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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-23-2007CITY OF PLYMOUTH COUNCIL INFO MEMO rp) March 23, 2007 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transportation on March 28............................................Page 1 March, April, May 2007 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................................... Page 2 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ....................................... Page 9 Potential Land Use Changes in Existing Urban Area Open Houses on April 17 and 19 ..... Page 11 Financial Concepts Open House for New Location on April 19 ......................................... Page 12 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Star Tribune: Ramsey County's Public Golf Courses Facing Hazards ............................... Page 13 CORRESPONDENCE Project Schedule for County Project 9516 (CSAR 101) ..................................................... Page 15 Letter to Stanley Hunt Regarding Elm Creek Golf Course ................................................. Page 16 Letter Regarding Conditional Use Pen -nit for John Staby, Inc. (2007015) ......................... Page 21 Letter Regarding Variance for Lake Country Builders (2007017) ..................................... Page 22 Letter Regarding Variance for Border Foods (2007023) .................................................... Page 23 Letter Regarding Rezoning for the City of Plymouth (2007025) ....................................... Page 24 Memo Regarding Overview of City of Plymouth Transit Operations ................................. Page 25 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Friday Fax.................................................................. Page 29 AGENDA PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT Medicine Lake Room Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of agenda. 2. Approval of minutes for the January 24, 2007, PACT meeting (attached). 3. Review letter from City Manager, Laurie Ahrens, regarding Advisory Committee on Transit and other boards and commissions. 4. Review agreement for use of Park and Ride lot located at Four Seasons Mall. 5. Review service contract with Laidlaw Transit Services. 6. Discuss termination of parking contract with Plymouth Covenant Church. 7. Discuss marketing tecluiiques for transit system with emphasis on Station 73. 8. Adjour anent Note: Please call Mike Kohn, if you are unable to attend at 763-509-5327 C.\Documenls and Settings\nvosenbaum\Local SeltingsWemporary Intemel Piles\OLK97\PACT-_lemplate_ag-&doc - 1 - -2- OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS nl�yrob ?007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Feb 2007 Apr 2007 S M T Nil T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 5 6 7 8 9 .10 RYCOUNCIL, [3'1�0PM YOUTH kers Lake 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING:COMMISSION, LISTENING SESSION ON HOLLYOALE GOLF COURSE, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING Council Chambers 4:00 PM PLYMOUTH FIRE RECOGNITION EVENT, Plymoulh Creek Center 11 12 13 14 .15 16 17 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS COMMENCES- Set Clocks ahead one hour 6:00 PM CITY COUNCILSTUDY SESSION - PARK REFERENDUM AND USE OF FUNDS, CMedicine Lake onference Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 6:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers 6:00 PM BOARD 8 COMMISSION RECOGNITION EVENT - Plymouth Creek Center 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ON LAND USE PLAN, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 6:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FAIR. Pilgrim Elementary 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Medicine Lake Room A 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers modified on 3/23/2007 -3- -4- OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS At-wil ?007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 PASSOVER BEGINS AT SUNSETCOMMISSION, 700 PM PLANNING Council Chambers GOOD FRIDAY 8 9 10 .1.1 12 13 14 EASTER SUNDAY 5:30 PM BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, Council Chambers 6:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council 7:00 PM PARK 8 REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek Center PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH FINE ARTS COUNCIL SHOW Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM Charter Commission Mlg Medicine Lk Ron 15 .16 17 18 19 20 21 6:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH FINE ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 6:00 PM YARD AND GARDEN EVENT, Plymouth Creek Center 8:00 AM YARD AND GARDEN EVENT, Plymouth Creek Center PRIMAVERA PLYMOUTH FINE Genler ARTS COUNCIL SHOW, Plymouth Creek Center 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5:3D PM BOARD OF EOUf LIZATION (RECOIJVENED), Council 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON chambers y,�930 PM YOUI'fi; � ADv1s4RYcDUrimL �YQOT1[ CEADERBM�f ' CON_RERENtlE Rlyn'ioulh¢ � `Cr ekC Mer_ 7:00 PM REGOLAR COUNCIL MEETING, ' Council Chambers TRANSIT (PACT). Medicine Lake Room A 29 ✓ 0 May 2007 Mir 2007 11:30AM-12:30 PMA➢ Euployce Luncheon S M T W T P S S Al T W T F S ] 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 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 IS 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 3/23/2007 -5- OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS Alfov 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Apr 2007 S NJ T W T 1'' S 700 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chamhers 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Parkers Lake Room 1 2 3 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6:00 PM CITY COUNCILSTUDY SESSION -STREET SWEEPING PROGRAM, Medicine Lake Conference Room 6:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers 7:00 PM PARK 8 REC ADVISORY COMMISSION(PRAC), Council Chambers. 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, CouncilChambers 13 14 15 .16 17 18 19 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 6:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 6:00 PM CITY COUNCILSTUDY SESSION - ORGANIZED GARBAGE COLLECTION, Medicine Lake Conference Room 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT). Medicine Lake Room A 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chamhers 27 28 29 30 31 Jun 2007 MEMORIAL DAY S N-1 T W T r S (Observed) - City Offices Closed 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 modified on 3/23/2007 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items April 10, Board of Equalization, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers April 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Project hearing on Fernbrook Lane Improvements (1013) • Youth Advisory Council Presentation on Youth Leadership Conference • Approve preliminary plat and lot width variances to allow development of two single-family lots for property located at 1900 East Medicine Lake Boulevard. Lake West Development Co., LLC. (200612 1) • Approve variance to increase impervious surface area coverage of the unit lot from 52 percent to 54 percent to allow construction of a 225 square foot room addition for property located at 970 Zanzibar Lane. Skyline Design. (2007012) • Approve Land Use Guide Plan Amendment from LA -2 (Living Area 2) to LA -3 (Living Area 3) and review of a Sketch for a continuing care retirement community for seniors to be located at the southwest conger of the intersection of County Road 47 and the extension of Cheshire Lane. LCSDevelopinent, LLC. (2007013) • Approve conditional use pern-it to allow 73.1 percent office in the I-2 (General hidustrial) Zoning District for property located at 13305 Water Tower Circle. BDH & Young. (2007014) • Approve conditional use permit to allow 13 percent accessory retail in the I-2 (General Industrial) Zoning District for property located at 2405 Annapolis Lane, Building C #265. Applied Graphics Associates, Inc. (2007016) • Approve variance to encroach and to allow a 6 -foot side yard setback where 15 -feet is required to allow construction of a three -car garage addition for property located at 910 Garland Lane North. Lake Countu Builders. (2007017) • Approve variance to the 10 -foot drive aisle setback from the vestibule for Taco Bell for property located at 9900 Rockford Road. Borden Foods. (2007023) April 24, Board of Equalization Reconvened, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers April 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Rezoning from FRD to RSF-1 or RSF-2 and Preliminary Plat for property located at 3120 Dunkirk Lane (Gonyea Development) (Tabled_fi°om March 13) • Receive donation from the Wayzata Hockey Association for the third sheet of ice • Consider PUD (Planned Unit Development) Amendment and Preliminary Plat to allow construction of a five -story, 165,500 square foot office building for the CO (Commercial Office) property located north of Highway 55, east of South Shore Drive and west of Revere Lane. Finn Daniels Architects. (2006111) (Tabled from February 27) • Approve school liaison contract with School District No. 281 • Approve contracts for Comprehensive Plan May 8, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss Sheet Sweeping Program May 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by "9 _ -il; all other topics are tentative. May 22, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss organized garbage collection May 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers June 12, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • 2006 Audit Presentation June 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers June 26, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss Special Assessment Policy (interest rate, duration of payout period) June 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers July 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers July 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Amiouncement of "National Night Out" on August 7 —10— DATE: March 21, 2007 TO: Plymouth City Council and Planning Commission FROM: Steve Juetten Community Development Director SUBJECT: Open House Dates for Potential Land Use Changes in Existing Urban Area Staff has checked the City calendar and set Tuesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 19 for open houses to discuss potential changes to the land use plan in the existing urban area. The open houses will be held in Medicine Lake Rooms A and B and will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and include a brief presentation at the start of each open house. Staff will mail notices of the open houses to all property owners within 750 feet of the proposed changes. — 1 1 — II I 1 -1 � d, oh VIC %.Slil; 5, 40. -24 Joill Thui�Sday, S -31C i nidt P', Rd Open flouse 49fil Avf Roat"ort"r 'd Dirt c I, ions Ffrom 1-44wy 'I 6iOTake 419th AvISdrom I dt Lk Rd E-xlt 'i o 'fts I o Holjda ay -q s stati-on, Ift.i-ran ithe )-I o I, id a y I gaa stabon entrance, Conflilue- antheimaH ser1r,-,e road to owbulIt's i Our b4ll ng !.-,, tri the, feft Df Uho pxa5 sla-flon. —12— �M - I j melf -,y -d� .......... Roat"ort"r 'd Dirt c I, ions Ffrom 1-44wy 'I 6iOTake 419th AvISdrom I dt Lk Rd E-xlt 'i o 'fts I o Holjda ay -q s stati-on, Ift.i-ran ithe )-I o I, id a y I gaa stabon entrance, Conflilue- antheimaH ser1r,-,e road to owbulIt's i Our b4ll ng !.-,, tri the, feft Df Uho pxa5 sla-flon. —12— �M - r agc i vl Maria Rosenbaum From: Laurie Ahrens Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:49 PM To: Maria Rosenbaum Subject: for CIM Ramsey County's public golf courses facing hazards ,Mary _Lynn Smith, Star Tribune The recent boom in golf has hit a hazard, and that could put a major divot into the Ramsey County park services budget. The number of rounds golfed at three of the county's four public courses -- Keller, Goodrich and Manitou Ridge -- has dropped 20 percent since 2001. That will mean about $400,000 less in golf revenues that usually are diverted to pay for other recreational activities, said Greg Mack, the county's park and recreation director. Golf courses across the country have been on a collision course for several years, Mack said Tuesday during a County Board workshop. "We were told by promoters of golf that there was an endless demand," he said. So lots of golf courses were built in the 1990s in the United States -- 3,986 to be exact, according to a county report, and another 1,470 courses since. Meanwhile, 12 new golf courses popped up in the east metro area and 10 were built in western Wisconsin, adding to the competition with Ramsey County's courses. "At the same time, 9/11 hit and the economy tanked," Mack said. People who used to leave work early on Friday to golf, he said, "all of a sudden started to worry about job security, and worried that their 401(k) wasn't doing as good. So they worked more.... I think people started to focus on things they had to do." Family life also has taken a bite out of the golf business, said Curt Walker, executive director of the Midwest Golf Course Owners Association, which represents 130 members in Minnesota Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Parents are running their kids to soccer and hockey practice, dance lessons and other activities so the! y don't have time to golf as much anymore, he said. Making up for lost revenues Scott Peterson, an avid Eagan golfer, has lost a few golfing partners to increased family demands. Now it's easier to get a tee time, he said, but some of his favorite courses have closed and many are being plowed under for housing developments. In Mounds View, the city's municipal nine -hole golf course is being transformed into a $65 million corporate campus for Medtronic that is expected to open this fall. Mounds View jumped on the golf course building boom in 1995 when it opened the Bridges Golf Course. But the course struggled financially and the city decided to sell the 72 -acre property to Medtronic for $8.65 million, paying off nearly $4 million of the golf course debt. "Medtronic was an opportunity we took at a time when we were looking at ways to reduce our [golf course] losses and enhance our revenues," said Aaron Backman, the city's economic development coordinator. Ramsey County officials now must scramble to offset the forecast drop in the usual $1 million of annual golf course revenues. Mack told commissioners that they will have to decide in the fall budget session how they would make up the $400,000 decrease. 3/22/2007 —13— I ap- c vJ Officials likely also will have to dip into county funds to make the annual $281,000 debt payment on Ramsey County's fourth and latest course, The Ponds at Battle Creek. The $5.4 million course, which opened in Maplewood in 2004, tallied about 20,000 rounds of golf last year, far below the original projections of more than 30,000. Mack said the courses aren't losing money, they're just not making as much as they did. County officials would have to plug a bigger budget hole if they close the golf courses, Mack said. "There will be a shakeout in the [golf course industry]," Mack said. "But there still will be a demand for golf." Mary Lyru1 Smith • 651-298-1550 • mismith@st-,ti-trihutle.corn 3/22/2007 —14— ;na H&NN[ pIN If , H0ennepin COUNTY ► PROJECT SCHEDULE CSAR 101; COUNTY PROJECT 9516 February 28, 2007 October 11, 2005 COUNCIL PRELIMINARY LAYOUT APPROVAL June 27, 2006 FINAL PLAN & AGREEMENT APPROVAL BY COUNCIL July 20, 2006 EAW, ROD AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS BEGIN ROW ACQUISITION AND EA September 2006 60%, PLAN COMPLETION AND ROUTING FOR COMMENTS October 2006 DESIGN LAYOUT TO ROW — (Casement lines completed) December 2006 ROW INTRODUCTION LETTER MAILED TO TOTAL TAKES February 12, 2007 ROW INTRODUCTION LETTER MAILED March 2007 90% PLAN & ESTIMATE AND ROUTING FOR COMMENTS GROUP PLAN REVIEW MEETING EA SUBMITTAL TO SALT / FIIWA START APPRAISALS (3 months) April 2007 UTILITY MEETING PLAN QUALITY REVIEW 99.9% PLAN & ESTIMATE WITH DRAFT SPEC EA APPROVED AND AVAILABLE FOR 30 DAY REVIEW ADVERTISE FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC HEARING SUBMIT DCP #2, PS&E, R/W CERTIFICATE #la— ( 1 wl( lead time) May 2007 EA UPDATE AND REQUEST FOR FONSI June 9, 2007 SUBMIT STUDY REPORT TO SALT ROW OFFERS TO PARCEL OWNERS July 9, 2007 FILE NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION PETITION (100 days to Right of Entry) September 30, 2007 SUNSET DATE (project Meets sunset) 100% PS&E October 19, 2007 QUICK TAKE RIGHT OF ENTRY ACQUIRED ROW CERTIFICATE #1 TO STATE AID (30 days to authorize) November 9, 2007 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS (3 weeks plus ten days) November 30, 2007 STATE AID FEDERAL FUNDING AUTI4ORIZATION December 11, 2007 BID OPENING & CORRIDOR SURVEY February 2008 CONTRACT AWARD (County Board Meeting Schedule Dependent) April 2008 CONSTRUCTION START June 2010 PROJECT COMPLETION —15— City of Hymouth INEMMM Adding Quality to Life March 21, 2007 Mr. Stanley M. Hunt Gramercy Club at Elm Creek 100 Clydesdale Trail, Unit 223 Medina, Minnesota 55340 Re: Elm Creek Golf Course Mr. Hunt, Thank you for your interest in the City of Plymouth Comprehensive Planning Process and specifically the Northwest Area Preliminary Land Use Plan. I would like to provide the following responses to your questions: 1) Is the guidance now P-1 or LA -2? The current guiding of the Elm Creek Golf Course property is P -I (Public/Semi-public/Institutional). The guiding approved by the City Council as a part of the Northwest Area Preliminary Land Use Plan is LA -2 (Living Area 2). The LA -2 guiding would allow residential densities between 3 and 6 units per acre. 2) 1Llight the guidance be changed before the Comprehensive Plan is finally approved? The land use plan that was approved by the City Council in June, 2006 was a preliminary plan. Between now and the final adoption of the entire Comprehensive Plan update in late 2007 or early 2008, which will include the NW Area plan, the land use plan could change. 3) Will there be a "listening session "for Elm Creek like the Hollydale session? If so, YYhen Will it be? During the Northwest Area land use discussions, the City Council, Planning Commission and Staff held a number of public meetings to elicit comments and questions on the land use plan. The preliminary plan that was approved is a result of these meetings. No additional meetings are schedule at this time to separately discuss the Elm Creek Golf Course. 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tet: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us —16— Page Two Mr. Stanley Hunt March 20, 2007 4) What is the status of the Micro B & V golf course and driving range? Is this property in the process of being converted to another use? The golf course and driving range have closed and the property recently sold to Park Nicollet Clinic. No applications or plans have been submitted and no time table has been presented by Park Nicollet Clinic. I hope this helps clarify your questions. Please feel free to contact me at 763-509-5401 if you have additional questions. Sincerely, Steve Juetten Community Development Director Cc: Plymouth City Council —17— Mr. Steve Juetten Community Development Director City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN. 55447-1482 Dear Mr. Juetten: Stanley M. Hunt Gramercy Club at Elm Creek 100 Clydesdale Trail, Unit 223 Medina, MN. 55340 shuntmn@aol.com March 7, 2007 MAR C g 20mol Last evening 1 attended the Hollydale Golf Course listening session. Congratulations to you and others for the session's arrangements, attendance, and presentations. Well done! I will appreciate clarifications on the land use designation for the Elm Creek Golf Course. The public announcement for the March 6 meeting stated that: "--golf courses ---are currently guided public -institutional." (Please see attached.) The June 27, 2006 Preliminary Land Use Plan seems to apply a LA -2 guidance to the Elm Creek Course. (Please see attached.) My questions for this Golf Course are: 1. Is the guidance now P-1 or LA -2? 2. Might the guidance be changed before the Comprehensive Plan is finally approved? 3. Will there be a "listening session" for Elm Creek like the Hollydale session? If so, when will it be? Also, what is the status of the micro B & V golf course and driving range? Is this property in the process of being converted to another use? Thank you for your help in these matters. Sincerely yours, -ls- 1of1 aolrich://10326961028/ Subj: Comp Plan Update: March 6 Listening Session Set on Hollydale Golf Course Date: Friday, February 23, 2007 4:06:55 PM From: administration@ci.plymouth.mn.us To: shuntmn@aol.com Plymouth Subscriptions After adopting a preliminary land use plan for the rural northwest area of Plymouth, the Plymouth City Council is now reviewing land use in other parts of the city. The City Council will hold a listening session to gather citizen input on future land use designations for Hollydale Golf Course on March 6, 6 p.m., at City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. As part of the Comprehensive Plan update, the City Council must review land use designations in all areas of Plymouth, including golf courses, which are currentl guided public -institutional. City officials will not present any new in orma ion o the public at the listening session. The session is solely aimed atgarnering public comment about the future land use guiding of Hollydale Golf Course. Residents, who are not able to attend, are encouraged to submit written comments to the Plymouth City Council. Written comments are welcome throughout the planning process and will be shared with City Council and Planning Commission members. Written comments may be directed to: Steve Juetten, City of Plymouth, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447. For additional information click on the link, Comp Plan Update To unsubscribe or modify areas on your subscription list, click here. Then, click the Subscribe to Updates button! . Type in your email address, and then select unsubscribe or modify. -19- 3/6/07 9:16 PM ',� ✓�I7� //'C//�///�� 1��, off: 12 TY h rl.f it Gt"{i1 S 5 5 ad.n A :r:, PV tt 8333��3a 8 as A f �N(nlHlll Jit -'"1 _ LLJ c_q ® a U n n f ❑ nVii: QNB - '_ - - - _ u o g F CD o N 1 •-' ea N ! m o o 2 c EL 046 -73 jz CC - R&L-�tiN051 \�r-m..�� \� , t. [, ,�f ,i J Y` i3 cq EF 04 Er �� ,yx,t'j J � � r p ' k 't• ff ]g' - - � �✓!��i i Fri t tt �1�- is t r T; z r to t L, ;Cr, t'�ryr�`__J EF � ,\nTF ,�'�. Loi Y` 5 a t -� -._�, I Flf�'-+9 2 ura - .m•�: ��,' 7 1 ! -1.� �'7c-� L,�' �'l�tJ ....¢ t i i . z �, �ti L. •i rr�r. •�i� — � � C�' s �-r I 'r 1' f.rj fix P-�W�er rJ9ni'hl N yf 3 � + �r -20- City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 23, 2007 SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR JOHN STABY, INC. (2007015) Dear Property Ownef: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by John Staby, Inc., under File No. 2007015, for approval of a conditional use permit to allow an attached garage to exceed 1,000 square feet in gross floor area for property located at 5615 Glacier Lane North. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 500 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2007015propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us —21— FF) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 23, 2007 SUBJECT: VARIANCE FOR LAKE COUNTRY BUILDERS (2007017) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by Lake Country Builders, under File No. 2007017, for a variance to allow a 6 -foot side yard setback where 15 -feet is required by the zoning ordinance to allow construction of a three -car garage addition for property located at 910 Garland Lane North. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., -and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, Barbara G. Semiess, AICP Planning Manager 2007017propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us —22— City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 23, 2007 SUBJECT: VARIANCE FOR BORDER FOODS (2007023) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by Border Foods, under File No. 2007023, for a variance to the 10 -foot drive aisle setback from the vestibule for Taco Bell for property located at 9900 Rockford Road. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2007023propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us —23— City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 23, 2007 SUBJECT: REZONING FOR THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH. (2007025) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to infoim you of a request by the City of Plymouth, under File No. 2007025, for a rezoning from FRD (Future Restricted Development) to RSF-1 (Single Family Detached 1) for property located at 3120 Dunkirk Lane North. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 750 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2007025propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us —24— CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: March 20, 2007 TO: Jean McGann, Administrative Services Director s_r FROM: Mike Folin,-Fiii�cial Analyst SUBJECT: Overview of City of Plymouth Transit Operations Plymouth Metrolink, the transit service operated by the City of Plymouth, was established in 1984 as the first of the Replacement Transit Services, better known as "opt -out" transit. Plymouth Metrolink offers community-based transit as part of the regional transit system. Services Plymouth Metrolink provides several services for Plymouth residents and area businesses. • Commuter Express to and from downtown Minneapolis, including morning, midday, afternoon and evening trips connecting Plymouth neighborhoods with downtown job sites. • Reverse Commuter Express between downtown Minneapolis and the numerous job sites in Plymouth. The buses serve morning, midday, afternoon, and evening wort{ shifts. • Dial -A -Ride shamed -ride, curb -to -curb subscription transit service operating within Plymouth and to nearby locations such as Ridgedale, Wayzata, the Golden Valley Center and the New Hope K -Mart. Expanded service to North Memorial and Courage Center are provided to seniors and persons with disabilities. Statistics The following table summarizes some of the key statistics of the transit operation. It is broken out for Dial -A -Ride, Metrolink (shuttle & express), and then combined in total. —25— Ridership Dial -A -Ride ridership has increased since 2002 but has seemed to level off over the last 3 years at approximately 59,000 passengers per year or 190 passengers per day. Metrolink service continues a steady rate of increase. Ridership has increase by 68,573 between 2002 and 2006 and currently stands at 421,841 passengers per year or 1,661 passengers per day. It is expected that ridership on the express routes will continue to increase as fuel costs continue to rise and more people take advantage of Station 73. Currently there is some seating availability on most buses. However, any significant ridership increase will require additional buses at peak tunes. Service Cost Analysis Dial -A -Ride service cost $1,058,606 in 2006 which was an increase of 4.3% over 2005. Revenues in 2006 totaled $98,465 which was an increase of 42.4% over 2005. This is a result of a rate increase to $2 per one-way trip. The $2 rate still compares well with other communities. The following is a sample of rates for other Dial -A -Ride providers: Minnetonka $3, Edina $3, Hopkins $2., Anoka County $3.25-$4,25, Dakota County $2.50-$3.50, and Maple Grove $1.75. As a result of the rate increase, and the associated increase in revenues, the cost recovery ratio went from an average of about 6% to 9%. The net cost per passenger for 2006 was $16.34 which is an increase over the previous years. This is due to slightly increased costs and slightly reduced ridership. —26— 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Dial -A -Ride Passengers 50,992.00 53,025.00 57,556.00 59,729.00 58,773.00 Passengers/Day 166.10 172.72 186.27 194.56 192.07 Miles 257,100.00 257,486.00 262,048.00 264,506.00 253,096.00 Cost 868,360.42 913,770.31 932,966.37 1,015,095.64 1,058,606.63 Revenue 51,645.50 53,798.00 51,195.00 69,152.50 98,465.00 Recovery Ratio 5.95% 5.89% 5.49% 6.91% 9.30% NetCost/Passenger $16.02 $16.22 $15.32 $15.84 $16.34 Metrolink (Shuttle & Express) Passengers 353.268.00 369,977.00 376,506.00 412,784.00 421,841.00 Passengers/Day 1,385.36 1,450.89 1,481.70 1,618.76 1,660.79 Miles 495,621.50 504,006.60 547,618.50 531,977.20 473,683.80 Cost 2,484,958.99 2,573,332.42 3,013,193.34 3,146,400.77 2,945,766.08 Revenue 476,666.59 584,137.92 578,398.62 639,422.56 703,902.79 Recovery Ratio 19.18% 22.70% 19.20% 20.32% 23.90% Net Cost/Passenger $5.68 $5.38 $6.47 $6.07 $5.31 Total Passengers 404,260.00 423,002.00 434,062.00 472,513.00 480,614.00 Passengers/Day 1,551.46 1,623.61 1,667.97 1,813.32 1,852.86 Miles 752,721.50 761,492.60 809,666.50 796,483.20 726,779.80 Cost 3,353,319.41 3,487,102.73 3,946,159.71 4,161,496.41 4,004,372.71 Revenue 528,312.09 637,935.92 629,593.62 708,575.06 802,367.79 Recovery Ratio 15.75% 18.29% 15.95% 17.03% 20.04% Net Cost/Passenger $6.99 $6.74 $7.64 $7.31 $6.66 Ridership Dial -A -Ride ridership has increased since 2002 but has seemed to level off over the last 3 years at approximately 59,000 passengers per year or 190 passengers per day. Metrolink service continues a steady rate of increase. Ridership has increase by 68,573 between 2002 and 2006 and currently stands at 421,841 passengers per year or 1,661 passengers per day. It is expected that ridership on the express routes will continue to increase as fuel costs continue to rise and more people take advantage of Station 73. Currently there is some seating availability on most buses. However, any significant ridership increase will require additional buses at peak tunes. Service Cost Analysis Dial -A -Ride service cost $1,058,606 in 2006 which was an increase of 4.3% over 2005. Revenues in 2006 totaled $98,465 which was an increase of 42.4% over 2005. This is a result of a rate increase to $2 per one-way trip. The $2 rate still compares well with other communities. The following is a sample of rates for other Dial -A -Ride providers: Minnetonka $3, Edina $3, Hopkins $2., Anoka County $3.25-$4,25, Dakota County $2.50-$3.50, and Maple Grove $1.75. As a result of the rate increase, and the associated increase in revenues, the cost recovery ratio went from an average of about 6% to 9%. The net cost per passenger for 2006 was $16.34 which is an increase over the previous years. This is due to slightly increased costs and slightly reduced ridership. —26— Metrolirlk service (shuttle and express) cost $2,945,766 in 2006 which was a decrease of 6.4% over 2005. This is a result of the elimination and/or restructuring of several shuttle routes. At the same time revenues increased by $64,480 or 10.1 %. This is due at least in part to a system -wide rate increase. This has resulted in a cost recovery ratio increase from approximately 20% to nearly 24%. The net cost per passenger decreased to $5.31 from a 4 -year average of $5.90. Metrolink services are much more cost-effective in terms getting people out of personal vehicles, and off the road. It costs over 3 times more to transport a passenger through the Dial -A -Ride program as it does for Metrolink. However, it is important to consider the purpose of each program. The intent of Metrolink is to transport large volumes of people to designated locations at designated times to reduce traffic congestion and protect the enviromnent. The intent of the Dial -A -Ride program is to move a limited number of people, who likely have very few alternatives for transportation, to various locations at various times. As a generality, it is likely that individual Dial -A -Ride customers would be impacted more significantly by a reduction in service than Metrolink customers. This greatly complicates the decision of how to allocated limited resources. Budget The 2007 Plymouth Metrolink budget is $4,352,683. Eighty-five percent of this budget goes directly to bus operations; 15 percent supports administrative costs which include lease payments and operating costs of the park & ride lots and Station 73 transit facility. Fare collections cover about 24 percent of expenditures for express bus services and about 9 percent of expenditures for Dial -A -Ride services. The remaining revenues are MVET payments from the State of Minnesota. MVET payments from the State of Minnesota are dependant on vehicle sales. Recently, vehicle sales have not met expectations which has resulted in decrease revenues. However, it is difficult to predict what the future holds. Through the first 2 months of the year the Transit Fund has lost $11,368. This is right on track with what was expected in the 2007 Transit Budget which reflected a budgeted deficit of $75,683. This amount of loss is tolerable in light of the fact that the Transit Fund began 2007 with a fiend balance of approximately $2,100,000. This will be reduced by approximately $600,000 for the City's share of the Station 73 project. The remaining $1,500,000 is necessary for cashflow and to cushion the operation from the uncertainty and variability of revenues. Fleet The Plymouth Metrolink fleet is comprised of 11 small buses, 18 medium-sized buses and 16 forty -foot buses. Services are operated by a contract service provider, Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. Transit Facilities Plymouth Metrolink provides passengers the convenience of four park & ride lots (one in each quadrant of the City), 10 neighborhood stops (with amenities such as shelters and benches), and a walk up transit facility in The Reserve housing development in northern Plymouth. Station 73, a dedicated bus way and transit facility for timed transfer service —27— between Plymouth Metrolirilc shuttle and express bus transit services includes a fully enclosed passenger waiting area, structured parking for 280 vehicles and a bus circulation and layover area. Station 73 opened in October 2006. Summary In summary, the City of Plymouth's transit operation is currently stable and performing as expected. Ridership and fare revenues continue to increase steadily. While the performance of the MVET finding has declined and is uncertain, this has been offset by savings resulting from the new contract with Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. hn addition, there has been quite a bit of activity at the legislature regarding supplemental funding to stabilize MVET. The status of this potential field should be kriown by the end of May. Until the City receives better information regarding future funding I do not believe there is any compelling need to modify service. When and if the City decides to modify service it must do so within a timeline prescribed by the Metropolitan Council. There are only two pick dates left in 2007. They are for September and December. The following are timelines for each date: September Pick Pick information needed by Laidlaw and Metro Transit May 24`x' Council approval May 8rn PACT — public hearing and approval April 25"' December Pick Pick information needed by Laidlaw and Metro Transit September 4th Council approval August 28th PACT — public hearing and approval July 25`x' Since information is not expected from the state until late May, the September pick seems unrealistic. If changes in ser viceprove to be necessary the December pick is the more likely alternative. —28— Mar 16 Z007 1B:33:46 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 001 of 007 t L -Mc Freda Fax A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities ' March 16, 2007 Page 1 partisan lines, the language that will become Transportation committees craft i. ---- omnibus funding bills _1986'1„will be referred upon Monday's introduction to the Smeat(: F,1riance The cyte. ate.C.l:isns n� ortatinrl 13udgeand C ol.i `xi s'on. andi u s........................Ci cSr_i I :ua. k.nc_c:: l„.i visit n were busy this week assembling omnibus fiu7ding recommendations. The `•;e-flao'e. Budget and Pol:icv 1)i- is:'on considered two funding bills on Thursday afternoon. SF x;198': (Mur r)'[w, DFL - Red Airing), which the bill's author called a "fiscally constrained" bill, would make minimal investments in the next biennium and would not allow) for new road and transit investments. The second, S'F' :1986, also carried by Murphy, includes a ten cent increase in the gas tax, indexing of the gas tax, county authority to impose up to a $20 w$eelage tax per vehicle, county authority to impose a local transportation sales tax of 0.5 percent, $1 billion in trunk highway bonds and a number of additional smaller provisions. It was immediately criticized by republicans for being too large and for challenging the governor to follow through on his threat to veto any bill containing a gas tax increase. Although the bills were essentially written by the ;c riat:� .1 ril.rl l'I:)C)1.-tta:t:.ic:rn :l lt:t.c3,.Tc:t: acid :1 oll(N Division, they will be officially introduced on Monday of next week. The first bill is said to be a place -holder in the event the governor does veto the comprehensive package and the legislature is unsuccessful in overriding a veto The measure will not likely be scheduled for further hearings in the near future but may be used as a substitute for a dead ST' 1986 or as a vehicle for a more moderate proposal. Having passed on a roll call vote of 11 to 7 along The F.I.ous µI�.rzY;ws7c>riia'tic�:n I ittance 1.)n,-1s10r1 assembled its omnibus bill 1-11"946 DFL -Crookston) this morning. The bill, which was discussed in the form of a delete -all amendment, passed on a bipartisan roll call vote of 15 to 3. Like the Senate's bill, the measure contains a ten cent gas tax increase, county wheelage tax authority, county sales tax authority and $1 billion In trunk highway bonds. The bill was referred to the FT'(- usc, :l. ....... ................-........,..._....- . ...... early next week. Leaders on both the House and Senate have indicated they would like the transportation bills to move quickly through the remainder of the conniriittee process and be ready for final passage by both bodies within days. Early passage of a bill would allow tune during the final weeks of session for alternative proposals should the bill die on the governor's desk. (Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 651.281.12(53 or gdp Domestic partner benefits Several bills have been introduced in recent weeks that either allow or mandate cities to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees. The League currently has no policy on domestic partner benefits so the Board of Directors was asked to provide guidance at its March meeting. Two of the bills ( F �.�fiC) and :i 1:F 1 Ot31) allow cities, at their discretion, to expand the definition of "dependent" for purposes of For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 _29_ Mar 16 2007 18:34:3Z Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 002 Of 007 Fax® LMC -Friy '(ili�F. �nnq.pGy.� ypy�y„;v A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities March 16, 2007 Page 2 employee group insurance beyond the current Homestead Credit (IvIVHC). The House budget statutory definition of spouse and children. targets include roughly $50 million into LGA. These two bills do not mandate that cities offer these benefits. The Senate Bill also reinstates the pre -2003 On Thursday, the League's Board of Directors approved a motion that will support these two bills based on local control - i.e., the fact that the decision on whether the offer the benefits is at the control of local elected and appointed officials. Several other bills (:; ; 1.-.I & T;[�F ,2:19- ;1 J[-324 & I_;,If ;1::x:3= do mandate the expansion of employee benefits - specifically sick leave benefits. Current law requires Minnesota employers to allow employees to use sick leave to care for their children; most of these proposed bills expand that requirement to siblings, spouses, parents, grandparents and domestic partners. The League will be opposing this legislation based on our longstanding policy opposing urn ended mandates. Questions? Contact Laura Kushner at 651, 251.1203 or lk-ushner@lmnc.org. Taff bills taking shape Friday morning's legislative schedule included the unveiling of the Senate :["roller J''ax I:?ivisicxci' ; property tax and state aid articles that 'Will form the backbone of the 2007 Senate omnibus tax bill. The House Ways and Means Committee also released their preliminary spending targets which provide a glimpse of the House direction on property tax relief. The Senate is proposing a $150 million increase in LGA fiinding and a $42 million increase in funding for the Market Value grandfathered LGA aid base. Chairman koc (DFL -Clearbrook) indicated to the committee that he believes there are serious problems wIitll the current LGA formula and that the proposals offered by the North Metro Nlayors/Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Association of Small Cities and the volatility fix offered by the League are further indication that the program needs significant work. He suggested that within the time constraints of the committee, a comprehensive solution could not be identified this year. As a result, the Senate bill includes a legislative study of the LGA formula that would take place during the upcoming interim. Along with the extra Iv1VHC funding, the bill also contains an increase of $9 million in funding for agricultural property credits, $24 million for property tax refund (PTR), $60 mlllioin for county aids, $15 million for townships, and $75 million for schools. These two articles were amended to SF 1, the Senate's earlier property tax relief proposal. The Senate bill includes one major revenue enhancement—a modification to the statewide property tax that will generate an estimated $222 million during the upcoming biennium. However, the bill currently does not raise sufficient revenue to cover the property tax relief obligations, including LGA and MVHC. The fiill tax committee is expected to include additional revenue -raising provisions when the other sales and income tax articles are unveiled next week. For more in%rmalion on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 —30— Mar 16 Z007 10:35:15 Via Fax —> 763 509 5060 Administrator LMC '1,7i1r.�� .�•.� ��l.y.� 4.�V1W�.�r y -Fri a F ax® _A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities In the House PropF_rty_ `I'a.x (.,gr rnit.te_e_ Friday morning, several LGA bills were up that had not yet been heard this session. Numerous city officials were on hand to testify on the ten proposals. This meeting actually occurred before the mid-morning press conference announcing an intended $55 million for LGA. Chairman y:[�' (DFL -Dilworth) committee will roll out their property tax article/division report next Friday, March 23r`t. For a full story of this morning's hearing, see next week's Cities Bulletin. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1251 or jorourke a lmnc• org• Will the grocer's wine bill get bagged? Tuesday evening, LIF L* Z1 was heard in the Florx,;:.e and I..a:bo:t_ but no votes were taken On this longstanding, controversial issue. The committee ultimately laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus liquor bill. Testifying in opposition and on behalf Of city interests were Woodbury Police Chief Bill Hering, and Bemidji's Liquor Store manager, Dan Bahr. The police chief highlighted concerns that the legislation would increase youth access to alcohol by providing the committee vrlth statistics about how Woodbury's police department had worked with their retail establislunents to substantially reduce youth access to alcohol. Bemiciji's Dan Bar explained how municipal store profits benefited their community, and hour this proposal would hann those revenues. Proponents of the legislation concentrated their testimony on customer convenience, and how current liquor statutes were unfair given the big -box retail competition grocery stores face. The examples they used were how Super Paye 003 of 007 March 16, 2007 Page 3 Target and Hoene Depots that have aisle for food items. Chairman .doe Atkins ins (DFL -Inver Grove �.._.._ ..........-- - Heights) acknowledged that committee members had been lobbied plenty on the subject, and urged the public should be directed to his office. The Senate companion has not been scheduled for a hearing, although will likely have a hearing to hear other liquor bills and this could still come up. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 March madness at the Capitol For people 1v$o spend time at the State Capitol, March Madness isn't just about basketball. Between Monday and Friday Of this week, House and Senate committees have heard hundreds of bills, and the League has tracked dozens of them. Below are updates on just some of the bills moving through the process that may be of interest to city officials. Geothermal wierg3 (:.3; ".._:L3 / ':__`3C) 1 and 11F." 103VS1 .133 8): The League supported legislation creating revolving loan fund for municipalities for installation of geothermal heating/cooling systems and successfixlly amended a bill requiring that geothermal heating and cooling be given preference in the design of all state financed buildings to simply say that any building required under 168.335 to do pre -design must consider geothermal and other renewable energy options. For more infoimation on city legislative issues, contact any member oft he League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 -31- Mar 16 Z007 18:35:50 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Lm -Fridaw Fax - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities Fmv:liing for the removal of diseased shade trees IIF 6.54/Sl 4`3 : LMC supported funding for cities to handle removal and processing of diseased shade trees. Mayor Katie Himanga of Lake City provided testimony. Wetlands (:f1F I.;-'4::): LMC successfully negotiated amendments to address correction of problematic changes to 15.99 and removal of nese citizen enforcement/lawsuit authorities: Senate bills have not yet passed through the environment policy committee. Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (ISTS) (I-:l::F�1 1�2C)/> �? ,1.1 R1-(: LMC ~worked out a compromise in a bill to remove requirements of the use of an engineer to design and install ISTS's With less than 10,000 gallons per clay of flow capacity. Inteivn ordinance liinitations (FIF ;1?._ 4/SF 108N)): LMC and other local government organizations worked with builders to address their concerns with interim ordinances. The bill was supported by the Builders Association of the Tti7%rin Cities and proposed to block cities from using interim ordinances; but all parties agreed in advance that if a compromise could not be reached that issue, it would not hove forward this year. A�I-iile progress was made in finding common ground and crafting language to limit the bills applicability to platted residential subdivision projects, the details proved to be more complex than could be easily worked out. The bill was set aside for this year. Best -value construction contracting Q ---LF, 571/i�;I� :1278.): The League provided ...-__........ ....._........._......... ... testimony In several hearings supporting making statutory clarification of municipal authority to use a best -value bidder process Paye 004 0f 007 March 16, 2007 Page 4 as an alternative to lowest responsible bidder. This issue is not likely to be resolved this session, but stakeholder meeting are now tinder -way with the major construction firms and trade groups to discuss what would be necessary for this concept to move forward in the future. LMC has also pointed out that this tool could be useful for some other types of non -construction contracting. e Nater infrastructure ftundinng 790/I.II? ll.:i_86�: LMC supported legislation from the Public Facilities Authority that awards bonus priority points for stormwater projects that benefit impaired waters and bases prioritization of proposals in all infrastructure programs on the state Project Priority List. • Clean Water Legacy Act (C`NAIL A) finding: LMC testified at hearing regarding tine Governor's budget recommendations in support of over $40 million per year of general fiend money and over $40 million per year of bonding money to adequately address the funding needs of the state's Clean AUater Legacy program. The Governor recommended $20 million per year of general fund support in his budget. Labor coirunimicationnsl° .`.>;{) The League worked out agreement with AFSCME to accept LMC proposed language changes to their bill to limit protected communication to union activities and business or legal labor organizing as defined in state and federal laws. Also clarifies that employers may have reasonable rules regarding that union communication (quantity, content, attachments, non -work time only, etc.) and may enforce those rules. If the workplace has a collective bargaining agent, those For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 -32- Mar 16 Z007 10:36:42 Via Fax —> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 005 Of 007 LMC Freda Fax- { •F.,...,,,,,,r, :, ,.,,lu,,,Y _4 weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities J March 16, 2007 Page 5 rules are to be worked out between the action on the Senate Consent Calendar and employer and the bargaining agent. We also agreed to remove all of the neer remedy language in the original bill, leaving only the ability for employees to use an existing grievance procedure and to only be eligible for lost wrork pay in damages. Aruiexation 1II, 1876: This bill will be heard on Monday in the House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committee. It wrill include technical changes to last year's annexation bill, including continuing task force for an additional year and making permanent the increase of the annexation by ordinance acreage limit from 60 to 120 acres. Phospllollls standards (I '15 will be heard on Monday in the House Environment and Natural Resources policy committee. It will be amended to simply extend the prohibition on the MPCA adopting rules on phosphorus effluent limits for municipal wastewater treatirient facilities until July 1, 2008. Amusement izde safety (LL�L8241SF, J.." ) :This bill would implement the League's policy seeking oversight of amusement ride safety. It was scheduled for a hearing in the Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee this week, but the committee ran out of time to take it up. The League has submitted a letter of support and is prepared to testify when the bill is rescheduled. Wellness and employee recognition (.111 905/SF',_l I l,): This bill would explicitly allow cities to offer wellness and employee recognition activities for employees. It has House General Orders. Light pollution (f -„l: ,_ �j(i : The League successfully advocated to remove provisions that would have required cutoff luminaire lighting when existing public lighting is replaced. The bill as amended requires the state to develop a model ordinance that can be voluntarily adopted by cities_ Automatic external defibizllators (AED's) in patrol vel-►icles (FUL , 662/SIS 968 and II-I.II: ,fel;'N-',:E 334.): The League has successfully advocated against legislation that would require local police departments to equip patrol vehicles with AED's and for legislation that would provide grants to departments that truant to voluntarily purchase the devices. Levy limits on transportation projects Ct-LR.� .*I UDD: This bill would have prohibited local units of govemment from increasing expenditures on road construction. The League provided testimony in the House Property Tax Division against the bill, but also stated that the bill underscores the fact that transportation spending contributes to the property tax burden, particularly when the spending is a result of cost participation in trunk highway projects or for municipal state aid streets that are not hilly funded. Administrative fines (LL 8z 7/S 1.008 and I -IF 656/SF'.l55): The League has worked successfully in the House to advance a proposal that would allow cities to issue their own traffic tickets for low level moving violations and to table a bill that would prohibit the practice. Neither measure has been scheduled for a hearing in passed through committees in both the the Senate. House and Senate and is awaiting final • PhotoCop QLF, 1.05 107:1M).- This bill would allow cities to implement a program For more information cn city legislative issues, contact any member of the League ofMinnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relaticros team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 —33— Mar 16 Z007 10:37:27 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator F reda F�.x® _A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities to allow police officers to issue a citation to a motor vehicle owrner or lessee for violations detected with the use of an automated traffic enforcement system. -With the League's support, the bill has passed through the in initial hearings in both bodies. It faces a number of hurdles because it will need to make additional stops in many more committees in order to reach the House and Senate floors. • Other Post Einployinent Benefits OPEB trusts 1IF These League -initiated bills would allow local units of government to establish trusts and invest funds to cover obligations such as retiree health care. The House bill was approved by the Local Government Committee and will next be considered by the K-12 Education Finance Committee. The Senate bill was laid over by the Tax Committee until March 20 to allow members more time to consider the bill. • Flu pandemic open meeting lane (Ill,' 11.1L( ): These League -initiated bills would allow local units of government to conduct public meetings with members in attendance via teleconference in the event of a flu pandemic or declared emergency. The Senate bill was approved by the State and Local Government Committee and sent to the floor. The House bill will be heard next week. LGA volatility fix (L-11: ; 'Ll.1 / I :I. ?5l; These League -initiated bills contain the LGA volatility fix that would reduce major annual fluctuations in individual city LGA distributions. The bills were considered this week in the Senate and House Tax Committees and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bills. • Nonpartisan election judge appointments :75 3): The League requested Paye 006 Of 007 March 16, 2007 Page 6 introduction of a bill that gives cities authority to appoint election judges not affiliated with any major political party while maintaining political party balance among remaining election judges. Loth bills are on the floor awaiting final action. There was no opposition to the legislation during committee hearings. Statewide cable franchising: Representative Sheldon Johnson (DFL -St. Paul), Chair of the House Telecommunications Regulation & Infrastructure Division, held a hearing today on an unofficial proposal drafted by Qwest calling for statewide franchising for competitive cable franchising, an end to local authority to require competitors to comply v%fith local build -out requirements, and steep reductions to funding available to cover the costs to produce and make available local public, educational and government (PEG) programming. The League and cable franchise administrators (MACTA) presented testimony challenging the need for and adverse outcomes of the proposal. An official bill will be introduced next week by Rep. Johnson, and will be officially heard in the same division next Friday morning, March 23. Look for an Action Alert on this issue next Week. Absentee voting (:f-. This bill expands access and eligibility to vote by absentee ballot. Loth the House and Senate bills have met policy deadlines and are being included in omnibus state government fiuiding legislation. Election administration ;1.`98): This bill includes neer language clarifying and making uniform a 100 -foot limit from the building in which polling places are located for both lingering and political campaign activities on Election Fur more info niation on city legislative issues, contact any member ofthe League of Minnesota Cities Intergovenmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 -34- Mar 16 Z667 10:38:13 Via Fax -> 763 509 5666 Administrator Paye 067 0f 067 L Mc -Freda Faymrv..nnr L,tu•e 2%._ -•,., /w..w A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities March 16, 2007 Page 7 Day. The bill is through both policy ever joint local government legislative committees in the Senate and has passed the conference. (The Governor is the lunch keynote Government Operations Committee in the speaker on March 29.) House. • Construction codesE:CI :1208/£:f 99,?,): (:_..._........._......._...... ...... __.... .......__... The House and Senate versions of this initiative are two very different bills at this point. What was supposed to be a state department bill to carry out the Governor's 2006 Executive Order consolidating the code development, education and enforcement process within the Minnesota Departinent of Labor & Industry (DLI) has been drastically altered by the House author (Nlahoney-Dist. 67A) to create a process dominated by six trade disciplines (plumbing, electric, pressure piping, mechanical, building/structural, and energy) rather than maintaining the current process and direction for code development that local building officials favor and rely on to assure and protect public safety and welfare. The League and the Association of Minnesota Building Officials oppose :F�:lF „l;".',01; in its current form, which differs radically from its original form as introduced, and support the companion measure in the Senate, SF 9998, which remains in the fora to vviiich cities and local building officials agreed after reaching consensus on the contents of the legislation prior to session. The Governor is coming to the LMC Legislative Conference? Renewing the Partnership—Legislative Conference for Cities, Comities, and Schools is a historic coming -together and the only League of Minnesota Cities Legislative Conference in 2007. Date: March 28-29, 2007 Location: St. Paul, Crmwie Plaza (formerly the Radisson Riverfront) Registration Fee: $125 person Register by March 23 at: tinvw.lmnc.org Questions? Contact Cathy Dovidio at (651) 251-1250 or (800) 925-1122, or e-mail cdovidio@lmnc.org. Town hall meetings Toni hall meetings are a great chance to meet NN,ith your legislators and tell your city story close to home. Upcoming meetings in a city near you include: Mar. 17 in Eden Prairie (Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive, 10:30-11:30 a.m.) With Rep. Maria Ruud Mar. 17 in Shoreview (City Hall, 11:00 a.m.) with Rep. Paul Gardner Check your local newspaper or radio station for You have only one more week to register for additional dates. To receive e-mail notice of upcoming the LMC Legislative Conference, March 28-29, town hall meetings near you, subscribe online at 1'7tt: ):/ ��'9✓�7r .1.1C711Sf:.1P`.:t.stilt.(''.7Z]T1.1,15'1C1i11117St�:C)'1a11711:1]St,.rlS.i 2007..,._.s..._..�.�..___._....�....�..��..�....M....�.._.�..,.�. �__�.,_.�.�...._,�..._....m_..r,_ and 1::its.�:;,�'�;4�4vy✓;st_:nat(.:lt,g_;l�ft� nava.lis%sctic;�.(t:�tc;:'lis�sa:1:�':lz_txz�_ Join Governor Tim Pa-Menty and nearly 1,000 city, county, and school officials for the first - For mrne information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League oflvlinnesota Cities Inlergoveru,,ental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 -35-