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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 07-02-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH ® COUNCIL INFO MEMO July 2, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Planning Commission Agenda 07/08/09.............................................................................................. Page 1 July, August, September 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars......................................................... Page 2 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings . INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Marvin Ramstad Funeral Notice, Article ........................................ .............................. Page 5 ......................................... Page 6 Metro cities turn up water rates in name of conservation, Article, Star & Trib Greenfield tagged "high risk", Article, Star & Trib. MEETING MINUTES PRAC Minutes 06/11/09........................................................................... STAFF REPORTS Fire Department Monthly Report 04/09 ....................................... Fire Department Monthly Report 05/09 ....................................... CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Sun Sailor, RE: Sally Thompson Letter from CenterPoint Energy, RE: Gas Rates .................................... ...................... Page 7 ....................Page 10 ........ Page 13 .......................................... Page 20 .......................................... Page 26 Letter to Property Owner, RE: Home Occupation License for Green 2009021........... Letter to Elm Creek Watershed, RE: 2010 Operating Budget ...................................... Letter to Shingle Creek Watershed, RE: 2010 Operating Budget ................................ Page 32 Paee 33 ...........Page 35 ...........Page 36 ...........Page 37 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the May 20, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. B. Three Rivers Park District. Approve variances to allow Trail Signage for nine sites along the Luce Line and Medicine Lake Regional Trails. (2009017) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. City of Plymouth. Preliminary plat and variances to subdivide and incorporate 5.92 acres of the property located at 5815 Juneau Lane North into the City's Northwest Greenway trail corridor. (2009015) 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Margaret Green. Home occupation license to operate a mental health clinic out of the home located at 3937 Orchid Lane North (2009021) 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 2009 Modified on 07/02/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 2 1 5:00 PM - MUSIC IN - - - PLYMOUTH "-'--' Hilde Performance INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE Center DAY DAY OBSERVED CITY OFFICES CLOSED 11 5 6 7 7:00 PM 8 PLANNING 9 4:45 PM 10 COMMISSION PARK & REC MEETING ADVISORY COM - Council Chambers MISSION (PRAC) 5:30 PM PARK TOUR ENVIRONMENTAL Meet at City Hall QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC) PPT Tour 12 13 14 5:30 PM 15 16 17 18 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING* Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 19 20 21 7:00 PM 22 PLANNING 23 7:00 PM 24 25 COMMISSION HRA MEETING MEETING Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake 26 27 28 5:30 PM 29 30 31 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Medicine Lake Room Budget Study Session 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING •7114 Meeting: Council Chambers 1. Meet with th Auditors Modified on 07/02/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 2 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life August 2009 modirpea on uiiuzrur Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2:30-5:00 PM 7:00 PM National Night PLANNING Out Kick -Off COMMISSION Station III MEETING Council Chambers 6:30-9:30 PM NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 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 Council Chambers Council Chambers 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 25 5:00PM 26 27 28 29 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING Medicine Lake Room ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room X30 X31 Budget Study Session COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) 7:00 PM MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Councit Chambers MEETING Council Chambers modirpea on uiiuzrur Page 3 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life September 2009 Modified on 07102109 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING COMMISSION COMMISSION Medicine Lake Room MEETING MEETING Budget Study Session Council Chambers Parkers Lake Room 6 7 jjj� 8 9 10 11 12 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Autumn REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK & REC ADVI- Art Fair MEETING QUALITY SORY COMMISSION Parkers Lake LABOR DAY Council Chambers COMMITTEE (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers (EQC) MEETING CITY OFFICES Council Chambers CLOSED 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers ROSH HASHANAH Begins at Sunset 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7:00 PM 7:00 PIM 7:00 PM 9:00 AM -3:30 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING SPECIAL MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room RECYCLING DROP Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON OFF EVENT TRANSIT (PACT) Plymouth MEETING Maintenance Facility Medicine Lake 1:00 PM Room A Plymouth On Parade Celebration City Center Area 27 28 29 30 YOM KIPPUR Begins at Sunset Modified on 07102109 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items July 14, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Meet with the auditors July 14, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Accept 2008 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report • Approve Preliminary Plat, Final Plat and Variances to subdivide and incorporate 5.92 acres of the property located at 5815 Juneau Lane North into the City's Northwest Greenway trail corridor. City of Plymouth. (2009015) • Approve new garbage hauler license for Budget Waste Systems, 3516 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN • Approve Variances to allow Trail Signage for nine sites along the Luce Line and Medicine Lake Regional Trails. Three Rivers Park District. (2009017) • Approve draft comments on the City of Corcoran 2030 Comprehensive Plan. City of Plymouth. • Approve Plans and Specifications, Four Seasons Well Raw Watermain (7114) • Approve Payment No. 2 and Final, Fire Station No. I Parking Lot Reconstruction Project (8110) • Accept recommendations by the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) on system changes for Plymouth Metrolink • City of Plymouth: Land Use Guiding/Zoning Reconciliation (2009016) July 28, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2010/2011 Budget July 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing to approve Off -Sale 3.2 Liquor License for Holiday Stationstores, Inc., d/b/a Holiday Stationstore #107, 3020 Fembrook Lane • Violation of stipulation agreement for Linden Horse Farm located at 520 Queensland Lane North • Presentation of 2009 Environmental Champion Awards • Community Development Block Grant — Approve submission of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) August 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Presentation by Mike Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney August 25, Special, 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2010/2011 Budget August 25, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 1, Special, 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2010/2011 Budget September 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Adopt Preliminary Tax Levy Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. page 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2009 Contact: Lance Olson (952) 738-9100 MARVIN RAMSTAD DIES; FATHER OF JUDGE AND CONGRESSMAN Marvin J. Ramstad, of Plymouth, Minnesota, formerly of Jamestown, N.D., died Wednesday, July 1 at the age of 89 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Della Mae Fode Ramstad, parents Joseph and Sarah Ramstad and three brothers and a sister. Survived by son, former Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad (Kathryn); daughter, Minnesota Tax Court Judge Sheryl Ramstad (Lee Larson); grandchildren Sarah, Charlie (Michelle), Kristina, Christen and Karl; brother A. William Ramstad (Winifred) and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Ramstad was the former president and CEO of Midwest Motors, Jamestown, N.D., where he resided until moving to Plymouth upon his retirement in 1984. Mr. Ramstad was actively involved in the political campaigns of his son, former Congressman Jim Ramstad, and daughter, Judge Sheryl Ramstad. Mr. Ramstad was a 1943 graduate of the University of Washington, where he earned his way by mining gold in Alaska with his brothers. Mr. Ramstad served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy during World War II, when he married the love of his life, Della Mae Fode Ramstad. Mr. Ramstad was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, Chrysler Corporation National Advertising Council, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, B.P.O.E. and Plymouth Lions. He was also a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown. Services will be held at Wayzata Community Church, Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m. Visitation Monday, July 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at David Lee Funeral Home in Wayzata. #30# Page 6 Metro cities turn up water rates in name of conservation StarTribune.com Metro cities turn up water rates in name of conservation Minnetonka wants to study the effectiveness before again raising fees on heaviest users. By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune Last update: June 27, 2009 - 9:10 PM How high do water rates have to go to get people to conserve water? It's a question that Minnetonka and other cities have grappled with since the Legislature required that all metro cities put a conservation rate in place by Jan. 1. Minnetonka City Council members were wondering about the effectiveness of their conservation rates earlier this month as they decided to again increase water fees, this time by 5 cents per 1,000 gallons for low to moderate users and by 7 to 10 cents for heavier users. A year ago, Minnetonka moved from a single water rate to tiered rates that go up with usage in an effort to encourage residents to save water. After limited success in curbing demand, this year consultants recommended raising the tiers again as a greater incentive to conserve. Advertisement Page I of 3 Point your >, s. mobile browser to ' .4E http://startribune.com "People have to realize that it is a resource that is being used quite heavily, and there might come a time when there might not be as much water as we all expect," said Public Works Director Brian Wagstrom. Before approving the higher rates this year. Minnetonka City Council Members Brad Wiersum and Tony Wagner wanted to know whether the change to graduated fees was showing signs of working. "Have we changed behavior or have we raised revenue?" Wiersuin asked. In the first year, "We changed behavior slightly, but not to any significance," Wagstrom said. In Minnetonka, nearly 90 percent of households pay the first tier water rate during the winter. That means they use less than 25,000 gallons per quarter. But when lawn sprinklers went on, nearly half of the citv's households moved to higher tiers. Some tripled their use. The rates just adopted by the council range from $1.75 per 1,000 gallons at the lowest tier, for using less than 25,000 gallons per quarter, up to $3.50 per 1,000 gallons at the fourth tier, for using more than 70,000 gallons per quarter. City Council members asked for a report on this summers water use before they consider rates again next year. If the higher rates do not reduce Print Powered 1, http://www.startribune.com/local/west/49344912.html?elr=KArksUL UU 6/29 Page 7 Metro cities turn up water rates in name of conservation StarTribune.c©m water usage, "The question for the council is tthat should we do about that," Wagner said, adding that he would advocate raising rates further if necessary to promote conservation. But Wiersum said, "I don't think I would want to gouge the public to get them to do what we want them to do." Wagstrom said he doesn't think rates are high enough now to "make people second-guess their outside water use," but finding the right rate will take study and comparison with other cities that have lowered use. A question of billing When the rates are "high and hurtful," as they are in California cities, they do work, said Minnetonka Finance Director Merrill King. But her theory is that in Minnetonka, conservation rates won't work until residents get monthly water bills, and because the city bills quarterly, residents don't get them close enough to the time they are using the most water to reduce consumption. Residents don't get their summer water bills until September, she said, and by then people often don't even remember their summer watering, King said. "A lot of people call tip and say,'Why is the bill so high?' By then they can't change their behavior, so they are billed at the higher rate." Advertisement Page 2 of 3 Point your j- mobilebrowserto http://startribunc.com If residents got bills monthly and felt the effects of the surcharges, it might prompt them to reduce use the next month, King said. The city is at least two years away from allowing residents to receive and pay their water bills online, King said. Until that's possible, it would be too expensive for the city to mail water bills monthly, she said. Why conserve? Legislators required cities to adopt conservation water rates out of concern for the state's 50 -year water supply, said Laurel Reeves, water appropriations manager for the state Department of Natural Resources. The state is concerned that over the long term, the area's deepest aquifer will become depleted unless steps are taken now to curb usage. All cities face the conservation requirement, even though some, like Minneapolis, get their water from rivers rather than the aquifer. Using tiered water rates is one way to encourage conservation, but their effectiveness depends on how much difference there is between the rates. "If it's a few cents, it may not matter to people," Reeves said. How other cities do it Elk River is having success with charging significantly higher rates for heavy users, she said. According to the Elk River Municipal Utilities Print Powered By http://www.startribune.com/local/west/49344912.html?elr=KArksUUT U Ell I i Dynamics 6/29, Page 8 Metro cities turn up water rates in name of conservation StarTribune.com website, the city charges by the month using three tiers: $1.50 per thousand gallons for the first 9,000 gallons of water per month: $3.50 per 1.000 for the next 6,000 gallons, and $4 per 1,000 for anything above 15,000 gallons a month. Eden Prairie, which started a conservation surcharge in 1998 and a sprinkling ban violation surcharge in 1999, is having success with those measures. said Public Works Director Gene Dietz. The city has two tiers: "We are trying to make watering your grass cost an extra $ I per thousand gallons" beyond what most people pay for indoor use in the winter. Dietz said. Sprinkling fines start at $25 and go up to $300 for repeat offenders. and Eden Prairie is tough on enforcement, sending officers out at night to catch violators. Dietz said he cannot quantify how much these surcharges reduce water usage, but before they were imposed, water use during peak periods could drain city water towers. Now the city is managing to keep up with demand. lie said. "If we had no violation or conservation surcharge, I am confident that the residents of Eden Prairie would drain all of our tanks every day." Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 0 Print Powered By littp://www.startribune.com/local/west/49344912.html?elt=KArksUUUU Page 3 of 3 Paint your 4tmobile browser to http://startribLine.com C1 i Dynamics 6/2' Page 9 Greenfield tagged 'high risk' StarTribune.com Greenfield tagged 'high risk' The League of Minnesota Cities, which insures against lawsuits, raises the deductible for the town, which has a history of acrimony. By MARY LYNN SMITH, Star Tribune Last update: July 1, 2009 - 11:23 PM Lawsuits, gun -toting politicians and just plain old political dysfunction in the small town of Greenfield could come with a hefty price tag for taxpayers. The town of 3,000 people in western Hennepin County has been deemed a "high-risk" city by the organization that insures it against lawsuits. Over the past five years, the city has racked up $801,177 in claims from three lawsuits filed by former and current city officials. And the future doesn't look much brighter, considering the political turmoil in Greenfield, according to the insurance evaluation. In the past five years, the city has paid only $98,768 in property and casualty premiums to the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, a self-insured find for about 800 Minnesota cities. "It's a pooling of the risks and a sharing of the risks." said Pete Tritz, director of the insurance Advertisement n Pagel of 3 Point your - mobile browser to I,ttp://startribune.com trust. "The concern [with Greenfield] is the financial risk it poses to the other members of the trust." So in a rare move, the insurance trust is increasing Greenfield's deductible from $500 to $200,000 on any employment-related liability claims and all claims involving suits by current or former city officials or employees against the city or its current or former officials or employees. That means Greenfield residents would pick up the first $200,000 on any such claim. The city's high-risk rating also means it pays premiums double the amount paid by the average city. For example, a lawsuit filed by a framer city administrator fired in 2006 ended up costing $565,053 in settlement and defense fees. If the new deductible had been in place, a bigger chunk would have had to come from taxpayers' pockets. The deductible increase came as a shock to some city officials. including Mayor Jill Krout. "Going from $500 to $200,000 is huge," she said. The city's total 2009 budget is $1.2 inillion. "All of us are concerned about the impact that this might have," Krout said. "We'll definitely have to reconsider how things are done here." Insurance trust administrators say thejump in the deductible is due largely to three claims: Print Powered By tri r " -Dynamic, Page 10 http://www. startribune.com/local/west/49651172.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEygyP40... 7/2/: Greenfield tagged 'high risk' StarTribune.com • In 2006, the council terminated the city administrator, who then sued, alleging a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation and whistleblower violations. •hr 2007. Insurance Trust administrators say, the council terminated the new city administrator after less than a year on the job. That administrator then sued, alleging a breach of contract, defamation, harassment and open - meeting -law violations. The trial court dismissed the claims at summary judgment, but the claim was settled for $14,000 while an appeal was pending. -Ili 2009. Larry Plack, chairman of the city's Charter Commission, who is also a former mayor and a political adversary of Krout, filed suit against the city and Krout, alleging slander, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malfeasance, civil-rights violations and violation of the oath of office. The suit is pending and has cost the city $25,000 in defense fees so far. Other issues cited in the "high-risk" evaluation: the city's most recent administrator resigned; controversy erupted over the fact that at least one and possibly more council members carry concealed weapons to meetings, and the city is on its third city attorney in the past two years. Tritz notes in a letter to the board of trustees that the city's attorney has had "frank discussions" Page 2 of 3 lhttp://startribune.com Pontyourmobile browser to with city officials about changing their behavior to avoid additional litigation. "He believes the message is beginning to be heard, but he also does not rule out the possibility that his frankness potentially could result in his being tenrinated as the city attorney," Tritz states in his letter. League issues warning On Wednesday, the League of Cities Insurance Trust considered taking even tougher action against Greenfield after learning that city officials had failed to mention a controversial vote June 2 to hire yet another new city administrator, Tritz said. The trustees were troubled that the council reportedly made that decision without "fully vetting options and applicants." They said city officials should have mentioned the vote, considering that employment-related claims and a contentious decisionmaking atmosphere seems to be at the heart of recent litigation against Greenfield. "To put it very bluntly, [the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust] expects Greenfield to address its political climate so that council deliberations are informed and decisionmaking processes are based on something more than political factions," states a June 12 letter to Greenfield city officials. Print Powered By (.-d `orrr; LDynamics http://www.startribune.comllocaYwesV49651172.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEygyP40... 7/2/: Page 11 Greenfield tagged 'high risk' StarTribunexom With that warning issued, Greenfield city officials met Monday and came up with a plan that was presented to the Insurance Trust's board of trustees on Wednesday. Under the plan, the city rescinded the June 2 hiring of the most recent city administrator -- the city's third since 2006. Tritz said Greenfield officials agreed to get outside help in coming up with a "more orderly" process for hiring a city administrator. They also promised to hire a consultant who can teach them about better decisionmaking and possibly how to work together with less confrontation, he said. Overcoming controversies rooted in political factions -- that's going to be a "tough one," Kraut said. Mary Lynn Smith • 612-673-4788 Advertisement ❑x Page 3 of 3 Point your y mobile browser to http,//startribun e.coni Print Powered By Lid_ -Fc rrn,aDynar, Page 12 http://www.startribune.com/locaUwest/49651172.html?elr=KArksLekD8EQDUoaEygyP40... 7/2/2 MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 2009 PRESENT: Commissioners: M. Smith, G. Anderson, N. Carroll, J. Nelson, P. Knight Staff: E. Blank, D. Evans, R. Busch, D. Lauer, D. Sankey City Council Liaison: B. Stein Planning Commission Liaison D. Kobusson ABSENT: D. Anderson, A. Vanderwall 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve the May minutes with changes noted. Vote: 5 Ayes. Motion carried. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Three Rivers Park District: Commissioner Sara Wyatt from Three Rivers Park District spoke to the Commission on projects in which they are involved in and around Plymouth. These included a 36th Avenue pedestrian bridge over 169. They partnered with the federal government with a 80-20 split on expenses. Chair Smith asked who covered the 80%. Ms. Wyatt said it was the federal government. She also spoke of the Medicine Lake Regional Trail project from Bass Lake Road to County Road 47 starting this year. Also this year, is a project for a mini -put golf course at Eagle Lake. It is an18 hole accessible course, which should appeal to all ages. The accessible portion is 9 holes. It will be completed in September. The last link of the Luce Line Regional Trail connecting to Theodore Wirth Park is being completed. There is an off -leash dog area at Fish Lake Regional Park. Bassett Creek Regional Trail will connect French Regional Park to Theodore Wirth Park. Dakota Rail Regional Trail is now open from Wayzata to St. Bonifacius. She thanked the Commission for all the collaborations we have had and looks forward to more in the future. Chair Smith also thanked her for the collaborations. b. Staff . Dan Lauer explained that he works mainly with athletic programs. April had a big kick-off for adult softball, with about 100 teams in the summer and 50 teams in the fall. Youth athletics also started up in April. Lauer works with the high school athletic directors for scheduling fields. In May, soccer, rugby, and ultimate frisbee Page 13 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 2 groups started up. Summer staff training is going on right now. A lot of programs started this week and many more will start next week. Baseball has about 400 kids this year. He is offering about 40 camps this summer covering various sports. Our soccer league program will start in the fall with about 900 kids. Special projects coming up include Fire & Ice. He is also working on trail counting, setting the counter out at various sights. Chair Smith asked about the trail counters. Dan explained that they have laser beams across the trail to do the counting. c. Staff. Superintendent of Recreation Diane Evans reported that on Tuesday, we trained 80-90 seasonal staff who work at programs such as beaches, sports, puppet wagon, day camp and others. Most of the programs start next week and run through early to mid August. Beaches are officially open, with guards at Parkers Lake and West Medicine Lake. The water level at Parkers Lake is a little low because of lack of rain. Medicine Lake water level is OK. Chair Smith asked about safety with the low water level. Evans replied that it shortens up the swimmable area and presents a problem with weed growth. The concert series will start next week. There will be three Wednesday Kids Koncerts, one each in June, July and August. Theater is also offered, with a Shakespeare performance and the Prairie Fire Children's Theater. Three water ski shows are offered in June, July and August, although the June show may be cancelled because of low water. Music in Plymouth will be on July 1 at 5:00 at the Hilde Center. The fire works are at 10:00. The Music in Plymouth Fun Run is Saturday, June 27. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. Commissioner Smith asked when the port -a -potties are put out. He noticed that they were not out through Memorial Day weekend. Eric Blank said it is a budget issue , but we could look at adding them a little earlier. Lauer said the playfields do get them earlier. Commissioner G. Anderson's bike event has been rescheduled to June 20 because of rain. Commissioner G. Anderson mentioned that a port-a-pottie was torched at East Medicine Lake Park and asked if the City bears the burden of cost for this. Blank said we buy insurance for this, and we do lose 3-4 per year. Rolling Hills Park lost a playground a couple of weeks ago. At Zachary Playfield, the perpetrators moved a trash container to the building and set it on fire, where the fire climbed up to the eaves of the building. Minnetonka and Plymouth had a series of fires this spring. Minnetonka caught three young ladies last week. Perhaps they are responsible for our fires too. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Authorized two scoreboards for Zachary Playfield: Eric Blank reported that Plymouth/New Hope Little League requested two new scoreboards for Zachary Playfield. They were under budget on their concession stand project. They bought one scoreboard, and we bought one. Little League volunteers will do the installation. Page 14 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 3 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Update - Greenway: Director Blank reported that we are in the process of purchasing a six -acre parcel in Hampton Glen. It will go to the Council for approval at their second meeting in June. There is one more gap in the eastern part of the Greenway. He expects to purchase 1-3 more parcels yet this year. b. Youth Sports Facility Fees Policy: Director Blank explained the background and how the Mayor's task force report from 1982 outlining the basic structure of the facility policies has been our guide for last 27 years. Under the current economic conditions, Council feels that we need to discuss the merits of having a user fee much like the Ice Arena and Fieldhouse. We want to give the associations a one - year's lead-time to prepare for this. Staff has done research of our needs, schedules, and other cities' policies. We have at least 17 athletic associations in our city. The logistics of managing field use is on a much larger scale than some of the surrounding cities. The options we are considering are charging by hours, by participants, and by games. We feel that the hours option is ultimately the most fair because practices and games cause the same wear and tear. We are looking for a system that doesn't overburden the administration of the programs and still offers fairness. Our conclusion was that using the number of children would be the simplest and easiest to understand for the first year. We would switch to the number of hours in the future. We now give out blanket permits, but often the fields aren't being used. We have, in the meantime, turned down other groups. If we switch to an hourly basis, groups may be more careful and accurate, and there will be more room for others. The cost of maintaining the fields now is at least $600,000. Recouping $100,000 is a fair amount. We are talking about $2-3 per hour, which is much lower than the costs of renting the Ice Arena or Fieldhouse. We would be administering the fee - the associations can decide how to collect the fee. Commissioner Smith asked if the need to push the fees to the users is an economy issue or a fairness issue. Blank said the task force in 1982 felt extraordinary tasks like lining could be charged. The school district charges fees for lining their fields. We anticipate that we will have serious budget cuts. Some have asked if we will have increased service. We could possibly have even less if the budget cuts are not enough. We do want safe fields. Just a few years ago, the City had 270 full time employees. As of Jan 2010, we will be down to 240 full time employees. Other line items may also be down -sized. The City Manager wants us to think about resizing government. Commissioner Carroll asked to what extent would associations be expected to contribute. Blank said that $100,000 would keep us going. Commissioner Carroll asked about the history of the dome. Blank explained that it opened in the fall of 1999. The capital came out of revenue bonds. It is an enterprise fund. Operation is 100% paid for by users. In fact, it made $130,000 in profit this past season. All expenses are charged to its budget. Commissioner Carroll asked about contracts with the athletic associations. Blank said that they are annual contracts for each year. Plymouth groups are booked first, then outside Page 15 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 4 groups. Councilmember Stein wanted to clarify that Plymouth does not get any state local government aid. Commissioner Nelson said that he was surprised by the soccer association saying that the fields are not in as good of shape as they used to be and if there is less money, will it become worse. Dan Lauer said some fields are laid out where there is not irrigation and are affected by this, but most are still in very good shape. He hasn't seen a big change over the years. If he hears about problems, he gets the maintenance staff to fix things. Eric Blank says our fields are probably within the top third in the area. It has been said that if you play 40 soccer games on a field, the field needs to be rebuilt. We play 300 games on fields every year. Many groups use them, such as phy ed classes, school teams and soccer associations. The fields get no rest, no time off for recovery. Only artificial turf could be kept in perfect shape. Lauer pointed out that multi use fields previously to provided for soccer and football. Now they also are used by rugby, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee. Commissioner Carroll said his daughter is a soccer player, and he spends a lot of time at Elm Creek, which is generally in excellent condition. Commissioner Nelson felt that some sort of fee will definitely be needed. He coaches for Plymouth New Hope Little League, and many of those kids never play in Plymouth. He also wanted to know how long the fee would be in effect. Blank said we are working on two-year budgets and will reevaluate after that. Even if we used a per child fee, the associations could determine how they would collect. Commissioner Carroll asked how we permit to the associations. Blank replied that we permit to the parent organization. Commissioner Knight asked about how we were coming up to $100,000. Blank said we worked it out so it would come out to that total. Knight asked what is most important - fairness issues or administrative issues. Blank said fairness would probably be most important. Blank also pointed out that we have more non-resident participants than most cities. The issue is: do the associations have carte blanche to bring in non-residents? Commissioner Nelson said it makes sense that we are friendly to other cities. Chair Smith asked if we could start the per hour option now. Diane Evans said that we have the ability, but do the associations have the ability? Starting with the per -participant fee was meant to simplify for them for the first year so they have time to figure out how they want to handle it. Blank said we could do the hourly the first year. There probably would be some errors and omissions. Commissioner Carroll asked when we would calculate the number of participants, because the number floats a bit. Lauer said we most likely we would use the numbers from the previous year. Those numbers are solid. It would be very difficult to do it for the current year. Lauer said there is a history of what they have used the previous years. Commissioner Carroll asked if we have plans to audit the participant numbers. Lauer said it is on an honor system. Commissioner G. Anderson asked about comparison of cost for per hours and per child and how it can vary. How will it affect the associations? Lauer said each association submitted what they would like to see for fees. Chair Smith asked if staff still feels we should start with the per child fee rather than per hour. Evans said she feels we should go with a consensus of the associations and whether they can handle it. Blank said that staff feels the hourly rate is the best in the long run. Chair Smith said he feels the hourly fee is the most fair. Commissioners Nelson and Knight agreed. Page 16 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 5 MOTION: Commissioner Nelson moved to approve instituting an hourly fee for association use of fields. Commissioner Knight seconded. Vote: 5 Ayes. Director Blank pointed out that this would be for 2010 and 2011. All associations were invited to come to this meeting and to send letters. They will now be informed as to what the commission has decided. We have submitted $300,000 in department cuts for the new budget. City Council will schedule work sessions with staff. Council will have a lot of work to do in reviewing these issues. There will be more opportunity for associations to talk to the Council. The budget will be finalized in December. c. Recommend 2009 Trail Prolect Blank reviewed what he had presented at the last meeting. Staff is recommending the Bass Lake project, and the vote was tabled last time. Chair Smith said he was originally pushing for the Dunkirk to Vicksburg trail, but Blank had showed him that it was now in the CIP for 2010. He had visited the site of the Bass Lake Trail and is now leaning towards it. Commissioner Nelson also went out and looked at the site and agrees with the need for it. Commissioner G. Anderson feels the same way, and he likes to see paving on both sides of a major county road. Chair Smith asked if the project is stopping at the neighborhood or the convenience store. Blank said it depends on how far the budget will take it. Smith felt it would be good to go to the store as a convenience to the neighborhood and as a cost savings in the long run. Bob Erickson, who lives at 1055257 th Avenue N, spoke to the Commission. He said he understands that the trail would be on the south side of Bass Lake Road between Zachary and Trenton, and he is in favor of it. He feels it would be a nice addition. Chair Smith asked how he felt about continuing it to the store. Mr. Erickson thought that would be a benefit because he could walk to the store. MOTION: Chair Smith brought back the tabled motion from May 14 where Commissioner D. Anderson moved to approve the completion of the trail segment on Bass Lake Road, and Commissioner Vanderwall seconded. He added an amendment to continue the trail to Nathan Lane if possible. Vote: 5 AYES. Director Blank pointed out that the issue will go to Council at their second meeting in June. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse Fees: Rick Busch reported on the Fieldhouse. We have done very well over the years, escrowing money for replacement of the dome when needed. There are 8-10 similar facilities in the metro area now, and our fees are among the lowest. We have been using a 3 year cycle for setting rates, and we have one more year in that cycle. He would like to hold the fees where they are right now. However, he would like to look at non-resident fees. In fairness to Plymouth resident groups, he would like to keep their fees the same. Page 17 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 6 Resident groups would consist of half Plymouth residents, or a Plymouth company, school, or church. For non-resident groups, we would add $20 per hour for the full field and $10 for a half field. This would bring in approximately $10,000 in the coming year. It also gives the Plymouth groups something extra for their tax dollar. We have open play time during the day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 2-3 hours in the morning for preschool and home school children at a cost of $2 each. Afternoon open play for the older kids also costs $2 per child. Open play started in 2001 and was slowly growing. With the addition of inflatables, it has become hugely popular. We propose to keep resident fees at $2, and increase non-resident fees to $3. We are projecting approximately $2,000 in additional revenue. Commissioner Carroll noticed that the rental rates are not even numbers. Would it be easier administratively to even it up? Busch said it really isn't a problem. Commissioner Knight asked if we should ask for more of an increase since we don't move it up for 3 years. Chair Smith commented that $2 or $3 is a great bargain. Maple Grove charges $4 and $5 and they don't have as much to offer. He suggested offering a punch card. Commissioner Knight agreed that it is a great deal. Busch agreed that it is a great perk for the residents. We charged $1 for walking on the track at first, but Council decided it was such a great item for the residents, that we made it free. We are trying to get as many people using it during the day as possible. Blank mentioned that during these economic times, this is something small we can afford to offer for the community. MOTION: Commissioner Carroll moved to approve a rate increase for use of the Fieldhouse for open play times by non-residents based on staff recommendations. Commissioner Nelson seconded. VOTE: 5 Ayes. Rick Busch said it is a little more complicated to set fees for the Activity Center and Millennium Garden. People can rent up to 18 months in the future. The changes he is recommending today are for 2011-2012. We are proposing increasing Plymouth Room rates for the Activity Center by 5%. It is heavily booked, mostly weddings, but also bar mitzvahs, company parties and anniversaries. We get more requests than we can handle. Meeting rooms are used mostly for recreation programs, senior clubs, and community groups. For the Millennium Garden, there is not much competition. There are a few facilities around the area, and our fees are within range, maybe a little low. He thinks that 5% would be a good rental increase. Commissioner Carroll asked what the demand level is for the meeting rooms. Busch replied that it is very heavy, and we have trouble accommodating them all. We book senior and recreation programs first before community groups. Blank said that it is mostly homeowners' associations who are using the rooms. Busch said we average around 700 hours of non-profit group use. Blank said maybe we could charge a fee like $10 or so. Commissioner G. Anderson asked why there is a different rate for Plymouth corporations. Evans said businesses have additional financial resources available. Commissioner Carroll thought the corporate rates were rather modest. Page 18 PRAC Minutes/June 11, 2009 Page 7 MOTION: Commissioner G. Anderson moved to approve an increase in fees for the Plymouth Creek Center and Millennium Garden starting in 2011. Commissioner Knight seconded. VOTE: 5 AYES. b. Review Draft of 2010-2014 CIP. Blank explained that we are in the middle of a complete financial software update. The budget portion has not been installed yet, so the CIP document is in a draft form. He explained some of the highlights of the CIP, including $375,000 for trails, which would accommodate the trail from Dunkirk to Vicksburg. The park dedication fees typically bring in over a million dollars per year. This year we are at $0, and the park dedication fund is low. For land acquisition, we are using the money remaining on bonds we had sold. We do apply for grants, but we need to have money in the CIP in order to qualify for the grants. We are proposing to complete the Hilde improvement project in 2010. A trail crossing at Cheshire Lane is included. The future of the West Medicine Lake Park building is based on what is going to happen with Pilgrim Lane Elementary. A skate park at the water treatment plant is listed, as well as replacement of an outdoor hockey rink. A small dog area at the dog park is scheduled to be fenced in. At Oakwood and Lacompte, we plan to install higher fencing. The first phase of the Northwest Greenway could be available for construction in 2011. Three Rivers Park Disctrict is planning a bridge over Northwest Boulevard for the Luce Line. Chair Smith asked about the trail planning in 2010 and construction in 2011 and where the construction costs would come from. Blank said he is hoping that income will be coming into the park dedication fund, and we will be able to proceed. It will be easier on the homeowners the sooner we build the trail to avoid having them feel disrupted by any new construction. Commissioner Carroll asked about the window of opportunity for acquiring federal stimulus money for the bridge over Northwest Boulevard. Blank said the Planning Department watches for these opportunities and keeps us informed. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION: None 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION: None 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Smith entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner G. Anderson and seconded by Chair Smith. Vote: 5 Ayes. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting will be a park tour on July 9, 2009. Donna Sankey - PRAC recorder Page 19 ]VILYMOTIT11 FIRE -RESCUE MONTHLY REPORT APRIL 2009 Page 20 PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT April 2009 Monthly Synopsis Year-to-date (YTD), the Department answered 364 calls for service. This compares to 399 calls for service in 2008 (YTD). The highest call volume in April occurred between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Thursday was the busiest day of the week. Seventy-one percent of calls occurring in April were "Duty Crew" calls. Total Calls Year -to -Date 500 400 399 300 200 100 — 0 364 111/08-4/30/08 1/1/09-4/30/09 Er r Events By Category False Alarms Fires 40% 23% 2% Good Intent _ Rescue/EMS Calls 13% 20% Hazardous Service Calls Conditions 10% 10% Calls by Time of Day 0600- 0900- 1200- 1500- 1800- 2100- 0000- 0300- 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0000 0300 0600 Calls by Day of Week 25 -- — — — — --- — — — 20 15 10 GApr-08 '3 Apr -09 Jcaa� ocaa� aa6a-1 ayaaA `aaa� oaa� J`aaA Page 21 Responses were divided between the fire stations as follows: Station I (13205 Co. Rd. 6) 38 Station II (12000 Old Rockford Rd.) 29 Station III (3300 Dunkirk Ln.) 37 Station Comparison 60 50 40 38 29 37 30pr-09 20 ®A 10 0 1 2 3 April 2009 in-service and on -scene (total response) times for emergency events are as follows. These calls represent a breakdown of staffed station (including Duty Crew) response times and non -staffed station response times. A further breakdown of each station's non -staffed station response times are noted. Response Time for Emergency Calls 16:48 — -- 12:00 --- 14:24 12:13 9:36 6:46 Apr -09 7:12 ❑ 4:48 2:24 0:00 Duty Crew Non -Duty Crew Page 22 1't Truck I s` Truck 2nd Truck 2nd Truck Number In -Service On -Scene hi -Service On -Scene of Calls Staffed Station 1:03 6:46 2:28 8:04 30 Non -Staffed Station 7:58 12:13 10:35 10:39 5 Station I 9:10 11:47 N/A N/A 2 Station II 7:34 12:12 N/A N/A 2 Station III 6:25 13:08 10:35 10:39 1 Response Time for Emergency Calls 16:48 — -- 12:00 --- 14:24 12:13 9:36 6:46 Apr -09 7:12 ❑ 4:48 2:24 0:00 Duty Crew Non -Duty Crew Page 22 Sijeniricant or Unusual Events In April, the following response is notable: April 6 Vehicle Extrication (3:50 p.m.) April 14 Vehicle Extrication (12:40 p.m.) April 15 Building Fire (3:45 p.m.) April 16 Building Fire (11:04 a.m.) April 22 Building Fire (12:59 a.m.) During the month of April, seventeen calls were paged general alarm (all department personnel were alerted). Sixteen of these calls occurred in the City, with an average of thirteen firefighters arriving on the scene. There was one call for mutual aid to partnering cities. $900,000 - Fire Loss Summary Year -to -Date $700,000 $500,000 $300,000 s. $100,000 1/l/08-4/30/08 1/1/09-4/30/09 Committed Time In April, paid -on-call firefighters worked an average of over 42 hours. Traininr During the month of April, six topics were offered during eight regularly scheduled in-house training sessions. These topics included Ropes and Knots, Fire Ground Operations, Preplans, Ladders, Single Engine Operations, and Safety & Survival. Additional training opportunities were offered during Rookie Training and Duty Crew, and for members of the Rope Rescue Team and RAD Team. Seventy-four members participated in training activities during the month. The total number of hours spent on in-house and outside training activities was 794.5 — an average of over ten hours per participating member. Recruitment During the month of April, 73 paid -on-call firefighters served the City of Plymouth. One member joined the department. We hosted the final of the three firefighter recruitment meetings and closed the application period for the 2009 hiring. We also began reviewing applications for interview invitations. Page 23 s. Committed Time In April, paid -on-call firefighters worked an average of over 42 hours. Traininr During the month of April, six topics were offered during eight regularly scheduled in-house training sessions. These topics included Ropes and Knots, Fire Ground Operations, Preplans, Ladders, Single Engine Operations, and Safety & Survival. Additional training opportunities were offered during Rookie Training and Duty Crew, and for members of the Rope Rescue Team and RAD Team. Seventy-four members participated in training activities during the month. The total number of hours spent on in-house and outside training activities was 794.5 — an average of over ten hours per participating member. Recruitment During the month of April, 73 paid -on-call firefighters served the City of Plymouth. One member joined the department. We hosted the final of the three firefighter recruitment meetings and closed the application period for the 2009 hiring. We also began reviewing applications for interview invitations. Page 23 Duly Crew Program The Duty Crew Program was in operation on all weekdays during the month of April including Saturdays. Forty-nine members participated in the program. STAFFING SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH BY SHIFT Staffine: 0600-0900 0900-1200 1200-1500 1500-1800 1800-2100 6 Firefighters 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5 Firefighters 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4 Firefighters 96% 100% 100% 100% 96% 3 Firefighters 4% 0% 0% 0% 4% No Staff 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% DUTY CREW STAFFING April 2009 2% 04 Firefighters 03 Firefighters 98% CALLS FOR SERVICE April 2009 29% ❑ Duty Crew © Non -Duty Crew' 71 Page 24 Plymouth Fire Department Public Education Programming April 2009 Page 25 Programs Hours Station Tours 1 1 Bookmobile/Literacy Preschool Visits 7 7 K-6 Education Career Talk/Nights ECFE Classes 31 3 Bike Helmet Program 2 8 Car Seat Check-ups 28 28 Assist North Memorial Smokebusters/Seniors 5 5 Smokebusters/Families 2 2 Adopt a Hydrant Block Parties Parades NNO Open Houses Home Alone Classes 2 6 Apartment Programming CO Detector Initiative Fire Ext. Training 3 3 Business Safety Fairs Business Fire Drills PCBFPF Pub. Ed Training Pub. Ed Meetings Literature Drops Diversity Outreach Misc. Programming Special Projects CERT 4 15 Totals 57 78 Page 25 filyOTIT11MM FIRE -RESCUE MONTHLY REPORT MAY 2009 Page 26 PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT May 2009 Monthly Synopsis Year-to-date (YTD), the Department answered 491 calls for service. This compares to 522 calls for service in 2008 (YTD). The highest call volume in May occurred between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday were the busiest days of the week. Seventy-two percent of calls occurring in May were "Duty Crew" calls. Total Calls Year -to -Date 800 600 522 _ _ 491 400 200 1/1/08-5/31/08 1/1/09-5/31/09 Fal= Good Ca 21' Events By Category Floss Calls by Time of Day Service Calls 13% 1 r ®, e r-,. M-0 0600- 0900- 1200- 1500- 1800- 2100- 0000- 0300- 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0000 0300 0600 Calls by Day of Week 7300u0 O eMay-08 ■May -09 Jcaa� ocaa� ey661 g�tpA HaaA �aaA J` I60A ap Rescue/EMS 16% Hazardous Conditions 11% Page 27 Responses were divided between the fire stations as follows: Station I (13205 Co. Rd. 6) 39 Station II (12000 Old Rockford Rd.) 55 Station 111 (3300 Dunkirk Ln.) 33 Station Comparison 60 55 50 39 3 40 3 30 ®May -09 20 10 0 - - 1 2 3 May 2009 in-service and on -scene (total response) times for emergency events are as follows. These calls represent a breakdown of staffed station (including Duty Crew) response times and non -staffed station response times. A further breakdown of each station's non -staffed station response times are noted. Response Time for Emergency Calls 16:48 - 14:24 12:00 11:23 7:12 5:39 v May -09 4:48 2:24 0:00 Duty Crew Not Duty Crew Page 28 I't Truck Is'Truck 2nd Truck 2nd Truck Number In -Service On -Scene In -Service On -Scene of Calls Staffed Station 1:01 5:39 4:29 8:50 32 Non -Staffed Station 7:04 11:23 9:45 12:32 6 Station I 8:36 10:57 10:47 12:29 2 Station H 6:36 10:34 9:14 12:33 3 Station III 5:25 14:42 N/A N/A 1 Response Time for Emergency Calls 16:48 - 14:24 12:00 11:23 7:12 5:39 v May -09 4:48 2:24 0:00 Duty Crew Not Duty Crew Page 28 Significant or Unusual Events In May, the following response is notable: May 11 Building Fire (7:15 p.m.) May 15 Vehicle Extrication (9:04 p.m.) May 26 Building Fire (11:27 a.m.) May 29 Building Fire (6:53 p.m.) During the month of May, ten calls were paged general alarm (all department personnel were alerted). Six of these calls occurred in the City, with an average of twenty-four firefighters arriving on the scene. There were four calls for mutual aid to partnering cities. Fire Loss Summary Year -to -Date $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,716,070 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $695,270 $1,000,000 $0 1/1/08-5/31/08 1/1/09-5/31/09 Committed Time In May, paid -on-call firefighters worked an average of over 48 hours. Training During the month of May, three topics were offered during eight regularly scheduled in-house training sessions. These topics included Ladders, Single Engine Operations, and Safety & Survival. Additional training opportunities were offered during Rookie Training and Duty Crew, and for members of the Rope Rescue Team and RAD Team. Seventy-four members participated in training activities during the month. The total number of hours spent on in-house and outside training activities was 1142 — an average of over six hours per participating member. Recruitment During the month of May, 73 paid -on-call firefighters served the City of Plymouth. No members left the department. Interviews were conducted on potential firefighter candidates. Page 29 Duty Crew Program The Duty Crew Program was in operation on all weekdays during the month of May including Saturdays. Fifty-one members participated in the program. STAFFING SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH BY SHIFT Staffing: 0600-0900 0900-1200 1200-1500 1500-1800 1800-2100 6 Firefighters 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5 Firefighters 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4 Firefighters 100% 100% 100% 100% 92% 3 Firefighters 0% 0% 0% 0% 8% No Staff 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% DUTY CREW STAFFING May 2009 2% E14 Firefighters 03 Firefighters 98% CALLS FOR SERVICE May 2009 28% ..: ❑ Duty Crew .... ® Non -Duty Crew 72% Page 30 Plymouth Fire Department Public Education Programming May 2009 Page 31 Programs Hours Station Tours Bookmobile/Literacy Preschool Visits 6 6 K-6 Education Career Talk/Nights ECFE Classes Bike Helmet Program 4 22 Car Seat Check-ups 14 14 Assist North Memorial Smokebusters/Seniors 4 4 Smokebusters/Families Adopt a Hydrant Block Parties Parades NNO 1 2 Oen Houses Home Alone Classes 1 3 Apartment Programming 1 2 CO Detector Initiative Fire Ext. Training 5 5 Business Safety Fairs 1 4 Business Fire Drills 1 1 PC&FPF 1 2 Pub. Ed Training 21 5 Pub. Ed Meetings 2 4 Literature Drops Diversity Outreach Misc. Programming 1 3 Special Projects CERT 41 4 Totals 48 81 Page 31 Submitted to Plymouth Sun -Sailor on July 1, 2009 Letter to Editor Putting out a weekly community newspaper is a difficult job, but it's one that Plymouth Sun - Sailor Editor Sally Thompson did for 15 years — and did well. Last week Sally wrapped up a 15 - year career with this newspaper, and we at the city of Plymouth want to thank her for her service to the community. Many of us at City Hall had the opportunity to work with Sally as she covered local government and community events. In her role as newspaper editor, she consistently kept residents informed about the work of the Plymouth City Council. With her fair and accurate coverage, she promoted transparency in government. While I doubt she considers herself a community leader, she has been one. As a local journalist, she helped engage the residents of our community. She covered important issues and challenges facing Plymouth while also highlighting the events that bring us together as a community. As a reporter and editor, she had to balance many different demands, yet she never neglected to highlight the people, places and events that make Plymouth special. As Sally moves on to her next challenge, we could not let her exit go unnoticed. She has had a remarkable career in Plymouth. We thank her for all she has done to build community in Plymouth. Laurie Ahrens City Manager City of Plymouth Page 32 � CenterPoint® Energy Ms. Laurie Ahrens Plymouth - City Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Ahrens: 800 LaSalle Avenue PO Box 59038 Minneapolis, MN 55459-0038 June 25, 2009 On November 3, 2008, CenterPoint Energy filed a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to increase its natural gas rates by $59.8 million annually, or 3.9 percent. The MPUC accepted the filing and approved an overall interim (temporary) rate increase of $51.2 million, or 3.39 percent for all CenterPoint Energy customers. The interim rate, which is subject to refund with interest, took effect January 2, 2009, and continues until the MPUC issues a final order and the company implements new rates. The process for changing our rates will take about one year, and we expect final rates to be implemented in January 2010. A rate filing is the regulatory process that public utilities must follow to formally change rates and services for their customers. This filing will affect the rates paid by all of CenterPoint Energy's customers. For your information, I have enclosed our public hearing notice with hearing dates, times and locations. This information was sent to all customers and will be advertised in each county seat in our service area, as well as in the communities where hearings will be held. Please contact us at 1-612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377, or visit the company's Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com/ratecase if you would like additional information about the filing. Sincerely, N� David Baker Regional Vice President Enclosure: Public Hearing Notice Page 33 y C m W > E J ' W E_ o m o W W c 61 a' ECD > a 2 m o W rn a c¢ m o o c m c m E m c c v � y E 0 O J a a U y U W N d N y G O O C y 7 X W O J n n y r C G E J o C y D_ E E E o m Z N O W W C O H N N^ O N O C Z lV E J E m yco 21 2 O m L C W Y y `J cm a 9t O d Y O d E ` E J m a m iE c d Y m y c a c D d Z¢ J¢> U 3 0 U d N m 0 O O N N a r O y> C U= O N W O O > N D_ .E O OI (p W y E Y c c W J o ` Y W ¢ N¢ W W p C n W¢ N W C C W ' W fIl r cc —a— y E GL H z cLi N W m m o m a m w N r °1 E > y E Z W y E C¢ N U C E O pWj C N (n d 0 J> O O N d O N L W O L � d N 9 "O `� E y� y 0 •.0 U U G1 a �` C W V N C C C1 V Y U v'' N J N '� 'p y = c t (D y O U W iF °' °' O q- E W J N W N O m a W V O 0 0 ."- W •C W a O C i E r ua E v a"i tO v v E t LL v n a> m' • • C U G G W y y D_ a W LL y C') w O W > > U o J Y a x w O W O E E YJ• C W C .JO W W O W C fp E E >a = c — c E m m '3 '3 Eo m y U N d Y O V] 0 2 N y V! V w N (a d o W t a o m E ¢ c W U c L y '` L �' E L y E y t W ^ H a �. o a m U E o a E c E¢ .c m o G c ^ o W a m W a s a w E 0 EO J N N d W r U CO •�.`. U O °' y N¢ O m •o W Z O > y a O C C O U O d ' d ? d ' w d O>j C O a �C U Z U z - C d w t c o 3> F> o H '> o 3: E:�t r c> m m m m W U U G E E y w y y N w N �O N o 0 o a •W W y W W> O W W O W W O W W M C C O O z c ,a E N y '� ¢¢ m ¢ m m m •E E E E— m e c in c c .n c W ui o 0 0 0 r� E c d c c 0 0 o ;= o o in e a o e o 0 0 0 0 o o W m a> E v m E m a V v V v to o c o c W a m c 3 p L fA Ea9 N N D7 LO l0 m E» o p m O � 6 U a 0 q 7 b a e �, 0 H H m o n c^c o e ffJ N M D7 Of ti Cc m •_ C U Page 34 `e am v� =m `m y V `n W E fA y ; e a p c c � my 'm0 Cb L m m � o fm � a p ,C n> to e e m N VJ m � 3 m a W G W °'• O o 0 o E o E E ,01p a E p o 0 W e O m o E r i �+ m iri E h m V� Q V . N � r Page 34 Adding Quality to life June 26, 2009 SUBJECT: HOME OCCUPATION LICENSE FOR MARGARET GREEN (2009021) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by Margaret Green, under File Number 2009021, for a home occupation license to operate a mental health clinic out of her home at 3937 Orchid Lane North. 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 be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 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) 509-5450. SincerelN, Qk*lnN�§ Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager ?009021propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.ptymcuth.mn.us ,, Page 35 July 1, 2009 ELM CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION c/o Judie Anderson, Administrator 3235 Fernbrook Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 SUBJECT: 2010 OPERATING BUDGET Dear Ms. Anderson: The work of the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission from monitoring activities, education and public outreach, to plan reviews, and total maximum daily load plans is essential to meeting the mandates placed on local governments to improve the quality of water resources within the Elm Creek Watershed and your efforts are greatly appreciated. The City of Plymouth has reviewed the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission's (Commission) 2010 Operating Budget approved by the Commission at its May 13`h, 2009 regular meeting. The City appreciates the Commission's willingness to approve a budget with no net increase to the member cities assessments. The current economic climate, however, has put a significant strain on City resources and the ability of local governments to provide the services their residents have come to expect. As local budgets are likely to contract for 2010, the City of Plymouth requests the Commission review their adopted 2010 budget and consider making reductions to ease the burden seen in local government budgets. Please accept this letter as a formal objection to the Commission's adopted 2010 budget. The City requests convening the Technical Advisory Committee to the Commission to make recommendations on reductions to the 2010 Operating Budget. Sincerely, Derek Asche Water Resources Manager Cc: Doran Cote, Director of Public Works Bob Moberg, City Engineer Kevin Springob, Water Resources Technician Fred Moore, Commissioner Page 36 July 1, 2009 SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION c/o Judie Anderson, Administrator 3235 Fernbrook Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 SUBJECT: 2010 OPERATING BUDGET Dear Ms. Anderson: The work of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission from monitoring activities, education and public outreach, to plan reviews, capital projects, and total maximum daily load plans is essential to meeting the mandates placed on local governments to improve the quality of water resources within the Shingle Creek Watershed and your efforts are greatly appreciated. The City of Plymouth has reviewed the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission's (Commission) 2010 Operating Budget adopted by the Commission at its May 14`h, 2009 regular meeting. The City appreciates the Commission's willingness to stay within the budget cap and in fact, decrease the operating budget by $70.00 from 2009 to 2010. The current economic climate, however, has put a significant strain on City resources and the ability of local governments to provide the services their residents have come to expect. As local budgets are likely to contract for 2010, the City of Plymouth requests the Commission review their adopted 2010 budget and consider making reductions to ease the burden seen in local government budgets. Please accept this letter as a formal objection to the Commission's adopted 2010 budget. The City requests convening the Technical Advisory Committee to the Commission to make recommendations on reductions to the 2010 Operating Budget. Sincerely, Derek Asche Water Resources Manager Cc: Doran Cote, Director of Public Works Bob Moberg, City Engineer Kevin Springob, Water Resources Technician Page 37