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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-06-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO March 6, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS EQC Agenda 03/11/09........................................................................................... PRAC Agenda 03/12/09........................................................................................ March, April, May 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................... Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ....................... INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Downtown Buses Will Detour to Hennepin Ave Beginning March 16, Rider Alert ....... ..................... Page 1 ..................... Page 2 .................... Page 3 .................... Page 6 ........ Page 7 Letter to the Editor -Not in park boards' job descriptions, Star & Trib.................................................Page 8 Ehlers Market Commentary, 03/02/09.................................................................................................. Page 9 Chaska, thy name is frugal, in city taxes list, Article, Star & Trib..................................................... Page 12 Cities look to fix streets and bypass the big bill, Article, Star & Trib................................................Page 14 March l I Program will clarify the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment, News Release.......... Page 16 Feel the power at Environmental Quality Fair on March 12, News Release......................................Page 17 MEET)NG MINUTES Wayzata Communities in Collaboration Council Minutes 02/11/09 ................................................. Page 18 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to property owners, RE: Conditional Use Permit for T -Mobile (2009004) ............................ Page 22 Letter to property owners, RE: Planned Unit Develop,ent Amendment for Hans Hagen (2009005). Page 23 Friday Fax from the League of Minnesota Cities...............................................................................Page 24 Memo from Hebert, RE: Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Training.....................................Page 30 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA Wednesday, March 11, 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 Committee 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. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda including items contained in the EQC Info Memo for discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the February 11, 2009, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes 6. PUBLIC HEARING 7. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Solid Waste and Recycling — 2008 Annual Report 8. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 9. FUTURE MEETINGS— April 8, 2009 10. ADJOURNMENT CtD mens aM Senin,s%lbair oad Setsines\Tem,oma Intemet FilesWontent O flwk\400WHASBW3 11W do Page 1 Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission March 12, 2009, 7 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff - Diane Evans c. Other 4. Report on Past Council Action a. Approve Annual Report b. Approve PRAC Work Plan S. Unfinished Business a. Update - Art Sculpture b. Update - 6. New Business a. Facility/Field Usage - Dan Lauer 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - May 14, 2009 Page 2 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 2009 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 CANCELLED 6:00 PM 9:00 AM -1:00 PLANNING BOARD AND PM COMMISSION COMMISSION RECYCLING MEETING RECOGNITION - TOUR Council Chambers EVENT Waste Management Plymouth Creek Facility Center 8 9 10 5:00 PM 7:30-9:30 AM 11 STATE 12 7:00 PM 13 14 Daylight Savings SPECIAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY PARK a REC ADVI- Commences MEETING MEETING SORY COMMISSION Set Clocks Ahead 'See Agenda Below Medicine Lake Room (PRAC) MEETING 1 Hour Medicine Lake Room7:00 PM Council Chambers ENVIRONMENTAL 5:30-8:00 PM 7:00 PM QUALITY Environmental REGULAR COUNCIL COMMITTEE (EQC) Quality Fair MEETING MEETING Birchview Council Chambers Council Chambers Elementary School 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 6:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Parkers Lake Room 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 '3/10 Meeting: 1. Discuss Highway 16Corridor 2. Closing of Pilgrim L ne Elementary School Modified on 03/06/09 Page 3 rp) City of Plymouth �: Adding Quality to Life April 2009 Modified on 03/06/09 Page 4 1 2 3 4 7:00 PM 6:00-8:00 PM 9:00 AM— PLANNING Yard B: Garden 1:00 PM COMMISSION Expo Yard a Garden MEETING Plymouth Creek Expo Council Chambers Center Fieldhouse Plymouth Creek Center Fieldhouse 5 6 75 5:30 PM 8 9 10 11 PEC AL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING* ENVIRONMENTAL PARK 8: REC Medicine lake Room QUALITY ADVISORY COM - 7:00 PM COMMITTEE MISSION (PRAC) Board of (EQC) MEETING MEETING Equalization Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers AFTER B.O.E. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING• 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Primavera Primavera REGULAR COUNCIL PLANNING Plymouth Arts Plymouth Arts MEETING COMMISSION Council Show Council Show Council Chambers MEETING Plymouth Creek Plymouth Creek Council Chambers Center Center 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Primavera Primavera 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - Plymouth Arts Plymouth Arts Board of PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING 12:00 PM Council Show Council Show Equalization ADVISORY Medicine lake Room City Sampler Plymouth Creek Plymouth Creek Reconvened COMMITTEE ON Plymouth City Hall Center Center TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine lake Room A 26 27 28 5:30PM 29 306:00-7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING COMMISSION Medicine Lake Room Parkers Lake Room Discuss Homeowner Associations 7.00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS 7:00 PM COMMISSION REGULAR COUNCIL ESSAY CONTEST MEETING AWARDS '4/7 5:30 Discuss 1-414 Third Lane Council Chambers Council Chambers —4/7 After B.O.E.: U I ate with City Manager Modified on 03/06/09 Page 4 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life May 2009 Modified on 03/06/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 10 11 12 5:30 PM 13 14 15 16 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK a REC Medicine Lake Room QUALITY ADVISORY COM - Review Dial -A -Ride COMMITTEE MISSION (PRAC) (EQC) MEETING MEETING 7:00 PM Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM 21 22 23 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 24 25 26 6:00 PM 27 7:00 PM 28 7:00 PM 29 30 SPECIAL COUNCIL PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING 8:00 AM -3:30 PM MEETING Medicine Lake Room ADVISORY Medicine Lake Roam SPECIAL MEMORIAL Discuss Subdivision COMMITTEE ON RECYCLING DROP X31 DAY of Lots TRANSIT (PACT) OFF EVENT Observed MEETING Plymouth 7:00 PM Medicine Lake Maintenance Facility CITY OFFICES REGULAR COUNCIL Room A CLOSED MEETING Council Chambers Modified on 03/06/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 5 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items March 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • County Commissioner Jeff Johnson • Approve Consumption & Display License Renewals • Approve Refuse Haulers License Renewals • Announcement of PACT Transit Driver Awards April 7, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Discuss I-494 Third Lane April 7, Board of Equalization, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers April 7, following Board of Equalization, Council Chambers • Update with City Manager April 14, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers April 21, Board of Equalization Reconvened, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers April 28, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Discuss homeowners associations April 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers May 12, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Review Dial -a -Ride May 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers May 26, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Discuss subdivision of lots May 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers Note. Special Ileeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Page 6 A transit system operated by the ria1el of1rRT1 City of Plymouth Downtown Buses Will Detour to Hennepin Avenue Beginning March 16 Location Change Affects Routes 742, 747, 772, 774, 776, 777, 790, 793 & 795. Plymouth City Hall Due to road reconstruction, Plymouth Metrolink buses that travel through 3400 Plymouth Blvd. downtown Minneapolis will be re-routed from Marquette and Second Avenues to Hennepin Avenue starting March 16. The buses will follow the same detour Plymouth, MN routes as they did last summer. The detour routes will remain in effect until the road project is completed. 55447-1482 Buses starting in Minneapolis for the trip to Plymouth will originate at Web Site Washington Avenue and travel on Hennepin Avenue. Buses will turn right at I I 1 Street. From that point, the buses will follow their regular route to I-394. www.ci.plymouth.mn.us Plymouth Metrolink buses going from Plymouth to downtown Minneapolis will click on "Services" turn from 12`' Street to Hennepin Avenue. The routes will end at Hennepin and Washington. then "Transit" Detour Affects Schedule: During the detour, buses will start at Hennepin and Customer Service Washington Avenues five minutes later than the published start time. Monday - Friday If you have any questions, please contact Plymouth Metrolink at 763-509-5535 or e-mail us at transit@ci.plymouth.mn.us. The number for hearing impaired 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. customers is TDD 763-509-5065. Voice: 763-509-5535 Sign Up for Email Alerts To subscribe to Rider Alert emails, go to www.ci.plymouth.mn.us and click on TDD: 763-509-5065 the link for "My Subscriptions" on the left side of the page under the "At Your Services" heading. Select the option for "Transit — Alerts Service." Fax: 763-509-5510 Printed: February 26, 2009 transit@ci.plymouth.mn.us Page 7 ime by 'nrough ii!] cri[- jue that �e Prai- been re- boactive hal stor- Noor for Jamming Ole with - {push for (help put esolve the e the state bate over Igh airing frith new is needed ani the ndhtg will aCent for en as the teclines. All list spend- dyears,'if f spending same trick, mynew seprograms get any- ny Carter D assumes in U.S. histo- therepeal incomes rindividu- Ples The ✓ill yield you choose don t affect to rush all of bile Obama aura and ssionon encans are rstandthe notations, twin income !them sve�uoumai HOUSE UNDER A HIGHWAY 'hat happens when vernment steps in hat photo of the new Cr tow looming over Mary Vans ten's house says it all! This isf Bove mental agencies' ove s in American lives should be W1 the rinkimum — their vert ' too ofteft steps right over c9 l sense to``'stick with the rule$'• TROOPS I�UT OF IRAQ But tens of thous 'fids of 'contractors''It st4lI In all this discussion oft, cnumb4 of troops tomain in l/aq, why ha there been aliost no mention of th 190,000 contnc�tois w have there In the Vietnam Wan tpere were five military personnel Ink each contra& tor, while at pteseni we have more contractors than troops. And man}• of them are )ilacr-type in cenaries whom t'rate raqis want to by able to prosecute war crimes. ! Have the rai Hia just forgotteh about these contractors., ii THE OBAMI BUDGET It makes/Bii'sh's look So Pres dent ohama is propos- ing a 2010udgwt ddeicit of SI.75 tril- lion — f99 r times tlAe size of Presi- dent GerIme W. Busti•`s 2009 deficit. This is nfite recklessness we deserve for ole ting an inexpei�enced com- munt[ •organizer. , A when Congress lir ims" that pro oral down to a SI trillion defi- cit. Obarria will be hailed fits making "Ji [cult" cuts. This isn'Itechange wets ere hoping for. but p tides as usual. And at _great cost to o r chil- <ye is future. _ IAMES CLINE.%[Aple Grove POP IN THE PARKS Not in park boards' job descriptions As a park board member in Plym- outh, hake pride in teorking toward creating and maintaining an amaz- ing cit' park system while keeping a close c} -e on fiscal responsibility. Providing superior services and pro- grams while maintaining a tight bot- tom line is the utmost concern and has helped our cit- tarn accolades. It was with some dismay that I. read that the Three Rivers or Min- neapolis park boards were consid- ering a halt to soda sales within the park system. If it was because their contract with the vendor was expir- ing and the price was going up, I'd have no problem with that decision. There is a financial responsibility to the citizens of Hennepin County. I would hope they would reject the bid and negotiate a better deal. My issue is with Three Rivers Park District Commissioner Dale Woodbeck's saying the sale of soda was the -biggest health disaster that we have been doing to ourselves and our kids:' I won't defend pop as a healthy drink choice, but it isn't a job for commissioners to make health decisions for everyone else. Each individual maintains the abil- I", to make that choice. If the Three Rivers or Minneap- olis park boards want to choose not to renew their contracts with Coca- Cola, they should do so because it is the fiscally responsible thin,g to do. If our goal as commissioners is to keep the children safe and healthy, let's focus where we should — on maintaining facilities and equip- ment in tip-top condition and pro- viding high-quality programs Let's leave the food and beverage soler tions to the fully capable and mtelh- mnt patrons of our pw ks. K .A-\RC)N CANDEILw911_ p•_: mouth \' 1 • �zj�r [ v 'n lu 3,�L IU� cl lC 2( fn 4 et to or 21 S6 er .\ and Pawlenty moves tt't a s ep closer to the priz Go Tint Pawlenty must be ch - - ding urverhisbreathatthewrle b- ed per' mance of his down- ver rival for e Republican no ma- W tion. Gov. obbv Jindal of ouisi- anaeffectivevrecusedhin>_)fwith _ Itis tveightles ebuttal to t¢(e trade- _ mark 0bann2- Ch}'. ''/// Pawlent's an cion kends on attrition. He is w:'ring or a chasm to swallow his riv 1 ontenders, a chasm 'e hopes [ ridge ... Oh, dear. Oh, dear, dear ar. . -. \LURE U�N MNIinlwapoli< - SACK TAKES,ON OBA\critial - It was welcome and ab41t time In thepot, I have beeSteve Sa s liberal, paI :vas b inning to thinknow lbw to caricature _ I wasivrong_ In the Feb. 2a Stat Tri- bute. he showed the president as Page 8 Ehlers Market Commentary March 2. 2009 The municipal bond market has maintained attractive levels of interest rates for borrowers, but along with U.S. Treasury securities is beginning to trend toward moderately higher rates. While at this juncture we are not seeing wild interest rate swings as in the last quarter in 2008, the federal government's stimulus -driven deficits are beginning to particularly affect rates for debt maturities beyond 10 years. Nonetheless, we continue to see strong demand and competitive bids in our market. See our weekly summary of competitive municipal bond sales in the region that can be found on the last page of this report. Safety Continues to be Investors' Primary Concern Regardless of macro interest rate trends several factors are more important than ever to investors in muni bonds: 1) Strong credit ratings. Investors want to preserve their investments, and highly rated bonds attract more investors than lower rated bonds than in the recent past. This is especially true since bond insurance has virtually dried up. ■ Example: 10 year AAA -rated bonds on this week's Municipal Market Data grid ("MMD") published by Reuters Thompson carried interest rates of more than 125 basis points (1.25%) lower than A -rated bonds 2) Shorter maturities are in high demand, although less so than last week. ■ 5 year muni rates on the MMD grid were most recently 198 to 238 basis points lower than 20 year rates, however... ■ Last week 5 year rates were 217 to 256 basis points lower than 20 year rates 3) General Obligation ("G.O.") notes and bonds are in demand, as opposed to alternate (ie: lease or non-essential purpose revenue) securities, that require greater research or perceived risk. ■ Essential purpose (water and sanitary sewer) revenue bonds continued to be considered almost as good as G.O.s, if they have good net revenues and a diversified customer base (a recent Bond Buyer article re-emphasized this) Supply vs Demand in the Near Future • Supply of all tax-exempt muni bonds remains high as municipalities and states look to lock in low interest rates for their new project financings and to garner savings from refunding old debt. • In particular, the recent increase in `BQ" or Bank Qualification (to $30M from $ l OM) is already having an impact, with the increased BQ supply reducing the benefit of BQ status. EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehiers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 9 J i Ehlers Market Commentary March 2, 2009 Although demand for tax-exempt muni bonds may increase in the future if tax rates rise and if stocks were to fall even lower, but in the near term muni bond demand is limited by lack of conviction as to future prospects of needing tax-exempt income and general uncertainty. All else being equal relatively greater supply vs demand drives bond prices down and interest rates up Debt Management Implications of the Current Muni Bond Market • Don't wait for lower rates if you are otherwise ready to finance projects or refinance debt • Shore up your credit rating if you can (see last week's update for some ideas) • Repay new debt more rapidly to take advantage of the lower interest rates (up to 2% or more) available to borrowers who can pay their debt back in 10 years or less • Use "plain vanilla" or G.O. debt when adequate G.O. debt capacity is available • Caveat: these strategies may work against the realities of keeping local tax and utility rates as low as they can be in the short term EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehiers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 10 O O O N N L 16 i 0) O O N N Mi N Q i1� `u a a a m E Z m � ° > c c C C c O O U C 3 z N 3 m Som a_ 3 ° v m e N � LO A W uj m O v c N xc a_ m U w O q O M N ^ O O N C 2 O N N O a N N N N O N 0 0 0 0 0 C - N N N N H Z N U O CJ N N N O m } } Y Y 6 a v w U p O C O A N V C � W m C Q Q 9 N Q Q Q Q Q � C 7 Of U m a a v c c O ° x K 2 m� _ Z6 E E Qa75 X w 'a w F � U � K 00 as Oa O O C7 C7 U U' m U' C7 E C Q C A N N N O Oi O v a d � J q % Y O c ° N a z 0 3 .d. rn m m m rn o 0 0 0 0 Q N o 0 0 0 0 i y' a E Z J Q O �rn� c C C U N a 3 z N o� z e N A W uj m O c N Z U w O C 4J N CN o m W 2 O N N O C N [O O O O O O C - N N N N N U 0 Cn 0 n o o Q Ci a a 6 ci v i y' Page 11 a Z J Q 0I C C C w 3 z N o� z e N A W uj m O c Q Z U w O C 4J 0 0 o m W N N N U) lapc Page 11 Chaska, thy name is frugal, in city taxes list Chaska had the best rating for low property tax per capita for cities of at least 5,000 population, state records show. Minneapolis officials critique fourth highest tax rank. By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune Last update: February 27, 2009 - 11:52 PM To spare property owners the sticker shock of big street repair bills, Eden Prairie wants to pay for streets the way it pays for water and sewer construction -- by charging regular utility fees. Noting that Edina homeowners can face special assessments of $6,000 to more than $10,000 when their residential streets are repaved, Eden Prairie would like to get user fees established before its streets reach the age that they need replacement, said City Manager Scott Neal. "If we can figure out how to replace that street with this kind of tool, we can rely less on special assessments, which can be a burden," Neal said. "We think people would appreciate that." Eden Prairie is among a handful of cities, along with Minnetonka and Sleepy Eye, that are seeking approval from legislators this year to implement street utility fees. Minnetonka wants to create a transportation improvement district encompassing only commercial properties near Hwy. 169 and Bren Road to help pay for a new $20 million interchange at Bren that would allow UnitedHealth Group to go ahead with plans to build a second office tower, said City Manager John Gunyou. "That would allow us to meet whatever local match we have to come up with [for the interchange] without spreading that on our entire city," Gunyou said. The same fee could be used to finance a Southwest light-rail station in the area, he said. Rural Sleepy Eye in southwestern Minnesota wants to use a citywide street utility fee the way Eden Prairie would use it, said City Manager Mark Kober. Sleepy Eye has had good results with a similar citywide fee for sewer reconstruction, Kober said. "Folks pay on a monthly basis like a utility. We put that in the bank and let it earn interest, and then we pay cash without direct assessments and property taxes." Regional centers, such as Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington, attract out-of-town tourists, sports fans, shoppers and workers who use city streets, parks and police protection. The levy and LGA data don't reflect special property assessments used by some cities, including Chaska and St. Paul, noted the league's Gould. The capital city's per capita rate was $485, ranking it 86th of 142 cities with at least 5,000 residents. That $485 rate would have gone up if Page 12 the city had used a tax levy instead of $20 million in citywide assessments last year to pay for street maintenance, said Finance Director Margaret Kelly. In contrast, much larger Minneapolis raised about half as much in special assessments as St. Paul, according to a 2007 state auditor's report. "Minneapolis chooses to use property taxes rather than ... property assessments to pay for most of our services," said Pat Born, the city's chief finance officer. LGA shrinks for some Local government aid is based on a complex formula that compares a city's financial needs to its property tax base capacity and to the average city tax rate and base. Cities with a low tax base valuation generally get more aid. A growing number of cities, 91 this year including Bloomington and Golden Valley, have a large enough tax base that they receive no aid. Page 13 Cities look to fix streets and bypass the big bill Eden Prairie officials hope that legislators will endorse the use of regular utility fees rather than large special assessments. By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune Last update: February 28, 2009 - 9:34 PM To spare property owners the sticker shock of big street repair bills, Eden Prairie wants to pay for streets the way it pays for water and sewer construction -- by charging regular utility fees. Noting that Edina homeowners can face special assessments of $6,000 to more than $10,000 when their residential streets are repaved, Eden Prairie would like to get user fees established before its streets reach the age that they need replacement, said City Manager Scott Neal. "If we can figure out how to replace that street with this kind of tool, we can rely less on special assessments, which can be a burden," Neal said. "We think people would appreciate that." Eden Prairie is among a handful of cities, along with Minnetonka and Sleepy Eye, that are seeking approval from legislators this year to implement street utility fees. Minnetonka wants to create a transportation improvement district encompassing only commercial properties near Hwy. 169 and Bren Road to help pay for a new $20 million interchange at Bren that would allow UnitedHealth Group to go ahead with plans to build a second office tower, said City Manager John Gunyou. "That would allow us to meet whatever local match we have to come up with [for the interchange] without spreading that on our entire city," Gunyou said. The same fee could be used to finance a Southwest light-rail station in the area, he said. Rural Sleepy Eye in southwestern Minnesota wants to use a citywide street utility fee the way Eden Prairie would use it, said City Manager Mark Kober. Sleepy Eye has had good results with a similar citywide fee for sewer reconstruction, Kober said. "Folks pay on a monthly basis like a utility. We put that in the bank and let it earn interest, and then we pay cash without direct assessments and property taxes." The League of Minnesota Cities has endorsed street districts for years, arguing that a reliable fee would allow cities to keep up with scalcoating and overlays. Regular maintenance extends the life of streets and saves money, said Anne Finn, the league's assistant director of governmental relations. Page 14 Because legislators and the business community have been leery of similar proposals, the league is hoping that this year the Legislature will allow a few cities to demonstrate how they would work. So far, Eden Prairie City Council members have endorsed the street fee idea in concept only. They are waiting to see what authority legislators give before voting on specifics, said Public Works Director Gene Dietz. A lot of Eden Prairie's roads were built in the 1980s and early 1990s and have not yet needed replacement, Dietz said. But the city spends about $2 million a year on filling cracks, repairing curbs, putting on surface overlays and other maintenance. So far the city has kept up using property taxes, but "in hard times it's hard to raise taxes to maintain the street system," and a fee would take pressure off property taxes, Dietz said. "We need to stay on top of maintenance practices. Every dollar you spend in maintenance will avoid $6 in reconstruction costs. So it's imperative that we have ongoing funding." Fees would be based on how much is needed to do the work year to year, and would be paid by all properties including tax-exempt properties, which do not pay the property tax, Dietz said. Eden Prairie envisions collecting the fees with water bills. It has not yet determined how much the fees might total per household, Dietz said. Council Member Kathy Nelson hopes legislators give the OK. "I believe in putting money away," she said. "It's a lot easier for people to pay it as they go along than for someone to absorb a $10,000 assessment for the street in front of their house." Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Page 15 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release Date March 3, 2009 Contact: Margie Vigoren, 763-509-5081 March 11 Program will clarify the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment Last November, Minnesota voters approved raising the state sales tax to generate funding for outdoors, arts and clean water programs. Join in a free program and discussion with Darby Nelson of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council on March 11, 7 p.m., at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34'h Ave. N., to learn more about the subject. The Lessard Council is charged with making recommendations to fund programs to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. Nelson, appointed to the Council by the Minnesota House of Representatives, will outline the process for making recommendations, answer questions and take comments. Nelson will take audience questions such as: • How will the dollars be used? • Who decides how the money will be spent? • Can ordinary citizens have a say? This program is sponsored by the City of Plymouth and the Walter J. Breckenridge Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America. -30- Page 16 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release Contact: March 3, 2009 Margie Vigoren 763-509-5081 Feel the power at Environmental Quality Fair on March 12 Do we really have the power to make a difference for the environment? The whole community is invited to the 2009 Environmental Quality Fair, "The Power of One — You've got the power to make a difference" to learn how each of us really does have the power to make a difference. The fair — ajoint presentation by Birchview Elementary School and the City of Plymouth — will be held at the school, 425 Ranchview Ln., on March 12, 5:30 - 8 p.m. Fair goers can stroll across a giant map of Minnesota biomes; explore the underwater world of creatures from Minnesota streams; plant a native perennial wildflower to take home; and shake hands with the real-life Smokey the Bear and Woodsy Owl. Over 30 exhibitors will be on hand with games, take-home treasures and lots of great information. The City of Plymouth has sponsored 12 environmental fairs in elementary schools throughout Plymouth since 1997. "Each year it's a new experience with our school partners," said Plymouth Environmental Education Coordinator Margie V igoren. "This is the second time we have partnered with Birchview, and it is great to find the enthusiasm as high as the first time around," Vigoren added. This free event will bring together fun, learning and environmental awareness in a way that will be unforgettable for children and adults alike. Page 17 MINUTES WAYZATA COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATION COUNCIL FEBRUARY 11, 2009 Next Meeting: WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2009 3to4:30PM Room A 413, Central Middle School PRESENT Brenda Heim, Kristin Tollison, Bob Wittman, Donna Marget, Linnea Fonnest, Maggie Frick, Katie Dunford, Alex Olmanson, Chris Olmanson, Becca Fink, Jessica Cardwell, Anne Taylor, Tom Sexton, Angela Haseman, Leah Hughes, Charlene Barghini, Tim Cryer, Cheryl Lubinski, and Carol Bergenstal WELCOME Chair Brenda Heim welcomed guests Judy Hanson, Wayzata's Chemical Health Coordinator, Becky Halvorson, WHS Social Worker, Bob Noyed, Wayzata's Director of Communications, and Evelyn DeSmet, RideNet. Brenda also welcomed new WHS student representatives to the CICO, Katie Dunford, Alex Olmanson and Chris Olmanson --- all juniors at WHS. JANUARY CICC MINUTES • January CICC minutes were accepted as written. MENTAL HEALTH/CHEMICAL HEALTH LCTS GRANT UPDATE (Judy Hanson and Becky Halvorson) • Grant funds focus on providing chemical health/mental health resources for students in the TAP and FOCUS programs (alternative programs) at WHS. • So far this year 38 students have received counseling at WHS from Relate Counseling Center staff through this grant. • Students often have chemical health issues, along with issues of depression or anxiety. • Some programs originally included in the MH/CH LCTS grant have been eliminated in order to focus on areas of greatest need. • With financial assistance from an additional federal grant, planning is underway to pilot implementation of mental health services at all three middle schools and 3 elementary schools. • The LCTS grant has provided students with chemical health assessments and streamlined access to mental health services. • The current economic situation is resulting in increased mental health needs, including students with severe issues that require hospitalization. Students are also reporting more parent use of drugs and alcohol. • For the third year, WHS social workers have produced a video that tells the stories of students and staff members who have sought help for mental and/or Page 18 chemical health issues. The film highlights the resources that are available --- and how to access them. It will be shown to all students at WHS. Judy and Becky provided assurance that students can come to them confidentially to seek help for a friend. In this situation, WHS staff also try to help equip students with the skills they need to help their friends. All agreed, as Bob Wittman and the CICC's WHS students pointed out, that friends of friends in trouble also need support. PARTNERS IN PREVENTION (PIP) • Judy Hanson explained that PIP is a community coalition (including students, parents, staff, business and community leaders) to prevent chemical abuse. • PIP's approach is to focus on the creation ---and celebration --- of positive community norms. • A blog has been developed, http://wayspace.wayzata.kl2.mn.us/coinmunit�.,, to provide parents with the capability of connecting with each other on issues relating to chemical health. • In addition, another electronic communication system, similar to Face Book, is being developed called Parent Chat. LCTS UPDATE Donna Marget, Chair of the LCTS Grant Committee, presented the following list of grants for approval in 2009: o Early Childhood — Caring for Kids Initiative: $40,000 ($25,000 decrease) o Child and Family Support / School Readiness: $21,500 o Camp CONECT: $15,000 ($5,000 decrease) o Primary Project: $30,000 ($10,000 decrease) o Y Middle School Activity Night: $2,000 ($500 decrease) o Helping Us Grow (HUG - universal home visits for new mothers): $1,000 ($9,000 decrease, pending additional information) o Family School Liaison (FSL): $10,000 ($18,000 decrease) For projects with decreased allocations, the committee recommends funding the previous amount of granted dollars as funds continue to flow to the CICC (amounting to an additional total of $67,500). Motion made by Donna Marget and seconded by Susan Sommerfeld to approve the funding levels, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. As additional LCTS funds flows to the District, the LCTS Grant Committee will reconvene to determine the process to allocate those funds. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Bob Noyed, Director of Communications for the Wayzata School District, presented an overview of the impact of the State's potential $7 billion deficit. The district is in frequent conversation with legislators regarding the impact of budget cuts on school funding. In the best case scenario, Wayzata will have a zero increase in funding. Page 19 • However, planning is underway to prepare for a reduction in funding and particular emphasis is being made to encourage legislation that would allow school districts some flexibility in the distribution of mandated funds. • The federal stimulus package may provide help with special education funding. • Concrete proposals for funding in MN will really not be known until the state publishes the March 3rd forecast. • For information on talking points with legislators, more information on the status of the budget, and contact information for legislators, go to www.wayzata.k12.mn.us. Then, on the right hand side of the screen click on "Dollars and Sense"., "Legislative Action Committee" or "Communicating with Legislators". • Bob reiterating the importance of ALL of us contacting our legislators to let them know our thoughts on school funding. RIDENET • Evelyn DeSmet joined us to provide an overview of RideNet (www.ctridenet.com), a for-profit clearing house that provides transportation options for people in the west metro who do not have access to public transportation. • Hennepin County has contracted with RideNet to provide these services. • Rides cost $2.50 each way and are available to people from school age to the elderly. • People living in Plymouth and Minnetonka can only use RideNet to destinations that are west of their communities, in the green zones that were indicated on the map Evelyn provided. • Intra -city transportation between Plymouth and Minnetonka is not provided. • Transportation to areas outside of the designated areas (to downtown Minneapolis or the airport, for example) is available, but market rates will be charged. COMMUNITY CHECK-IN and UPDATES Computers for CONECT • IOCP and CONECT staff are gathering information on the cost of the purchase of 3 laptop computers and the cost of on-going internet access at the 3 CONECT homework club sites where these computers are needed. • Once this figure is known, we will see if Wayzata School District's integration revenue would be an appropriate resource to fund these expenses. • Bob Wittman also alerted us to the possibility of obtaining a technology grant from the Qwest Foundation. Camp CONECT • All Wayzata school principals have been contacted to seek their approval to include a direct plea to parents in school district newsletters and take -me -homes for scholarship support for Camp CONECT. • IOCP is also carrying this request to local faith communities and businesses. Page 20 WHS After School Program • A request for parent volunteers to help in this program has been included in all school district newsletters. Y Middle School Activity Nights • Becca Fink reported that the Y Middle School Activity Night on Friday, February 6, was a great success. • Over 100 students participated, including approximately 50 who made use of transportation provided from Minneapolis and the CONECT neighborhoods. • Please contact Becca Fink at (952) 582-8268 or becca.finkCuvmcampls.org if you are able to volunteer at the last Y Night of the school year on Friday, April 17. Parenting with Vision • Charlene Barghini reported that the Parenting Forum, chaired by volunteer Heather Page, was a great success and attended by over 450 parents. • Thanks to Kristin Tollison, new participants in the Marketplace made it a great experience for all who attended. • Preliminary review of the evaluations indicate once again that the event was much appreciated by all. The Realities of the Economic Downturn • Bob Wittman pointed out that the economic situation is hitting many families now in our community. • We need to think in new and more creative ways to address this changing climate. • Charlene Barghini suggested that volunteerism could provide those out of work with meaningful opportunities to stay engaged --- and, in fact, is already doing so. • It was suggested that topics for next year's Parenting with Vision series might include a focus on how to talk to children about the new realities of family finances. • All agreed it is time to think about new partnerships/relationships/expectations with businesses, community partners, the faith community, etc., as we move forward in these uncharted territories. NEXT CICC MEETING: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 3 to 4:30 PM Room A 413, Central Middle School The meeting was adjourned at 4:34 PM. Respectfully submitted, Carol Bergenstal 0 Page 21 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 6, 2009 SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR T -MOBILE CENTRAL LLC (2009004) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by T -Mobile Central LLC, under File Number 2009004, for a conditional use permit for a 70 -foot monopole with antennas to be located at Central Middle School at 305 Vicksburg Lane North. The applicant proposes to remove the southernmost light pole on the east side of the dome/track, install a monopole with a triangular telecommunication array of the same height as the light pole, and reinstall the stadium lights at a lower elevation. The applicant would install the related ground equipment behind a new three -sided screen wall. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 500 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), 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. Sincerely, njv, v - ri �j t) Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2009004propnotice 340C Ptymcuth Blvd • Pi.ymcu[h, Minnes00 '35447 446 • Te:.: 713-309-5000 wv��r.d.piymouth.�lu Page 22 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 6, 2009 SUBJECT: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT FOR HANS HAGEN HOMES, INC. (2009005) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by Hans Hagen Homes, Inc., under File Number 2009005, for a planned unit development amendment to construct a 40 -foot by 80 -foot volleyball court west of Joe Senser's for property located at 16605 County Road 24. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 750 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), 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. Sincerely, f4 4 Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2009005propnotice 3400 Plymouth 3Nd , Plymouth: Minnesota 55447 -tab= , Tel: 763.509-5000 ,rAvw.cd.ptymouth.mn-us A7 Page 23 Q y, NO55 A - L �--Ili v a y� 3400 Plymouth 3Nd , Plymouth: Minnesota 55447 -tab= , Tel: 763.509-5000 ,rAvw.cd.ptymouth.mn-us A7 Page 23 Mar BZ Z009 89:23:42 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 881 0f 885 O LEAGUE of MINNESOTA CITIES -FridayFax- A weekly legislative updatefratn the League o' M1nnesota Cities February 27, 2009 LMC webinar on federal stimulus package now online The League's IGR staff presented the various components of the federal stimulus package and discussed money being made available to cities during a live we.binar held early Friday afternoon, The information_ including a slide presentation and audio clip, is available now on the dont page of the League's web site at www.lmc.ort;. Additionally, the League's Research Department has prepared a 38 -page information guide on the American Recovery nd Reinvestment Act that is also available on the web site. Questions? Cvnurct Jennifer O'RourkE' cru 651?81.1261 or torou ke(q)bnc.ore. Budget forecast due next week - - economic indicators tumble Next Tuesday, at 9:45 a.m. in Room 15 of the State Capitol, the Department of Management and Budget will release the updated state budget forecast and there is widespread consensus that the $4.8 billion state budget deficit predicted last December will worsen— perhaps substantially. Although the governor, the state economist and marry legislators have suspected since last December that the state's budget has tumbled even further with the economy, economic news released late this week seems to substantiate those fears. According to the state employment report issued by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) on Thursday. Minnesota's seasonally Page 1 adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7,6 percent in January, the highest rate since mid -1983. In December, the seasonally -adjusted unemployment rate in Minnesota stood at 6.9 percent. Just one year ago, in January 2008, the rate was 4.5 percent. The January rise in unemployment translates into an increase of 20,700 in the number of unemployed workers in the state. Nationwide, the unemployment rate rose 0.4 percent to 7.6 in January, Minnesota has lost nearly 75,000 jobs over the past year, while U.S. job losses totaled 3.5 million during that same period. Although the unemployment rate in Minnesota has increased substantially over the past year, some areas of the state are actually adding jobs. In the state's Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), annual gains occurred in the Rochester MSA (+0.3 percent), Fargo -Moorhead MSA (+0.8 percent) and Grand Forks MSA (+0.3 percent), Losses were posted in the Minneapolis -St. Paul MSA (-2.8 percent), Duluth -Superior MSA (-1.4 percent) and St. Cloud MSA (-0.8 percent). In addition to the gloomy unemployment news, on Friday the U.S. Commerce Department reported that the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) fell at a seasonally -adjusted annual rate of 6.2 percent in the last quarter of 2008 (October through December). In its original estimate issued in January, the Commerce Department had reported that the fourth-quarter 2008 GDP fell 3.8 percent. According to the department's report, the sharply lower revision in GDP reflected downward adjustments in inventory investment, exports and consumer spending. The annualized 62 percent decline is the worst Por marc inlimnmion on citt• Iccistutive issues, contact anv member of the League of Minnesota Cities Interyavem icnlaI Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 and www.lmo.org Page 24 Mar 82 2889 89:24:35 Via Fax -> 763 S09 5868 Administrator OU LEAGUE of MINNESOTA CITIES -FridayFax-- A weekly legislative updaic born the League oj Minnesota Cities quarterly decline for GDP since 1982, when GDP declined by 6.4 percent. In early February, Governor Pawlenty publicly suggested that the state deficit could rise to as much as $7 billion. Privately, some legislators now believe that the deficit could be even eclipse the governor's pessimistic projections. That said, the recently enacted federal stimulus package has not yet impacted the economy and the state has not fully calculated the potential positive direct and indirect impacts on the state budget. Next week's forecast will incorporate the estimated effects of the federal stimulus and many legislators are hoping beyond hope that the direct and indirect benefits of the federal stimulus will more than offset the increased estimate of time deficit. This most recent economic news may dash those hopes. Chiestions? Contact Gcn37 Carlson at 651.281.1255 or,c'cculscrn(ii)bnc,nr.£. HUD allocates American Recovery and Reinvestment funding The American Recovery and Reinvesuncnt Act (ARRA) includes over $13 billion nationwide for projects and programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Develooment (HUD). These include fiords for affordable housing development and maintenance, energy efficiency retrofit and neighborhood stabilization. On Wednesday HLID allocated nearly $10 billion to state, local governments and public housing authorities (PHA). The Community Development Block Gram (CDBG) allocation for 2009 was increased an additional $1 billion and will be distributed using the same formula as 2008_ The CDBG Page 882 8f 885 February 27, 2009 Page 2 program allows local governments to target their own community development priorities. Most local governments use these funds to rehabilitate affordable housing and create jobs locally. The CDBG program is a formula based program with 17 entitlement communities in Minnesota. Those local governments will receive a total of $9.8 million, In addition to monies to entitlement communities, the Minnesota Department of Em to ee and Economic Development (DEED) will receive approximately $5.5 million to administer a competitive program for non -entitlement communities. All recipients must give priority to projects that could be ready to go within 120 days tate funds are made available. Public Housing Authorities (PHA) will receive nearly $4 billion to carry out capital projects, and funds are not to be used for operating or rental assistance. Three billion will be allocated by the same formula used for amounts made available it) fiscal year 2008. Minnesota's PHA's received approximately $47 million. In addition to the money distributed via formula, another $1 billion will be made available competitively through HUD for priority investments. Priority will be given to rehabilitation of vacant rental units and capital projects that can be awarded within 120 days from receipt of funding. Other housing provisions in the bill include $2.25 billion for assisted housing. Of that total, $250 million will be available for competitive grants or loans for energy retrofit and green investments of assisted housing facilities. Two For more intnmrution on city tecislntive issues. contact anv member or the Lcagne of Minnesota Cities Intertiovemmentul agitations team. 651.281.1200 or 800})25.1122 and www.Ime.org Page 25 Mar 02 2009 09:25:28 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator CO C� j EAGUE of MINNESOTA CITIES -FridayFax- A weekly legislative updatefrom the League gl'Mhtuesola Cities billion will be made available via formula to operators of facilities for rental assistance. The HOME Investment Partnership Program is funded under HUD's HOME Program. Grants will be made available to state housing finance agencies via formula to help fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and rehab affordable housing for rent. Minnesota Housing Finance At_encv will receive approximately $28 tnillion, distribute the funds competitively, and give priority to housing projects that can begin construction immediately. HUD will also receive an additional $2 billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The purpose of the NSP funds is to assist local governments to buy, rehabilitate and demolish foreclosed and abandoned homes to stabilize communities. Unlike the first round of NSP dollars which was distributed via a formula, this round of funding will be available competitively. HUD has 75 days to publish the criteria for the latest funds, and applicants have up to 1 SO days from the day of enactment to apply. The League will provide more information as it becomes available. For a detailed summary of each of the following allocations and amounts distributed to qualifying communities visit the HUD website www.hud. ov/recover . Questions. •' !.'onlaet Hue Nssp(yeu at 651.281.1260 or hncnr en(ii'<lmc.orY. Mandate relief bill draft released On Tuesday Rep. Morrie Lanning (R - Moorhead) convened the Local Government Paye 803 Of 005 February 27, 2009 Page 3 Decision -Making Flexibility and Mandate Reduction Working Group to take the first round of testimony on a draft of his proposed mandate relief legislation. The bill will likely be introduced on March 2. The Lanning bill - draft contains many of the recommendations of the League and other statewide local government groups. Among the initial city - provisions: • removal of levy limits; • authorization of street improvement districts; • reduction of the maintenance of effort (MOE) library requirements in years where aids are cut; • elimination of the Truth in Taxation (TNT) heating requirement (counties would still have to do the mailing, publishing information would still be required); • reporting on pay equity pushed out to five years; • expansion of best -value contracting; • making permissive insurance coverage for former employees; • updating the threshold amounts for contracts and day labor under the special assessment statute; and • allowing cities the option of not pooling former employees and active employees for group insurance. Additionally, Rep. Lanning included the establishment of the Legislative Commission on Mandate Reform. This is a revival of his 2003 idea, which would look at the various mandates put upon cities, counties, townships and school districts. As expected, plenty of groups were on hand to testify against various provisions, including American Federation of State, County and For more information on city legislative i%ucs, contact any member of the League or Minnewta Cities Intergovernmental Relation team. 651,281,1200 or 800.925,1)22' nd www.11nc.org Page 26 Mar 02 2009 09:26:19 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator LEAGU E Or [MINNESOTA CITIES -FridayFax- A weekly legislative up datr born the League of Minnesota Cities Municipal Emplovees, (AFSMCE) (employment provisions), business groups (street improvement authority), and the Pay Equity Coalition (pay equity). Rep. Lanning announced his intention to work with other members of the working group to bring forward a bill that people could support and that would not be too controversial. On Thursday, he alerted the League that the street improvement district authority had not survived and would not be included in his working group's bill. This was not an official meeting per se, but rather one of three working groups of the House Property and Local Sales Tax Division that has been looking for ways to help local governments facing cuts in aids and credits during the state budget crisis. A full summary of the bill will be featured as an article in next week's Cities Bulletin. Questions? ('oruact Jennifer C)'Ra:.rrke at 65/.3cti'l./26/ oriorour$:e(c?Irnc.org. Legislators have concerns about housing improvement areas HF 204 (Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL -Golden Valley) was heard in the House Property and Local Sales Tax Division on Wednesday, with Kathy Larson, Housing Programs Coordinator from the city of St. Louis Park on hand to testify. 'Phis bill would have simply removed the current lune 30, 2009 sunset on general city authority on housing improvement areas (HLAs). While the bill seemed rather simple in nature, committee members had numerous questions after House Research staff raised the issue of cities reporting, Under the law in Minn. Stat. 428A. 11, cities are required to report to the Commissioner of Revenue when they decide to use HIA authority. Later in the Paye 004 0f 005 February 27, 2009 Page 4 hearing, the Department of Revenue testified they did in fact have records from 8-10 cities that have used the HIA authority, but the broad concern over this public finance tool had already started on whether the policy area needed reform. Members were also concerned with the current housing market and to what extent a city could lose money if the townhome or condo development had financial problems. The League has a list of cities that have used these in the past, but needs to hear from others so we can better defend the bills in the Legislature. The list of cities in our files includes: Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Hopkins, Little Canada, New Hope, Plymouth, St. Louis Park, and Victoria. We will be preparing an educational HIA memo for those contented legislators and we need city input. Please contact Jennifer O'Rourke if you have found the NIA statutes to be a helpful tool in working with your townhome/condo association and its maintenance needs. Oteslions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1201 or iorourke(Mlrnc. or z Town hall meetings Town hall meetings are a great chance to meet with your legislators and tell your city story, sometimes right inside city hall. Upcoming meetings in a city near you include: February 28 in Fosston (Civic Center, 215 1 st St E, 9 a.m.) with Sen. Rod Skoe February 28 in Rogers (Rogers Community Center/Fire Hall, 9 a -m.) with Rep. Joyce Peppin For more infarmation on city legislative issues, contact anv member or the League of Minnesota Cities ItacggovenuncnW I Relations tcnm. 051.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 and www.hnc,org Page 27 Mar 02 2009 09:27:11 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator O \J LEAGU E of MINNESOTA CITIES -FridayFax- A tveckln legislative update from the League oJ'A innesota Ciries February 28 in Isle (City Hall, 285 Second Avenue South, 10 a -m.) with Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson February 28 in Lilydale (Bunn Giorno's, 10 a.m.) with Rep. Rick Hansen & Sen_ James Metzen February 28 in Bagley (City Council Chambers, 1 1 a.m.) with Sen. Rod Skoe and Rep. Brita Sailer February 28 in Greenfield (Greenfield City Hall, 1 1 a.m.) with Rep. Joyce Peppin February 28 in Onamia (Veterans Center, 38692 U.S. Highway 169, 12 noon) with Rep. Gail Kul ick Jackson February 28 in Blackduck (High School Library, 1:30 p.m.) with Sen. Rod Skoe and Rep. Brita Sailer February 28 in Hanover (Chit Hall, 1:30 p.m.) with Rep. Joyce Peppin Page OBS of BBS February 27, 2009 Page 5 February 28 in Wabasha (W -K Elementary School Library, 2 p.m.) with Reps. Steve Drazkowski and'I•im Kelly February 28 in Park Rapids (White Education Center Community Room, 18593 Ithaca Dr, 4:30 p.m,) with Sen. Rod Skoe and Rep. Brita Sailer March 4 in Kenyon (City Hall, 7 p.m.) with Rep. Steve Drazkowski March 5 in Mendota Heights (City Hall, 6:30 p.m.) with Rep. Rick Hansen & Sen. James Metzen March 6 in Windom (City Hall, 1 I a.m.) with Rep. Rod Hamilton Check your local newspaper or radio station for additional dates. Questions? Contact Brian Strub at 651.28/.1256 or bstrub(d.,lmc.ort�. Por more inlonnalion on city legislative issues, contact anv member of the League of Minnesaa Cities ]ntergovemntentat Ktlations temn, 051.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 and www.imc.org Page 28 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN SS447 DATE: February 24, 2009 TO: Mayor Slavik, City Manager Ahrens FROM: Sarah Hellekson, Solid Waste/Transit Manager SUBJECT: Appointment of Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit Chairperson and Vice Chairperson On February 18, 2009, the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) elected Sylvia Gustafson as Chair, and Terry Cheng as Vice Chair. These PACT representatives are being forwarded for your approval. Page 29 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: February 26, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager THROUGH: Cal Portner, Administrative Services Director FROM: Janene Hebert, City Assessor SUBJECT: Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Training The City of Plymouth has one Council Member, Ginny Black, trained for the 2009 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE). The Department of Revenue requires one trained LBAE member during the four-year cycle prior to the 2009 LBAE, however they recommend two members be certified to allow for unforeseen circumstances. The attached memos from the Department of Revenue outline both the new policy for certification and the new procedures for training. Due to the number of Board members requiring training in the metro area, there are two training sessions scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on March 25, 2009 at Maple Grove Government Center. Page 30 MINNESOTA • REVENUE MEMO Date: February 17, 2009 To: All County Assessors From: MICHAEL STALBERGER Information and Education Section Subject: New Policy for Local Boards of Appeal and Equalization Certification Now that most Local Boards of Appeal and Equalization (LBAEs) throughout the state have successfully completed one licensing cycle and many have completed their first re -certification courses, the Department of Revenue is implementing a change to help improve the efficiency and understanding of the certification process and requirements. We feel this change will reduce the confusion some attendees and counties have reported relating to an LBAE's ability to conduct future LBAEs. When an LBAE member successfully completes the training course, he/she will be certified for the next four consecutive LBAEs. The training certification will then expire on November 30 of the year of the fourth consecutive LBAE. For example: If trained on: Certified for these LBAEs: Would need to be re-trained by: If no one on LBAE meets training requirement, this would be the first Open Book year: Under current practice, would have been certfied until:' March 16, 2009 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 December 1, 2012 2013 March 16, 2013 June 18, 2009 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 December 1, 2013 2014 June 19, 2013 November 18, 2009 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 December 1, 2013 2014 November 18, 2013 Under current practice, a board member who attends training is certified for the next four calendar years (i.e. if the member attends training on March 16, 2009, he/she would be certified until March 16, 2013). This change will eliminate the issues where a board member's four calendar year expiration date falls somewhere after the December 1 certification deadline date but before the actual convening of the LBAE. We are establishing this new policy effective immediately for any training held in 2009. The rationale for this change in policy is that the legislation requiring training was to ensure fair and consistent LBAEs, not to be used as a mechanism to eliminate or disenfranchise LBAEs. It has become more and more difficult and time-consuming to manage, record, and report certifications for LBAE members to counties between the December 1 deadline and when they are needed for scheduling boards or open book meetings. The former certification policy was based on a literal interpretation of the legislation and would be appropriate if we did not offer any courses during the period from December 1 to May 31 (May 31 being the end of the window in which LBAEs can meet). But since there have consistently been requests for training during this time period, a literal interpretation is too cumbersome and complicated to administer. There were increasingly more and more LBAEs that were able to certify compliance by December 1 that were becoming noncompliant by the actual convening of the board; this lead to confusion and added work for counties and the department. This change adheres to the intent of the law, still ensures training every four years of LBAEs, and improves the efficiency of the process for all involved. Please share this policy change with your LBAEs. It should not result in any changes from LBAEs to Open Books that you have already made for 2009 because that determination should have been based on a board's failure to certify a trained member by December 1, 2008. If you have any questions regarding this change, please direct them to proptax.questions@state.mn.us. Page 31 MINNESOTA n REVENUE MEMO Date: February 12, 2009 To: All County Assessors From: MICHAEL STALBERGER Information and Education Section Subject: New Procedures for Local Boards of Appeal and Equalization Training The Department of Revenue feels some changes will help improve the efficiency in which the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) course is offered. We feel these changes will reduce the confusion some attendees and counties have reported relating to the LBAE training process while still allowing for enough flexibility for the counties (and the regional reps who provide the training) to meet the individual needs of the LBAEs. The first procedural change will be a limit on the number of offerings of LBAE courses the department will provide instructors for. The department will provide qualified instructors for up to 45 courses throughout the state annually. This will be allocated to up to five training opportunities in each MAAO Region each year. This change will require the regions to work together to select locations, dates, and times for these trainings with their regional reps. Look for additional information regarding this planning to come from your regional rep soon. You will be asked to select your five locations as a region sometime prior to May 1. This will allow the reps to plan accordingly, allow for all trainings to be posted timely to the department's website, and will ensure there are a variety of offerings statewide throughout the year. A second procedural change will be registration requirements for all courses. In the past, there has been some confusion over the number of attendees and whether or not that merited a training offering. By requiring registration, both the counties and the department can get a better handle on the LBAEs being served, and it will ultimately help with record-keeping and administration. Although it is expected some LBAE members will still show up at the time of the training, all efforts to ensure pre- registration should be implemented. When listing their annual regional course offerings, each region will indicate a "host" county for each offering. This county will assume registration and other logistical responsibilities and utilize the newly designed registration forms. The form will have fields similar to those below, and by gathering this information prior to attendance, onsite sign -in and course certification record-keeping will be greatly improved. Page 32 County Data Entry Instruefiens: _. _ Local Board of Appeal and Equalization __ _ Re istrationand Attendance Sheet aredng Date: county Contact: 5- Fill in me 1* in me W four Me 2 -To Pagit Paricipard: Fill in Columns A through I. Offering Time: P000nfrae: gys below, ynu are ceutdying fhat you have attendeithe ooume aryl have xed the regmnameds fa ceddieatian. peering Location: County Email: li County Phone: 1Registation Data Phone Number (m) 1114151 Enroll # PrintFirst Name Print Last Name Jurisdition Name CityorTnemship4 Title l Posilion County Name I � I Page 32 The other logistical responsibilities that the host county will assume include reserving the room and making sure it is ready for the training offering, communicating registration information to the regional rep conducting the training, emailing the final registration spreadsheet to the department the day of the training, and having a staff member present at the training offering, as well as other miscellaneous tasks. The following guidelines and expectations have been established to further explain the LBAE training process for counties and regions: By May of each year, each MAAO region, working in conjunction with their regional rep, will have set a tentative schedule for that year's LBAE offerings within their region (up to a maximum of five training offerings). o This schedule will provide for dates and locations for each course. o The training offerings will be scheduled between June 1 and November 30 at times that are compatible for the county, facilities, regional rep, and LBAE members. o This schedule will list the "host county" (the county sponsoring the course) and a contact person (name, number, email) for attendees to contact for registration. o This information will be shared with LBAEs within that region so they are aware of the opportunities and whether or not they need certification. o This information will be shared with the department so that the dates can be consolidated into one comprehensive training list. The host county will finalize arrangements for the facility (reservations, etc.) and will provide administrative support (answer questions and handle registrations) as the training date nears. o The registration will be recorded on a form created by the department. o All course offerings will require registration. Walk-in attendance will be allowed, but all notices will clearly indicate that registration is preferred. o The facility will have adequate room for the intended audience (meaning the host county can establish a course maximum in conjunction with the regional rep), as well as power source, projector screen or wall, etc. o The county contact will be available and able to answer questions regarding the training that LBAE members may have. The host county will provide (by email) a current list of registrants to the department five business days prior to the course. o This current list will be a filled-in copy of the registration form that the department created listing all who have pre -registered to date. o The department (appraisal supervisor and regional rep) will determine if the course should be held (based on offering timing, location, number of registrations, etc.) and will respond within one business day to the host county. If the course is cancelled, the county will notify all registrants and make an effort to generally publicize the cancellation of the course. It is not likely that a course will be cancelled, but it may be necessary in rare circumstances. The host county will have at least one representative in attendance at the course, to help with questions, set up issues, and other logistic/administrative issues. o This representative will also bring the final copy of the registration sheet showing all registrants as of that date. This sheet will also be emailed to the department. Page 33 The department will provide the instructor, course materials, and projector for the course. o The instructor will provide a sign -in sheet for certification purposes, and will take possession of this sheet at the close of the meeting. o The instructor will provide evaluation sheets, and will take possession of these sheets at the close of the meeting. Additionally, the department will coordinate additional "catch up" courses in March (a total of two additional courses in even years and four additional courses in odd years) at various locations throughout the state. Tentatively, Mankato, Maple Grove, St. Cloud, and Bemidji have been selected as locations for these trainings due to the facilities available and their geographic locations. The purpose of the "catch up" courses has not changed; they are solely provided to allow an already - certified LBAE to retain certification due to the loss of its trained LBAE member due to loss of election, resignation, etc. These offerings will be arranged and sponsored by the department. The department may ask for volunteer host counties for these meetings to help make room reservations and handle some logistics for the meeting. These new procedures will be implemented starting with the "catch up" courses offered by the department during the Spring of 2009. Each MAAO region will be expected to implement this process by having their region's dates for the 2009 offerings established by May 2009. If you have any questions or concerns, please share them with your regional rep. They will help answer them or consolidate them and bring them to the attention of the rest of the department. Page 34