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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 12-04-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO December 4, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS H1N1 Vaccinations 12/3 & 12/4; 12/9 & 12/16................................................................................... Page 1 EQC Agenda 12/09/09......................................................................................................................... Page 2 Charter Commission Agenda 12/09/09................................................................................................ Page 3 PRACCANCELLED 12/10/09..............................................................................................................N/A December 2009, January & February 2010 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................... Page 4 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 7 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... City of Plymouth Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacant Seat on Human Rights Comm, News Release ..... Page 8 Hot Property: Dominium Development Headquarters, Article, Star & Trib....................................... Page 9 Cities cashing in on lower project costs, Article, Star & Trib............................................................ Page 11 Milfoil is foiled by herbicide on Minnetonka bays, Article, Star & Trib........................................... Page 14 Cities sign up for guaranteed savings, Article, Star & Trib............................................................... Page 17 Tax valuations fall, but some bills will rise, Article, Star & Trib...................................................... Page 20 Permits to build Twin Cities homes increase, but still off peak, Article, Star & Trib ........................ Page 23 If no one owns the home, who's watching the house?, Article, Star & Trib...................................... Page 25 $1.2 budget deficit may cause cuts in Minn. City services, Article, MPR NewsQ ............................. Page 28 Ehlers Market Commentary, 11/23/09............................................................................................... Page 30 MEETING MINUTES Human Rights Commission Minutes 09/03/09.................................................................................. Page 32 HRAMinutes 10/22/09...................................................................................................................... Page 35 PACTMinutes 10/28/09..................................................................................................................... Page 46 Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/09.......................................................................................... Page 50 STAFF REPORTS Engineering Dept. Active & Pending Public Improvement Projects 12/03/09 ................................ Page 53 Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report 11/24/09 ...................................... Page 57 Fire -Rescue Incident of Interest, 11/18/09, Hwy 101 & Prairie Creek Drive .................................... Page 58 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO March 9, 2007 Page 2 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Property Owner, RE: Potential Street Reconstruction Project. Notice of Quorum, 12/10/09 ................................ Letter from Met Council, RE: 2009 Housing Performance Score Page 59 Page 61 Page 62 Call your doctor's office first. If they don't have H1 N1 vaccine, come to a Hennepin County H1 N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic (limited supplies are available). Both nasal spray and shots will be offered. When: • Thursday, Dec. 3, 4 to 8 p.m. Eden Prairie High School 17185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie • Wednesday, Dec. 9,330 to 8 p.m. Park Center High School 7300 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park • Wednesday, Dec. 16,330 to 8 p.m. Wayzata High School 4955 Peony Lane N., Plymouth Who: • Anyone between the ages of 6 months through 24 years. • Adults aged 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions (asthma, diabetes, lung conditions). • Pregnant women. • Health care and emergency medical services personnel. • Children and adults who live with or provide care to infants under the age of 6 months. How: m N61 For more information about the clinics: www.hennepin.usfhl nl 612-543-H 1 N 1 (612-543-4161) Cities in Hennepin that are also offering H1 N1 vaccinations: Minneapolis, Bloomington, Edina and Richfield. Check with then) for dates and locations. No appointment is needed. You will not have to pay but if you have insurance, please bring your insurance card so your insurance plan can be billed. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will need to sign a consent form. Hennepin County Page 1 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA December 9, 2009 WHERE: MEDICINE LADE ROOM 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 — IncliNduals inay address the Committee about an), heir 1701 contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 1-5 minutes is allotted for the Forian. 3. 7:20 P.M. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC' 1nembers may add items to the agenda including items contained in the EQC Ir7fo Alenr0 for disci(ssi:on purposes or Staff direction only. The EQC tit -ill not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. 7:25 P.M. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 5. 7:40 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the November 18, 2009, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes 6. 7:40 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING 7. 7:45 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Schmidt, Pomerleau, and Bass Lakes Nutrient TMDL 8. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS A. Medicine Lake TMDL Update 9. FUTURE MEETINGS — January 13, 2009 10. 9:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT C Dicurnems and yfirgngslbaird L-1 Segtiny TeV,1F11 a N 11Lt,mel ble,('-wnl t, iulonk'4OOWHASSI 1'_64 2009 doe% Page 2 AGENDA Plymouth Charter Commission Annual Meeting Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Medicine Lake Room 7:00 p.m. t) Roll Call. 2) Approval of Minutes. A. December 11, 2008. 3) Reports of the Chair. 4) Unfinished Business. 5) New Business. A. Elect Officers. 1. Chairperson, 2. Vice Chairperson. 3. Secretary. B. Approve Annual Report to District Court Judge. 6) Adjourn. Page 3 Plymouth�� Adding Quality to Life December 2009 Modified on 12104109 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN REO Page 4 1 2 7:00 PM 3 4 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISOR COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 6 7 8 5:30 PM 9 7:00 PM 10 7-00 PM 11 12 2:00-5:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Ft REC Old Fashioned MEETING QUALITY COMM ADVISORY Christmas Medicine Lake Room (EQC) MEETING COMMISSION Plymouth Historical Review Hilde Center Council Chambers (PRAC) MEETING Society Building Plans Council Chambers 7:00 PM 7:00 PM CHARTER REGULAR COUNCIL COMMISSION ANNUAL CHANUKAH MEETING MEETING Begins at Sunset Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 13 14 15 16 Cancelled 17 7:Oo PM 18 19 PLANNING HRA MEETING COMMISSION Medicine Lake Room MEETING Council Chambers 23 20 21 22 24 25 is� 26 CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY 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 Modified on 12104109 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN REO Page 4 r,� Plymouth Adding 7ua�utyto�bfe January 2010 Modified on 12/04/09 Page 5 1 jj� 2 NEW YEAR'S DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7;00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 10 11 12 5:30 PM 13 14 15 16 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:0o PM 7:0o PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK It REC Medicine Dake Room QUALITY ADVISORY Discuss Visit COMMITTEE COMMISSION Minneapolis North (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 7;00 PM 21 22 23 PLANNING COMMISSION MARTIN LUTHER MEETING KING JR. Council Chambers BIRTHDAY Observed CITY OFFICES CLOSED 24 25 26 6:00 PM 27 28 29 30 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7' P 7:00 PM MEETING PLYMM OUTT H HR A MEETING Medicine Lake Room ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Discuss Farmers Market COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) 7:00 PM MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Medicine Lake Room MEETING Council Chambers Modified on 12/04/09 Page 5 r�ity Plymouth Adding Quality to Life February 2010 Modified on 12104109 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7:00 PM 7:04 PM 2:00-7:00 PM PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS Fire and Ice PRECINCT COMMISSION COMMISSION Festival CAUCUSES MEETING MEETING Parkers Lake Council Chambers Parkers Lake Room 11 7 8 9 10 12 13 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK It REC MEETING QUALITY ADVISORY Council Chambers COMMITTEE COMMISSION (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM 18 6:00 PM 19 20 PLANNING BOARD AND PRESIDENTS COMMISSION COMMISSION DAY MEETING RECOGNITION Council Chambers EVENT Plymouth Creek CITY OFFICES Center CLOSED 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Roam 28 Modified on 12104109 Page 6 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items January 12, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss Visit. Minneapolis North January 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Discuss energy projects to be paid for by the City's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Award (2008020) (lablecl,i•oin NoveMber 24, 2009) January 26, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss Farmer's Market • Discuss Modifications of Development Program for Development District Number 7 and Taff Increment Financing District 7-6 and Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Project Area Number 1 and Tax Increment Financing District 1-I (tabled.frona Noveinber 24, 7009) January 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Discuss 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 February 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers February 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special 1feeting topics have been set by Council: all other logics erre tentative. Page 7 City of Plymouth Dews Release For Immediate Release December 3, 2009 Contact: Sandy Engdahl. 763-509-5080 City of Plymouth Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacant Seat on Human Rights Commission; Applications Due January 15 The City of Plymouth is seeking residents interested in serving on the Plymouth Human Rights Commission, a citizen advisor}, commission to the Plymouth City Council. The commission has a seat open due to a resignation. The person appointed to fill the vacant seat will serve until the term expires on Jan. 31, 2011. Applications are due no later than Fri., .tan, 15. Applications are available via the city website at www.ci.plyrnouth.mn.us. To have an application mailed to you. call 763-509-5080. Please leave your name, mailing address and phone number, The Plymouth Human Rights Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to hwnan rights issues and discrimination in Plymouth. The commission also provides education and training on human rights issues as well as mediation services for human rights problems.. The conunission meets quarterly on a Thursday at 7 p.m. The public is welcome at all meetings. 4 Page 8 Hut property: DonainlUn Development Headquarters htq):,//%vww.starn-ibine.convtenaplates/Print_This_Story?sid=70665607 StarTribunexom MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL. MINNESOTA Hot property: Dominium Development Headquarters November 22, 2009 DOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT HEADQUARTERS 13010 County Road 6, Plymouth Type: Industrial/warehouse Size: 76,130 square feet Year built: 1962 Assessed value: $3.7 million Developer: Dominium Development & Acquisition Details: Apartment developer Dominium has gained city approvals to convert a 47 -year-old office -warehouse building into its new headquarters. The company intends to perform a major interior renovation, creating a new mezzanine level of offices within the one-story structure. Dominium, which owns or manages 17,000 apartment units across 18 states, says it plans to move its corporate home from one location in Plymouth (west of Interstate 494) to another (east of the freeway). Under plans given the thumbs -up by the City Council this month, the firm will use roughly half of the building for its own headquarters, while renovating the rest of it to rent out to a pair of future office users. The building is now owned by Stamford, Conn. -based commercial printing and graphics company Cenveo, and while the sale to Dominium has not yet been finalized, the apartment company has already listed the 36,000 square feet of future tenant spaces for rent at $3.75 per square foot. Dominium officials wouldn't comment on the project because the sale is still pending, but city documents indicate a unique feature of the project will be the addition of 10,000 square feet of mezzanine -level office space, which has been designed by Minneapolis architects BKV Group Inc. Plymouth Community Development Director Steve Juetten said he is thrilled to be able to keep Dominium within the city -- especially since it is moving to reinvest in one of the oldest business nodes of the suburb. The County Road 6/Hwy. 55 intersection is "an established light industrial area, and it provides a solid number of jobs and businesses in the community," Juetten said. "It's got a variety of uses, such as light manufacturing, printing companies, both local and national I o1'2 Pagp,� 1009 8:43 ANI Hot property: Dominium Development Headquarters http://%vvvw,startribrine.eoni'templates/Pi-int This Story?sid=70665607 firms. The age of this building is typical for that area, and this renovation is a great way to improve the look of a part of town that may be showing a little age." DON JACOBSON Don Jacobson, a freelance writer based in St. Paul, can be contacted at hotproperty.startribune(a)gmail.com. O 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.. oft Pag?,,' '-1009 5:43 ANI Staffribune,.Icom_ Cities cashing in on lower project costs Public works projects are getting more bids these days as private projects are fewer. And many projects are coming in under budget. By MARIA ELENA BACA, Star Tribune Last update: November 21, 2009 - 10:33 PM The same torpid economy that has bedeviled city budgets over the past year is now giving residents and officials a consolation prize of soils. As summer public works projects wrap up, actual costs often are coming in under budget, by anywhere from a couple of percentage points to 50 percent less than officials projected a year ago. Increased competition among contractors also stung by the economy is the driving force, officials say. The savings, ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, arc a rare bright spot in rnetro-area city budgets that have been slashed over the past year to account for reductions in state aid and lagging residential and commercial development. Advertisement Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp? 1258985390658 .r: -.Jl� Point your I obile browser to littp_//startribun e xom Although some cities have postponed projects this year because of the cost, others that have forged ahead are seeing significant savings. They are using that money to beef up special funds, hold down utility rate increases and in some cases, bring down residents' special assessment rates. In Blaine, for example, the bid for a water main proiect came in at $321,665, compared With an original estimate of more than $500,000. In Edina, a pond dredging project carne in at $25,250, or 57 percent less than the budgeted amount. In Shoreview, a storm -water quality improvement project drew a winning bid of $67,500, 15.6 percent less than what was budgeted. In Maplc Grove, a city -led project on H\\ y. 30 came in under budget, although right of way issues bumped up the final cost. "Whenever you can save a million in one spot, even if you have an extra million in expenses, you say, this is working." said Gerry Butcher, Maple Grove's public works director. More bids coming in It's a trend seen as contractors bid for an ever -shrinking supply of work, said Dave Print Powered By kid -,t Dyn,-Arnics PagPfl 11 3/2009 8:09 AM Staffribune,-,com Hutton, a consulting engineer for SRF Consulting Group and incoming president of the Minnesota chapter of the American Public Works Association. "What I suspect is that these contractors used to work on private development," Hutton said. "About half of the contracting industry had been working oil private Projects." Much of that has gone away, he said. Hutton said that several cities had seen a dozen or more bids on projects where previously they might have received half that number -- an observation echoed by metro city officials. In St. Francis, for example. a water plain project this summer attracted 15 bids: ill an average year. it would have brought in three, said City Administrator Matt Hylen. Public works funding doesn't operate by any single formula. Many cities maintain specially designated funds that are tapped to fund specific projects. Part of utility fees, for example, might go into a fund to pay for sewer work or street lights. And many cities still have developer -funded pots from past residential and commercial development. The positive bid environment might mean Advertisement Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! http;fhvww.starti-ibLUle.COm/templateslfdcp? 1258985390658 rPoint your ,� 71ittp,//startribune.com mobile browser to that cities have to use less money from those funds. That in turn, could result in postponing or holding down utility rate increases, for example. or decrease the treed to tap into general funds to pay for work. It could also allow cities to add amenities that otherwise would have been out of reach. The trick is to weigh the worth of a project and its cost with the potential savings, said Lee Munnich, director of the state and local policy program at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. "There's a good argument for saying, let's make these investments now while costs are lower, and provide additional jobs and stimulus to the economy," he said, He compared cities' decisions to move forward to families assessing their budgets for a home purchase. "Local governments are in the same situation. There's a limit to hovv much they can spend. but if they can make some of these investments now while costs are lower. they can get the long term benefit to the community if they don't break the bank." Not every project came in under budget. In Blaine, among other Cities. Public Works director Robert Therres noted that a couple came in at or just a little bit above budget. Print Powered By '-d 1 Dyrlarlllc:_, Pdgg1 1 '? 2009 8:09 AM StarTribune.com although the trend went the other way. "None of these projects are something we just thought of right away," he said. "They were planned years in advance, but it's nice to get the good bid process and take advantage of that competitive bidding environment. which saves us money for future projects," Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409 Advertisement Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! linp://rvw«^.startribune.com/templates/fdcp? 1258985390658 Print Powered By Point your mobile browser to http.//startribune.com Dyri.lnij, - 3 o f 3 Pag ?1 8:09 AM MilfoiI is foiled by herbicide on Mirmetonka bays I StarTribune.com StarTribune com Milfoil is foiled by herbicide on Minnetonka bays Jennifer Simonson, Star Tribune More residents on take Minnetonka's bays are trying to raise money for milfoil treatments near their homes. As milfoil spread, so does interest to ttsirtg chemicals to control it on Lake Minnetonka. By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune Last update: December 1, 2009 - 5:11 PM Two years into a five-year test of herbicides Io control Eurasian water milfoil on Lake \linnetonka. results are so encouraging that more shoreline property owners are asking Advertisement N Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 1 of a Point your mobile browser to htt-//startribune.corn for the chemical treatment in their bays. Atter seeing the weed fade away this year on Grays Bay and Phelps Bay. residents of Gideons Bay and St. Albans Bay are trying to raise monev for milfoil treatments next stimnier. "There's a ton of interest." said Dick Osgood. executive director of the Lake Minnetonka Association, which started the weed control prograin on Grays Bay, Phelps Bay and Carman Bay, in MOS, with the approval of the state Department of Natural Resources and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. "Overall. the treatments did reduce Eurasian water milfoil quite effectively," said Chip Welling,,. coordinator of the DNR"s program for dealing with aquatic invasive species. Welling said that the chemical used has been found safe and effective by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. If it is used properly, "% e know we can control [milfoil]." The question is how native plants will bear- Lip eartip under the chemicals and how long the milfoil control will last, he said. "That has a bearing oil how much frittu-e treatments are going to cost, and that has a bearing on whether people will undertake them or not." Print Powered By d Dyriar ICS Pap 1417009 Milfoil is foiled by herbicide on Minnetonka bays I StarTribune.corn StarTribune-COM I he U.S. Arn1y Carps of Engineers intends to atisNN er those questions xvith its C011tillUing study of the chemical application in Lake Minnetonka, Weliing said. So far, corps monitoring shows that while the treatment killed the nlilloil, it appeared to have no strong effect on most native plants; although some %eater lilies died, Welling said. Next summer, the goal �% ill be to prevent that tinm happening. A key reason to control milfoil is to promote the aroxvth ofnative plants that provide habitat for fish and Ns,ildlife and improve ►eater quality. Welling said. Water lilies are dative plants. :Mier limited success \r ith the herbicide in 2008- Carman Bay \\ as dropped from the treatment program. In 2009, adJUsting ftlr better results, the association switched frons a liquid that diluted too rapidly to a granular herbicide that maintained contact with the plants lunger, Osgood said. The treatment also Poetised exclusively on milfoil and not on curb leaf pond weed, as it had the previous year. he said. Grays Ray and Phelps Bay property owners were so happy wits the second -year results Advertisement x Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 3 Point your mobile browser to littp://startribune.com that they are "ready to go again next year." Osgood said. Lake Minnetonka has 42 bays. Residents of Gideons Bav and St. Albans Bay are trying to collie tip with 579,000 and $55,000, respectively. to combat the Weeds! which contirivallv heap up on their shoreline. ",It's an eyesore." said Gideons Ray horlleowner Bob Tenner. "it Clogs Up the boats. It's bad for other native species. No one \wants to s\\ inl in it. It's a big chore that takes the fun nut of li4 ing on the lake." Tile cost of the treatment is heliv. and 65 percent ofthe money must be raised by shoreline property oNvilers, \\ ith the rest coming from the DNR and other government agencies. The costs to itldividual propert\ o\vners are determined bay b\ bay, but most fall in a range of$250 to $1.000 per property per year, Osgood said. In the first two years, treatment in Grays Bay cost $67,000 and $65,000. Next near it twill cost an estimated $56,000, In Phelps, the treatment cost $61,t100 in 2009- $60,000 this year. and is estimated at $68,000 next year. Although the two ba,,s were "iniltbil-free" Print Powered By 01 9 Dynes itnic.s http://w,ArtN,.startribune.col-nllocallwestl78155112.btnil?elr—KAArks:DCiUBDia nDaycUiD ... Pa�q/�&09 Milfoil is foiled by herbicide on Mituietonka bays I StarTribune.com StarTribune.,com this summer, controlling milfbil is like coritrollirrg dandelions -- "it's a maintenance program" year after year, Osgood said. But as the water Need is controlled. the cost sliotrld drop, lie said. "We are expecting that the fifth year should be about 25 percent of the first year's cost. and that N� ill be about maintenance level." The eheniical used has been formulated to mimic a plant hormone, Osgood said. Plants take it in and "gro\� themselves to death." The EPA has found that it has no measurable i sect ori animals or humans. breaks domn in ;urilight and lingers in the Nuter for about 30 ,I:i\ s. Osgood said. During that time, however. water from the treated area should not be used to water laNvns or gardens. 1.auric Blake • 612-673-1711 Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 3 of 3 Point your 71h� rnobile browser to ttp://startribune.com Print Powered By A � t i Dynamics t t 1):,`/www.startribune.com/local/west/7$155112.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBDia_nDaycUiD.. Pail/JA009 Cities sign up for guaranteed savings I StarTribune.corn StarTribune-com Cities sign yap for guaranteed savings Some metro cities are getting a guarantee from contractors that improving public buildings is Nvin- Will-1S Ill. By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune Last update: December 1, 2009 - 10:44 PM It seems like a taxpayer's dream: Cities across the retro area are making nirljor upgrades to the heating and cooling systerns ill public buildings and ice arenas, and the improvements pay for themselves through L:ner-gy savings. In Richfield, for example, a high -efficiency system is being installed to keep the ice cold a nd fans vvarnl at the city's 38 -year-old arena, and the company handling the stork guarantees that the energy savings will cover the bill. "It's a t\ ire -win -N in," said Steve Lampi, mayor of Brooklyn Park. another cite making such improvements. It saves the city money and energy-!, and is good for the environment, he said. Advertisement x Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Pagel of 3 1 Point ,your mobile browser to littp://startrib un e.com Guaranteed -savings contracts \Mork like this: A city chooses a company to cvaluate energy improvements. The company then otiersecs the installation of projects the city wants and guarantees that energy savings will cover the work, the company's fee. and up to 20 years of debt service on nlonev the city borrotivs to pay for the projects. The company posts a performance bond to ensure that it will pay the diffier•e.nce if the savings are less than promised. In Brooklyn Park, Lampi and the City Council have given preliminary approval to possibly the biggest guaranteed -savings deal in the metro suburbs. a $6.3 million contract with McKinstrv, a Seattle -based firm. to oversee energy -Saving Installations. Similar contracts have been approved in Woodbury. Richfield, Eden Prairie and Anoka. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority recently sigmed a $33.6 million contract \vith Honeywell that includes replacing old boilers and hot water heaters in 40 of the city's senior high-rises, a (lousing, official said. Energy contracts also are being considered in Eagan. Plymouth, Coon Rapids and other cities, officials said. In addition to McKlnstry all(] Honeywell, Johnson Controls and Harris Companies have bid oil guaranteed -savings Print Powered By d http://vm,%v.stai-tribLine.com/local/nortll/78286592.html?elr=KAi-ksUUUU i Dynamics Pa"/ bog Cities sign up for guaranteed savings I StarTribune.com StarTribunexom contract In Brookl> n Parl:, more than 30 projects are planned, but most of the money xyill pay fora geothermal system to [seat and cool the Co1111111111ity Activities Center and assist the retrlaeration system tot' the Center's tx\o 'ice rinks, said Jon Thiel, operations and maintenance manager. The energy savings are guaranteed to pay for the projects within 15 years, he said. Greg Ackerson. development manager for McKinstry. said that the city and his company pre -qualify subcontractors "so we are assured of the work quality and can stand behind our guarantees of performance and cost_" Tota' good to be true? Guaranteed -savings contracts sounded too (Tood to be true to Eden Prairie officials. But after three years and hyo contracts w ith McKinstry. the energy savings are on target, said City Manager Scott Neal. Energy savings are paying for the costs of about $2.5 million in 1©-vear bonds sold to finance ice arena and other improvements, Neal said. The city is discussing a third contract with the firm. "The tiling that convinced me to give it a try is Advertisement -1 Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Frere! Page 2 of 3 Paint your mobile browser to littp://s tart rib une.coni the rigor that POcKinstry uses to calculate the [energy use] baseline," Neal said. "All savings come from a firm baseline year. and constantly 311easuring to see if you are getting the savings they said you were going to get." McKinistry provides annual reports showing projects' energy use and savings. Projects range front major heating and cooling system Upgrades to putting a motion sensor o►1 pop machines that shuts off cooling on \yeekends or if nobody walks by for a certain period, Neal said. lee rinks prime for savings Woodbury has a $2.3 million contract with Harris Companies to install a geo-exchange system for its mo indoor ice rinks. said Bob Klatt, parrs and recreation director. Harris also has a nearly $1.3 million contract to upgrade Richfield's two ice rinks with high - efficiency heating and cooling s)stems. Work is Underway on both city contracts and is expected to be done by year's end, officials said. Richfield's facilities manager. Brandon Klement, said the guaranteed contracts "are (treat for a facility such as ours that is 38 Nears. old.... With all the tightening up on budgets, and a lot [of ice rink] mechanical Print Powered By http://ww-,v,startribune.com/local/nortli/78286592.htnil?elr—KArksULTUU Dynamics Pafl//2009 Cities sign up for guaranteed savings I StarTribune.coin StarTribunexom -ties coming dtie in our facia it% and there i no nioney to fix it tip." The ay-reements are covered by state laws, passed in the 1980s, that waive competitive bidding for cities, schools and other government units that enter into a 1. �`Ttlaranteed energy saving contract." Since 2007, When the law was amended to require filing the contracts with the state Commerce Department_ 20 such agreements, mostly involving schools and colleges, have been tiled, said commerce spokeswoman Nicole Garrison -Sprenger. The cities have the option of using grants or their own funds to do more projects than are covered by the agreements or to reduce the term of bands. For example, Woodbury and Brooklyn Park used sortie city funds and federal stimulus grants to help pay for energy improvements. Klatt said Woodbury used more than -S700,000; mostly stimulus funds, to reduce tate amount it borrowed to less than $1.7 million worth of 10 --'ear bonds. \%hich will be repaid with energy savings. After the bonds are paid. the city gets the remaining energy savings, \\ Itich over 20 years are expected to total $3.9 million. He said the city could have paid nothing for the whole $2.3 million of Advertisement j J Alternate Ad Image Text Goes dere! Page 3 of 3 7 Point your mobile browser to http.//startribune.eom improvements if it used 20 -\ear bonds to linance the work. Harris Vice President Bob Swanger said ice arenas are prime targets for energy saving contracts because so much energy is used to make ice and to heat the arenas for spectators. He said the new geo-exchange system being installed at the Bielenberg Sports Center captures for later reuse waste heat that is stored in underground well tubes. The system uses 95 percent less natural gas than the current equipment. Jim Adams • 612-673-7658 Print Powered By http://w1v\Nl.startribune.cotn/local/north/79286592.litml?elr=KArksUUUU ti Dynamics , Pa?Y/21/2009 Tax valuations fall, but some bills will rise I StarTribune.eom StarTribunexom Tax valuations fall, but some bills will rise By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune gat Llpdate' November 28. 2009 - 9:39 PM I leniiepin County lionueo%%vers Could find both good news and bad in analyzing their proposed property tax bills for 2010. In about half the Hennepin CouutV Cities of 5,000 or more population, owners of the typical home will see their tax bite going dmn. But generally, that's because their property's assessed value has declined. Then there are the doubly unfortunate: I loineomiers whose property values dropped. but whose taxes still are rising. That's true in the most of other localities. For example, in Orono, property values for the median llolne N,ere off about 1.5 percent. but solne homeowners' taxes Could be going up as much as 5 percent. The only cite that saw its median home value increase was Edina. But its tax increase was also the bia+nest: The mviier of a median- valucd hrnne in tiie city could be paying up to ` ); 8 more in taxes next year, depending upon what school district he lives in. Advertisement I( Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 1 of 3 r Point your mobile browser to littp'ffstartribunc.coin Taxpayers soon will get their crack at conimctiting on city and county budgets and property tax levies k4hen public tax Itearinl;Fs begin in December. Hoineowners received letters last spring inforininLg, them of their property's assessed value. and recentl\ the\ received their proposed 2010 tar bills to go along with those property values. Property taxes on the median -valued home are proposed to �,�a up in Bloornington, Eden Prairie. Edina, Golden Vallee, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Orono, Shorewood and St. Louis Park. according to a city -by -cit} comparison coinpiled by the count. Cities where taxes are proposed to go down include Brooklvn Center. Brooklvn Park. Champlin, Corcoran. Crystal, Minnetrista and Robbinsdale, Rogers and St. Anthony. All are cities where the. median ]ionic value also has dropped. The dip in taxes in Crystal "is not something we can talo credit for." said Charles Hansen. Crystal finance director. "Market values within the city- ... have fallen a little bit faster than they have in the rest of Hennepin County. Tile taxes follow that." Print Powered By t1 -, , , 1 t Dynamics http://www.startribune.coinliocallwestl77748472.html?elr=KArksUUUoDE3,3LGDiO7aiU Pa F! 1-9009 Tax valuations fall, but some bills will rise I StarTribune.com StarTribune,",com Crustal. �N li,2re the median -priced home declined nearly 8 percent in value during the prcccding year, is showing an overall tax drop of 3.45 percent, even though the city plans to raise its levy by I I percent to make LIP for state aid the city lost when Gov. Tim Pawlent3 balanced the state budget, Hansen said. In every city in the count,, except Edina, median market values went down by at least I percent, according to the count) - comparison. Brooklyn Center showed the largest decline. w ith a l3 percent drop in median market value from 2008. "It's a reflection of the real estate market. [residential real estate has tipped down," said Hennepin County assessor .lith Atchison. "We value eves-,,' parcel in the county every year. We connpare what properties have sold for. We are looking at actual sales. We try to 1011ow the market." Each homeowner's taxes depend upon Property value. the city Icvv, the school district levy and the count} levy. Edina is No, I Edina has a proposed tax increase of 7.86 Advertisement J Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 3 1a:l J-L_-,1aat,2.,r Point your mobile browser to 1http. /startrihune.com percent in parts ofthe city that are in the Hopkins School District and 5.68 percent in parts of the city in the Edina School District. They are the highest proposed increases in the county. Even so; some Edina residents whose homes have lost value will pay lower taxes. Edina f=inance Director John Wallin said the city is proposing a 5.5 percent levy increase -- 2.2 percent to make up for lost state aid and 3.3 percent to pay the debt oil the city's new public works facility. A 2010 city wage freeze is included in [lie budget, Wallin said, Brooklyn Park cut nine positions and the administrative staff is recommending freezing wages next year to deliver a zero increase in taxes for people whose property values have stayed the same or gone down. said city Finance Director Cory Kampf. Foreclosures in Brooklyn Park have caused the median property value decline. said Citi, Assessor Nlarvin Anderson. In Corcoran, nnany people will see tax reductions, even though the city proposes to raise its levy by about $41,000 because median property values have dropped by about 8 percent, said City Administrator Dan Donahue. Print Powered By J I Dynamics http:l/wvvw.startribune.con-tllocallwest177748472.1ntml?elr—KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU Pa�_T/11,1009 Tax valuations fall, but sonic bills will rise I StarTribune.corrl StarTribune,com Hennepin Cotmt�'s hearing is scheduled for 6 p.n. 1*1lursday at the county gc»•crnmctlt center in doNvnto%vn Minneapolis. Carver County In Carver County, market values for inediatl- priced homes have decreased in every city. but there will be some property tax increases to close f indin[, gaps next year. In % aconia. for example, median assessed 4iIlies have dropped by 2.7 percent for '010. but city residents face a proposed property tax increase of about 2 percent on a median -valued hotlle. The preliminary increase had been proposed at 4.5 percent in September, but "that's come down quite a bit.' said City Administrator Susan Arntz. The city is reducing sone services to keep the rate from going lip that 111uc11, she said. One exception to the increases is Victoria. Miere anedian market values are decreasing by 3.1 percent and property taxes are scheduled to drop nett year, anywhere frons $34 to $92 for the median -valued hone_ depending oil Ivhich school district a resident lives in. Then there is Wateilo\vn. 41I1ere ]Median assessed values are showing the biggest Advertisement j J Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 3 of 3 Point your mobile browser to http://startribune.com drop in the county -- almost 10 percent. The proposed property tax bill for _'010 for the anedian-valLied ]ionic is expected to go down only about I percent. or roughly $20. Laurie Blake - 612-673-1711 Print Powered By ci ' Dynamics Pa http://Nv\N,,v,.staitribune.con-i/local/west/77748472.html?eir=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU ��/TI?009 Pen -nits to build Twin Cities homes increase, but still off peak I StarTribune.corn Page l of 2 7'Itt StarTribune.com Point your Mobile brmwscr to ►p:/,/s tart ribun c.com Permits to build Twin Cities homes increase, but still off peak November data signaled more improvement, with caveats. By KARA WGUIRE, Star Tribune Fast update: December 1. 2009 - 8:43 PM In another sign that the Twin Cities housing market is on the mend, the number of residential building permits issued last month grew 28 percent over November 2008, Permitted units were also 37 percent higher. accordin to numbers released Tuesday by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. But permits pulled for the month are still far lower than they here in 2005 to 2007. November saw- the highest number of units permitted for any month this year: total permits in November were the third-highest in 2009. Permits tend to increase in November because builders want to get foundations down before the ground fircezes. Tile numbers come one \veck after the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller ]tome price Advertisement J Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! index showed that home; prices in the Minneapolis -St. Paul area increased 1.8 percent in September. It rias the third month in a row- that the Twin Cities showed the greatest increase among 20 metro areas. Still, prices in the Twin Cities are 11.2 percent below Septetnber 2008 levels. Housing experts fear a second wave of foreclosures in 2010 could super -size supply and sink prices once again. And so far this \ car, building activity is down 11.5 percent from 2008, half w hat it was in 2007 and nowhere near the frenzied activity in 2005. "It's hard to say that the market is improving. but I think it's steadied," said Mary McDaris. division president for Pulte Homes. After not purcltasing property for building in 2008. his company bought property in t\\'o locations earlier this year and purchased land in Maple Grove and Plymouth within the past twvo months. McDaris says recovery will collie with rising consumer confidence and a better job trtarket because "ultimately job growth fuels housing." So does tree rnone}. The pending, expiration of the first-time home buyer tax credit Print Powered By A - Dynamics',, litil,:/fw\NT\v.startribune.com/lifest_yle/yourmoney/78282077.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3L.. Pa q!13009 Permits to build Twin Cities homes increase, but still off peak I StarTribune.com Page 2 of 2 Point your StarTribunexom s mobile browserto Iittp://startribune.e.c©rrr "Bushed a lot of sales and took some inventory off the market." association president Mike Swanson said. The $8,000 tax credit for first -tithe home buyers XNas ultintatek extended through April and a x,6,500 credit for move -up buyers was added. McDaris estimates that 60 percent of home I,tiv ers who purchased Pulte and Centex homes in the past six months have been takilig ads amatage of the tat credit. A recent Ibrecast by housing market research firma Metrostudy said the credits "will continue to buoy sales somc�Nhat." but not at the level seen in 2009. Minneapolis had the most bUtldmg activity for the month \\ ith 218 twits. 175 of them for a single building project. Lakeville came next with =45 units. Blaine. Savage and Maple Grove pulled permits for 4 1, 29 and 28 units respectively. (tiara McGuire - 612-673-7293 Advertisement JAlternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Print Powered By rd' I I 111 Dym iAmic http://www.staitribune.coirdlifestylelyourntoneyl78282077.html'?clr=KArksUUUoDEy3L,..Pa�gr 009 If no one owns the home, who's watching the hoose? � StarTribune.com StarTribune.,,com If no one owns the home, who's watching the house? With foreclosure conies a six-month purgatory for some houses, and cities have to step in to keep them ]rom becon-fing a nuisance. By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune ast update: November 29, 2000 - 9:31 AM When a resident on Pillsbury Avenue in Bloomington discovered someone from the house next door trying to plug an extension cord into the resident's back yard electric outlet, it was clear something was wrong. After the recent incident, cite officials found the home had no electricity or heat. Windows were broken. There was garbage and clothing strewn around the property. And the people inside appeared to be squatters. Contractors hired by the city changed the locks, picked up the garbage and fixed the wittdoi\s. When the city looked for the home's owner, it found the property had been foreclosed on. The house was in the bureaucratic black hole called "redemption." The homeowner had Advertisement 0 Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here? Page 1 of 3 iPoint your �.' mobile browser to \ http://startribune.com walked away front the property, and the bank that oNyned the mortgage said it couldn't do anything until the redemption period was over. Redemption -- in Minnesota, usually a six- month period following a sheriffs sale during which the people who owned the house can buy it back -- poses a problem for cities. If a home winds up vacant or vandalized during that time. the homeowner and bank often deny responslbllio,- putting the burden of fixing it on the city. "It's essential for the city to [maintain a house], because in the period of exchanging ownership we have to," said Larry Lee. Bloomington's community development director. "We hire the contractor and bill the responsible owner." Then. he said, "If they do not pay, we get the money back as special assessments on property taxes." In Bloomington, incidents like the one on Pillsbury Avenue happen maybe t%%ice a wear, said Lynn Moore the city's manager of environmental health. In the past year. 253 properties gent into foreclosure in the city. Some cities see a lot more cases. Minneapolis has 870 properties on a vacant building list, many of them foreclosed Itotnes. Print Powered By d Dynamics littp://www.startribune.cotnliocallwesIJ77841947.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aIU Pat F!, 5_009 If no one owns the home, who's watching the house? I StarTribune.com StarTribune.com Squatters or people usirt f0 a house ille-alh are found in abandoned homes perhaps once a month, said Tom Deegan, Minneapolis' manaocr° of the problem property unit. But in Richfield, where 146 properties were foreclosed during the I 1 months ending the first %%eek of October, there haven't been recent incidents like the one on Pillsbury, said John Stark, community development director. Heading off crime Securing an empty house can cost thousands of dollars. fn the case of the house oil Pillsburo . it was only about $200, Moore said. Getting that property back to looking like other houses on the block ,vas a priority because of the effect on the neighborhood. slie said. "We always tivant to deal with immediate things like securing lvindows and ctiariuing locks to prevent the [ionic front becoming attractive to crime," Moore said. "If you have stuff like couches laying outside. It encourages people to dump filings in the yard." Cities beep lists of foreclosed homes and try Advertisement XI Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page 2 of 3 Point your mobile browser to iittp.,//startribunc.com to track which ones are entpt� Neighbors are notified and asked to cal] if they see anything unusual; city staff often try to swim by to take a look. Richfield police Who spot suspicious activity can check to see if a house has been foreclosed on using squad car computers. The Pillsbury house was on Bloomington's watch list. "But sonietimcs a few key things happen." Moore said. "After one utility gets shut off, things kind of spiral downhill." Batiks can appoint local representatives to keep an eye oil foreclosed properties, but Moore said, "If we're dealing with a large out- of-state bank that's dealing with thousands of homes, we have a hard time netting their attention." Fining the violators In Minneapolis, where thousands of ponies have been moving through foreclosure over the past four years, the city has tried to minimize the threat to its housing stock by adding an array of stiff fees for violations. There is a $6360 annual fee for properties that land ori the vacant building registry. Thousands more tnay be charged for jobs Print Powered By of Dynztmics http://xv"-w.startribune.coii/local/west/77841947.h1m1?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LOD107aiU Pal!/?A009 If no one owns the home, who's watching the house? I StarTribune.com StarTribunexom like repeatedly boarding up a home, When -rass has to be cut or snow shoveled, the cost ends up on property taxes with an additional 15 percent administrative fee. Faraway banks "are draining city resources under the guise of being in the redemption period," Deegan said. "1 tell them. 'You can get � OUr [local representative.] to manage these houses to minimize future damages.' That's the game they play.... "The %\ hole thing is to incentivize that bank to do something." Deegan hopes that the financial cost of letting a Minneapolis home linger in redemption will prompt more banks to use a new state 1aN4 that allows them to petition courts for a five- week redemption period to speed along repossession of a house. Mary .lane Smetanka 6l? -673-7380 Advertisement x� Alternate Ad Image Text Goes Here! Page') of 3 Point your �,. mobile browser to lattp: /startribune.com Print Powered By d 1 Dyn rnic:; htip:llwww.star-tribune.conv'locallwestl77841947.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU PaIg;''3009 $1.2B budget deficit may cause cuts in Minn. city services I Minnesota Public Radio New... Page 1 of 2 TM SPONSOR mPR ienews tters $1.2B budget deficit may cause cuts in Minn. auolo city services S1.213 budget deficit may cause cuts in Minn. by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radia city senrices (feature audio) December 3, Zoog -.... ��_..--------------- -__- St. Paul, Minn. — Officials representing Minnesota cities are a little uneasy now that they know the state is facing a $1.2 billion projected budget deficit. Gov. Pawlenty said he may withhold state aid payments as a result of deficit and city officials say state aid to cities have been bearing the brunt of recent budget cuts and cities can't handle any more. The budget forecast shows that state goverment is deep in red ink and the situation is only projected to get worse over the long-term. In the current budget cycle, Minnesota faces a projected $1.2 billion budget deficit. The deficit rises to $5.4 billion in the two-year budget cycle that starts in July of 2o11. State Economist Tom Stinson said the recession is over, but the recovery will be one of the slowest on record. Stinson said a major part of the problem is that income tax collections have dropped significantly. "The total wages paid in the economy are expected to shrink by 4.5 percent," Stinson said. " Why? Because of fewer jobs, lower hours worked and lower average wage per hour worked." After seeing the forecast, Gov. Pawlenty repeated his long-standing opposition to tax increases of any kind. He said the budget should be balanced by spending cuts alone. Pawlenty also said he may be forced to unilaterally cut state aid payments to cities and counties known as LGA. "Tor the most part, we are going to wait and invite the Legislature to join us in trying to find a collaborative solution to this challenge, but we may not be able to do that entirely as it relates to Gov. Tim Pawlenty some payment schedules," Pawlenty said. "One of them could be the LGA payment schedule at the end of December." Pawlenty didn't specify how much money he would withhold and said he'll make a decision in the coming weeks. Over the past year, Pawlenty has unilaterally cut $410 million in aid to cities and counties. He cut $300 million in July and $110 million last December. "The December LGA payment is low hanging fruit and here we are again," said Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden. Wolden said additional cuts in aid to local governments will mean higher property taxes and more inconveniences for taxpayers. "They're going to see cuts in services," Wolden said. "They're going to see snow plows roll Iess often. They're going to see delays in police response time, Fire response time. Those are realities." This isn't the first time city officials and Gov. Pawlenty have been at odds over the level of cuts to local government aid and its impact on cities. City officials have repeatedly said that services would be sacrificed and property taxes would increase if LGA is cut. Pawlenty has said that cities should be forced to make the same tough budget choices that state government is making. Jim Miller, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities said it's unlikely that cities will raise property taxes if the the governor cuts aid. He said cities have been reluctant to increase property taxes to pay for past LGA ents and would likely make http://minnesota.publieradio.org/display/web/2009/12/02/budget-cuts-cities/ P1 /3/2009 $1.213 budget deficit may cause cuts in Minn. city services I Mhulesota Public Radio New... Page 2 of 2 up the difference elsewhere. "Cities haven't been able to levy back the entire amount of cuts. It's not because they're flush with money," Miller said. "It's because they realize that the property tax base can't sustain those kinds of increases. So any further cuts are really not going to be, I think, are going to be made up in property tax increases dollar for dollar. We're going to see service cuts really statewide. There's just no alternative." Democrats who control the Legislature say they don't think Pawlenty should cut state funding for cities and counties, DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who is also a candidate for governor, said Pawlenty should look within his own administration before he looks to cut local government aid. "This is not the time to choose a political appointee over the nurse or the teacher or the firefighter of who is going to lose their job out of the next round of budget cuts," Kelliher said. Kelliher didn't offer specifics, but DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller suggested that Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy should be the first to go. Pogemiller said there should be new leadership on the jobs front but stopped short of saying the Senate would effectively fire him. Lawmakers are scbeduled to return to the Capitol on February 4. SPONSOR SPONSOR http:l/minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/12/02/budget-cuts-cities/ PW�909 Ehlers Market Commentary November 23, 2009 Interest Rate Markets and the BABs Advantage: Interest rates for tax-exempt bonds have been relatively stable the last two weeks with only a G basis points difference in the Bond Buyer Index. The rate was 4.41% on November 5th and 4.35% on November 19th. During the same period of time, the 30 year Treasury Bond rates changed slightly more at 12 basis points yielding 4.41 % two weeks ago and 4.29% this past week. The tax-exempt market situation continues to provide opportunities for issuing Build America Bonds ("BABs"). Recent sales of BABs have produced a 0.58% advantage for a serial issue maturing in 2039 and a 0.45% advantage for an issue maturing in 2029. Interest Rates for Capital Appreciation Bonds ("CABs"): CABs or zero coupon bonds have been used for restructuring debt to push out payments without current interest costs. Rates for CABs are higher compared to rates for interest paying bonds. The interest for CABs accrues and is paid at final maturity, instead of each six months as is the case for convention current coupon bonds. CABs are an option but also must meet Minnesota statutory tests for amortization of debt and may cause increased rating agency scrutiny. Tax Credit Bonds and Supplement Rates: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 ("ARRA") expanded the use of tax credit bonds as an alternative to tax exempt issues. Certain Build America Bonds (that are not qualified for the Federal subsidy), Qualified School Construction Bonds, Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds are all examples of tax credit bonds. The Federal goverrnnent publishes rate and length of maturity each day for tax credit bonds that are priced on that day. Once the tax credit rate is set, it is fixed for the life of the bonds. Although Tax credit bonds have a single fixed maturity limit, they may be issued as a series of bonds within the maturity limit. Cuxrently the maturity limit is 17 years. Iii theory, the issuer may sell a tax credit bond for par and pay no interest, just the principal at maturity. The Federal government "pays" the interest through a tax credit to the investor. That's the theory, in reality there are very few investors that are motivated by just the tax credit and they are requiring a supplemental rate of as much as 3 percent to increase the yield. To make up for this cost, some issuers are taking on substantial risks by setting up sinking fluids (savings accounts for that final maturity payment) with Guaranteed Investment Contracts "GICs". The problem with GICs is the guarantor may have a substantial balance sheet risk in week and underperforming assets. W2 EHLERS ' LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 30 m November 23, 2009 A better alternative to issuing a tax credit bond with a single (long) maturity is to simply pay off a portion of the debt each year like normal "serial" bond. Paying the debt down each year will shorten the average life of the issue and make it much more marketable to banks. Serial tax credit bonds have been sold to banks without supplement interest rates in recent weeks. However, we expect that it take a supplement rate of less than 0.50% to issue a serial tax credit bonds today because of recent declines in the tax credit rate. EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehiers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 31 ADOPTED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION September 3, 2009 Regular Meeting COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Alden, Dockman, Doll, Klevorn, Trites Rolle COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Haag, Layton STAFF PRESENT: Human Resources Manager Soba -iia, Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol, and Deputy City Clerk Olson 1. Call to Order Chair Klevorn called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Introductions Chair Klevom asked that everyone proceed with introductions as the commission has received a new representative, Gabriel Lofton, for the Wayzata School District. 3. Approve Agenda It was motioned by Commissioner Trites Rolle, seconded by Commissioner Dockman, to approve the agenda as presented. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 4. Approve Minutes It was motioned by Commissioner Alden, seconded by Commissioner Trites Rolle, to approve the minutes of May 20 and July 15, 2009. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 5. Reports of Commissioners Commissioner Alden described the League of MN Human Rights Commissions for those who were not familiar with them. She stated that they are looking for an at -large director for their Board. She invited the commissioners to think about applying for the position and stated she felt Plymouth had a lot to offer the League. Commissioner Alden reported the commission's table at the Night to Unite Kickoff event was a success. They had many visitors, answered lots of questions and handed out many rulers and other items. She thought it was well received and thought it was more successfiil than Music in Plymouth. The commission agreed that their allotted time in Music in Plymouth missed most of the visitors. Adopted Human Rights Connnission Minutes I of 3 Regular Meeting of September 3, 2009 Page 32 6. Police Reports Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol reported there have been four bias hate crime incidents since the last meeting. He outlined each incident and how the police responded to each. The commission discussed how victims of these crimes could be notified that the commission exists and is available to help. Deputy Chief Plekkenpol stated that he could talk to the patrol officers about it. Deputy Police Chief Plelckenpol also reported the squad cars now have new cameras and new policies in place that help protect both the officer and the passenger in back. Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol offered Ride -Along opportunities to all commissioners if they were interested. 7. Old Business A. Supervisor Training Chair Klevorn distributed a draft of what they had collaborated on in the subcommittee meetings. They discussed different presentation styles to be used. The commission set another subcommittee meeting on Sept. 10`h at 6:30 p.m. and directed staff to find a meeting room. B. SHRC Meeting Chair Klevoin discussed the upcoming October trainings the commissions were hosting. She asked that invitations be sent to Council and the School Districts. S. New Business A. September Bremer Grant Application The commission reviewed the grant application prepared by Chair Klevorn, Commissioner Alden, and Deputy City Clerk Olson. It was motioned by Commissioner Trites Rolle, seconded by Commissioner Dockman, to accept and submit the grant application. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 2 of 3 Regular Meeting of September 3, 2009 Page 33 9. Adjournment It was motioned by Commissioner Dockman, seconded by Commissioner Doll, to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Kimberly A. Olson Deputy City Clerk Adopted Human Rights Commission Minutes 3 of 3 Regular Meeting of September 3, 2009 Page 34 APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OCTOBER 22, 2009 PRESENT: Vice Chairman Paul Caryotakis, Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Bob Stein and David Miller ABSENT: Chairman Jeff Kulaszewicz STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken OTHERS PRESENT: Keith Kudla, Kelly Kudla, LeRoy Bendickson, Grace Management Representative Jody Boedigheimer and Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Sara Paquette 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Caryotakis called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from September 24, 2009. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept September 2009 housing report. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept September 2009 housing report. D. HRA Meeting Dates. Change the November and December 2009 HRA meeting dates to the third Thursday (November 19, 2009 and December 17, 2009). MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved -unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. First Time Home Buyer Program. Consider request to remove Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for the property located at 13808 52nd Avenue North. Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. LeRoy Bendickson, Kelly Kudla's father, said that the goal is to have the restrictive covenants removed and it would be nice to have the money forgiven as well. He said that this was a wonderful program in the beginning and he thinks that it did help them to get this property. He said that they rushed into this purchase during the time that Kelly had a serious health condition Page 3 5 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 2 that put her in the hospital and out of work for a month. He said not to focus on that, as the main goal is to try to get the restrictive covenants waived so that they can sell their home. He said that it is creating a lot of stress trying to get $40,000 for the closing just to payoff Plymouth and the mortgage as well. He said that it could take all the money they saved because the housing market is worse and because of the restrictive covenants. He said that they have had at least two offers that didn't meet the income guidelines and two others that have backed away because of the restrictive covenants. He said that City staff had contacted them with the suggestion that they could rent out their home. Housing Program Manager Barnes explained that the offer to rent their home was made because we have allowed this to be done by a couple of other program participants. Mr. Bendickson said that they would be unable to rent because with mortgage taxes and dues, they would need to charge $1,400 per month and the best that they would be able to get in today's market would be about $1,200. He said that they appreciate that opportunity but the negative cash flow would make it difficult to do. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked if they were still residing in the home. Mr. Bendickson said that they are and that they have been financially responsible. He said that earlier this year they had posed the question to City staff about the ability to rent and were told, at that time, that they would not be able to rent as the loan would be called in and it was against the rules. He said that they abided by that decision. He said that Kelly is pregnant and this is very stressful and difficult for her. He said that there would be four people in a two bedroom home. He said that the last time they met with the HRA Board, there were only three of them and asked if being a family of four would make a difference. Commissioner Ludovissie asked for clarification of their statement that one option would be foreclosure but that they don't want to do that. He asked if they were having difficulty making their mortgage payments. Mrs. Kudla said that they want to do the right thing and that they don't feel that renting is an option. Mr. Bendickson pointed out that it is an option but they are not choosing to do it. Commissioner Ludovissie said that their family is growing and asked if their concern was that the house was too small. Mr. and Mrs. Kudla both said that it is too small. Commissioner Miller asked when the option to rent had changed. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that this policy had been reviewed within the past month. Commissioner Miller asked if they have tried to rent out the home since being notified of the option. Mr. Bendickson said that the home has been on the market for a year and a half. Commissioner Miller said that with his history in the rental market right now, this type of unit should get $1,400 per month. Mrs. Kudla said that their neighbors are getting $1,100. Mr. Kudla added that that home is identical to theirs. Mr. Bendickson said that research showed they Page 36 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 3 would only get about $1,200 a month. Commissioner Miller said that in these hard times, those with foreclosures are looking to rent. Mrs. Kudla said that they had looked for a home knowing that this loan was available. She said that the people looking at their home now are not considering using the Plymouth First Time Homebuyer program, so they do not understand why the sales price is about $25,000 more than other comparable units on the market. She said that they can't go on MLS and price the home $25,000 less without providing details that in order to get the lower sales price, the new buyer would have to use the Plymouth First Time Homebuyer program. Mr. Bendickson said that when they purchased their home, mortgages were readily available. He said that mortgages are not readily available today, so people are coming in with three to five percent minimums and they don't want to be tied to the rest. He said that they have in the MLS listing that it is available with $25,000 loan through the City. He said that at the showing, some are willing to write the loan off but then when restrictive covenants come up, they back away. Commissioner Stein asked that if the $25,000 was given back, would the money be able to be used to help another family. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the funds go back into the First Time Homebuyer program. Commissioner Stein asked if there are people coming in that are interested in this program. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that City staff had received numerous inquiries and that all the funds have not been depleted. He added that there was a bit of a push in August and September because of the $8,000 tax credit that people wanted to get in before the November 30th deadline but that he thinks current administration will continue with this program past that. He added that the restrictive covenants are to promote a policy of maintaining affordability within the City. He said that it's unfortunate that the Kudlas bought during the high point of the market and there's nothing pushing them to sell right now, except the desire for them to have more space. Vice Chairman Caryotalcis said that the concern would be about setting a precedent when the goal is to maintain the housing stock with these restrictions available for affordable housing. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that there is another development in the City where there are restrictive covenants. He said that it has a buyout clause included where if they chose to have the restrictive covenants removed; they could do so but at cost. Commissioner Stein said that if we got the $25,000 back and gave it to someone else, there would still be restrictive covenants in place. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the only way to replace restrictive covenants would be if the City owned the property. He said that the City works with new developers and they actually file the restrictive covenants as the owner ahead of the mortgage that gets closed as it's sold. He said that the only ones who can file restrictive covenants are owners. ' Page 37 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 4 Commissioner Stein asked if there would be a way, assuming this would be the bottom of the market and houses will appreciate somewhat, would there be some revenue coming back. He said the $25,000 goes toward the house and they don't have to repay it for twenty or thirty years. He asked that if it was paid off early, could there be a gain or benefit from that or just get the $25,000 back. Commissioner Stein asked if there would be a way to structure that. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that City staff has talked about equity sharing that is similar to how land trusts work. He said that it would be possible, however difficult to amend existing covenants to add an equity sharing provision. He added that in the future, we could structure new covenants to include equity sharing. Commissioner Stein asked if there was some way to help people but not tie there hands. He asked if there was a way to help the Kudlas or if there was a way to partner with Interfaith Outreach, Common Bond or one of the land trust companies to make better use of the $25,000 if there were no restrictive covenants on the loan. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the $25,000 would be paid back to the First Time Homebuyer program. He said that they would have to rewrite the guidelines for the First Time Homebuyer program in order to use that money differently. He said they could look at future years of CBDG allocation to create a new program, as long as it was eligible under the CBDG regulations. Commissioner Stein asked how many properties have restrictive covenants. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that there are twenty now. Commissioner Stein asked if there have been any other problems. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that there have been two from the Village at Bassett Creek that removed them through their provisions in their documents. He said that we have had no one approach us with issues in trying to sell at this point. He said that he couldn't say for sure if some that have gone through foreclosure may have had restrictive covenants on them. He said that the development along Schmidt Lake Road and Northwest Boulevard in which the City sold the land to the developer had the requirement that six units be made affordable, so there were restrictive covenants on those units. He said that about two months ago, they had finally sold the remaining affordable units with the restrictive covenants on them and it was at a much lower price. Commissioner Stein said that there should be a way, going forward, so that this doesn't come up again. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that it was interesting that the Village at Basset Creek had a buyout clause and imagines that it was pretty concrete. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked that if the concern is about setting precedent, would there be a way within by-laws to have some kind of buyout that would be at the discretion of the Board. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that City staff could go back to all of the owners with restrictive covenants and ask if they would agree to an amendment to their Declaration of Covenants. Page 38 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 5 Housing Program Manager Barnes added that in going forward in any new declarations of restrictive covenants, they could go back to the buyout clause. He said that instead of doing 80% of medium income, they could do 100% of medium income because it's probably still below what the average income is in Plymouth. He said that there is precedence for doing that because Minnesota Housing Finance Agency uses programs that target 30, 50, 80, 100 & 115%. Commissioner Stein asked how long the Kudlas have lived there. Mr. Kudla said that they have been there since October 2004. Commissioner Stein asked, if they were to sell their home at 100%, they would basically assume the $25,000 and then after 15 more years it would be forgiven? Housing Program Manager Barnes said that if they identify a buyer that wanted to use our First Time Homebuyer program as well, another First Time Homebuyer loan would be issued and then thirty years start with the new buyer and the City would get paid back through thein loan at closing. Commissioner Ludovissie said that he wished there was a better way to identify hardships. He said that the overcrowding gets to be a concern, especially if opposite sex. He said that in time, that can become an issue, as it is in public housing to a point. He said that the financial loss is harder to see with all the numbers that have been discussed. He said that there should be a way to come up with identifying exactly what issues are here now and in future situations that should arise before the Board. Commissioner Stein said that the Board had a discussion about hardships at a previous meeting. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that was regarding foreclosures. Commissioner Miller added that it was a discussion about the covenants and they would be reviewed case by case. Commissioner Miller asked if the Kudla's position was mainly the restrictive covenants or also the First Time Homebuyer loan as well. Mr. Kudla said that it is the restrictive covenants. Commissioner Miller said that it wasn't so much the financial aspect of losing money because money would be lost no matter what, whether the covenants were there or not. Commissioner Ludovissie said that it is more palatable to recover the money. Commissioner Miller asked if an amendment could be done to include a buyout clause similar to Village at Bassett Creek. Commissioner Ludovissie said that under the current buyout clause, if going by property values, there's probably a threshold. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that he could look into that if the Board wished. Commissioner Miller said that could be offered as it had already been determined to review case by case. He said that if someone else came forward in the future, they could be offered the same thing, at that point in time. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that it would be different if someone came to the Board and said they had this great opportunity to make a lot of cash, so they want to sell it and make a profit and release the City. He said that if there was flexibility on how much was charged, it would be much higher and would be similar to the covenant in The Village at Bassett Creek. He said that the challenge, in this economic environment, would be how to Page 39 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 6 dissuade people from trying to follow suit and dump the covenants so they can make a sale and be able to maintain the balance. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked if the Board could make a case by case judgment on a buyout. Commissioner Stein asked if there would be enough difference so that they could say that they are not setting precedence. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that they can make a case by case decision on each request that comes before them. He said that as far as amending the Kudla's declarations to include some kind of buyout clause would require both this Board and the Kudlas to agree. He said that the intent of our program is not to hinder people. He said that they are already under water to a degree, they have said $40,000. He said that asking them to pay even more money may not get the Board to the point to deal with other declaration of covenants. He said that each case would be different and they would have to weigh the issues when they are brought before the Board. Commissioner Ludovissie said that he would like to limit the characteristics to weigh in each case and narrow it down to some fairly specific reasons. Commissioner Stein asked if there have been any sales on properties with restrictive covenants. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that he is not aware of any. He said that there would have been documents received because it does get flagged at the title company that there are restrictive covenants, so the sale couldn't go through without some kind of verification being done. Commissioner Stein asked if this would come up again and again since it is a 30 -year loan. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that covenants are for 20 years. Vice Chairman Caryotakis added that is 20 years from the time the covenants were first put in place. Commissioner Stein asked if the income threshold could be raised to 100 or 110% of the median income, would that help market the property or would it strictly be the covenants that are a hindrance to selling it. Mr. Bendickson said that it is the low to medium income as part of the covenants as well. He said that they did have an offer that would have fallen under a higher income threshold. Commissioner Stein asked if they would have been willing to accept the covenants. Mr. Bendickson said that they were not willing to accept the covenants. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked if the documents received site the amount of their current mortgage and the amount that similar units have sold for. He said it would be useful to document how much loss there would be. He said that if the Board were to decide to make a case by case decision whether or not to release them from the covenants, this information would assist the Board in the future. Commissioner Stein said that he wouldn't want to base a decision on economics. He asked what would be considered a hardship to let people out. He said that 20 years is a long time for somebody to be in a house as the average is around five years. Mr. Bendickson said that the average has always been seven years. Commissioner Stein said that the goal is to provide affordable housing. He said it doesn't matter if it's homebuyers or renters. Mr. Bendickson said that when this program was offered, housing Page 40 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 7 prices were going up dramatically and there was probably a need for moderate housing; whereas, now maybe all housing is moderate housing. Commissioner Ludovissie said that given the current situation, there is going to be fewer opportunities for development that might create new opportunities. He said that this is one of the few properties where there are restrictive covenants. Commissioner Stein said that there is a new development of 70 units going in by the high school. He said that in his opinion, there's going to be less and less townhouses and apartments in the northwest and more single family. He said that there are still developers like Common Bond out there that may develop affordable housing. Commissioner Ludovissie said that in part, a hardship isn't seen right now and it requires further discussion on this whole issue and how to better deal with these as they come before the Board. He said that the intent should be in making decisions carefully and not structuring them so that remnants don't have to be dealt with later on. Commissioner Stein asked if there was available property out there that could be bought. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the City has a lot of townhomes that are available right now. He said that in talking with our City Assessors, the townhome market was the hardest hit with respect to other markets in the City. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked if the Kudlas intent was to sell and then to buy another larger house in the area. Mr. Kudla said that was their intent. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that if they were able to rent it and the market improves, that reduces their loss. Nlrs. Kudla said that she would not recommend marketing a rental property that was for sale to anybody. Mr. Kudla asked that if they were to rent it and every six months it would be up for evaluation, at some point would the City say they need the money back right now. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the City wouldn't require that the property be listed right now. He said that City staff would work out an agreement that every six months, or whatever term that is appropriate, staff would check into where the market is. He said that City staff would do their due diligence in pulling comparisons to see when it is time to list on the market. Mr. Kudla asked that if they were to purchase a new home using the money that they have saved for a down payment and then in six months the City felt that it was okay to market it, they would no longer have the money that they have set aside and then have to pay the money back. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that the uncertainty would be how much money would be required at a future closing. Commissioner Miller said that if they sold and bought a new house, they could use a lesser down payment for the new house. He said that knowing this would be the potential loss because if it comes up for sale and someone makes an offer on it; they would want to get rid of it. Commissioner Stein said that he would be okay with looking a raising the income level. Commissioner Miller said to table this with the caveat that if they got an offer, to bring it to the Board to look at for income levels. Page 41 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 8 Mrs. Kudla said that buyers don't want to wait until the next Board meeting. Commissioner Miller said that there's an option to hold a special meeting. Commissioner Stein said that the Board could give Housing Program Manager Barnes the authority to approve if an appropriate offer is made. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the Board would have to amend or remove the restrictive covenants because they are a legal document recorded on the property saying that subsequent buyers must be at 80% of income level. He said that knowing what the Board's intent would be, City staff could give the Kudlas an indication after evaluating but that a special meeting would still be required within three to four days. He did not believe that that would be an unreasonable amount of time for any buyer to wait. Commissioner Stein said that he would be willing to change the income level without waiting for a sale. He said that City staff could look at it if it is within a certain range. He asked who had higher income ranges. Housing Program Manager Baines said that the State of Minnesota uses high income ranges for some of their programs. He said that covenants themselves don't have federal dollars tied to them and we the City would not be tied to those restrictions since they are simply what this Board would like to use. He said to keep in mind that if this goes forward, prospective buyers above 80% would not be eligible for the First Time Homebuyer program because that is federally regulated. Commissioner Stein asked if the property was purchased at 100% with restrictive covenants but there was no money from the City, what problems would there be to sell it again. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that the restrictions would be that it would have to be sold to 100% medium income or below. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that if the buyer meets the federal standards, they would qualify for the First Time Homebuyer program as well. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied affirmatively. Mr. Bendickson said that the 20 -year covenant would still be there and that is the biggest point that people don't want to be stuck with. Commissioner Ludovissie said that unfortunately, that is how to preserve affordable housing over time. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to authorize staff to amend the declaration of covenants for the property located at 13808 52nd Avenue North allowing the maximum income to be increased to 100% of the area median income if that will facilitate a sale of the unit. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Mr. Bendickson stated that he appreciates all the time and creativity on this request. He said that he hopes it will help get their home sold. B. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Report. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer distributed results of the survey given to residents on Style E units. Page 42 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 9 Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Paquette stated that the September open house saw a few less people than at previous open houses. She said that they are seeing a sluggish market and that people are now looking six to twelve months out for apartments. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said that they will have a booth at the wellness fair at the Hopkins Community Center this month. She said that they have found this to be a good place for exposure. Commissioner Ludovissie said that in summary, the survey reflects that it's the cost of the unit that is holding people back. Vice Chairman Caryotakis added that is not the view, just the amount of space for that price. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said that the bedrooms and living room have the same square footage as other unit styles and it is the Iayout for laundry and closets that reduces the space. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that there is only one of these units rented now. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer added that their maintenance person resides in one of the units, too. Commissioner Miller asked what the difference is between Style C2 and Style E units. Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Paquette said the difference is the price, plus the laundry room and the bedroom/den, which has French doors. She said that she thinks people see that as being a little bit bigger. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that there are people who don't really need a second bedroom. Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Paquette said that they usually see couples and if they want a second bedroom or have family that visits often, the Style D unit which cost $50 more per month, is a better option. Commissioner Ludovissie asked what the price would need to be to get these units rented. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said that the current rate is $1,275 per month and that they could lower it to $1,200 per month. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked that if it couldn't be done by price, could it be done by changing the layout. Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Paquette said that they could try changing the second room to include a bedroom set up instead of an office setup. Commissioner Stein said that it would be easier to visualize an office rather than a bedroom. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer added that they are trying to not spend more money. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that he would be okay with lowering rent to $1,200. Commissioner Stein asked about the current tenant's rate. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that would stay at the current price. Vicksburg Crossing Managing Director Paquette said that they have had two interested parties and their only objection was the cost. Page 43 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 10 Commissioner Ludovissie said that he would agree with reducing the rent. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said the rent should be lowered to $1,200. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, to reduce the rent for Style E units to $1,200 per month. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C. Tax Increment Financing. Adopt a resolution approving the modification of Redevelopment Project Area Number I and TIF District Number 1-1. Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that there are bonds outstanding for the 16 -year period and he asked whether they can extend it beyond the life of the bonds. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that we have clarified that issue. He said that because the monies would be used for affordable housing project we would be able to keep the district open. He said that if at the end of 2022 we have enough history behind us and did not need the tax increment financing to assist with the building, we would request that HRA decertify the district. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked if there was an increase in the permitted amount of bonds. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that there is. He said that the intent is not to issue new bonds; however, it is to cover us under statutory requirements. He said that our bond council and financial advisors recommended the increase, to not only include existing bonds that were issued for the street reconstruction, but the eligible costs on our outstanding housing bonds as well. He said that all of the bonds have actually been issued and new amount is included to cover the portion of costs that we could use tax increment for of the overall building costs. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve the resolution modifying Redevelopment Project Area Number 1 and Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment District 1-1. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. D. Plymouth Towne Square. Approve 2010 operating budget. Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Vice Chairman Caryotakis asked how many units are at the minimum rents. IIousing Program Manager Barnes said that there are approximately twenty. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said they may even be over twenty now. Vice Chairman Caryotakis said that there are probably fixed incomes. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer confirmed that is the case. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that he believes this building is underpriced for the minimum rents. Commissioner Ludovissie said that he does, too. Page 44 Approved PIymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority October 22, 2009 Page 11 He said that he thinks this is fair and that we are still well below what other apartments offer. He said that the product we put forth and the way we maintain our buildings keeps them very attractive. He said that the building value is there to justify raising rents. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer added that we have been very low in the market place at the minimum rents. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if there hadn't been a number of years between rent increases in the past. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that there was a five to six year period that we had not raised any rents and that had caused a lot of turmoil when we adjusted the rents. He said that when the rents were raised then, the intent was to look at rents every year. Commissioner Stein asked what the increase was last year. Housing Program Manager Barnes said it was a smaller amount. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer added that it was $5 on each apartment. She said that we are raising the market rates by a lesser amount than we are the minimums because the minimum rents are just too low. She said that we are just trying to bring them up a little bit each year. Commissioner Ludovissie said that even if a tenant is getting an excellent deal, any increase of any sort is definitely not bad. Commissioner Stein asked if the garage rental rate is being raised to $45 per month. Grace Management Representative Boedigheimer said that we are increasing to $45 from $40 per month and that the rate had been $40 per month for approximately three years. Commissioner Ludovissie said that was a low rate, even at $45 per month. MOTION by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, to approve the 2010 Plymouth Towne Square Operating Budget. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. E. Vicksburg Crossing. Approve 2010 operating budget. Housing Program Manager Barnes gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Stein asked about the initial yearly projection. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that it has changed. HRA Executive Director Juetten said that it has gotten substantially better. Commissioner Stein asked for an update on that. Housing Program Manager Barnes said that he would give them an update at the November meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve the 2010 Vicksburg Crossing Operating Budget. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 4. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Page 45 PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT APPROVED MINUTES Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room, City Hall Present: Chair Gustafson, Vice Chair Cheng, Commissioner Paprocki, Commissioner Rudnick, Commissioner Kedzuf, Commissioner Wosje, and Commissioner Honer Other Present: Manager Hellekson, Coordinator Maciej, First Transit Representative Baldwin, and Commission Reporter Kovacevick Absent: None Chair Gustafson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Agenda Manager Hellekson asked to add two items to the agenda prior to it being approved; 2010 Draft Work Plan and Extension of Contract with First Transit. Motion made by Commissioner Honer and seconded by Commissioner Paprocki to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. 2. Approval of minutes for September 23, 2009 Motion made by Commissioner Paprocki and seconded by Commissioner Honer to approve the minutes of September 23, 2009. Motion carried. 3. Review Action Items 1. MetroLink Customer Information Signs According to Transit Coordinator Maciej, the signs have been posted on the buses. Complete. 2. Bus Voucher Benefits Transit Coordinator Maciej spoke with Metropolitan Transit. They indicated that they signed an agreement with businesses to not publicize the names of those companies which offer subsidized bus fare programs to their employees. The employee must check with their employer to see if they offer a bus subsidy. Complete. 3. Safety/Emergency Instructions for Riders Minutes October 28, 2009 Page 1 Page 46 Currently there are no emergency procedure instructions posted on the buses. This item is on the 2010 Draft Work Plan. Complete. 4. Density Map Transit Coordinator Maciej distributed the City Land Use map provided to him by the Planning staff. Commissioners will use it as an overlay when planning for future bus routes. Complete. 5. Metropolitan Council Five-year Plan Manager Hellekson suggested members access the complete Metropolitan Council Five- year Plan on the Metropolitan Council web site. The Transportation segment and the 2030 Five-year Plan Summary were both distributed to Commission members as requested. Complete. 4. Expiration of Commission Terms: This item had been tabled at the September meeting. There are five applicants who have expressed interest in serving on the PACT. 5. 2009 Commuter Surveys (October—November) Chair Gustafson relayed that bus drivers are not handing out the surveys on the afternoon routes. First Transit Representative Baldwin will check on this issue. The surveys are substantially the same as the surveys used last year. 6. Fleet Manager Hellekson reported that fifteen new buses should be on the production line beginning next week. The first bus will arrive in Plymouth, for inspection, before the remaining buses go into production. The five buses from SW Transit will not be acquired so we will try to obtain five more buses from other sources. 7. System Changes Update & Notifications Manager Hellekson has offered to do an informational meeting with the Vicksburg Crossing residents to introduce the new service on Route 776. The month of December will be very full with the arrival of new buses, the new routes being introduced and the re -opening of Marquette Avenue and Second Avenue. Chair Gustafson suggested that copies of Rider Alerts be posted on all affected buses. Manager Hellekson stated that Staff developed a new poster for that purpose. Vice Chair Cheng suggested that since December is a month of many changes, that we publish a news release to highlight them, and to also make the City Council aware of the Commission's activities. Minutes October 28, 2009 Page 2 Page 47 8. Route Decline Cause & Effect Discussion (continued from September) Transit Coordinator Maciej provided graphs illustrating the ridership decline data he presented in the September meeting. Vice Chair Cheng talked with some people in his building at work regarding bus ridership. Some said they have been offered reduced monthly parking, free parking for Target Field and Target Center events, and flee parking on Wednesdays. Rapid transit is in direct competition with these benefits. Also, per Chair Gustafson, downtown parking and gas prices have come down, affecting ridership to some extent. She proposed that we add outreach activities and monitoring plans as a work plan item. 9. Review Plymouth Transit Performance Measurements (January — August) Transit Coordinator Maciej presented an overview of the August ridership results. He expects to see an increase in ridership as September and October results become available. October has historically been a very high ridership month. Chair Gustafson mentioned that year-to-date, over the past five years at this time, the 2009 data reflects a substantial decrease in ridership. Vice Chair Cheng remarked that there is a bill before the Senate which would require employers to offer telecommuting to employees and a certain percentage of them would be allowed to participate. These items (lower gas prices, high unemployment, reduced parking fees, fuel- efficient cars, and telecommuting) may all have a cumulative impact on the decrease in transit ridership. 10. Review Plymouth MetroLink Customer Service Log (September — October) Manager Hellekson reported that the glass was replaced at the Nathan Lane Park and Ride bus shelter. Design and construction has begun to divert water that drains onto that lot. Chair Gustafson is concerned that driver and route change complaints may escalate with non - regular drivers in place. The impact on the rider schedule can be very negative if the buses do not run on schedule. Several of the riders who cannot board or exit in the County Road 101 construction zone and have elected to drive to Wayzata where they have more Met Transit options. Vice Chair Cheng asked if there is any customer service training included with the driver skills training. First Transit Representative Baldwin replied that there is. Commissioner Kedzuf suggested that a flashlight might be useful to the riders. This world help the riders be more visible and less likely to be missed by the driver. Chair Gustafson suggested we remind riders to bring their own flashlight. 11. Identify areas of Concern and/or Recommendations First Transit Representative Baldwin stated that Plymouth MetroLink buses will stop along Marquette Avenue at Bus stop A and along Second Avenue at Bus stop F. Beginning Monday, bus drivers will be on the downtown route doing dry runs for their eventual move to Marquette Avenue on December 14° 2009. A map will be developed showing these stops. Commissioner Minutes October 28, 2009 Page 3 Page 48 Honer asked if Marquette Avenue would be available strictly to buses. First Transit Representative Baldwin replied that no cars or taxis will use transit lanes other than to exit existing parking ramps or lots. 12. Other Business A draft 2010 PACT Work Plan was distributed and presented by Manager Hellekson and amended by the commissioners. Manager Hellekson discussed the status of the transit services contract. More information on this topic will be made available on the City of Plymouth website. The recommendation is to extend the contract with First Transit through 2011. As a point of information, the recent Metropolitan Council function was well -attended by city staff and the Mayor. 13. Adjourn A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Paprocki and seconded by Commissioner Honer. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in the Medicine Lake Room, City Hall Minutes October 28, 2009 Page 4 Page 49 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting November 18, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Dick Kobussen, Terry Jaffoni, Gordon Petrash, Scott Nelson, Erik Aamoth and Marc Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Housing Program Manager James Barnes and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to approve the November 18, 2009 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 2009 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to approve the November 4, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. AFFIRM THAT MODIFICATIONS TO (1) DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 7 AND TIF DISTRICT 7-6 AND (2) REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA NUMBER 1 AND TIF DISTRICT 1-1 ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jaffoni, to affirm that modifications to (1) Development Program for Development District Number 7 and TIF District 7-6 and (2) Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Project Area Number 1 and TIF District 1-1 are in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan, Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. Page 50 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 18, 2009 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. PEONY 55 PARTNERS, LLC (2009060) Chair Davis introduced the request by Peony 55 Partners, LLC for a preliminary plat to subdivide the "Peony Promenade" commercial site located in the northwest quadrant of State Highway 55 and Peony Lane North into five lots and two outlots. Planning Manager Senness stated that the applicant had requested more time and asked that the Planning Commission open the public hearing, take any testimony from the public and then continue the discussion of the request to the December 2, 2009 Planning Commission meeting. Chair Davis opened the public hearing. MOTION by Chair Davis to continue the request by Peony 55 Partners, LLC for a preliminary plat to subdivide the "Peony Promenade" commercial site located in the northwest quadrant of State Highway 55 and Peony Lane North into five lots and two outlots to the December 2, 2009 meeting. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS ACADEMY (2009073) Chair Davis introduced the request by Olympic Gymnastics Academy for a conditional use permit to allow a sports and fitness club within an existing industrial building for property located at 2950 Niagara Lane North. Planning Manager Senness stated that staff is asking that the item be continued to the December 2, 2009 Planning Commission meeting. MOTION by Chair Davis to continue the request by Olyinpic Gymnastics Academy for a conditional use permit to allow a sports and fitness club within an existing industrial building for property located at 2950 Niagara Lane North to the December 2, 2009 meeting. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. STONE SOURCE (2009055) Chair Davis introduced the request by Stone Source for a variance to allow two freestanding signs at Stone Source located at 15821 State Highway 55. Planning Manager Senness stated that the applicant had requested more time and asked that the item be continued to the December 2, 2009 Planning Commission meeting. Page 51 Approved Planning Commission Minutes November 18, 2009 Page 3 MOTION by Chair Davis to continue the request by Stone Source for a variance to allow two freestanding signs at Stone Source located at 15821 State Highway 55 to the December 2, 2009 meeting. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Page 52 LJ L) _ 0 o L O O O - (@6 E C s ,F `� r7) t C aa) W + A L L = L 3 m o c a m H 0 a °� cZ cO �y vUL y c c E ❑ N ..� 0 p 0 n `� a E coo 0 a E— CysCy (,) .a., N c L (6 C E a°i N O L G m y' a) c Y C: o @ ,C a e 3 a s m in a c a� o� 3� m a@+ H o 0 O _ (n .0 m a is a 0 3 E V c c N N@ @ a c .� a) O m =3 _ D. E CD 0 E N j @ in U "' = � n L? 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N�� 'cj m m� c ~ rt c�zcA N a c N Y 47 ❑ OL ❑; v a D N d' L 0.' O Q J Q p 7 O —_ TO S6 C 0.. (tl N O a —_ a C E 7 •� P. co 47 C) a O ,• J UC7UN0 NON dUHof O cna- w p c M O `. co 7 U7 0- m m m of o ao o o Page 5 5 co a co co a sa -` m N L L O a) vw E E c 'c m2YU a~iCL fn w m � a W m O E 8 2 mco000 Page 56 a� rn CL DATE: -November 24, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager cc: Steve Juetten 14.4 FROM: Barbara Senness, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average daily population for the month of October, 2009. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility was 481, less than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit. The chart below shows the average monthly population since October of 2002. HCACF Monthly Population Report 700 � �`:f'-. 3 '�x�' � ry v-r-cv�' ✓ms's �x � ]� '��14� ail }'�4 �j '- aY �� - �r a' r �- -r, y. �. n� r� J � r ,Y .�} -;. u k v -i aft •--�,� s -A �sx.(a,s{ �� 4fi i rr�t _ ' I � �. ' � d -' �� r„ � - s•�� � -� � ��. � ��. �5�_,�>€ x _y �k '�. �.,, *'AT y � v3; r tis -�. f,_, 600 i 5W ocvr��t 0 400 an�r�se U Count m rn n d 300 4 200 100 0 o ManthlYear Page 57 PLM MUT34 FIRE -RESCUE DATE: 11/18/09 PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 763-509-5120 FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST TIME: 2:44 p.m. ADDRESS: Hwy. 101 & Prairie Creek Dr. DETAILS: A personal injury vehicle accident was reported to the Department on Wednesday, November 18'h. First arriving, Plymouth Police officers reported a vehicle into a retaining wall with the driver trapped. Chief 1 (Kline) requested that the HURST rescue equipment be deployed, with a possible dash push and roof removal to be performed. Due to the severity of the patient's injuries, North EMS determined this to be a load -and -go situation and extricated the patient before fire department actions. The patient was extricated from the vehicle three (3) minutes following fire department arrival. The patient was transferred to North Memorial Medical Center. There were no firefighter injuries. RESPONSE TIME: Seven (7) minutes. This call occurred during the Duty Crew hours of operation. FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS: Engine Companies: E-21 Ladder Companies: Support Units: U-21 Rescue Companies: R-11 Chief Officers: C-1, C-2 Mutual Aid: DIVISION OFFICERS: Chief Kline (Command). ASSISTING AGENCIES: EMS: Yes Red Cross: No Salvation Army: No Public Works: No State FM: No Henn. Fire Invest.Team: No Page 58 FP) Plymouth;u MENEM _. Adding Quality to Life SUBJECT: CITY OF PLYMOUTH POTENTIAL STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT Dear Property Owner: May 18, 2009 In order to preserve the substantial investment the City has made in its street system, the Plymouth City Council adopted a Street Reconstruction Program. All streets in the City have been evaluated and prioritized by area, and your neiZn ghborhood has been selected as a candidate for the 2010 Project (see map on reverse side for proposed project area). In response to the identification of your street through the City's Pavement Management Program, City staff will be gathering engineering data in your neighborhood. In the next few months you could see survey stakes, utility flags and spray paint in your yard. If you see these items, please leave them in the ground as this information is vital to ensuring accuracy with the data gathering stage. The presence of the survey crew does not mean that the project will be constructed. The City Council will determine in the future if any improvements will be constructed. If this potential project is selected for construction in 2010, a neighborhood information meeting would be held in the fall of this year. That meeting would give City staff an opportunity to gather information from residents on specific details that may need to be addressed during design. Sump pump discharges and Iocations of sprinkler systems or buried electric dog fence systems are examples of the type of information which is critical for us to know about. Following the information meeting, the City Council would hold a public hearing to determine if an improvement project will proceed. You would receive notice of the public hearing in late 2009 or early 2010. In addition, if you are planning on replacing your driveway this summer or next, it is recommended that you wait until after a determination is made on whether the project will proceed or not. if your street is reconstructed, the end of your driveway will likely be cut and replaced to tie into the new street alignment. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call me at 763-509-5529. Sincerely, Joe aumen Reconstruction Program Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd s Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 a Tel: 763.509-5000 , vtnvw.ci.plymouth.mn.us JAG Z': 44, 0'EnSineetinElPROJECTS'2410-2019110001'.Llr3020 I OrecnnPotenti alProject doc Page 59 13TH PL N 7m 13TH �TH A --.--12THAVE' N 12THAVE' N Qua Ave PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION AREA ct I rri 18TH AVE N 17TH AVE' N 13TH PL N 7m 13TH �TH A --.--12THAVE' N 12THAVE' N Qua Ave PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION AREA ct I NOTICE OF EVENT PLYMOUTH COUNCILMEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Northwest Metro Drug Task Force Informational Meeting, Thursday, December 10, 6.30-8:00 p.m. Black Box Theater at Plymouth Creek Center This is not an Official City Meeting and no business will be conducted, but a quorum of members may be in attendance, The event is hereby noticed and open to the public. Please call 763-509-5000 for further information regarding this event. Sandy Engdahl, CMC/MMC City Clerk Posted on December 1, 2009. Page 61 -AA,A Metropolitan Council VP NO November 19, 2009 TO: Local OfficiI FROM: Guy Peterson (rector, Community Development Division The 2009 housing performance score for your community is enclosed. It is being sent to both the community's administrative officer and the person that completed the survey. The scores were determined based on several factors set forth in the Council's Guidelines for Priority Funding for Housing Performance. Seventy percent of the score came from the survey you completed about housing activity in your community during the past two years. It included information about: local fiscal, regulatory, and housing rehabilitation initiatives to facilitate workforce housing development and preservation the density of residential development the approval of affordable or life -cycle housing that has not yet been developed The other 30 percent of the score was determined from the following data about your community's housing: • the affordability of owned housing units (a combination of local government information about the number of mobile homes, and homestead tax valuation data from the Minnesota Department of Revenue) • the diversification of housing (based on local housing permit data Council research staff gathers annually from local governments) • the number of affordable rental units (from data provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Minnesota Housing and local and county HRAs) • the availability of housing in your community for persons with special needs (based on information provided by the Minnesota Departments of Education, Corrections and Human Services) The performance scores are intended to reflect both the amount of affordable and life -cycle housing in the community and the community's efforts to facilitate affordable and life -cycle housing development and preservation. Scores range widely, reflecting the variety of metropolitan area communities. The sparse population and scattered housing locations of rural, unsewered communities tend to result in lower scores, while the affordability and diversification of existing housing stock in urban, sewered communities, combined with efforts to add and/or preserve such housing, yield higher scores. As indicated in the Council's Livable Communities Act grant request solicitation materials, the housing performance scores will be one of the factors considered in the evaluation and ranking of applications for competitive funding programs this fall If you have any -questions or want to discuss your community's score, please call me at 651-602-1418. Thank you. Enclosure 4 i E=i3ct . ;; r: !,r -� 'L [ iA€ :M ;a. ' ;-J 1:ti_1011 II;Ce.t I yI: Lc•::a! ul' ! Fina ' www.metrocouncil. org 390 Robert Street North a St. Paul, MN 55101-1805 0 (651) 602-1000 a Fax (651) 602-1550 i 15 (651) 491-0 U2 PageAn Equal Opportunity Employer Final Housing Performance Score — 2009 Name of City/Township Plymouth Criteria —100 points possible Total Final Score 7E' 2. 71 3. 4. 4 5, 6. 7. g, r � 9. a. b. 10. Total Final Score 7E' Final Score 2008 71 Page 63