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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 10-09-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO October 9, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS EQCAgenda 10/14/09..........................................................................................................................Page 1 October, November, December 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars .............................................. Page 2 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 5 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... North suburbs seek a new way to attract tourist dollars, Article, Star & Trib..................................... Page 6 Nature shapes the course of storm drainage, Article, Star & Trib ........................................................Page 8 Teams will have to pay to play in Minnetonka's new plan, Article, Star & Trib ............................... Page 11 Three west -metro lakes are targeted for cleanup to reduce their pollution, Article, Star & Trib ....... Page 13 Plymouth worries it will lose post office, Article, Star & Trib.......................................................... Page 15 Trash talk grows into an uproar, Article, Star & Trib.........................................................................Page 17 The "Vacancy" Blight: Finding New Uses for Empty Stores, Article, TIME ..................................... Page 21 AGA Medical May Issue First MN IPO Since `07, Article, Twin Cities Bus Magazine .................... Page 23 Proposed Alternative Regulation Plan, QWEST.................................................................................Page 25 MEETING MINUTES Planning Commission Minutes 09/16/09.......................................................................................... Page 26 Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Minutes 08/21/09.............................................................................Page 42 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Property Owner, RE: 8's Ave Street Recon Project 10004 .................................................. Page 46 Memo RE: Xcel Electric Rate Case................................................................................................... Page 48 Letter from MN Management & Budget, RE: Notice of Pay Equity Compliance ............................. Page 53 Memo from Engineering, RE: 2009 Fall Street Sweep......................................................................Page 55 Memo from Engineering, RE: 2009/2010 Winter Snow Plowing ......................................................Page 55 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA October 14, 2009 WHERE: COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Environmental Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. 7:05 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. 3. 7:20 P.M APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda including items contained in the EQC Info Memo for discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. 7:25 P.M. PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS S. 7:30 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the September 9, 2009, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes 6. 7:35 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING 7. 7:35 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Pond Maintenance Update 8. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS A. Medicine Lake TMDL Update B. Bass-Schmidt-Pomerleau TMDL Update 9. FUTURE MEETINGS — November 18, 2009 — Medicine Lake Room 10. 8:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT C\Documems and Senings\IbairdLLocal Sming9Tempora Intemes FileslConlent.Outlook\400%%'HAS8\1014 .P page 1 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life October 2009 Modified on 10/09/09 Discuss Hilde Performance Center Plans and Northwest Greenway CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 2 1 2 3 7:00 PM 5 -City Human Rights Workshop Council Chambers 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6:30-8:30 PM 7:00 PM Cancelled Volunteer PLANNING PARK @ REC 12:00-3:00 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 jjj� 13 5:30 PM 14 15 16 17 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL MEETING COLUMBUS DAY Medicine Lake Room QUALITY 'See Below COMMITTEE Observed (EQC) MEETING 7:00 PM Council Chambers PLYMOUTH PUBLIC REGULAR COUNCIL woRRs DIVISION MEETING CLOSED Council Chambers 18 19 20 Cancelled 21 22 23 24 PLANNING 7:00 PM COMMISSION MEETING HRA MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5: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 10/09/09 Discuss Hilde Performance Center Plans and Northwest Greenway CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 2 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life November 2009 1 Daylight 2 3 4 5 6 7 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Savings Ends PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS Se[ Clocks Back COMMISSION COMMISSION 1 Hour MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Parkers Lake Room 8 9 10 5:30 PM 11 jj� 12 7:00 PM 13 14 SPECIAL COUNCIL PARK it REC MEETING ADVISORY COM - Medicine Lake Room VETERANS DAY MISSION (PRAC) 'See Below Observed MEETING 7:00 PM Plymouth Ice REGULAR COUNCIL CITY OFFICES Center MEETING CLOSED Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 7:00 PM 19 7:00 PM 20 21 PLANNING COMMISSION HRA MEETING MEETING ,Medicine Lake Room 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 ' Discuss Lean-Froe evelnnment- and Temnnrary/Privates I in Srarinnc Modified on 10/09/09 Page 3 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life December 2009 Modified on 10/09/09 Page 4 1 2 7:00 PM 3 4 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 6 7 8 7:00 PM 9 7:00 PM 10 7:00 PM 11 12 :d PARK 0 REC Fashioned Old Fashioned ed REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY Christmas MEETING QUALITY COMMISSION Plymouth Historical Council Chambers COMMITTEE (PRAC) MEETING Society Building (EQC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM CHARTER COMM. MEETING CHANUKAH Medicine Lake Room Begins at Sunset 13 14 15 16 7:00 PM 17 7:00 PM 118 19 PLANNING HRA MEETING COMMISSION Medicine Lake Room MEETING Council Chambers 20 21 22 23 7:00 PM 24 25 26 PLYMOUTH ADVISOR COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY MEETING Medicine Lake Room CITY OFFICES CITY OFFICES CLOSED AT CLOSED NOON 27 28 29 30 31 6:00-9:00 PM New Years Eve Event Plymouth Ice Center i i Modified on 10/09/09 Page 4 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items October 27, Special, 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss 2010/2011 Budget October 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve Final Plat extension for "Duchaine Woods" for two single-family lots for property located at 17815 —10th Avenue North. Holly Trombley. (2006074) • Public Hearing on Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Natalia Vasilyevna Karebin (Phillip Miller) D/B/A Vino 100 Plymouth, 3225 Vicksburg Lane N November 10, Special, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers • Discuss Leap -Frog Development and History of Temporary/Private Lift Stations November 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve 2010 City Council Meeting Schedule • Oath of Office for Office for Firefighters Fischer, Jaeger, Johnson, McCurdy, Moellman, and Olson 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 5 CleanPrint Preview StarTribune com North suburbs seek a new way to attract tourist dollars Shoreview, Coon Rapids would have the most representation on the board of a new tourism bureau. By ALLIE SHAH, Star Tribune Last update: October 7, 2009 - 10:58 PM The creation of a new convention and visitors bureau for north metro cities moved closer to reality this week, with the Shoreview and Coon Rapids city councils approving an agreement with the new group. Dubbed Minnesota Metro North Tourism, the new entity is on track to open in January and will represent seven cities. In addition to Coon Rapids and Shoreview, they are Anoka, Blaine, Fridley, Ham Lake and Mounds View. New Brighton and Lino Lakes also may join the coalition. The north metro cities have been represented by Visit Minneapolis North (VMN), but starting last year, they began giving notice that they wanted to opt out of the agreements. Advertisement http://www.startribune. com/l ocal/north/63723 652.htinl?e Ir=KArksU... Point your j' mobilebrowserto http,//startribune.com Shoreview City Manager Terry Schwerin said area hotel owners came to city officials concerned that the VMN's marketing was too focused on shopping and convention opportunities in cities west of the Mississippi River. The northeastern cities wanted to have a convention and visitors bureau that tapped their region's potential for sports tourism. Blaine is home to the National Sports Center and the TPC Twin Cities golf course. "In Coon Rapids, we weren't getting any attention at all," said Matt Fulton, that city's manager. "We're one of the largest contributors to the VMN, but we weren't getting our money's worth, so we wanted to do something different." Convention and visitors bureaus, or CVBs, as they're sometimes called, are used to promote an area to prospective tourists and have become popular with cities all over the metro area. The new Minnesota Metro North bureau, when it opens, will be funded by the same 3 percent lodging tax that has supported Visit Minneapolis North. Plan moves ahead Print Powered Byiridj!_�jf i ia tDynannics'j Page 6 1 of 2 10/8/2009 11:34 AM CleanPrint Preview StarTribunexom In the meantime, city leaders for the seven north metro suburbs have been approving the necessary paperwork to join the new bureau and also appointing representatives to the Minnesota Metro North Tourism board of directors. Shoreview and Coon Rapids will have the most representatives -- four board members -- because both cities generate the most in revenue from the lodging tax. The 15 -member board will be made up of city staff, city council members, representatives from local hotels and several at -large members. Having a sports -centered tourism bureau bodes well for the National Sports Center. "We like to have a hospitality partner," said John Connelly, director of sales and development for the National Sports Center in Blaine. "We can put on the greatest event, but hospitality is a big component of why people want to come back to a place." Sporting venues and events can have a huge impact on tourism, he suggested. "If there's an economist who wanted to do a case study on the effect of sports tourism on Advertisement Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! http://www. startribune. com/l oc a I /nortIV63 723652. httnl?elr—KArksU... y, Point your mobile browser to http,.//startribune.com a community, you need only look at what's happened over the last five days in the Twin Cities," he said. Because of the Gophers - Badgers football game, the Vikings -Green Bay showdown and the Minnesota Twins division title run, the Twin Cities drew tens of thousands of out-of-town visitors. Allie Shah • 612-673-4488 Print Powered By •,Pi'r-�-__ni.- tDynami Page 7 2 of 2 10/8/2009 11:34 AM C1eanPrint Preview Page 1 of 3 Pointyour � m -;�� j mobile browser to Sta rTr i b u n e� c o m http.,//startribune cum Nature shapes the course of storm handsome gardens along Rushmore Drive in drainage Bumsvi Ile draw the eye with their maroon sedums, purple asters and waving ornamental grasses. David Joles, Star Tribune All the gardens are near the curb, and all drop a Bloomington is planning to work with a block of foot or two below street level at their lowest ,v point. one in Burnsville, as a pilot project to test how well normally dump storm water into Nine Mile Creek. rain gardens might work as a substitute for Curb cuts will direct storm water instead into six s� They're rain gardens. .jai large rain gardens in private yards. Maplewood, T Since they were planted in 2003, they've attracted use rain gardens to handle street national attention for their success in diverting '- storm water that would have gone directly into a lakes and streams. local lake. About 90 percent of the water that flows off Rushmore Drive now filters into the By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune ground instead, trapping debris and pollutants. David Joles, Star Tribune Bloomington is now dying to replicate some of Bloomington is planning to work with a block of that success with a street reconstruction project homeowners to create rain gardens, such as this along two blocks of Thomas Avenue South that one in Burnsville, as a pilot project to test how well normally dump storm water into Nine Mile Creek. rain gardens might work as a substitute for Curb cuts will direct storm water instead into six traditional storm drains. large rain gardens in private yards. Maplewood, More cities are urging residents to Plymouth, Arden Hills, St. Paul Park and Stillwater use rain gardens to handle street have undertaken similar projects, and Lake Elmo runoff and keep pollutants out of is planning one next year. lakes and streams. The idea is not to handle all storm water through rain gardens -- even streets with rain gardens By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune have storm sewer grates to take in overflow -- but to use them as another weapon in the arsenal Last update: October 7, 2009 - 12:05 AM to prevent water that carries fertilizer, oil from Even now, with fall rushing toward winter, the the street, grass clippings and debris from Advertisement Fx Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Print Powered By t_�1 Dynamics Page 8 littp://www.startribune.com/local/south/63647942.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3 E7_V_nDay... 10/7/2009 C1eanPrint Preview StarTribunexom directly entering lakes and streams. In Bloomington's case, a $25,000 grant from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District is paying about half the cost of installing the rain gardens, with the city's storm water utility fund paying the rest. "It was a way to get residents involved in storm water treatment in a way that would be fun," said Steve Segar, a Bloomington civil engineer who works on water resources. "We wanted to start on a smaller scale, because this is the first time we've done this. But we hope to include it in future street reconstruction." Richard Schrieber is one of the Thomas Avenue homeowners who will be planting his rain garden at the end of the month. The garden in his front yard will measure about 10 feet by 30 feet and will feature a retaining wall on one side. "Aesthetically, it's going to look nice," he said. "It's going to do something good for the environment. It's not going to cost me anything. And the more grass they take, the less I have to mow." How they work Rain gardens that divert storm water from streets use Curb cuts to direct water into the gardens. The depth of the garden is determined by how quickly the soil absorbs water. Native plants with Advertisement xx Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 3 Pointou >, yImobileybrorwserto http,//startribune.com deep roots help absorb the water and need limited care. In Burnsville, a strip of grass between curb cuts and gardens catches leaves and other debris that can just be raked up. Bloomington is trying a few different ways to catch sediment and debris, one using underground pipes and another with a grate that can be vacuumed out. Twenty-two homeowners on Thomas Avenue had yards that fit the criteria for rain gardens, but only six accepted, Segar said. While he admitted that was disappointing -- the installation is more expensive without the economies of scale of a larger project -- he said the gardens still give the city a mini -laboratory to see how- well they work. Residents will be responsible for maintenance, and the gardens will have to be weeded, especially during the first two years. Schrieber isn't thrown by that. "If you have any pride in your yard, it's just something you do," he said. Bruce Corzine, one of 17 Burnsville homeowners who have rain gardens along Rushmore Drive, said he's not a gardener but spends maybe eight hours a year weeding and cutting back plants. "It really depends on how much weeding you want to do," Corzine said. "We lost a few plants and had to replant some roses that had grown too close to the street.... I like it. It's nice to be able to look out the window and see not just grass." Print Powered By 4 17-9rrn._.iDynamics' Page 9 l i ttp://www.startribune.com/locaUsouth/63647942.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3 E7_V_nDay... 10/7/2009 CleanPrint Preview StarTribune.com The Burnsville project cost almost $150,000, partly because the project modified an existing street and was done at a time when rain gardens were still rare. Rusty Schmidt, a rain garden expert with the Washington Conservation District in Stillwater, said building rain gardens is cheaper .when it's done as part of street reconstruction. He said that though rain gardens are just one small part of the storm water puzzle, they're becoming more important as cities find they don't have room for giant storm water ponds. In Maplewood, rain gardens have been a standard part of street reconstruction since 1999. The city now has more than 500 rain gardens in yards and more than 30 on city property. "We've learned so much over the years," said Ginny Gaynor, the city's natural resources coordinator. Maplewood, which supplies plants and digs the gardens for homeowners, offers 10 different garden designs for residents, who plant and maintain the gardens. Every couple of years the city offers "weed consults" to homeowners, a service that 10 percent of them used last year. Gaynor said she isn't sure if the gardens ultimately save money. But she said if the city can meet its watershed district requirement to infiltrate one inch of rain on street projects partly with rain gardens, more expensive underground stomi water systems don't need to be built. Advertisement Ix Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 3 of 3 Point your j. mobile browser to http,.//startribune.com "Our goal is always to do as many gardens as we can in a boulevard," she said. Mary Jane Smetanka • 612-673-7380 Print Powered By :'_d.iF<-_i.i natDyne , Page 10 http://www.startribune.com/locaUsouth/63647942.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7 V nDay... 10/7/2009 C1eanPrint Preview StarTribune.com Teams will have to pay to play in Minnetonka's new plan To keep athletic fields in good shape, Minnetonka is proposing to charge userfees. By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune Last update: October 6, 2009 - 4:57 PM Starting next spring, Minnetonka may charge fees for use of city athletic Yields. Public comment will be taken on the proposed charges at 6 o'clock tonight at City Hall. The city's Park Board is scheduled to vote on the fees at 7 p. In. The city has had informal fees on some fields for 15 years. This proposal would set a consistent fee structure for all fields, with higher fees for groups from outside the community, said Dave Johnson, Minnetonka's recreation services director. The move has been triggered by an increase in demand for fields both from within and outside the community, Johnson said. "With the growth of 35 -and -over baseball leagues, we receive requests from teams outside of the city looking to use Big Willow Park as a location for games with lights." Johnson said. "Adult soccer leagues are continually looking for Advertisement ❑x Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 1 of 2 IIt1;t'! al1t.:lJ.Jf rl3�l� Pointyourmobile browser to ttp://start rib un e.com game space to accommodate regional play. Youth sports providers request Lone Lake and Big Willow soccer fields to offer clinics and camps." More community groups are competing for fields, as well, he said. Besides football, baseball and soccer, "We now have requests for rugby, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee and field hockey -- activities we did not hear from five years ago." Because most city fields were rebuilt in recent years with park referendum funds, Minnetonka is looking for revenue from user fees to "ensure that we can continue to provide the quality of fields we have now," Johnson said. "If we want to provide the maintenance, we need to have dollars coining in to do that." Field fees vary from city to city. In Eden Prairie, for example, fields are free for everyday practice and games for recognized youth spoils organizations, but the city charges a S30 per game fee for adult softball and baseball teams and $40 per day per field for weekend regional or national youth tournaments or camps and clinics that go beyond daily use, said Stewart Fox, parks and natural resources manager. Bloomington does not charge the city's youth associations for fields but does charge fees for adult games and for groups outside the community. Under Minnetonka's proposed fee structure, the regulation -size baseball fields with lights at Big Willow Park would be the most expensive. At that Print Powered By S0_1 Fo, i i liDynamics Page 11 http://www.startribune.comllocallwestl63526582.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V nDayc... 10/7/2009 C1eanPrint Preview StarTribunexom park, the charges for lit fields would start at $55 for 2.3 hours for Minnetonka and Hopkins sports organizations with open registration, and they would increase to $60 for community sports groups with limited competitive registration and go to $80 for groups from outside Hopkins and Minnetonka. Fees for other fields would range from S20 for residents to $40 for nonresidents on Big Willow soccer fields, and from $ 10 for residents to $40 for nonresidents at Lone Lake Soccer Fields and Guilliams Youth Softball. Tonka United Soccer Association is concerned about the fees and looking into whether they will affect all sports associations fairly, said project manager Bobbi Hoebelheinrich. The soccer association serves kids in the Minnetonka and Hopkins school districts, which means participants come from Shorewood, Excelsior, Chanhassen, Wayzata and Eden Prairie as well as Minnetonka and Hopkins. Hoebelheinrich said. The group objects to being in a higher charge category for having participants from outside Minnetonka and Hopkins, she said. "We are trying to figure out exactly how this impacts us. They would charge us for practice, space we were never charged for before. That would have an impact on our program. We have already approved our fees for next year, and we didn't have this in there." Advertisement QAlternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 2 Point your y, y mobile browser to http.,//startribune.com The new charges could substantially increase field revenue for the city, from S 12,400 this year to $29,500 next year. About S 19.600 of that would be used for operating costs. and about $9,900 for future capital improvements, Johnson said. Fees would be applied to improvements on the fields where they are collected. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Print Powered By [A Dynamics Page 12 http://www.startribune.com/locaUwestt63526582.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDayc... I0/ , rzvuy C1eanPrint Preview StarTribune.com Three west -metro lakes are targeted for cleanup to reduce their pollution To meet federal clean water standards state officials are considering ways to keep runoff and the pollutants it carries out of the lakes. By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune Last update: October 7, 2009 - 12:05 AM Storm water carries so much phosphorus into a chain of lakes in Maple Grove and Plymouth that it may take 20 years to get the three lakes off the state's impaired waters list. That's the finding of a new report to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency which describes the extent of the pollution in each lake and what can be done to reverse it. The report begins the process of cleaning up the lakes as required by the federal Clean Water Act. In Eagle Lake, a 291 -acre lake popular for fishing and swimming, phosphorus would have to be reduced by 40 percent to meet Clean Water standards for swimming, the report says. Cleaning up two smaller connecting lakes would be an even bigger uphill climb. To meet clean - water standards in the 81 -acre Cedar Island Lake, Advertisement ❑x Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here' Page 1 of 2 Point your j. mobile browser to '\- http://startribune.com phosphorus would have to be reduced by 67 percent. The 58 -acre Pike Lake would need a 49 percent cut in phosphorus. Marred by algae, all three lakes were flagged for poor water quality that limits recreation. The state placed Pike Lake on the impaired waters list in 2002, Cedar Island Lake in 2004, and Eagle Lake in 2008. Currently, there are 1,475 total lakes and streams on the list in Minnesota. The list will be updated in 2010. With the report establishing pollution levels, the Maple Grove and Plymouth lakes are now among the first to begin the cleanup process. Reducing their high phosphorus loads will require a lot of work, a lot of money and a lot of creativity, said PCA project manager Barb Peichel. "They are very typical for urban lakes in the metro area where we had the rapid development back a few decades ago." Peichel said. Sources of pollutants Rain running off roads, parking lots and lawns gets pushed right into the lakes, Peichel said. "Now we have to go back and figure out how can we get the rain water to go into the ground where the rain drop falls." she said. "It took time for the lakes to get polluted. It's going to take some time to get it cleaned up." Print Powered By ,d i_ Dynamic. Page 13 http://www.startribune.com/local/south/63647902.ht nl?ell=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V nDay... 10/ C1eanPrint Preview StarTribune.com Strategies for limiting storm water running into the lakes include using residential rain gardens and collectors such as rain barrels: replanting parks and open space with native vegetation rather than maintaining mowed grass; frequent street -sweeping with dustless regenerative air sweepers; and creating native plant buffers along shorelines to filter out pollutants in place of grass or riprap. Residents of Maple Grove and Plymouth have until Oct. 28 to comment on the state's report before it is sent on to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for approval later this year or in early 2010. For people who live around the lakes, the comment period is an opportunity to point out any inaccurate information, register support for the process and look at what may be required under a pollution prevention plan. The report can be viewed at tinyurl.conm/yb4dv2z. "This is the first round of input for the residents, and it is important for those who are interested in water quality to take a look," said Derek Asche, water resources manager for Plymouth. "Now we know what the reductions [in pollutants] need to be, and we would really like the public to be engaged in the process." The PCA will respond to comments, amending the report as necessary, and send it on to the EPA, which will have 30 days to review it and approve Advertisement aAlternate Ad Image Text Goes Here$ it, Peichel said. Page 2 of 2 `J 1.1;1,38.,714;; 1 t> Point your �. mobile browser to littp://startribune.com After the federal government OKs the report, Maple Grove and Plymouth will have 18 months to decide which strategies residents and the city will use to reduce the pollution. The cities will hold public meetings to discuss cleanup options, Asche said. The strategies that are chosen will be folded into each city's storm water pollution prevention programs, subject to the approval and enforcement by the PCA. Is there reason to think lake water quality actually can be restored? "Time will tell," Peichel said. Over the next five to 10 years, the PCA will take stock of how lakes are doing and prescribe a different approach if necessary, she said. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 Print Powered By d I- i Dynamics Page 14 http://www.startribune.com/local/south/63647902.html?elt=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V nDay... R Plymouth worries it will lose post office Page 1 of 2 StarTribune.com MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Plymouth worries it will lose post office By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune October 6, 2009 The U.S. Postal Service has delivered an unwelcome letter to the city of Plymouth: one announcing plans to sell the Plymouth Post Office land and building next to City Hall. The post office at 3300 Plymouth Blvd., opened in 1980, was once the main postal facility in Plymouth. But since 1992, the city also has had a second, larger office — the Lost Lake Branch -- on the east side of town. If the City Center post office is sold, postal carriers would be transferred to Lost Lake, said Pete Nowacki, spokesman for the Postal Service's Northland District in Minneapolis. Although the Postal Service would continue to offer retail services and maintain post office boxes in the City Center area by leasing space there, city officials are alarmed about possibly losing the post office from the lineup of public buildings in its City Center. City Hall, Plymouth Library, Hilde Performance Center, an ice arena and the city's community center are all close by. "This unique area of the city is the center of civic life," Plymouth City Manager Laurie Ahrens said in a letter to the Postal Service asking it to reconsider disposing of the property. "While we understand the value of analyzing the viability of all post office facilities, we are very surprised that the Plymouth post office" is on the list for disposal, Ahrens said. "This post office has consistently experienced such high customer use that the city of Plymouth and the Postal Service have worked together to facilitate the expansion of the parking lot." Plans to dispose of the post office property -- which consists of a 10,500 -square -foot building on a 2.5 -acre parcel -- are a result of ongoing losses for the Postal Service -- "$7 billion lost every year," said Garry Mattox, the Postal Service's real estate specialist, who is in correspondence with the city. If the post office is sold, the Postal Service would try to lease space at the redeveloped site or in one nearby to continue offering postal services near the City Center, Nowacki said. "It's a money thing, pure and simple. We are looking at facilities where we might have more space than we need," Nowacki said. "It's something we do all the time -- review our facilities and try to find ways we can do things better. Page 15 http://wwwstartribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=63313652 10 Plymouth worries it will lose post office Page 2 of 2 "We have lost 30 billion pieces of mail out of what we deliver in the last few years. Because of that, and because we do more and more automating of the mail, we don't have the space needs that we once did," he said. "If we can move people around and have a smaller real estate footprint, it will save money and make us more efficient." The building will soon be put in the hands of a real estate broker to sell it, Nowacki said. "If someone comes along, certainly it's for sale. We are not expecting this to move quickly. This could take us a couple years before anything happens." Nowacki said the city is welcome to take part in the bidding for the building. City Council members asked Ahrens to get the city in on any discussions regarding the sale so it could consider buying the building if necessary to ward off an unwelcome purchase or use of the site. Council Member Tim Bildsoe said it's critical for the city to watch the sale closely. "To me, this is an important piece of downtown Plymouth. It's right next to City Hall. This is an opportunity for us to think decades ahead." Council Member Jim Willis agreed. "I am worried they would make the sale and then come to us and say 'we just sold the post office to John Jones but the good news is you can still buy stamps there.' We are all concerned that the Postal Service would be considering closing down a postal facility that is so critical to the identity of this community." Council Member Judy Johnson asked Ahrens to report on what money the city would have available if the council should find good cause to purchase the building. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 © 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. page 16 http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=63313652 10' C1eanPrint Preview StarTribune.com Trash talk grows into an uproar Kyndell Harkness, Star Tribune When Bill and Mary Simnts got a bill for $1,800 to fix the street outside their home, they knew whom to blame -- all those garbage trucks. Each week, at least five trucks rumble past to collect trash in their Fridley neighborhood. They show up as early as 6:40 a.m., waking the retirees. Bill Simms, 67, doesn't understand why his community needs so many haulers \%hen people in next-door Columbia Heights get by with just one. And he's furious he has to pay to fix streets worn down by all that tonnage. "I'm fed up," Simms said. It's a common complaint in the Twin Cities, where most communities leave it to residents to hire their own trash collectors. In St. Paul, which is served by 17 haulers, officials could vote on changes this month. Many homeowners prefer to pick their own haulers, believing that they're getting the best rate. But they're wrong, a study commissioned by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded. For a 30- or 60 -gallon container, those homeowners typically pay at least 50 percent more for garbage service than residents in Advertisement Fx Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 1 of 4 �t'tt3:.1ta f.rL�t« Point your �. mobile browser to http://startribune.com communities like Minneapolis with organized systems, the study found. There are other costs, too. City engineers worry about the price of fixing roads damaged by garbage and recycling trucks. Residents complain about the racket, the danger to children, and the emissions. But anytime officials talk about change, they confront angry constituents. Not one community has retaken control of trash collection in nearly 20 years, according to the MPCA study. Mark Campbell, mayor of Sauk Rapids, was stunned when local officials debated how to reduce the number of garbage trucks on city streets last spring. He said it was the "ugliest meeting I've ever participated in." "People were screaming," recalled Campbell, who later apologized for opposing the move, which he thinks made sense. "It was so emotional! I'm sitting there thinking, 'My God, all we're talking about is, 'Will it be a blue can or a green can?!"' Waste haulers believe their critics are misinformed. They say the most valuable service isn't always the least expensive, and that competition fosters innovation and more environmentally sound practices. "We custom -tailor our services," said Mark Stoltman, who runs Randy's Sanitation, one of the Print Powered By 18d corn is namic , Page 17 http://www.startribune.com/business/63454557.html?page=4&c=y 10'7. CleanPrint Preview StarTribune.com largest independent haulers in Minnesota. "And a customer who isn't happy can talk directly to me -- or can quit and go to someone else." Too many trucks In the Twin Cities, residents in 77 of 108 metro communities hire their own trash collectors, according to a 2005 survey by the city of Eden Prairie. That stands in stark contrast to the rest of the county, where roughly 70 percent of cities and counties do the job themselves or hire an outside contractor, according to the survey. Like many metro communities, St. Paul does little to help residents with the issue. While some communities offer a handful of options and don't allow haulers to visit the same neighborhood more than once a week. haulers in St. Paul can set their own schedules. What's more, St. Paul doesn't require haulers to publish their rates on the city's website or anywhere else, so residents can't easily comparison-shop. In fact, the city doesn't even provide a list. Instead, it instructs residents to "ask your neighbors about which garbage and refuse collection service they use." "No one has the time to research all the different companies," said Shannon Forney, who moved to St. Paul last month. "Having that much choice is actually a burden." Advertisement ;x Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 4 Point your y mobile browser to http://startribune.com All those trucks are taking a heavy toll on the region's roads, experts say. A 2002 Roseville repot estimated the city could add five to 10 years of life to pavement if garbage truck traffic were limited, a savings of $20 to $40 per year for homeowners. Oakdale has estimated that going from five haulers to one would save up to $300,000 in street maintenance. Obviously, removing some of those trucks would "extend the life of the street," said Terry Wotzka, city engineer for Sauk Rapids. Haulers agree that their trucks have an impact, but they point to studies showing that environmental factors such as freezing and thawing cause greater street damage. Then there's the noise. With 10 haulers in Maple Grove, Abigail Keckhafer thinks she "could get a more peaceful lifestyle in the middle of New York City." Another Maple Grove resident kept a log, noting 1 I separate truck visits in a single day, with most haulers arriving between 7 and 9 a.m. While many communities have rules that prevent haulers from showing up before 6 a.m., some residents -- especially those working late shifts -- say that's way too early. "They should be required to wait until 8;" said Becky Nilius of Newport, which has six licensed haulers. "Not everyone works Monday through Friday, and 1 feel bad for anyone who had Print Powered Pv Page 18 http://www.startribune.com/business/63454557.html?page=4&c=y 10' C1eanPrint Preview StarTribune.com Mondays off-- it's definitely not possible to sleep in with all that racket on the street." Sue Stewart, owner of Highland Sanitation, said an 8 a.m. start would make it tough for haulers to complete their work in a single day, as some communities require. Truck noise is amplified in spring and fall, "when people have their windows open," she added. Not easy to find a bargain The trade-off for all this truck traffic is competition, which typically reduces prices. But shoppers must work hard to find a bargain. In St. Paul, a resident could pay the same hauler $18 to $48 a month for servicing a 60 -gallon container, according to the MPCA study. By contrast, Minneapolis residents pay a flat monthly rate of $21. The service covers trash, recycling and includes things that cost extra in other commmnities, such as picking up broken appliances, old tires and construction debris. The MPCA study doesn't address what causes such dramatic price swings in St. Paul, but residents cite heavy discounting for new customers and competitive pricing in some heavily trafficked neighborhoods. Residents say it's also possible to negotiate with haulers. "It depends on who in the marketplace is going door to door recruiting new customers and Advertisement x] Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here' Page 3 of 4 Point your �.mobile browser to http://startribune.com undercutting competitors." said Doug Carnival, a Minnesota lobbyist for the waste hauling industry. "The next day it might be different." Altogether, the MPCA report found, St. Paul residents pay millions more than people in cities with organized garbage systems. The free market has another hidden cost: illegal dumping. Some residents try to get around the rules by dumping their trash in someone else's yard. Mary Scott, 71, has seen everything from stereo components to tires in her Frogtown yard, and the dunnping just gets worse, she said. She's had to pay her hattler extra to take away the big stuff. "I can't afford to pay for somebody else's trash anymore," she said. In 2008, St. Paul recorded 24,027 trash violations on public and private property. So far this year, the city has spent $200,000 picking up trash in public areas. Tait Danielson Castillo, executive director of the District 7 Planning Council, says the open -choice System encourages illegal dumping. "Trash is the issue in Frogtown," he said. "Nobody calls me about drug dealers on the corners anymore." Print Powered By all littp://www.startribune.com/business/63454557.html?page=4&c=y Dynamics 10/ Page 19 CleanPrint Preview StarTribune.-com An activist industry St. Paul City Council members are well aware of the contentiousness of the issue and are moving slowly. But the industry isn't. One St. Paul hauler already has distributed a flier urging customers to call council members and protest any proposed changes. In Sauk Rapids, Wotzka said haulers inundated City Hall with a foot -high stack of postcards when officials considered modifying garbage service last spring. The industry is "incredibly organized when they get wind of this." Wotzka said. Bob Kessler. St. Paul's director of Safety and Inspections, said there needs to be a public debate over what can be done to improve the system. He predicted it won't be pretty. "It's a volatile and ugly issue," he said. chavens@stailribune.com stattribune.com • 612-673-4148 dpeterson@startribune.com • 952-882-9023 Advertisement OAlternate Ad Image Text Goes Here$ Print Powered By Page 4 of 4 �.: 7 �J:il:";.::1:� taL it2 Point your y mobilebrowserto htt p://start ribun e.com d Dynamics Page 20 http://www.startribune.com/business/63454557.html?page=4&c=y 10%i The 'Vacancy' Blight: Finding New Uses for Empty Stores -- Printout -- TIME Page 2 of 3 Saturday, Oct. 03, 2009 The 'Vacancy' Blight: Finding New Uses for Empty Stores By Barbara Kiviat Last spring, Manon Slome was walking down a street in New York City when she noticed something odd: "Store after store was closed. When stores are empty it's like, 'What's going on?' It was a feeling of siege." Plenty of people in America could make the same observation. Nationwide, 1o% of shopping center stores sit empty, according to the real-estate analytics firm Reis. That's the highest percentage of vacancies since 1992 — what you get when you mix a bad recession with a commercial real estate bust (thanks to years of overzealous building). (See -pictures of Americans in their homes.) Slome is now among the people doing something about it. After her springtime walk, the museum curator started contacting building owners, suggesting they let her use their empty space for art exhibitions. She landed her first storefront in June: a former tackle shop was soon home to photographs, paintings and videos on the bad econom and — in homage to the space's former use — fishing. Says Slome: "It's art coming in to fill the vacuum." The repurposing doesn't stop there. Around the country, property owners and managers are trying out new uses for empty stores. Spaces that used to house Radio Shacks and Linens'N Things now serve as libraries, auction houses, TV studios, even block -long billboards to advertise other stores and brands. Such endeavors are not going to solve the retail real estate glut. Only a realignment of supply and demand for long-term leases will do that. But in the short-term, getting creative with commercial space keeps storefronts filled, which helps keep properties secure and community spirit intact, and may even bring in a little money for would-be landlords to offset costs like utilities, taxes and maintenance. Consider the work of Marc Feldman at Developers Diversified Realty, an Ohio-based company that owns nearly foo retail properties across the country. He and his 15 -person team are charged with finding non-traditional use: for available spaces at a time when some 9% of the firm's units sit idle. Among the temporary uses they've landed on: health clinic, campaign office, auction house, county library, swap meet and soundstage for a car commercial shoot. "It doesn't make up for the rents those retailers were paying, but it definitely provides revenue that we wouldn't otherwise have," says Feldman. "Even if it's just for a day or a week, it goes to the bottom line." Steve Birnhak has another idea: turning empty storefronts into billboards. The company he founded, New York - based Inwindow Outdoor, connects property owners with advertisers willing to pay for window space, conveniently located right at the eyelevel of anyone walking or driving by. The ads go from floor to ceiling and art Cnnwinht fit 9n0A Tim. Inc All nnhta rs.rv.d Renwhictinn in whnl. nr in nart withniR n.rmiaainn ie nrnhihitnd Page 21 http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1927067,00.html 10'. The 'Vacancy' Blight: Finding New Uses for Empty Stores -- Printout -- TIME Page 3 of 3 pretty hard to miss. One recent Chicago project advertised Intel over the entire facade of a now -defunct Comp USA store. Cities are getting in on the act, too. At the end of October, San Francisco will launch Art in Storefronts, a collaboration between the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the San Francisco Arts Commission that will fill 20 unused storefronts in four neighborhoods with the work of local artists. The goal is twofold: to spruce up areas that have seen high vacancy rates and to help support artists in a down economy. There may eventually be another benefit, too, says Lisa Pagan, who runs San Francisco's business improvement districts program. "The hope is that this may help people look at individual storefronts in a more positive way," she says. Translation: get enough art lovers to traipse up and down a certain block and maybe some of them will start thinking about what a great place it would be to rent a storefront for their business. See the best business deals of 2oo8. See the worst business deals of 2oo8. Z Click to Print Find this article at: httn: / /www.time.com/time/business/article/o.8599,1927o67,00.html Page 22 http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1927067,00.html 10' Twin Cities Business Magazine Page 1 of 2 close window TwinCifies DAILY DEVELOPMENTS PRINT AGA Medical May Issue First MN IPO Since '07 The Plymouth -based medical device maker estimates that it will raise $154.2 million in its initial public offering. October 2009 1 by Eric Kelsey Medical device maker AGA Medical Corporation is preparing to go public, the Plymouth -based company indicated Monday in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The company estimates that it will raise $154.2 million through an initial public offering of its stock, which will go towards working capital and to pay off debt. If completed, this could be the first IPO issued by a Minnesota company since 2007. The last Minnesota company to issue an IPO was Virtual Radiologic Corporation; it went public November 15, 2007. AGA Medical said that it plans to sell 8.5 million shares of common stock in the offering at an estimated price ranging between $19 and $21 per share. The date of the offering was not listed in the company's regulatory filing. The IPO will be underwritten by Bank of America—Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, among other financial corporations. A successful offering could raise more than $200 million for the maker of the Amplatzer cardiovascular implants. AGA Medical will be listed as AGAM on the Nasdaq Global Market. About 48.1 million shares of common stock will be outstanding after the deal, which would give AGA Medical a market capitalization between $914 million and $1 billion. In its filing, the company said that it had sales of $167 million in 2008 and net income of $9.1 million. For the first six months of 2009, the company reported sales of $94.4 million and a net loss of $4.2 million. Franck Gougeon, an AGA Medical director and former chief executives, will also sell 5.25 million of his personal shares—but the company said it will not receive proceeds from Gougeon's sale. AGA Medical—which was founded in 1995 by former University of Minnesota medical research Kurt Amplatz—manufactures medical devices that treat heart defects and vascular diseases. Its signature Amplatzer device is a minimally invasive treatment for heart defects. Page 23 http://www. tcbmag. com/print. aspx?print_page=/dailydevelopments/dailydevelopments/ 11... 10/6. Twin Cities Business Magazine Page 2 of 2 The company was honored as a Small -Business Success Story by Twin Cities Business in 2007. Eric Kelsey is TCB's assistant editor. More Articles From Eric Kelsey © 2007 MSP Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 24 http://www.tcbmag.com/print.aspx?print_page=/dailydevelopments/dailydevelopments/ 11... 10 (PORTANT INFORMATION )sed Alternative Regulation Plan I Corporation has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities fission for approval of its Second Revised Alternative Retail ation Plan. If approved, the plan will be effective try 1, 2010 through December 31, 2013. :st's Plan is approved, Owest may increase the monthly price ;ic local residence service by $1 in each year of the plan. proposed Plan, Qwest may add a statewide charge to cover if the government requires Owest to relocate facilities. on -mission is currently reviewing the proposed Plan and seeking lents to determine if it meets applicable legal standards and is public interest. You may view the proposed Plan and submit ions or comments at: www.gwest.com/mnafor. In addition, ions or concerns may be directed to 1 866-955-0554. sted parties may view the documents being submitted in this r at the following web address: haps:/Avww.edockets.state.mn. iling/search.jsp. Search by docket number: select 09 in the year enter 790 in the number field, click on search, and the list of nents will appear on the next page. You may also send written ctronic comments to: imer Affairs Office :sota Public Utilities Commission ;eventh Place Fast, Suite 350 ml, MN 55101 puc.state.mn.us, click on "Comment On An Issue' !n comments are most effective when they include: ocket Number P421 /AR -09-790 in the subject line of your letter , email, ie issue(s) you want to bring to the Commission's attention, )ur specific recommendations on how we might address those sues, ne reason for your recommendations. Qwest Page 25 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting September 16, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Scott Nelson, Gordon Petrash, Erik Aamoth, Terry Jaffoni and Marc Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Dick Kobussen STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Senior Planner Josh Doty, City Engineer Bob Moberg, Park and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the September 16, 2009 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the September 2, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. Chair Davis abstained. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT (2009049) Chair Davis introduced the request by the Three Rivers Park District for a conditional use permit for special lighting at the Eagle Lake Regional Park miniature golf course located at 11000 County Road 10. Senior Planner Doty gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Anderson asked about curfew times associated with this lighting. Page 26 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 2 Senior Planner Doty said the Zoning Ordinance requires that the lights must extinguish at midnight or the close of business. He said the applicant would meet that requirement as the golf course closes at 10:30. Commissioner Jaffoni asked if this is typical lighting for mini golf courses. Senior Planner Doty said he did not research lighting for other mini golf courses, but added the City of Plymouth has a unique lighting ordinance, which is not applicable to other cities. He said this lighting would be on the low side. Commissioner Jaffoni asked about existing light on the golf course. Senior Planner Doty said many existing lights are taller and unshielded in that area. He said the par three course is lit on the east side of the mini golf course. Chair Davis introduced Stephen Shurson, landscape architect representing Three Rivers Park District. Mr. Shurson said the staff report is complete and accurate. He said that Bonestroo, their lighting engineer, made the recommendation to increase the wattage to an adequate amount. He said they want to be able to see the ball and golf while being fairly conservative in the amount of light. Chair Davis asked if the course is open. Mr. Shurson said they are laying the carpet and will be landscaping in the next couple of weeks. He said they anticipate opening the mini golf course in October. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the request by the Three Rivers Park District for a conditional use permit for special lighting at the Eagle Lake Regional Park miniature golf course located at 11000 County Road 10. Chair Davis said he will be voting in favor and is looking forward to miniature golf. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. CENTEX (2009046) Chair Davis introduced the request by Centex for 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 comer of Schmidt Lake Road and Peony Lane. page 27 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 3 Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report. She said a letter from Chris and Anita Sperry, 17735 48`h Pl. N., has been added to the record. Commissioner Anderson asked if a traffic study had been done for this site. Senior Planner Darling said that no traffic study was completed for this development, but the traffic impacts were reviewed with the recently updated Comprehensive Plan. City Engineer Moberg referenced Comprehensive Plan documents showing traffic analysis zones, which were evaluated as part of updating the transportation chapter. He said 2030 projections for the zone that includes the subject site show population increasing from 948 (2005 figures) to 2,717 and households increasing from 368 (2005 figures) to 1,168. He said the modeling represented a full build out condition. City Engineer Moberg said from staff perspective, a subdivision of 70 homes is less than 10% of what is anticipated. He said the average daily traffic on Peony Lane was 2,050 trips per day in 2005, with a projection of 16,200 trips per day in 2030. He reviewed traffic counts for Years 2005, 2007 and 2030. City Engineer Moberg said the extension of Peony Lane to Lawndale Lane is expected to occur by 2030, with 10,400 trips per day projected on that segment. Commissioner Anderson asked if any study was done on peak a.m. capacity. City Engineer Moberg said no, but the traffic counts for 2005, 2007, 2009 were done while school was in session to get accurate counts. Commissioner Anderson asked if Schmidt Lake Road and Peony Lane which have been rebuilt are designed to handle this capacity in future, or would additional improvements be necessary. City Engineer Moberg affirmed that the design and construction were intended to handle the development proposed. Commissioner Anderson asked if the grading would be phased in with the final plat of 9 lots, or would the entire site be graded. Senior Planner Darling said the grading would be for the 9 homes, with remaining grading phased in later. Commissioner Petrash said there are no sidewalks on the preliminary drawing, and asked if they would be added in the future. Senior Planner Darling stated the applicant is required to put in 5 -foot sidewalks on one side of all local streets and they are shown on the plans. Page 28 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 4 Chair Davis said a conservation zone in the middle of proposed development would handle some runoff from Conor Meadows and Schmidt Lake Road. He asked where that runoff would be directed. Senior Planner Darling showed the ravine and said runoff is day -lighted above ground and then carried by a pipe into the buffer area. She said there are volume control basins in that area. Chair Davis asked if there is enough capacity for all that water. City Engineer Moberg pointed out there would be some drainage from Conor Meadows, which also has storm water ponding. He added this is overflow coming through the ravine, and there is a condition in the approving resolution that there cannot be an increase in rate or volume of runoff into the ravine from the site itself. Chair Davis asked if the 10" trunk water main would be removed and would there be issues for water service in this area if this development is not built. Senior Planner Darling said the 12 -inch water main proposed to be removed would not impact this area because it is intended to serve properties to the northeast. City Engineer Moberg said rather than installing it in an undesirable location from a maintenance and physical standpoint, it would be substituted with a future line of larger size further to the north. Chair Davis asked if roadwork would be necessary for Schmidt Lake Road or Peony Lane. Senior Planner Darling said the only necessary improvement is a southbound left -turn lane on Peony Lane in order to create a bypass lane. This improvement is covered in the approving resolution. Commissioner Anderson noted the flow out of Conor Meadows north to the swale would be piped over and into the wetland. He said if clogged, the water would back up at Lots 16 and 17. He said the situation would be complicated with the side yard setbacks and asked if an increase in setbacks for Lots 16 and 17 would be needed. Senior Planner Darling said any pipe underground requires additional easements. She said the PUD proposes five-foot setbacks, but ten feet would be required on both sides of the pipe for any necessary city maintenance. Commissioner Anderson asked if that is also true for the emergency overflow which is located a few lots down. Page 29 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 5 City Engineer Moberg said the applicant needs to demonstrate that the lowest floor on any home must be at least 18" above the emergency overflow. He added that one house does not meet that requirement and that needs to be addressed. Commissioner Nelson asked about square footage and location of two low quality wetlands being removed and replaced with a medium quality wetland. Senior Planner Darling stated two low quality wetlands would be filled and replaced on a 2:1 basis. She said there would be some credit given for buffering and public value credits. Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Mary McDiaras, 12701 Whitewater Drive, Minnetonka MN, Division President for Pulte Homes and Centex, which recently merged. Mr. McDiaras said Centex and Pulte have built many homes in Plymouth in the past, and they are excited about being back here. Mr. McDiaras thanked staff for help with the site plan process, and said he concurs with the staff report and conditions in their entirety. Chair Davis opened the public hearing. Chair Davis introduced Rich Cole, 4875 Merrimac La. N. Mr. Cole referenced the Comprehensive Plan statement: "Do not force premature development or lifestyle changes of residents." He said 5% of the homes in Conor Meadows are up for sale and have been on the market for quite some time. Mr. Cole said the proposed development would compete with existing residences in Conor Meadows that are for sale. He said the schools, which have been redrawing boundaries every year, would be impacted with the influx of a new neighborhood. Mr. Cole asked how long the City has known about this PUD. Chair Davis introduced Theresa Bevilacqua, 17540 48`h Pl. N., who said she opposes the proposed development because it would create a housing surplus and excess within a two-mile radius, not including Maple Grove developments. Ms. Bevilacqua said there are 53 single family homes for sale, and there are differing price points but she does not see the need for another 70 homes. Ms. Bevilacqua said she lives in Conor Meadows and the price point is less than what she paid four years ago. Ms. Bevilacqua said there is overcrowding of schools and Kimberly Lane has a 22/1 student -teacher ratio, where the state average is 16/1 and the national average is 15/1. Ms. Bevilacqua said the environment and aesthetics would be affected. The heavily wooded area houses bald eagles that are protected, and the 80-100 year old trees cannot be replaced in her lifetime. Ms. Bevilacqua said she strongly supports the Northwest Greenway project. Ms. Bevilacqua asked about the access from Schmidt Lake Road to the optional loop spur. Chair Davis introduced Natele Jones, 17530 48'h Pl. N. Ms. Jones said she is opposed to the proposed development which is very premature and a major adjustment to the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Jones reviewed the numbers of families and children attending the Wayzata School District without including southwest Maple Grove developments, which are also in this school district. She said the PTO for Kimberly Lane would like to have 720 students and there are 760 Page 30 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 6 students this school year. Ms. Jones said this would greatly affect our quality of life, and Plymouth can't be the best place to live if schools are overcrowded and we can't sell our homes. Chair Davis introduced Lizzie Rude, 17420 49`h Ave. N. Ms. Rude said the developer is cutting down too many trees that go to waste. She said there are too many other homes to be filled before you make a new neighborhood. She said she can make a difference even if she is young. Chair Davis introduced Mandi Rezabek, 17420 491h Ave. N. Ms. Rezabek said builders must not care about wildlife that lives there. She said in the spring or summer there are a lot of babies and they are protective. Chair Davis introduced Bryce Mead, 4760 Merrimac Ct., who said he agreed with earlier comments. He said he is a mortgage banker and stated there were 100 closed sales in Plymouth, with 153 new listings. In 2008 there were four more sales and fewer listings. Mr. Mead said the housing crisis is not over, and urged the Planning Commission to table this for a few more years. Chair Davis introduced Bill Sigel, 17765 48`h Pl. N. who concurred with all earlier comments. Mr. Sigel said it is important to consider the quality of homes Centex builds. Mr. Sigel submitted a list of customer complaints and said there was a class action lawsuit against Centex in 2001. He said Plymouth takes pride in being the #1 place to live, and he is strongly opposed to Centex being the builder. Chair Davis introduced Nawal Pandey, 17400 491h Ave N. Mr. Pandey said he is opposed to the proposed development because of the traffic increase on Schmidt Lake Road and Peony Lane. Mr. Pandey said Peony Lane should be increased to two lanes because the single lane is risky. He said 50% of the traffic in the morning is from the high school buses and cars. Mr. Pandey said there is already a surplus of houses in the neighborhood. Mr. Pandey said the Wayzata High School has 3,400 to 3,500 students which exceed the capacity of 3,000. He said another neighborhood will erode the system more. Chair Davis introduced Tov Rezabek, 17420 491h Ave. N., who said he is speaking for his wife, who is a teacher. Mr. Rezabek said Plymouth was voted #1 last year, but we seem to be chipping away at the features mentioned repeatedly, such as parks, green space and the great school system. There will be 140-160 new kids resulting from the proposed development and crowded schools will affect quality of the schools. Mr. Rezabek questioned if we want quantity of people or quality of life. Mr. Rezabek said he is an ex -president of the Conor Meadows' HOA. He said city delays in repairing the ravine, which affects 12 homes in the Conor Meadows neighborhood, has gone from $280,000 to fix four years ago, to $380,000 in 2011. Mr. Rezabek said he was the first president of any HOA to be proactive and clean out what the developer had left, and they spent over $60,000 cleaning the NURP ponds which the City had let go. He said the HOA transplanted 23 trees which fell into the ponds due to inaccurate planning for the plantings. Mr. Rezabek said the Comprehensive Plan studied a 20 -year moratorium which was reduced to ten Page 31 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 7 years, which is significant. Mr. Rezabek said his back yard is affected by the ravine; silt from both sides of the ravine have clogged the drain, made a pond, and there is a drainage ditch big enough for a kid to fit through, Mr. Rezabek said there are 1,000 ponds in Plymouth and Plymouth is not able to keep up with them. The ponds overflow drains across the street, (from Conor Meadows multi -family homes and Peony Lane). He said the watersheds were not represented at this public hearing, and it is a huge problem with no money to fix it. Mr. Rezabek said further development will continue to fill in more silt, increasing the problem for the City to clean out. Mr. Rezabek asked about a right-hand turn lane, as the kids love the downhill slope of Troy Lane. He said Public Safety said kids go 70 mph on Peony Lane, and this is a significant safety and traffic issue. Mr. Rezabek said he wants to see this proposal tabled for further studies and discussion. Mr. Rezabek added Plymouth Creek Elementary School is overcrowding at the same rate as Kimberly Lane. Mr. Rezabek said the school district has changed boundaries five times in the last nine years. Chair Davis closed the public hearing. Senior Planner Darling discussed school impact and said the City prepares a Comprehensive Plan which the school districts review. The districts use the land use plan to determine future enrollment projections. She said the Wayzata district recently completed a detailed demographic study that did assume development of this parcel and other parcels in the northwest Plymouth area. The school district proposed that children from this development would go to Kimberly Lane, and the school district prefers whole neighborhoods stay together within school enrollment zones. She added that the Wayzata School District owns land north of C.R. 47 in anticipation for a future elementary school. Planning Manager Senness stated that the Wayzata High School capacity is 3,450 students. Commissioner Nelson said he has experience working in schools as a counselor, and state and other funding sources are a factor in the number of kids going to a certain school. Planning Manager Senness clarified that there was never a 20 -year moratorium as the state only allows up to an 18 -month moratorium. Planning Manager Senness said the 2000 Comprehensive Plan showed this part of the city to be developed after 2020, but state law requires all cities in the metro area to update their comprehensive plans every 10 years, and that process culminated in the plan adopted last April. This area was indicated to develop in 2008-2010 in the current Comprehensive Plan. Senior Planner Darling said staff has been working with Centex since April or May, 2009 on this application. She said another developer was interested and discussed development six to seven months prior, and in 2004 a developer submitted a sketch proposal, but did not proceed because development was considered premature at that time. Senior Planner Darling said the City anticipated this would be one of the first sites for proposed development in the northwest area. Page 32 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 8 Planning Manager Senness said two notices were sent for this development application. The first notice was to residents within 750 feet when a complete application was received, and a second notice was sent ten days prior to the hearing. Senior Planner Darling said when a development application is consistent with city requirements, staff must review it based on its own merits separate from other developments in the area. Plymouth has taken a conservative approach to development by opening small portions of land at a time. Senior Planner Darling said the lot supply in the Wayzata School District is decreasing. Senior Planner Darling responded to the concern over the quality of homes built by Centex, and said the City is always concerned when there is a poor construction report. She said the construction process would be monitored through the building permit process. Senior Planner Darling stated staff reviews an application on its merits, and the person who has control of the property is entitled to submit an application. Senior Planner Darling discussed tree removal and said 49% tree removal would occur. She said they are allowed to cut 50% without penalty. The applicant is required to plant two new trees on every front yard (140 total), which is a code change not in effect when Conor Meadows was built. Planning Manager Senness asked about the wildlife and Northwest Greenway Senior Planner Darling said the premise of the Northwest Greenway is to provide both a trail and natural area, and corridor for people and animals. She said the City is saving its resources to acquire primary loops but is requesting that the applicant give a 40 -foot easement along the east property line. When the properties to the east develop, the City would request a matching amount of land to allow another trail from Schmidt Lake Road north to the greenway. Planning Manager Senness asked about traffic associated with the high school and safety issues with changes to Peony Lane. City Engineer Moberg said significant rain events can result in a portion of Peony Lane at Elm Creek being underwater. From a staff perspective, it would make more sense to do a more comprehensive change on Peony Lane, connecting with Lawndale Lane as a single project rather than on a piece -meal basis. He said a left-hand turn lane on southbound Peony Lane would improve safety at the entrance to the development. He said traffic safety might be dangerous with a new entrance without the southbound left hand turning movement. No turn lanes are being added on Schmidt Lake Road which would be consistent with other accesses along Schmidt Lake Road. City Engineer Moberg said staff recognizes there is incredible peak (school) traffic in the a.m. and p.m. He stated the 70 units in this proposed development would generate 7-10 trips per household, and the 500-700 trips per day would likely not be noticeable. Planning Manager Senness asked for clarification about the drainage issue and pond maintenance. Page 33 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 9 City Engineer Moberg said when Schmidt Lake Road was constructed in the 1990's there were two drainage crossings. In 2008, because of erosion issues, the City undertook a project to intercept one of the pipes on the subject property and piped to the wetland going north. He said staff recognizes that the ravine upstream of the pipe has experienced significant erosion problem Mr. Rezabek said has been deferred a couple times. City Engineer Moberg clarified that staff deferred the project not because the City is not supportive, but the parties (single family home owners and townhome owners) were unable to reach agreement. City Engineer Moberg concurred with Mr. Rezabek that the HOA is responsible for maintenance of the ponds. He said when Conor Meadows was approved, that was the City's policy. However, the City Council repealed that policy in 2003 and the City now maintains storm water ponds. City Engineer Moberg explained that the pond must be in reasonable condition and a petition must be submitted by the HOA before the City would take over that maintenance. City Engineer Moberg stated that staff has not received such petition from the Conor Meadows HOA. Mr. Rezabek stated the HOA has never been approached with a plan which they denied. He said an adjacent multi -family property owns a portion of the third pond. He said the HOA disagreed to allowing the multi -family having control over their half of the pond. Mr. Rezabek said they liked the City's plan with the pipe line drainage to another pond. Mr. Rezabek said the HOA cleaned the three NURP ponds. He said one pond that drains is a wetland, fully overgrown with cattails, has crawled past buffer zones, and is approaching deck footings. Planning Manager Senness addressed the request to table for further discussion and study. She said under state statute, the City must review an application within a 120 -day time frame. She said it cannot be tabled indefinitely, and the city must act by December 18, 2009 or the application would be automatically approved. Senior Planner Darling discussed property values. She said this issue appears with every new development. Senior Planner Darling said it is no longer a seller's market. However, whether or not this development gets approved may not change the amount of time a house is on the market, and time on the market may not decrease for some time. Senior Planner Darling added it is a very rare circumstance for a proposed development to negatively impact home values of another. Planning Manager Senness added that the Planning Commission and City Council look at requirements in the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations — not the number of homes on the market. Commissioner Aamoth asked which issues are relevant to our review. Planning Manager Senness said school impact and number of homes on the market are not considered. She said City requirements for tree loss would be considered, and added staff is pleased to see three areas are being preserved with conservation easements. page 34 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 10 Commissioner Aamoth asked about the proposed development being detrimental to the Conor Meadows' residents. Planning Manager Senness said the concern about premature development in the Comprehensive Plan related to the 5 -acre lots remaining in northwest Plymouth that are guided for very low density would remain without sewer. The idea was to make sure these areas were not encroached upon prematurely, and that is why additional land use classifications were established for northwest Plymouth. Commissioner Petrash asked how we would consider special conditions for wildlife unique to the area. He asked about removal of old growth trees and how to credit for new growth trees to make sure it is balanced right. Senior Planner Darling said tree preservation requires preservation of 50% of all significant tree inches on site, not the number of trees. Senior Planner Darling said she has searched the Natural Heritage data base for wildlife in the past. She said there is a Blanding's turtle and an osprey that nests in the Wayzata High School lights, but said she has not heard of bald eagles on the subject site. Senior Planner Darling agreed there are valuable species, and that is the purpose of the Northwest Greenway space. Commissioner Jaffoni discussed tree quality in Plymouth and said very few areas have high quality trees. She asked what category these trees are. Senior Planner Darling said there are no identified quality natural communities on this site. She said in comparison, the trees north of the high school on City open space show up as a higher quality natural environment, which is why it was targeted for acquisition by the City in the previous open space referendum. Commissioner Jaffoni asked if there was new information in regard to wetland delineation that a change in boundary is being considered. She asked if it could be developed without removing all those trees if the guiding went back to P -I. Senior Planner Darling explained that the current land use designation splits the site in half, with wetland on the east side. She said when the flood plain and wetland delineations were done it was clearer how much land was developable, and the best layout for the Northwest Greenway trail would be to circle the wetland. Commissioner Jaffoni said she is concerned about aesthetics because the proposal compresses some setbacks closer to the road and closer together, similar to a zero lot line. She said she is concerned what it will look like. Senior Planner Darling compared standards to the Conor Meadows neighborhood which has the same land use designation and similar home sizes. The lots in Conor Meadows are 5,000 to Page 35 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 11 14,422 square feet in area with an average lot width of 54 feet; the proposed lots would be slightly wider and would be 7,633 square feet to over an acre in area. She said there would be 35% lot coverage in the Elm Creek development compared to 40% in Conor Meadows. Commissioner Anderson said the Natural Heritage data base did not specify bald eagles in this area, and inquired about requiring additional studies on the environmental issue. Senior Planner Darling said she could look for further information on the bald eagle. She said for the Blanding's turtle, surmountable curbs could be used. Commissioner Anderson said he appreciated the tree removal rate of 49%, and referenced Ms. Rude's question about trees going to waste. He asked if these trees would become wood chips or logs and go to a mill for furniture and fence posts. Chair Davis introduced Ian Peterson, VP Pulte Homes, who said he has been in contact with the clearing company who evaluated tree stock on the property, and some trees may be sent to a mill. He said chips may be used on site as an erosion control. Mr. Peterson said another option is using 18" mulch or chips to prevent frost on the building pads. Ms. Bevilacqua said Centex is the same builder who constructed the ponds at Conor Meadows. Ms. Bevilacqua said the same developer is proposing two new ponds for this new development and cautioned that this be taken seriously as the Conor Meadows pond hasn't been fixed for the last ten years. Senior Planner Darling said the areas Ms. Bevilacqua referenced are wetlands proposed to be filled. An existing pond along Peony Lane would be expanded to treat the drainage from this development. She said a condition in the resolution requires that lower impact erosion control methods be installed in the ravines. City Engineer Moberg said after witnessing situations in Conor Meadows and other areas which experienced the need for similar restoration projects, staff is taking a much closer look than the City did historically and in this case, for example, is working with the developer to make certain no increase in water is being diverted into the ravines. He said permanent erosion control facilities that would blend into the environment are preferable to a lot of structural work. City Engineer Moberg said conservation easements were not used historically. Commissioner Petrash asked if there is an issue with the builders in Plymouth. Senior Planner Darling responded that it is an issue with every city whenever a developer or builder doesn't deliver quite as proposed. She said that the new requirements with building inspections, tree preservation, water quality standards and erosion control inspections are a direct response to problems in the past. Page 36 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 12 Commissioner Jaffoni said she thinks we will continue to see similar issues raised and she understands the concerns as we are in a depressed housing market. Commissioner Jaffoni said she is encouraged that we have builders like Centex and Gonyea who are starting projects and said this may mean things are turning around. She said she understands we are at risk for excess inventory but at some point this is going to correct and obviously other people are thinking the same way. Commissioner Jaffoni asked if further studies could be done on environmental impact to identify any endangered species or special concerns to make reasonable accommodations. Planning Manager Senness said staff will contact the DNR prior to the City Council meeting to see if additional information is available. Commissioner Petrash asked if the applicant has done any investigation on the wildlife issue. Mr. Peterson said an extensive wetland delineation study and soil testing were conducted with many parties involved, and if anyone had seen anything it would have been brought to their attention as they are sensitive to endangered or protective species. He added that any contractor who does work for them also notifies them if anything such as Native American artifacts are located. Commissioner Aamoth asked when Peony Lane would be extended. City Engineer Moberg stated Peony Lane would be improved by 2030, but is not in the current five-year Capital Improvements Program. Commissioner Petrash asked if it is an advantage or disadvantage to have the access directly across from another access on to Schmidt Lake Road. City Engineer Moberg said two other options could be considered, but they would be too close to the Peony Lane and Schmidt Lake Road intersection. He said from a safety standpoint, a true four -legged intersection as proposed is best. Commissioner Anderson said the current traffic situation in the a.m. seems like an unacceptable situation even though the proposed development would not impact it. He asked if anything can be done with the proposed development such as signalization of Schmidt Lake Road and Merrimac Lane. City Engineer Moberg said that could be considered, however, cautioned about introducing another traffic signal as it could create more congestion. Chair Davis said that a signal to solve a problem for one hour a day and is a pain the other 23 hours of the day seems very inefficient. Page 37 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 13 City Engineer Moberg said the long term plan is to connect Peony Lane to Lawndale Lane, and he anticipates 54'h Avenue will provide a connection between Peony and C.R. 101 as another route to disburse some traffic; he said the school is landlocked right now. Commissioner Anderson said the guide plan change makes sense, there is proper delineation of the wetland, and the amount of developable area is less than was shown before. He said the water plan makes sense and is being solved without running expensive pipe later on. Commissioner Anderson said the PUD trade off with preservation of trees in the ravine for smaller lots makes sense. He said he agreed the City's adopted phasing plan for this area has portions adjacent to utilities and was planned for development which satisfies the prematurity question. Commissioner Anderson discussed market conditions and said he is a proponent for a free market system. Supply and demand rule and if a developer wants to build something, that's the natural course of things. Commissioner Anderson said he feels for the folks regarding the schools, but the school district seems to be on top of it and he is giving this development proposal a green light. Commissioner Petrash concurred with Commissioner Anderson. He said the Planning Commission may not have the ability to change specific pieces of a proposal but does have the responsibility to look at the whole as it impacts the community. Commissioner Petrash said amendments may have to be added to some of these requests, and then reviewed point by point. He said the Planning Commission's ability to do anything is limited, but we have to approve it. Commissioner Petrash said not everything has to be rational for each piece if the overall doesn't make rational sense to us or the community. Commissioner Anderson said he hears Commissioner Petrash's concerns but we do have certain limitations based on what is presented. He said the participation is on record and the discussion is important. He said the Planning Commission is limited and he is not sure what could be done to amend. Commissioner Petrash said to not approve it. Chair Davis stated the Planning Commission would need sound reasons for not approving the proposal, and any issues raised would be forwarded to the City Council for their decision. Planning Manager Senness clarified that both Planning Commission and City Council can choose to say no if findings of fact support their decision which must relate to what the City can regulate. Chair Davis introduced Michael Stoffel, 17705 48`' Pl. N. who said essential issues such as schools and home values have not been covered, there is no discrimination on trees, Centex can have a crappy past, wildlife can move north and we don't care. Mr. Stoffel said sewer issues are addressed. He said to not talk about these issues is failure and said change the rules. Mr. Stoffel said he appreciates Commissioner Petrash's comments. Page 38 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 14 Mr. Sigel said what he is hearing is ridiculous and staff should have come here with the answers about the school, wildlife and traffic. He said if you are going to pass it because you don't have the answers then turn it down and force the developer to come back with the answers. Chair Davis introduced Saladi Naidu, 17740 491h Ave N. who said the Planning Commission has a moral responsibility knowing the practical, even though these rules are not required. Commissioner Petrash said even though it seems this proposal should be approved, it is incumbent to let the City Council know the issues. He said he will vote no, and that this is something the City Council should seriously consider as the Commission's scope is limited. Commissioner Aamoth said he is sensitive to Commissioner Petrash's point but our jurisdiction is limited. He said the Planning Commissioners are volunteers, and decisions based on our subjective feelings create a situation not based on findings of fact. He said he is concerned if we were to make arbitrary decisions as unelected people. Commissioner Aamoth said that is why he agrees it seems that we cannot do more than we can do, and apologized if residents did not understand the process. Commissioner Aamoth said this is a process, and this does not mean we think this is the best thing. Commissioner Aamoth said we respect the fact that we as citizens have to be careful of our reach and our scope, and said he does not see anything in this proposal that would make him deny it. He said the City Council will hear the concerns and Commissioner Aamoth said he would be voting in favor. Commissioner Anderson said he feels informed in terms of what is presented. He said from his experience he has never seen a land use decision made based on a school situation. Schools and their school boards take care of school issues. Commissioner Anderson said he has never seen a city turn down a development proposal as it relates to market conditions. He said we do not have ordinances or laws behind us to say certain market conditions justify denying a proposal. Commissioner Anderson said he has seen situations where a developer had a valid rezoning application denied, and the city would get sued, and many times the city loses. He said there are laws for environmental issues, but an EIS is not required for this proposal. Commissioner Anderson said he feels he has the necessary facts to make a decision in this case. Commissioner Jaffoni said she concurs with Commissioner Anderson. She said neither the city nor Planning Commission has the ability to not approve a proposal because of market conditions as that would be a socialistic approach. She said our responsibility is to listen to information from all sources and make it part of the public record. Commissioner Jaffoni said she would approve based on findings of fact, but also wants to ensure environmental impacts and the traffic concerns are addressed. She said these issues will be played out again with future projects for northwest Plymouth. She said the Planning Commission is not being insensitive to what is being said, and the City Council will consider it. Chair Davis introduced Deepika Iyngar, 4905 Merrimac Lane N. Ms. Iyngar said it looks like there is a consensus regardless of what you hear. She said her yard is being encroached by the wetland and asked if there could be a requirement to fix the Conor Meadows neighborhood Page 39 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 15 before the Elm Creek development is built. Ms. Iyngar also asked if Peony Lane could be widened in the next five years City Engineer Moberg said the City can look into the wetland problem, but cautioned there are limits for excavation of a wetland. He said the Peony Lane project could be considered as the CIP is done annually, but he noted there are many transportation needs in the city. Commissioner Anderson said the Conor Meadows' residents have some issues and need to push on the City to get these addressed. He said the City Council has a public forum to hear problems and issues, but to tie Conor Meadows to what happens to another piece of property is not appropriate. MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the request by Centex for 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. Motion for a friendly amendment by Commissioner Jaffoni, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to add a condition that the developer conduct an investigation on the presence of endangered or protected species and make reasonable accommodations. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. Commissioner Petrash voting nay. C. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2009045) Chair Davis introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a 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. Senior Planner Doty gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Davis asked why we are bothering with the LZ -1 zone if there are only 6 properties in it and the City owns them all. He asked if other properties have to have something different because they are next to a LZ -1 zones. Senior Planner Doty said both LZ -1 and LZ -2 zones recognize open space, with LZ -2 having a lower threshold for light. He said even with city property that is defined as open space we do not want to see light levels that are consistent with residential areas. Senior Planner Doty added there are other open spaces throughout the city with the same designation. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the request by the City of Plymouth for a zoning ordinance text amendment and changes to the light zone Page 40 Approved Planning Commission Minutes September 16, 2009 Page 16 map to bring the City's lighting regulations into conformance with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. Page 41 HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION www.highway55.org Preserving the 55 Corridor front I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Full Membership Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes Friday, August 21, 2009 9:30 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Hennepin County Transportation Facility Medina, MN Training Room 1. Call to Order— In the absence of Chair Marvin Johnson and with a quorum being present, Vice Chair Jack Russek called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. 2. Introductions — Lynn Betts, City of Independence; Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Jack Russek, Wright County; Jeff Johnson, Hennepin County; Craig Twinem, Hennepin County; Dick Mattson, Wright County; Claudia Dumont, MnDOT D3; Loren Harff, City of Greenfield; Dennis Beise, Rockford Township: Chad Adams, City of Medina; Bob Moberg, City of Plymouth; Andrea Etzel, City of Rockford; Fred Ryan, Ryan Commercial Properties; Wayne Bauernschmitt, Wright Hennepin Electric & Security; Laurie Karnes, Land for Sale, Inc; Virgil Hawkins, Wright County; Brad Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Special Guests — Senator Gen Olson, Senator Terri Bonoff, Representative Bruce Anderson, Representative Sarah Anderson, Travis Talvitie from Senator Klobuchar's office (via phone), Deb Steiskal from Representative Michele Bachmann's office. 3. Approve Meeting Minutes from June 19, 2009: Motion by Wayne Fingalson, second by Dennis Beise to approve the June 19, 2009 meeting minutes. Motion passed. 4. Marketing Committee Report: • Highway 55 Brochure — Wayne Fingalson noted that copies of the brochure are available on the sign - in table if any one needs additional copies. • Website & Newsletter Review — Wayne Fingalson said that the Hwy 55 Coalition website has been recently updated. He then showed the group some of the major updates including a link to the Hwy 55 Coalition's new newsletters & current status of projects. 5. Technical Advisory CommitteelMnDOT Report: • TH 55 Environmental Assessment Status —District 3: Claudia Dumont said that the EA from Rockford to Buffalo will be worked on again starting this fall after the EA for work on I-94 is completed. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763.682-7383 Wright County Highway Deparnnent FAX 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 Nm•th E-mail: warneJinyalson;u Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Page 42 Is 11 3IGHWAY 55 www•highway55.org CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota • Federal Funding Status: Wayne noted that no project along Hwy 55 was able to use federal stimulus funds as there was no project far enough along to be able to go to construction this summer. Coalition Projects Status Report: --CR 134: Wayne Fingal son showed before & after pictures of the recently completed project that used Hwy 55 Coalition federal funds to help pay for the project. --CSAH 12: Wayne also showed before & after pictures of the recently completed Hwy 55 @ CSAH 12 that utilized Coalition's federal funding for the project. --CSAH 116: Chad Adams noted that this intersection project at Hwy 55 is at a stage where a consultant needs to be selected to start the preliminary design and environmental work. Hennepin County will be the lead agency in selecting the consultant. If funding is available this project could start construction in 2011 or 2012. 6. Legislative Updates. Federal Travis Talvitie, Senator Klobuchar's Transportation staff person, called in from Washington D.C. and updated members on transportation issues in the Senate. He said that the Environmental and Public Works Committee, which Senator Klobuchar is a member, has submitted authorization requests should the Senate decide to include earmarks in the Authorization bill. Senator Klobuchar supports the Hwy 55 Coalition request but the Senate seems to support a 12 to 18 month extension of the existing SAFETEA-LU legislation rather than a new authorization bill. Senator Klobuchar supports Representative Oberstar's new authorization bill rather than an extension of the old bill. Both the Senate and the House have passed legislation that will fund the shortfall in federal transportation funding through the end of September. When the Senate reconvenes in September they will have to finish the Transportation Appropriations bill for FFY 2010 by the end of September. Deb Steiskal, Representative Michele Bachmann's Constituent Services Officer, provided a handout from Representative Michele Bachmann on the new Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill noting that the Highway 55 Coalition's request for $6 Million was one of only 5 projects in her district that she submitted for inclusion in the bill State • Senator Gen Olson said that the key to funding at the state level is to get Highway 55 on MnDOT's plan as the legislature does not try to do earmarking of projects. Also, the recession has hurt funding for transportation. • Senator Terri Bonoff noted that the sales tax on vehicle sales that go to the Highway fund does not include the tax from leased vehicles because a leased vehicle is not considered a sale. This has significantly lowered the amount of transportation funding as approximately 50 % of vehicles are leased. Senator Terri Bonoff also talked about a bill she is carrying that would have passenger/commuter/freight rail to Wilmar through Wayzata on the BNSF rail line. At a recent meeting on this she received good comments and support for the proposal. However, this proposal is Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX: 7631682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wayne.flnealsonr Page 43 Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 �HIGHWAY 55 www.hig/rway55.org CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from 1-494 to Annandale, Minnesota not in MnDOT's Transit Plan. She is hoping to get the proposal in the Statewide Plan as a project to study as a passenger rail (few stops) from Wilmar to Wayzata and as a commuter rail (more stops) between Wayzata and Minneapolis. The tracks are in good condition that would allow speeds up to 70 mph. Dick Mattson said they need to look carefully at the safety issue at the crossings. Lynn Betts asked why combine freight and passenger rail? Senator Bonoff said that according to BNSF their trains only run 9 times a day. If you have two separate modes there is a need for double tracks and this line only has one line. Dick Mattson said that BNSF had sold a lot of land along this line so getting the extra right-of-way for a double line would be hard and expensive. Jack Russek said he lives about a block from this line and there are more than 9 trains a day. Senator Bonoff will check with BNSF again on this. Laurie Karnes asked why put money into rail when the bus system is working? Senator Bonoff said that they are looking at routes that are not being well served by buses now. Deb Steiskal said that the area around the North Star corridor is now being served by buses, but when North Star starts running that bus service will stop. This could leave some without service. Jeff Johnson said that the County is constantly debating whether to spend billions on rail? The answer they receive is that it is for economic development. Representative Bruce Anderson noted that the Capital Investment/Bonding Committee will be taking a tour this fall to look at bonding requests including the extension of the North Star line and light rail projects. Representative Sarah Anderson stated that Hwy 55 is the major corridor in her district. She said that the legislature this past session had an opportunity to fund more highway projects but instead those funds went to transit. She said she would send out the funding information that transferred funds from roads to transit. The biggest competitor for roads is transit. She also noted that her husband commutes from Plymouth to Buffalo daily on Highway 55 so she is well aware of the safety and congestion issues. The Coalition is fortunate to have a number of legislators along the Highway 55 corridor that can help support the Coalition's work. Claudia Dumont said that MnDOT District 3 got federal stimulus funds for projects but state funding due to lower gas and sales tax revenue to District 3 was cut by $15 Million so it was a wash as far as funding 7. Financial Report: Wayne handed out the Financial Report as of August 19, 2009. He reported the current fund balance of $19,911.76. Wayne explained that the Coalition was set up as a Joint Powers Board and therefore qualifies for receiving federal funds to pay for 80% of the Coalition's eligible costs. Motion by Dennis Beise, second by Jeff Johnson to approve the Financial Report. Motion was approved. 8. Communications: The Coalition has been contacted by Transportation 4 America, a group of organizations, businesses and local elected officials who are advocating for policies that will help fix roads and bridges, complete our transportation system and empower communities to make decisions about their transportation needs while providing them resources to do the planning. They would like to have their Minnesota organizer attend the Coalition's October meeting and make a short presentation on their work and organization. 9. Establish next full membership meeting date and time: The next meeting will be on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works facility, Training Room in Medina. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 7631682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX 7631682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne.linealsona,, page 44 Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 :! ��� HIGHWAY 55 www•highway55.org CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota 10. Other Business: Wayne Fingalson noted that on Monday, August 24, 2009, Metropolitan Council staff will talk to the Wright County Transportation Committee (full County Board) about long range transit planning. The Metropolitan Council has some funding available for such studies. This will be Wright County's first meeting with Metropolitan Council staff. 11. Adjourn: Jack Russek adjourned the meeting at 10:32 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Brad Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne.>inealson Wcr. Page 45 Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 October 8, 2009 SUBJECT: 8`h AVENUE STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT NO. 10004 PROJECT INFORMATION MEETING Dear Property Owner: The streets in your area are being considered for reconstruction in the summer of 2010. This project was identified for reconstruction and drainage improvements by the City's annual pavement management report, and a portion of the project cost is proposed to be assessed to the property owners. The street that is included in the project is 8'h Avenue from County Road 101 to just east of Shadyview Lane. Attached is a map of the area under consideration. An informational meeting to discuss the project with the residents has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:30 PM, to be held at the Plymouth Creek Center in the Black Box Room located at 14800 341h Avenue North. This meeting will include a presentation by City staff followed by a question and answer period. We look forward to your input on this project. The preliminary engineering report will be presented to the City Council on November 10, 2009. Soon after, staff will begin working on the design for the project. The next step will then be for the City Council to conduct a public improvement hearing. It is anticipated that this hearing for this project will be on November 24, 2009 and you will be notified of this public hearing in a letter. City policy is to assess a portion of the street reconstruction projects to the benefiting properties. Reconstruction of the street itself is assessed at 40% of the cost. At this time, your property is expected to have an assessment between $10,000 and $12,000. In the public hearing notice, an estimated amount for each property will be given. Final assessment amounts will be determined at an assessment hearing that will be held once the project is completed. If you have any questions or cannot attend the information meeting and wish to discuss the project, please contact me at (763)-509-5541. Sincerely, James Renneberg, P.E. Assistant City Engineer enclosure 0:\Engineering\PROJECTS\2010-2019\10004U. m\infoMtg8thAve10004.dm Page 46 MEMORANDUM Memo #1 TO: SRA Delegates/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: October 7, 2009 RE: Xcel Electric Rate Case JAMES \I. STRO\INIEN Attomey at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: jslrommen<?Aennedy-grayen.com On September 29, the PUC met and made a final decision on the Xcel general rate case. The SRA also had a favorable decision that will yield thousands of dollars to municipal pumping operations in the form of credits, beginning in 2010. As you may have read in the newspaper, the PUC granted Xcel a $91 million annual increase in revenues, a 3.9% increase overall. This, however, is far less than the $156 million, 6.9% increase, that Xcel requested and is less than the current interim rates. The result will be a credit to all Xcel customers when the final PUC order is implemented. The PUC decision included the authorization of a 10.88% return on equity (Xcel sought 11%), a modest increase in the customer charge from $8.00 per month for residential service to $8.50 per month. Many of the issues were resolved between the parties. The remaining issues focused on items of allowed expenses and financial treatment of amortizing assets, wages, and benefits and extending the life of the nuclear generation at Prairie Island. The PUC extended the Prairie Island depreciable life for ten years. The sum total of these decisions reduced the requested increase substantially, as noted above. The SRA raised two issues in the case. The streetlighting issue related to response time and credits for failure to meet the time. During the hearings, the SRA agreed with Xcel to pursue broader streetlighting issues in a separate, informal proceeding (see memo #3). The remaining SRA issue involved the increase of power outage credits for municipal pumping customers to $200 for each unexcused outage, from the current $50 if the customer experiences six or more unexcused outages in a year. An SRA member submitted testimony about the cost to municipal pumping operations whenever there is a power outage. The minimum cost is $200 for labor and other materials in operating the portable generators necessary to maintain services. Xcel Page 48 objected to this proposal on policy grounds arguing that this was like awarding damages to a particular class of customers, generally prohibited under law. The ALJ agreed with the SBA's proposal and recommended it to the PUC. The PUC took oral arguments on September 24 and deliberated on September 29. At the September 29 deliberations, it was clear that the PUC was split in following the ALJ recommendation of the $200 credit to municipal customers. The issue related to the existence of another PUC docket dealing with the same issues and whether the PUC should give special treatment to a class of customers when outages occur. I was asked to give a final chance to convince the opposed commissioners and it was successful. They agreed to allow the $200 credit over Xcel's objection. This will provide additional incentive to Xcel to maintain consistent power. The overall outcome of the case and the specific outcome to SRA pumping operations were very favorable. Page 49 MINNESOTA EMai'mgement P&BUdget October 8, 2009 Jeanette Sobania Human Resources Manager City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Sobania: Congratulations! I am very pleased to send you the enclosed notification of compliance with the Local Government Pay Equity Act. Since the law was passed in 1984, jurisdictions have worked diligently to meet compliance requirements and your work is to be commended. As you know, Minnesota Rules Chapter 3920 specifies the procedure and criteria for measuring compliance and information about your situation is enclosed. In an effort to conserve resources, we are no longer enclosing the "Guide to Understanding Pay Equity Compliance and Computer Reports." Instead, we are directing you to our web site http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/reporting forms-instructions-softYvare for this publication or we will send you a copy in the mail upon request. If you have any questions about the materials or about pay equity in general, please contact me at (651) 259-3761. Also, this notice and results of the compliance review are public information and must be supplied upon request to any interested party. Again, congratulations on your achievement! Sincerely, Faith Zwemke Pay Equity Coordinator Attachments 400 Centennial Building • 658 Cedar StrccI • St. Paul, .\l innc,ota i5155 Voices (65 1) 2111-8000 • Fax: (65 1) 296-8655 • TTY: 1-800-627-3i1_9 An Equal Opportunity Finplown Page 50 Paye 51 vi o^ N Y c U c Y L NaY • L LU N Y U O O `v O.Y O N 4 0 � c F O V v O\� o lj \ Y Y Q m 0 dS o }, U o U U N E Y � •� V CS L o — C cz U + 4J C7,) T dl O -O cYC oa Q L_ U O cC U T 't o b0 Paye 51 z 5 0 E 2, CL 0 m IL c m v a IL n fill LZ N a 0 a c hZ n m ro O m E Coco M tp N ep V 4 co N N 6 OI � N tiejos N a 0 v m O m a 0 m E d LL ■m Page 62 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 DATE: October 6, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Doran Cote, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: 2009 FALL STREET SWEEP As has become customary, the Street Maintenance Division will conduct an annual fall street sweeping program to supplement the annual street sweeping provided by contractors. Our program will utilize a crew of three employees, one to drive the sweeper and two to haul debris. We will focus our efforts only on the highlighted roadways shown on the attached map. These roadways were chosen because they carry higher volumes of traffic, for the most part do not have developed property fronting on the roadway, have curb, are heavily forested or are near sensitive bodies of water. These roadways amount to almost 20 miles or 40 lane -miles of sweeping, which should be accomplished in approximately one week. We plan to do three sweeps, the first beginning this month, then again the first week of November and finishing on the second week of November. We will sweep regardless of weather conditions except for snow and debris cleared from the roadways will be dumped at the yard waste site. Between sweeps or after heavy rain we will also clear catch basins of leaves and debris. Attachment: Fall Street Sweeping Map cc: Gary Smith, Street Supervisor Torrey Keith, Street Maintenance Worker Craig Bechtold, Street Maintenance Worker Scott Newberger, Utilities Superintendent Page 53 O: Eno.,,m, GENERAL MEMOS DORAN `009 Ab,,n Fn11Strm,S,,ee, Page 54 w a Lu ¢ a > > > > > > > > > O s a a a a ui w x x x x x rc 69L'H100S6 9500 T.H. 169 83WIIN 0086 If 9800 KILMER 831SVONVI OILS--- - _ 9700 LANCASTER 0113011NOW 0096 '_' §.; - !1 9800 MONTICELLO NVH1VN 0066 " 9900 NATHANSNV31800000L `i WI801Id OOLOL .� '00000 ORLEANS ILGRIM 83Ntln000ZOL : 102M QUAKER 383A38 OOEOL 10300 REVERE tl901V8tlS 000110300 SARATOGA NO.LN38100501 - T t 10500 TRENTON 30"H31 NOINn 0090E Q = 10600 UNION TERRACE 30803 A3l1VA �, ' • j 10]00 VALLEY FORGE N010NI113M OL - 1' 1080OWELLINGTON 53NIWIXO OL 10900 XIMINES MMO lXdOAs i= 11000 VORKTOWN J « OOOMON eOW oaeti. -..� 113000 ARR11100 AOD L% 000 01 1 11400 COTTONWOOD OMa3aa ONLL %l' 11500 WOOD /R N33aDa3A3009 L1 ., 11700 EVERGREEN EVERGREEN \V M31AJ.S3a0300Lt1 �_� ) _ _ 11700PORESNIEW OO8N3OlO0 DOBLt NOOIW3H OO6L L / -__� 11900 GOLDENROD S3AI OOOZL I{ _ pd 11900 HEMLOCK 12000 IVES IInDNOf 00 LZ4 OOOMN8IN OOZZL m ns E-'__ 3^ µ 3� 121NJONQUIL HO8tll00EZL 1 / 6 12�KI� OOD VTlONOVW 00021 \ y F3 12400 MAGNOLIA OOOMNONOOSZL � 12500 NORWOOD M31ANV0009ZL _ •� MLM 3NId OOLZaoL L ] 00 PINEVIEW 1227000UINW000 ^ DooMNlnaezL OOOM350a 00621 1 i.l.. OOOEI >! 12900 ROSEWOOD j= n '• a 1300 SYCAMORE GOOMNVAS 3100L£ OOOMNtlL 3 13100TEAKWOOD OOOM830Nn OOZEL OOOM3NIA 00£ 1y ° 13200 UNDERWOOD OOOM30U3MOOOEL 5 E 13300 WEDGEVINEWOOD 13400 WEDGEWOOD 3 nnIN3XOOSENU JJXENIUM 13500 tl000A 009EL YUCCA 13600 YUCCA VINNIZ 00LEt SIIOdVNNV NBC L Ij }4{ 13]00 ZINNIA 13800 ANNAPOLIS 3HIHSNH36 006EL 14WO BERKSHIRE 3HIHS3HO ODOVL }I SV1ltl0 OOLOL a ; \ 14100 DALLAS ^' 3aIdW300ZOL ' �' J 14200 \I/ NOO88N J33 WE FERNB 14300 FERNBROOK 831OV10 00061 a0e8VH OOSOL -- 14400 GLACIER v3VHD 00901, ol : m 14500 HARBOR 146001THACA nV Nnf min E 14700 JUNEAU }I M31ASONIN BORK OOOM3NV10060L 14800 KINGSVIEW tl10S3NNIW 000SL 490 LANEWOOD V, tltl0tlIN MINNESOTA 001,5E 00ZSL € s r = : 1 15100 NIAGARA 15200 ORCHID Od �`_ a' 15300 POLARIS OOII N_ OOOSL M3IAHONVa OOS9t 2 154000UANMCO RANCHVIEW HVOONtl HS M99L �l \�� 15500 15600 SHENANDOAH M31A30tl883100LSt 15]00 TERRACEVIEW ONVldn009SL - r 3i 15800 UPLAND 08nSSN01A Mgt= • 15900 VICKSBURG00 /(\ NO1S3M 0009E 3N3XOOL9 U j-' ,. 1 r $ y$ 160WESTON O DO - $ 1fi100 XENE 16200 YUMA IZNVZ1+ 8V9"nA DOE9L :°L; , i' O H3HOMV 0009E SNtl0 N0tl1e 00591 E€•• • 16400 AZANZIEBAR 1 LACK OAKS NOO1SW000099t S MSTOCK N N81NNnO W194 3 p 18]000 KIRK 15383A300B91 4 ,,/J ^ ifiNO EREST NIV1NnOd 00691 �`/' t U!/ o 1 UNTAIN ONVl8V0 11001,E j 000 GARLAND AIIOH OOLLL �' 17100 HOLLY ONVINITw3r 00ZGl 17200 INLAND 13M3f OOELt 11 17300 JEWEL - A183eWIN 000CL 'E' yi:a 17400 KIMBERLY 3NONMV1009LL - 31Y E - 17500 LAWNDALE OVWI883W009C1 - 1]fi00 MERRIMAC SDSSIO8VN O0CLt f�' 1T/OONARCISSUS 3Nl0 OOBCL 178M OLIVE =PEONY AN03d "L ONV1SN33n0000Bt 1 -Ly �% �� 181NMNENSLAND 831VHS DOLBL 9 y s gg 18100 RANTER M31AAAOMI 0OC9L i� !3 EI ^3 - 182005HADYVIEW AO8100EBL 31VONtle8n MOB[g L, OY 18&WO UWO RRBANDALE ONOetlOtlA 0058E '\�L r a 1850OVAGABOND 3AOHD MNIVM 0981 1!-^ 1860OWALNUTGROVE SOHLNVX 00,98E 1' r1" Te 18700XANTHUS 3NOISM0113A 00991 - 9 /S 18800 YELLOWSTONE NOOHIZ 01168E o.l 18900 ZIRCON OAIV O6L \ ALVABROCAON NOOOVIN8�O8B 53 �� 119 91000 ) > w w�---�_r �¢ W W O C Page 54 DATE: October 6, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Doran Cote, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: 2009/2010 WINTER SNOW PLOWING As you may recall, in 2005 we made some adjustments to our plowing routes with the intention of providing the highest level of service on those roadways that serve the greatest number of residents and other motorists. hi July, 2007 the City Council approved the Policy on Sanding and Removal of Ice and Snow from City Maintained Street System (copy attached) that was modified to reflect these changes. Once again for the upcoming snow season, our first priority is plowing and chemically treating those roadways with a functional classification of minor collector or higher as depicted in the current Transportation Plan section of the Comprehensive Plan. These primary routes are depicted by the heavy red lines on the attached Snow Plow Map. Once the priority one routes are generally free of ice and snow, we will begin plowing and chemically treating other higher functioning streets in neighborhoods, as well as addressing any areas that need special attention (hills, curves, etc.). These secondary routes are depicted by the narrow red lines on the attached Snow Plow Map. attachment: Snow Plow Map cc: Gary Smith, Street Supervisor Toney Keith, Street Maintenance Worker Craig Bechtold, Street Maintenance Worker Scott Newberger, Utilities Superintendent O:. E,m,m.,�GENEHAL MEMOS :DORAN2009`^_009 2010 \\�imvr5�o�rPlonm� Oi Page 55 rp) city of POLICY ON SANDING AND THE REMOVAL Plymouth OF ICE AND SNOW FROM CITY Adding Quality to Lire MAINTAINED STREET SYSTEM I. GENERAL The City of Plymouth annually budgets funds for the removal of ice and snow from the city maintained street system. It is the policy of the City to remove ice and snow in order to provide for the passage of emergency vehicles and safe travel for the greatest number of vehicles in a cost effective manner and within the constraints created by funding, equipment and personnel. 11. POLICY Each year the Public Works Department, Street Maintenance Division, prepares a map of the City showing the city maintained street system. The City is divided into routes in which ice control and snow removal will be performed by City employees and private firms under contract to the City. The routes are periodically revised to correspond with budgetary, equipment and personnel resources available. Within each route, the major streets, which are defined as those roadways with a functional classification of minor collector or higher order in the current Transportation Plan section of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as areas of steep grades that require extra care are identified. Equipment is assigned for the control of ice and snow. The start of ice and snow control operations for any storm is dependent upon immediate and anticipated conditions. The most critical time periods are weekday morning and evening rush -hours. When feasible, the City will attempt to remove ice and snow from city maintained major streets prior to these rush hour periods. Normally major streets and hazardous areas are done first. Once the priority areas have been plowed and opened, the remaining streets in the residential, commercial and industrial areas will be plowed and sanded. Under severe conditions or where weather patterns suggest additional ice and snow, street may not be plowed "full width" and residential areas may be delayed. Normally within 24 hours after the city maintained street system is opened, the street maintenance division will proceed with the final plowing and clearing of residual ice and snow. III. PROCEDURES The Superintendent of Streets and Fleet and Street Supervisor with the assistance of the Plymouth Police Department, citizen and employee input will identify particular street problem areas which may vary from storm to storm and season to season. Public Work Maintenance employees are then notified in accordance with the Public Works Department schedule for emergency calls and the removal of ice and snow will commence. Snow and Ice Removal 1 of 3 City Council Policv Page 56 IV. EXCEPTIONS In the event of equipment failure, extreme snowfall or other unanticipated events including the necessity of resting snowplow crews, deviation from these standards may be appropriate. V. MAILBOXES In those instances in which the U.S. Postal Service does not provide door to door delivery, it is necessary for property owners to install mailboxes on city owned right-of-way immediately adjacent to the street curb. While the installation of mailboxes on City owned right-of-way is permitted, the mailbox owner assumes all risk of damage except where a mailbox is damaged through contact by snow removal vehicles. If a mailbox is damaged due to direct contact by a snow removal vehicle, the City, at its option, will repair or replace at a cost not to exceed $100. If a mailbox is damaged due to indirect contact, including the force of snow generated by the snow removal vehicle, the City will assume no responsibility. VI UTILITY STRUCTURES Except as otherwise provided in any license or franchise agreement, the City will only be responsible for damage to utility pedestals and transformers within the right-of-way resulting from direct contact by City snow and ice removal equipment. City liability shall be limited to actual costs to repair the damages as documented by invoices submitted to the City by the utility. VII LANDSCAPING Landscaping, including nursery and inanimate materials that are installed or encroach on City owned right-of-way are permitted but the owner assumes all risk of damage. The City will assume no responsibility for damages incurred as the result of snow removal and ice control activities except that the City, at its option, will repair or replace sod only on City owned right-of-way that is removed as the result of plowing activities. VIII LAWN SPRINKLING AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS The City will assume no responsibility for damage to exterior lighting systems and similar landscaping installed in City owned right-of-way. The City will reimburse the property owner $35 per sprinkler head for damage to underground sprinkling systems resulting from direct contact with City snow removal equipment. IX SNOW STORAGE Ongoing snow and ice control efforts require the use of City owned right-of-ways and easements for storage of plowed snow. Depending upon the volume of snow, storage within right-of-way could create sight obstruction at intersections, because it is impossible financially and practically to remove all snow from. intersection corners. Snow and Ice Removal 2 of 3 City Council Policy Page 57 X RESPONSIBILITY The Superintendent of Streets and Fleet and Street Supervisor with the assistance of the Police Department, will monitor the street conditions to determine the timing and number of crews and independent contractors necessary to clear the city maintained public street system. XI. UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES The City Manager or his or her designee is authorized to depart from this policy to settle unusual claims when circumstances warrant, as determined by the City Manager. These unusual situations shall be handled in a manner similar to the way other claims against the City are handled. Adopted by Council Resolution 2007-319 on July 24, 2007 (Supersedes Resolution 2002-195, April 23, 2002; 97-69, dated January 22, 1997; Resolution 92-30; dated January 6, 1992) Snow and Ice Removal 3 of 3 City Council Policy Page 58 I 4) And0 0 am 691 "H'10056 a31NllN 0096 UAISVONV OOL6 OT130111,101011 0096 NVHIVN 0066 SNV3lao WOOL WIH9lld MLOI N3HM3000201 N3A3N ONO VOOIVNVS ODM 1,1O1143N1 MSOI 3GVHN3I NOINf1 M90L 000MN011oo Witt GOOMN33o WS1L 1,133N9N3A3 M9LL M31AlS3HOA WELL GONN3O109 009LL NOOIW3H W6LL S3N 000ZL llnowor W m OOOMNNIN WZZL I 1-13 WEZL V11ONEIVw 00VZl GOOMHON WS21 M31ANVO W9ZL M31A3Nld 00/ZL DooMNIno009zL 000M390N006a MNNIZWL£L SIIOdVNNV W2 3NIHSXN38 W6EL 38I1-193HO OMOL 3NIdW3 WZYt NOONGNN3d W£VL N3IOVl9000VL HOBNVH 0090 Yowl] 0= nV Nnr WLYL M IASONIN W90L O0OM3NV1 W6VL V1OS3NNIW WOSL VNVOVIN WLSL O11-10NO WZSL slN w WE9L oourvvno WOSL M IAHONVN WSSI HVOONVN31-IS WBSL M3U13OVNN3100L91, ONVldn WBSG 9NO9SAQIA W65L NO1S3M 0008E 3N3X WL VWrIA ODT NVBIZNVZ WE9L N31 -138V WV9L swo movie % NOO1SWOo 0099' NNINNno MLOL 1S28AA3 W99L NIV1NnOd 00691 ONVINVO MDL' A11OH WELL GNV1N1002LL 13MW WELL A1839WIN WVLL 31VGNMVI OOSLL OVAINN3W 0091L SnSSIDNVN 00LLL 3N1O W9LL ANO3d GNVlSN33n0 W 83INV11MLBL M IAAGVHS WZ9L AON10M9L 3lv0NVRNn WVBL ONOBVOVA W59L 3AON91nN1VM W991, SnHiNvx 00L91, 3NOISMOTI3A 0099t NOONIZ 0069E OOVNVA`W 0006E NOINOONS WIS w a Y .kM �. 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