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Council Information Memorandum 04-18-2008
CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO April 18, 2008 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS PACTAgenda 04/23/08........................................................................................................................Page 1 HRAAgenda, 04/24/08.........................................................................................................................Page 2 Environmental Assessment & Public Hearing for Co State Aid Highway 101 Project, 05/14/08........ Page 3 April, May, June 2008 Official City Meeting Calendars..................................................................... Page 5 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings .................................................... Page 11 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Livin' Large, Article Star & Trib....................................................................................................... Page 12 Switch to Rentals Saves Mixed -Use Projects, Article Star & Trib .....................................................Page 15 Plan to Turn Hwy 169 to Freeway Gains Favor, Article Star & Trib .................................................Page 18 MEETING MINUTES EQC Minutes 03/12/08...................................................................................................................... Page 20 Planning Commission Minutes 04/02/08............................................................................................Page 25 Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Minutes 12/14/07....................................:........................................Page 30 Suburban Rate Authority Quarterly Meeting Minutes 04/16/08 .........................................................Page 36 Safety Committee Minutes 02/20/08..................................................................................................Page 42 Park & Rec Commission Minutes 04/10/08.......................................................................................Page 45 CORRESPONDENCE Letter from City of Crystal, RE: Mosaic Youth Program.................................................................. Page 51 AGENDA PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT Medicine Lake Meeting Room (upper level of City Hall) Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. 1. 7:00 Approval of agenda 2. 7:05 Approval of minutes from the March 26, 2008 PACT meeting (attached) 3. 7:10 City Council Update: Cub Foods Park & Ride Improvements (To see infonnation in advance of meeting, go to www.ci.plpnouth.mn.us and click on City Council "Meeting Agendas," "2008 Meeting Agendas," and "City Council Regular Meeting Agenda April 22, 2008.") 4. 7:20 Updates (attached) • Metropolitan Council and Suburban Transit Authority • Minneapolis Access Plan • Commuter Challenge Update 5. 7:40 Ridership information and review of ridership statistics for March -2008 (attached) 6.. 7:50 Identify areas of concern and/or recommendations (complaint log attached) 7. 8:05 Discussion of analysis of transit system: perfonnance measurement - Attached: • , Plymouth Transportation Plan, Chapter 6 of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, adopted 12-11-07 • Appendix 6B of the Plymouth Transportation Plan • Draft of Plymouth Performance Measurements • Transit Program 2008 Tasks . 8. 8:45 Other Business 9. 9:00 Adjouinnent Note: Please call Sarah Hellekson at 763-509-5052, if you are unable to attend. Q:\PACT\2008\PACT-4.23-08_agenda.doc Page 1 AGENDA MEETING PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Medicine Lake Room City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from March 20, 2008. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing update. B. Vicksburg Crossing. Amend 2008 Operating Budget. 4. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AVAILABILITY AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY (CSAH) 101 PROJECT IN THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, HENNEPIN COUNTY PROJECT NUMBER: SP 27-701-13 MINNESOTA PROJECT: STP 2708 (092) The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing regarding the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed project involving the reconstruction of CSAH 101 in the City of Plymouth, in Hennepin County. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility (1600 Prairie Drive, Medina). An informal open house format will be used. Hennepin. Cou t;' and Ci y personnel := l available provide pec, n t�will be a u .ab to _oviu specific information and individual assistance. The EA document along with maps, drawings, and supporting documents will be available for public viewing. The purpose of the public hearing is to afford an opportunity for all interested persons and agencies to comment on the proposed action. Public comments will be recorded as part of the official public hearing record. All comments will be considered in the development of this project. The Hennepin County Public Works Facility is handicapped accessible. Individuals with a disability, who need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Guy Nowlan, Hennepin County Transportation Department, 612-596-0396. The proposed project would reconstruct CSAH 101 from 1400 feet south of CSAH 6 to 500 feet south of CSAH 24, in the City of Plymouth, Hennepin County. The purpose of the project is to improve safety, correct pavement structural deficiencies, and to address capacity. The EA documents the existing and proposed highway section characteristics, need for the proposed project, alternates considered, environmental impacts and mitigation, agency coordination, public involvement, and the impacts to Oakwood Playfields, a Section 4(f) protected resource. For Viewing Copies: Copies of the EA are available for public viewing during business hours at the following locations: • Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth • Plymouth Community Library, 15700 36th Avenue North, Plymouth • Hennepin County Public Works Facility, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina To Comment: Comments will, be received through May 23, 2008, and maybe directed to: Guy Nowlan, Design Project Engineer Hennepin County Transportation Department 1600 Prairie Drive Medina, Minnesota 55340-5421 Phone: (612) 596-0396 Fax: (763) 478 4000 Email: guy.nowlan@co.hennepin.mn.us Page 3 Page 4 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS April 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, Council Chambers 3 4 YARD AND GARDEN EXPO, Plymouth Creek Center 6:00-8:00 pm Fieldhouse 5 YARD AND GARDEN EXPO Pymouth Creek Center 9:00 am -1:00 pm Fieldhouse 6 7 1:31 P. M. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 8 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, Discuss Lake Setback Ordinance, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 9 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Medicine Lake Rooms A & B 10 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers H. 12 13 14 6:30 P.M. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD CEREMONY Hall Lobby and Council 15 6:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING- PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, DISCUSS YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, UPDATE WITH CIN MANAGER, Medicine Lake Room 16 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, Council Chambers 17 18 PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek Center 19 :PRIMAVERA OUTH ARTSCity NCIL SHOW,Chambers th Creek Center 7:00 PM BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 20 PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH ARTS COUNCIL SHOW; Plymouth Creek Center 21 PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek Center 22 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Counul Chambers PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek Center 23 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A 24 7:00 PM HRA MEETING Medicine Lake Room 25 26 9:00 AM -12:00 PM PLYMOUTH CITY SAMPLER, Plymouth City Hall 27 28 YOUTH 6:30 Pb LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, Plyumou0r Creek Cerner 29 30 Mar 2008 S M T W T F S May 2008 S M T W T F S 7:00 PM BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 modified on 4/17/2008 Page 5 j Page 6 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS May 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jun 2008 1 2 3 Apr 2008 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 29 30 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, Council. Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers , 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 - • 700 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, oouaoa chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL pUALITYCOMMTTTEE (EOC), Medicine Lake Rooms A & B 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, Council Chambers 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MEMORIAL DAY (Observed) - City Offices Closed 7 00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Courcil chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A 6:00 PM HRA MEETING Medicine Lake Room 9:00 AM- 3:30 PM SPECIAL RECYCLING DROP-OFF DAY, Plymouth Maintenance Facility modified on 4/17/2008 Page 7 Page 8 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS June 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, Council Chambers ' 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCILMEETING,. Council chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Medic(ne Lake Rooms A 8 B 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers FLAG DAY 15 16 17 18 19 .20 21 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION .MEETING, Council Chambers 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, tour', chambers - 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A 7:00 PM HRA MEETING Medicine Lake Room MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH 8:00 am 5K Run 29 30 Ju12008 May 2008 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 modified on 4/17/2008 Page 9 Page 10 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items April 26, Open House/Town Meeting, 9:00 a.m.-Noon, City Hall May 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Oath of Office to Police Officer Amy Therkelsen • Proclamation Honoring 70th Anniversary of Carlson Companies May 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve Planned Unit Development amendment and Preliminary Plat to create 20 single family lots and one outlot from one existing outlot for property located west of Cheshire Parkway and north of 55th Avenue North. The Rottlund Company, Inc. (2008003) June 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers June 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers July 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m.,,Council Chambers July 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. page 11 livin' large Page 1 of S#ar'TrIbi, neXOM = MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL.. ESOTA Livin' large By Kim Palmer, Star Tribune April 15, 2008 That big, fancy house down the street -- is it a showplace? Or a showoff? You might call it a McMansion, the nickname for a supersized trophy home. Minnesota appears to be a hotbed. A recent Census Bureau survey ranked us fifth nationwide for our percentage of new homes with four or more bedrooms, and "McMansion" debates are being waged in city halls across the Twin Cities. But it's a lot easier to deploy the "M" word than to define it. "The term refers to something overscale and cheesy," said John Archer, architectural history/cultural studies professor at the University of Minnesota. "Of course, overscale and cheesy are both in the eye of the beholder. You can't define it. It's like pornography; you know it when you see it." Unless you happen to live in it. Then you might not even realize that your home is an ostentatious cliche. "I've had many people ask me, 'Do I live in a McMansion?"' said architect Sarah Susanka, author of "The Not So Big House" books. "That's tricky to answer." Suburban subdivisions are rife with McMansions, but you're not likely to see them ' described that way in a sales brochure. "No. I've never used that term in marketing a listing," said Cindy Welu, a Remax agent who works in the southwest suburbs. "I don't get a real positive vibe from the word." The moniker has morphed since it emerged in the late'80s, Susanka said. In 1998, when she was writing her first book, McMansion referred to a big exurban home that looked good from the street, but wasn't well built. "They were homes built for speed and a quick sale, as opposed to care. and quality of design," she said. But in recent years, the term has become associated with teardowns in established neighborhoods and new homes that dwarf surrounding ones -- and raise neighbors' ire. "Often they're out of proportion to the homes that are already there," Susanka said. "That's the thing that seems to offend people the most. I've seen some beautiful architectural masterpieces, but the neighbors are still upset." Susanka isn't opposed to teardowns. "It's going to happen when a house is dilapidated or not fitting the needs of today." But often owners pick a plan from a book, without considering the site, she said. "They're unaware until it's built that it's way out of Page 12 i4://vA w.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17752789 4/16/2001 ,ivin' large Page 2 of proportion with the neighborhood and that the very thing they love about their neighborhood will be destroyed by what they're building." New houses in old neighborhoods don't have to scream "McMansion," she said. A house can harmonize with smaller homes if its roofline, window size, frontage and other elements are in proportion to those surrounding it. Context is key, agreed Archer, author of "Architecture and Suburbia." "If you have a street of little bungalows and you put up a big two-story house, it's a McMansion." Eclipsing the neighbors The issue has been hotly debated in Edina recently, where several residents of the South Harriet Park neighborhood urged the council to impose a moratorium on teardowns. "A McMansion is forever; a moratorium is temporary," said Brian Belanger, who calls a spec home being built on his street a "monster house." "I have no objection to them in an appropriate neighborhood. But this is a little, old traditional neighborhood. They're tearing down 1,600 -square -foot homes and replacing them with 5,000 -square -foot homes. . There's practically no yard. It boils down to visual mass, and the light and view that it. blocks. The neighbors will live in perpetual eclipse." (The builder of the home declined to comment.) Edina is considering an amendment to limit new homes' floor -to -lot ratio, said Cary Teague, planning director. The city formed a task force three years ago and recently developed "massing" guidelines. Greenwood, too, is working on an ordinance to limit mass -to -lot ratio, as the small cabins that once dotted its Lake Minnetonka shoreline are upgraded to large year-round homes. They aren't McMansions, said Pat Lucking, who heads the city's Planning Commission. "But some mansion-ization has gone on. There are probably a dozen houses that are too big for their lots. We don't currently have anything on the books to regulate that, and people took advantage." Big new lake homes also are riling property owners in Dellwood, where Rhiannon O' Connor was one of several who tried, unsuccessfully, to stop her next-door neighbor from replacing an existing house with one that's twice as tall and three times as big as her own 3,000 -square -foot house. "It will block our light and sunsets and is way oversized for the lot," she said. (The owner declined to comment.) But some see upsizing as just part of a cycle. Neighborhoods need to be "refreshed," said Todd Shipman, a Sky Sotheby's real estate agent. "Change is hard for people, and it's always nice to respect your neighbors, but my sense is that some neighbors are overreacting." That said, "There are ways to achieve quality of life without a lot of volume." Page 13 ittp://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17752789 4/16/2002 ,ivin' large Page 3 of McMansion blight ahead? Big houses are nothing new, of course, but there are definitely more of them than in decades past. Average square footage for new single-family homes continues to creep upward, according to the National Association of Home Builders, reaching 2,469 in 2006, compared with 2,434 the year before and 1,700 in 1976. Many people are building more house than they need, said Tom Fisher, dean of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. "I cringe when I go to the suburbs and see excessively large homes with wasted space. People think they can't afford an architect, but a good architect will talk you out of doing unnecessary things. People used to raise a family in 800 square feet. Now they feel deprived with under 2,500 square feet -- 5,000 square feet is absurd." Model home tours have fueled the bigger -is -better aesthetic, Susanka said. "A big living room with a vaulted ceiling may look cool with 200 people walking through it, but when it's just you and your husband, you may not like it." However, some see a new aesthetic beginning to emerge. Archer has noticed a shift in the way new developments are designed and marketed. "If you read the promotional materials, they're increasingly about 'community.' Ten years ago, it was about making a statement." Big houses will continue to be built, but in a less showy way, he predicted. "They may still have a two-story foyer, but they won't broadcast that from the street with a cathedral window." And ultimately, changing demographics will push supersized homes out of favor, said Arthur C. Nelson, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. With baby boomers aging out of their child-rearing years, there soon will be many more big single- family homes than buyers. "Just like the olden days, when huge Victorian homes were converted to apartments, that's going to happen in the exurbs," he said. "The market will demand it. They'll be occupied by a different kind of household; my best guess is multiple -family, lower-income households. Today's McMansions will be the affordable housing of the future." Kim Palmer • 612-673-4784 © 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. Page 14 ittp://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17752789 4/16/2001 Switch to rentals saves mixed-use projects 1 of 3 http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17581384 Switch to rentals saves mixed-use projects By JENNA ROSS, Star Tribune April 12, 2008 New plans for a block in downtown Hopkinslook an awful lot like those abandoned for the same site back in August. But one big difference -- apartments in place of condos -- might mean that this time, the project gets built. "When the city came to us, their first question was, 'Would you be interested in doing this condo project?"' said Kelly Doran, president of Doran Development. "Our quick answer: no. But if it were luxury apartments? Then we're interested." In Minneapolis, a Mill District condo project could soon become a Mill District apartment project. In Minnetonka, a mixed-use building planned for Excelsior Boulevard was "saved" by the switch from owned to rented. And in St. Louis Park, a major, multiphased redevelopment is "well on its way" thanks to the phase involving. luxury apartments being, moved up and a second condo phase getting. pushed back. They're projects caught in a larger market shift from condominiums to rentals, cities say Apartments are in, condos are out. "In the previous three to five years, conversations with developers focused on condos, condos, condos," said Kevin Locke, St. Louis Park's community development director. "Now they're talking about market -rate to luxury apartments. "Certainly developers are thinking in different ways." Although the shifts have elicited mixed responses from residents who live near the projects-- some have worried about apartment "riffraff," as one Minnetonka resident put it -- cities have generally welcomed the adjustment: It can often mean moving a stalled mixed-use project forward. The Minnetonka City Council supported developer Tom Wartman's switch from condos to apartments in one of his Glen Lake redevelopment's three phases. It was a "good decision," Wartman said in an e-mail, and the apartments are on track to open May 1. "We were ahead of the curve," he said. "We've already pre -rented several units and have had numerous inquiries -- 807plus already for our 52 units." In Hopkins, GPS Development jettisoned plans last summer for 220 condos on Mainstreet after struggling to secure financing. Within the same month, city staff began approaching other developers, who relayed "the realities of the market," said Kersten Elverum, the city's director of economic development. Page 15 4/14/2008 7:36 AM Switch to rentals saves mixed-use projects http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17581384 Apartments aren't ideal. The city had hoped to add owner -occupied residences, as the majority of the city's housing -- 65 percent -- is already rental. "But we don't have a comparable product [in luxury apartments], and we haven't had a whole lot of rental units constructed in the last 20 years," Elverum said. Plus, she said, high-end apartments would bring an affluent and perhaps younger group of people to the city's downtown. Rents for the 254 units would likely range from $1,100 to $1,900. "People are living in apartments by choice," Doran said. "You could go buy a house for the amount of rent you're going to pay." But there can be a down side to ownership. Some people are taking a look at the lack of buyers and the glut of condos in this market and are deciding to avoid those problems altogether, Doran said. That trend will likely continue throughout 2008, according to a report by GVA Marquette Advisors, a company that tracks rental projects in the Twin Cities area. Generally, cities and developers are optimistic about the demand for rental units. Doran Development's market study showed that high-end suburban apartment complexes -- such as the Bluffs at Nine Mile Creek in Eden Prairie -- had an average occupancy of 97 percent. GVA Marquette Advisors' report for the 2007's fourth quarter found that "another 870 units are expected to come online during 2008, mostly high-end urban product." But it also found that during that fourth quarter, the highest vacancy rates were in the higher price ranges -- topping at 8.4 percent for units. over $1,500. Anticipating market reversal In their pitch to cities, developers often promise that they'll build apartments in such a way that if the market changes, they can easily be converted to condos. That means increasing soundproofing, separating utilities and including amenities such as party rooms and exercise facilities, among other things. They're being careful, cities' staff say, to anticipate possible reversals in the market. In fact, some developers are hesitant to even define the housing in their proposed projects as rental or owner -occupied. Presbyterian Homes and Services has submitted a detailed plan to the city for its $170 million redevelopment of the Wayzata Bay Center site. One question unanswered in it: Whether the conventional (versus senior) housing units will be high-end apartments or condos. St. Louis Park's Locke recalls when the market situation was reversed. In 2001, "The Page 16 2 of 3 4/14/2008 7:36 AM Switch to rentals saves mixed-use projects http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Stor-y?sid=17581384 expectation was that the [Excelsior and Grand] project would have 600 residential units all rental," he said. Then, the condo market blossomed -- and so did condos. Jenna Ross • 612-673-7168 © 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. 3 of 3 Page 17 4/14/2008 7:36 AM Plan to turn Hwy. 169 to freeway gains favor Page 1 of 3 Plan to turn Hwy. 169 to freeway gains favor By LAURIE BLAKE, Star Tribune April 15, 2008 Getting rid of the traffic lights on Hwy. 169 in Bloomington, Edina and Eden Prairie has been on commuters' wish lists for years. Now that legislators have raised the state gas tax to bring in more money for roads, the three communities say it's time to turn Hwy. 169 into a freeway by rebuilding the interchange at Interstate Hwy. 494. The project, with a pricetag of $120 million, has been on and off again in recent years because of a lack of funds. But during a meeting with suburban city officials on Monday., . the Minnesota Department of Transportation said it is willing to consider accelerating the 169/494 project if the cities can agree to a less costly design. ."Everybody is committed to working toward a solution and getting going on it," said Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead. "We were all hoping this thing would have been in the ground right now." The next step is for city engineers from each community to think about "what perhaps we could live without," said Scott Neal, Eden Prairie's city manager. Most likely to be cut would be expensive "fly -over" bridges which streamline the traffic flow but significantly drive up the construction costs. The alternative is to use a standard cloverleaf interchange where streams of traffic cross and weave at entrance and exit ramps. It will be later this summer "before we have a direction firmed up on what we would build and when we would build it," said MnDOT's west area manager, Tom O'Keefe. Federal, state and city officials approved the expansive design at a cost of $120 million a few years ago, and MnDOT had the project scheduled for 2016. The tradeoff for a less -ideal design would be getting the work done a lot sooner, Edina Mayor Jim Hovland said. "If it's going to take a decade to get the more abbreviated plan, then maybe we would be comfortable waiting," Hovland said. But if MnDOT could reduce congestion and improve safety with a less expensive project in three or four years, maybe the three communities would agree to that, he said. With a wide, flat design and wooden noise walls, the four -lane Hwy. 169 looks like a freeway and drives like a freeway, but it opened in 1997 with stoplights instead of freeway overpasses at three major intersections to save money. . Page 18 http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17762539 4/16/2008 Plan to turn Hwy. 169 to freeway gains favor Page 2 of 3 The stoplights caused safety problems and delays from Day One, and drivers cheered when construction of overpasses removed stop lights at Pioneer Trail and Bloomington Ferry Road in 2006. Now it's the remaining lights at Highwood Drive and on either side of 1-494 that cause delays. Southbound traffic can back up through Edina as far north at Crosstown Hwy. 62, and Edina is eager for a safer, less -congested highway, Hovland said. Eden Prairie is counting on the project to make it easier to get in and out of the Golden Triangle business park so the city can allow business expansion, Neal said. Bloomington is pulling for the project because three of the four corners of the interchange are in Bloomington. When the interchange backs up, traffic'pours onto city streets, Winstead said. "All the cut -through stuff is a real big deal for Bloomington." The cities renewed their push for the project because of the increase in the gas tax, Neal said. "We wanted to know how the prospects for the project had changed given the new funding dynamics at MnDOT." Legislators raised the state's 20 -cent gas tax in a landmark $6.8 billion transportation bill passed in February. The bill calls for an extra 8.5 cents a gallon by 2012 -- an increase that started with a 2 cent per gallon rise on April 1. Another half -cent will be collected beginning Aug. 1, and an additional 3 cents starting Oct. 1, with the remaining 3 cents phased in gradually over the next few years. Every penny added to the gas tax brings in an extra $32 million a year. After giving cities and counties their share, the state highway share is about 60 percent, or $19 million, said MnDOT fiscal analyst Bruce Briese. MnDOT is still studying the legislation to determine how the money should be spent, Briese said. The bill requires spending for bridge repair, pavement repair, making debt payments for highway bonds, repairing the Transportation Building and hiring more state troopers, Briese said. Expansion projects which include getting rid of traffic lights on Hwy. 169 would come after bridge and pavement repair, O'Keefe said. Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711 © 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. i Page 19 http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print This_Story?sid=17762539 4/16/2008 City of Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) March 12, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Kathy Osborne, Commissioners Carlos Gutierrez, David Pellinger, Terrie Christian, Sally Strand, Katie Kendrick and Tawnia Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Transit & Solid Waste Manager Sarah Hellekson, Water Resources Manager Derek Asche, Solid Waste Coordinator Kris Hageman and Office Support Representative Patty Hillstrom OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ginny Black, Jim Wollschlager and Mark Stollman, Randy's Sanitation 1. CALL TO ORDER — 7:03 P.M. Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson introduced herself to the EQC. 2. PUBLIC FORUM Jim Wollschlager, Director of Company Operations for Randy's Sanitation, stated that he was happy to hear that the City will proceed with the RFP process for recycling service and felt that there are some valuable things left to explore. He said the City has an opportunity to build a source separated organics program within the City that will help increase the percentage of recyclables collected. Mr. Wollschlager said that Randy's has had success with similar service elsewhere and is confident that they can do it in Plymouth. Commissioner Strand asked Mr. Wollschlager if it would be a problem for Randy's to acquire more trucks to cover the City of Plymouth. He replied that Randy's would definitely need to add trucks to their fleet and did not feel that this would be a problem. Councilmember Black asked Mr. Wollschlager what type of fuel Randy's uses in their trucks. He replied that Randy's uses the percentage of bio -diesel fuel that is mandated by the State which is 5%. 3. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS A. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FAIR Water Resources Manager Asche referred to the handout and stated that the Environmental Fair is being hosted by the Sunset Hill Elementary School on Thursday, March 20th Commissioner Kendrick asked if any volunteers were needed for the fair. Chair Osborne, Commissioners and Kendrick and Pellinger volunteered their time for the Environmental Fair. Page 20 Environmental Quality Committee Minutes March 12, 2008 Page 2 Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman reminded everyone of the Yard & Garden Expo that is being held on April 4th and 5th. She said the City is partnering with Three Rivers Park District and they will have a big presence at the event. They will be helping with the Eco Learning Center, workshops and will be giving small presentations. She added that the keynote speaker, Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson, Ph. D., will be speaking about nature deficit disorder in children. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman noted the Living Green Expo is being held the first weekend in May at the fairgrounds and encouraged everyone to attend. She said it is an incredible event that is free and includes many workshops. Commissioner Strand asked. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman for clarification on handling and disposal of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman replied that the compact fluorescent light bulbs are a better choice than incandescent because of energy savings but they contain mercury. She added that there is a new technology with LED lights that do not have any hazardous components and are an even greater energy savings. Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson added that the MPCA website provides information on the exact steps to take for clean-up of broken bulbs and disposal of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Commissioner Strand felt that public education is needed for this issue. Councilmember Black asked the date of the Special Drop -Off Day. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman replied that the event will be held on May 31, 2008, and added that bikes for reuse and shoes for recycling and reuse are additional items that will be collected this spring. She said any shoes that are unsuitable for reuse will go to Wipers, Inc. in Maplewood where they will be ground up and used for oil spill clean-up material. 4.' APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda for the March 12, 2008, EQC meeting was approved with additions. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 13, 2008, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Gutierrez, seconded by Commissioner Strand, recommending approval of the February 13, 2008, Environmental Quality Committee meeting minutes. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6. PUBLIC HEARING There was no public hearing scheduled for the meeting. Page 21 Environmental Quality Committee Minutes March 12, 2008 Page 3 7. GENERAL BUSINESS A. SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING — 2007 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2008 PROGRAM OUTLOOK; RECYCLING SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE Recycling Services Contract Update Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson reported that at the March 11, 2008, City Council meeting, the proposal from Waste Management to extend the contract for recycling service was tabled and staff was directed to continue the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. She informed the EQC that the timeline for the RFP is quite tight and the first opportunity the EQC will have to see the RFP is when it is on the City Council agenda. Transit and Solid Waste Manager Hellekson assured the EQC that their work over the past year will be included in the RFP and added that she has not heard City staff dispute any of the EQC's suggestions for recycling service. Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson stated that best value contracting rather than the. lowest bidder will be used for the RFP process. Chair Osborne asked if there has been any follow-up from the cities of Golden Valley and Minnetonka. Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson replied that the City of Golden Valley held a study session last night and will consider the proposal on March 18th and Minnetonka will discuss the issue at their March 25th Council meeting. Councilmember Black stated that she invited both cities to continue to participate in the RFP process and that the City of Plymouth would like to continue as a three city group. She suggested that it might be helpful if the three Councils or their representatives met for discussion of the recycling contract. Chair Osborne asked Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson and Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman to email the EQC if any other items are added to the City Council agenda pertaining to the recycling contract in order for them to attend the meeting. Water Resources Manager Asche noted that the City Council agenda is available on the City's website and by subscription service. Commissioner Christian asked if the City Council and EQC minutes are available on the website. Water Resources Manager Asche replied that both the City Council and EQC minutes are on the City's website, but only the City Council minutes are available by subscription. 2007 Annual Report Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman referred to the information in the meeting packet stating that the City is required by Hennepin County to submit an annual report and in return they share some of the State of Minnesota SCORE dollars with the City. She said the City receives approximately $160,000 each year from Hennepin County. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman reviewed the report with the EQC and Chair Osborne asked for any comments from the EQC. Page 22 Environmental Quality Committee Minutes March 12, 2008 Page 4 Commissioner Christian asked what materials the State of Minnesota allows for landfill cover and if any of the materials produce methane gas. Chair Osborne replied that ash, contaminated soils and sand are allowed and that they do not produce methane gas. Commissioner Pellinger asked why there was not more balance between the budget for additional recycling and waste reduction. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman replied that there is a jump every other year because of the production of the "Recyclopedia". Commissioner Johnson asked if the brush and trees at the yard waste site are single or double ground. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman replied that they are single ground. She said the contractor is able to use different equipment that results in better quality mulch with a single grind. Commissioner Strand stated that several councilmembers at last night's City Council meeting were concerned about revenue sharing that was offered by Waste Management in their proposal for recycling service. She said it is her understanding that Randy's and other haulers would not include revenue sharing. She felt the EQC should discuss the importance of this matter. Transit & Solid Waste Manager Hellekson replied that there is a need to be fiscally responsible. She explained that City staff made the recommendation to accept. the proposal from .. Waste Management and continue to negotiate with them for additional services and modifications to the contract for that reason. She added that revenue sharing would be included in the RFP since the Council tabled approval of the extension of the recycling contract with Waste Management. Councilmember Black stated that other than the EQC minutes, she did not think the City Council has ever formally seen any information containing the recommendations of the EQC. She suggested that the EQC's recommendations be included in the Council Information Packet or placed on the City Council agenda under the reports section. Commissioner Christian would like to see the consequences of "not doing the right thing in regard to recycling" be included in the memo. Motion by Commissioner Pellinger, seconded by Commissioner Christian, requesting that memo with the EQC's recommendations for Ahe recycling contract be provided for the City Council. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman referred to the Solid Waste Program Purpose, Goals, Objectives report and stated that the report does not cover all of the activities but gives a good working plan for reaching goals to increase abatement, educating citizens on recycling opportunities and reducing toxins in the home. She asked the EQC for questions or comments. Councilmember Black suggested adding the vision statement to the report above "Purpose". 2008 Program Outlook Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman reported that finalizing the RFP for recycling service is the current priority, but City staff has also been working on the Environmental Quality Fair, Yard & Page 23 Environmental Quality Committee Minutes March 12, 2008 Page 5 Garden Expo, Earth Day presentations, Environmental Extra and participation in other community events. She reviewed other activities and programs that will take place in 2008. Councilmember Black suggested publishing a document which includes fun facts about recycling. Solid Waste Coordinator Hageman replied that staff is looking at different types of topic pieces that would be available on the City's website and recycling fun facts could be included. Commissioner Gutierrez is concerned about the use and disposal of plastic silverware in the garbage at Wayzata Middle School. Councilmember Black replied that the market for plastics is very limited. Chair Osborne would like the City Councilmembers to know that wheel kits are available at no cost for use with recycle bins. Motion by Commissioner Christian, seconded by Commissioner Strand, accepting the 2007 Solid Waste Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives as a working document with the inclusion of the vision statement in the report. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 8. FUTURE MEETINGS 9. ADJOURNMENT With no objection, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.. Page 24 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting April 2, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Holmes, Commissioners Terry Jaffoni, Erik . Aamoth, Karl Neset and James Davis. (Commissioner Jaffoni arrived at 7:05 p.m.) . MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Frank Weir STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Planner Joshua Doty, Public Works Director Doran Cote 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 Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the April 2, 2008 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 19, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the March 19, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. ROLLIN B. CHILD, INC. (2008012) MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the request by Rollin B. Child, Inc. for a site plan amendment and variance for an 18,945 square foot building expansion and front yard parking setback for RBC Tile & Stone for property located at 1820 Berkshire Lane North. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARING A. THE ROTTLUND COMPANY, INC. (2008003) Page 25 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2008 Page 2 Chair Holmes introduced the request by The Rottlund Company, Inc. for a planned unit development amendment and preliminary plat to create 20 single family lots and one outlot from one existing outlot for property located west of Cheshire Parkway and north of 55th Avenue North. Planner Doty gave an overview of the March 25, 2008 staff report. Planner Doty added that the applicant is requesting additional time and that staff recommends that the Planning Commission open the public hearing, take any testimony from anyone who wishes to speak on the item and then continue the hearing to the May 7, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. Chair Holmes opened the public hearing. Chair Holmes introduced David Benson, 5515 Fembrook Lane North, representing the. Glacier Vista Twinhomes Association. Mr. Benson said that he is concerned about the access to the neighborhood off of Fembrook Lane. He said that a direct interchange from Cheshire Lane to that neighborhood would be an advantage to future homeowners. He said that the proposed access off of Fernbrook Lane will make the interchange more difficult for people exiting from Fernbrook Lane on to 56th Avenue. Mr. Benson said that Fembrook Lane is very narrow for two-way traffic. He said that when vehicles are parked along the side of the road it becomes a one-way road. He said the road is at a weird pitch and becomes slippery and dangerous in the winter. Mr. Benson said that he is concerned about the water pressure and what the plan is to address that. He asked if they would continue to suffer with poor water pressure if more homes are added. Planner Doty said that adding another access point to Cheshire Parkway does not meet standards in the subdivision regulations. He said the regulations require that the access to the subdivision be from a lower order roadway (Fembrook Lane) and not a higher roadway (Cheshire Parkway). Planner Doty said that Fembrook Lane is a narrow roadway but is an approved street under subdivision regulations. He said that it is considered a low volume street with two-way traffic and parking on one side. He said that subdivision regulations for lower volume roadways state that there can be no more than 500 trips per day on low volume streets. He said that with the Glacier Vista homes and the 20 proposed homes, the daily trips would total 272, which would comply with the subdivision regulations. Public Works Director Cote said that this area is some of the highest land in Plymouth. He said that they are at a dead end of the existing trunk watermain. He said that the extension of the watermain to County Road 47 would help alleviate the water pressure issues. He said that conditions have been added to the resolution that require the developer to provide system improvements to make that pressure work until the watermain is extended. Page 26 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2008 Page 3 Commissioner Davis asked what the normal street width is. Planner Doty said that 28 -foot wide streets are typical and that there are some streets in Plymouth that are 32 feet wide. Planning Manager Senness added that the standard changed a number of years ago from 32 -foot wide streets to 28 -foot wide streets and that lower volume streets are allowed to be the narrower 24 feet. MOTION by Commissioner Neset, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to continue the public hearing to the May 7, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (2008011) Chair Holmes introduced the request by Providence Academy for an amendment to the site plan and conditional use permit to allow building expansion and site improvements for property located at 15100 Schmidt Lake Road. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the March 25, 2008 staff report. Chair Holmes introduced the applicant Patti O'Donnell, representing Providence Academy. . Ms. O'Donnell said that they are submitting site variations from the original plan based on expansion needs. She said that their elementary school has a waiting list and that if the project is approved, they would be able to start hiring teachers for this next school year and utilize existing classrooms until the completion of the. new classroom addition in 2009. Ms. O'Donnell said that the overall site plan amendment had been refined over the past several years. She said that current field limitations have hampered them from holding some field events and that the proposed changes will provide amenities that are on par with other schools in the community. Chair Holmes asked if the dome over the tennis courts would be opaque so that lighting is diminished. Chair Holmes introduced Troy Gamble, representing Anderson Engineering. Mr. Gamble said that the dome material would be opaque, which does better to contain the light in the dome. Chair Holmes opened the public hearing. Chair Holmes introduced Franzi Schneider-Krumpus, 5140 Quantico Lane North. Ms. Schneider-Krumpus said that the break in the trees located. northwest of the athletic field is to allow for stormwater drainage. She asked if there would be any type of structure Page 27 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2008 Page 4 proposed by the new track to discourage kids from going into the woods during athletic events. Chair Holmes introduced Thomas Klevorn, 4755 Kingsview Lane North. Mr. Klevorn said that during the original construction period, the radio frequency used in construction vehicles would set off the alarm in his residence and he had to turn the alarm off. He asked if something could be done about the radio frequencies used. Mr. Klevorn asked that consideration be given to the traffic flow on Schmidt Lake Road for safety. Mr. Klevorn asked how the lighting would be fixed. Chair Holmes introduced Gary Zurek, 5050 Quantico Lane North. Mr. Zurek said that the tennis court is currently located 120 to 140 feet from his property line and the proposed changes would bring the tennis court within 30 feet from the property line. He said that moving the tennis court closer to the property line creates a privacy issue. Chair Holmes closed the public hearing. Mr. Gamble said that the west side of the athletic field would be fenced off and there would also be a retaining wall along where the track bleachers would sit above the existing ground.. Mr. Gamble said that this would be a substantial deterrent and that there would not be easy access to the woods. Ms. O'Donnell added that during football games, there are two security officers that patrol the site and would be able to address kids going into the woods. She said that the security officers are also there during the peak morning traffic and that they make sure that there is no danger along Schmidt Lake Road. Public Works Director Cote said that the applicant could address the issue of radio frequencies during construction if they would affect alarm systems. Public Works Director Cote said that there is typically more traffic in the mornings and traffic is less significant in the afternoons. He said that there would have been a traffic study completed when the original plan for Providence Academy was proposed. He said that could be looked at to see if a need for a traffic signal there had been warranted or recommended. Planning Manager Senness added that if there is an issue with people not complying with speed limits as posted, there is the possibility of speaking with the Police Department to step up enforcement. Chair Holmes said that it is a high volume, high speed area by everyone and not just Providence Academy traffic. He said that it would be a good time for the police to look at that stretch and slow traffic down. Page 28 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 2, 2008 Page 5 Commissioner Neset asked that a recommendation be made to the Police Department to have them place a speed trailer on Schmidt Lake Road. Planning Manager Senness said that staff would follow up on this recommendation. Senior Planner Drill said that the revised lighting plan would address a . maximum mounting height of 25 feet on light fixtures, would show required house shields and would provide watts per square foot calculations. Chair Holmes asked if the revisions would put the lighting plan in conformance with the City Ordinance. Planning Manager Senness said that a condition in the resolution requires them to submit a revised lighting plan. that complies with. City regulations before building permits could be issued. Senior Planner Drill said that the applicant has revised the landscaping plans to provide a coniferous screen along the lower level of the retaining wall and over story trees at the higher elevation. He said that the new tennis courts would be lowered five feet from their current elevation. Commissioner Neset asked to go on record that his daughter attends Providence Academy but that it would not sway his vote and would not require him to abstain. Commissioner Aamoth asked if Providence Academy would be able to come back for an extension if the project is not completed within the approved eight years. Senior Planner Drill said that they would be -able to ask for an extension and that it would require review by the Planning Commission and approval by the City Council. MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to approve the request by Providence Academy for an amendment to the site plan and conditional use permit to allow building expansion and site improvements for property located at 15100 Schmidt Lake Road. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Holmes, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Page 29 www.highway55.org Preserving the 55 Corridor from 1-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Full Membership Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes Friday, December 14, 2007 9:30 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Hennepin County Transportation Facility Medina, MN Training Room 1. Call to Order– A quorum being present, Penny Steele called the meeting to order at 9:37 a.m. 2.. Introductions – Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Penny Steele, Hennepin County Jim Grube, Hennepin: County; Marvin Johnson, City of Independence; Jack Russek, Wright County; Mark Casey, City of Annandale; Claudia Dumont, MnDOT D3; Elizabeth Weir, City of Medina; Chad Adams, City of Medina; Doran Cote, City of Plymouth; Paul Johnson, City of Buffalo; John Griffith, MnDOT Metro; Sue Vergin, City of Corcoran; Laurie Karnes, Land for Sale, Inc.; Michael Seeland, Property Resources Corporation; Rick Brown, SRF Consulting Group, Inc.; Brad. Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. 3. Approve Meeting Minutes from October 19, 2007: The minutes were reviewed with no changes noted. Motion by Marvin Johnson, second by Jim Grube to approve the October 19, 2007 meeting minutes. Motion passed with all voting in favor and two abstentions. 4. Election of Officers for 2008: Chair—Motion by Jack Russek and second by Wayne Fingalson to nominate Marvin Johnson as Chair. There were no more nominations and Jack Russek moved and Liz Weir seconded the motion to cast an unanimous ballot for Marvin Johnson as Chair of the Coalition for 2008. All voted in favor. 2007 Chair Penny Steele turned the meeting over to Marvin. Vice Chair—Motion by Penny Steele, second by Jack Russek to nominate Mark Casey as Vice Chair. There being no other nominations, Jack Russek moved with Penny Steele seconding the motion to cast an unanimous ballot for Mark Casey as Vice Chair of the Coalition for 2008. All voted in favor. Secretary/Treasurer—Motion by Penny Steele, second by Jack Russek to nominate Liz Weir as Secretary/Treasurer. There being no other nominations, Jack Russek moved with Marvin Johnson seconding the motion to cast an unanimous ballot for Liz Weir as Secretary/Treasurer on the Coalition for 2008. All voted in favor. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Phone: 763/682-7383 FAX.- 763/682-7313 E-mail: wavne.frn�ralson(rico.i+' Page 30 Owww.highway55.org.� HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota 5. Marketing Committee Report: • Brochure — Wayne Fingalson updated the Coalition on the status of the Coalition's new brochure. The final draft of the brochure was handed out for the members review and comments. Wayne noted some the main items in the brochure. The inside pages show the Hwy 55 corridor and the current projects with their status. Also included are quotes from various officials, businesses and citizens concerning Hwy 55. The website address and Coalition contacts are clearly displayed. Wayne said that the life of this brochure should be about 2 years and 2000 copies will be printed. All members and elected officials will be sent a copy and additional copies will be given to the Counties, Cities and Townships. Wayne said that the Marketing Committee members and Jane Greiner, MnDOT graphics designer should be commended for their excellent work on this brochure. Members concurred. Motion by Wayne, second by Jack Russek to send a letter thanking Jane Greiner for her work. All voted in favor. Brad Larson will prepare a Thank You letter for Marvin Johnson and Karla Heeter's signatures. 6. Financial Report: Wayne handed out the Financial Report as of December 10, 2007. He noted the current fund balance of $16,306.95. Motion by Jack Russek, second by Penny Steele to approve the Financial Report. Motion was approved. Wayne responded to a question on whether the Coalition's financial records are audited stating that they are as part of the annual Wright County audit. Penny Steele requested a letter to the Coalition from the auditing firm for Wright County stating that the Coalition's records were audited. Wayne. will follow up on this. The proposed 2008 Coalition budget was handed out for review. Penny Steele recommended that "Fund Balance" be added to the expense category with "Misc. Expenses". On a motion by Jack Russek and a second by Penny Steele, the 2008 Budget was approved 7. Technical Advisory Committee/MnDOT Report: • TH 55 Environmental Assessment Status: Jim Grube and John Griffith noted that each City has been met with. The hope is to have resolutions from all the cities before the time of the Public Hearing. The Cities of Rockford, Independence, Corcoran and Plymouth have made resolutions with conditions. Need Medina and Greenfield. Medina has a concern about closing of some signalized intersections in the concept plan. Greenfield has a concern about approving the concept layout showing right-of-way needed prior to contacting property owners. John Griffith said they do not need a resolution of supportas long as there is not a complete rejection of the layout by the city. MnDOT is not asking the cities to endorse a final layout, just the concept. MnDOT's position is to protect the corridor for the future. Process is also not to stop development/redevelopment along the corridor during the interim which could be 20-50 years out. Ideally, the time to get the resolutions is prior to going to the EQB Monitor to advertise for the Open House which is tentatively scheduled for February 14, 2008. The Open House will be held at the Hennepin County, Medina facility. After the Open House will be a comment period and the County/MnDOT may go back to the cities to review the public comments received if the cities desire such a meeting. Final approval is anticipated in March, 2008. Once the EA is approved, federal funds will be eligible to be spent on right -of --way acquisition along the Hwy 55 corridor in Hennepin County. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX.- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne.frngalsonCa)co. Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Page 31 HIGHWAY 55 www.highway55.org CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Claudia Dumont said that the EA from Rockford to Buffalo is a high priority in District 3 and they will hopefully get started in the near future. They met with FHWA on the EA from Rockford to Buffalo. The FHWA's recommendation is to wait until the Metro EA is done. They don't want any conflicts between D3's EA and Metro's EA. Claudia further noted that MnDOT was made aware that some property that MnDOT will need right-of-way from is being auctioned off. MnDOT will stake the right-of-way needed on this property and will acquire easements for this. • Federal Funding Eligibility Status: 'See Federal update below • Coalition Projects Status and Funding Recommendations: --CR 134: Claudia Dumont said that offers on the right-of-way have been made. Hope all but one will accept the offer. Construction in 2008 anticipated if funding available (see below). --Autumn Oaks: Wayne Fingalson reported that the City of Rockford has dropped the Autumn Oaks project and has released the $500,000 the Coalition had allocated to the project. The TAC recommends that the $500,000 be reallocated to the CR 134 project. Motion by Penny Steele, second by Liz Wier to reallocate the $500,000 to the CR 134 project. --Wright County Official Map Ordinance: Wayne stated that an Open House/Public Hearing was held on October 30, 2007 for the Wright County Official Map Ordinance. About 60 attended. Next step is to finalize the map with MnDOT and have County Board adoption which is scheduled for January 15, 2008. Wayne noted how the County's Zoning Department worked with a previous proposed developer which had a portion of the property needed for future Hwy 55. That portion was platted as a outlot so no building would be constructed on it. The developer got to develop the rest of the property knowing that in the future no building or buildable lot would be impacted by. the Hwy 55 project. Wayne was asked to write this down so we can put this on the website and also give to others to show the benefit of what the Coalition/Counties and Cities are doing to save money in the future and preserve the right-of-way. 7. Legislative Updates. Federal —The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee passed out of committee the Senate version of the Technical Corrections bill in July. However, the full Senate has still not voted on the "bill. Until that happens, the Coalition will NOT be able to use the $4 Million in federal funds on safety improvement projects. Claudia and Wayne noted that without a Technical Corrections bill, the Hwy 55 @ CR 134 and the Hwy 55 @ CSAH 12 projects are in jeopardy. Some senators in the Senate are holding up the vote on this bill. It was explained that under Senate rules any one Senator can stop a bill from being voted on. This happened last session (2006) when the Technical Corrections bill was passed by the House but not voted on by the Senate prior to the end of the Congressional session and this appears to be the case again this session (2007). Wayne talked recently to a Washington lobbyist who was at a meeting and he felt that the Technical Corrections bill will be passed before the December recess. Claudia Dumont said that without the federal funding for the I35W Bridge, other MnDOT projects will be impacted and delayed. She explained that federal funds in the bill are to be used to reimburse MnDOT for costs on the Bridge project. Therefore, MnDOT first has to pay the cost and then ask for Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX.- 763/682-7313 1901,Highway 25 North E-mail: waime fingalson(Ey Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Page 32 HIGHWAY 55 www.highway55.org CORRIDOR OAUTIUN Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota reimbursement. A Minnesota Legislative Committee can authorize MnDOT to spend more over their current legislative budget authority, but they have only approved $30 Million while MnDOT has said it needs $85 Million more in fund authorization. Don't know how much District 3 will be asked to defer. This could impact funds currently slated for the CR 134 @ TH 55 project. If this happens, the construction of the project would be delayed or the County/City would have to up front the deferred amount of the project for MnDOT. • State — Each MnDOT district is to identify 15% of their federal funds that could be set in reserve until 2009 if the federal Highway Trust fund is depleted and that some of the SAFETEA-LU funding authorization has to be rescinded. This could also affect the amount of the $4.0 Million the Coalition was authorized. Currently we are projecting receiving only 85% of the funds, but this would be in addition to that. Wayne Fingalson stated that funding is a serious issue. MnDOT does not have the funds so Cities and Counties have been fronting MnDOT's share of projects. Need to get the funding issue resolved. 8. Communications: There was no communications to the Coalition since its last meeting. 9. Establish next full membership meeting date and time: The next meeting is Friday, February 15, 2008 (February meeting cancelled, next meeting is Friday, April 18, 2008) at 9:30 a.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works facility, Training Room in Medina. 10. Other Business: 2008 Dues statements were mailed out December 13. 2007. 11.Adjourn: Chair Marvin Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:44 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Brad Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX.- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne. fingalson@comI Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Page 33 2008 Transportation Funding Bill Here's What the Bill Contains The ten year revenue estimate is as follows: Trunk highway fund $3,426,479,000 CSAH $1,455,128,000 MSA $ 382,223,000 Other local roads $ 118,216,000 Metropolitan area transit $1,152,027,000 Greater MN transit $ 58,216,000 TOTAL $6,592,288,000 For the '08-'09 biennium: Greater MN transit $ 1,700,000 Northstar extension study $ 250,000 Ports $ 500,000 State roads — operations & maintenance $ 41,352,000 State roads — investment support $ 34,034,000 Highway debt service $ 7,211,000 CSAH $ 50,173,000 MSAS $ 13,179,000 State Patrol $ 3,653,000 Federal emergency relief $132,000,000 Value capture study $ . 325,000 Total increase in '08-'09 appropriations: $284,377,000 Funding increases for metropolitan area transit will come from the sales tax imposed by counties in the metropolitan area of 1/4 percent. The revenue generated by the sales tax is estimated at about $68 million in FY09 increasing to $135.5 million in FY2018. Funding elements of the bill: 5 cent increase in gas tax 2 cents starting on the first day of the month following 21 days after enactment 3 cents on October 1, 2008 3.5 cent surcharge on gas tax for trunk highway bond debt Surcharge rate schedule FY2009 .5 cents FY2010 2.1 cents FY2011 2.5 cents FY2012 3.0 cents FY2013 3.5 cents • $1.8B in trunk highway bonds over 10 years FY2009-FY2018 $600M of trunk highway bonds dedicated to new Bridge Account for repair and improvements of state bridges • Eliminating caps on license tab fees and changing the depreciation schedule Page 34 • Dedicating sales tax on leased vehicles to Greater MN transit and local roads starting in FY2010 and fully phased -in by FY2012 50% to Greater MN transit 50% to CSAH fund — to counties in the metropolitan area, excluding the counties of Hennepin and Ramsey so that each county shall receive the percentage that its population bears to the total population. • Providing a $25 tax credit for low-income residents • Authorizing metropolitan area counties to impose a'/a percent sales tax for transit - Eligible counties include: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington - Counties whose proportional annual sales tax revenue is less than or equal to 3% are guaranteed to receive at least as much back as the revenue they generated. - Before imposing the tax, an eligible county must declare by resolution of its board to be part of the metropolitan transportation area and enter into a joint powers agreement. - Funding can be used for: capital improvements to transitways, capital costs for park-and-ride facilities, feasibility studies, property acquisition and construction of transitways, and operating assistance for transitways. - A Grant Evaluation and Ranking System (GEARS) Committee shall be formed to provide grants for eligible expenditures • Authorizing counties in Greater MN to levy a sales tax of up to % percent for transportation purposes • Increased authorization for MnDOT to spend trunk highway funds in FY08 and FY09 to reflect federal emergency funding related to the I -35W bridge project. • $60M in GO bonds for local roads and local bridges • CSAH formula change — new money generated by increased gas tax, license tab fees and increased motor vehicle sales tax distributed under formula based 60% on needs and 40% vehicle registrations. • Prohibition on charging tolls on existing general purpose lanes • Change in the Flexible Highway Account funded with the 5% that comes off the top prior to the 62/29/9 distribution to trunk highway fund, CSAH and MSA Funds will be used for turnbacks, safety improvements on county highways, municipal highways, streets or town roads and routes of regional significance. • A county regional rail authority may not contribute more than 10% of the capital costs of a light rail transit or commuter rail project and may not contribute any funds to pay the operating and maintenance costs of an LRT or commuter rail project. If a county is contributing to a project on the date of enactment, it may continue to contribute funds. • A Transportation Strategic Management and Operations Advisory Task Force is created to advise the governor and legislature on management and operations strategies that will improve efficiency in transportation. The task force shall submit a report by Dec. 15, 2008 to the governor and chairs of the committees with jurisdiction over transportation. Page 35 MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY April 16, 2008 Pursuant to due call and notice, the quarterly meeting of the Suburban Rate Authority was held at the City of Bloomington Public Works Building, 1700 West 98ffi Street, Bloomington, Minnesota, commencing at 11:30 a.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Executive Committee Chair, Desyl Peterson, opened the meeting and roll call was taken. 2. ROLL CALL: Bloomington Jim Gates Brooklyn Park Gary Brown Circle Pines Jim Keinath Columbia Heights Bruce Nawrocki Eden Prairie Gene Dietz Edina John Wallin Fridley Layne Otteson Golden Valley Jeannine Clancy Hopkins John Bradford Lauderdale Brian Heck Minnetonka Desyl Peterson ---Oakdale --Brian Bachmei-er --- Plymouth Doran Cote Robbinsdale Richard McCoy Also present was legal counsel for the SRA, Jim Strommen of Kennedy & Graven. It was determined that a quorum of SRA votes was present to transact business. 3. APPROVAL OF JANUARY ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES. The minutes were previously circulated. Mr. Dietz moved to approve the annual meeting minutes. Mr. Gates seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 4. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: Mr. Wallin reported on the financial status of the SRA as of March 31, 2008, and circulated a financial statement reflecting current balances (available upon request). He noted that the first half assessments had not been sent out to SRA members and therefore, no assessments had been received to date. Mr. Strommen stated that the assessments would be sent shortly. The Board consensus was to include with the assessments a letter summarizing recent SRA accomplishments. Mr. Strommen will prepare such a letter, solicit comments from the Executive Committee, and include it with the first half assessments. Mr. Wallin also circulated a claim from Kennedy & Graven for legal services to be acted on later in the meeting. Mr. Gates moved to accept the Treasurer's report. Ms. Clancy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 331981v1 JMS SU160-3 Page 36 5. COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. Strommen reported that there were no communications. 6. STREET LIGHTING WORK GROUP. Mr. Strommen reported that the work group, consisting of Gene Dietz, Jeannine Clancy, Brian Wagstrom, and Gary Brown, had met following the January meeting and identified issues and opportunities for cities to reduce streetlighting cost and improve service. Mr. Dietz reported that he has continued to receive quotes for the City of Eden Prairie needs from other providers and also a revised and more favorable quote from Xcel: The relevant quotes relate to equipment costs and monthly maintenance fees. It is apparent that the SBA's interest has been noted by the various potential providers, as well as Xcel. Further information is necessary to determine the optimal cost and service from outside providers in comparison to Xcel. Mr. Brown also his review of in-house streetlight maintenance services. As a large suburb, the City of Brooklyn Park can entertain the possibility of allocating staff to streetlight maintenance. Right now no clear advantage is apparent from moving the maintenance services in- house, even at a large suburb. He noted the appeal of a joint powers arrangement if the other joint powers member(s) were of equal size. Ms. Clancy requested that the further review of streetlighting options include the benefits of environmentally beneficial technology such as LED lighting. The consensus of the work group and the Board was that there is a real potential for cities to benefit from. competition in the street lighting equipment and maintenance areas and that further analysis is appropriate. The work group will meet in the near future to discuss these issues fiu ther and obtain hard numbers where possible. The Board encouraged delegates or member staff to obtain information from other potential providers, with that information conveyed to the work group. 7. MUNICIPAL PUMPING WORK GROUP. Mr. Strommen reported that Gene Dietz, Bob Cockriel, and Brian Bachmeier met with Paul Lehman and other Xcel representatives, as noted in the quarterly meeting memo packet. This SRA-Xcel process is nearing completion with Xcel having closely reviewed the efficiency of pumping operations in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Oakdale. Notably, these cities appear to be operating efficiently, but some are taking greater advantage of the demand charge testing exemption of 70 hours. This rate design allows testing of pumps for limited times without triggering the full demand charge, which renders such limited operation costly. Mr. Dietz described the operational benefits he learned from the meetings, including stand-by peak control and peak control -tiered time of day options. Mr. Strommen reported that possibly one more meeting will occur and the goal is to identify two or three operational tips that can be conveyed to all SRA members and their pumping operation staff. Mr. Strommen also noted that Xcel has maintained throughout the process that it does not favor the continuation of the municipal pumping class. Rather, it seeks to eliminate differentiations of rate design based on end users. The Board affirmed its desire to maintain the municipal pumping rate design, citing historical and policy reasons. Further discussion recounted the history of municipal pumping rate design dating back to the formation of the PUC in 1974. Mr. Strommen noted that he anticipates another Xcel electric case later this year or in 2009. At that time the SRA can address the position advanced by Xcel. 331981v1 JMS SU160-3 2 Page 37 8. C -BED REPORT. Mr. Strommen referred the Board to his memorandum describing C -BED, Community -Based Energy Development. Mr. Strommen does not recommend further review of C -BED at this time and suggested that municipalities that are not operating utilities await a more developed legislative and economic environment for the wind energy projects contemplated by C -BED. No further action will be taken on this issue until further Board action. 9. 2009 PROPOSED SRA BUDGET. Mr. Strommen noted that the April meeting requires the Board to adopt a preliminary, proposed budget for member consideration prior to the July quarterly meeting. The final budget is adopted at the July meeting. Mr. Strommen described the issues expected for the balance of 2008 and 2009. Ms. Clancy asked about the inclusion of municipal study group allocation for 2009 and suggested that street lighting may have a longer period of active participation than municipal pumping. Discussion also ensued regarding the level of assessments in light of anticipated tight city budgets. The Board discussed the issues that perennially face the SRA regarding cost -benefit, recent accomplishments, and level of activity in given issues. Given the prospect of a surplus trigging the process of budget adjustment as adopted at the January annual meeting, Mr. Brown suggested a reduction in assessments from $400 to $375 or $350 per vote. The Board discussed the relative merits of reducing assessments in times of tight budgeting versus the difficulty in raising assessments if the need arises, given that the SRA is not in a high budget reserve situation at present. Mr. Nawrocki and others expressed their position that the assessment level remained appropriate and provided value to members. A motion to reduce the assessment from $400 to $375 per vote for 2009 was defeated. Ms. Clancy then moved to adopt the proposed 2009 budget as submitted, substituting street lighting work in the anticipated 2009 expenses for municipal pumping, at the $400 per vote assessment level. Mr. Keinath seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The Board delegates are directed to discuss the 2009 proposed budget with the member city councils, as needed, for final Board action on the 2009 budget at the July quarterly meeting. The letter to SRA representatives regarding SRA work and accomplishments was discussed in the context of the budget process. It was agreed that such a letter would go out with the first half SRA assessments. A copy of the proposed budget is attached. 10. NEW CHALLENGE REGARDING RELOCATION REIMBURSEMENT IN MULTI -GOVERNMENTAL UNIT RIGHT-OF-WAY PROJECTS. Mr. Strommen referred the Board to his memorandum submitted as part of the meeting packet. He explained that the local telephone companies in particular appear to be challenging the right of cities to require relocation when they carry out utility projects in right-of-way that cities do not manage, e.g., county or state highway. Mr. Strommen noted that this is a recent development that may need to be decided in the courts or at the Legislature and is very important to the utilities, as well as cities and other local government units. Mr. Gates moved that counsel be directed to research and prepare a memorandum to the SRA membership as soon as possible discussing this new relocation issue and suggesting action cities could employ to avoid costly challenges to their right to require relocation without reimbursement to the utility for city projects not carried out in the city right-of-way. Mr. Bradford seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 11. UTILITY NOTICE TO CITIES OF GAS OR ELECTRIC SHUT -OFFS. Mr. Brown reported on his successful efforts in alerting the state Legislature to the problems cities face from delay in notice of utility shut off from utilities due to privacy requirements. The spate of 331981v1 JMS SU160-3 3 Page 38 recent foreclosures has been costly to cities due to frequent utility shut-off to homes without notice to cities. Unbeknownst to cities, these abandoned or inadequately cared for homes have become nuisances when water pipes 'burst and significant home rehabilitation is necessary from water damage. Pending legislation, SF 2775/BF 3229 is expected to be signed by the Governor. This removes the impediment to earlier notice to cities of utility shut off. The bill text is attached. 12. LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING. Mr. Bradford offered to host the July 16 meeting at the City of Hopkins. 13. CLAIMS. Mr. Wallin circulated the claim of $9,771.23 from Kennedy & Graven for legal services. Mr. Keinath moved to approve the claim, and Mr. Bachmeier seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 14. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m., and Board members were invited to participate in a tour of City of Bloomington facilities. Attest: Chairman Secretary 331981v1 JMS SU160-3 4 Page 39 S.F. No. 2775, 3rd Engrossment - 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) Posted on Mar 19, 2008 1.1 A bill for an act 1.2relating to utilities; requiring notice to city when customer's heat source 1.3disconnected;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.681, by adding a 1.4subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B. I.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.681, is amended by adding a 1.7subdivision to read: 1.8 Subd. 6. Utility disconnection. Utility data on disconnections provided to cities 1.9under section 216B.0976 shall be treated as private data on individuals or nonpublic data. 1.10 Sec. 2. f216B.09761 NOTICE TO CITIES OF UTILITY DISCONNECTION: 1.11 Subdivision 1. Notice required. Notwithstanding section 13.685 or any other law 1.12or administrative rule to the contrary,a public utility, cooperative electric association, 1.13or municipal utilityprovide notice to a statutory city or home rule charter city, 1.14as prescribed by this section, of disconnection of a customer's gas or electric service. 1.1 SUpon written request from a city, on October 15 and November 1 of each year, or the 1.16next business day if that date falls on a Saturday or Sunda port must be made 1. 1 7available to the city of the address of properties currently disconnected and the date of 1.18the disconnection. Upon written request from a city, between October 15 and April 15, 1.19daily rpports must be made available of the address and date of any newly disconnected 1.20properties. 1.21 For the purpose of this section, "disconnection" means a cessation of services 1.22initiated by the public utility, cooperative electric association, or municipal utility that 2.1affects the primary heat source of a residence and service is not reconnected within 24 2.2hours. 2.3 Subd. 2. Data. Data on customers that are provided to cities under subdivision 1 are 2.4private data on individuals or nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02. 331981vl JMS SU160-3 Page 40 PROPOSED 2009 SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY BUDGET 2008 Assets: Cash and Investments (12/31/07) $39,404.90 Membership Assessments - 2008 $78,000.00 TOTAL $ 117,404.90 Anticipated 2008 Expenses: Report on C -BED and Follow Up $ 4,000 Streetlighting Study Group $ 8,000 Municipal Pumping Rates—Study Group $ 6,000 2006 Xcel Electric Rate Case $10,000 Universal Telephone Service Proceeding $ 3,000 Multi-LGU1 Project Relocation Issues $10,000 General (incl. costs and disbursements, insurance, audits, etc.) $24,000 TOTAL ($65,000.00) Estimated Reserve at December 31, 2008: 52 404.90 2009 Assets: Carryover from 2008 Membership Assessments - 20092 TOTAL Anticibated 2009 Exaenses Street Lighting Study Group CenterPoint Gas Rate Case Xcel Electric Rate Case Multi-LGU Utility Relocation Matters Universal Telephone Service—Suburb DSL General Matters (incl. costs and disbursements) TOTAL Estimated Reserve at December 31, 2009: $52,404.90 $79,600.00 $ 132.004.90 $ 5,000 $15,000 $25,000 $15,000 $ 5,000 $25,000 ($90,000) 42 004.90 ' Local government unit Z This is calculated at $400 per vote based on 31 members as per 2006 Met Council population estimates. 331981v1 JMS SU160-3 6 Page 41 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 February 20, 2008 Plymouth Safety Committee FEBRUARY SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Present: Mark Wagner, Gary Smith, Joe Raiche, Matt Gliniany, Dave Taylor, Bobbi Leitner, Diane Tiegs, Bruce Bousu, Tom Nelson, Curtis Smith, Dale Dierkson, Mike Buske. Tom Evanson, Cal Portner Absent: Gordy Simons The February meeting of the Plymouth Safety Committee was called to order at 7:31 a.m. on February 20, 2008, in the Employee Lunchroom of the Public Works Building by meeting Chair Bruce Bousu. I. OLD BUSINESS A. Motion was made by Gary Smith and seconded by Tom Nelson to approve the December 19, 2007 Meeting Minutes. B. Fire Department received lunch for their safety efforts in 2007. Incidents are down from previous years. C. Allied Adjustors continues to work with the manufacturer on the accident where the tension arm broke and the gate opened while on I94. All claims have been paid to those individuals filing for damages. Allied is working with JayCraft Truck Bodies to determine if there is a design flaw which allowed the tension arm to open. The Safety Committee will wait to hear what the manufacturers investigation concludes what the cause of the accident was. D. Public Works has received training on basic ergonomics and the benefits of stretching. This sarne training will be presented to City Center employees. Supervisors must support this procedure in order to ensure success. E. Review of video from 12-24-2007 accident from Squad #146. In reviewing the video it was obvious the officer had no other recourse, II. ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REVIEW A. Accidents/Incidents for review #07-70 Ice Center, Vehicle/Equipment Damage 12-28-2007 Ice Maintenance worker was snowplowing sidewalk and ran into a parked vehicle causing damages to parked vehicle in the amount of $3,070.56. OARISKMGM"IASAFETY COMM\Ml\UTES\2008\2-19-08Minutes.doe Page 42 The committee recommendation 'for this incident is to make sure operators of'the equipment have sufficient training and i-bhen operating the equipment aii�areness of where you are at is important, #07-73 Forestry, Vehicle/Equipment Damage 12-11-2007 When delivering a load of firewood to the Parkers Lake Beach drove clown the beach and pulled out onto the ice to back-up and dump the load. When shifting to reverse the back of the 1 ton broke through the ice. After exiting the vehicle the front also broke through the ice. The ice was 6-8" thick, not thiels enough to support a 1 ton. Damages to front left tire, fender and steps, The tii)ood has- been moved to the inside of the building located on site. Discussion on Y1)h.ca the City's policy is for i,balking or driving on ice. Bruce will check with DOT regarding their POGO (Pop Open Get Out) training video, There i�)as much discussion regarding the use of'life vests and 111h.at the City's Policy is regarding walking and driving on ice. Bruce Bousa will evaluate the current procedures and look at applying for° an OSHA grant to provide life jackets and a 50'2 in 1 throi�) rope. 408-04 Patrol, Vehicle/Equipment Damage 01-24-2008 While traveling SB on County Road 101 and at intersection of 24t1' Avenue began turn in the intersection and slid in the ice/snow in the intersection shoulder. Struck a snow bank piled on the south side of the intersection causing the. damage to passenger side bumper of Squad #138. Due to the cold weather the committee felt there ivas no recommendation, The vehicle bumper is plastic and due to cold -w;ea.ther° damage happens easier. #08-05/#08=06 Utilities, Vehicle/Equipment Damage 01-25-2008 Both trucks were SB on Fernbrook near 34t1i Avenue in Tandem dump trucks. Unit #281 in the left lane passed #272 in the right lane. - The wing of Unit #281 struck the mirror on Unit #272 which damaged the fiberglass door and mirror. The committee recommended the drivers be more cn,bare and safety conscious as this, i,bas ctn civoicicible incident, There 11bas poor judgment exercised on the vehicle drivers. The rocidway i1las narrower due to construction. #07-41 Street Maintenance, Personal Injury 12-11-2007 While changing a flat tire it rolled and the employee stopped it and sprained right thumb. Medical attention required. Tire was filled with water and sand due to the vehicle breaking through ice from a previous incident. Because the seal had brokenn on the tire the person performing maintenance was not aware of the extra weight in the tire. 0:\RISKMGM"1nSAFETY COMM\MiNu,rES\2008\2-19-08Minutes.doc Page 43 B. Other Accidents/Incidents A description of the other accidents/incidents follow. If committee members. wish to review any of these, details can be provided for your review at the next meeting. #07-71. Patrol, Vehicle/Eguipment Damage 12-24-2007 Squad #146 struck vehicle on the left driver's side passenger area when it pulled into the left: lane when the squad was on an emergency run with red lights and siren. The squad car has been -totaled per the insurance adjustor. The connnzittee reviewed the video of this incident taken firom the police car There is no recommendation as the officer responded appropriately. NEW BUSYNESS A. Agenda for the 2008 Safety and Loss Control Workshops to be held in Brooklyn Park on April 9, 2008, Plymouth Safety Committee members are encouraged to attend this one day workshop. Please email Bobbi at bleitner@ci.plymouth.nn-i.us by February 29`" if you want to be registered for this workshop. B. Next Safety Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 C. Motion made by Dave Taylor and seconded by Gary Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 a.m. Motion carried. Cc: Cal Portner, Administrative Services Director OA 1USKMGM"IISAFETY COMM\MINUTES\2008\2-19-08iv1inules.doc Page 44 MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING April 10, 2008 PRESENT: Commissioners: D. Anderson, M. Smith, G. Anderson, P. Knight, N. Carroll, A. Vanderwall Staff: E. Blank, D. Evans, D Lauer, M. Miller City Council Liaison: B. Stein ABSENT: Chair E. Singer, Planning Commission Liaison: Jim Davis CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Vice -Chair Smith. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner D. Anderson and seconded by Commissioner G. Anderson to approve the March minutes. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion carried. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting. b. Staff. Diane Evans reminded the Commissioners that the MRPA Board and Commission symposium takes place on April 22, 2008. She requested that those interested in attending sign up no later than April 15, 2008 as registrations are due on April 16, 2008. Commissioner D. Anderson requested to be placed on the list. Evans reviewed events that have taken place since the last meeting. The Yard and Garden Expo hosted 92 vendors. Overall, including vendors, volunteers and guests there were 1,300 who attended the event. This is up from last year by over 300. Evans gave kudos to the staff members who worked on this event including Regina and Erica from Parks and Recreation, Paul and Lara from Forestry, Margie and Kris from the Recycling and Environmental Services. Evans reminded the Commissioners that the Yard and Garden Expo event is a fundraiser for the Millennium Garden. The field house dome will be coming down on April 23, 2008. The field house continues to do well. March set record highs for hours sold at the field house; having 355 hours as opposed to 300 from last year. At last month's meeting the weddings scheduled at the Plymouth Creek Center was discussed. That number has now increased to 52, which is a record, with the majority of those bookings having their wedding in the garden and their reception at the PCC. Commissioner Smith asked if there were plans to extend the preschool playtime at the dome, as it does not come down until the end of April. Evans stated as we get into March and April we are taking on additional sport programs which does not make extending the playtime conducive. She continued to state that they are excited about enhancing open play next year. i Page 45 PRAC Minutes/April 2008 Page 2 The Primavera event will be taking place next week, April 18, 2008 through April 22, 2008. There will be approximately 74 artists'displaying over 150 pieces of artwork. Last week, a special senior volunteer luncheon was held at the Plymouth Creek Center. These volunteers help with meals on wheels and other senior events. The number of senior volunteers stands at 327, logging approximately 16,700 hours of service. One hundred fifty volunteers attended the luncheon. On April 26, 2008, the City Council and Mayor will hold a City Sampler Open House from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon at City Hall. The Twister Sisters, who are storm chasers, will do a presentation at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The event will also provide activities and free food. Dan Lauer reported that he has been with the Parks and Recreation Department since May of 1999. His primary responsibility is working with youths, adults, associations and schools relating to sports and athletic programs. He also works closely with the Parks Maintenance staff. Lauer provided an overhead of the different adult leagues offered. He shared that we have 141 teams on un -officiated and 240 teams on officiated leagues. He also provides open pick-up sports in volleyball, soccer and basketball for adults. For youth, Lauer outlined the numerous programs offered. Some of the newer programs include Rat Rink Hockey and Weekend T -ball. Lauer stated there is approximately 25 plus Youth Associations that he works with directly. He works with each group to make sure the fields are appropriately assigned for practice and games as well as correctly chalked. He also shared that he is the liaison to the Wayzata and Armstrong High schools. Lauer works with West Lutheran and on occasion with Providence Academy to utilize their facilities for our programs and vice versa. Commissioner Vanderwall asked whom they should contact if they notice any safety issues on fields. Lauer responded by saying that he should be the first point of contact and will work with Parks Maintenance to address any issues. Commissioner Vanderwall's other question was after hearing the schools hand over their facilities for the summer has there been any interest in people wanting to use the track facilities for walking, jogging, and track training. Lauer responded by saying that most schools will hand over their facilities for Parks and Recreation to permit out, however, the Armstrong and Wayzata Stadium is strictly through the school. Commissioner Vanderwall questioned whether there had been any discussion with these schools regarding public use. Lauer replied that there has been some discussion and they will open up the stadium but want an attendant to be there during that time. At this time, Lauer feels that the stadiums will remained locked unless it is opened for a specific purpose with an attendant on hand. Page 46 PRAC Minutes/April 2008 Page 3 Commissioner Smith asked that due to the Robbinsdale School District program cutbacks if our Recreation Department would be working with them. Director Blank stated that all staff within Parks and Recreation would be working with them based on the type of program they are requesting. c. Others. There were no other presentations. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Artwork for Millennium Garden: At Tuesday's City Council meeting, monies were allocated and approved for the Millennium Garden's two projects. As background, Director Blank stated that a fund was started when the garden opened in 2002. Every year dollars are contributed to the garden fund that equates to approximately $5,000-$8,000 from private contributions, fund raising and the sale of garden bricks. For the last two years, and again this year Lifetime Fitness contributed $10,000. As of January 2008, the Millennium Garden Fund had a balance in excess of $57,000. It was recommended that the Council allocate $40,000 for a sculpture to be added to the garden. The second recommendation was the Millennium Garden Phase II Construction Project. $15,000 of the Garden Fund will be moved to the Construction Fund in order to get more work done this season. Commissioner Smith asked if the $40,000 comes out of the $57,000 Garden Fund balance. Director Blank replied yes. He also shared that Lifetime Fitness has pledged to give $10,000 a year for projects of our choice as long as they continue to do well financially. b. West Medicine Park Building: Director Blank stated that five years ago some preliminary work was done in regards to a park building however; the addition of a third ice rink at the Ice Arena diverted $1.8 million dollars of Park Dedication funds. Subsequently, it has taken this long to replenish the fund in order to put the park building in the 2009 CIP budget. At present, construction bids have been coming in 20-506/o lower than estimated. He recommended that the Council approve moving the West Medicine Lake Park Building up by six months. Tuesday night's presentation recommended they bid in the 4th quarter of 2008 rather than the 2nd quarter of 2009. The Council approved to move forward. Director Blank will set up and interview three architects, draft a preliminary design and budget. This work will also include presentations to and input from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. The timeline for this preliminary work is estimated to be complete by June or July. After that time, it will go back to the City Council for approval with a bid awarded sometime in October. The estimated budget for this project is $2,000,000. c. Oakwood Playfield Parking Lot: Director Blank reviewed the color map that outlined the proposed new parking spaces at the Oakwood Elementary School. Wayzata School District is requesting that 46 spaces be added to the site. The bids for this project came in approximately 40% below estimate. The City Council approved contributing $70,000 for that addition. $35,000 in payments will be made in January of 2009 and 2010, which will come out of the Parks Dedication funds. Commissioner Smith asked if there were any trails off this parking lot. Director Page 47 PRAC Minutes/April 2008 Page 4 Blank replied that the school is constructing a sidewalk in which the school district will pay 100% of the cost. He also stated that County Road 101, which does have trails, is scheduled to be widened in October of this year. d. Zachary Playfield Building: Director Blank asked the Commissioners to look at the packet that included the floor plan for the new Zachary Playfield Building. The new building is almost an identical replica of the park building at Greenwood Elementary. The exception is the Greenwood building is a two-story, while plans for the Zachary building are a one-story facility. The Plymouth/New Hope Little League has secured volunteer contractors. The $107,000 cost will take the form of a loan. It will be used to purchase all the necessary construction materials. Construction is scheduled to begin on July 10, 2008 with a projected 60-90 day completion time. Reimbursement of the loan will take place over a five-year period. No - groundbreaking ceremony has been discussed to date. Commissioner Carroll asked Director Blank to explain the advantages of a metal roof. Director Blank replied by stating that they last longer. Children will climb park buildings and rip off the shingles to use as Frisbees. Metal roofs are kept at enough of a pitch to detour children from climbing them. The building will meet all of the necessary building codes. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Update - Hilde Director Blank gave an overview of the plans for the upgrade to the Hilde. This is a 4th generation plan. Director Blank reviewed the improvements that include increase seating by capturing 10-15% more square footage, a secondary performance area as well as permanent lavatory facilities. The upgrade also includes different sculptures such as life-size musical instruments. The plan, which has been circulating the community for feedback, has been well received thus far. Commissioner Vanderwall wondered what type of surface would surround the pond area. Director Blank replied it would be some type of concrete. Commissioner Vanderwall asked why concrete rather than wood. Director Blank replied wood requires more maintenance around water than concrete. The designer will present to the Commissioners in May. b. Update - Millennium Garden Director Blank has bids out with two contractors for the construction of the water bridge at the garden. Once those bids are received, they will continue down the list to see how much $75,000 will buy. Last week the garden received $3,000 in donations. The hope is to have some construction underway by mid May. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Taryn Hills Mini -Park- Approve Master Site Plan. Director Blank reviewed with the Commissioners where Taryn Hills is located within the City. This piece of property is incorporated along the trail of the Northwest Greenway. Director Blank reviewed the design plan for the mini -park stating that this is very small piece of property. The developer designs the site to blend in with the homes in the area. The mini -park will consist mainly of a children's playground. Mini -park playgrounds cost Page 48 PRAC Minutes/April 2008 Page 5 approximately $80,000 as opposed to the larger neighborhood parks, which run approximately $120,000. Three proposals were reviewed and the recommended plan was sent to residents in that area. Director Blank recommends this plan to the Commissioners as the Master Plan. Director Blank received one email response from a resident requesting a pool or tennis court on this site. This is not possible with the size of the park and the allotted budget. Landscaping will be done around the pond, which is quite steep, to enhance the visual effect. The total cost is $150,000, with $80,000 slated for playground equipment and the remainder for landscaping and other features. Commissioner Knight voiced safety concerns with the pond upgrade. Director Blank stated that ponds have a standard design with a flat shelf that goes out 8-10 feet so that if children stumble into the pond they are only in 6 inches of water. Commissioner D. Anderson asked what the life expectancy of the playground equipment is and what would be the replacement budget. Director Blank indicated with the new metal and plastic designs, the systems generally last 17-18 years. Commissioner D. Anderson asked about vandalism.. Director Blank replied that approximately three parks are,tagge.d in . some fashion per year. Commissioner Carroll asked if the pond at the park would be constructed or if it was a natural pond. Director Blank replied that the developer created the pond for water treatment purposes. He then asked what the -depth of pond was. Director Blank stated generally about 4 feet, but vary based on water treatment needs. Commissioner Carroll wondered what a small park means in terms of acreage. Director Blank replied that this particular park is approximately 1.25 acres. Mini -parks can run up to 3 acres whereas neighborhood parks are 8-10 acres. Commissioner G. Anderson asked if any of the parks have security lights. Director Blank stated that there is no lighting in neighborhood or mini -parks.. Residents prefer natural lighting. Motion was made by Commissioner Carroll to approve the Master Site Plan project. Commissioner Vanderwall seconded. Vote: 6 ayes. Motion carried. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank stated that a Northwest Greenway landowner called last week and has accepted the land offer. This land resides off Highway 55 and Juneau Lane and is approximately 1.1 acres. This leaves the City two parcels away from the completion of the Northwest Greenway from Vicksburg to Lake Pomerleau. The purchase agreement, for $75,000 will be presented at the next City Council meeting. Blank feels this has placed the City two years ahead of their original schedule. Closing will take place prior to June 15, 2008 in order for the taxes to be abated for next year. Commissioner G. Anderson asked if once the two parcels are purchased would we construct part of the trail system. Director Blank replied that the developer should have Cheshire Lane under construction by next year. The construction of the tunnel is in our CIP and the Page 49 PRAC Minutes/April 2008 Page 6 developer will build that in 2009 at which point we could technically look at constructing that segment of trail. Commissioner Smith asked if there were any updates on the Elm Creek Golf Course. Director Blank replied that the courts had settled the case in Eagan. They ruled that the City of Eagan had the right to guide the golf course and ruled that the golf course was subject to a taking. An announcement was made that the city and owner had reached an agreement. A bond referendum will go to the residents this fall; in the meantime, the developer can go in and file a formal plat. If the bond fails, the City of Eagan will allow the owner to develop. Commissioner Smith asked if the value was deemed by the golf course or the plats of home. Director Blank stated it is not known. 9. ADJOURNMENT Vice -Chair Smith entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner D..Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Knight. Vote: 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 pm. The. next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2008 Respectfully submitted Mary Miller — PRAC recorder Page 50 CITY V CRYSTAL April 9, 2008 Mayor Kelli Slavik City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dear Mayor Slavik: APP 11 2006 4141 Douglas Drive North o Crystal, MN 55422-1696 Telephone: (763) 531-1000 o Fax: (763) 531-1188 Website: www.ci.crystal.mn.us As fellow Mayor and interim Executive Director of the Mosaic Youth program, you need to be aware the Mosaic Youth program will run out of funding at the end of May 2008. As you know, the Mosaic Youth program creates opportunities for middle and high school students to "hang out," have social activities in a safe environment as well as provide various services such as tutoring, job shadowing, and other skills needed to be successful. Community service is also an integral part of the Mosaic program. The Mosaic programs are well attended and provide this age group with interesting and supervised activities. Currently the Mosaic program is housed at the Crystal Community Center. We all know the importance of after school programming for this age group as they need a safe place to go rather than be "left to their own devices." Budget deficits threaten not only the Mosaic program but also School District 281's middle school extracurricular programs. Isn't this a great opportunity to collaborate on a district -:wide after-school program that would include services provided only by the Mosaic as well as the middle school extracurricular activities? Now is the time for cities served by the Mosaic and ISD 281 to work to develop plans for continuing these vital services to our youth. I am asking for your support and requesting that your city participate in this effort by sending a member of your recreation department to a meeting focused on developing programming to continue Mosaic and middle school services. Crystal Recreation Director Gene Hackett and Robbinsdale Community Education Director Bob Wittman are coordinating this effort and will be contacting you in the near future about meeting time and details. Page 51 Mayor Kelli Slavik April 9, 2008 Page Two Thanks for your continued support of our communities' youth and participation in this effort. Please feel free to call me at 531-2074 or Crystal Recreation Director Gene Hackett at 531-1150 with questions. Mayor Cc: City manager Recreation Director Bob Wittman Robbinsdale middle school principals Mosaic staff Page 52