HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 09-11-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH
® COUNCIL INFO MEMO
September 11, 2009
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Planning Commission Agenda 09/16/09..............................................................................................Page 1
Human Rights Workshops 10/01/09, 10/10/09.....................................................................................Page 2
September, October, November 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars ............................................. Page 4
Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 7
INFORMATION
News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ...
Met Council Adopts SAC Modifications and 3.8% Increase for 2010 MWC, Metro Cities News ..... Page 8
Ehlers Market Commentary, 08/31/09..................................................................................................Page 9
County Board backs 5% ceiling on tax increase, Article, Star & Trib............................................... Page 10
Higher sewer charges may be coming, Article, Star & Trib............................................................... Page 12
Changes in Shorewood Recycling Program ..................................
................Page 15
Andover, Ramsey lead the way in recycling, Article, Star & Trib.....................................................Page 17
Hopkins to try out organics recycling, Article, Lakeshore Weekly News ............................................ Page 19
MEETING MINUTES
EQCMinutes 08/12/09...................................................................................................................... Page 21
STAFF REPORTS
Engineering Dept. Active & Pending Public Improvement Projects 09/08/09 ................................. Page 24
EQC Education Overview 2009..................................................................
CORRESPONDENCE
Memo from Plymouth Comm Foundation, RE: Three Grant Awards........
Letter from MNDOT, RE: Construction near Kaganovich Residence .......
Memo from Transit, RE: Bus Fire ..............................................................
Letter from MPCA, RE: Petroleum Tank File Closure, LEAK00015715..
................Page 27
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
WHERE: CITY 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 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 September 2, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Three Rivers Park District. Conditional use permit for special lighting at the
Eagle Lake Regional Park miniature golf course located at 11000 County
Road 10. (2009049)
B. Centex. Land use guide plan amendments, rezoning, preliminary plat and
PUD general plan for "Elm Creek Highlands," 70 single family homes to be
located at the northeast corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Peony Lane.
(2009046)
C. City of Plymouth. Zoning ordinance text amendment and changes to the
light zone map to bring the City's lighting regulations into conformance
with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. (2009045)
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADJOURNMENT
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Page 3
City of
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
September 2009
Modified on 09/11/09
Page 4
1
2 7:00 PM
3 7:00 PM
4
5
PLANNING
HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
MEETING
MEETING
Council Chambers
Parkers Lake Room
6
7 jjjjjj�
8
9
10
11
12
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Autumn
REGULAR COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
PARK it REC
Art Fair
MEETING
QUALITY
ADVISORY COM-
Parkers Lake
LABOR DAY
Council Chambers
COMMITTEE
MISSION (PRAC)
(EQC) MEETING
MEETING
CITY OFFICES
Council Chambers
Plymouth Creek
CLOSED
Center
13
14
15
16 7:00 PM
17
18
19
PLANNING
COMMISSION
MEETING
Council Chambers
ROSH HASHANAH
Begins at Sunset
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
PLYMOUTH
HRA MEETING
1:00 PM
MEETING
ADVISORY
Council Chambers
Plymouth On
Council Chambers
COMMITTEE ON
Parade Celebration
TRANSIT (PACT)
City Center Area
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
27
28
29
30
YOM KIPPUR
Begins at Sunset
Modified on 09/11/09
Page 4
City of
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
October 2009
Modified on 09111/09
CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED
Page 5
1
2
3
5 -City
Human
Rights Event
Time/Place
TBD
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9
10
6:30.8:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Volunteer
PLANNING
PARK a REC
12:00-4:00 PM
Recognition Event
COMMISSION
ADVISORY
Fire Dept.
Plymouth Creek
MEETING
COMMISSION
Open House
Center
Council Chambers
(PRAC) MEETING
Fire Station III
Council Chambers
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
COLUMBUS DAY
MEETING
QUALITY
Observed
Council Chambers
COMMITTEE
(EQC) MEETING
Council Chambers
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC
WORKS DIVISION
CLOSED
18
19
20
7:00 PM
21
22
23
24
PLANNING
7:OOPM
COMMISSION
NRA MEETING
MEETING
Council Chambers
Council Chambers
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT (PACT)
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
S:OOPM
SPECIAL COUNCIL
5:30-8:30 PM
MEETING
Halloween on
Medicine lake Room
the Creek
2010/2011 Budget
Plymouth Creek
Center
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING
Council Chambers
Modified on 09111/09
CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED
Page 5
rp)
City of
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
November 2009
1
2
3
4
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Daylight
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Savings
Ends
PLANNING
HUMAN RIGHTS
Set Clerks Back
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
-
7 Hour
MEETING
MEETING
Council Chambers
Parkers Lake Room
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
PARK & REC
MEETING
ADVISORY COM -
Council Chambers
VETERANS DAY
MISSION (PRAC)
Observed
MEETING
Plymouth Ice
CITY OFFICES
Center
CLOSED
15
16
17
18 7:00 PM
19 7:00 PM
20
21
PLANNING
COMMISSION
HRA MEETING
MEETING
Council Chambers
Council Chambers
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
COMMITTEE (EQC)
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
PLYMOUTH ADVISOR
MEETING
COMMITTEE ON
Council Chambers
TRANSIT (PACT)
THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVING
MEETING
HOLIDAY
HOLIDAY
Medicine Lake Room
CITY OFFICES
CITY OFFICES
CLOSED
CLOSED
29
30
Modified on 09111/09
Page 6
Tentative Schedule for
City Council Agenda Items
September 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Approve the subordination and extending of the maturity date for the City of Plymouth's
$225,000 loan in conjunction with the HUD refinancing. Shenandoah Woods
Apartments.
• Presentation of Planting Plymouth Proud Gardening Award
• Approve conditional use permit for special lighting at Eagle Lake Regional Park
Miniature Golf Course. Three Rivers Park District. (2009049)
• Approve rear yard setback variance for a three -season porch addition at 18920 37`h Place
North. James and Jeanne Rolls. (2009043)
• 2010-2014 Capital Improvements Program. City of Plymouth. (2009042)
• Declare Costs and Set Assessment Hearing, 36'h Ave. Street Reconstruction Project
(8104)
• Final Payment, 28`h Ave. Lift Station Upgrade (8 108)
• Declare Cost and Set Assessment Hearing, 2009 Mill and Overlay (9108)
October 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Set public hearing relating to the modifications of Development Program for
Development District Number 7 and Tax Increment Financing District 7-6 and
Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Project Area Number 1 and Tax Increment
Financing District I-1.
• Deny Preliminary Plat for "Kingsview Heights 5`h Addition) for one single family home
located at 44fl' Avenue between Harbor Lane and Juneau Lane. Martin Harstad.
(2009034)
October 27, Special, 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room
• Discuss 2010/2011 Budget
October 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
November 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
November 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Approve 2010 City Council meeting schedule
• Public hearing on modifications of Development Program for Development District
Number 7 and Tax Increment Financing District 7-6 and Redevelopment Plan for
Redevelopment Project Area Number 1 and Tax Increment Financing District 1-1.
December 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Approve 2010 Target and Trap Shoot license renewal
• Approve 2010 Amusement License renewals
• Approve 2010 Gasoline Service Station License renewals
• Approve 2010 Tobacco License renewals
• Adopt the 2010 Budget and Tax Levy
Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. page 7
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Metro Cities News
September 10, 2009
Page 1 of 1
Archives
Met Council Adopts SAC Modifications and
3.8% Increase for 2010 MWC
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Council adopted 2010 Municipal Wastewater Charges (MWC) at
a 3.8% increase, as well as formula changes for calculating SAC reserve capacity. The Council
also adopted our recommendation to establish a stakeholder task force to study the SAC system
and recommend options going forward.
As we reported previously, SAC revenues are seeing a sharp decline, and the Council was divided
about how to address the problem. Met Council's Environmental Services staff was asked to
present alternatives for Council consideration. The Council was reluctant to go too far in raising
the SAC charge, and members were also hesitant about dipping too deeply into the SAC reserve
fund. Staff came back with a proposal that alters the way SAC capacity is calculated to a flow -
based model that MCES staff contends provides technical improvements to the program. As part
of the proposal, MWC rates would need to be increased to help offset the decline in SAC revenues.
This is a funding shift that puts more of the burden for new SAC costs onto the wastewater charge,
which currently, for the most part, funds operations and maintenance costs of the system.
The proposal quickly wound its way through Council channels, with the Council considering a
phase in of two or three years, which with a two year phase in would have put the 2010 MWC
increase at 5.1%, a spike from the original 3.1% increase provided to cities in June for their budget
planning purposes.
On Wednesday, the Council elected to move forward with the formula changes (moving to a
"flow" based system), with a three year phase in that increases the MWC charge 3.8%, and the
creation of a task force, which we recommended. The Council's concurrence with our
recommendations for a longer phase in and task force will allow the opportunity to
comprehensively study the issues and consider options for the SAC financing structure. While we
appreciate the urgent need to address the SAC revenue decline, we are concerned about how
quickly these changes have proceeded, without adequate time to analyze the implications for cities
under the new structure. At the meeting on Wednesday, several Council members voiced similar
concerns, and the need to make sure that these formula changes are consistent with the Council's
policies around growth and maintenance costs.
In addition, the Council also adopted MCES' recommendation to alter the criteria for the SAC
outdoor seating charge to allow for a 75% reduction of these charges. This change will take effect
on October 1, 2009. Please stay tuned for further information on the task force. If you have any
questions, please contact Patricia Nauman at 651-215-4002 or email: patricia@metrocitiesmn.org.
Page 8
http://www.metrocitiesmn.org/newsletter.htm 9/10/2009
Ehlers Market Commentary August 31, 2009
Yield Curve begins to Flatten as Investor Seek Higher Yields
The year long trend of investors investing in relatively shorter tenn debt has driven the spread between
long-term and short-term rates (known as the "yield curve") to near historic highs. In the last two
weeks that trend has begun to reverse itself as investors have been attracted by the much higher yields
on longer tern bonds. For Triple -A Rated Tax -Exempt General Obligation Bonds, Bloomberg
Financial reported yields that indicated that the 2 year to 10 year spread had narrowed 11 basis points
(0.11%) from recent highs and the 10 year to 20 year spread had narrowed 7 basis points.
Credit Spreads Narrow
As rates have slowly dropped over the last two months, rates for Single -A rated bonds have dropped
more than more highly rated bonds. For example, according to the commonly used MMD index, 10
and 20 year Single -As have both dropped 51 basis points, while the comparable Triple -As dropped
about 30 basis points. Nonetheless, credit quality remains important as the Triple -A borrowers wee
approximately a 100 basis point advantage over a comparable maturity Single -A bond.
Recent Heavy Bond Volume Slows in Advance of Labor Day; What Next?
The number of new bond issues has been heavy in recent weeks, but with substantial demand to offset
the supply rates retrained low. Going into the Labor Day week municipal bond new issuance tends to
drop in general and this year is no exception, particularly with respect to taxable Build America Bonds
(BABs) This week, approximately $2.513 is expected in the primary market vs. last week's $7.313.
Normally lower volume also translates to lower rates as demand exceeds supply, but in holiday weeks
this cause and effect is muted as investors and issuers both tend to focus on things other than buying
and selling municipal bonds. We will need to wait and see what shakes out as we move into mid-
September to see whether these recent trends continue.
Meanwhile General Stability Continues but "Stay Posted"
Generally speaking, the municipal market continues its recent trend of stability, in contrast to the
months following September 2008. While this recent stability is helpful for issuers preparing for
future issuance, it is no guarantee that big changes are not just around the comer. We will keep you
informed of market conditions in these regular updates.
EHLERS
LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE
www.ehlers-inc.com
Offices in Minnesota (800)552-1171
Wisconsin (800) 717-9742
Illinois: (800) 417-1119
Page 9
C1eanPrint Preview
StarTribunexom
County Board backs 5% ceiling on
tax increase
Commissioners said the levy ceiling
provided enough of a margin for error
to protect against more cuts in state
aid.
By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune
Last update: September 8, 2009 - 11:34 PM
Battening the hatches for the sea of red ink they
fear will rise even higher, Hennepin County
commissioners on Tuesday approved a 4.95
percent increase in the property tax levy ceiling
for 2010 to cover mounting medical costs and the
potential for more state aid cuts.
"Flexibility" was the word most commissioners
used in explaining why they supported the 4.95
percent increase in the maximum levy the county
can collect, as recommended by County
Administrator Richard Johnson.
The County Board now may decide on a final levy
that is under that figure, but not over it.
"It's a painful budget for painful times," said
Commissioner Jan Callison, noting that a 3
percent levy increase would be preferable but
somewhat risky given the anticipated forecast of
another massive state budget shortfall.
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Jeff Johnson, the only commissioner to vote
against setting the ceiling at a 4.95 percent
increase, proposed 3 percent instead.
"No matter where 1 look, my constituents are
struggling ... and their property taxes weigh very
heavily on them right now," he said. But the rest of
the board rejected Commissioner Johnson's
amendment.
Dissecting the potential 4.95 percent levy
increase, Board Chairman Mike Opat said that 3
percent was a reasonable amount to backstop
expected increases in medical expenses, and an
additional 1.95 percent was acceptable given the
state's poor economic prospects.
"In the wars of one-upmanship in St. Paul, we're a
casualty," Opat said.
Under the new ceiling, the county will able to
collect up to $676.2 million in property taxes,
compared with $644.3 million this year.
None of the 4.95 percent property tax increase
would go toward the county's operating budget,
Johnson, the county administrator said. It would
raise about $32 million, $18.5 million of which
would go to Hennepin County Medical Center.
Even then. Opat said, that would cover only about
half of the amount that the state typically
reimburses the hospital for care for the poor and
uninsured.
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Much of that funding is slated to disappear next
year because of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto last
spring of General Assistance Medical Care
(GAMC), the state's health care program for poor
adults.
"We're in the worst recession since the Great
Depression ... [and] we need to make sure we
maintain our capacity to be that safety net in
Hennepin County," Commissioner Peter
McLaughlin said.
Under a levy increase of 4.95 percent, a
Minneapolis taxpayer with a home at the median
market value of $190.600 would pay 4.1 percent
more than this year to the county, or about $30. A
homeowner in suburban Hennepin County with a
residence valued at the market median of
$252.800 would owe the county 0.4 percent less,
amounting to a savings of $4 next year. Those
figures don't include additional property taxes
levied by cities and school districts.
The difference between Minneapolis and the
suburbs stems from changes in market value. The
median house value went down proportionately
more in the suburbs during the past year.
Johnson will present a proposed 2010 budget to
the board on Sept. 29. The board will approve the
budget and levy on Dec. 15.
Kevin Duchschere • 612-673-4455
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Higher sewer charges may be
coming
Richard Tsang-Taatarii, Star Tribune
A new sewage pumping station near Hwy. 61 and
Lower Afton Road will help ease the load on the
sewage system. The proposal to shift more of the
cost of reserve capacity to utility bills has met
resistance from the 105 metro cities contributing
sewage to Met Council facilities.
Current users could see higher
monthly bills as development stalls
and income from new hookups
dwindles.
By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
Last update: September 7, 2009 - 10:43 PM
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With development at its lowest point in at least 35
years and sewage flowing at a 30 -year low, the
Metropolitan Council is moving toward a
controversial shake-up in how it pays for sewage
capacity already built in anticipation of future
development.
The proposal, scheduled for action by the council
on Wednesday, would shift about $15 million in
annual charges for reserve capacity to existing
homes and businesses. Until now, reserve
capacity has been financed by hookup fees
imposed on new homes and new or redeveloping
businesses.
The shift would occur over three years and is
projected to increase the typical residential user's
bill by 0.7 percent the first year, 3.1 percent the
second year, and 3.9 percent the third year. Por
typical Minneapolis homeowners, the change
would add $25 a year to their sewer bills when
fully phased in by 2012, assuming usage
remained constant.
Cities have complained that the shift will further
stress city and household budgets and shift part
of the cost of unused reserve capacity away from
the future homeowners and businesses that will
use it.
But Met Council staff say the move is necessary
because the pace of development is at one-third
of what it was in 2003, measured by the number
of hookup units charged. The current fee of
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$2,000 per new housing unit would rise to $2,100
for 2010 under the proposal awaiting council
action. But to cover the projected deficit, it would
need to rise by 50 to 100 percent, depending on
how fast the economy recovers, according to
Jason Willett, finance director for the council's
sewage utility.
Such ajump could choke off growth, council
officials argue. "It might make it worse if we raise
our rates too much" for new users, Willett said.
The alternative of shifting more of the cost to
utility bills has nevertheless met resistance from
the 105 metro cities contributing sewage to Met
Council facilities.
Metro Cities, an advocacy group representing
many of the region's cities, said the proposal
would worsen financial challenges already facing
its members white changing a financing system
that has worked well for decades.
Bloomington said the shift could raise the amount
it charges residents to send to the Met Council by
10 percent, or $600,000 annually when fully
phased in.
Cities typically collect sewage fees from homes
and businesses through utility bills and send
them to the council. The municipal fees cover the
cost of treating sewage at seven metro -area
plants and part of the cost of maintaining,
rehabbing or building 610 miles of metro sewer
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pipes. These pipes, known as interceptors, range
from about a foot in diameter to 12 feet or more
across, and handle the flow from local sewer
pipes.
The hookup charge is designed to cover the
current costs of financing the portion of the plant
and pipe capacity that's not yet used but reserved
for future growth. Such an approach means the
council builds for long-term growth rather than
expanding its facilities too frequently.
But that system works only when there's
sustained growth over time. Measured in
equivalents of home hookups, growth has
tumbled from more than 21,000 units in 2003 to
an expected 6,000 to 7,500 units this year.
The resulting loss of income means the balance in
the fund to pay for reserve capacity has
plummeted from nearly $100 million in 2001 to
about $30 million now. The reserve fund could be
in the red as soon as 2011, depending on how
fast the economy recovers. Willett said the council
wants to avoid that in part because of the
potential impact on its AAA bond rating; a
downgrade would result in added bon -owing
costs.
The council is delaying several major
construction projects, including interceptor
extensions to northwest and northeast suburbs
and in Anoka County, as well as an expansion of
its Blue Lake plant in Shakopee. But that will only
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provide financial relief down the road -- the $90
million it's paying in interest this year is for
projects already built or under construction.
The recommended change the council will
consider would essentially allocate more of the
capacity of interceptors and plants to current
users instead of financing that reserve capacity
through hookup charges. Sewer user charges
would rise by 3.8 percent in 2010, compared to
an increase of 3.1 percent expected before the
shift. But the shift will help push up metro sewer
rates by a projected 6.1 percent and 6.9 percent
in subsequent years.
The recommended phase-in, and a task force to
be formed with local officials to discuss the issue
further, "go a long ways" toward meeting
concerns raised by local officials when the policy
shift appeared to be on a fast track through the
council, said Patricia Nauman, executive director
from Metro Cities.
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
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Changes in Shorewood Recycling Program
Instead of the small recycling container most Shorewood residents have, Mark Koch built his own. It's wood,
has wheels and a rope handle. It's big enough to hold six open paper grocery bags, and he even painted it
green.
"I just don't like dragging that recycling bin out to the curb," he said.
Starting in January, he won't need it anymore.
That's when Allied Waste Services will take the Shorewood recycling program. That switch was approved
Monday, Aug. 24.
Veolia, the current recycling company, didn't bid on a new contract, city officials said.
The new program will be bi-weekly instead of weekly, and single sort instead of dual sort. That means all
recyclable materials can be thrown in one big recycling drum that's the same size as the garbage containers.
Residents won't have to separate paper and cardboard from the other recyclables.
The plan is meant to make recycling easier so more residents participate and reduce waste in landfills.
The RecycleBank program, also starting in January, provides an incentive to recycle.
RecycleBank provides points redeemable for credit or discounts at restaurants, stores and on the Internet.
Points are earned based on the weight of recycled material. Those points are divided evenly among all
households that recycled in a pickup week. Barcodes on recycling containers are used to keep track of the
information.
Excelsior recently approved the RecycleBank program. Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Richfield, Bloomington
and other metro area cities also have it.
Last year, about thirty Shorewood residents took a survey regarding their preferred recycling options. The
most popular option was a weekly, single -sort program. The second most popular was a bi-weekly, single -
sort program.
City Administrator Brian Heck said the most popular, weekly option was too expensive. They wanted to limit
the extra cost to residents for an easier program.
Koch said it's already easy enough for him.
"I think I do a pretty good job at recycling. I don't think it's really a big deal," Koch said.
He said he doesn't need to spend more money on an easier program that the city chose for him.
"It bothers me," Koch said. "I won't even have a choice in it anyway. They're just going to put it on my bill."
The billing system will stay the same. Allied Waste will give a bill to the city, and then the city charges
residents on the quarterly utility bill, along with water, storm water and sewer fees.
Homeowners currently pay $1.75 per month for recycling.
The contract is for five years, and expenses for the city will be $3.47 per household, per month for the
recycling service, and another $4.95 per household, per month for the RecycleBank program.
However, the bill to the city isn't split evenly among residents since Hennepin County usually provides an
annual $20,000 to $22,000 grant to help pay for recycling costs.
The cost to residents for the bi-weekly schedule hasn't been determined, yet. The fee will be set in October,
city Finance Director Bonnie Burton said.
For the current program, the total cost is about $80,000, Burton said, and the new program will be
$116,000, so the grant will "help offset some of the cost, not the whole increase."
Page 15
Those who wanted a recycling change, including Mayor Christine Lizee, think it has been long overdue.
Resident Jeanna Paradise agreed.
"I've had single-sort pick up before," she said. "I think it's a fabulous idea."
Paradise said she had mixed thoughts on the RecycleBank program. Even though it's nice to have rewards,
she said, "I think it's sad that we have to do an incentive program to get people to recycle."
Her only concern was overflow from the bi-weekly pickup.
"That would be a good problem," she said.
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Andover, Ramsey lead the way in
recycling
A big part of their success in Anoka
County is single -sort recycling, which
led to a jump in the share of people
participating.
By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune
Last update: September 1, 2009 - 4:24 PM
When it comes to recycling, Andover and Ramsey
are at the top of the Anoka County heap.
Andover headed the county's 21 municipalities in
material recycled at curbside and drop-off
centers last year, with an average of 257 pounds
per person. Ramsey led the way in the recycling of
paper, glass, metal and plastic, also per capita.
One of the factors? Single -sort recycling, which
both cities have.
"Single sort is a big help," said Chris Anderson,
Ramsey's environmental coordinator. "You get a
bigger cart and don't have to separate materials."
Anderson said that when Ramsey went to single -
sort recycling a few years ago, the share of people
recycling jumped from about 70 percent to 90
percent. The amount collected in 2005, before
single sort, was 1,548 tons, compared with 2,588
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tons in 2007, the first full year for the new
process.
Andover also boosts recycling by being one of the
few cities with a drop-off center open every day,
said its recycling coordinator, Cindy DeRuyter.
In addition, the center accepts more materials,
including appliances, computers and vehicle
batteries, than other cities, noted Carolyn Smith,
the county's recycling specialist.
Tonnage figures for Anoka County cities
represent only residential recycling, Smith said.
Reports compiled by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency (MPCA) also include business
recycling, and show that Anoka County residents
recycled an average of 873.7 pounds each last
year. That put them below the average of 1,020
pounds for the seven metro -area counties, led by
Ramsey County with 1,205 pounds per capita.
Arlene Vee, who compiles the MPCA reports,
noted that in recent surveys, about 75 percent of
the seven counties' tonnage has been from
commercial recycling. Anoka has little commercial
compared with Hennepin and Ramsey counties,
Smith said.
Andover and Ramsey have taken turns winning
county recycling awards in the past few years,
Smith said.
"They are doing a very good job and more than
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others to ensure their communities do an
effectivejob of recycling," said Jim Kordiac, a
county board member who chairs the solid waste
abatement team. It meets monthly to share ideas
with city recycling officials. Kordiac said top
recycling cities do a good job of promoting
opportunities, a key to their success. He said
Columbia Heights, once a recycling leader, lost
ground after dropping its recycling coordinator
position a few years ago.
Haulers do the hard work
Ramsey, Andover and Ham Lake, which was third
in both recycling categories in 2008, all have
single -sort curbside pickup, where all recyclable
materials are combined.
Andover, Ramsey and Ham Lake also have more
people per household, an average of about three
persons, which produces more goods packaging
and other materials to recycle than older, more
urban cities, such as Fridley and Columbia
Heights, Smith said.
The three cities also have fewer apartment
buildings than other cities, officials said. They
said renters have less incentive to recycle
because they don't directly pay for garbage
hauling and can't reduce hauling costs by
recycling more, as single-family homeowners can.
In return for giving the MPCA recycling data, the
counties receive state recycling funds collected as
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fees on garbage hauling bills. Anoka County gets
about $800,000 a year, Smith said. Each city gets
$10,000, plus $5 per resident, she said. Cities use
the money to pay for recycling coordinators,
drop-off centers and program publicity.
But it is the garbage haulers who collect curbside
recycling who do the hard work, Smith said: "We
owe them a lot, they separate the material and get
it to market."
Smith said the 138,277 tons of recycled material
in Anoka County last year saved the equivalent of
203,000 barrels of oil. Recycled material "really
isn't garbage," Smith said. "it is just a new product
waiting to be made."
Jim Adams • 612-673-7658
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Hopkins to try out organics recycling
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"4' _Weeld News
Covering The Greater Lake Minnetonka Area
dome: news: news
9/82889 9:34:88 AM
Hopkins to try out
organics recycling
By David Schueller
Not recycling organics yet? The city of
Hopkins could beat you to the punch.
The city plans to start recycling organics
at six city buildings using a $12,000
Hennepin County grant.
September 10, 2009
Ema,lJims adicle • Print this an cle
Wait, that's not trash
Some items accepted for organics composting:
• All food waste, including meat and bones
• All soiled paper products, including paper cups and
plates, paper towels, placemats, napkins. milk and
juice cartons, parchment paper, pizza boxes, waxed
and cardboard boxes
Floral trimmings and plants
Paper vacuum bags
Source. Hennepin County
On Sept. 1 the City Council approved
accepting the grant funding and starting the recycling program, which will initially last
about one year.
"Source separated organics is a new part of the waste abatement puzzle," said Solid
Waste Coordinator Penny Cleve, adding that the program will collect from buildings
like the Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins Pavilion, the Hopkins Activity Center
and City Hall.
While residential organics recycling is offered in other cities, Hopkins doesn't have
such a program. The city is hoping to learn by doing and eventually get its residential
and business communities to start recycling organics.
"We'll learn what it takes for our residents and our business community to go in that
direction," Cleve said.
Right now, Hopkins provides its own weekly garbage collection and recycling
service.
Hopkins is actually following the lead of similar programs run in the Hopkins School
District and at The Depot Coffee House.
Starting in 2007, The Depot diverted 5 tons of organics from landfills and reduced
the number of trash carts collected there from nine to five.
"So much of what they produce there as far as waste can be collected as organics,
and it was just a perfect fit for them," Cleve said.
At the six buildings, there are a total of 33 refuse containers collected weekly, each
with a capacity of 90 gallons, though they aren't always full.
The city hopes to cut its trash production in half by diverting 30 percent of what's
now thrown away as trash into organic bins and increasing traditional recycling by 20
percent.
It could even save the city some money, though exact costs could change as the
program is finalized.
"That would be a savings in our tipping fees and that would become a cost savings,"
Cleve said.
More still needs to be worked out before the program starts. The city may have to
cover some costs related to contract cleaners, and it hasn't yet decided on a hauler
for the waste, Cleve said. It's also in the middle of writing a procedural guide for what
can and can't be recycled.
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Hopkins to try out organics recycling
'We're just really excited to get it going. It's something new. We don't know what
we're going to find. We know what we hope to find;' Cleve said. "I just think that the
process is going to be fun to implement. It's going to be fun to get all of our staff
involved. Just by participating, just by sorting their trash differently, everybody's
going to be in a learning mode."
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City of Plymouth
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
August 12, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Kathy Osborne, Commissioners Tawnia Johnson, David
Pellinger, Katie Kendrick, Carlos Gutierrez, Kyle Turner and Ken Zieska
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Water Resources Manager Derek Asche and Office Support Specialist
Patty Hillstrom
OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ginny Black and Donna Wolsted, Gleason Lake
Improvement Association
1. CALL TO ORDER — 7:05 P.M.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda for the August 12, 2009, EQC meeting was approved with the addition of three items
under Reports.
Chair Osborne requested that the draft solid waste hauling contract be provided to the EQC for
their review when completed.
3. PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF JUNE 10, 2009, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Zieska, seconded by Commissioner Turner, recommendingapproval
of the June 10, 2009, Environmental Quality Committee meeting minutes. With all members
voting in favor, the motion carried.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
There was no public hearing scheduled for the meeting.
6. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. RECEIVE PRESENTATION ON CURRENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS (CIP)
Page 21
Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
August 12, 2009
Page 2
Water Resources Manager Asche explained that the water resources staff annually reviews and
proposes CIP projects to the City Council relating to water quality and drainage. He said these
projects are considered to be large scale infrastructure improvements and contribute to goals
outlined in the City's Surface Water Management Plan. Water Resources Manager Asche
provided an update to the EQC on water resources projects that included the Plymouth Creek
Water Quality Ponds, Highway 55 Culvert and Wetland Cleaning, the Wild Wings Wetland
Flood Remediation, the Timber Creek Flood Prevention and Erosion Repair and the Wood Creek
Erosion Repair Project.
Water Resources Manager Asche noted that the biggest flooding problems occur in areas that
were developed in the 1960 to 1989 period. The philosophy during that time was to move water
as fast as possible to prevent flooding. He said that water is now considered a resource and there
is more emphasis on the uses of waterbodies. Councilmember Black added that most of
problems that the City is dealing with have been going on for years and years and that the
Surface Water Management Plan has helped move these projects forward.
7. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
A. PLANTS PONDS AND PRACTICES TOUR
Chair Osborne noted that Water Resources Technician Kevin Springob did a good job hosting
the tour and commented on a driveway with a cross gutter system that directed water into a
raingarden.
B. MEDICINE LAKE TMDL
Councilmember Black reported that data was lost when the P8 Model was transferred from DOS
to Microsoft. As a result, the process was slowed down but she expects to have a Medicine Lake
TMDL Plan by the end of the year.
C. BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH
Councilmember Black reported that the budget for 2010 includes a lot of cuts in order to get to a
lower budget amount. She said there are a couple scenarios for property tax increases with the
highest increase being $18 on a high end home. The most controversial, she said, is the Park &
Recreation Department's proposal to raise $100,000 for maintenance of baseball and soccer
fields by implementing a participation fee of five or ten dollars.
8. PUBLIC FORUM
Ms. Wolsted introduced herself and stated that she is president of the Gleason Lake
Improvement Association. She said Gleason Lake has been part of a three year research study of
curlyleaf that was funded by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. She said the watershed
has spent $187,000 on the study and the Gleason Lake Homeowners have contributed $6,000 a
Page 22
Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
August 12, 2009
Page 3
year to help offset the expenses. The three year study is now over and the Gleason Lake
Homeowners will now be responsible for the cost of spot treatment of the lake.
Water Resources Manager Asche informed Ms. Wolsted that the City has been able to fund spot
treatments on Medicine Lake through funding from the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) and
the watershed. He will provide the information to Ms. Wolsted along with a copy of the
application for funding.
9. FUTURE MEETING — September 9, 2009
10. ADJOURNMENT
With no objection, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Page 23
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Page 26
City of
Plymouth
Date: September 10, 2009
To: City Manager Laurie Ahrens
From: Helen LaFave, Communications Manager
Subject: Environmental Education Activities
Environmental Education Coordinator Margie Vigoren provided the Environmental Qualit}
Committee (EQC) with an overview of our 2009 environmental education activities at its
September 9 meeting. The attached list outlines those initiatives.
Cc: Calvin Portner
Page 27
Plymouth environmental education overview - 2009
Publications and media
Environmental Extra
• May, July and September publication sent to all addresses in Plymouth, along with the city newsletter.
May and September issues focus on broad environmental messages: recycling, waste reduction,
forestry, water conservation, water quality, etc. July issue focuses primarily on water resources issues.
Utility bill stuffers
• Residential utility bill stuffers promoted Metro Blooms workshops and electronics recycling.
• Commercial utility bill stuffers promoted salt reduction actions.
Newspaper articles and ads
News releases promoted Metro Blooms workshops and Clean Water Legacy community discussion.
Articles featuring citizen action for clean water published as a collaborative effort with Bassett Creek
WMO education committee.
• Water quality BMP ad in the Lakeshore Weekly News.
Websites
• Water resources information is featured on the city website.
• The K.I.C.K. page on the Gleason Lake Improvement Association website was a collaborative effort
between the association, elementary and middle school students, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District and the City of Plymouth.
Brochures
• Ten things you can do— event distribution. 200 each at: Environmental Quality Fair, City Sampler, Yard &
Garden Expo, Music In Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old Fashioned Christmas
1,500 placed in new resident packets
• Low salt diet for lakes and rivers — distributed as a utility bill stuffer to commercial accounts.
• Bass, Schmidt and Pommerleau Lakes TMDL— 3,500 through direct mail
• Blue Thumb — Planting for clean water—event distribution. 200 each at: Environmental Quality Fair, City
Sampler, Yard & Garden Expo,Music In Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old Fashioned Christmas
• Earth -friendly Home Landscaping —event distribution. 200 each at: Environmental Quality Fair, City
Sampler, Yard & Garden Expo,Music In Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old Fashioned Christmas
• Hennepin County drop off facility— new resident packets (1,500) and event distribution 200 each at:
Environmental Quality Fair, City Sampler, Yard & Garden Expo, Music In Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old
Fashioned Christmas
• Hennepin County electronics and mercury reduction brochures - event distribution. 200 each at:
Environmental Quality Fair, City Sampler, Yard & Garden Expo, Music In Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old
Fashioned Christmas
• Recyclopedia 200 each at: Environmental Quality Fair, City Sampler, Yard & Garden Expo, Music In
Plymouth, Autumn Art Fair, Old Fashioned Christmas
1,500 placed in new resident packets
• Goose management—as needed upon request
• Rain garden basics—as needed upon request
Banners
Watershed tour and "You can make a difference" — event display— Environmental Quality Fair (700),
City Sampler (500), Yard & Garden Expo (300) and Music In Plymouth (1000).
Sweep up fall leaves — event display — Autumn Art Fair (400)
Page 28
• Clean water— it's in your hands —event display —Environmental Quality Fair (700), City Sampler (500)
and Yard & Garden Expo (300).
• Watersheds in Plymouth — event display— Environmental Quality Fair (700), City Sampler (500), Yard &
Garden Expo (300) and Music In Plymouth (250).
Theater ads
• January/February— Promoting Plymouth Metrolink
• March/April — Promoting recycling
• May/June — Promoting clean water actions
• July/August— Promoting water conservation
• September/October— Promoting clean water (clean up, pick up, sweep up)
• November/December—Promoting recycling
Radio and television (see Watershed Partners description under collaborations).
Coloring books
• Two water quality puzzle and coloring books were distributed at school events.
• Hennepin County's recycling coloring books were distributed at school events.
Collaborations
• Bassett Creek Education Committee continued to work on follow-up activities related to information
gained from citizen survey. Contracted with a professional writer to write articles about citizen action to
protect water quality for publication in local media and posting on watershed and county websites. The
commission offers cost -share grants and participated in Plymouth community events. The commission
also provided cost -share dollars for the Metro Blooms progra.
• Shingle Creek Education Committee continued to work on follow-up activities related to information
gained from citizen survey. The commission offers cost -share grants, organized a watershed clean up
event and provided cost -share dollars for the Metro Blooms program.
• Joint watershed education committee produced the "Ten things you can do to protect our lakes and
rivers" brochure. They also worked with Hennepin County to launch a water quality -specific area on the
county's website.
• Watershed Partners continues with the CleanwaterMN education campaign. They have launched a new
website with a water quality education tool kit. Their media campaign includes radio ads on Saints game
broadcasts, cable television ads promoting clean water, sponsor spots on Minnesota Public Radio, an
interactive display in the DNR building at the State Fair and a growing photo library of images members
can use in publications.
• Blue Thumb partners sponsors a website (www.bluethumb.org) with basic information on native plant
gardens, rain gardens and shoreline plantings. We refer citizens to that site in many of our articles and
publications. Blue Thumb also sponsored a train -the -trainer workshop to prepare people to give
presentations on the three kinds of plantings. Plymouth has a team of volunteers who gave workshops
at the Yard & Garden Expo and at two separate workshops at city hall. Blue Thumb brochures are
distributed along with other environmental information at city events.
• Metro Blooms workshops teach both the basics and more detailed steps to building a rain garden. Over
60 Plymouth residents attended the basic workshop and over 20 continued on to the second workshop.
• Gleason Lake Improvement Association collaborated with the city on the K.I.C.K. project and
participated in the Eco Footprint Learning Center at the Yard & Garden Expo.
• Birchview Elementary School co -hosted the 2009 Environmental Quality Fair, with the theme, "Power of
One—You have the power to make a difference!"
• West Hennepin cities' collaboration to publish Recyclopedia.
Page 29
Events
• Environmental Quality Fair was held at Birchview Elementary School (600+). Thirty exhibitors presented
environmental information, including information on pollinators, recycling, butterflies, water quality,
insect water quality indicators, native plants and more. All students participated in at least one
classroom presentation or activity related to the event.
• City Sampler brought over 500 Plymouth residents together to learn more about the city and severe
weather. Environmental information was distributed, along with recycling bins and wheels and native
plants.
• Music In Plymouth provided an opportunity to reach over 200 people with recycling and water quality
information. People learned their watershed address and left with a compostable bag filled with
environmental information and a native plant.
• Night to Unite event coordinators distributed 200 compostable bags filled with environmental
information.
• Autumn Art Fair includes a kids' art project area where children will make fish, turtle and frog hand
puppets promoting water quality from reused materials. Volunteers will distribute reusable bags filled
with environmental information. The art activity will be led by artists from Art Start.
• Old Fashioned Christmas includes an environmental art activity area for children. Reusable bags filled
with environmental information will be available for parents.
Citizen involvement
• Material Recovery Facility tour with participation from over 80 Plymouth residents.
• Water quality/conservation grant program approved 20 projects for funding.
• Environmental Champion awards recognized three businesses and three residents for environmental
stewardship.
• The Shingle Creek Clean Up event involved several volunteers in a one -morning effort to clean up Bass
Creek.
• Planting for clean water workshops presented by Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb volunteers.
• Adopt -a -storm drain program with 68 volunteers who keep an average of three storm drains each clean.
They receive periodic letters with environmental information, thanks and the MnDNR Conservation
Volunteer magazine.
• Volunteers assist in the many events throughout the year.
• Ponds, plants and practices tour.
School presentations
• School presentations include classroom involvement for Environmental Quality Fair (500+),
Environmental Jeopardy offered to all elementary schools in Plymouth (1,000), watershed experiment
(200+), Wet Bugs (200+) and empty -the landfill presentation (90) upon request.
Page 30
PLYMOUTH
COMMUNITY CONTACT: Judy Daily
763.476-9173
FOUNDATION judydaily@comcast.net
For Now and the Future
Plymouth Community Foundation Awards Three Grants to
Local Non -Profit Organizations
PLYMOUTH, MINN. — The Plymouth Community Foundation (PCF) recently awarded three grants to
local nonprofit organizations, fulfilling its mission to provide support to organizations that positively impact
the quality of life in Plymouth. After a successful year of fundraising from individual and business supporters
of Plymouth, the Foundation was able to grant awards to the following organizations:
■ Ridgedale Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association of Metropolitan Minneapolis
Through its Y Partners program, which provides scholarship money so that youth can attend Y
programs, the PCF grant makes it possible for 15 low income Plymouth youth to attend Camp
Christmas Tree in near Mound, Minn.
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (TOCP)
The PCF grant award will be used to support Camp CONECT. This camp operates within
CONECT's multi -unit apartment neighborhoods in Plymouth. Camp CONECT serves children in
grades one through eight, providing them with education, nutrition and activities during the
summer months.
■ Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, Inc.
With the PCF funds, 120 students from Kimberly Lane Elementary school will attend JA Biz
Town, a program that teaches youth about business and entrepreneurship.
"We are thrilled to be able to support the citizens of Plymouth through these awards," says Jean Hill,
chair of the Foundation. "Our goal has always been to use the combined gifts of many Plymouth
supporters to meet the needs of the community. During this granting process, all organizations we
supported happened to fall within our youth focus area."
The purpose of the Plymouth Community Foundation is to philanthropically support the needs of nonprofit
organizations that serve Plymouth, Minnesota. The Foundation's areas of focus include: the arts and other
cultural endeavors and programs; open spaces, such as parks, trails and wetlands; the social needs of Plymouth,
with a focus on youth and the elderly; and, educational initiatives. The Foundation aligns itself with the
Minnesota Community Foundation and its professional investment and granting services. The Foundation
holds 501(c)(3) status, which means donations are deductible to the extent allowed by IRS code.
For additional information or to get involved, log on to www.plymouthcommunitvfoundation.ore or
contact Plymouth Community Foundation, P.O. Box 47093, Plymouth, MN 55447.
P.O. Box 47093, Plymouth, MN 55447
Page 31
September 9, 2009
David and Nadia Kaganovich
952528 1h Ave N
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear David and Nadia,
I want to thank you for meeting with Kevin Hagness and me this morning to discuss the
current situation at your home along Trunk Highway 169. As promised at our meeting, I
will be providing an explanation of the potential options that are possible but for legal or
policy reasons may not be feasible. This information will be sent either by a separate e-
mail or referred to you on a web link.
Again, I am truly sorry for the lost opportunity to meet with you prior to our construction
project beginning. I believe the project is a very good project and a good investment of
transportation dollars. In hindsight, our communication would have given you an
opportunity to participate in the process and to alert you to the removal of some of the
necessary trees.
Before I provide the options, I would like to provide some of the background information
that you have requested. The process in which this project was selected was for safety
reasons. The intent of the project was to create a longer deceleration lane so cars
exiting TH 169 could do so safely on a parallel surface away from the mainline traffic.
The project did not add any additional capacity, nor does it change access, nor does it
need additional right of way. Because of this, the project did not require MnDOT to seek
municipal approval but we should have provided communication to you since you were
directly affected with a visual impact with the loss of vegetation adjacent to your property
inside Mn/DOT right-of-way. There was no legal requirement to have a public meeting
as a result of the impacts caused by the project. As acknowledge in our meeting today
and above, we should have met with you as a courtesy and we failed to do so.
Since the project added additional impervious surface we are required to treat the water
run-off from our project prior to discharging into a stream, river, lake, etc. The need to
provide water treatment in the form of a pond was necessary. You asked if we consider
other options in terms of the water treatment. Although other options exist, ponding was
the most cost-effective means in which to treat the water run-off from our project. I will
be sending the drainage calculations in a separate e-mail. The Bassett Creek
Watershed requirements can be found at the following web address:
http://www.bassettcreekwmo.org/require/2008 Requirements/2008Reguire.htm#4.OGen
eralGuidelines
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The project outlined above stayed within our current right of way and did not add
additional roadway capacity to TH 169. With these outcomes, the project limits our
ability to provide any compensation to you as the adjacent property owner under our
current policy or laws. Since we do not have a right a way impact on your property I can
not legally take property from you with out a transportation purpose. MnDOT is directed
by the State Statute covering Eminent Domain. I will send a pdf of this statute in a
separate e-mail.
I understand the frustration of the immediate proximity of our construction project with
your home and the dust and noise caused by it. As with many of our projects we try to
minimize this as best we can. The construction period is relatively short and temporary.
As Kevin pointed out, the construction should be completed by mid to late October.
Below I have outlined the options that we have discussed that could be considered and
the reasons why they may or may not be ones we are moving forward with. Policy and
law prevent us from doing two of the options that you have suggested in our earlier
conversations.
Option 1) Do nothing.
We do not feel that this is a reasonable option giving the circumstances of removing an
existing visual barrier even though all of the work was on MnDOT right of way and was
not considered a major reconstruction project with large impacts to the surrounding
environment.
Option 2) Purchase your home
The existing project can be completed within our existing right-of-way without a physical
impact to the adjacent property. There is no need to purchase your home for
transportation purposes. The depreciation or devaluing of a property because of its
proximity to MnDOT's trunk highway, because of the existence of the roadway itself, or
because of our means to preserve and maintain it through construction projects has
come up many times. I am not aware of any means in which to compensate this legally
Please refer to the statute mentioned above that directs MnDOT to only purchase what
is necessary for transportation purposes.
Option 3) Construct a noise barrier.
There is room to physically construct a noise barrier at this location; however since the
project does not add capacity on the mainline, the noise mitigation requirement threshold
is not met with this project. In this case we need to examine this area for a stand alone
noisewall and the requirements associated with this approach. Our current policy
requires MnDOT to determine the cost-effectiveness of any given wall segment and
apply funding to those walls that are deemed cost-effective. In this location the noise
levels are high enough to warrant a noisewall. However, the density of housing is very
low, in this case, (one), causes the construction of a noisewall to not be cost-effective. I
have attached a report titled "Minnesota Highway Noise Abatement Study", that goes
through the process of selecting noisewall projects in the Metro area.
Option 4) Plant trees to create an immediate visual barrier
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In our discussions we have pointed out that we missed an opportunity to communicate
with you earlier in the process and we removed some trees that acted as a visual barrier
between your home and TH 169. This option replaces some of the necessary trees
that were removed as part of the construction project. This option proposes to work
with our Landscape Unit, the current Contractor, our Construction Office and you to
come up with a reasonable plan to re -landscape the area between you and TH 169. The
types, sizes and location of trees will be discussed through a planning process that
involves your input. The height and types of trees will be presented in future meetings,
but our intent is to transplant sizeable trees to replace some of what was removed.
There is also an opportunity with this plan to create a yearlong barrier which was not
there prior to our construction project.
For these reasons and for the reasons on the other options as to why we can not do
them, Option 4 is the Metro District's resolution to this issue. We look forward to your
response to our proposal.
As I have mentioned, if you disagree with this proposal, the ombudsman's office is a
means in which to have this reviewed by an independent party. The ombudsman's
contact information is below.
www. dot. state. mn. us/ombudsman
Again I want to thank you for meeting with us on this unfortunate issue. I look forward to
continue working to resolve this matter as quickly as we can. In the meantime, please
do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions or concerns. Thanks
Sincerely
John Griffith
West Area Manager, MnDOT
(651) 234-7728
Dol hn.griffith ata)state.mn.us
page 34
From: Sarah Hellekson
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:27 PM
To: Doran Cote; Helen LaFave
Cc: Bernie Maciej
Subject: FYI: bus fire
This morning, Plymouth Metrolink 793 (bus #2108), a reverse commute bus, en route from downtown
Minneapolis to Plymouth north on 169 had an oil leak which caught fire on the County Road 9 exit on
169. There were no passengers on the bus (just the driver) per First Transit. The bus had a leak in a
private parking lot (Crystal Free Church). They cleaned it to their satisfaction.
This is also the same bus that had an oil spill at Station 73 a few weeks ago. This is one of the Bluebird
CS buses (considered a lemon in the metro) that will be replaced in December with a brand new bus.
If there are any questions about the specific incident, we'll direct them to Paul Buharin at First Transit as
our contracted service provider .
In the meantime, we have asked Met Council to allow us to trade all Bluebird CS buses in the Plymouth
fleet for newer (and less troublesome) Gilligs from SW Transit (they need to reduce their fleet). We
have approved the buses. SW Transit has approved them. Now we are waiting for the approval and
inspection process from Met Council staff (they are creating a process).
Page 35
00.1,11M, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road North -I St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 1 651-2966300 1 800-675-3843 1 651-282-5332 TTY I w .pca.state.mn.us
September 3, 2009
Ms. Keri Aufdencamp
MnDOT
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55155
RE: Petroleum Tank Release Site File Closure
BEP S _i13-9
_
-
Site: MnDOT Plymouth Truck Station, 2315 Fernbrook Lane, Plymouth, 55441, Hennepin
Site ID#: LEAK00015715
Dear Ms. Aufdencamp:
We are pleased to let you know that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff has
determined that your investigation and/or cleanup has adequately addressed the petroleum tank release
at the site listed above. Based on the information provided, the MPCA staff has closed the release site
file.
Closure of the file means that the MPCA staff does not require any additional investigation and/or
cleanup work at this time or in the foreseeable future. Please be aware that file closure does not
necessarily mean that all petroleum contamination has been removed from this site. However, the
MPCA staff has concluded that any remaining contamination, if present, does not appear to pose a
threat to public health or the environment under current conditions.
The MPCA reserves the right to reopen this file and to require additional investigation and/or cleanup
work if new information, changing regulatory requirements or changed land use make additional work
necessary. If you or other parties discover additional contamination (either petroleum or nonpetroleum)
that was not previously reported to the MPCA, Minnesota law requires that the MPCA be immediately
notified.
You should understand that this letter does not release any party from liability for the petroleum
contamination under Minn. Stat. ch. 115C (2002) or any other applicable state or federal law. In
addition, this letter does not release any party from liability for nonpetroleum contamination, if
present, under Minn. Stat. ch. 115B (2002), the Minnesota Superfund Law.
If future development of this property or the surrounding area is planned, it should be assumed that
petroleum contamination may still be present. If petroleum contamination is encountered during future
development work, the MPCA staff should be notified immediately.
St Paul I Brainerd I Detroit Lakes I Duluth I Mankato I Marshall I Rochester I Willmar I Printed on 100% post -consumer recycled paper
Page 36
Ms. Keri Aufdencamp
Page 2
September 3, 2009
For specific information regarding petroleum contamination that may remain at this leak site, please
call the Petroleum Remediation Program File Request Program at 651-757-2799 or 651-757-2309. The
MPCA fact sheet Request to Bill for Services Performed must be completed prior to arranging a time
for file review.
Thank you for your response to this petroleum tank release and for your cooperation with the MPCA to
protect public health and the environment. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please call
me at 651-757-2331.
Sincerely,
Remediation Division
AJE: if
Landfill Section
cc: Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk, Plymouth
Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth
Dave Jaeger, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
William Tepley, AECOM
Minnesota Department of Commerce Petrofund Staff
Page 37