. This recent data release covers 41 cities in the Twin Cities region with populations of 20,000 or higher. These communities represent 78 percent of the region's total population. In addition to the region's central cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, 19 other cities covered by the new census data are considered, for purposes of Metropolitan Council planning, to be developed communities and 20 are currently developing suburbs. The covered developed cities represent 71 percent of the developed suburbs' total population, and the covered developing cities represent 83 percent of the developing area total. Part I: Demographics Percent of the population under 18 years old 40% 26% 20% 21% 0% — 31% 19% 35% 25% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ Overall, one in four, or 25 percent, of the seven -county Twin Cities population was under 18 years old. ■ Children made up 26 percent of St. Paul's population and 21 percent in Minneapolis. On average, 23 percent of the developed suburb population was under 18. The highest predominance of youth population within the developed areas was in Champlin with 31 percent, followed by Brooklyn Park, Apple Valley and Coon Rapids. In the other developed cities the percentage of children ranged downward to a low of 19 percent, in Roseville, followed closely by Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Richfield and New Hope, all at 20 percent. Developing suburbs tended to be younger, averaging 29 percent in the population under age 18. Lakeville topped the list with 35 percent while Inver Grove Heights and Blaine, at the low end, had 25 percent. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH 5 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of the population 65 years old and older 30% 20% 10% 10% 8% 0% Central Cities ■ Range of cities 23% S� 5% 12% 4% Developed Developing ■ Average of cities ■ Overall, 10 percent of the population in the seven -county Twin Cities area was age 65 and older. ■ The developed suburbs had twice as high a share of people aged 65 and up as the developing suburbs — 14 percent (weighted by population size) compared to 7 percent in the developing. At 8 percent (Minneapolis) and 10 percent (St. Paul), the central cities were older than the developing area but younger than the developed area. ■ The developed suburbs had considerable variation in the population aged 65 and older. Roseville had 23 percent with Edina and New Hope also above 20 percent. In Champlin there were only 5 percent seniors, and Coon Rapids and Apple Valley also had less than 10 percent. ■ The developing suburbs as a group had only 7 percent of total population aged 65 and odder. Individual developing cities all had less than 10 percent with the exception of Hastings at 12 percent and Plymouth at 10 percent. The cities with the smallest share of the population age 65 and up were Andover, Savage and Lakeville at 4 percent. 6 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metr000uncii.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Married couple families as a percent of all households 80% 78°i° 69°i° 62% 60% 40% 34% 48% 37% 20% 29% 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ Overall, 50 percent of the households in the seven -county Twin Cities area were headed by married couples, both with and without children. ■ Household composition differed sharply among subareas of the region. In the central cities, married couple families represented only 29 percent of households in Minneapolis and 34 percent in St. Paul — lower than any other cities in the region. In the developed suburbs, married couple families were 49 percent of households, and in the developing suburbs, 60 percent. ■ Developed suburbs ranged from 37 and 38 percent married couple households in St. Louis Park and Richfield, the two cities under 40 percent, up to a high of 69 percent in Champlin, the only city above 60 percent. ■ Married couple families made up more than half of all households in the developing suburbs nearly without exception. In the top community, Andover, almost eight out of ten households were married couple families. Other cities with more than 70 percent married couple households were Ramsey, Savage and Chanhassen. At the other end of the scale, Oakdale had 48 percent with Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Brooklyn Park following at 53 percent. 3 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, 5T. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.metr000uncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Married couples with children under 18 as a percent of all households 60% 44% 39%40% 39 20% d 16% 23% 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ Overall, nearly one in four households, 23 percent, in the seven -county Twin Cities area were headed by married couples with children under 18, the so-called "nuclear family". ■ The difference in the average shares in the developed suburbs compared to the central cities (20 percent versus 14 percent), was not as pronounced as it was for married couple families in general. This may be the result of the relatively high number of "empty -nester" couples in the developed suburbs. ■ In Minneapolis, 12 percent of households were married couples with children under 18; in St. Paul, iib percent were. ■ Most developed suburbs had between 15 and 25 percent of this household type. Champlin topped the list with 39 percent, followed by Apple Valley and Edina at 26 percent. Richfield's figure was lowest, with 13 percent, followed by St. Louis Park, Roseville and Fridley at 15 to 16 percent. ■ Developing suburbs varied more widely around the group average of 33 percent. Top-ranked Andover had 44 percent, and Chanhassen, Savage, and Lakeville were also over 40 percent. Oakdale had the lowest share at 23 percent with Inver Grove Heights, Hastings, Blaine and Brooklyn Park at 25 to 27 percent. 4 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ vwvw.rnetrocouncii.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of households that are persons living alone 60% 40% 20% 0% 43% 41% 38% 17% 30% 11% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ Nearly three in ten metro area households -- 29 percent — were individuals living alone. ■ The proportion of households made up of a person living alone was highest in the central cities, just above the regional average in the developed suburbs, and lowest in the developing suburbs. ■ Single -person households were most predominant in Minneapolis (43 percent), the highest in the region, and made up 38 percent of households in St. Paul. ■ In the developed suburbs, live -alone householders generally ranged from a 20 to a 40 percent share of the household total. St. Louis Park and Roseville topped 40 percent, and Champlin was the lower -end outlier with 17 percent. ■ In contrast, the developing suburbs' average was only 21 percent. Four cities were above 25 percent (Oakdale, Eagan, Plymouth, and Inver Grove Heights). Four cities had less than 15 percent (Ramsey, Andover, Savage and Lakeville). 5 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.nietrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) People of color as a percent of total population 60% 49% 42% 40% 38% 37% 1 20% $% 7% 7% 0% — � Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities December 2008 ■ One in five people in the seven -county Twin Cities area, or 20 percent, were people of color or Hispanic origin. • People who self -identified as a race other than "white alone" or as having Hispanic origin made up 22 percent of the population in the 41 cities covered by this data. ■ The central cities remained by far the most diverse, with 37 percent of residents reporting as races other than white, non -Hispanic. Outside the central cities, the averages were less than half that, with developed cities as a group averaging 18 percent, and developing cities, 15 percent. ■ However, there was some significant variation in racial/ethnic composition among the suburban areas. A majority of developed communities had non-white populations in the 15 to 20 percent range, but Brooklyn Center and Richfield were well above the average (49 percent and 32 percent, respectively). Edina, Minnetonka, and White Bear Lake showed less than 10 percent. ■ Among developing suburbs, Brooklyn Park was much more diverse than the group average at 42 percent, making Brooklyn Park the second most racially diverse community after Brooklyn Center. Four developing suburbs had less than 10 percent people of color—Prior Lake, Andover, Ramsey and Chanhassen. ■ Data were not available for four communities: Chaska, Hastings, Savage and Shoreview. 0 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metr000uncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of the population (age 5 and up) speaking a language other than English at home 30% 25% 23% _ 22% 20% 20% 120/0 i 10% 4% 4% 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ Across the seven -county region, just over one in eight (13 percent) of the population age 5 and older spoke a language other than English at home. ■ Central cities residents were twice as likely as suburban respondents overall to speak a language other than English when at home. Minneapolis and St. Paul averaged 21 percent, compared to 12 percent in developed suburbs and 11 percent in developing suburbs. However, the highest percentages of populations not speaking English at home were in Brooklyn Center at 25 percent, St. Paul at 23 percent, Brooklyn Park, Richfield and, ranking fifth, Minneapolis at 20 percent. ■ Brooklyn Center and Richfield were well above the developing suburbs' group average, with 25 percent and 22 percent speaking a different language. White Bear Lake was at the other end of the continuum, with just 4 percent. Five other developed cities had less than 10 percent of their population speaking a language other than English at home — Shoreview, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, Coon Rapids, and Champlin. ■ As was true of the developed suburbs, most developing area cities had between 5 and 15 percent of population whose primary language was not English. Brooklyn Park was the highest with 22 percent, followed by Shakopee at 18 percent while Hastings was the lowest with 4 percent. Eight other developing suburbs had less than 10 percent of their population speaking a language other than English at home. 7 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.nietrocouridi.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Part II: Income and Housing Median household income $100,000 1 $92,869 $80,000 $79,229 $60,000 � �.. $45,560 $61,766 $40,000 � $44,478 $46,775 $20,000 Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities ■ While the median household income for 2007 for the 13 -county metropolitan statistical area was $63,898, the median household income of the 41 largest cities over 2005 to 2007 ranges from a low of $44,478 in Minneapolis, followed closely by St. Paul at $45,560, ranging up to a high of $92,869 in Chanhassen. ■ On average, the 19 fully -developed suburbs had lower median household incomes than the 20 developing areas, $62,200 compared to $79,816. ■ The developed suburbs with the lowest median household incomes were Brooklyn Center, New Hope, Roseville, Fridley and Richfield. The developed suburbs with the highest median household incomes were Champlin, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, Shoreview, Edina and Apple Walley, all over $75,000. ■ The developing areas with the lowest median incomes were Brooklyn Park, Hastings, Chaska, Oakdale, and Inver Grove Heights. The developing areas with the highest median incomes were Chanhassen, Savage, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, and Prior Lake. ■ For both the developed and the developing areas, wealthier communities were generally more likely to be toward the south or the west, while the less wealthy areas were generally more likely to be to the north and the east of the metro area. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.rnetrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Households moving into their current residence in or since 2000 ■ Just over half of the 80% households, 51 percent, 70% in the seven -county region moved into their 59% 57% current residence in 60% 2000 and later. 56% M■ The central cities 40% 0historically drew a large 39% share of new residents 37% coming to the region. A larger proportion of 20% their housing stock is rental housing, which also tends to increase 0% i__ the proportion of households that have Central Cities Developed Developing recently moved. However, in a given ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities year only about a fourth of people moving are new to the metro area. In Minneapolis, 59 percent of all of the city's households had moved to their residence in 2000 or later; in St. Paul it was 56 percent. ■ In the developed suburbs, the average was lower, at 46 percent. Communities where over half of the households had moved in during this decade included Burnsville (57 percent), followed by St. Louis Park, New Hope, and Brooklyn Center. Lower rates of mobility since 2000 were seen in Crystal and Shoreview (37- 38 percent), ■ A higher share of the developing suburbs' households were recent movers with a group average of 52 percent. For the most part, the proportion ranged from 50 to 60 percent for individual developing communities. However, in Shakopee it was 70 percent and it was between 40 and 50 percent in Andover„ Ramsey, Cottage Grove, and Maple Grove. ■ In many developing communities — such as Shakopee and' Woodbury — recent strength in new housing construction helps to explain the number of newcomers. In developed suburbs, however, the number of people moving into different homes results from turnover among the existing housing stock. 9 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metr000uncii.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Median household income $100,000 $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50.000 $40,000 10% 16% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Population living alone ■ In general, having a smaller share of the population living alone correlated with a higher median household income as more households lead to more wage-earners per household. Conversely, a higher share of the population living alone correlated with a lower median household income. A few communities were notable breaks to this pattern — Brooklyn Center, where 22 percent of the population live alone yet the median household income is $46,775, third lowest in the seven -county area, and Edina, which has a median household income of $76,805 with 36 percent of the population living alone (seventh highest). 10 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocounciI.org ► 1 • ► ► ►h • ► 10% 16% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Population living alone ■ In general, having a smaller share of the population living alone correlated with a higher median household income as more households lead to more wage-earners per household. Conversely, a higher share of the population living alone correlated with a lower median household income. A few communities were notable breaks to this pattern — Brooklyn Center, where 22 percent of the population live alone yet the median household income is $46,775, third lowest in the seven -county area, and Edina, which has a median household income of $76,805 with 36 percent of the population living alone (seventh highest). 10 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocounciI.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Homeownership rate 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Central Cities ■ Range of cities 97% 90% 75% 58% Developed Developing ■ Average of cities ■ Nearly three in four households, or 74 percent, owned their own homes in the seven -county Minneapolis -St. Paul area. ■ Minneapolis and St. Paul had the lowest homeownership rates at 54 percent and 58 percent respectively. Part of this was the result of the extensive apartment stock available in both cities although many single- family detached homes in the central cities were also renter -occupied. ■ The developed suburbs had the largest range of homeownership rates, from 58 percent in New Hope to 90 percent in Champlin. The developed suburbs with the lowest homeownership rates were New Hope, St. Louis Park, Fridley, Burnsville and Brooklyn Center. The developed suburbs with the highest homeownership rates, all above 80 percent, were Champlin, Shoreview, Apple Valley, Golden Valley and Coon Rapids. ■ The developing suburbs had a range of homeownership rates from 75 percent in Brooklyn Park to 97 percent in Andover. The developing suburbs with the lowest homeownership rates, all below 80 percent, were Brooklyn Park, Chaska, Eagan, Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Shakopee and Hastings. The developing suburbs with the highest homeownership rates, all above 90 percent, were Andover, Ramsey, Lakeville, Rosemount, Blaine, Cottage Grove and Maple Grove. 11 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.metrocouncii.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of households experiencing housing cost burden ■ Overall, 35 percent of households in the seven - 50% 45% county Twin Cities area 43% experienced housing ° 37% cost burden, defined as 40 /0 42% paying 30 percent of more of their household 30% income on housing costs. 26% 26% ■ In general, the central 20% cities had the highest level of housing cost burden and the lowest 10% housing cost burden was in the developing suburbs. However, the 0% region's highest housing Central Cities Developed Developing cost burden was in Brooklyn Center, a ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities developed suburb, at 45 percent. ■ In St. Paul, 42 percent of households experienced housing cost burden; in Minneapolis, 43 percent. ■ The developed suburbs had a large distribution of level of housing cost burden, ranging from Brooklyn Center's high of 45 percent to a low of 26 percent in Shoreview. The developed suburbs with the highest levels of housing cost burden, all more than 35 percent were Brooklyn Center, White Bear Lake, Richfield, Burnsville, and New Hope. The developed suburbs with the lowest levels of housing cost burden were Shoreview, Edina, Golden Valley, Fridley, and Apple Valley. ■ The developing suburbs with the highest level of cost burden, all above 35 percent, were Hastings, Brooklyn Park and Oakdale. The developing suburbs with the lowest level of cost burden were Woodbury, Maple Grove, Inver Grove Heights, and Eden Prairie. ■ Data on cost burden were not available for six communities: Andover, Chanhassen, Cottage Grove, Prior Lake, Ramsey, and Savage 12 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 551 01-1 805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of households experiencing severe housing cost burden 30% 20% 20% - 20% 10% 0% Central Cities ■ Range of cities 15% 7% Developed Developing ■ Average of cities Overall, 13 percent of households in the seven -county area experienced severe housing cost burden, paying 50 percent of more of their household income on housing costs. ■ The central cities had the highest level of severe housing cost burden and the lowest severe housing cost burden was in the developing suburbs. • In both Minneapolis and St. Paul, one in five households, 20 percent, paid more than half of their household income on housing. ■ The developed and developing suburbs have a similar range of distribution of level of severe housing cost burden — eight percentage points in each area. The developed suburbs with the highest levels of severe housing cost burden, all more than 15 percent, were Richfield, Burnsville, Brooklyn Center, New Hope and Roseville. Roseville's presence on the list of top five highest severe housing cost burden replaced White Bear Lake, which was among the top five highest with moderate cost burden or more. The developed suburbs with the lowest levels of severe housing cost burden were Shoreview, Apple Valley, Golden Valley, Crystal and Champlin. Crystal and Champlin' presence on the list of top five lowest severe housing cost burden replaced Edina and Fridley which was among the top five lowest with moderate cost burden or more. ■ The developing suburbs with the highest level of severe cost burden, all above 10 percent, were Brooklyn Park, Hastings, Oakdale and Plymouth. The developing suburbs with the lowest level of severe cost burden were Woodbury, Lakeville, Eden Prairie and Chaska. • Data on cost burden were not available for six communities: Andover, Chanhassen, Cottage Grove, Prior Lake, Ramsey, and Savage. 13 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL • RESEARCH • 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 • www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of homeowners with a mortgage 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities The central cities and the developed suburbs had a similar overall share of mortgaged households while the developing suburbs had, in general, a higher share of mortgaged households. ■ Three out of four central city homeowners had a mortgage — 75 percent in St. Paul and 77 percent in Minneapolis. ■ The developed suburbs had the broadest distribution of mortgage rates, ranging from 61 percent in Roseville to 86 percent in Apple Valley and Champlin. ■ The developed suburbs with the lowest shares of mortgaged households, all less than 70 percent, were Roseville, Fridley, Edina, New Brighton, Richfield, and Bloomington, all suburbs that experienced the bulk of their development shortly after World War Two. The developed suburbs with the highest shares of mortgaged households, all above 80 percent, were Coon Rapids, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Champlin, suburbs that experienced the bulk of their development in the 1980s and 1990s. The developing suburbs with 80 percent or less households with mortgages were Chaska, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights — three communities with a mix of older and newer homes. The developing suburbs with the highest shares of mortgaged households, all above 85 percent, were Savage, Ramsey, Andover, Eagan, Maple Grove, Prior Lake, Woodbury and Shakopee — all cities that have seen rapid growth in the last decade or two. In Savage, only one in ten homeowners no longer has a mortgage on their home. 14 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org ■ Overall, nearly four in 100% five homeowning 86% 8 P households, or 78 o 77 /� percent, in the seven - 80% county Minneapolis -St. 75% 78% Paul area have a mortgage on their home. 60% Homeowners who do not 61% have a mortgage are more likely to have 40% owned a home for longer, thereby allowing them to pay off their mortgage. 20% 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities The central cities and the developed suburbs had a similar overall share of mortgaged households while the developing suburbs had, in general, a higher share of mortgaged households. ■ Three out of four central city homeowners had a mortgage — 75 percent in St. Paul and 77 percent in Minneapolis. ■ The developed suburbs had the broadest distribution of mortgage rates, ranging from 61 percent in Roseville to 86 percent in Apple Valley and Champlin. ■ The developed suburbs with the lowest shares of mortgaged households, all less than 70 percent, were Roseville, Fridley, Edina, New Brighton, Richfield, and Bloomington, all suburbs that experienced the bulk of their development shortly after World War Two. The developed suburbs with the highest shares of mortgaged households, all above 80 percent, were Coon Rapids, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Champlin, suburbs that experienced the bulk of their development in the 1980s and 1990s. The developing suburbs with 80 percent or less households with mortgages were Chaska, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights — three communities with a mix of older and newer homes. The developing suburbs with the highest shares of mortgaged households, all above 85 percent, were Savage, Ramsey, Andover, Eagan, Maple Grove, Prior Lake, Woodbury and Shakopee — all cities that have seen rapid growth in the last decade or two. In Savage, only one in ten homeowners no longer has a mortgage on their home. 14 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of homeowners with a second mortgage or home equity loan 100% 80% 60% 40% 32% 20% 31% 0% Central Cities ■ Range of cities 39%4 41% 34% 36% 29% 29% Developed Developing ■Average of cities ■ All areas had a similar overall share of homeowners with second mortgages. ■ Overall, just over one in three homeowning households, or 35 percent, in the seven - county Minneapolis -St. Paul area had a second mortgage or home equity loan on their home. Homeowners who have a second mortgage or home equity loan are less likely to have been able to afford their home with a single mortgage or pursued additional debt through a home equity loan. ■ More than three in ton central city homeowners had a second mortgage — 32 percent in Minneapolis and 31 percent in St. Paul. ■ The developed suburbs with the highest share of households with a second mortgage were Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Champlin and Apple Valley. The developed suburbs with the fewest shares of households with second mortgages were Roseville and Edina, both 30 percent and below. ■ The developing suburbs had the broadest distribution of shares of homeowners with second mortgages, ranging from 41 percent in Prior Lake to 29 percent in Oakdale and Hastings. The developing suburbs with the highest shares of households with second mortgages at 40 percent and more were Prior Lake, Cottage Grove, Chanhassen and Lakeville. The developing suburbs with the lowest shares of households with a second mortgage were Hastings, Oakdale, and Inver Grove Heights, all 30 percent and below. 15 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncii.org Overview of American Community ,Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Part III: Commuting Patterns Percent of commuters using transportation alternatives 40% 38% 30% 31% 20% 10%- 0% - Central Cities ■ Range of cities 22% 0 13% 21% 13% Developed Developing ■ Average of cities Across the Twin Cities area, just over one in five commuters, 22 percent, chose to travel to work using transportation alternatives, including carpooling, public transit, telecommuting, bicycling or walking. The central cities had nearly twice the share of commuters using transportation alternatives relative to either the developed or developing suburbs. ■ 31 percent in St. Paul and 38 percent in Minneapolis of commuters used transportation alternatives. ■ The developing and developed suburbs had both a similar level of use of transportation alternatives — means of 18 and 16 percent each across the communities — and a similar range of shares of using transportation alternatives, from 13 percent to 22 and 21 percent. ■ The suburbs with the lowest shares of commuters using transportation alternatives were White Bear Lake, Oakdale, Inver Grove Heights, Hastings, Savage, Cottage Grove, Crystal, and Andover, all 15 percent or less. Five of these eight communities are in the east metro area. ■ The suburbs with the highest shares of commuters using transportation alternatives — or least driving alone — wore Richfield, Brooklyn Center, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Golden Valley and Maplewood. In each community, at least one in five commuters uses a means of transportation other than driving alone. Of these eight communities, only Maplewood is on the east side of the metro. ■ Data were not available for Champlin, New Brighton, Prior Lake or Ramsey. 16 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of commuters reporting travel time of 30 minutes or more 60%- 40% 26% 20% - 25% 0% Central Cities ■ Range of cities 42% 27% P.T. - - J 18% 51% 23% Developed Developing ■ Average of cities Overall, just under one in three commuters, or 33 percent, in the Minneapolis -St. Paul area report traveling 30 minutes or more each way to work. The central cities and the developed suburbs had a similar overall share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more while the developing suburbs had, in general, a higher share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more. ■ One in four central city commuters travels 30 minutes or more to work — 25 percent in St. Paul and 26 percent in Minneapolis. For the developed suburbs, the share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work ranges from 18 percent in Golden Valley to 42 percent in Champlin. The developed suburbs with the lowest share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work — all 20 percent or lower — were Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Edina and Richfield, all suburbs sharing a border with Minneapolis and all but Richfield having an above average jobs -to -household ratio. The developed suburbs with the highest share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work — all more than 35 percent — were Champlin, Apple Valley and Coon Rapids, all suburbs at least two suburbs away from a central city employment hub. The developing suburbs have the broadest distribution of rates of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work, ranging from 23 percent in Eden Prairie to 51 percent in Andover. The developing suburbs with the lowest share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work — all 30 percent or lower — were Eden Prairie, Inver Grove Heights, Chanhassen, and Eagan. Both Eden Prairie and Eagan have significant employment concentrations that are in close proximity to residents of Chanhassen and Inver Grove Heights, respectively. The developing suburbs with the highest share of commuters traveling 30 minutes or more to work — all 45 percent or more — were Andover, Ramsey and Blaine, all Anoka County suburbs. 17 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Commuters reporting commutes of 30 minutes or more 55 °f0 50%- 45% 40% 35% 30%- 25%- 20% 0%25%20% 1510 2510 30% 3510 40% 4510 Households with moderate or severe housing cost burden ■ The inverse correlation between the share of commuters reporting commutes of 30 minutes or more and the households experiencing at least moderate cost burden (paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs) seems to confirm the hypothesis that households are "driving to affordability". In other words, some households choose to live farther from their employment and extend their commutes in order to find more affordable housing. Analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, however, has suggested that the combination of housing and transportation costs tends to be fairly similar across a region as higher transportation costs offset reduced housing costs. 18 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Percent of commuters reporting travel time of 45 minutes or more 30% 22% 20% 13% L12 f 10% 8% 7% 7%° 6% 3% 0% Central Cities Developed Developing ■ Range of cities ■ Average of cities Overall, one in ten commuters, or 10 percent, in the Minneapolis -St. Paul area report traveling 45 minutes or more each way to work. The central cities and the developed suburbs had a similar overall share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more while the developing suburbs had, in general, a higher share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more. ■ One in twelve central city commuters travels 45 minutes or more to work — 7 percent in Minneapolis and 8 percent in St. Paul. ■ For the developed suburbs, the share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work ranges from 3 percent in Golden Valley to 13 percent in Apple Valley and Coon Rapids. The developed suburbs with the lowest share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work — all 5 percent or lower — were Golden Valley, Edina, Crystal, St. Louis Park, and Minnetonka, all western suburbs. The developed suburbs with the highest share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work — all more than 10 percent — were Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, and Champlin, all suburbs at least two suburbs away from a central city employment hub. ■ The developing suburbs have the broadest distribution of rates of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work, ranging from 6 percent in Plymouth to 22 percent in Ramsey. The developing suburbs with the lowest share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work — all less than 10 percent — were Plymouth, Inver Grove Heights, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Brooklyn Park, Chanhassen, and Oakdale. The developing suburbs with the highest share of commuters traveling 45 minutes or more to work — all more than 15 percent — were Ramsey, Andover and Blaine, all Anoka County suburbs. i.K METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. 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(D N co 7 (n R m uD It CD $ n (O Z 6 r CA m M $ N tD $ r aD O (D (C3l r 47 N {q (n n ❑_ m j a Q7 Ca arp co N m m LO N 0) N 6 m m N Of N co N n N (D N LO N C? 63 N (0 N ((7 N m N CD m r- m m CO N W N N o m W Y a3 C7 Q J Z m 0 o m co O3 Q7 0 J C U) w 0 N N d w 7 0 w (D L m y c 7 a3 (D uia � a3 c o � c � w m C m c - L cr 0 a o J q3 w E m Y 1] v W c ¢ m m t () U o m v (w(3 'y 5 rt m m a o (Ec o m L 9 U w w S 2 _ 2- 0 a` X sn cry Overview of American Community Survey data (2005-2007) December 2008 Communities with American Community Survey data by Metropolitan Council Planning Area Ramsey "h Andover Blaine-'j Maple Grove IBrooklim Park a Central cities Developed suburbs Developing suburbs L p Q 22 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Plymouth Roseville Golden Ma lewo Valley kd e SI. Louis Minneapolis Park St. Paul Minnetonka Woodbury Edina Chanhassen Richfield Eden Prairie Blaam ngton Inver Cottage Chaska Eagan Grove Grove Heights Shakopee Burnsville Savage Apple Rosemount Prior Valley Hastings Lake Lakeville L p Q 22 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ■ RESEARCH ■ 390 ROBERT STREET NORTH, ST. PAUL, MN 55101-1805 ■ www.metrocouncil.org Agenda Packet kuumilly) MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: January 7, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager, through Steve Jueften, Community Development Director FROM: Marie Darling, Senior Planner through Barbara SennessPlanning Manager SUBJECT: Homeowner Associations ATTACHMENTS: Aerial Photos of Subdivisions Discussed Recently, the City Council requested that staff prepare a report about homeowner associations (HOAs). An HOA is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing and managing a development of homes. It allows the developer to transfer financial and legal responsibility of a community to the homeowners. The Purpose of HOAs The City of Plymouth requires an HOA with any development that has commonly -owned open space. The City requires that the developer record the association documents against each affected property as part of the documents recorded with the final plat to ensure that these common elements are maintained. Staff reviews the documents prior to recording the plat for consistency with City ordinances. Developers like to create HOAs because they allow them to better compete for buyers. Subdivisions with HOAs attract initial buyers who want 1) the perceived stability provided by a well-maintained neighborhood and 2) access to the most possible amenities without the maintenance demands. Types of HOAs There are two main types of HOA communities - a common interest community (CIC) or a nonprofit corporation. A CIC is a condominium community with no platted property associated with each dwelling. Generally, this type of HOA is used in conjunction with apartments and some townhouses. The other type of HOA is a nonprofit corporation. This type of HOA is typically found in a townhome or single-family development where platted property is assigned to each dwelling. The City has no jurisdiction over the creation of non-profit corporations, so developers can create a non-profit HOA without the City's knowledge or approval. The majority of HOAs in Plymouth were created in the last 40 years. Although there is no means of tracking and monitoring HOAs and their principal contacts, staff estimates that there are at least 147 associations, based on property ownership information and City and State records. These 147 HOAs include a variety of structure types (including single-family, townhouses and apartment dwellings) and ownership status (condominium versus individual ownership of property). Based on structure type and amenities provided, staff identified five categories of HOAs, as listed below. 1. Attached dwellings with common property and other improvements (like private drives) and shared amenities (like open space, pools, tennis courts, community buildings, etc.) These HOAs control the shared exterior maintenance of the structure (decks, siding, roofs, etc.) and are also likely to have architectural review authority over additions or modifications to dwellings and property. Developments like The Fields of Nanterre, The Reserve, and Cimarron Ponds fall into this category. To staff's knowledge, none of these HOAs has ever dissolved. These HOAs are multiple -purpose organizations that have a defined focus on regular maintenance and shared use of the desired amenities. Although dissolution is unlikely, it is possible that the HOA could request that the City maintain some or all of its private drives. 2. Attached dwellings with common property and shared improvements (like driveways), but no other amenities. These HOAs also control the shared exterior maintenance of the structure and are likely to have architectural review authority over additions or modifications to dwellings and property. Developments like Merrimac Townhomes, Trenton Ponds, Harvest Hills and the Glacier Vista two- family dwellings fall into this category. To staffs knowledge, none of these HOAs has ever dissolved because the shared maintenance costs involve items like shared drives, roofs, siding and other issues that are ongoing. Although dissolution is unlikely, it is possible that the HOA could request that the City maintain some or all its private drives. 3. Detached dwellings with common property and other shared amenities, like pools, playgrounds, community buildings, etc. These HOAs may have architectural review authority over additions or modifications to dwellings and property. Developments like Tiberon, Windemere Farms, and Wood Crest fall into this category. These HOAs are multiple -purpose organizations that have a defined focus on regular maintenance and shared use of the desired amenities. To staff's knowledge, none of these HOAs has ever dissolved. The concern with this HOA category is that the neighborhood may tire of the maintenance responsibility of the amenity feature, allow it to fall into disrepair and dissolve the HOA to eliminate the financial responsibility. To limit this occurrence or potential conflicts over how to reuse amenity properties in the future, the City now directs developers to plat amenity properties as a lot and block. With this status, the property could be reused for a single-family home, allowing the HOA the ability to recoup the costs of removing the amenity. The most recent example of a subdivision approved with amenities on a property with lot and block status is the Wood Crest subdivision. 4. Detached dwellings with passive common open -space property, but no other amenities. These HOAs may have architectural review authority over additions or modifications to dwellings and property. Developments like Rolling Hills Park, Glen Echo Ponds, Harbor Place, and Churchill Farms are in this category. Should an HOA dissolve from this category, the City could have difficulty resolving maintenance issues or may have requests to develop the outlots for other uses. However, such instances have been rare in the past and the outlot study noted that only two HOA outlots have the potential to develop with a clear title and these two outlots have site characteristics that limit their development potential. 5. Detached dwellings with no common property or shared amenities. Developments like Ivanhoe Woods fall into this category. Developments in this category exist for architectural control and to provide an additional level of enforcement to prevent nuisances. HOAs in this category could dissolve without impact to the City. Issues The City Council has had several discussions with homeowners' associations (HOA) in recent years, all pertaining to the costs associated with long-term maintenance of commonly owned property, including both commonly owned open space and private drives. Two single-family subdivisions (Heritage Woods Estates 2" a and Harbor Place) requested the ability to subdivide their open -space property to avoid the burden of liability insurance and maintenance. Townhouse developments sometimes struggle under the burden of long-term maintenance of shared improvements and several townhouse associations have requested that the City take over some or all of their private streets, including the associations in Cimarron East, Harvest Hills, Chelsea Woods, and Cimarron Ponds. Additionally, two single-family developments (Rolling Hills Park and Glen Echo Ponds) have dissolved their HOAs, and this has complicated the process of gaining compliance with diseased tree abatements. The most recent HOA discussion (Heritage Woods Estates 2"a) led the City Council to direct staff to prepare a report on the development potential of open -space outlots. Conclusion HOAs present both risks and benefits to cities. The risks are associated with the difficulty in requiring them to maintain their common features. If HOAs do not adequately budget for regular repairs and maintenance, the costs can be overwhelming. Plymouth has had requests to take over private drives and provide loans to finance structure improvements with limited ability to recoup the costs. Cities also benefit by having HOAs. An HOA can enforce regulations that are above minimum standards set by local governments, such as design standards and rules for additions, fences, sheds, pets, vehicle storage, yard maintenance, etc. Developments that require maintenance above minimum standards improve the image of a city. HOAs may also provide amenities at private expense, like pools, playgrounds, and clubhouses, that reduce demands for similar public amenities. N Churchill Farms A z� U mw�lipilml U U) LL Glacier Vista A N Glen Echo Ponds A or Place Harvest Hills a PAV N W U) w U) 0 3: Q) V! e TW ..L N Ivanhoe Woods A Merrimac a The Reserve A MR 0) 0 12 . Tiberon a N Trenton Ponds A z e ?h •d �� m2L h O°�' / � _ � _ _- - _._ _ 6995E \ �M.64,BOe005 •ory� ^ Wr a. a' Ib \w53 I Ms n°oos o 74 v 11.95°805• _ `yl 1 - . O / - _ LO SII V 1 n pN1 P 1198 .1. •'.G /- \4F m�.. 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